Red Nymph Jewelry
Diamonds are processed stone. To put it simple, diamonds are a single crystal of carbon element, buried deep in the earth under high pressure, high temperature conditions. For a long time, the diamond was mythical legends full of religious worship and fear, and it was regarded as a symbol of courage, power, status, and dignity.
Today, diamonds are no longer mysterious, and no longer only belong to the royal family and nobles. It has become a common gemstone that people can own and wear. Diamond culture has a long history, and today more and more people regard it as a symbol of love and loyalty. So what is the difference between diamonds and other precious stones?
- Single refraction of diamonds
Diamond’s single refraction is determined by the essential characteristics of the diamond, while other natural gemstones or synthetic gemstones are mostly birefringent. For fake diamonds, it is easy to discover overlapping images and two bottom lights under the 10 × magnifying glass, seeing slightly oblique from the front point of view. For zircon with low birefringence, bottom lights and overlapping images can also be seen.
- Adsorption of diamonds
Diamonds have certain absorption to oil and dirt, meaning oil is very easy to be adsorbed by the diamond. Therefore, your fingers touching the diamond will feel sticky. Other stones don’t have this characteristic. We need to be trained to master the subtlety.
- Straight-line
Diamond surface is very smooth. Streak the diamond with a pen, and you can see a smooth and consistent line if it’s real. Fake ones only leave the surface with a line of small dots. This method should be observed with a magnifying glass.
- Uniqueadamantine luster
It’s easy to see which has an adamantine luster between a well-cut diamond and a fake one under a roughly 100 degrees of incandescent light. This method should not be conducted in too dark or too strong light.
Common substitutes or counterfeits forgems on the market are colorless gemstones, colorless spinel, cubic zirconia, strontium titanate, yttrium aluminum garnet, yttrium gallium garnet and synthetic rutile. Synthetic diamonds were first developed by Japanin 1955, but not in mass production. Synthetic diamonds are rare in the market because synthetic diamonds are more expensive than natural diamonds.
Diamonds and Gemstones are a perfect addition to any piece of jewellery, making them look attractive and exquisite. Most people believe that diamonds are entirely different from gemstones, but the truth is that a diamond is a type of gemstone with its own unique features. Both gemstones and diamonds are naturally formed crystals, produced from specific elements or compounds. However, how do diamonds differ from other gemstones? Let’s have a look into it.
Formation of Gemstones vs Diamonds:
Both gemstones and diamonds are rare and made naturally. They are formed in rocks found in the earth’s crust, approximately 25 miles beneath the earth’s surface. However, diamonds are formed far down in the earth’s surface, maybe 100 miles or below. The journey from the earth’s crust to your jewellery box is truly a unique experience, isn’t it?
Which Rocks are Gemstones Formed From?
The earth’s crust is made up of three different kinds of rocks – sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous. Different segments of rocks produce different types of gemstones.
Igneous Rocks:
Formed by the cooling and crystallisation of magma beneath the earth’s surface, igneous rocks are the best source of Amethyst, Ametrine, Moonstone, Citrine, Diamond, Topaz, Tanzanite and Zircon.
Sedimentary Rocks:
Formed by the deposition and sequential cementation of the elements at the earth’s surface within the water bodies, the sedimentary rocks are the best source of Opal, Jasper, Zircon and Malachite.
Metamorphic Rocks:
Metamorphic rocks are formed when there is an intense change in the underground heat or pressure. Gemstones such as emerald, aquamarine, jade, ruby and zircon are formed under these conditions.
Composition of Diamonds vs Gemstones:
The most significant difference between diamond and other gemstones lies within their composition. While all other gems are compounds of two or more elements, diamond is the only gem formed from a single constituent- highly pressurised carbon.
Cost of Diamonds vs other Gemstones:
Another prominent difference between diamonds and other gemstones is their price. Known for its durability and hardness, diamonds are one of the most sought after and precious stones in the world. With all the strenuous work of digging the earth’s crust and converting the rough nugget into a shiny exquisite stone, the diamonds are priced more than other gemstones. Diamond cutting process that requires an expert hand, modern technologies and equipment is another reason why diamonds are so expensive. Moreover, the size, clarity, colour and carat of a diamond also plays a major role in its price. However, the prices of gemstones fluctuate with demand and supply, making them less expensive than diamonds.
Diamonds are gemstones, but not all gemstones are diamonds. Diamonds are pure carbon (or nearly so) formed under extreme pressure and temperatures. They are crystals, the hardest substance on earth, and require specialized tools and techniques for cutting/polishing. With the exception of industrial diamonds, they are not readily created in the lab.
Gemstones, on the other hand, may or may not be crystalline, and are compounds or accretions that are shaped into gems. Examples of crystalline gemstones are ruby, garnet, zircons, etc. Accretion gemstones include bloodstone, tiger eye, and jade. Opal is a water containing silicate compound. This is not a complete list obviously.
Amber is an organic derived gemstone, the petrified resin of ancient pines.
Diamonds and gemstones are perfect pieces of jewelry that look exquisite and attractive. People tend to think that diamonds are completely different from gemstones. Gemstones include sapphire, ruby and emerald. On the other hand,a diamond is a different type of gemstone with its very own and unique features. Diamonds are known to be the hardest material on planet earth.
Gemstones are divided into two different groups; semi-precious and precious. Precious stones are rare and are only found in small quantities. Their prices are generally higher than semi-precious stones which are found in larger quantities.
The main source of Diamonds are from Surat, in India. From there ninety-two percent of diamonds are sourced out and processed. Eight percent of the diamonds are mined in other countries like Australia and South Africa.
On the other hand, precious gemstones have no definite sources. Diamonds and gemstones usually take years before they are formed. They are not artificially manufactured and thus, no humans can manufacture them alone. When the original mines have been exploited, there is a need to search for another source.
Value and Characteristics
Diamonds are created in distinct sizes, colors and shapes. Even though the main type of diamonds is known to be colorless, diamonds of different color have been found in other countries. A diamond becomes rare when a specific color or clarity of diamond is hard to find.
The value of gemstones is assessed by the naked eye and specified according to the 4 C’s; Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat. This system of characterizing diamonds is applied worldwide to all gemstones. This is also approved by the gemological institute of America typically known as the GIA.
Determining Their Price
Carat, clarity, cut and color are the main characteristics of diamonds. The use of grading the diamonds this way creates internationally accepted values and makes worldwide trading possible.
If the stone has an great color, a good cut or a high clarity, the price will rise accordingly.
The carat weight is also very significant in calculating the final price.
Diamonds and precious stones are both used extensively in jewelry and worn mostly by woman. Diamonds are the most valuable ones and have greater beauty. They are given at weddings, anniversaries and engagements. Even though gemstones are gorgeous in their own way, diamonds are of higher quality and value. Fancy color diamonds are considered even one level above because of their rarity. They capture the hearts of women and men on Earth.
It is important to learn about the differences between diamonds and gemstones, so that you will make an informed decision when you purchase them
First things first, diamonds fall under the category of gemstones, and this is because all gemstones are crystals formed from certain compounds or elements. Alongside this, gemstones are rare and made naturally. This means that rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and so on are created in rocks found in the earth’s crust, roughly three to 25 miles beneath the earth’s surface. However, diamonds are formed much deeper in the Earth’s surface.
One of the most significant differences between diamonds and other gemstones sits within the formation of a diamond. Diamonds are the only gem formed from a single element – highly pressurised carbon. All other gems are compounds of two or more elements. For example, sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide. The sapphire’s intense colour comes from traces of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium.