The process of turning a rough diamond into a beautiful piece of jewelry is a long journey, but always one that is worth it. From mining to cutting to setting, every diamond engagement ring and diamond necklace goes through the refining process and we’re here to demystify this incredible journey. From heritage diamond jewelry pieces to brand new diamond rings straight from the manufacturer, our diamond jewelry has its own tale to tell. Every diamond in every fine piece of jewelry has gone through formation, extraction, and refinement, making them rare and treasured stones all around the world.
Fortuitous Formation
It’s commonly said that diamonds are formed from a piece of coal put under pressure and heat, but that’s a bit reductive of the whole picture. Diamonds are so rare because the conditions have to be just right for them to form and be pushed up through the Earth’s crust to be mined. Here’s how the science pans out: carbon gets buried deep underground. We’re talking about something like 90-125 miles below the surface of the Earth. This depth hosts the perfect conditions for the next phase in a flawless diamond formation. The next step is to heat it up. For good diamond formation, it has to get to around 250 degrees. It heats up and is then put under a measly 750,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, which is a process that can take anywhere from a few days to millions of years. That means diamond jewelry is probably the oldest thing most of us own. However, at this depth, it won’t be close enough to mine to set into any heirlooms. The final step of the diamond formation is when they get carried through lava tunnels under the ground and lifted toward the surface in instances like volcanic events. They are mined from the Earth in a pipe mine, which is a long, vertical shaft into the ground that can get deep enough to reach the raw diamonds. When a raw diamond is extracted from the Earth, there’s still a lot of work to do to refine it into a stunning diamond necklace or a charming pair of diamond earrings.
Raw to Refined
After Mother Nature does her job in the formation process of a raw diamond, it’s time for the mining and refining process. Over 200 tons of rock, gravel, and sand must be blasted away to reveal only 1 carat of diamond. Out of that haul, about 20% of the diamonds mined are worthy of being jewelry, and the rest are whisked away to be used for industrial purposes. The rough diamonds are sold to manufacturers or cutting centers, where they are cut and polished. When cutting a diamond, the cutters must first determine what cut will yield the highest value and the most beauty. They take into account shape, color, clarity, and inclusions. For instance, a diamond with a few inclusions and a slightly cloudy color would be a perfect candidate for the brilliant round cut because the multiple facets create a glittering sparkling effect that would hide any imperfections. On the other hand, if a diamond cutter got their hands on a near-perfect diamond with no inclusions and crystal clarity, they might opt for the emerald cut, which is set apart by its open-face top that peers all the way into a pool of clear ice.
Emerald-Cut Elegance
Speaking of the clear pools of an emerald-cut diamond, the Triple Emerald-cut Diamond Ring by Rahaminov is an iconic example of what a well-cut diamond can do to a ring finger. This yellow gold band hosts 3 emerald-cut diamonds, two smaller diamonds on either side of the stunning centerpiece. The emerald cut was created as a way to showcase a naturally flawless diamond, and we love it so much that we wrote a whole article about diamond cuts and included it in our write-up. Perfect as a breathtaking engagement ring or as a statement-making fashion ring, this baby is always going to be a “yes".
Diamonds on Diamonds
A perfect example of the mastery of diamond-cutting, these Diamond Earrings by Norman Silverman show off every good side of the diamonds used. Two light-catching trilliant-cut diamonds on each earring are encapsulated by a trail of brilliant round diamonds, creating a diamond-filled and diamond-shaped pair of resplendent earrings. The trilliant cut was invented in the 1960s and gives off a more modern vibe than the older emerald cut. With all of those delicate facets, the earrings frame a face in immaculate sparkles. Make an outfit truly shine with these finely-crafted diamond studs.
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