Diamond Mines

Above, the world's largest diamond mine in Mirny, Siberia.
Diamond mining is an interesting process. De Beers, the largest diamond dealer in the world, has mining plants in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Canada. While the former are run in a 50/50 split with the African governments, with the exception of South Africa, whose Ponahalo Investments is a black empowerment company and has a 26% share, the Canadian operations are the first outside Africa, and opened in 2007.

The Snap Lake Diamond Mine has an expected lifetime of about 20 years. It is located 140 miles outside Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The arctic conditions of this rugged outpost are perfect for the production of kimberlite, the stone in which diamonds are found. High pressure and temperatures in the earth’s core billions of years ago changed carbon into diamonds. Eruptions of kimberlite brought the diamonds to the earth’s surface millions of years ago. Kimberlite does leave traces of other minerals, which suggest the presence of diamonds, although not all kimberlite contains diamonds. These traces allow for the tracking of potential diamonds.

Today Canada is the third largest diamond district jewelers in the world. Technically, the stones are made into white gold diamond engagement rings elsewhere, but it all begins in these mines. If you’re looking for a closer diamond district jewelers, buy diamonds online at www.IDJewelry.com.
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Moms Love Diamonds Too

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. That doesn’t mean they aren’t a mother’s best friend! With Mother’s Day just at the end of the week, it’s time to get your mom something nice. Remember all the food she fed you when you were a kid? All the times she nursed you back to health when you were sick? Well now it’s time to give back some of the love that she gave you.

I know, I know, you’ve bought her presents before. You say you love her all the time. But when it comes down to it, even mothers need to be reassured through your actions of how you feel about them. That’s why a trip to a diamond district jewelers is in order.

They will help you find something nice for your Mom without breaking the piggy bank. Reputable jewelers can show you so many items that you may be at first overwhelmed. But don’t think too hard, look at what your mom already has, and what you think she would like.

Anything you get her from a diamond district jewelers, I’m sure she will love. After all, she’s your mom, she’s loved you from the beginning. Now it’s time to show her how much you appreciate her.

Understanding the Prismatic Properties of Diamonds

If you're trying to find the perfect diamonds engagement ring, or are looking to buy diamonds online, it's important you understand how diamonds are graded.
A big part of understanding diamond cuts is to understand how light works within the diamond that gives it his legendary sparkle. When light enters a diamond or any other material it bends or refracts.  How it much it bends is referred to as the refractive index. The refractive index of diamond is 2.41, the highest of any natural transparent gem, which is why they’re so beautiful to look at when they catch light. In diamonds the maximum amount they can refract is 24.5 degrees, also known as the critical angle. Light that passes through the diamond is reflected if it makes contact with a surface outside the critical angle. Light striking a surface inside the critical angle will be refracted out of a diamond.

How to Make Sure Your Jeweler is Reputable

When you’re shopping for the best diamonds engagement rings, you’re really at the mercy of the jeweler, unless you know how to spot the intricacies of a good diamond. But many times, finding a reputable jeweler is as hard as finding the perfect diamond—you’re not sure what makes it perfect, but you’re hoping you’ll know it when you see it.
According to findmyjeweler.com, there are 7 signs of a less-than reputable jeweler:
1.    They only sell IGI certified diamonds (Generally, it’s best to stick with GIA, AGS, or EGL)
2.    They sell laser drilled stones (GIA always labels their stones that are lazer drilled)
3.    They sell clarity-enhanced diamonds
4.    They won’t show you a diamond under a scope. (This is a huge red-flag that would rub any shopper the wrong way. What are they trying to hide?)
5.    They sell poorly cut, cloudy stones.
6.    They push you to buy right away, instead of truly educating you to make the right purchase.
7.    Their salespeople are part-time or seasonal instead of full-time experienced employees who truly know what they’re talking about.


ID Jewelry is a member of the New York Diamond Dealers Club, the Better Business Bureau, and GIA, to name a few.

All About The Cushette

As we mentioned a few posts back, the cut of a diamond is crucial in the diamond engagement rings selection. If you’d like to buy diamonds online but are unsure of the cut you’d like, it can be a little hard to get a good gauge of the actual ring through photos online, especially if you’re inexperienced in diamond shopping. If you’re looking for a ring that is sleek and modern, while still maintaining classic proportions and characteristics, the Cushette is what you’re looking for.

It is a totally unique cut that breaks away from the traditional rules of diamond cutting. It has rounded edges, but the diamond itself isn’t round or oval. It has four sides, but isn’t square or rectangular. It’s a totally original, special shape. So special that it got it’s own shape name, Cushette. Cushette diamonds are cut using the Rosetta process, which allows the diamond to have more light and radiance than has ever been attempted with any other cut. The Rosetta process is unique because it allows 8 portals of light to be cut into the pavilion of the diamond, making it sparkle and glimmer like no other.

History of the Diamond District NY

Last week, we touched briefly on the Diamond District NY. If you were wondering what the background was on the district and how it became the revered diamond capital of the U.S., here is some interesting history that explains how and why this area became a hotbed of reputable jewelers and diamonds engagement rings.

According to The Encyclopedia of New York City by the New York Historical Society, the district was created when dealers moved north from a previous district created between Bowery and Canal that was established in the 20s. In 1931, the diamond district moved to the Financial District near the intersection of Fulton and Nassau streets. The move to midtown started in 1941. The area grew in numbers and prominence when the Netherlands and Belgium were invaded by Nazi Germany, forcing many Orthodox Jews in the diamond industry to flee Antwerp and Amsterdam and settle in New York City. Today, the area is one of the primary centers of the worldwide diamond industry. It has been said that a one day total of the sales made on the block average to about $400 million.

Some Tips for Diamond Shopping NY

Before you start visiting reputable jewelers, it may help to have some basic background information regarding gems. There are precious and semi-precious stones; the former are first and foremost diamonds, then come rubies, emeralds and sapphires. These stones are all very hard and are translucent with color in their natural forms, except for the diamond, which has value largely according to its clarity and colorlessness. All other gems are semi-precious.

While the distinction between precious and semi-precious has fluctuated over the years (amethysts, for example, were precious until huge reserves were found in Brazil in the 19th century) diamonds are typically regarded as a staple in the precious collection. This is part of why white gold diamond engagement rings are so popular – they are precious materials to give to a precious loved one.

The diamond district NY is one of the world’s leading centers for white gold diamond engagement rings. Along with London, Johannesburg, Mumbai, and Antwerp, this section of New York’s Midtown is a leading player in the diamond game and accepts the majority of the diamonds that enter the U.S. If you are looking for reputable jewelers, this area of the city is a great bet. Just remember that most of these reputable jewelers are closed on Sundays; but other than that, start your diamond district NY shopping!