Christmas is in the air and many are the girls that receive engagement rings this time of year.
Before a fellow takes his girl shopping or before he shops for a ring he needs a diamond education.
I am here to supply you with some of that knowledge.
The story of the diamond is interesting and filled with tales of discovery, strength, power and love.
Diamonds are crystallized carbon.
Diamonds form while resting in the earths core for thousands of years.
When other substances mix with the carbon the results is a colored diamond.
Man discovered the kimberlite substance after nature pushed it to the surface.
Kings and nobles recognized it as a symbol of beauty, strength and power.
Because it has unsurpassed strength it has been used as an engraving tool.
Lovers embrace it for its endurance, beauty and lasting quality.
The Austrian Archduke Maximilian gave his fiance a diamond ring in the 15th Century.
The tradition of placing an engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand stems from a superstition that links this finger directly to the heart.
Initially diamonds were only available to the wealthy and with their popularity the supply decreased.
In the 18th Century other countries began to produce diamonds as the India mines began to produce fewer diamonds.
Today diamonds are mined in many countries and the major cutting centers are Tel Avia, New York, Antwerp and Bombay.
Diamonds are classified by their cut, color, clarity and carat (the 4 C's).
The cut determines the shape, brilliance and fire of the stone.
The popular shapes of diamonds are: emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, radiant, princess, round, trillion, asscher and cushion.
The round is the most popular.
The most expensive is the emerald and the least expensive is the pear.
The cut will affect the brilliance almost as much as the size impresses anyone.
Color is a value term.
A colorless diamond and a diamond of bold color are the most expensive.
The colors that lie in between them have lesser values.
Clarity will define a diamonds purity and any imperfections.
The gemologist charts show varying degrees for color and clarity.
The carat is the actual weight of the stone.
Do not confuse this with karat, which is the gold measurement of the setting.