Most people already have some basic ideas about what diamonds are – what they look like, their value, and even where they come from. Some may even know the intricacies of the 4-C’s of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Despite that, they remain to be one of the most misunderstood precious stones in the world.
When it comes to diamonds, Biltmore Loan and Jewelry know exactly where to draw the line between fact and fiction. Our seasoned experts are here to debunk the top seven falsehoods associated with these sparkling wonders once and for all.
Myth #1: All Diamonds Come Are Created By Mother Nature
You may have heard of the tale that all diamonds are the result of pressurizing coal. In reality, natural diamonds come from carbon and coal has very little to do with it. They undergo extremely high temperatures and pressures – conditions that occur in limited zones of Earth’s mantle about 90 miles below the surface. Still, it’s important to note that there are other methods of producing diamonds and these days, most of them are grown in the lab.
Companies started making diamonds in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment as far back as the 1950s. This mimics the process of the Earth’s natural diamond deposits. Another way of synthesizing diamonds is through chemical vapor deposition or CVD. It produces high-quality synthetic diamonds at temperatures above 2,000°C.
Today, the industrial world consumes around 800 tons of synthetic diamonds yearly. That’s about 150 times the weight of all mined diamonds.
Myth #2: Bigger Is Always Better
There is a range of factors that affect a diamond’s worth. While size does matter, so does the clarity, cut, and color of the crystal. Sure, your big diamond can make an impression to the untrained eye, but that doesn’t mean it’s more valuable to smaller ones. A huge stone doesn’t always end up being more valuable if it has poor color and clarity.
Myth #3: They Are Indestructible
While it’s true that diamonds belong to some of the hardest and toughest materials in the world, they are not indestructible. Normal wear and tear, as well as inappropriate handling, can chip and break these precious stones.
For example, if a diamond’s crown has a particularly shallow crown, it becomes more vulnerable to damage. The same is true for pieces that have a thin girdle. You also need to remember that gem cutters use the right amount of force in the desired direction to cleave diamonds. A similar break can occur to your stone when you hit it with enough force, say against a faucet or a porcelain sink.
Myth #4: Natural Diamonds Are The Most Flawless
The most common form of natural diamonds contains impurities in their carbon crystal. This gives off a yellowish color due to the defects in the crystal that absorb light of a particular frequency. There are colorless natural diamonds, but they are far rarer and more expensive, accounting for only about one percent of all mined diamonds.
Myth #5: Diamond Rings Are An Ancient Marriage Tradition
It may be hard to imagine, but diamond rings weren’t commonplace prior to the 20th century. In fact, sapphires and rubies were the all the rage back in the day. To understand why they suddenly became so popular, we’ll have to look at the wedding industry 75 years ago. In the 1940s, mining conglomerate De Beers launched a magnificent ad campaign that associated love with diamonds.
This paved the way for the current diamond engagement ring phenomenon. While this only came fairly recently, the exchange of rings as a symbol of true love dates back as far as 4,800 years to ancient Egypt.
Myth #6: Diamonds Are Exceptionally Rare
There’s no contesting that these crystals are alluring and valuable, but compared to other colored gemstones, diamonds are pretty common. They are more widespread and easy to find. Consider just how many millions of couples have diamond jewelry to call their own? This isn’t to say that diamonds are not luxurious and desirable. It just means that unlike other materials, diamonds do not derive their worth from scarcity.
Myth #7: The 4C’s Of A Diamond Define Its Value
This is a globally accepted standard for communicating the features of a diamond. The guide was created to make shopping easier for clients. It helps them assess the quality of the stone and choose the perfect piece for them. However, this is not the sole indicator of its value. Age and history are also major contributors in appraising a diamond. If a ring is very old and has historical significance, it can raise the monetary value dramatically.
Meanwhile, personal value is a different story altogether. If your great-grandmother kept a diamond ring which you now proudly own, it could hold a lot more personal value than a brand new, expensive piece. For other people, the simple fact that their loved one chose this particular stone makes it priceless!
Perhaps by now, you are aware that some of the stuff you learned about diamonds from hearsays and your grade school science class are complete myths. There is no doubt that these precious stones are stunning and many come with an exceedingly high price, but it’s always good to uncover the facts. There are many factors that affect a diamond’s quality, so it’s best to consult an expert for a proper evaluation.
Where To Sell Your Diamonds
If you are in possession of diamonds and are looking to sell or take out a loan, Biltmore Loan can help you get the most out of your jewelry. Call or visit our Scottsdale location at 480 (991-5626) or fill out our online form to get a free market appraisal.
Walk-ins are accepted and you don’t have to book an appointment beforehand. All transactions are certified secure and confidential so you can rest easy as you conduct your business with us. You can also count on our expert appraisal team to give you the most competitive rates out there.