DIAMOND BLOG

The Millenium Star diamond is a famous diamond owned by De Beers, and is the center of De Beers Millennium Jewels collection.    History Discovered in 1990 in the Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire as a massive rough diamond weighing a lucky 777 carats, it became the sixth largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered. It was purchased by De Beers during the height of Zaire's civil war, which took place in the early to mid-nineties.   Cutting and Polishing It took over three years for workers of the Steinmetz Diamond Group to cut the diamond into its finished pear form. The stone was split in Belgium, polished in South Africa and then sent to New York for finishing touches. The design process entailed the construction of more than 100 plastic models of the diamond to decide on the best cut, which was determined to be a pear shape with 54 facets. This is a typical practice with diamonds of significant value and importance, because the polishers want to be sure that no errors are made on the diamond itself, but rather only on the practice models. This helps ensure that the real diamond is polished absolutely perfectly and without any major snafus (unlike the pink diamond that Rio Tinto discovered in the Argyle diamond Mine that busted when it was being polished). In its finished state, the Millennium Star diamond weighs 203.04 carats, boasts a color grade of D and is reportedly the only known diamond in the world rated both internally and externally flawless. Former De Beers chairman Late Harry Oppenheimer famously remarked that "it is the most beautiful diamond I have ever seen." It is certainly one of the largest, dwarfed only by the 273.85 carat Centenary diamond.   The Present Day The Millennium Star was displayed along with the rest of the De Beers Millennium Jewels (including the 27.64 carat blue Heart of Eternity diamond) in the London Dome in 1999. It was also featured in an exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. (along with the same Heart of Eternity diamond) in 2003 in an exhibit called The Splendor of Diamonds, which also featured the Steinmetz Pink (now called the Pink Dream), the Allnat Diamond, the Pumpkin diamond, the Moussaieff Red, and the Ocean Dream.  The currently largest cut colorless diamond by weight is the modified heart-shaped 273.85 carats (54.770 g) D color Centenary Diamond.   Shop the LEIBISH Collection of Colorless Diamonds

The heart-shaped 7.34 carat Fancy Vivid Purple I1 clarity Royal Purple Heart diamond is the largest Fancy Vivid Purple diamond known to exist. The stone emanates from Russia and was cut by the Julius Klein Diamond Corporation. The perfect heart-shaped cut of the diamond brings out the brilliance of the natural purple color of the stone.  It is considered heart shaped, even though it lacks the commonly known "cleavage" for which the heart shape is known.  Its current ownership, price, and other information are not known as present.  The diamond is named for two of its unique characteristics - its color and its shape, both of which are unique for this stone. Not all famous diamonds are named for the stone's characteristics, as they are sometimes named for their owner, for their origin, or for only their color. However, seeing as how the history of this diamond is largely unknown, it is appropriate that the diamond is thus named. British gemologist Michael Hing was able to examine the stone in person sometime around 2002. It is among a series of famous diamonds he has been fortunate to examine. "The stone has diagonal surface graining that is clearly visible to the naked eye on the table facet if you look at it under a glancing light," Mr. Hing writes, describing the stone. "It is not as blue as in your photo [shown above], it’s more purple than lilac. The girdle is very thick in parts, they were obviously trying to retain weight. It was mined in Russia."   A purple diamond is even rarer than a red diamond, although this fact is not officially accepted by all diamantaires. Officially speaking, red diamonds are the rarest color, followed by pink and blue. However, among most merchants you will find more red diamonds that purple available in their catalogs.   There aren’t many well-known purple diamonds. The most famous diamonds, of any color, are not only gorgeous, they are also almost always of a substantial size. This is another characteristic that sets purple diamonds apart from nearly all other diamonds; it is very rare to find big pure purple, gem-quality diamonds. Similarly, in the world of red diamonds, a red diamond of greater size than 5.11 carats has never been discovered. The largest known red diamond is the Moussaief Red, at 5.11 carats.    Purple diamonds of various intensities from LEIBISH   Purple is the color of royalty, of courage and honor. For years, it was considered the color of kings, as only royalty could afford the cost of purple dye for the cloth that was used to make their clothing. The Purple Heart is the medal that is given to soldiers that were killed or wounded in action, as a recognition of their bravery and sacrifice. With such powerful associations, it is no wonder that purple diamonds are considered among the most precious of all diamond colors. Pure purple diamonds are a very rare find. Most natural purple diamonds occur with secondary colors like pink, red, blue, gray or even brown, making the diamond appear slightly less purple and affecting the diamond's price or value. In terms of face-up appearance, these secondary colors often make the diamond that much more beautiful, even if it is less rare. Violet diamonds are often confused with purple diamonds by less experienced color diamond shoppers. Purple diamonds are most commonly found in Australian mines, although they have also been found in several other areas around the world, such as Russia, Canada, and India. It is believed that purple diamonds are created as a result of hydrogen added to the stone during the diamond's formation. The actual color of a purple diamond occurs in 5 intensities, from very light lilac or near-pink to a deep and vivid color.    Shop the LEIBISH Collection of Natural Fancy Purple Diamonds 

The radiant-cut, 20.65 carat, Fancy Intense Yellow, IF clarity Peacock diamond was purchased by C.D. Peacock, one of Chicago's premier jewelry stores as a statement to the American public that fancy color diamonds have “arrived.” Putting his proverbial “money where his mouth is”, Peacock hoped to relay to Americans what their European counterparts have seemingly known for many decades about the attractiveness of fancy color diamonds.  The Peacock diamond was placed on a special mount made of platinum and 18K gold, flanked on either side by two triangular-cut colorless D-color (white) diamonds and displayed at C. D. Peacock, Northbrook Court, Chicago, together with other rare fancy colored diamonds and jewelry. It was hoped that this display would help educate the people of Chicago about fancy color diamonds. Buy your  Fancy Yellow Diamonds from LEIBISHLearn more About Yellow diamonds

Perhaps the most interesting detail regarding the intriguing Supreme Purple Star diamond is the fact that its exact carat weight is not known. The stone is believed to be somewhere between two and five carats and displays an intense purple color. Another interesting fact is that the round brilliant diamond appears to be purple from certain angles but can also look crimson when viewed in different lightings. Like many other famous diamonds, much about this stone’s history and details is unknown. Furthermore, the earliest known fact regarding the Supreme Purple Star dates back to only 25 years ago.   The History First appearing in London in 2002, the diamond’s anonymous owner had every intention of selling the stone, which he believed to be a different gemstone. Though it is hard to believe one would not know that this stone was a diamond, given its firmness and all, the unique combination of the purple and red colors could indeed be misleading. The phenomenon is actually incredibly unusual and inexplicable. The only acceptable answer is that the stone possesses the two rarest colors of all color diamonds: purple and red. Not only that, but the two colors appear in the same stone separately, something that has not been seen in any other diamond.   About Purple Diamonds Purple diamonds are considered among the rarest diamonds along with red and violet diamonds. Like pink diamonds, it is believed that the purple diamond’s voyage to the earth’s surface is the cause for the stone’s stunning purple color, as opposed to an element, such as nitrogen or boron, often found in various diamonds that can be responsible for a stone’s hue. A process known as post-growth plastic deformation occurs when a diamond journeys from the earth’s mantle to its surface through magma and is responsible for a purple diamond’s color.  Browse through all the purple diamonds we are currently holding in stock. An intense pinkish purple, next to a vivid purple, and a vivid pinkish purple from LEIBISH   Other Famous Purple Diamonds Due to the rarity of the color, there are not many famous purple diamonds. In fact, there are only two; one being the Supreme Purple Star. The second famous purple diamond is the Royal Purple Heart Diamond. The latter stone is a 7.34-carat, fancy vivid purple, heart-shaped diamond, which originated from Russia.   LEIBISH Purple Diamonds Despite purple diamonds being so incredibly rare, LEIBISH carries an impressive collection of purple stones including those with light, fancy, fancy intense, and fancy deep color intensity levels. An exquisite jewelry piece that proudly displays one of these rare specimens is the fancy deep pinkish purple solitaire ring. It is both regal and simple. The fancy pinkish purple cushion diamond ring is one of LEIBISH’s finest designs and is worth checking out just to admire its beauty.   The Purple Orchid Diamond 

The pear-shaped, 0.59 carat, Fancy Intense Red, VS1 clarity Rob Red diamond has been described by a fancy color expert as “the most saturated and purest red diamond measured visually and instrumentally to date in the world.” Named after its owner, Mr. Robert Bogel, the stone was presumably found in Brazil. Red diamonds are universally considered the most rare diamonds on Earth - that makes them pretty rare when you think about how rare diamonds are in general! Unlike with other color diamonds that are more abundant and can generally be found in larger sizes, Red diamonds are usually pretty small when discovered. Like many other color diamonds, Fancy Red diamonds can be found in one pure color or with secondary hues, which include Purplish, Brownish, and Orangy, although Red diamonds come in one intensity level alone: Fancy Red. Most of the red diamonds that are mined in the present day are found in Kimberley, Western Australia in the Argyle Mines. It is thought that the Rob Red is the only red diamond in the world with the highest color grading of Fancy Intense Red, making it unique among all red diamonds, in respect of color saturation and clarity. Consequently, the Rob Red diamond is deemed the most saturated and cleanest red diamond in existence in the world today.  No red diamond has ever been discovered larger than 5.11 carats, which is the Moussaief Red, and only 3 red diamonds in existence weigh over 3 carats!  Red diamonds are especially rare, which tends to result in high prices. As time goes by, the awareness for color diamonds in general and color diamonds as wise investments has increased significantly, which translates into a high demand for these beautiful natural gemstones. It is unclear how many potential rough red diamonds remain from their known sources. Therefore, the value of the Red diamond is constantly rising. The figures are high, but whatever the numbers are presently, they will grow significantly in the near future, especially as no new sources have been discovered. Unlike color diamonds such as Yellow and Pink diamonds, which are purchased by consumers, investors, and collectors, Red diamonds are mainly bought by collectors and investors for the purpose of investment and completing collections.  Shop the LEIBISH Natural Fancy Red diamond collection

The Gruosi Diamond is considered the fifth largest black faceted diamond on the planet. This remarkable heart-shaped, natural fancy black diamond is 115.34-carats. Fawaz Gruosi, after whom this gem was named, is responsible for reintroducing black diamonds to the general public. After creating an especially attractive black diamond jewelry and watch collection back in 1996, Gruosi managed to start a black diamond trend, which still exists today. The Gruosi Diamond is the largest heart shaped black diamond on the planet and is part of a white gold necklace that also displays 378 colorless diamonds, 58.77 carats worth of small black diamonds, as well as 14.10 carats of tsavorite garnets.   The History After three years of being cut, the extraordinary large rough black diamond weighing in at 300.12 carats was cut down to 115.34 carats. The stone originates from India and was supposed to be cut into an oval shape. However, because of the stone's fragility, the cutter was forced to go with a different shape. Very often gem quality black diamonds are difficult to work with and do not result in the originally desired stone. Nevertheless, despite the significant amount of carat weight lost to cutting the diamond into a heart shaped stone, the 300.12-carat diamond became a 115.34-carat heart shaped diamond, losing a total of 184.78 carats. In the end, it's all about the quality and not the quantity.   About Black Diamonds Black Diamonds, unlike most other color diamonds, are only found in one color intensity: fancy black. On one hand this limits those looking for the best of the best in terms of color intensity, but on the other, offers the same color level to everyone looking to buy a black diamond. Of course there are other factors that sets one black diamond apart from another. Size is clearly a significant marker as is the clarity and cut of the diamond. Black diamonds are found in a greater abundance compared to other color diamonds such as pink, green, and purple diamonds. However, the price of each stone depends on the diamond's individual specifications. Another way in which black diamonds are different from many other color diamonds is its color source. Some color diamonds such as yellow and blue diamonds owe their colors to elements present in the stones such as nitrogen and boron respectively. Black diamonds do not contain an element that causes a black coloring, but rather, it is the graphite inclusion and random clustering throughout the stone that gives black diamonds their dark hue. Only found in several locations throughout the world, black diamonds are mainly mined in Central Africa and Brazil. LEIBISH 3.86 carat, fancy black diamond halo earrings   Other Famous Black Diamonds Given the fact that black diamonds are more plentiful than other color diamonds, there are quite a few famous black diamonds. Some mention-worthy black diamonds include The Black Orlov, The Spirit of de Grisogono, the Black Star of Africa, and the Raven Diamond. The first famous black diamond mentioned here, The Black Orlov, is a 67.50-carat cushion cut diamond with an interesting legend behind it. The next diamond, The Spirit of de Grisogono, is a 312.24-carat mogul cut diamond, which was originally cut from a 587-carat rough stone. Finally, we have the Black Star and Raven Diamond, which are 202-carat and 12.78-carat stones respectively. Browse through our wide selection of Natural Fancy Black Diamonds.  

The oval shaped, 59.60 carat (100 carat rough), Fancy Vivid Pink, Internally Flawless (IF) Steinmetz Pink is the largest Fancy Vivid Pink diamond in the world. The Fancy Vivid grading and the incredibly IF clarity, in addition to its remarkable 59 carat size make the Steinmetz Pink quite possibly the finest pink diamond in the world at present. It was mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa, and weighed 132.5 carat in the rough.  As a result of its exceptional rarity, the Steinmetz Group took a very cautious 20 months to polish it, and it was unveiled in Monaco to the public in May 2003. In 2007, the Steinmetz pink was mounted as a ring, sold to a private buyer, and renamed the Pink Star. In November 2013, the Pink Star was sold at auction to a buyer on behalf of a consortium, named Isaac Wolf, who later defaulted on the purchase. The diamond was subsequently bought by Sotheby's to uphold the purchase.   The Cutting and Polishing Process Fifty models were worked on before the cutting of the rough diamond even began. One wrong move and the priceless, incomparable diamond would have shattered. The diamond’s facet pattern is very unique, a stunning oval shaped mixed-cut diamond with a step-cut crown and a brilliant-cut pavilion. The intricate cut helps display the vivid pink color of the diamond extremely well.    A Tour de Force The Steinmetz Pink went on display in the summer of 2003 as part of the exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D.C. entitled The Splendor of Diamonds, which also featured the Millennium Star, the Heart of Eternity, the Allnatt, the Pumpkin, the Moussaieff Red, and the Ocean Dream. At the opening of the exhibit, the Steinmetz Pink was mounted on a pendant and modeled by actress Jenna Elfman.    The Present Day  Since it's third sale in 2013, the Steinmetz Pink, now the Pink Dream, is located at Sotheby's and will probably be sold again at auction in the near future.   The History of its Names 1999–2007: The Steinmetz Pink2007–2013: The Pink Starfrom 2013: The Pink Dream   Shop the collection of LEIBISH Natural Fancy Pink Diamonds

When looking to expand ones diamond collection, people, in general, are looking for the same type of arrangement. The goal is to attain the largest and best quality stone possible for the lowest overall cost. Many characteristics, such as the 4Cs, play extremely important roles in the quality of the precious stones. However, what many don't consider are the features that are relatively blind to the untrained naked eye. Some of these features may slightly reduce the stones overall value, but because they are not easily seen, they won't significantly decrease the quality of the diamonds themselves. Diamond Fluorescence is a perfect example of a one of these features. It can slightly help reduce the cost of the diamond, while not necessarily lowering the overall value of the stone. Those with years of professional experience can often distinguish the slight difference in appearance under regular lighting. However, to the untrained eye, the fluorescence in a diamond is not noticeable unless seen under ultra violet lighting. Fancy Color Diamonds different Fluorescence color What is Diamond Fluorescence  A pure colorless diamond actually has no compound elements of any kind. Only, to find such a prize is absolutely unheard of. The diamonds found are precious stones created with various compound elements absorbed over millions of years in the making. The different elements included in the composition are precisely what define the type of diamond it is. The additional elements that can be absorbed into the diamonds composition and cause fluorescence are nitrogen, boron, and aluminum. Very Strong Green Fluorescence and Strong White Fluorescence The fluorescence is in essence the inclusion of these elements that cause this magnificent glow. Depending on the stones composition, in Fancy Color Diamonds it can appear in a number of different shades or colors such as blue, yellow, white, orange, green, and pink. In colorless diamonds, fluorescence will generally appear only in a yellow or blue tint.Since diamond fluorescence can glow at different levels, the GIA developed a grading scale to measure the strength of the illumination. None Faint Medium Strong Very Strong   If you don’t have access to an ultra violet lamp to view the diamonds, try using a regular black light to cause the affect. Left to Right: Faint, Medium Blue, Strong Blue, Very Strong Blue How it all Began Diamonds were created millions of years ago, deep below the surface of the earth. Over time, while forming, these stones absorbed trace elements of various other minerals. The elements absorbed into the composition of the stones is actually what cause the development of fancy colors as well as the magnificent fluorescent glow. Only about 35% of stones available today actually have fluorescence and only about 10% of those have enough fluorescence to cause a change of appearance under ultraviolet light. The Affects of Diamond Fluorescence Now, more than ever, certain compound elements are admired for the effect caused on the precious stones. Many diamond retailers will tell you that fluorescence is known as a negative trait in the industry. As a result, the price of diamonds that contain this addition are usually slightly lowered due to the 'reduced' quality of the stone. However, there are two points that must be considered about this truly amazing phenomenon: Fluorescence in a diamond can only be distinguished by the untrained eye under ultra violet lighting. Even a very strong fluorescence will appear extremely faint under direct sunlight. Depending on the color of the stone and the color of glow, it can sometimes positively add to the color of the stone. Another point to consider is the fact that because of the slightly negative connotation, it can be an excellent way to get your hands on a beautiful stone that is a little bit above your price range, especially if it is a fancy color diamond where the color is generally rarely affected. As a result of the addition, the cost will most likely be reduced. Depending on the intensity of fluorescence, you might find a little more room to negotiate on the price. Depending on the type of stone you are looking for, the glow can have a different effect on the color. In the following two examples, the fluorescence is specifically what improves the quality of the stone, even though the value will still be slightly lowered. Scenario 1:  A colorless diamond with an 'I-J' color grade and a 'Blue' fluorescence.Under certain lighting, the additional glow can actually help to enhance the color of the stone and make it appear as if it is a higher grade color than the stone actually is. Scenario 2: A fancy colored diamond that is a ' Fancy Intense or Fancy Vivid Green Yellow' stone with 'Very Strong Green'  fluorescence.Under certain lighting, the effect can cause the secondary green to glow, which is a rarer color than the dominant yellow, to shine more intensely and actually improve the color of the stone. Another important point to consider before purchasing a stone is exactly what you plan to do with it. If your plan, for example, is to place more than one diamond on a piece of jewelry, the different fluoresce from each stone might appear as a slight unbalance once put next to one another. However, don't let this stop you from constructing a beautiful piece of jewelry. If it is done right, perhaps with a little professional direction, the outcome can be absolutely magnificent. LEIBISH Fancy Color Diamond Jewelry How Diamond Fluorescence is Viewed in the Industry The question of whether this is a positive or negative trait is actually quite a debated subject. There have been many different opinions on the matter which both argue very true statements. Whether this phenomenon should be considered a positive trait or not, will depend entirely on the color of the diamond and the color of the glow. Not all diamonds fluoresce, and ones that do can be measured. In general, the price will not be affected if it is a 'Faint' fluorescence and might be affected if it's 'Medium' (depends on the characteristics of the stone itself). However, if there is a 'Strong' or 'Very Strong' presence in the stone, the price will likely be reduced.   Colorless Diamonds The resulting effect depends on the color grade of the stone together with the grade and color of the fluorescence. The most common fluorescence in colorless diamonds is blue. In a lower colorless diamond grade, a blue fluorescence may compliment the color of the stone. However, in a higher grade stone, a yellow fluorescence can negatively affect the clarity by withdrawing from the color or causing a milky or cloudy overcast. What can be said with some certainty is that, under the right lighting, it can actually add to lower grade diamonds while taking away from higher grade stones.   Fancy Colored Diamonds In most fancy colored diamonds, the fluorescence might not actually reduce the intensity of the stone. Interestingly enough, the glow together with the combination of the diamond color, can often complement each other. Under the right lighting, this amazing phenomenon can actually help enhance the magic of the color. Finding a yellow diamond with fluorescence is actually quite common. However, the illumination level is usually quite faint. When purchasing a yellow diamond, be sure to speak with the vendor and ask what type of effect the fluorescence has on the stone. In certain cases it might not be noticeable. In others, it can give the stone a slight brownish tint or even a milky appearance. The benefit is that if the fluorescence is not visible, for a significantly reduced cost you can acquire a stone that looks no different from one without any fluorescence at all. Pink colored diamonds, on the other hand, are quite difficult to find without fluorescence. In fact, since the addition is so common, especially in Argyle pink diamonds, even a strong grade will generally not negatively impact the value of the stone. In general, a pure blue diamond will not have any fluorescence at all. In the event that fluorescence is found, which most likely means that the diamond is slightly combined with a greenish overtone, the fluorescence will usually not even be noticeable. Like anything else in life, the rarer things are, the more some want to get their hands on it. Certain shades of fluorescence are even considered by some, collector's items. For example, a red fluorescence is so rarely seen, when it is found it is celebrated. Be sure to ask the jeweler for their recommendations on the stones. Whether positive or negative, to see the affect in reality is breathtaking. Have a look at the image below. Images like this are the reason diamond fluorescence is sometimes referred to as magnificent. Fancy Color Diamond Fluorescence  The colors of the diamonds shown are:From left to right: Fancy Deep Brownish Yellow, Fancy Vivid Yellow Orange, Fancy Vivid Yellow Orange, Fancy Deep Grayish Yellowish Green/Chameleon, Fancy Dark Gray Yellowish Green/Chameleon, Fancy Intense Yellow, Fancy Pink, Fancy Greenish Yellow, Fancy Intense Green Yellow, Fancy Intense Green Yellow. Most importantly, you should be happy with the diamonds you purchase. Make sure to speak to the retailer you are dealing with and find out all the information upfront. Have a look at the stone under different lighting and always look over the certificate.  

Each diamond is unique on its own but there are some diamonds that became famous for different reasons. Here are some of the most famous blue diamonds.    The Blue Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond   The Wittelsbach was a 35.56 carat Fancy Deep Grayish Blue VS2 diamond, cut with an unusual pattern of 82 facets. Since Madrid archives have been destroyed in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939, the diamond’s earliest record dates from 1664, when it was given by Philip IV of Spain to his daughter Infanta Margareta Teresa, then 15, for her engagement to Emperor Leopold I of Austria. In, 1675 at the young age of 21, Infanta died after being weakened by too many miscarriages. Her husband inherited all her jewels and in turn, left them to his third wife, Empress Eleanor Magdalena, who passed the Great Blue Diamond to her granddaughter, Archduchess Maria Amelia. Maria Amelia married the Bavarian Crown Prince Charles Albert in 1722, which was a turning point in the pretty uneventful history of the Blue Diamond – it became the family diamond of the House of Bavaria, the Wittelsbachs. But soon after the wedding, the Crown Prince’s father, the Elector Maximilian Emmanuel, who was in financial difficulties, borrowed money from a banker pledging the Wittelsbach Diamond. The diamond was redeemed four years later for 543,781 Guilders, but the Elector died before paying the amount and the Crown Prince – his successor – was left with the duty of paying the debt – which totaled 4,000,000 Guilders including the redemption of the diamond. The last King of Bavaria to own the blue diamond was Louis III – who reigned until Germany became a republic in 1918. He died in 1921 and that was the last time the Wittelsbach Diamond accompanied a royalty to his final resting place. In 1931, the Wittelsbach Diamond was put to a Christie’s Auction along with other crown Jewels to financially support the royal descendants during the tough economic climate that followed World War I. But here is where its traces become unclear – the diamond was never sold at the then-famous auction, yet never returned to its display in Munich. After years of speculations, it turns out the diamond was sold by the royal family in Brussels in 1951, then again in 1955. And although three years later it was displayed in the Brussels World Exhibition, it appears no one realized it was the missing Wittelsbach Diamond. In 1962, a Belgium diamond dealer Joseph Komkommer was asked to examine a stone and immediately recognized the Wittelsbach Diamond. Komkommer formed a group of diamond buyers, who purchased the diamond from the trustees of an estate of an undisclosed identity. In 1964 it was bought by a private collector, and in 2008 the Wittelsbach Diamond was sold at a Christie’s auction to the famous jeweler Laurence Graff for $24.3 million. Graff re-cut the diamond, losing 4.45 cararts, to 31.06 carats “to remove damage to the girdle and enhance the color.” It is now a Fancy Deep Blue IF (Internally Flawless). Quite a few experts compare Graff’s actions with a renovation of a famous painting, in order to make it more modern. Yet, others claim the Hope Diamond was also re-cut to improve its color and grading, and by improving the diamond’s beauty with a more modern cut, while documenting the changes made, you can show the advances made in the art of cutting.   The Blue Heart Diamond   Since colored diamonds are so scarce, it is rare to come upon an unusually large or vibrant-colored diamond.  The Blue Heart Diamond is an example of such a diamond due to its large size and beautiful color.  The famous diamond has a story behind its name, an intriguing past, and a grand size, placing it as one of the world’s largest and most famous natural blue diamonds. Also known as the Unzue Diamond, after the Argentinian Mrs. Unzue who had the precious stone for 43 years, the Blue Heart Diamond’s claim to fame is its stunning rare deep blue color, its heart shape, and its large size: an impressive 30.62 carats.  The Blue Heart is ranked the world’s fifth largest blue diamond, coming in after the Sultan of Morocco, a 35.27-carat fancy grayish-blue diamond. The Blue Heart has been mistakenly dubbed the “Eugenie Blue” in reference to the French Empress Eugenie, although any connection between the two is impossible given the stone was only discovered in 1908. Nevertheless, a French connection can be found, since the blue diamond was cut into the contemporary heart shape by the French diamond-cutting firm, Atanik Ekyanan of Neuilly, Paris sometime between the years 1909 and 1910. For a while, it was believed that the stone originated in India, where many diamonds used to originate from.  However, in recent years it was discovered that the Blue Heart was actually found in South Africa in November 1908. At the time, the magnificent diamond weighed an astounding 102 carats in the rough, and was later cut and polished into the diamond we now recognize as the Blue Heart. After the renowned French cutting firm cut the blue beauty, it was sold to Cartier’s, where it was placed in a corsage called “Lily of the Valley.” The corsage was bought by Mrs. Unzue where it remained until 1953. The jewelry firm Cleef & Arpels bought the jewel, and it was they who disassembled the corsage and turned the diamond into a brilliant pendant surrounded by 25 colorless diamonds. A European family then purchased the diamond pendant along with the necklace for a total of $300,000. Harry Winston got hold of the precious gem in 1959 and had it set in a platinum ring only to have it sold to Marjorie Merriweather Post.  The Blue Heart stayed with Mrs. Post until the 1960s when she decided it was time to donate the treasure to the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC where it has been on display till this very day. The Blue Heart Diamond is located in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals in the National Museum of Natural History. The Blue Heart may have begun its journey as a 102-carat stone, but its current size of 30.62 carats has made it an absolute stunner, proudly displaying a deep blue color, which may qualify as fancy intense blue or fancy vivid blue. The stone is a rare Type IIb diamond. Blue diamonds are treasured greatly for their extreme rarity, so much so that individuals are willing to pay top dollar to have the opportunity to own one of these unique and rare items.  One of the most famous red diamonds, the Hancock Red, held the title for most expensive diamond ever sold per carat, for twenty years.  That record was broken by a blue diamond in 2007.  A 6.04-carat fancy vivid blue diamond that was auctioned at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong was sold for $7.98 million dollars, creating the new record of $1.32 million per carat. With colored diamonds becoming increasingly difficult to come by, we are developing a new appreciation for remarkable historic stones such as the Blue Heart.   The Blue Hope Diamond Previously known as Le Bleu de France, the infamous Hope diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in history. The 45.52 carat Fancy Deep Grayish Blue diamond with VS1 clarity is the largest blue diamond in the world, and one of the earliest and most famous fancy color diamonds that was ever discovered. Le Bleu de France was most probably mined in India, as per the historic remarks of the first owner of the Hope diamond. It is unclear exactly when the diamond was discovered and by whom, although it is attributed to Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. It is also unknown whether he bought it or acquired it by some other means. A gem the size of a walnut, it is measured  as 25.60mm (length) × 21.78mm (width) × 12.00mm (depth). The cut has been described as, “cushion antique brilliant with a faceted girdle and extra facets on the pavilion.” The stone was most probably acquired by King Louis XIV in 1668, after which it was cut from its original 115.28 carats to 67.125 carats. Louis had it set in a cravat-pin that became legendary at court for its eye catching beauty. It was later reset as a pendant by Louis XV and kept exclusively for the use of the king, contrary to historically held beliefs that Marie Antoinette wore it and was beheaded, thereby perpetuating the curse of the diamond. It was temporarily lost to history, as many of the crown jewels were stolen during the French Revolution, the Hope diamond not among them. It is thought that the gem made its way to England, and became public again as part of the collection of Henry Phillip Hope in 1839, listed as the Hope diamond. Illustrious jeweler Pierre Cartier reset the diamond in its current familar setting in 1910 and sold it to Washington DC socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. It was sold by trustees of her estate to famous jeweler Harry Winston in 1949, who incorporated it into his display of his "Court of Jewels", his jewelry collection which toured the entire US. In 1958, Winston donated it to the Smithsonian in Washington DC, the National Museum of Natural History as part of the national gem collection, where it still remains until today. The Hope diamond was left on display in the Museum in its diamond necklace surrounded by antique cut and pear shaped diamonds, although in 2009 it was taken out in order to be displayed as a loose gem. In 2009, the Smithsonian celebrated 50 years of the diamond in its walls with the announcement of a temporary reset of the diamond into a new setting. They held an online vote between 3 designs, and a winning design was chosen and used for the diamond. The new design is a triple strand of diamonds which culminates in an embrace of sorts with the diamond in its center. It stayed in this setting for a year before it was returned to its unset state for display. It would be difficult to find another diamond let alone gemstone with the mystery, legend, allure, and aura that surrounds the Hope Diamond. Acquired approximately 450 years ago, it has withstood wars, revolution, theft, family squabbles, curses, and redesign; however its longevity and magic remains undiminished.   The Transvaal Blue Diamond The pear cut, 25 carat Transvaal Blue diamond was discovered in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa. Once owned by Baumgold Bros., it is now owned by an unknown buyer. The details of the diamond's exact color, clarity and price are not known at present. Additionally, little is known about the diamond's history and mysterious story. Blue diamonds are particularly known for their investment qualities. In addition to the fact that blue diamonds have historically garnered incredible prices, even blue diamonds that are bought and sold in the present day are sold at premium prices per carat size.  Blue diamonds generally originate from South Africa, although they have been discovered in India as well. As recently 2014, two blue diamonds of incredible size in the rough have been discovered by Petra Diamonds in South Africa. One is the 29.62 carat blue diamond that was discovered on January 21st, the other was an astounding 122.52 carat blue diamond that was discovered on June 13th. Out of the top 10 most expensive diamonds sold at auction, 2 of them are blue diamonds: the Wittelsbach-Graff and the Winston Blue. This, together with other factors like the sheer beauty of blue diamonds, explains why they are traditionally priced quite generously per carat.  However, blue diamond jewelry is universally accepted as one of the top most appreciating investment pieces that are available on the market today. Buy your Natrual Fancy Blue Diamonds from LEIBISH.   Other famous blue diamonds The Hope Diamond The Hope Diamond (previously “Le bleu de France”) is the largest deep blue diamond in the world. The 45.52-carat (9.10 g) Fancy Deep Grayish-Blue VS1 diamond was mined in India and is the most famous diamond in the world. Its value is estimated at $350 Million. The Wittelsbach-Graff The Wittelsbach was a 35.56 carat Fancy Deep Grayish Blue VS2 diamond, cut with an unusual pattern of 82 facets and after it was bought in 2008 for $24.3 Million, it was re-cut by Graff, losing 4.45 carats to a total 31.06 carats, but changing the grading of the diamond to a Fancy Deep Blue IF.  The Sultan of Morocco The cushion-cut, 35.27 carat, Fancy Grayish-Blue Sultan of Morocco has an unknown clarity. It is believed the diamond emanated from India in the mid-19th century. However, how it reached Europe, for how much money, the previous owner and the like are not known. The Heart of Eternity This 27.64 carat heart-shaped stone is renowned for the intensity of its color, described by experts as "Fancy Vivid Blue." The Heart of Eternity was one of 11 rare blue diamonds unveiled to the world in January 2000, as part of a special collection of De Beers Millennium Jewels.   

One of the main reasons gemstones are appreciated so much is the fact that they are rare. Thus, the rarer the stone, the more desirable it becomes. Beauty is a factor as well, of course, but without the rarity element, they wouldn’t have as much of a status. There are gemstones that are more valuable than others, otherwise known as precious gemstones.Diamonds are one of the four types of precious gemstones. While the colorless variety is familiar to most, color diamonds are not as well known. Among the many different colors of fancy color diamonds, there are certain hues that are more common and others that are less common.Pink diamonds happen to be among the rarer colors, but they are also some of the most popular diamonds. Color diamonds are found in one pure hue and with a number of colors. While the former sort is generally more prestigious and expensive, quite a few color combinations can be highly in demand as well. One of these combinations of secondary colors is the purple-pink combo. Purple pink diamonds can take many forms depending on the amount of each color that is present within the stone. Let us take a look at the various possibilities and what that means for each stone. LEIBISH  0.31 carat, Fancy Deep Purplish Pink Diamond, 1P, Radiant Shape   Purplish or Purple as a Secondary Color Every diamond color has different possibilities when it comes to secondary colors. Some of the options for pink diamonds include purplish and purple. Secondary colors do not just consist of standard colors such as red, orange, yellow, green blue, purple, brown, etc., but rather, they include shades of each color that are classified by “ish” or “y.” For this reason, one of the possible secondary colors for a pink diamond is purplish. This is different from purple, as it is not seen as strongly as the color classified as purple. So to summarize, possible color combinations for pink diamonds involving the purple color can be referred to as “purplish pink” and “purple pink,” just to name a few.   LEIBISH 0.23 carat, Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Diamond, 6PP, Round Shape   Brownish or Brown as Another Secondary Color Another possibility for a purple pink diamond’s secondary color is one with the brown color: either brownish or brown. A pink diamond can have brownish or brown as its sole secondary color, or in addition to a purple color. In the first case, a possible diamond could be a brown pink diamond and in the second case it could be a brownish purple pink diamond. Each color affects the overall color of the stone and can make it look less or more “pink.” LEIBISH 0.46 carat, Fancy Deep Brown Pink Diamond, Pear Shape   Pink as a Secondary Color for Purple Diamonds Purple pink diamonds can refer to diamonds with both colors present within the stone. It can also be a title consisting of purple as the modifier and pink as the subject. Meaning, technically, a purple pink diamond is primarily a pink stone with a purple secondary color. Diamonds described as a pink purple stone may have both colors, but can predominantly display a purple color. Such stones could be referred to as a pink purple diamond or a pinkish purple diamond.   Purple Pink Diamond Shapes Like all color diamonds, purple pink diamonds can take many shapes but are preferred in the cushion or radiant shape in order to maximize the color visibility. Other common shapes include round, pear, heart, oval, emerald, and marquise, but they can also be cut into princess and asscher shapes.  LEIBISH 0.30 carat, Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond, 1BP, Round Shape LEIBISH has a splendid collection of purple pink diamonds, both loose and set in jewelry settings. Our stones are of high quality and range greatly in size. You can find a 0.50-carat Fancy Light Purplish Pink Round Diamond as well as a 3.24-carat Fancy Pink Purple Cushion Diamond.  

What is The TW, CTW (Carat Total Weight)of a Diamond? The weight of a diamond is one of the most important diamond factors. In fact, it is of such importance that it is one of the main attributes looked at when assessing a diamond. The 4Cs, the most important characteristics of a diamond, include color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. LEIBISH Fancy Yellow, Radiant Pave Cross-Over Diamond Dress Ring (3.92Ct TW)   What is Meant By The DW, DTW (Diamond Total Weight) of a Diamond? A diamond’s size is largely determined by its weight, although it isn’t actually the same thing. Two stones can be identical in weight but differ greatly in terms of appearance, depending on where the majority of the weight is. Some stones have the majority of weight in the top of the stone and therefore show a larger table, while others are cut with more depth and have more weight but a smaller table. Nevertheless, the weight of a diamond is incredibly important. Having said that, there is a distinction between the carat weight or diamond weight of a diamond (CW or DW for short) and the total weight of a diamond. This term, which can also appear as TW, CTW (carat total weight), and DTW (diamond total weight) refers to the collective weight of all the stones in a package or on a piece of jewelry. LEIBISH Two stones that look relatively similar in size, although the cushion cut is 3-carats and the emerald cut is only 2-carats   The Importance of Differentiating Between CW and TW While it may seem like common sense, understanding the difference between carat weight and the total weight is of the utmost importance when pricing the goods. A diamond ring marked 2 carats TW is not actually a ring with a 2-carat stone, but rather, one with several diamonds that make up 2 carats in total. On the flip side, a diamond ring labeled as 2 carats CW is actually a ring with a 2-carat diamond. Since diamonds increase significantly the higher the carat size, it is imperative to distinguish between many stones totaling a number as high as 5 carats, and one stone that weighs 5 carats. LEIBISH Fancy Color Collage Designer Diamond Ring with 4.53Ct TW - Meaning, all the stones together equal 4.53 carats  There are many types of ring settings for diamonds, but the main ones are solitaire, halo, side stones, and three-stones. The former option is relevant here because discovering the weight of the diamond will be less complicated when it is the only stone on the ring. Halo and side stone settings generally consist of one large diamond and either several or two smaller stones. When considering such ring settings, ask about the center stone because that is what matters the most. The bulk of the cost will be due to this diamond and you want to ensure that it is in fact worth its cost and not marked up because of the final ring product. Lastly, in a three-stone-ring where each stone is of significant size, inquire about the size and dimensions of each stone so that you are fully aware of the CW of each stone as well as the TW. LEIBISH Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Pear Halo Diamond Ring   Diamond Weight Is Not Everything As mentioned earlier, the carat weight of a diamond is just one of the four main factors of a diamond to consider before buying a stone. That is why, even though the center stone of a multi-stoned ring is the most important one to find out about, the other stones matter as well. You don’t just want to find out about their weight and how much they contribute to the total weight of the ring. You also will want to know about the overall quality, which of course includes the clarity, cut, and color. These diamonds are often of lesser quality, and when they are thrown in with other diamonds, especially an impressive center stone, it is important to determine whether they can truly account for the remaining cost of the ring. Sometimes, regardless of the carat weight of the center stone, some are after only the best of the best and search specifically for flawless diamonds. It is always important to consider who you are buying the piece and from there determine how appropriate the item might be. There is so much to know about diamonds, but the main things consumers should be aware of are the terms used by jewelry and diamonds sellers so that they can make educated decisions when purchasing diamonds. A packaged item is not always what it seems and there can be lots hiding in the small print, and not such small print of diamond descriptions. Understanding every single detail of a diamond will help ensure that you are not being scammed and that you have actually bought what you think you have purchased. Browse through all our diamond and gemstone jewelry and let us know which pieces you like most!

Is a Diamond Immune to Being Scratched or Damaged? While you might legitimately fear losing or misplacing your diamond engagement ring, there’s little reason to spend time worrying about what can actually scratch a diamond. Diamonds are almost completely scratch-proof and are one of the gemstones able to withstand abuse from just about every other material – with the exception of another diamond of course. However, and this unfortunately is a common misconception, this does not mean that diamonds are immune to damage. LEIBISH 19.65 carat, Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond, Radiant Shape, VVS2 Clarity, GIA   The reason for this super strength is that diamonds top the scale of gemstone hardness. While there are several definitions of hardness, the most well-known is the Mohs scale. Devised in the 19th century by mineralogist Friedrich Mohs, the scale ranks 10 common minerals in order of increasing hardness. Each of the minerals can be scratched by the one above and will scratch the one below. Diamonds occupy the top spot with an absolute hardness of 1500. This makes them much harder than corundum (sapphire and ruby), which comes in at number nine in the hardness charts, with an absolute hardness of 400. In case you were wondering, the color of a diamond does not make a difference to its hardness. Yellow diamonds, pink diamonds and even rarer colors will scratch each other in the same way as a white diamond. However, and this, unfortunately, is a common misconception, this does not mean that diamonds are immune to damage. If you hit a stone with any force in a “soft spot,” they can chip, fracture or sustain other injury. This is why there are stories of cutters (in the pre-computer technology age) studying a stone for weeks or even months before committing themselves to cutting a legendary piece of rough: one wrong cut and the precious diamond could shatter. One of the more famous stories of this happening was only a few years ago when Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine identified the largest natural pink diamond ever produced from that mine. It seems the in-house polisher made one small mistake which without warning caused the stone to shatter from within and just like that lose its multimillion dollar potential worth. That stone today, sits in the Smithsonian museum along with the other incredibly rare and fine gemstones. LEIBISH cross-over pave solitaire diamond ring setting, featuring a fancy intense yellow princess-cut diamond center stone mounted in platinum and 18K yellow gold   Does The Setting of The Diamond Affect The Risk of Scratch Damage? When buying a diamond, it’s worth taking time to think about the setting just to avoid the unlikely happening and your stone being damaged. A raised setting will expose the diamond to more damage than one in which the stone is protected from daily wear. Though that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go that route. A raised setting can also give the stone a bigger appearance. Don’t spend too much time worrying about scratching your diamond, but do take care not to expose it to damage. The good news is that even if it is damaged, there are different ways to correct the mistakes. Just keep in mind, even the hardest material has its breaking point. Apart from avoiding damage to your jewelry, it is also important to take care of it. Here's a guide that will teach you how to clean diamonds. Make sure you check out our diamonds collection.

Anyone in the market for an engagement ring has surely heard the term “princess cut” at some point, but may not have necessarily understood what it meant. The princess cut refers to one of the many shapes diamonds are cut into. In fact, it is one of the more popular shapes, right after the one and only round brilliant. (Read about why round diamonds are pricier than princess diamonds.) Interestingly enough, this fancy shape was only introduced a few decades ago but has since become a favorite. LEIBISH 1.15 carat fancy intense yellow princess-cut diamond   The combination of the brilliant cut and the modified square-ish shape gives this diamond a bit more class and glamor while preserving a great deal of the brilliant sparkle that is unique to the round brilliant. “Princess cut” once referred to an entirely different shape, one that was also known as the “profile cut,” which was designed by Arpad Nagy in 1961. In 1979 the princess name was later given to another shape by Ygal Perlman, Betzalel Ambar, and Israel Itzkowitz in Israel. This shape was quite different than the original shape with the same name and also shared similarities with the popular round brilliant. Let us take a look at this intriguing shape, what makes it desirable, and some of the less attractive points about this gorgeous cut.   LEIBISH Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Princess & Fancy Colorless Diamond Earrings   The Profile Cut – The Original Princess Cut In 1961 a London diamond cutter by the name of Arpad Nagy created a diamond shape known as the “profile cut,” which he also referred to as the “princess cut.” This shape possessed 58 facets in contrast to the 49 facets of the princess diamond that we know today. Another diamond shape that the modern princess diamond can be traced back to is the Barion cut, which was developed in 1971. Basil Watermeyer patented this shape. It boasted extremely symmetrical lines that proved quite difficult to cut. A similar shape called the Quadrillion was patented in 1979. This shape only had 48 facets in contrast to the Barion’s 80 facets.   The New and Improved Princess Shape While the back-story to the princess shapes includes similar shapes that preceded it as well as shapes that bore the same name, the modern day princess shape came to be after searching for the perfect diamond shape that women were really after. That led to the creation of the 49-faceted diamond, whose name was made popular by Yigal Perlman, Betzalel Ambar, and Israel Itzkowitz. The square-ish shape that princess-shaped diamonds often have, its sharp edges, and pyramid profile make it a majestic alternative to the round brilliant. Given the fact that less of the rough diamond is wasted when cutting this shape, it is a more economic choice than the round diamond, which can utilize as little as 50-40% of the rough stone. LEIBISH 0.54 carat fancy intense purplish pink diamond princess shape, Argyle diamond   Implications of a Princess Diamond The delightful appearance of this rather new shape provides one with a modern fresh look while maintaining much of a brilliant diamond’s shine. However, we did mention there are some somewhat negative points about this stone, and here they are. Among all the different shapes, the princess cut is among the most prone to snag your cloths. In addition, as they sharp edges protrude they can be at risk for chipping. Now, these shouldn’t be reasons not to invest in this stone, but just make sure you know what you are getting into. People aren’t really aware that there is a need to care for the diamond jewelry they wear and princess cut diamond demand good care. You will still get more for your money with a princess diamond, as a 1-carat princess cut diamond is equivalent in price to a 0.80-carat round diamond, more or less. As a result of the cut the stone appears quite large and again possesses the brilliance people look for when shopping for a piece of diamond jewelry. Princess cut diamonds look extremely regal when set in engagement rings. Not to mention, they also look spectacular in earring settings, pendant settings, and bracelet settings. When considering a stone for an engagement ring, an additional stone for your existing ring, or a stone to create an entirely new piece, consider the princess cut diamond as a strong contender. It has much to offer with very few downsides.

Diamonds are mostly known for their brilliance and their shine. More than even the size of the stone, it is how the light dances or scintillates off the facets. Although the cut has a lot to do with how the light reflects off the diamond, certain shapes will often give off more sparkle. Those who have looked a little deeper into shapes might have noticed that compared to one another, the round brilliant is often more expensive per carat. In fact, it is the most popular shape followed by the princess shape which comes in at second. LEIBISH round brilliant fancy intense purplish pink diamond ring   While a princess cut diamond is considered a “fancy shape,” it is actually generally cheaper per carat than a round diamond. By taking a look at what it entails to create a round diamond we will understand why round diamonds are not just the more popular choice but the more expensive one as well. LEIBISH Argyle Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Diamond Ring (0.68Ct TW)   Round Brilliant Diamonds All nice diamonds shine; that is simply part of their natural beauty. However, even when it comes to the best, there are some diamonds which sparkle more than others. There are several reasons for this brilliance, but that with the greatest contribution to the light that dances off the stone is the shape. The round shape is the ideal shape for the utmost level of sparkle. With its 58 facets that are placed strategically throughout the diamond, light is dispersed evenly throughout the entire stone and is reflected in the best way possible. You see, when a diamond is cut into a certain shape, a particular cutting method is used. Some modify the cut and incorporate more facets than others, which allows light to enter and exit in such a way that a brilliant sparkle is created. In order to achieve the elegance of the round shape and sparkle we all know so well, a great deal of the rough stone must be sacrificed. In short, that is the main reason round diamond are more expensive than princess diamonds. Additionally, much time and skill is needed to cut the perfect round diamond. Without the necessary precision, it will not be a successful round diamond. LEIBISH 21 carat tinted white round brilliant diamond   The Princess Cut Also known as the princess cut, the princess shape, which is essentially a modified square-shaped diamond, is a very elegant shape that exudes exactly what its name implies: royalty and prestige. With such a name and appearance, one would assume that this shape is superior to a simple round diamond and thus cost more. While it may appear more impressive to the untrained eye, a princess diamond does not possess the same level of brilliance as a round diamond, and therefore will never cost the same as a round of the same size and quality. After all, colorless diamonds are mostly about their sparkle, which is achieved through cut as much as it is through clarity and color. I actually once read it that princess-cut diamonds retain about 80% of the rough stone whereas round diamonds only retain approximately 50%. This is the main reason princess diamonds will be less pricey than round brilliants. LEIBISH 1.34 carat (TW) Princess-cut & Pink Diamond Engagement Ring   Higher Demand Equals Higher Prices Yet another reason round diamonds tend to go for higher prices is the simple fact that they are in greater demand than any other shape. The brilliance of a round diamond is like no other shape, and its rounded sides make it ideal in terms of chipping. As a result of the round diamond’s popularity, their prices are significantly higher than other shapes including the respectable princess cut. LEIBISH 0.70 carat, Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond, Round Shape, SI1 Clarity, GIA  The best way to look at the round diamond vs. princess diamond price situation is seeing the glass half full. True, if you have your heart set on a round diamond, you will most likely end up spending more. However, you will know that you have gotten the most coveted shape for diamonds on the planet, and that it will give you that ultimate sparkle you are after. If you decide to go for the princess cut diamond, you can give yourself a pat on the shoulder for saving some hard earned cash while still ending up with a superior shape that displays quite a bit of brilliance and a whole lot of sparkle.

Most of the details that individuals exploring the diamond industry are familiar with are positive ones such as knowing what clarity levels to look for, the various diamond shapes, and what colors are the most valuable. Though, many are less familiar with certain aspects of diamonds that should be avoided or at the very least be made aware of. For example, have you ever heard of something called the ‘Bow Tie Effect.’ Look at the clear bow-tie effect right in the center of these two pear shaped diamonds LEIBISH 0.16 carat, Fancy Pink Argyle Diamond with a VS2 Clarity and a 1.00 carat, Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond   As its name implies, the bow tie effect is a particular phenomenon that affects several diamond shapes by casting a shadow that resembles a bow tie over the middle section of the stone. It occurs when the light shines through and reflects off the facets of the stone, and is defused in a way that creates this shadow. While there are arguments among professionals just how negative this effect is, most will agree that having this bow tie shadow across a diamond is less than ideal. If anything, it will take away from a diamond’s natural shine and beauty. There are many different types of diamond phenomenon that some find absolutely breathtaking. For example, have you ever seen the chameleon colored diamond, which is the only diamond known that can temporarily change its color.     Affected Diamonds The good news here is that round diamonds, the most popular shape for engagement rings, are not affected by the bow tie effect. The bad news is that if you are eager to purchase a pear, heart, oval, or marquise diamond, you may just need to sort through a selection in order to avoid a visible bow tie, unless of course this is something you are after. These shapes display the shadow more often because they are not symmetrical like round diamonds. The light, therefore, isn’t distributed equally thus allowing a shadow to spread across the width of the diamond. The shadow thins out towards the middle of the stone usually as a result of the depth and creates a bow tie appearance. LEIBISH 1.27 carat fancy vivid yellow diamond   Visibility of Bow Ties Most diamonds affected by the bow tie will display the effect on some level, but it is generally unnoticeable. Because this effect does not get included in the overall grade of the stone, it is important that the diamond has a thorough visual inspection because an otherwise expensive stone can very well display a very apparent bow tie. LEIBISH shaped stone that can sometimes show a strong bow tie right in the center of the diamond   The Importance of the Cut While a slight misconception is that bow ties are the result of a poor cut, a more accurate explanation would be that bow ties are made worse through poor cutting and that professional cutting could enhance a diamond with the bow tie effect. These descriptions are more suitable because, as explained earlier, many fancy cut diamonds will have the bow tie effect whether one likes it or not. In fact, trying to avoid it might result in a poor stone for other reasons. Therefore, a trained diamond cutter will know how to cut a diamond affected by a bow tie so that light is diffused better throughout the stone, therefore minimizing the overcasting shadow. LEIBISH pair of 1.21 carat fancy brown yellow diamonds, each of which has a slight bow tie in the middle of the stone To summarize, bow ties may not be ideal but they are not necessarily bad either. It just takes a lot of research on your part to find the stone you are happy with. Diamonds that will display bow ties are uniquely shaped diamonds, so from the start, you’ve got yourself something special. A subtle bow tie can truly give your stone a bit of flavor and character, but you might want to stay away from diamonds that contain bow ties that black out half the stone. Make sure to view a stone that interests you under different lights Therefore, diamonds affected by the bow tie effect should be shopped for with extra care and expertise so that one is not duped.

If you are shopping around for a diamond, you may have heard the word marquise being thrown around here and there. Although it may sound quite foreign, it is actually quite common and also has some great advantages! A marquise diamond is a diamond shape, just like the round, pear, princess, and oval shapes. This unique shape incorporates the length of an oval-shaped diamond and the point of a pear-shaped diamond on both edges. While it is less popular and known than the brilliant round diamond, there are many benefits to a marquise shaped stone. Let us take a closer look at this particular diamond shape, its history, and its place in the modern world of diamonds. LEIBISH 2.01 carat fancy brown yellow marquise shaped diamond   All About the Shape Also called the “Navette” shape, which means little boat, the marquise brilliant diamond, as its full name implies, uses the well-known brilliant cut for maximum brilliance and shine. The boat-like shape means the diamond is narrower at the ends and fuller towards the middle. A marquise diamond typically boasts 58 facets, including 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. However, the number of facets on the pavilion may vary. Marquise diamonds can either have bezel facets at the points or can be cut with French tips, which are used on pear and heart-shaped diamonds. The ideal ratio for a marquise diamond is 2:1, but more often than not the shape is cut with ratios ranging between 1.85 and 2.10 according to individual preference. With fancy color diamonds, there is no ideal ratio as the intention is to cut the stone in a way that maximizes the colors from within. Therefore, you can find a wide variety of shapes available in almost any color you can come up with. Have a look at our collection of Marquise diamonds. LEIBISH 0.50 carat vivid purplish pink marquise diamond   Advantages and Disadvantages Like any diamond shape, or anything at all for that matter, there are most certainly advantages and disadvantages to the marquise shape. Let us begin with the pros. For starters, this shape gives you more “diamond” for your money. While the carat weight may be the same as other shapes, it will look a lot larger because of its long shape. In addition, a marquise diamond will elongate a short finger and even make it appear thinner. Marquise diamonds are more affordable than other shapes, especially round brilliants, yet it still showcases the most ideal cut: the brilliant cut. Now for the downside. Marquise diamonds have a nasty habit of really showing off a bow tie effect. The marquise diamond is not alone in its struggle with this effect as the pear, oval, and heart shapes experience it as well. Read more about the bow tie effect, what implications it can have on a stone, and what many cutters do in order to reduce the negative points of this phenomenon. Check out these amazing marquise shaped stones, which both include a bow tie in the center of the stone LEIBISH 0.50 carat, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond and a 0.27 carat, fancy vivid orangy yellow diamond   History of the Marquise Diamond The marquise diamond dates all the way back to 1745, though it was not quite the stone we now known today. It first appeared in Paris, during the peak of the French Monarchy when King Louis XV requested a diamond to be shaped like the smile of his mistress, Marchioness Madam de Pompadour. Throughout the 20th century the marquise shape continued to be developed into the brilliant cut diamond we recognize today. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, the marquise diamond was at the height of its popularity. While it may not be one of the top four shapes for engagement rings, many celebrities have gone for this intriguing shape. Ashley Simpson, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Victoria Beckham are just several famous individuals who chose this majestic shape. In addition, the stone is used quite often as a side stone. While the marquise diamond does indeed have lots to offer, take into account that the edges are more susceptible to chipping. Hence, there is a need for the jeweler to really set it well. Among the world's most famous diamonds you can find the  The Graff Pink Orchid, a 22.84 carat, purplish-pink, Internally Flawless Marquise. On April 2011, a rare 3.18 carat, Marquise Shaped, Fancy Vivid Blue, IF clarity diamond, was sold for USD $3,274,500, (over 1 Million Per carat). 

Most diamond consumers occupy themselves with details relating to the 4Cs, and all around education. And, while everyone looks at the prices, people are generally less concerned with the origin of the diamond. However, the diamond’s source can tell you a lot about the diamond, and can also help you understand and appreciate the journey and history of just how far that diamond has come. While diamonds are found all over the globe, there are certain areas that are richer in diamonds than others. This is where some of the world’s largest diamond mines can be found. There are also areas known to produce specific stones more than others. For example, when talking about natural pink diamonds, the name Argyle immediately comes up, referring of course to the Argyle mine in Australia which produces a large amount of pink diamonds. As important and as large as this mine is, there are even larger mines that are less heard of. In fact, many will be surprised to hear that half of the world’s ten largest diamond mines are in Russia. The other half spans over two continents: Australia and Africa. Let us take a glance at these significant mines, the number of diamonds they produce, and what type of diamonds can be expected to be found in these locations.   Russia As the largest country in the world in terms of landmass, it is only logical that a great deal of the ten biggest diamond mines in the world would be found in Russia. Jubilee is the largest diamond mine in the world and is located in Sakha (Yakutia) in the Republic of Russia. The mine contains an open-pit mine and is owned and operated by a division of Russia’s state-owned diamond company, Alrosa. The second largest mine in the world is also found in Russia. Udachny is located in the Yakutia region and is owned by Alrosa as well. Mir is the third largest diamond mine, also found in the Yakutia area of Russia. Grib is Russia’s fourth largest diamond mine, and the seventh largest in the world. It is being developed by the Russia oil company, Lukoil. Russia’s fifth largest diamond mine is Botuobinskaya, and the world’s tenth largest diamond mine.   Australia The Argyle mine in Australia is the world’s fourth largest diamond mine and is Australia’s claim to fame in the world of diamonds. Since the island country is only a fraction of the size of Russia, it is most certainly impressive to have a mine of this stature. The diamond mine is owned by Rio Tinto and has been producing diamonds since 1983. The Argyle mine has been primarily operating through its open-pit, but has been focusing far more on underground operations over the past few years. This, in fact, is the first block cave mine in Western Australia.   Africa Angola, South Africa, and Botswana are the three African countries where the remaining largest ten diamonds are found. Catoca is a mine located in Angola and is the fifth largest diamond mine in the world. The sixth largest diamond mine is also located in Africa, the Limpopo Province of South Africa to be exact. This is the Venetia mine, which has been operating since 1993. The Jwaneng mine and the Orapa mine are both located in Botswana and rank eighth and ninth largest diamond mines respectively. Jwaneng Diamond Mine Buildings | Image courtesy of Wikipedia While the aforementioned mines are indeed the largest diamond mines on the planet, additional large functioning diamond mines have sprouted in areas across the globe. One of the newest mines is Gahcho Kue, a joint venture between De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds. It is located near the Arctic Circle and is the largest of its kind in the last thirteen years. It is believed that this new mine will be able to make up for the loss of production other Canadian mines have seen even though it is smaller in size.

Natural violet diamonds are extremely rare and belong to the purple diamond family. LEIBISH 0.18 ct Fancy Dark Violet diamond and a 0.13 ct Fancy Intense Violet diamond  The color appears as a combination of blue diamonds and purple diamonds, although it is a color in its own right, and comes in different hues and intensity. Many of the world's violet diamonds originate from the Argyle Mine in Kimberley, Western Australia. Left to Right, 1st row: Fancy Violet Gray, Fancy Dark Violetish Gray, Fancy Deep Violetish Gray, Fancy Dark Violet Grey  Left to Right, 2nd row: Fancy Gray Violet, Fancy Grayish Violet, Fancy Intense Violet, Fancy Deep Violet, Fancy Deep Gray Violet, Fancy Deep Grayish Violet, Fancy Dark Gray Violet Left to Right, 3rd row: Fancy Deep Violetish Blue   Violets With a Modifying Color Pure violet with no secondary hue almost never occurs in nature, and when it does, these diamonds appear only in small sizes. Even though this is very rare, it is not considered as rare as fancy red diamonds and fancy blue diamonds. The violet colored diamonds found in nature usually appear with gray or blue as a secondary hue, and are also very beautiful although not always as expensive.   LEIBISH 0.33 ct Fancy Gray Violet diamonds in different shape   Violet as a Modifying Color When the color appears as a modifying color in a secondary hue, it can be either Violet or Violetish (i.e. Fancy Violetish Blue or Fancy Dark Violet Grey), depending on how the violet modifying color appears in the diamond. Their color is related to Hydrogen, but the exact mechanism is as yet unknown. They are often very small and diamonds greater than 1 carat are extremely rare. LEIBISH 0.56 ct Fancy Dark Violetish Gray hear shaped diamond LEIBISH 0.25 ct Fancy Violet Gray diamond heart shaped diamond LEIBISH 0.17 carat Fancy Deep Violetish Blue Argyle diamond The intensity levels that fancy violet diamonds appear in are Fancy, Fancy Dark and Fancy Deep, and very few in the Intense classification. LEIBISH Fancy Deep Pink pear shaped diamond and a Fancy Violet pear shaped diamond Violet diamonds come from the Argyle mine in Australia, which is the world's biggest pink diamond and purple diamond mine. As of yet, there are no famous violet diamonds. LEIBISH Fancy Violet and Fancy Blue diamonds  Browse our wide selection of violet diamonds and find the Natural Fancy Violet Diamonds of your dreams from LEIBISH

One of the most fascinating aspects of a diamond is the amount of time it took to form. These specimens were on earth’s surface long before we were, and were beneath it for even longer. Just how long does it take for a diamond to form, and what type of environment is needed for this to happen? Here is a quick look at how diamonds are formed and how long it takes for them to come to be. Marking up the rough stones   The Natural Diamond Process In order to understand how a diamond is made; we must differentiate between a completely natural diamond and any of its many impostors. Strictly speaking about genuine diamonds, the process begins with the presence of carbon atoms within sections of the earth’s mantle. That is miles upon miles between the earth’s surface. Due to the immense pressure that is present in this part of the earth, as well as the extreme temperatures, a diamond gradually begins to form. The entire process takes between 1 billion and 3.3 billion years, which is approximately 25% to 75% of our earth’s age. Sizing a rough pink diamond   Synthetic Diamonds While the recipe for natural diamonds may be quite complex and time consuming to say the least, creating synthetic diamonds is a lot simpler. In place of burying carbon 100 miles beneath the surface where it is 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, exposing it to the extreme pressure of 725,000 pounds per square inch, and expelling it at incredible speed towards the surface, intense pressure and heat is “simply” applied to graphite in a process that can take just a few days. This procedure is known as High Pressure High Temperature or HPHT. Another method for creating synthetic diamonds is called Chemical Vapor Deposition. This requires an actual diamond and uses less pressure and more heat. The diamond is placed in a depressurizing chamber where natural gas is zapped at it through a microwave beam. After being heated to nearly 2,000 degrees, carbon atoms begin to form and fall down upon the diamond, thereby sticking to it, expanding it, and ultimately creating what looks as an almost flawless stone. With the right tools and required knowledge, this “diamond growing” technique can be done as quickly as overnight.   Authentic Vs. Synthetic Diamonds Yes, real diamonds take an extremely long time to form. That is the main reason they are so expensive, beautiful, and indestructible. You may be able to obtain diamond look-alikes that appear almost identical to the real thing, but what you have to realize is the way it looks is only part of the beauty. A diamond’s durability, which differs depending on whether it is genuine or not, as well as its history, is simple irreplaceable. Diamonds are quite rare, hard to retrieve, and their supply is diminishing. This just makes authentic diamonds more unique and attractive. A tiny diamond is still preferable to a synthetic diamond if its true beauty is what you are really after. In order to ensure that you are in fact purchasing a real diamond, that indeed took millions or billions of years to form, it is highly recommend to have the stone assessed by an expert and to only buy from trustworthy establishments. Unless you are willing to shell out quite a bit, understand that forming from carbon and enduring a rough journey to the surface often involves some sort of flaws and inclusions. The more you pay the cleaner your diamond will be. Having said that, there are ways to get an authentic diamond that is clean to the eye and won’t break the bank. All you have to do is do the research, shop in the right places, and come with as much knowledge as possible.

A shimmering brilliant diamond is what most people imagine when thinking about a girl’s best friend. However, not every colorless diamond will provide that level of brilliance. A number of factors contribute to the ultimate shine, but one of the most significant factors is the number of facets, and how well they are made. The cut of the diamond will make the biggest contribution to the shine, but it almost always will be significantly better with a round shaped stone. The round brilliant diamond has 57 or 58 facets, which is what makes its brilliance so great, hence its name. The fire and brilliance of the round diamond caused by the light reflecting in and out so quickly through the many facets of the stone is unlike any other shape, which is what makes it so popular. Round diamonds are less common among color diamonds because its shape does not have the same effect on a color diamond as it does on a colorless one. In fact, it is more difficult to contain a color diamond’s color in a round shape than other shapes. Let us take a look at the round diamond and its many facets that make it so irresistibly gorgeous. Round diamond caused by the light reflecting in and out so quickly through the many facets of the stone is unlike any other shape, which is what makes it so popular. Round diamonds are less common among color diamonds because its shape does not have the same effect on a color diamond as it does on a colorless one. In fact, it is more difficult to contain a color diamond’s color in a round shape than other shapes. Let us take a look at the round diamond and its many facets that make it so irresistibly gorgeous. Browse through our round shaped fancy colored diamonds. LEIBISH fancy red round shaped diamond   History of a Round Diamond Round diamonds have been around for quite some time. However, they have gone through quite a few changes throughout the years. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky created a way to cut diamonds so that they display an incredible amount of brilliance. He used the round shape to do so, and included many triangular and kite-shaped facets that spread outward from the center of the diamond. Prior to this discovery, round diamonds existed but with much less brilliance. The Old European Cut is the most noteworthy round cut used mainly in the late 1800s but is still found today. Such diamonds had much smaller tables, a crown angle greater or equal to 40 degrees, a lower half facet length less than or equal to 60%, and a slightly large culet size. Older diamonds like this particular cut did not have a grading system whereas all modern round cuts do. That is why it is crucial to differentiate between an Old European Cut and a poorly cut round brilliant because the latter must be given a poor cut grade while the former will simply be graded based on color, carat, and clarity. A good example of this cut is a diamond ring that was purchased at a flea market for only $13 dollars, but once it was discovered to be real it was sold earlier this month at auction for $848,000 at the Sotheby’s Fine Jewels auction in London! LEIBISH round brilliant white diamond and a yellow radiant shaped stone   Evolution of the Round Brilliant While Tolkowsky is responsible for establishing the brilliant cut, it did not stop evolving in the early 20th century. The round brilliants that we know and love today have evolved greatly over the decades. Most round brilliants have 58 facets that are either a bezel facet (kite-shaped) a star facet (triangular) or an upper half facet (another triangular shape.) Some modern round brilliants will only have 57 facets because they do bot have a culet. These diamonds will have a small pointed area at the bottom of the stone. LEIBISH Round yellow diamond   Cost of Round Diamonds These multi-faceted diamonds are certainly stunning, which is why they account for 75% of all diamond sales. However, this beauty, brilliance, and popularity come at a cost. Round diamonds are typically 25-35% more expensive than diamonds of other shapes, otherwise known as fancy shapes. An advantage that round diamonds have, despite, their higher prices, is that they can be placed in practically any setting and are more durable than some other shapes like the princess and emerald shapes. Solitaire settings are often chosen for round brilliants because the sparkle of this shape is more than enough on its own. Other common settings include the halo setting, the side-stone setting, and three stone settings. Round diamonds do not have sharp edges and therefore do not get knocked around as much and don’t have the risk of getting chipped at the corners. Diamonds are all cut and polished from their original rough form. When it comes to creating round diamonds, much of the rough stone is discarded. This is partly why round diamonds tend to cost so much. It is most definitely something to bear in mind while enjoying the brilliance of a brilliant round. Its shape is the product of a lengthy and delicate process that demands incredible skill, experience, and patience.   Additional Info The Round Brilliant is the standard shape for diamonds. This form accounts for more than 75% of the diamonds sold today. The modern round brilliant consists of 58 facets; 33 on the crown (the top half above the girdle) and 25 on the pavilion (the lower half below the girdle). LEIBISH Green Diamond Round shape The Round belongs to the Round-Edge Fancies cut type. It is cut with a perfectly symmetrical faceted arrangement. The Round is cut in a way that allows the light to reflect through the stone causing a magnificent brilliant effect. As a result, it is the most popular shape used with colorless diamonds. Not many Fancy Colored Diamonds are cut in this shape  since it is more difficult for the cutter to maximize the color intensity of the stone, therefore their price will usually be more expensive than other shapes. Among the world's most famous diamonds you can find the following Round diamonds:The Hanckok Red, a 0.95ct fancy Purplish Red, The De-Young Red, a 5.03ct Brownish Red and the Pearson Colorless diamond. During the years, different Round diamond were sold for record prices in auctions: • In 1987, The Hancock Red, a 0.95ct Fancy Purplish Red was sold for 926,000$ / Per carat and for many years was the most expensive price paid per carat. • On Nov 09,  a 3.17ct Round Fancy Intense Blue was sold for $796,178 / Per carat and became the " Highest price per carat for an intense blue."