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The Spark of Confidence

Glossary

Make

Qualitative description of the overall cut quality of the diamond, taking into consideration the proportions and finish.

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Marquise Cut

Diamond cut or shaped into an oval with pointed ends. Also called a ‘navette,’ which is the French word for “little boat,” as the shape is similar to that of a boat’s hull.

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Master Set

Set of certified and registered diamonds, with known colours against which other diamonds are compared to establish their colour. A diamond master set is neccesary  for accurate colour grading. A first generation diamond master set is available to any diamond merchant or jeweller.

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Melee

Term for small polished diamonds weighing less than 15 points, or 0.15 of a carateach.

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Milky Diamond

Cloudy or hazy diamond with reduced transparency, brilliance, and overall life. A milky diamond can result from numerous factors, for example a dense cloud or extremely strong fluorescence. Click here to learn more about transparency.

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Moh’s Scale

Scale from for classifying the relative hardness used for gemstones, based on the ability of harder gemstones to scratch softer ones. Moh's scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest. Diamonds are the only material on earth to rate as a 10.

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Moissanite

Near-colourless, slightly oily looking man-made material that is often used to imitate diamond - a diamond simulant.

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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.