What Can You Tell From a Diamond Report?

        The answer is both “a lot” and “not much”. The reason is that no two diamonds are alike and no two certificates (or more properly stated “reports” are alike). What you do get from a diamond report is a grading that was made independantly of your jeweler. Though also subjective, it’s bias is to it’s [...]

First lessons

My first lesson in gemstone buying was when I was thirteen. I learned about commitment and honor and that a contract wasn’t about a piece of paper. My father had overbooked his time and needed me to pick up a package for him. Dad’s shop was in Milwaukee Wisconsin on second street.  He said I’d have [...]

A Compliment (sort of) by a Cutter

      At an Independent Jewelers Conference some of the diamond cutters from New York and Antwerp show up and are available to buy from. They are also at the bar at night as we mingle and get to know other jewelers. Georgiann and I were talking with three jewelers from Canada when one of the [...]

Antwerp April 2009

         I’m sure that most people would think that diamonds would not be selling well right now. That just is not the case. Diamonds of quality have several advantages during tough times. First they are highly symbolic. Tough times creates strong emotions and strong emotions need a touchstone that defies time. Diamonds are also a commodity [...]

Are there still Blood Diamonds?

      Though it’s believed that conflict diamonds have been kept under the 1% mark for years now it’s seems doubtful that they can ever be reduced to 0%. Any system that spans multiple countries over many continents can never be full-proof. Fortunately the Kimberly Process is most effective in the countries that need our support [...]

About Colorless

     Other than size, the rarity of a diamond is mostly dependent on it’s color. Though most people would not be able to detect the difference between a nearcolorless diamond and a colorless diamond of say a half carat or under in most lighting conditions the difference can be dramatic in rarity and therefore cost. When people [...]

Why a Weblog

   I decided to write a weblog about diamonds and grading because I continually see so much misinformation out there and I felt people need a place where they could ask questions and get an insight into the business. I’m contacted by news organizations when something happens. What I’ve found is that the information or point [...]