Even before these magnificent creations of nature were mined in large quantities toward the end of the 19th century, they were a source of fascination and value to early man. The Romans thought diamonds were splinters from falling stars while the Greeks regarded the sparkling gems as tears of the gods. It is a derivation of the Greek word "adamas," meaning unconquerable, that gave the diamond its name.
Rare and fascinating, mysterious and magical, the diamond has ignited fires of war and romantic passion throughout history.
The diamond claimed its place as the primary token of love toward the end of the 15th century when Austrian Archduke Maximillian gave the first diamond engagement ring to his betrothed. It was placed on the fourth finger of her left hand because that finger was believed to course with the vein of love that passed directly to the heart. Five centuries later, the diamond remains one of the most luxurious and desirable gifts for any romantic and celebratory occasion, a gem whose purity and brilliance symbolizes lasting love.
When you shop for a diamond you will no doubt be introduced to the 4c's, a worldwide citeria for evaluating diamonds. They stand for the following:
Before you buy a diamond, we suggest you learn as much as you can. Compare quality and value. Ask to see the credentials of the store and those of its sales associates. Ethical standards, professional training and degrees, reputation in the community and the gemological world are all very important.
Buying a diamond can be very challenging. For example, there are 21 grades of color, from colorless to yellow. There are 11 grades of clarity, from flawless to imperfect. This presents 231 possible grades before the quality of the cutting is even considered. Learning about the four well-known Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight – will take the mystery out of making your selection.
In addition, there is a very important fifth C. It is confidence…confidence in the integrity, reliability, reputation, and gemological knowledge of the jeweler with whom you choose to do business.
If you comparison shop for diamonds of the same quality, comparing "apples to apples," you will be pleasantly surprised at the superior quality and value at our store.