Diamonds are a girl's best friend

04 Apr, 21

Scarlet Angel

It is the true jewel in the crown as far as gems are concerned, the most desired and of which legends are told, some with their own names and containing more than one story: the diamond. The birthstone of the month of April is undoubtedly one of the most desired gems, if not the most, and it has been surrounded by mysticism since its origin.

The hardest material that exists on the planet – 58 times harder than any other in nature – diamond was formed billions of years ago, by a combination of tremendous pressure and temperatures of 1652º to 2372º F, at a depth of 90 120 miles below the earth's surface. The only gem that is born from a single element, these coals transformed into brilliant rocks reach the surface through volcanic eruptions. That's where its magic comes from, reminding us that through a lot of pressure and suffocating moments, something brilliant can emerge; or that something like coal can always actually be regarded as a rough diamond, which will transform under pressure and conditions.

At PAAR we celebrate the beauty of diamonds, present in many of our bespoke pieces, collection pieces, and in our solitaire necklaces, which you can personalize with your birthstone, or that of the person you want to wear next to your heart.

14k Yellow Gold Necklace "Dangling Diamonds" with five diamonds.

Thanks to the value we have given them and which have surely made them some of the most desired objects on earth, there are diamonds with their own names, which tell a story and carry legends of love or curses, such as the Koh-i-Noor diamond. One of the largest in the world, weighing 105.6 carats (21.12 grams), it is part of the English crown jewels, but because its history is built around many fights to possess it, it has a reputation for bringing bad luck to those who takes it.

Another famous diamond is the Tiffany, 128 carats and yellow in color and worn by Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars. Another famous one is the Hope, weighing 45.52 carats, from Golconda (in India, where most of the diamonds come from). of diamonds dating from before the 18th century) and which supposedly belonged to the jewels of Marie Antoinette.

THE 4 C'S AND THE VALUE OF A DIAMOND

Because they are so desired and important – it must be remembered that they have practically generated wars and fights – their value is determined by a set of characteristics. Hence, bigger does not always mean that it is more valuable or better. The 4 C's – cut, clarity, carat weight and color – are what determine value in a game against each other. A large diamond, but with visible inlays, has less value, for example. Globally, most diamonds used in jewelry weigh less than one carat.

PAAR’s Deco ring with 19 brilliant cut 0.01ct diamonds in 14k white gold

There is a very interesting type of diamond called "old mine cut", from mines in India, Brazil and South Africa from the 18th and 19th centuries. They have a very particular look, since they were measured by eye and cut by hand (the mechanized tool for cutting diamonds was not invented until 1870). They are said to glow best in candlelight.

On the other hand, there are also lab grown diamonds or diamonds made in the laboratory. With the same beauty and properties, they are usually cheaper and without the social burden that is often associated with mined diamonds. However, environmentally they are controversial since it is said that the amount of energy (Co2) that is used can be greater than those of the mine. They were first created in the 1950s for military purposes.

Another important point that is considered when buying diamonds is whether or not it is conflict free. If you buy it from a country that is a member of the Kimberly process, it most likely is. In 2008, Mexico adhered to the Kimberley Process Certification System as a certified member country for the commercialization of "conflict free" rough diamonds. With this, you can trade rough diamonds with the other member countries of the Kimberley Process.