Fun fact about Diamonds!

Diamonds hold more value per milligram than any other traded element in the world – unlike other valuables and commodities. The value of a diamond is inherent and stable. On average, diamond prices have increased by more than 14 % per annum for over 50 years. Currency fluctuations, bank crises and stock market variations make no difference!

No speculation possible.

The 5C’s of Diamonds:              

1. Carat: This is the weight of the diamond. 1 carat = 0.2 grams. There are 100 points in a 1.00 carat diamond, so a 0.50-point diamond will be a half carat diamond. The heavier the stone, all other aspects equal, the higher the price.
2. Color: Diamonds exist in almost all colors, some rarer than others, but their grade is based on their lack of color on a scale from D to Z as seen on IGI’s color chart Most of our jewelry contains close to colorless diamonds;we only use diamonds graded D-H since thesegenerally hold value over timebecause they arenear colorless.

3. Clarity: As seen in the chart below and explained on IGI’s blog, there are 11 different clarity grades based on the amount of inclusions in the stone. Most Kama pieces are VS clarity and higher since we believe in having eye clean stones to ensure maximum light reflection and hence brilliance.

4. Cut: The cut of the diamond determines how light is reflected through it and hence its brilliance. The better the cut, the higher the bling. In Kama pieces, we only pick diamonds that are graded as excellent.
5. Certificate: Why is this important? So that you know exactly what you are getting! A certificate from a trusted laboratory will essentially give you a report on the diamond that you are buying based on the above-mentioned characteristics. It will help you authenticate the origin of the diamond – earth made or lab-grown, and it will help you determine the value of the stone that you are purchasing.

Lab Grown Diamonds:

What is a lab grown diamond and why is it becoming increasingly popular?

The best way to describe the difference between a natural diamond and a lab grown diamond is to liken the difference to that between a natural born baby and a test tube baby. The end-product is same in composition. Only, it takes 6-10 weeks to grow a diamond in a laboratory as opposed to a billion years for earth grown diamonds. They are chemically and physically same in composition. No one can tell the difference, not even an experienced jeweler. Only a machine testing the levels of nitrogen in the diamond/performing carbon dating can tell the difference.

There are two widely used manufacturing processes:

• The first method uses high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) growth to recreate the conditions in which carbon crystallizes into diamond. This process is being primarily used for creating diamonds having a size of a half carat or smaller and is used in watches and jewelry.
• The second method is chemical vapor deposition (CVD) which uses hydrocarbon gases injected into a growth chamber. Microwave plasma energy is used to break apart the bond of the hydrocarbon, allowing free carbon atoms to shower down on a plate of diamonds. Atom by atom, this gradually grows a diamond vertically, so you end up with the same high purity and high-quality diamonds as earth-mined diamonds. This process is being primarily used for creating diamonds having a size of a half carat or larger and is being used for high end jewelry.

 What is the difference between the two?

Earth Grown Diamonds	Lab Grown Diamonds
Rarity + Uniqueness = value over time. Earth diamonds are mined from eroded extinct volcanoes after being coughed up with other chunks of rock from the mantle in giant explosive eruptions called kimberlites. And since the last confirmed kimberlite was recorded some 30 million years ago, the number of natural mined diamonds on the market is limited and expensive.	You have more bang for your buck - increased size and quality of the stone while staying within your budget.   The CATCH: No resale value.
It is well known that the process of mining diamonds from the earth is resource intensive and creates environmental concerns (deforestation) with air pollution.	This is a product of technology - it is a lot more sustainably manufactured. Many manufacturers now use solar energy to power their manufacturing plants.