Understanding All About Diamonds

With the new year upon us, we thought it would be a good time to review some gemstones basics, starting with one of the most beloved of all gems, the diamond. 

Diamond Basics

Diamonds are crystals made of pure carbon, and are the only gemstone composed of just one element. Small amounts of other elements might be in diamonds as impurities, and often give diamond its color variation.

Diamonds are formed under crushing pressures and intense heat, mostly in the Earth’s mantle and delivered to the surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions. These eruptions produce the kimberlite and lamproite pipes that are sought after by diamond prospectors.

Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs Scale. For millennia, diamonds have been thought to be the hardest material in nature. But in 2009, a composite material containing the mineral wurtzite boron nitride (w-BN) was shown to have the same resistance to indentation as diamond. In fact, research in China and the U.S. suggests that pure w-BN is significantly harder than diamond.

About 2,500 years ago, diamonds were first discovered in India. While the U.S. is the largest consumer of diamonds, there is barely any production here. The only mine is a state park called the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas where tourists can pay a fee to look for diamonds. The park yields just a few hundred carats per year.

The Four Cs

In the ‘40s and ’50s, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an educational and research non-profit organization founded in 1931, developed the “4Cs” and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ to objectively compare and evaluate diamonds. Today, even if you buy or sell a diamond in another part of the world, the jeweler will likely use the same GIA grading systems. The 4 Cs are:

• Color: Most diamonds run from colorless to near-colorless, with slight hints of yellow or brown. “Color” is not how much color a diamond has, but the degree to which it is colorless. The GIA set the industry standard with its D-Z scale (D is colorless while Z means the diamond has the most yellow.) The exception to this rule are fancy colored diamonds which aren’t included in the GIA’s D-Z scale. Colors beyond the Z color are considered fancy colored diamonds.

• Clarity: Most diamonds have tiny crystals, feathers, or clouds within them, called “inclusions.” Surface imperfections are called “blemishes.” The rarest diamonds are flawless and have no internal inclusions or external blemishes. The GIA uses a Clarity Scale of 11 grades that are measured using 10X magnifications.

• Carat: Signifies the weight—not the size—of the diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Since heavier diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds, the value is higher the heavier the carat weight.

• Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish. When evaluating cut, two aspects are assessed: shape (round, marquise, square cut, etc.), and how well the cutting was executed. It must be geometrically precise, since it will affect a diamond’s fire (the flash of rainbow colors from within) and brilliance (its sparkle). The cut was historically the most subjective and difficult to standardize during appraisal, but due to advances in technology, the GIA introduced its cut grading system in 2005.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

Not all diamonds fall into the typical white-yellow-brown color range. They can be pink, blue, purple, red, orange, or any color. Colored diamonds, known as authentic fancy colored diamonds, get their color from the trace elements they are exposed to. For example, radiation can create a greenish tint, while large amounts of nitrogen causes a yellowish color. Real natural fancy colored diamonds are very rare and expensive, but through irradiation and heat treating, gemologists are able to enhance the color of most natural diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds are found in 12 different colors, with more than 90 secondary hues and nine intensity levels within the 234 color combinations.

Fancy colored diamonds are graded a bit differently than white diamonds. The four main criteria for determining a fancy colored diamond’s value are hue, color saturation, color purity, and availability. The more rare a diamond is in color, the more valuable it will be. If the color is richer or saturated, the diamond will also be worth more. And like a white diamond, a colored diamond’s clarity or purity of the color will also increase its value. Also, inclusions can be desirable. Inclusions are actually flaws, but in a colored diamond, they can create unique tones and beautiful flashes of color.

Synthetic Diamonds

People have been able to manufacture diamonds since the 1950s. These are known as synthetic diamonds. Today, more than 100 tons of diamonds are manufactured every year. Most of these diamonds are used to make cutting tools and abrasives. Synthetic diamonds are often undistinguishable from naturally occurring diamonds, but they can be identified by laboratory tests.

Cleaning Diamonds

For diamonds not in a metal setting, gently clean the diamond with a solution of ammonia and water. For diamonds in metal settings, soak the piece in a solution of warm water and mild detergent for two to five minutes. Gently scrub the diamond with a soft toothbrush or jewelry brush. Then, rinse the diamond in warm water to remove remaining detergent. Buff the diamond dry with your cloth.

Whether you’re getting engaged or just looking to buy beautiful, quality diamond jewelry, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a magnificent collection of estate and vintage diamond jewelry, available at true wholesale prices, as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone and gold jewelry. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Fun Facts about Festive December Birthstones

December birthdays are extra special occasions. Not only do they take place around holiday festivities, but those born in December have three birthstones with which to celebrate: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. Below are some interesting and little known facts about these three festive gemstones…

1. Turquoise is a blue-green mineral, with the chemical name of hydrated copper aluminum phosphate.
2. The word turquoise is derived from the Old French word meaning Turkish stone.
3. Some of the finest turquoise is known to come from Iran, but high-grade turquoise is also mined in Arizona and New Mexico.
4. The ancient Egyptians used turquoise in jewelry, art, ornaments, and statues because they believed it had magical powers.
5. Tanzanite is named after the East African state of Tazmania, the only place in the world where it can be found.
6. The blue variety of tanzanite is called zoisite.
7. Originally known as blue zoisite, the mineral’s name was changed to tanzanite by Henry Platt, Vice President of Tiffany & Co., because he felt zoisite sounded too much like suicide.
8. In October 2002, the American Gem Trade Association officially named tanzanite as the third December birthstone.
9. Zirconium silicate is the chemical name for zircon.
10. The name zircon is derived from the Arabic words “zar” and “gun,” which means gold and color.
11. Today, zircon is primarily mined in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
12. In the Middle Ages, many people believed zircons could relieve pain, induce hunger, protect travelers from disease and injury, ensure a warm welcome, and promote restful sleep.

If you’re looking for a gift for someone born in December, or you are looking for jewelry to give  that’s perfect for the holidays, Adina by Empire Jewelers has an extensive collection of beautiful vintage and estate jewelry at true wholesale prices. Shop today for all your gift-giving  as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Autumnal Beauties of November: Citrine & Topaz

November may be a chilly month, but its two birthstones heat things up. November babies are lucky to have not one, but two gemstones with which to celebrate their birthdays… citrine and topaz. Below are some interesting and little known facts about these beautifully autumnal gemstones…

1. While the Ayurvedic birthstone list only includes topaz, the Jewelers of America list considers both citrine and yellow topaz as official November birthstones.
2. Citrines are quartz crystals commonly found in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
3. The common colors of citrines are yellow and orange. 
4. The word citrine is derived from the French word, citrin, which means lemon.
5. Citrine is the gemstone for the Zodiac sign of Scorpio, and the 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
6. In ancient times, citrine was worn as protection against bad skin, evil thoughts, snakebites, and even the plague.
7. A gift of citrine symbolizes strength and hope. 

8. Some believe citrine began as amethyst, the purple quartz, but the heat from molten rock changed it to yellow quartz.  

9. The presence of fluorine usually indicates that topaz is likely to be found.
10. When topaz has red or pink overtones, it is known as Imperial topaz, and can be very rare and expensive.
11. It is widely believed that the word topaz is derived from the Sanskrit word, topas, which means fire.
12. Topaz jewelry is given for the 4th, 19th and 23rd wedding anniversaries.
13. Topaz is known as the “stone of strength.”
14. A gift of yellow topaz symbolizes friendship, strength, wisdom, and courage.

15. Topaz was once believed to ease bad tempers, cure insanity, and help insomnia.
16. The ancient Egyptians believed yellow topaz’s color came from the glow cast by the sun god, Ra.

17. The ancient Greeks believed topaz could make its wearer invisible.

If you’re born in November or just love these beautiful gemstones of the fall, Adina by Empire Jewelers has an extensive collection of beautiful citrine and topaz jewelry, at true wholesale prices, as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

October Birthstone: The Opal

Opals, the birthstone for the month of October, have a mystery and history as interesting as their iridescence. Whether you were born in October or not, improve your knowledge of opals with these fun facts from Adina Jewelers from Empire:

1. The opal is an ancient mineral known as petrified silica gel that is found near the earth's surface where geothermal hot springs once existed.
2. Many opals contain a rainbow-like iridescence known as "opalescence,” which changes the colors that appear in the stone depending on the angle it is viewed.
3. Opalescence is caused by a hydrous silicon dioxide material that causes the gemstone to flash iridescent colors when the opal is viewed from different angles.
4. The subcategory of opals known as precious opals are the most in demand because of their "opalescence” or “play of color.”
5. The word opal is derived from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel, as well as “upala,” the Sanskrit name for precious stone.
6. Opals are given to celebrate a 14th wedding anniversary, and are a symbol of faithfulness and confidence.
7. The ancient Romans called the opal “Cupid Paederos,” which translates to “a child beautiful as love.”
8. In ancient Rome, opals were ground up and consumed because they were believed to have healing properties and the power to ward off bad dreams.
9. The Great Bard, Shakespeare, loved opals so much, he nicknamed them the “queen of the gems.”
10. The opal is Australia’s national gemstone, and its indigenous people call opals “the fire in the desert.”
11. Coober Pedy, Australia, is known as “The Opal Capital of the World” because 51 percent of the world’s supply of opals are mined there.
12. In 2008, NASA discovered opal deposits on Mars! Since opal is made up of mostly water, Mars may have contained water for billions of years.

If you’re born in October, or just looking to buy beautiful opal gemstones, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a magnificent collection of estate and vintage opal jewelry, available at true wholesale prices, as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

All About September’s Birthstone: The Blue Sapphire

September’s official birthstone, the blue sapphire, is one of the most beautiful and regal of all gemstones. Improve your knowledge of sapphires with this issue’s Adina by Empire’s newsletter, then check out our online eBay store and find yourself the perfect piece of sapphire jewelry!

1. Blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, the same mineral that rubies come from.
2. The sapphire is derived from the Greek word sapphirus, which means blue.
3. On the Mohs hardness scale, sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness.
4. Although sapphires come in many colors, the most valuable and sought after are deep blue sapphires.
5. In addition to the birthstone for September, sapphires are also the gemstone for 45th wedding anniversaries.
6. The ancient Greeks believed sapphires were a symbol of wisdom and purity.
7. The ancient Persians believed the Earth was supported by a giant sapphire and its reflection made the sky blue.
8. According to Jewish midrash, Moses was given tablets of sapphire that were carved from God’s throne, making them the most precious gemstone.
9. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, famously chose a blue sapphire and diamond ring for her engagement to Prince Charles. After enheriting it upon her death, Prince William gave his mother’s ring to Kate Middleton when he proposed to her, and she now wears it.
10. During both royal weddings, reproductions of Princess Diana’s ring became so popular with the public that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”

If you’re looking to buy beautiful sapphire jewelry, either for yourself or a loved one born in September, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a magnificent collection of estate and vintage sapphire jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Double the Fun with August’s Two Birthstones

Amethyst Peridot Ring

Those people born in August are have double the luck, as they have not one, but two official birthstones. Learn more about the twin gemstones of August…

• Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine, and range in color from from yellow-green to lime-green.
• Peridot is formed in magma deep in the earth’s mantle, and is brought to the surface by volcanic or tectonic activity.
• The word 'peridot' is derived from the Greek word 'peridona,' which means 'to give richness.'
• Peridot is also known as 'chrysolite,' derived from the Greek 'gold stone,' and 'olivine.'
• Peridot is the stone given to celebrate a 16th wedding anniversary.
• Peridot is an ancient gem, and can be found in Egyptian jewelry from the early 2nd millennium BC.
• The ancient Romans called peridot “the evening emerald” because of its deep green color when reflected by lamplight.
• Peridot is the national gem of Egypt, where it is referred to as the “gem of the sun.”
• Sardonyx is a variation of onyx, a semiprecious stone of the silica mineral, agate.
• Sardonyx only appears in hues of orange and red.
• The word sardonyx is derived from Sard, meaning reddish-brown, and onyx, meaning veined gem.
• During the Renaissance, sardonyx was often worn by public speakers to make them more visible to the audience.
• On sardonyx gems, the layers of white, grey or black interspersed with red or reddish brown are created by layers of reddish-brown mud and layers of lava.

If you’re looking to buy as a birthday gift for a loved one born in August, or some gemstone jewelry for yourself, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a beautiful collection of estate and vintage jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. Shop online today and enjoy our vast selection of fine estate and vintage jewelry, plus watches, diamonds, gold, sterling silver, coins and more. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

July's Romantic Rubies: Fun Facts and Lore

July's Romantic Rubies: Fun Facts and Lore

This month we pay tribute to the wildly romantic and luxurious Ruby, the birthstone of July. You’re all familiar with one of the most iconic movie costume pieces of all time — the Ruby slippers. Here we present some fun facts for those lucky enough to have the Ruby as their birthstone, and for those that just love rubies:

1. Ruby is the birthstone for July, as well as the astrological sign of Capricorn.
2. Ruby is the red gem form of the mineral corundum, which has an absolute hardness of 400 (compared to diamonds which have an absolute hardness of 1600).
3. Trace amounts of the element chromium is what gives rubies their red appearance.
4. Blue corundum gems are called sapphires.
5. Rubies in shades of pink are simply referred to as pink rubies.
6. The finest rubies in the world were once found in Burma in South and Southeast Asia. Today, Burma is known as Myanmar.
7. The color of the pure red rubies from the mines of Mogok were sometimes referred to as "pigeon’s blood.”
8. The most expensive ruby ever sold was an 8.62 carat pigeon's blood cushion-cut ruby set in an 18-karat gold rectangular mount. It sold at auction at Christie’s in 2006 for a reported $3.6 million.
9. In ancient times, rubies were thought to give its wearer good health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love.
10. Flawless top quality rubies are more valuable and rare than top quality colorless diamonds.
11. The word red is derived from the Latin word, ruber.
12. Almost all natural rubies are treated to improve their color and strength; this is standard practice and accepted by the American Gem Trade Association and Israel-Diamonds.
13. At the end of The Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch of the North tells Dorothy she can return home to Kansas by clicking the heels of her ruby slippers together three times and repeating the phrase, “There’s no place like home.”

If you’re looking to buy rubies, either as a birthday gift for a loved one born in July, or just because you love the lovely red gemstone of the month, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a beautiful collection of estate and vintage jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. Shop online today and enjoy our vast selection of fine ruby estate and vintage jewelry, plus watches, diamonds, gold, sterling silver, coins and more. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.