Understanding the Allure – and the Mystery – of Pink Diamond Earrings

We all know that old saying – with the old (but wonderful) song that goes along with it; diamonds are a girl’s’ best friend. But we’d like to get more specific when it comes to diamond earrings; pink diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

Why? For starters, most women like pink. Even those who usually prefer to wear darker colours. Secondly, take a look at your friends’ earrings the next time you’re out. Lots of clear diamonds, nice, but not exactly memorable or different. Pink diamond earrings, however, are very different. They stand out from the crowd. And so, so will you.

But putting aside for a second the incredible look pink diamond earrings offer they are very special for other reasons. Here are just a few of those:

They are Super Rare

Every diamond is, if it’s cut and polished the right way, a beauty. But a pink diamond is a rare beauty. Really rare. 90% of the world’s supply of pink diamonds come from a single source (just one mine, but more about that in a moment.) And at that mine for every 1 million carats of diamonds mined produces, on average, just a single carat of pink diamond that is suitable to sell.

The Way They Form is Mysterious

Most of us learn in primary school science class about the basics of a diamond formation. Diamonds were formed deep in the Earth’s mantle and then at some point, they were pushed up much closer to the surface by volcanic eruptions. These eruptions result in the creation of kimberlite and lamproite ‘pipes’ that can then be excavated to bring these precious gems to the surface.

But in the case of coloured diamonds, like the pink ones used to make pink diamond earrings, scientists believe something else happens to them to give them their pretty pink hue. But they are still not quite sure what that is in the case of pink diamonds.

Other naturally coloured diamonds derive their unique shades from various naturally occuring chemical impurities that absorb light. For example, most yellow diamonds usually contain minute traces of nitrogen, and the very rare blue diamond almost always contain traces of boron.

The mystery attached to the pink diamond is that, when tested, they do not seem to have been infiltrated by other chemicals at all. This has led most experts to speculate that the pink color may actually be the result of a long-ago seismic shock that actually changed the stone’s molecular structure. This is borne out by the fact that the vast majority of them are only found deep within a single mine.

They Come From Exotic Places

Remember we told you that 90% of the world’s pink diamonds come from a single mine? That mine is called the Argyle Mine and it’s located the East Kimberley region in the remote north end of Western Australia. It’s a beautiful, but rather desolate place that surrounds a huge man-made lake – Lake Argyle – and is home to the widest variety of birds in the country. So, to know the pink diamond earrings you are wearing originated in such a place is, again, pretty cool.

They Come in Many Different Hues

No two pink diamonds can ever be said to be the same. The pink can vary in intensity from a deep, almost purplish pink, to a light baby pink. Many also contain a secondary hue. Some have hints of blue, some have hints of yellow. Others have a greenish, or even grayish, tinge. These variations mean that every pink diamond – and therefore every piece of jewellery crafted from it – is unique in appearance – and if you are going to treat yourself – or a loved one – to a fine pair of diamond earrings you obviously want them to be very special. And if you opt for pink diamond earrings they certainly will be.

The post Understanding the Allure – and the Mystery – of Pink Diamond Earrings appeared first on Asteria Magazine.

source https://www.asteriadiamonds.com/blog/understanding-the-allure-and-the-mystery-of-pink-diamond-earrings/

Understanding the Beauty and Prestige of the Green Diamond Ring

All green precious stones are emeralds, right? At least that’s what many people think. In fact, however, they are quite wrong if they do.

Emeralds are certainly beautiful gemstones. And they make wonderful jewellery. However, as jewellers and gem connoisseurs know there is a green stone more precious than any emerald; green diamonds. And while emerald rings are beautiful, a green diamond ring is often even more so.

Green diamonds are far from common. In fact, they run close in rarity to blue diamonds, like the one which constitutes the legendary Hope Diamond. This means that a green diamond ring is something truly special.

Why are Green Diamonds Green?

Scientists, diamond mining experts and jewelry professionals worldwide have spent a great deal of time and money investigating the exact cause(s) for the various colors diamonds inherit as they develop beneath the earth. And they really haven’t reached a complete agreement as to why this natural phenomenon occurs, but there are some widely held beliefs that are now generally accepted as ‘right’.

In the case of green diamonds, the coloration in most of them is believed to be due to natural radiation from nearby rocks, which traps electrons to create a green surface color.

Brown-tinted diamonds can also turn green, or reflect a greenish color, if the rough diamond ore manages to reach excessively hot temperatures as they continue to develop.

The Challenge of Cutting Green Diamonds

Most natural-color green diamonds have a color that is only “skin deep.” This prevents many of them from being cut into faceted gems that retain a distinct green color. Diamonds with a green color that is evenly distributed through the stone are exceptionally rare.

When the green color is confined to a thin layer just below the natural surface of the rough, the shape of the finished diamond must be carefully planned to preserve as much green color as possible. Often the diamond is cut to preserve green color around the girdle of the stone or sometimes to preserve color in the culet. With a small volume of color to start and sometimes only a portion of it remaining, these green diamonds are a special challenge to cut and can really only be handled succesfully by very experienced professionals.

Green Diamond Color Variations

Green diamonds can be found with single, pure color, but most often contain one or even two secondary hues. The various overtone colors of a green diamond found are Yellow, Yellowish, Blue, Bluish, Brown, Brownish, Grey, Grayish, Gray Yellowish, and Grayish Yellowish.

The green color, whatever the secondary hue is extremely unique. So much so, that it is actually somewhat difficult to determine whether a green diamond is natural or treated. Many polishers purposely leave what is referred to as a Natural along the girdle of the stone. The purpose of the Natural is so any diamond associations, such as the GIA, can identify the natural color of the stone and thereof award it a certified diamond certificate without too much difficulty.

Do Green Diamond Rings Have a Meaning?

Many people like to assign ‘meanings’ to precious gemstones and green diamonds are no exception. The ‘meaning’ of a certain green diamond ring may depend on its actual shade of green. The green diamond, in general, has a very strong emotional correspondence with safety as it is probably the most restful color for the human eye. Green also suggests both stability and endurance. However, aqua green is associated more with emotional healing and protection while olive green is the traditional color of peace.

As an engagement or anniversary ring, a green diamond ring can be considered very special indeed. Not just for all the reasons we have just stated, but also simply because they are truly beautiful and unique.

The post Understanding the Beauty and Prestige of the Green Diamond Ring appeared first on Asteria Magazine.

source https://www.asteriadiamonds.com/blog/understanding-the-beauty-and-prestige-of-the-green-diamond-ring/