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The Spark of Confidence

Glossary

Ideal Cut

Term often used for a round brilliant cut diamond that is believed to be excellent across the board for proportions and overall make.  There are many different 'ideal cuts', the most famous being the Tolkowsky Ideal Cut. The range for ideal cut diamond parameters can often be very broad, so care must be excercised in labeling a diamond as 'ideal cut'.

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Inclusions

Internal imperfections of a diamond affecting the clarity grade. Diamonds grow deep in the earth under extreme pressure and temperature; under these conditions, it is rare to find a diamond that is internally flawless.

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Indented Natural

The original skin of the rough diamond that remains after polishing and is indented into the body of a diamond, not confined to its surface. An indented natural can affect both the polish grade and the clarity grade of a diamond.

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Independent Laboratory

Diamond grading laboratory that has no financial interest in the actual trade (buying and selling) of diamonds.

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Industrial Grade Diamond

Diamond usually not polished as a gemstone, as it does not meet the minimum quality criteria for grading. Industrial diamonds are very heavily included, lacking the transparencybrilliance and life that a gem quality diamond must exhibit. Industrial diamonds are somtimes used in their rough diamond form in jewellery.  Industrial diamonds are very useful for tools, drills, lasers, abrasives, and other such uses. Only approximately 20% of mined diamonds are of gem quality.

Industrial Grade Diamond, Very Poor Quality

  

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Internal Laser Drilling

Treatment to enhance the apparent clarity of a diamond by reducing the visibility of dark inclusions.  A precise laser beam is focused on a small dark inclusion - the black in the inclusion dissipates from the laser beam itself.  Click here to learn more about laser drilling and clarity enhancement.

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International Diamond Council

International organisation founded by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) to establish standard rules for diamond grading and nomenclature.

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International Diamond Manufacturers Association

International diamond trade association committed to fostering and promoting the highest ideals of honesty and best practice principles throughout the diamond industry worldwide.

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Internationally Recognised Standards

Diamond grading rules and processes that are regulated and recognised by internationally accredited bodies. Examples of these bodies are CIBJO, LMHC, World Federation of Diamond Bourses, and the International Diamond Council.

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Irradiated Diamonds

Treatment to change or artificially enhance the colour of a diamond. Irradiated diamonds are bombarded with a variety of high-energy particles that physically alter their atomic structure, thus changing their colour. Most irradiated diamonds are annealed to further modify their colour. Click here to learn more about irradiated diamonds.

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latest news

Wednesday 14 July, 2010

INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND COUNCIL RELEASES IDC RULES IN RUSSIAN

The International Diamond Council (IDC) released the Russian translation of the "IDC Rules for Grading Diamonds" today in Moscow, on occasion of the 34th World Diamond Congress, the biennial congress of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA).

Thursday 1 July, 2010

ZIMBABWE DEFIES BAN OF MARANGE DIAMONDS

Zimbabwe’s government has resolved to defy a diamond sale ban ruled by the world approving authority, the Kimberly Process and will now begin exporting diamonds from its Chiadzwa fields.

Monday 10 May, 2010

DIAMOND PRICE INDEX PUBLISHED FOR CONSUMERS

For the first time ever, diamond jewelry consumers are going to have a diamond retail benchmark that will guide them in how much they should pay for a diamond.