Check out our 10 Reasons to Shop For Diamonds at David & Sons Jewelers

There are many benefits to choosing custom jewelry rather than “off the shelf” pieces. Deciding on whether to purchase or carry custom jewelry depends on personal considerations. There is no denying the appeal of wearing jewelry that no one else owns, and having something that is truly unique and original.  Below are just a few of the advantages of choosing a custom jewelry dealer:

You’ve got the only one

Most important, the beauty of custom jewelry is that it’s one of a kind. No one else will ever own anything like it. You’ll never face that embarrassing moment of walking into a dinner party with a piece of jewelry you are proud of only to find an identical one like it worn by someone else. Like a unique piece of art, custom jewelry stands by itself as the only item of its kind. It’s more personal when you know your wedding ring is one of a kind because it’s perfectly unique and all your own.

Think outside the box

Creating your own custom jewelry allows you to think outside of the box, creating your own custom fit with any stone you’d like. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean she’s limited to wearing only diamonds. When you create your own custom jewelry, you are free to use any stone you’d like, whatever strikes your fancy. Choose from sapphires, rubies, emeralds, etc.  If you love diamonds, but still want something exotic, choosing colored diamonds is a great way to add some flare to your custom jewelry piece.

Recreate family heirlooms

You may have stones or metals from family heirlooms that you’d like to mix into your jewelry to give it a connection to tradition and the past. This is an excellent idea if you have a piece of jewelry that has great economic or sentimental value, but a design you don’t like. You can keep the jewels in the family by recreating an entirely new piece based on the tradition of the old. It’s a great way to pass down traditions while adding your own.

Create a romantic or loving bond

If you are looking for a dash of romance, custom jewelry is a great way to make him or her feel special and unique. There’s no one like your lover or spouse, so why not make their engagement or wedding ring completely unique? Custom jewelry is a great gift between lovers and spouses since it creates a special connection that’s unique to the couple. It can also be a great way to bond with friends and children, since you will be the only ones who share the jewelry pieces.
 

Engagement ring diamonds come in a wide variety of cuts and shapes. There are two basic types of diamond cuts, which produce two basic kinds of diamond shapes. These are the step diamond cut, which utilizes gradual incisions that create a “step” pattern on the surface of the stone, generally producing a rectangular (or emerald) diamond; and the brilliant cut, which utilizes angled cuts designed to create maximum internal light refraction, producing a round-shaped diamond. When these two basic cuts are combined, they produce a variety of mixed cuts that result in various shapes with varying degrees of sharpness and brilliance. The type of diamond cut you choose for your engagement ring depends entirely on personal taste. For your consideration however, here are 5 of the most popular engagement ring diamond cuts today.

1. The Round Diamond

The round or brilliant cut diamond has been the diamond of choice for couples for many years, and it accounts for about 75% of total worldwide diamond sales today. The reason for this is that the round cut is specially designed to produce maximum light refraction, the quality that gives a diamond its sparkle. The most popular of the round, brilliant cut diamonds is the Ideal Cut diamond, which has 58-facets divided between its top, girdle and base. The higher-quality, and far more expensive, Leo Diamond has a patented 66 facets.

2. The Radiant Cut Diamond

The step cut or emerald diamond has an elegant, classic rectangular shape that appeals to many couples. However, the step cut incisions lack the sparkle of the brilliant cut diamond. For those who want the elegance of the rectangular emerald shape along with the brilliance of the round cut diamond, the radiant diamond provides an excellent choice. It combines step and brilliant cuts to produce a brilliant, 70-facet, rectangular-shaped diamond with rounded edges.  

3. The Marquise Diamond

Commissioned by King Louis XIV of France, and purportedly inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour, the marquise diamond has an elongated shape that comes to a sharp point on both ends. Rather than a combination of step and brilliant cuts, this diamond is essentially an adaptation of the round, brilliant cut diamond. It, like the round diamond, has 58 facets. The crown of the marquise diamond is sometimes cut in a way that eliminates the top point of the stone, or the bezel facet. The marquise diamond is popular in ring designs that make use of smaller decorative diamonds.

4. The Oval Diamond

Like the marquis diamond, the oval diamond is a modified brilliant cut diamond. It was invented in the 1960s by jeweler Lazare Kaplan. Like the standard brilliant cut round diamond, the oval cut diamond has 58 facets. Its shape provides an even, elongated symmetrical design that has the effect of making shorter fingers look longer and more graceful. Because of its growing popularity amongst consumers, the oval diamond has grown to be quite expensive. Nevertheless it continues to be one of the diamond cuts of choice for engagement rings and anniversary jewelry.

5. The Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond is one of the most popular fancy shaped diamonds today. It is relatively new and is in the shape of a square oblong, rather than a rectangle or emerald. However it is not a modification of the step cut diamond, but of the brilliant cut. Thus, it matches other round-cut diamonds in brilliance while providing a sharp and unique shape. Princess diamonds provide the most brilliance you can get out of a square shaped stone.

Congratulations! You have done the easy part already—you have already picked the one you want to spend the rest of your life with—now you need to select the perfect engagement ring for her and we are honored to help you out! Whether you are planning on selecting a ring by yourself or you are going ring shopping together as a couple, here are three main factors you will want to consider when looking at the many choices of engagement rings: The 4 C’s with emphasis on Cut, which Metal to choose, and what type of Setting to mount the beautiful diamond in.

1. The 4 C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight…a quick review!

This diamond is going to be the centerpiece of the engagement ring so it is therefore the most important to consider when examining all of the choices available. The most traditional stone for an engagement ring is a Round diamond although there are many other choices including Princess, Emerald, Asscher, Marquise, Oval, Radiant, Pear, Heart, and Cushion.  No matter which shape you choose, it is extremely important that you get a good Cut. As stated before, the proper depth, table, and overall “make” of the diamond are what draws the eye with its sparkle, scintillation, and beauty. Our diamonds are scrutinized and selected first and foremost for the cut then we focus on the color, clarity, and carat weight.

As for Color, the scale starts with D (the highest and most valuable) and goes down to Z (least valuable, tinged yellow or brown) with a spectrum of shading in between.  Clarity is based on the diamonds inclusions (natural imperfections). The less visible the inclusions are under 10x magnification then the higher the clarity. It is not necessary to go with Flawless, however the more inclusions there are, the more the light that is traveling within the stone, the less beauty, scintillation, and sparkle will result.

Lastly is the Carat Weight of the diamond. A diamond is measured by points (100 points equals to one carat). The most traditional size for an engagement ring is a one carat diamond however budget and the size of her hand determine how practical that is. We will sit down and discuss with you which is the best size of diamond for you to go with based on where you feel comfortable. You can feel confident that we will not be pushy to you in any way to buy the diamond we think you should. We will simply present the information and let you decide. After almost three decades in business we feel that this is the best way to build lasting relationships with our valued customers.

2. Metal 

There are two traditional metals from which to choose to place your diamond in—Platinum (white in appearance) and Gold (available in white or yellow).  Here are some of their differences.

• Platinum:  The rarest and most valuable of the two metals.  Though it is more expensive it is often misinterpreted as being better than gold. Although platinum does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold, it is more subject to damage based on normal wear due to its pliability. Platinum is more pliable than gold because of its purity; most platinum consists of 95% pure platinum and 5% iridium.
  

• Gold:  The most common metal for jewelry is gold (in either 14k or 18k) not only because it is less expensive than platinum, but because it is the most lustrous metal and it is a stronger metal that requires less maintenance. Pure gold is 24k and is too soft to hold stones safely so alloy is added to give strength to the structure; 14k is 58% pure gold and 18k is 75% pure gold (the rest of the content is alloy). Since white gold has nickel as its alloy, it appears “off-white” in color and it must be rhodium plated periodically to maintain its white-as-platinum appearance. Some are allergic to the nickel alloy so in that case they are forced to choose platinum.  
  

3. Setting (or Mounting)

There are many different setting styles for your center stone and we have plenty of settings ready to go when you come in or we can custom create something one-of-a-kind. Either way you will by no means have a shortage of choices.  With that said, here are a few of the more common styles to consider before you do your shopping.

• Solitaire Setting:  This is one of the most popular engagement ring settings.  This is a simple band that showcases the diamond alone.  Depending on the shape of the stone the solitaire can either be designed with a four or six prong setting. When choosing which will be best for you we discuss the lifestyle of the person who will be wearing the ring and try to make the perfect match. Either way we make sure that the diamond remains secure.  A solitaire setting is often chosen when a man wants to propose but does not want to commit to a setting style.  We will be glad to reset the diamond into a different setting later if you both decide on another style. 
  

• Three-stone Setting:  Also known as the “Past, Present, Future” setting where the two side diamonds represent the past and the present and the center diamond represents the future, this ring symbolizes what marriage is all about, your future together.  This setting is a simple style that will never go out of style and at the same time mean the world to the one you love.
  

• Side-Stone Setting:  This setting style really allows for creativity and imagination with many options and a variety of looks.  You can choose to have the side-stones placed in a channel setting where the diamonds are recessed in the walls in either a straight of curved line (somewhat modern style), in a pavé setting where the stones are slightly submerged into the ring and held by tiny prongs (almost antique style), or you can choose to have the side-stones set in a traditional prong setting where each diamond is secured in their own position with their own prongs, or you can choose a very modern style like a flush setting such as bezel or burnish where the stones look like they are almost melted flush into the ring.

• Matching Band Setting: If a wedding band is planned to go with the engagement ring, you might consider a matching band setting from the start.  Matching bridal sets are designed to fit together on one finger with many options from which to choose.  They are often made to match but can be worn separately, and some are separate rings that are elaborately designed to fit like a puzzle and meant to be worn together.

Shopping for jewelry can be both fun and overwhelming at the same time.  That is why you should have someone you trust to help answer all you questions and assist you in making all of your important jewelry decisions.  Here are some things to know when picking out a jeweler.

Referral

The first thing you can do when looking for a jeweler is ask around within your social circle for any referrals or recommendations.  The people that you choose to surround yourself with often know you best and may have similar taste in jewelry, service, and price range.  Also, if you visit a jeweler on a referral, the jeweler may be more personable and helpful because they will want to live up to the good word and continue to get referrals from you as well in the future.

Type and Style of Jewelry

It is important to think of the type of jewelry for which you will be shopping.  If you are looking for certified loose diamonds or more rare shaped stones, you may want to visit a jeweler who specializes in single stones. 

Also think about style; if you like more classic styles compared to more modern styles, you will want to work with someone who has a wide variety of classic styles, and vise versa.  It is good to visit a lot of jewelers and peruse the different selections of jewelry before you start speaking with someone.  In other words, do a little window shopping before you commit to working with a jeweler.

Chain vs. Independent Dealer

There are a lot of benefits for both the chain jewelers and the independent jewelers.  Ultimately, it is just a matter of which suits you best.  At an independent jeweler, you may be able to find more exotic styles and stones as well as get more detailed information about the quality and life of your purchase.

Warranty and Repairs

Make sure you are familiar with the stores warranty and repair policy.  Some jewelers will require you to bring your purchase in every six months for an inspection and cleaning in order to keep the warranty valid.

Also you should ask whether repairs are done on sight or if they will be sent out.  This might be something to consider since repairs not done on sight may take longer and leave you without your purchases during such time.

Knowledgeable Staff 

A jeweler should be very knowledgeable and experienced.  If you are looking for a particular stone or piece of jewelry, such as a diamond engagement ring or another precious stone, they should be able to walk you through all aspects of what to look for with that stone.  The best way to tell if a jeweler is knowledgeable is to ask questions.  If they don’t seem to have the answers to your questions, they probably aren’t the jeweler for you.  You may also want to investigate how long the jewelry store has been in business and ask about how many years experience the jeweler has.

Customer Service and Comfort

Most importantly, you want to feel comfortable when working with your jeweler so you want to make sure they are known for good customer service.  Buying jewelry should be just as much about the experience of the purchase as it is with the experience of wearing your beautiful piece of jewelry.

Diamonds are made up of carbon atoms, the same atoms contained in coal and graphite. The difference between pencil led and a diamond, however, is that a diamond’s carbon atoms are bonded in a tetrahedral structure. Diamonds are basically the crystallized form of carbon. The pressure required to create a diamond occurs in two places: deep within the earth’s lithospheric mantle and at the site of a meteor crash. Meteor crashes being relatively rare, most diamonds we see today originate from deep inside the earth’s core. These diamonds emerge when volcanic eruptions carry magma that comes from a depth of at least 150 km up towards the surface of the planet. This is a rare occurrence, and even though diamond deposits can be found in many different countries, only a few are large enough to make diamond mining economically worthwhile.

One of the first countries to manufacture and produce diamonds as gemstones was India. The use of diamonds as religious icons in the south-Asian subcontinent dates back thousands of years. In ancient times, India had a wealth of alluvial diamond deposits, but these depleted over the centuries. Most diamonds today come from mines in the African, Russia, Australia, and more recently Canada.

Africa

Before diamonds were discovered in South Africa in the 1860s, diamonds were extremely rare and reserved for nobility. But the discovery of diamonds in Africa precipitated the emergence of a global diamond industry that made the precious stones available to anyone who could afford them. The famous Kimberly mine in the North Cape province of South Africa became ground zero for the booming diamond industry. Roughly 49% of the world’s diamonds come from central and southern Africa.

The Republic of Botswana in southern Africa is the largest producer of diamonds in the world. A British protectorate until it achieved independence in 1966, Botswana has produced more than 74 kimberlites to date, approximately 20% of the world’s diamonds. Diamond mining in Botswana is conducted by the company Debswana, a 50-50 joint venture between the government of Botswana and the global diamond industry giant De Beers, that employs about 2% of the nation’s total workforce. Botswana’s Jwaneng mine is the richest diamond mine in the world.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has also been a longtime major producer of diamonds, exporting just over 8% of the world’s diamonds today. A lot of international controversy has surrounded the diamond industry in the Congo, due to the fact that diamond production has been used in the region to fund local warlords in their ongoing military struggles. Diamond production in the Congo has come at the expense of much exploitation and violence. De Beers’ famous Millennium Star diamond was discovered in the Congo and sold to the diamond industry giant during the height of the Civil War that occurred in there during the mid-nineties.

In 2009, Congo’s diamond industry is seeing a rough decline. Earlier in the year De Beers announced that it would be stopping diamond exploration in the region. As the recent economic recession has resulted in a worldwide decline in the demand for precious gems and luxury items, Congo’s mining sector is on the brink.

Russia

In recent years, Russia has risen as a major player in the worldwide diamond industry. The worldwide diamond trade has long been a closed-knit, interdependent community, dominated by industry giant De Beers, and many insiders feared that the influx of Russian diamonds would destabilize the market.

But even though Russia remains among the top two diamond producers in the world (next to Botswana), its diamond trade has also suffered due to the economic recession and the decrease in demand for luxury goods. Russia’s rough diamond exports in 2008 were valued at $1.607 billion, down significantly from 2007’s figure of $2.023 billion.

Australia

Australia’s Argyle diamond mine is famous for being one of the biggest producers of colored diamonds in the world, including the rare pink diamond. Construction of the Argyle diamond mine began in 1983 and was completed in 1985. Productions reached peak levels of 42 metric tons per year in the 1990s.

Canada

The first major diamond discoveries in Canada were made in the 1980s. When in 1991 large diamond deposits were found in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Canada became the location a massive new diamond rush. Ekati was Canada’s first diamond mine in 1998. De Beers Canada owns the diamond mines in Yellowknife and the James Bay Coast.

Today, Canada is one of the world’s top diamond producers, just behind Russia and southern Africa. But like all the other diamond producing regions, Canada’s diamond industry has taken a sizeable economic blow due to the recent recession and worldwide decline in discretionary spending. In December of 2008 De Beers announced it would be scaling back its diamond production activities in Canada by 10 percent.

1. We are a FAMILY OWNED and operated jewelry store serving San Diego the most well-cut diamonds and diamond jewelry SINCE 1980!
2. We will BEAT any* COMPETITOR’S PRICE including WHOLESALE and INTERNET! *based on availability
3. As members of both Jewelers of America and California Jewelers Association we have maintained an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and we have the most 5-STAR REVIEWS on Yelp.com!
4. We carry one of the LARGEST SELECTIONS of LOOSE IDEAL-CUT HEARTS & ARROWS DIAMONDS and all include either GIA or EGL USA certification!
5. We carry one of the LARGEST SELECTIONS of ENGAGEMENT RINGS and we sell all of them based on WHOLESALE PRICES!
6. Our MASTER JEWELER has been DESIGNING and CREATING the most beautiful one-of-a-kind Engagement Rings with us since 1985!
7. We offer a “5-POINT PROMISE” LIFETIME WARRANTY on all of our Engagement Rings—FREE OF CHARGE!
8. We offer a 100% Full Value LIFETIME TRADE UP INVESTMENT PLAN on all Engagement Rings and being that we are San Diego’s TOP GOLD and JEWELRY BUYER we pay TOP DOLLAR for your unwanted gold, platinum, and diamond jewelry!
9. We provide a JEWELRY APPRAISAL absolutely FREE OF CHARGE on all jewelry provided by David and Sons Fine Jewelers!
10. As a premiere San Diego Jeweler WE CARE ABOUT OUR REPUTATION, the QUALITY of our diamonds and jewelry, but most importantly our VALUED CUSTOMERS! Ultimately, we want to be YOUR Jeweler and we will do whatever is possible to earn and maintain that PRIVILEGE!

*See 10 Reasons why you should choose David and Sons Jewelers for your San Diego Engagement Ring needs*

For many men, looking for an engagement ring is their first serious foray into the world of jewelry shopping. It can be a very daunting and stressful task, not to mention time consuming and expensive. It’s a lot pressure to handle. After all, you supposedly only ever get one engagement ring. What if she doesn’t like it? What if it’s not the right one?

Not to worry. Knowing some of the basics of engagement ring shopping will help you lose some of that pressure. Knowing how to prepare and how to spot a reliable jewelry seller is essential. And remember, you have chosen to marry your fiancé because she is the right woman for you and both of you are in love. An engagement ring is not going to make or break the relationship that the two of you have built over the course of many months or years of companionship.

Trust your knowledge of her and of your relationship to guide you through the process. Choosing an engagement ring should not be a miserable ordeal. It should be something fun, something that gets you excited to see the look of surprise and joy on her face when you finally pop the question.

Your Budget

The first logical step in the engagement ring buying process is to determine how much you want to spend and can spend on a ring. It is traditionally expected for men to spend the equivalent of one to two month’s salary. But this figure is arbitrary. There is no set amount that you “should” spend. A better way of thinking about it is, How much money can you spend on a ring without getting yourself into financial trouble? Spend as much as you can, but don’t go overboard or feel pressured to spend more than you realistically should. It’s simply not worth it.

Finding the Right Jeweler

Once you’ve determined your budget, looking for a respectable jeweler is the next thing to do. Good retailers will provide you with professional, no-hassle service. Look for a seller that is more than willing and happy to let you examine their rings under their jeweler’s loupe and to answer any questions that you might have about their products, prices, etc.

Also, consider only buying a diamond that comes with an independent laboratory certification. Most reputable jewelers will carry stones that already come with certification. If a diamond is not certified, they should have no problem with you getting it certified yourself before making your final decision to purchase it.

Once you have found one or two good retailers, it’s time to take a look at the details. Determining the color, carat weight, clarity and cut of the diamond is where the actual work of finding the right engagement ring begins.

The Ring

The bulk of your budget will be spent on the diamond. But it is worth the time to stop and think about the ring itself. Engagement rings are typically made from white metals (i.e. platinum or white gold), but the option of yellow or even rose gold is also there. Use your knowledge of her taste in jewelry to determine which would be the best choice. The elaborateness or simplicity of the ring design is also an important factor that can define the overall look of a ring. If you need help, enlist a friend of hers to help you choose, or take a look at the jewelry she already owns to get a better idea of her taste.

Weight

Quality aside, the biggest determinant in the value of a diamond is size. The bigger the stone, the more money it’s worth. One carat stones are usually used for engagement rings. A carat is equivalent to 1/5 of a gram. However, going for a one carat diamond isn’t always the best choice. Prices rise with size, and there is a particularly steep increase when you get to the one carat mark. A stone that is slightly less than a carat can be a lot less expensive, leaving you with enough money to be picky about quality.

Clarity

Diamonds, and virtually all precious stones, have small impurities and imperfections inside them. These are known as inclusions and their prevalence determines the clarity of the stone. The bigger and more numerous the inclusions, the lower a diamond’s clarity is said to be. The highest clarity grade is IF. After that, in descending order, are VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2 and I3. Any diamond graded I1 and below should be avoided completely, as these have imperfections that can be seen with the naked eye. When you get to the high end of the grading scale, however, the differences are minimal. You would have to be an expert using a jeweler’s loupe to see them, and thus getting the highest grade stone might not be worth the extra cost. If you want a rule of thumb to follow, try to shoot for at least VS2 grade clarity.

Color

Most diamonds have a hint of coloration. Few are perfectly white. Color grades in diamonds rage form D, being the best, perfect white, all the way down to Z. Going for a stone that falls anywhere between E and H in the color grading scale is good rule of thumb. A D grade can cost you a considerable amount more, and the difference will hardly be discernible. However, if you go lower than H, you will start to notice a clear hint of yellow in the stone.

The Cut

The cut of a diamond usually refers to the proportions and symmetry of the stone. A good cut will increase the stone’s ability to sparkle with reflected/refracted light. So, whatever else you compromise on, do not compromise on the cut grade of your diamond. Go for the best quality grade you can afford. As far as shape, unless you have a particular one in mind that is of special personal significance, go for the “round brilliant” shape. It has been developed over decades to maximize a diamond’s light reflection, and all other quality measures being equal, it will make a diamond sparkle more than other cuts.

If you have any questions regarding jewelry and engagement ring shopping in San Diego, contact or visit David and Sons today. It is one of the leading San Diego jewelry stores and offers custom jewelry and diamond rings.

Diamonds, the crystallized form of carbon, occur rarely in nature. Their creation is only possible in the extreme pressures found deep within the Earth’s mantle. It takes many years for diamonds to form underground and many more for them to reach the Earth’s surface. But strangely enough, diamonds can also be found at the site of a meteor impact. The conditions that forge diamonds over a vast period of time underground occur in a single instant when meteors collide with Earth.

Their rarity has made diamonds incredibly valuable. Today, diamond mining takes place in every continent with the exceptions of Europe and Antarctica. Over 25 countries host diamond mining operations, most run by large corporations that extract diamonds from primary deposits. But diamonds are also extracted by small-scale miners using simple, artisanal mining methods in secondary alluvial deposits. The following is a brief description of the common diamond mining methods used today.

Open Pit Mining

Also called “open-cast mining” or “strip mining”, open pit mining is a method of extracting precious rocks and minerals near the surface of the earth by their removal from an open pit or burrow. This mining technique is used when the diamonds are imbedded in a structurally unstable kind of earth, like sand or gravel, which makes it dangerous or impossible to use tunneling methods. Oftentimes, pit lakes tend to form at the bottom of open-pit mining sites due to groundwater intrusion.

Because open pit mining requires large amounts of land displacement, it is often a source of controversy. Many environmentalist groups object to large open pit mining due to the permanent damage it can cause to surrounding ecosystems.

Hard-Rock Mining

Hard-rock mining encompasses different mining techniques that all involve tunneling underground. A hard-rock mine involves drilling vertical tunnels, or shafts, deep into the earth to access precious stone deposits. Horizontal tunnels connect different underground “rooms” or “stopes”, which are supported by timber pillars. Horizontal excavations, called “adits”, can also be made into the side of a hill or a mountain to access deposits.

Now, high-tech machinery and new tunneling techniques have decreased the safety risks of hard-rock mining. But it is still one of the most dangerous types of mining, and in the past the death rate of miners working in hard-rock mines was very high.

Placer Mining

Placer mining is the mining of alluvial, or secondary, deposits. Diamonds usually come from geologic rock formations called Kiberlites. Rivers and streams can sometimes erode these formations over time and deposit the diamonds into sediments further downstream from their original source. The excavation of diamonds from these secondary deposits is sometimes accomplished through hydraulic mining (which uses water pressure to extract the diamonds) or through the use of mechanized surface excavation equipment.

Artisanal diamond mining is also common in alluvial diamond deposits. It involves very simple techniques, such as digging and sifting through mud or sand in streams using shovels and sieves.

Marine Diamond Mining

Marine mining is a more recently developed mining technique. Due to the high cost of the technology involved, it did not become commercially practicable until the beginning of the 1990s. Marine mining employs vertical and horizontal drilling methods to access diamond deposits in the ocean floor. Expensive underwater mining vehicles that crawl along the seabed are also used to excavate minerals from the sea floor.

People generally view diamonds in stores, when the diamonds have already been cut, polished, and faceted into small pieces for diamond engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. However, the beautiful faceted gemstones were cut and polished from much larger diamonds, which I’m sure any woman would love to get their hands on. Let’s take a look at the world’s five largest diamonds. Please note there is a difference between the largest rough diamond and the largest faceted diamond. The following list contains the world’s five largest rough diamonds, listed from smallest to largest, while noting any resulting large faceted diamonds.

1. The Spirit of de Grisogono - The Spirit of de Grisogono first weighed in at 587 carats. It was discovered several decades ago in west central Africa. This massive diamond resulted in the world’s largest cut black diamond, weighing 312.24 carats.

2. The Golden Jubilee – First weighing in at 755 carats, this magnificent brownish-gold rough diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1985. The resulting faceted diamond weighs 545.67 carats, which is currently the largest faceted diamond in the world.

3. The Incomparable – At 890 carats, this rough diamond was a hit when discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). It was studied and cut, ultimately resulting in a beautiful 407.48 carat faceted diamond.

4. Cullinan Diamond(s) – For several decades and until just recently, this rough diamond was the largest in the world, weighing in at a whopping 3,106 carats. It was discovered in Africa. The cutting of this rough diamond resulted in 105 gems, including two famous diamonds: the Cullinan I (or Star of Africa) and the Cullinan II.

• Star of Africa - At 530.20 carats, this pear shaped diamond measures at 53mm x 44mm x 29mm. Its estimated value is over $400 million. It was the largest faceted diamond in the world until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee diamond.
• Cullinan II - This 317.40 carat diamond is now part of the British crown jewels. It forms a part of the Imperial State Crown.

5. Unnamed Diamond – In 2007, a rough diamond surpassing the massive Cullinan was discovered in the North-West Province of South Africa. The find electrified diamond communities around the world. This rough diamond is believed to at least double the weight of the Cullinan, which means it may weigh almost 7000 carats! While there is still much studying and cutting to be accomplished, this diamond will surely result in a faceted diamond that will exceed the Golden Jubilee as the largest faceted diamond in the world.

A diamond, the most sought-after stone in the world, doesn’t just appear in luminous, perfect form ready for use in jewelry. Diamonds actually take quite a journey in order to become elegant, dazzling engagement rings, sparkling necklaces, and other jewelry. Read below for an interesting overview of the journey of a diamond.

The Diamond Industry

First, the diamond industry can be broken down into two categories: the industrial diamond industry and the gem diamond industry. Each industry actually operates much differently from the other. In fact, the typical gemological characteristics sought after in the gem industry are irrelevant in the industrial counterpart - characteristics such as the four C’s, including cut, clarity, color, and carat. While these characteristics are extremely important in the gem category of the diamond industry, other characteristics such as hardness and heat conductivity are more important for the industrial side. Because of this - cover your eyes ladies - 80% of mined diamonds are considered unsuitable for use as gemstones and are utilized on the industrial side. Industrial use of diamonds can include embedding them in drill tips or saw blades, or grinding them into a powder for use in grinding and polishing applications. Other industrial applications of diamonds include use in laboratories as containment for high-pressure experiments, high-performance bearings, and limited use in specialized windows.

Enough of that - let’s get back to the gem industry, since that is what is most appealing. The production and distribution of diamond gems is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players. In other words, the diamond supply chain is controlled by a limited number of powerful businesses and is highly concentrated in a small number of locations around the world. The biggest and most widely recognized player is Antwerp, where 80% of all rough diamonds and 50% of all cut diamonds are handled. Because of this, Antwerp is considered the world diamond capital. Historically diamonds were known to be found only in and around southern India. However, now diamonds are all over the world, including South Africa, Australia, Russia, Angola, Brazil, and many other countries. Diamonds can even be found right here on United States soil, in states such as Arkansas, Colorado, and Montana. In general, diamonds are mined, sorted, then sent away for production, distribution, and supply.

Rough Diamond Production

When diamonds are mined, they are referred to as rough diamonds. Rough diamonds that will be used for gemstones must go through a process involving cutting, cleaning, polishing, and shaping the diamond for suitable gem uses. This process is difficult. It is both an art and a science. It involves careful study and examination of each individual diamond and there are several considerations when preparing a diamond for use as a gem. The choice of cut, for example round, princess, or square, is considered. The choice of cut is often decided by the original shape of the rough stone, the location of inclusions and flaws that are to be eliminated, the preservation of the weight, the popularity of certain shapes amongst consumers, and many other considerations. The choice of cut is just one consideration. The process from mine to ring actually entails several different steps, including marking, sawing, cleaving, girdling, faceting, and polishing the diamond. Faceting and polishing a diamond involves blocking, cross-working, and brillianteering.

Once a diamond has been through the entire tedious process, it is ready for use as a gemstone. Currently, gem production totals nearly 30 million carats (6,000 kg) of cut and polished stones annually. These cut and polished stones are sold individually and are made into beautiful diamond engagement rings, sparkling pendants, elegant bracelets, stylish necklaces, and other jewelry. You can find outstanding diamond jewelry here at David & Sons Jewelers. We offer an outstanding collection of the finest high-quality diamonds, excellent customer service, beautiful custom-designed San Diego engagement rings, and various diamond jewelry services. Feel free to stop by any of our San Diego jewelry stores or contact one of representatives for more information.