| Below is a gallery of my natural diamond crystals for use in jewelry
. These uncut rough diamonds are crystals with natural sparkle making them
perfect for use in jewlery without faceting. These are real diamonds that
gemstones are made from - not Herkimer Diamonds that are common quartz.
Using rough diamonds in jewelry is a major trend in jewelry today. Of course
the practice of using raw diamonds dates back at least to Roman times when
they were commonly found in men's rins. But recently major diamond jewelry
companies have created their own lines. DeBeers introduced their line called
Talisman in 2006.
A new company Diamond in the Rough
introduced a large 305 carat rough diamond necklace was prominantly feateued
in Neiman Marcus 2007 Christmas Book for $1 million.
The success of these top teir jewelry companies marketing rough diamond jewelry
has created demand from independent jewelry designers that are interested
in the lower overhead cost possible because the expense to have each diamond
faceted by a mester diamond cutter has been eliminated.
If you are considering buying a diamond for use in jewelry,
here are some following suggestions:
-
In general, add 50% to the carat weight for an uncut diamond because they
are more bulky than faceted diamonds. A 1.00 carat brilliant-cut faceted
diamond is 6.4 mm in diameter around the girdle. A similar sized 6.5 mm uncut
diamond will be in the 1.5 carat range.
-
The exception to rule number 1 above is a macle diamond.
These are triangular diamond crystals that are the result of crystal twinning
and they resemble triangular trillion-cut faceted diamonds. Because they
are shallower than comparable uncut diamonds of equal weight, they appear
much larger for a given carat weight. A 6 mm (on each of the triangular edges)
macle diamond will weigh approximately 1.00 carat.
-
Look for a diamond crystal with natural sparkle - lots of
small reflections of light caused by the crystal faces bouncing light internally
throughout the crystal. Some diamonds have flat, planar faces (glassies)
and look dull. Other diamonds have a satin-like surface luster that is often
attractive, but kills the internal sparkle. The best crystals for natural
diamond jewelry will have complicated crystal faces with striations, trigons,
or simply a unique shape that gives them an internal sparkle.
All diamonds on this page were selected for their
natural sparkle.
-
Consider the the color of the surrounding setting when selecting
the color of the diamond. It is best to contrast yellow or brown diamonds
with a white metal such as platinum, titanium or white gold. Yellow gold
settings look best with green, red, white diamonds.
-
Work with your jewelry designer when designing the final setting to determine
the best orientation for the crystal. Rough diamonds are asymmetric and
appearance can vary greatly depending on which faces you are looking through.
Identify the best faces and then design the setting accordingly. Be orienting
the diamond properly you can hide inclusions/flaws, enhance the color, and
get maximum sparkle.
|
To place an order, go to the online
order form.

#52411, Diamond (0.44 carat yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $340 |
|

#53180, Diamond (0.31 carat fancy-yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Williamson Mine, Tanzania (t) $240 |

#46860, Diamond (0.71 carat yellow-gray complex
crystal), Gran Sabana region, Venezuela (t) $390 |

#49733, Diamond (0.53 carat fancy-yellow octahedral
crystal), South Africa (t) $235 |

#50946, Diamond (4.85 carat cuttable F-color
octahedral crystal), Udachnaya Mine, Russia (t) $28500 |

#49885, Diamond (2.40 carat gem-grade cuttable
F-color octahedral crystal), Mirny, Russia (t) $11500 |

#52750, Diamond (3.66 carat gem-grade yellow
octahedral crystal), South Africa (t) $11250 |

#28079, Diamond (2.48 carat yellow octahedral
crystal), Diamantino, Brazil (t) $9525 |

#50428, Diamond (4.09 carat gem-grade pale-yellow
dodecahedral crystal), South Africa (t) $9460 |

#52751, Diamond (2.96 carat gem-grade yellow
octahedral crystal), South Africa (t) $9150 |

#52765, Diamond (0.87 carat yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $575 |

#52120, Diamond (2.65 carat gem-grade pale-yellow
octahedral crystal), Jericho Mine, Canada (t) $7800 |

#43630, Diamond (5.25 carat colorless asymmetric
octahedral crystal), Premier Mine, South Africa (t) $7300 |

#44939, Diamond (2.05 carat gem-grade white complex
crystal), Argyle Mine, Australia (t) $6955 |

#52119, Diamond (1.92 carat cuttable gem-grade
pale-yellow octahedral crystal), Jericho Mine, Canada (t) $5700 |

#39336, Diamond (2.11 carat gem-grade yellow
octahedral crystal), Premier Mine, South Africa (t) $5340 |

#46508, Diamond (2.49 carat gem-grade green
tetrahexahedral crystal), Aredor Mine, Guinea (t) $5325 |

#50947, Diamond (2.37 carat cuttable complex
crystal), Guinea (t) $5200 |

#53443, Diamond (set of five colored diamonds
totaling 4.98 carats), South Africa, Botswana, Namibia (t) $4850 |

#42941, Diamond (1.99 carat cuttable gem-grade
yellow complex crystal), Brazil (t) $4680 |

#52763, Diamond (0.95 carat pale yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $625 |

#42932, Diamond (1.91 carat cuttable gem-grade
yellow complex crystal), Brazil (t) $4495 |

#52056, Diamond (2.55 carat pale yellow-green
macle, twinned crystal), Jwaneng Mine, Botswana (t) $4350 |

#50948, Diamond (2.61 carat pink-brown elongated
crystal), Udachnaya Mine, Russia (t) $4300 |

#38949, Diamond (2.12 carat gem-grade pale-yellow
octahedral crystal), Premier Mine, South Africa (t) $4225 |

#42933, Diamond (1.76 carat cuttable gem-grade
yellow octahedral crystal), Brazil (t) $4150 |

#49072, Diamond (1.72 carat colorless complex
crystal), Premier Mine, South Africa (t) $3780 |

#50952, Diamond (0.97 carat white complex
crystal), Udachnaya Mine, Russia (t) $3200 |

#52062, Diamond (1.77 carat yellow macle, twinned
crystal), Diavik Mine, Canada (t) $3175 |

#50945, Diamond (0.84 carat white flattened
crystal), Udachnaya Mine, Russia (t) $1850 |

#53176, Diamond (set of five colored diamonds
totaling 2.31 carats), India, Australia, South Africa, Namibia
(t) $1700 |

#52773, Diamond (0.71 carat white octahedral
crystal), Mirny, Russia (t) $1650 |

#45519, Diamond (1.45 carat orange dodecahedral
crystal), Venetia Mine, South Africa (t) $1595 |

#49418, Diamond (1.28 carat gem-grade pale-yellow
hexoctahedral crystal), Premier Mine, South Africa (t) $1545 |

#53376, Diamond (1.19 carat sherry-colored
trisoctahedral crystal), Williamson Mine, Tanzania (t) $1350 |

#48701, Diamond (0.88 carat pale-gray complex
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $580 |

#52776, Diamond (1.00 carat yellow tetrahexahedral
crystal), Williamson Mine, Tanzania (t) $1295 |

#53375, Diamond (1.16 carat yellow complex
crystal), Williamson Mine, Tanzania (t) $1295 |

#36177, Diamond (1.09 carat yellow trapezohedral
crystal), Baken Mine, South Africa (t) $725 |

#52774, Diamond (1.13 carat pale yellow-green
complex crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $1250 |

#42354, Diamond (1.13 carat gem-grade yellow-gray
elongated complex crystal), Ippy, Central African Republic
(t) $1225 |

#52412, Diamond (0.59 carat yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $455 |

#53178, Diamond (1.52 carat yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Orapa Mine, Botswana (t) $1170 |

#46536, Diamond (1.28 gem-grade yellow octahedral
crystal), Ippy, Central African Republic (t) $1155 |

#45523, Diamond (1.03 carat yellow-gray dodecahedral
crystal), Venetia Mine, South Africa (t) $1135 |

#46258, Diamond (1.46 carat pale-gray octahedral
crystal), Venetia Mine, South Africa (t) $1125 |

#46858, Diamond (1.22 carat gem-grade pale-yellow
dodecahedral crystal), Koffiefontein Mine, South Africa (t) $1100 |

#52421, Diamond (1.29 carat yellow-gray dodecahedral
crystal), Orapa Mine, Botswana (t) $995 |

#51290, Diamond (0.86 carat fancy-yellow dodecahedral
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $945 |

#30916, Diamond (1.31 carat yellow complex
crystal), South Africa (t) $825 |

#45525, Diamond (0.86 carat yellow complex
crystal), Catoca Mine, Angola (t) $665 |

#52778, Diamond (0.65 carat pale yellow octahedral
crystal), Damtshaa Mine, Botswana (t) $725 |
ADVICE ON CUTTING ROUGH DIAMONDS
Many people have inquired about buying rough/uncut diamond crystals
and having them cut into faceted gemstones. I always advise that the potential
savings are not worth the risk. It is possible to save lots of money -- if
you know what you are doing and you have an experienced diamond cutter. But
an ordinary lapidary, familiar with cutting gemstones from other precious
gem materials, is not skilled enough and does not have the equipment to cut
diamonds. Additionally, an inexperienced diamond cutter can ruin a gemstone.
-
A bad cut can magnify internal flaws. A good cut will conceal flaws.
-
A bad cut can exaggerate bad color. A good cut will enhance internal color.
-
A bad cut can enlarge internal flaws, or possibly split the stone.
If you want a cut diamond, then I advise that you buy a cut diamond. Learn
how to use a 10x or 16x loupe and scrutinize each cut diamond. You need to
evaluate the cost-per-carat against the flaws and imperfections visible in
the cut diamond. After you have narrowed your choice down to a single gemstone
you should take precautions that you actually receive the stone selected,
and that a lesser stone was not swapped in it's place when you were not looking
or when it was being set.
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