As the only characteristic of a diamond not influenced by nature, a well cut diamond is of vital importance in giving a diamond its brilliance. Each angle and finish affects its ability to handle light, through each facet, which leads to brilliance. A diamond that is cut to achieve good symmetry and proportion will sparkle more than one that has been cut too deep or shallow. Cut also determines shape. The most popular diamond shape is the Brilliant Cut. Others shapes include the emerald, the pear, the marquise, the princess, the oval and the heart shape. At Adina Jozsef we love working with alternative shapes.

The most valuable and rare colour of a diamond is white, or colourless. Absolutely colourless diamonds are graded with the letter “D”. The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) diamond colour scale moves up to “Z”. Between these two extremes, diamonds display subtle coloured tones. The diamonds used at Adina Jozsef are typically of G colour or above, unless a customer requires otherwise.

• DEF Colourless
• GHIJ Near Colourless
• KLM Faint Yellow
• NOPQR Very light yellow
• STUVWXYZ Light yellow
• Z + Fancy coloured diamonds such as yellow diamond

Adina Jozsef welcomes you to look into the diamonds we source for you with a loupe. You’ll probably see small “inclusions”, or “nature’s fingerprints”. Usually invisible to the naked eye, you need to know that these inclusions can affect the diamond’s fire, but they also make your diamond unique and shouldn’t always be seen as a fault. As long as your diamond is graded above SI1, you can be confident that your diamond will sparkle.

F Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Extremely rare.

IF Internally Flawless: no internal flaws, but some surface flaws. Very rare.

VVS1-VVS2 Very Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions very difficult to detect under 10x magnification.

VS1-VS2 Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification.

SI1-SI2 Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions more easily detected under 10x magnification.

P1-P2-P3 Included (three grades). Inclusions visible under 10x magnification, as well as to the naked human eye.

The weight, and thus the size, of a diamond is measured by carat. A carat is equal to 0.2gm, or 200mg. A carat is divided into 100 smaller units called points. Eg: a diamond weighing three-quarters of a carat is 75 points.

For extra reassurance when buying a diamond or diamond ring, you could request a certificated diamond. Typically, a diamond is certified by an independent gemmological laboratory if it is larger than 0.30ct, and is usually more expensive than a non-certified diamond (prices for certification depend on diamond size).

A conflict diamond is a stone mined in an area controlled by armed forces in rebellion against a legitimate government or by bandits exploiting unstable political conditions. Rebels and outlaws smuggle rough stones (those not yet cut and polished) into other countries. Profits from smuggled conflict diamonds finance further conflict and lawless activity. The proportion of conflict diamonds in the worldwide supply has always been small. Thanks to the restoration of peace in Angola and Sierra Leone (two of the principal combat zones in earlier years), and to the counter-measures now being taken, there are even fewer today. With the global efforts by governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations In 2003 an effective system called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into place.

The Kimberley Process was designed by the United Nations and the World Diamond Council to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate jewellery supply chains. Around 70 countries now participate in the Kimberley Process to make sure that where they have diamond mining it is strictly supervised and that diamonds, in their “rough” state (before cutting and polishing) can only be transferred between participating countries in tamper proof containers, under strict controls and with the appropriate documentation. All shipments are reconciled internationally.

Yes, it’s called Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio as a diamond smuggler in Sierra Leone. It was first screened in January 2007. It is set in the nineties before the trade got to grips with the problem, so it doesn’t reflect what is happening now.

It’s highly unlikely – When the Kimberley Process came into force in January 2003 and as a result, complementary programs have been put in place by the public and private sectors, including diamond producing countries, diamond traders, diamond cutters and retail jewelers, to keep conflict diamonds out of the legitimate trade. The Kimberley Process today covers over 99% of the world diamond trade.

Most of the conflicts in Africa are over now but the controls will stay in place to make sure rebels can’t get funds to fuel future conflicts.

To prevent conflict diamonds getting into our hands, we only buy from suppliers who give us a guarantee that they don’t source conflict diamonds.

Diamonds come from Africa, Russia, Canada and Australia but before they are cut and polished they are usually sorted and graded by size, colour, quality and clarity and this means mixing up diamonds from different countries of origin.

No, because the problems are now under control. Any areas where conflict diamonds become a problem will be excluded from the Kimberley Process, so will not get into our supplies or for many parts of Africa diamonds are an important mineral resource. Mining diamonds provides jobs and money for housing, schools, healthcare and social programmes. Some countries are investing in cutting and polishing factories as well. So buying diamonds makes a positive contribution to the lives of people in these areas.

Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

Antwerp Diamond High Council (HRD)

American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS)

The Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA)

A conflict diamond is a stone mined in an area controlled by armed forces in rebellion against a legitimate government or by bandits exploiting unstable political conditions. Rebels and outlaws smuggle rough stones (those not yet cut and polished) into other countries. Profits from smuggled conflict diamonds finance further conflict and lawless activity. The proportion of conflict diamonds in the worldwide supply has always been small. Thanks to the restoration of peace in Angola and Sierra Leone (two of the principal combat zones in earlier years), and to the counter-measures now being taken, there are even fewer today. With the global efforts by governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations In 2003 an effective system called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into place.

A conflict diamond is a stone mined in an area controlled by armed forces in rebellion against a legitimate government or by bandits exploiting unstable political conditions. Rebels and outlaws smuggle rough stones (those not yet cut and polished) into other countries. Profits from smuggled conflict diamonds finance further conflict and lawless activity. The proportion of conflict diamonds in the worldwide supply has always been small. Thanks to the restoration of peace in Angola and Sierra Leone (two of the principal combat zones in earlier years), and to the counter-measures now being taken, there are even fewer today. With the global efforts by governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations In 2003 an effective system called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into place.

A conflict diamond is a stone mined in an area controlled by armed forces in rebellion against a legitimate government or by bandits exploiting unstable political conditions. Rebels and outlaws smuggle rough stones (those not yet cut and polished) into other countries. Profits from smuggled conflict diamonds finance further conflict and lawless activity. The proportion of conflict diamonds in the worldwide supply has always been small. Thanks to the restoration of peace in Angola and Sierra Leone (two of the principal combat zones in earlier years), and to the counter-measures now being taken, there are even fewer today. With the global efforts by governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations In 2003 an effective system called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into place.