Diamond Glossary

 

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Diamond Glossary
This Glossary provides definitions and descriptions relating to the terminology of diamonds. Links are also provided to comprehensive details of various subjects.

Diamond Glossary
The following Glossary provides definitions and descriptions relating to the terminology of diamonds:

Diamond Glossary
Diamond Glossary TermDiamond Glossary DefinitionsLinks to More Info
Asscher CutAsscher Cut Diamond - A forerunner of the emerald cut requiring a four-pronged setting. It is square, step cut shape with cropped corners. Asscher Cut Diamond
BlemishesBlemishes - An abrasion or scratch on the surface of a diamond which are called blemishes. Also see inclusionsInclusions
Black DiamondsBlack Diamonds - "Black" diamonds are not truly black, but rather contain numerous dark inclusions that give the gems their dark appearance. Black Diamonds
Blood DiamondsBlood Diamonds, also known as Conflict Diamonds, are used in the illegal trading of diamonds to finance conflict, civil wars and human rights abuses in AfricaBlood Diamonds
Blue DiamondsBlue Diamonds - Natural blue diamonds contain the element boron (B) which changes the conductivity of the diamonds.
breakage from falls or impacts. A diamond will shatter if hit with an ordinary hammer.		Blue Diamonds

BrillianceBrilliance - The amount of sparkle a stone gives off through the reflection and refraction of light. 
Brilliant Cut DiamondBrilliant Cut Diamond - The modern round brilliant diamond consists of 56-58 facets including the culet. Between the table and the girdle are generally thirty-two facets, and below the girdle twenty-four. Brilliant Cut Diamond
BruitingBruiting - The term for shaping the girdle of diamondsDiamond Cutting
Carat WeightCarat Weight Definition: A Carat is a standard unit of weight for diamonds. Carat weights are also expressed as "points" with a one carat diamond equalling 100 points. 1 ct. = 100 points. A carat is abbreviated as "ct."1 ct. = 0.2 grams and 100 points = 1 caratCarat Weight
Champagne DiamondsChampagne diamonds - Champagne diamonds have a tint of brownish body color and the term champagne is an alternative way of describing brown diamonds.Champagne Diamonds
ClarityClarity - The clarity of a diamond relates to exactly how clear a diamond is. The clarity of a diamond describes the
presence, or absence, of Inclusions (flaws) within the diamond and any blemishes on its surface. 		Diamond Clarity
CleavingCleaving - Taking a piece off a diamond where it is too long, or making it into small stones where it is badly flawed, thus taking away the impurities and defectsDiamond Cutting
Cognac DiamondsCognac diamonds - Cognac diamonds have a tint of brownish body color and the term Cognac is an alternative way of describing brown diamonds.Cognac Diamonds

ColorColor - The shades of colors include yellow, blue, black, pink, red, orange, green and brown. Diamond Color is determined by the impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration. The color scale for white diamonds goes from 'D' (colorless) to 'Z' (dark yellow) Color of Diamonds
Colored DiamondsColored diamonds - Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration, while pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless. Composition 'C') crystallised in a cubic (isometric) arrangement which has been highly compressed over millions of years.Colored Diamonds
Conflict DiamondsConflict Diamonds, also known as Blood Diamonds, are used in the illegal trading of diamonds to finance conflict, civil wars and human rights abuses in Africa.Conflict Diamonds
CrownCrown - The top part of the diamond above the girdle. 
CuletCulet - A tiny flat facet that cutters sometimes add at the bottom of a diamond's pavilion.  
Cushion Cut DiamondCushion Cut Diamond - A four sided deep square or rectangle cut with rounded edges and large facets - it has a cushioned shaped girdle.Cushion Cut Diamond
CutCut - The cut of a diamond refers to two separate elements - The way the rough diamond is cut to produce a polished diamond and the shape of the diamond, the different styles of cuts e.g. Pear, Round, Marquise, Heart shaped etc. Diamond Cut

Diamond Cuts

CuttingCutting - Every stone is examined minutely for flaws and imperfections, enabling the cutter to decide in which way the diamond will give the best possible results. Diamond Cutting
DiamondDiamond - Definition: A Diamond is a clear transparent precious gemstone completely made of Carbon atoms (Chemical
Composition 'C') crystallised in a cubic (isometric) arrangement which has been highly compressed over millions of years.		 
Diamond PowderDiamond Powder - Diamonds can only be manipulated by means of powdered diamond. This powder is prepared generally from bort, or faulty diamonds, and from the refuse in cleaving and cutting, which, being put into a mortar of hardened steel, is pounded until it is fine enough for use.  
DispersionDispersion - Dispersion refers to the prism of light refracted from within a cut and polished diamond and relates to the
sparkling colors that are emitted from the stone as it is viewed from different angles		 
Emerald Cut DiamondEmerald Cut Diamond - A rectangular or square shaped cut with truncated corners and stepped facets, typically parallel to the girdle. The emerald cut diamond reflects less light than the standard brilliant cuts and needs to be of the highest quality as any inclusions can be visible.Emerald Cut Diamond

FacetsFacets - Diamond facets are the smooth surface areas of a diamond which have been cut, polished and positioned at different angles which allow light to enter and reflect back from the stone. The depth and width and the uniformity of the facets control the brilliance and the durability of a diamond.Diamond Facets
Fancy Colored DiamondsFancy color diamonds - Natural fancy color diamonds obtain their coloring from completely natural processes such as impurities or structural defects. Very rare and expensiveFancy Colored Diamonds
Fancy Cut DiamondsFancy cut diamonds - Fancy cut diamonds and other stones include the Emerald, Marquise, Heart, Oval, Pear and Princess cuts.Fancy Cut Diamonds
FluorescenceFluorescence - Definition: An inherent property possessed by diamonds resulting in glowing without an appreciable rise of temperature when exposed to ultra-violet rays, cathode rays etc. Fluorescence is not usually desirable in a white diamond as it gives a hazy effect but it can improve the appearance of diamonds that possess traces of some colors.Diamond Fluorescence
FormationFormation of a Diamond - Diamonds are formed when extreme heat (temperatures of 2200 degrees Fahrenheit) and extreme pressure cause carbon atoms to crystallize forming diamonds approximately ninety miles under the earth's surface.Diamond Formation

Green DiamondsGreen Diamonds - Exposure to the natural radiation in the earth such as uranium ore cause the green color.Green Diamonds
HardnessHardness - Denotes resistance to scratching On the Mohs scale a diamond has a hardness of 10 - a diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man. Not to be confused with Toughness which relates to the ability to resist  
Heart Cut DiamondHeart Cut Diamond - Essentially a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top containing 59 facets.Heart Cut Diamond
InclusionsInclusions - Inclusions are flaws or imperfections in diamonds consisting of a defect within the crystalline surface of a diamond.
An abrasion or scratch on the surface of a diamond which are called blemishes. Laser lines generated during diamond enhancement procedures are also considered as inclusions		Diamond Inclusions
LapidaryLapidary - Lapidary is the name given to the cutter and the art of cutting, shaping, polishing and creating jewelry from stones. 
LusterLustre / Luster - The term used to describe the brightness of an object that shines with reflected light rather than producing its own. 
Marquise Cut DiamondMarquise Cut Diamond - The Marquise shape is like a long oval which has been stretched out to a point at each end. Marquise Cut Diamond

Mohs scaleMohs scale - On the Mohs scale diamond has a hardness of 10. A diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to manMohs Hardness Scale
Oval Cut DiamondOval Cut Diamond - Most oval diamonds are like a squashed round brilliant - a modification of the round brilliant cut. Aspect ratio of an Oval cut: The ratio of the length to the width should be about 1.5:1. Oval Cut Diamond
PavilionPavilion - The lower portion of the diamond, below the girdle, ending in the culet. 
Pear Cut DiamondPear Cut Diamond - The description of an Pear Cut Diamond is best described as being one half oval, and the other half marquisePear Cut Diamond
Pink DiamondsPink Diamonds - Crystal lattice defects during the formation of diamond cause the pink color.Pink Diamonds
PolishingPolishing - Diamonds are polished according to the precise run of the grain and the way in which it will polish to the best advantage.  
Princess Cut DiamondPrincess Cut Diamond - A relatively new shape which is usually square but sometimes oblong. It has a brilliant cut arrangement of facets instead of a step cut Princess Cut Diamond
QualityQuality - The quality elements include Carat Weight, Size, symmetry and proportions, Clarity Grade, Color Grade and Fluorescence.Diamond Quality

Red DiamondsRed Diamonds - Crystal lattice defects during the formation of diamond causes the red color. Red diamonds are therefore extremely rare and valuable.Red Diamonds
ScintillationScintillation - Occurs when light bounces among the facets creating a really sparkling display. 
SettingSetting - A suitable setting for the diamond is selected and the mechanism used to hold the stones in place, such as the bezel, pave, channel and prong settings is chosen. 
Diamond ShapesDiamond Shapes - The names of the most popular diamond shapes are Asscher, Brilliant, Cushion, Emerald, Heart, Ideal, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Radiant, Rose, Round and Trilliant or Trillion.Diamond Shapes
SparkleSparkle - A measure of the light reflected out by a diamond as it is viewed from different angles. 
Step cutStep cut - 'Step cut' or 'Table cut' which the cutting style is often used in Marquise, Emerald and Oval cut diamonds. The facets on a 'Step cut' are cut in steps. 
SymmetrySymmetry - Symmetry is a term that refers to the alignment of a diamond's facets, its flat and polished surfaces. The facets are cut to achieve the best play of light. 
TableTable - The flat facet on the top of the diamond. It is the largest facet on a cut diamond 
Table cutTable cut - 'Step cut' or 'Table cut' which the cutting style is often used in Marquise, Emerald and Oval cut diamonds. The facets on a 'Step cut' are cut in steps.  

Teardrop shaped diamondTeardrop shaped diamond - The description of a Teardrop Cut Diamond is best described as being one half oval, and the other half marquise.Teardrop shaped diamond
ToughnessToughness - Toughness relates to the ability to resist breakage from falls or impacts. A diamond will shatter if hit with an ordinary hammer. Not to be confused with Hardness which denotes resistance to scratching. 
White DiamondsWhite diamonds are categorised into Colorless, Nearly colorless, Faintly tinted (usually yellow), Lightly tinted (usually yellow) and Tinted (usually yellow but may progress to brownish). The scale and grades for colorless diamonds goes from 'D' (colorless) to 'Z' (dark yellow). The less color, the more expensive.White Diamonds
Yellow DiamondsYellow Diamonds - Natural yellow diamonds contain the element nitrogen (N).Yellow Diamonds
Diamond Glossary


Diamond Glossary
This Glossary provides definitions and descriptions relating to the terminology of diamonds. Links are also provided to comprehensive details of various subjects.

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