In general, there are two reasons why a diamond with a lower carat weight can look bigger than one with a larger carat weight. 1) The larger carat diamond actually has a physically smaller diameter; or 2) The size difference is really just an optical illusion. It all comes down to cut. If we’re looking at a diamond that is balanced in terms of light performance and is … [Read more...]
How to Clean a Diamond Ring
I am always surprised to find out that many people don’t clean their diamond jewelry. This tutorial will help you understand what makes a diamond become dirty, as well as tell you how and why you should clean your diamond. I will be looking at the different ways to clean a diamond, what is best, and how dirt, dust, and oil on your diamond affects its light … [Read more...]
Is palladium better than platinum?
Here are the facts: Palladium is less expensive than platinum Palladium weighs less than platinum Palladium belongs to the same chemical group as platinum and therefore has similar chemical behaviour Palladium is more difficult to work with in jewelery Platinum and palladium are indeed quite similar. They have similar color as both are naturally white. Platinum has … [Read more...]
How to Use a Jeweler’s Loupe
This tutorial is going to cover what a loupe is, what it is used for, and how to use one. A jeweller’s loupe is essentially a type of magnifying device. It is used to inspect the laser inscription, and to look for inclusions and blemishes both for verifying the clarity grade and for identification. It can also be used to check for proportions and optical symmetry, once you … [Read more...]
How do you price a diamond using the Rap Sheet?
This week I received an interesting question that I thought I would share. It just so happens that the topic is on the Rapaport price list which I had just written a tutorial about. You can read my article here. The question was what premium on top of Rap would be added to borderline diamonds that are toward the higher end of a grading scale. The reader also wanted to … [Read more...]