For many years diamonds have been an obsession of people all across the world. The beauty and value of diamonds is appreciated more than any other gem. They are regarded as the most popular stone used in engagement and wedding rings and are a symbol of undying love.

Women and men also fancy diamonds in other adornments. There are gorgeous jewelry choices from diamond chokers, to diamond pendants, to diamond tennis bracelets. What is the special diamond quality that makes them unparalleled?

One of nature’s most prized creations, no two diamonds are exactly alike. Gemologists have discovered that each diamond has its own design based on variations in the cut and the color.

The discovery of diamonds can be traced back to India around 800 B.C. For many years only royalty wore them as a symbol of their strength, although all were taken with their extreme beauty. In modern times common people also wear diamonds as an everyday accessory. Diamonds are rated on the 4 Cs: Carat Weight, Clarity, Color and Cut. The rating system determines what grade each diamond is and thus determines the price which will be commanded for purchasing each diamond.

The value of diamonds and other gemstones is partly determined by how many carats each one weighs. A large carat usually will result in a more expensive stone than a smaller carat. Every carat is divided into one hundred points; therefore, a diamond weighing fifty points would be considered a 1/2 carat diamond.

A diamond’s clarity is based upon how clear the gem is. Diamonds found near other rocks or minerals may contain some blemishes. Some bits of other minerals can be found on the actual diamond. Diamonds with a lower amount of blemishes will have a higher clarity and value.

Did you know the Hope Diamond is considered to be the most valuable diamond in the world? Did you know, too, that the Hope Diamond is a black diamond and not one that is clear. It is mistakenly believed that diamonds without colour are more valuable than those of colour. In most cases that is true but not always. Diamonds can be clear to yellow and even black-and still be quite valuable, as in the case of the Hope Diamond!

The last quality used in the 4C grading system is Cut. This is measures the amount of brilliance and sparkle the diamond has. There are various cuts of diamonds that include round, marquise, and princess cut stones. The round cut has long been one of the world’s favorites, but princess and marquise are also very popular. The cut of a diamond can determine how shiny and reflective it is thus enhancing its beauty. There are many reasons why diamonds are adored all around the world.

Some people wear them simply for their beauty and some feel they also play a part in increasing their social status when wearing them. For whatever reason, diamonds have been a favorite gemstone for both men and women for many decades now. Most likely this will continue on for years to come. As long as there are beautiful diamonds, there will be people who love them.

Rich Keys writes about jewellery and fashion. Knowing the best places to look for information about diamonds can be overwhelming at times. A great place we found online to get the straight facts about diamonds is DiamondGeezer