Conflict-free diamonds are those gems which were not obtained due to human rights abuses, child labor, violence, or environmental degradation. Although the U.N.’s Kimberly Process only covers diamonds under the control of legitimate and recognized governments, conflict-free goes one step further by rejecting diamonds from governments that trade in diamonds to bankroll their conflicts.

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Diamond Cutting’s four basic steps

Planning

Planning is a crucial step in diamond manufacturing because during this stage the size and relative value of the cut stones that the rough will produce are determined. A person called a planner decides where to mark the diamond rough for fashioning into the most profitable polished gem(s). The planner must consider the size, clarity and crystal direction when deciding where to mark the diamond rough. Incorrectly marking a diamond by a fraction of a millimeter can make a difference of thousands of dollars in some cases. In addition, if one attempts to cleave a diamond in the wrong position, the diamond could shatter and become worthless.

Cleaving or sawing

Once the planner decides where the diamond should be cut, the diamond is either manually cleaved or sawed. Sawing can be done with a diamond-coated rotary saw or a laser.

Bruiting

Bruiting forms the basic face-up outline of a round diamond to prepare it for faceting. During the bruiting phase the diamond being bruited is spun on a rotating lathe while another diamond is forced against it, gradually forming the rounded outline. Essentially, one diamond is used to shape the other.

Polishing

Polishing is the final stage of the cutting process, giving the diamond its finished proportions. The first and perhaps most crucial polishing stage is blocking. This step lays the foundation for the potential of the diamond’s performance because it establishes the diamond’s basic symmetry. During the blocking stage, the first 17 or 18 facets are made, creating a single cut. For some very small diamonds, the process stops here. Larger diamonds go on to the brillianteering stage. In this process a specialist called a brillianteer, polishes the final facets. It is this stage that will determine how much brilliance and fire a diamond displays. Minor inconsistencies in symmetry and proportions can make the difference between a gorgeous diamond and a dull, lifeless stone.

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Alexandrite

Attracts and focuses energy. Greatly increases body’s energy field. User should already be in good mental health and physical health.

Amber

Low intensity energy stone. Heals affairs of the heart, despair, sorrow, desolation, and broken heart.

Amethyst

High vibration energy stone, spiritual high minded. Healing for some. Counters negativity. Helps one look toward a brighter day. Beneficial stone too many.

Aquamarine

Energy stone, high vibration. Stone of spiritual seekers. Can raise energy from material to spiritual levels. Effects 5th chakra. Best color clear blue.

Bloodstone

Earth stone, grounding. Keeps one’s feet on the ground. Can help those tending toward schizophrenia.

Carnelian

Earth stone, grounding, can help one with trouble thinking thing through. Can help cases of sexual dysfunction

Citrine

Energy stone, can lift personality from depression to joy. Counter negativity. Not be too used by those with severe heart conditions, liver problems or toxemia.

Cat Eye Chrysoberyl

Energy stone. Heightens physic awareness. Aids in controlling others. Good if used properly.

Chrysophrase

Earth stone with refined vibration. Balancing. Can put some acutely in touch with nature. Healing soothing

Copper

Conductor of energy through the body. Useful for energy blocks or distortions. Does not have spiritual qualities

Coral

A material from nature with pure vibration clears negativity and anger coming from outside oneself. Red dispels negativity and anger.

Diamond

Energy stone. Possessive vibration. Can help prostate problems and degenerative diseases of old age.

Emerald

Energy stone. High vibration. Can heal & cleanse aura. Can be great aid to healers. Balancing for chakras. Stone of the heart chakra

Garnet

Energy Stone: Used to accumulate power and possessions. Green Garnets more like tourmaline.

Gold

Positive energy structure of highest vibration. Attracts physical & spiritual energy.

Heliodor

Energy stone. High Vibration. Can greatly aid spiritual growth once body is cleaned to toxins. In tune with vibration of the pituitary gland

Iolite

High vibration energy stone. Useful to spiritual seekers. Especially useful to one feeling trapped, searching for answers. Raises vibrations.

Jade (Jadite)

High Vibration earth stone. “The wisdom stone.” Stone of ages & seers. Calming, soothing. Can clarify mental processes.

Jade (Nephrite)

Pure vibration earth stone. Calming soothing, mentally clarifying. Heal certain internal toxic conditions. Gives feeling of rootedness and solid relationship to the world.

Lapis Lazuli

High Vibration earth stone. Emanates powerful spiritual while grounding.

Malachite

Healing earth stone. Grounding, balancing. Favorable for those with schizophrenic tendencies. Strengthens blood.

Morganite

Energy stone. Radiates love and compassion. Can aid those attached to one who does not reciprocate. Love is gentle and kind to he who respects it; fire and danger to one who flaunts it

Opal

High vibration energy stone. Attracts energy like a magnet attracts iron. Promotes energy and leadership. Not for nervous people.

Pearl

Living matter. Symbolizes & emanates purity and clarity.

Peridot

Energy stone. Medium vibration. When very clear and fine can balance energy centers & radiate harmony.

Platinum

Metal of highest vibration. Energy conductor. Raise vibration from physical to spiritual. Beneficial to most people.

Ruby

Highly charged energy stone. Develops sense of power and gives possessor the means to it. Benefits those who need power to do their job properly. Rulers

Sapphire

High energy stone. Clear blue variety radiates high spiritual vibrations. This pure piercing vibration stimulates highest energy centers.

Silver

This physical energy conductor benefits many but not all. Does not have the high vibrations of gold.

Tiger eye

An energy stone used by psychics to enhance clairvoyance. More earthy then most gems. If used for general good and beneficial while grounding.

Topaz

High vibration energy stone. Lifting, purifying. Yellow variety will not benefit person with diseases or toxic conditions. Clear blue topaz stimulates man’s highest ideals.

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January

Garnet

February

Amethyst

March

Aquamarine

April

Diamond

May

Emerald

June

Pearl

July

Ruby

August

Peridot

September

Sapphire

October

Opal

November

Topaz

December

Turquoise

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Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold is most frequently used in jewelry. It is usually alloyed with silver and copper. Depending on the karat gold ( 14K 58%, 18K 75%, 24K 100%) the color ranges from a softer shimmering yellow to a bright rich yellow, allow a suitable setting for most gemstones including diamonds.

White Gold

White Gold harder than yellow gold offers a bright lustrous white color is usually alloyed with silver or other white metals. Nickel commonly used in white gold gives the gold its color and hardness. White gold is highly reflective and not subjected to tarnish because of a rhodium finish.

Pink/Rose Gold

Pink/Rose Gold is alloyed with copper at a 3 to 1 blend of copper to gold. This blend can be changed to affect the hue of the gold. The mix is what determines the pinkish hue of the gold.

Platinum

Platinum a very rare and expensive metal is only mined in a few places worldwide. Along with only being mined in a few places it takes five month to complete the entire refining process. Platinum is primary used for engagement or anniversary bands because it hardness and resistant to scratches.

Silver

Silver has been known and used for thousands of years and it is considered as one of the three precious metals along with gold and platinum. Pure silver is very soft metal with its lustrous white color. Although it is harder than gold and much more plentiful, but still too soft in its natural state and required to be mixed with a harder metal for the use in jewelry manufacturing.

Damascus Steel

Damascus steel rings are made from the same material as ancient samurai swords. The geometry and structure is achieved using a very labor intensive process.

Black Diamond Ceramic

Black diamond ceramic is among the hardest materials known to man. Only a few things in this world, including diamonds, can scratch these brilliant, permanently polished rings.

Tungsten

Tungsten rings will forever maintain a beautiful, shiny finish. They are truly maintenance free and have a durable heavy weight similar to platinum.

Titanium

It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant, transition metal with a silver color. Titanium was discovered in 1792 in England and has been used in various industries ever since.

Cobalt

Cobalt is used in the preparation of magnetic, wear-resistant and high-strength alloys. Cobalt compounds have been used for centuries to impart a rich blue color to glass, glazes and ceramics. Cobalt has been detected in Egyptian sculpture and Persian jewelry from the third millennium BC, in the ruins of Pompeii (destroyed in 79 AD), and in China dating from the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) and the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD).

Stainless Steel

The steel alloy carries at least 11% chromium. It is shiny gray in color, light weight, and hypoallergenic. Most stainless is the same material as the stent used in medical applications. And it’s 100% recyclable.

Vitalium

Not as hard as tungsten, harder then cobalt, finish will always maintain, composite metal is patent pending, can cut ring off

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Carat

Weight of the stone

Clarity

How clear the stone is, visual inclusions, fissures, bubbles all contribute to the stones clarity grade

Color

Stones color it can range more popular colors are white, yellow, blue, and black

Cut

How the stone has been cut can determine value

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