DIAMONDS
The hardest mineral on earth and one of the most coveted and valued. Containing a special and characteristic shine known as adamantine, which gives these gemstones great beauty. Diamonds are formed by crystalized pure carbon. In addition to colorless versions, they can be found in practically the entire color spectrum: brown, yellow, grey, red, pink, blue or green.
There are four factors that determine the uniqueness of a diamond and influence its final value. These are the quality criteria known worldwide as the 4 Cs, which refer to the following:
1. Carat weight
Carat weight
The carat, equivalent to 0.2 g, is the standard unit for weight of gemstones. If the rest of the factors are identical, the larger the size, the higher the value.
2. Clarity
Clarity
Almost all diamonds contain small spots of carbon or other minerals inside, known as inclusions. These are not visible to the nacked eye unless magnified, and make each gemstone unique and one of a kind. Obviously, the fewer inclusions, the dearest.
3. Colour
Colour
The most valuable diamonds are colorless. However, the majority of diamonds have a trace of yellow, brown or gray.
The exception are the “Fancy Colors” in more intense colors, such as champagne, pink, green and blue, the rarity of which will establish their value.
4. Cut
Cut
Decisive in its brilliance, the cut makes the light reflect and disperse around the interior of the gem. This characteristic is only possible in a proportionally and well cut diamond, which is one of the TOUS gem laboratory requirements for each Diamond. Not to be confused with the shape of a diamond.
The hardest mineral on earth and one of the most coveted and valued.
TREATED DIAMONDS
Natural diamonds can be subjected to various treatments to enhance their clarity and transparency (using laser and/or fracture filling) and/or to enhance their color (using coatings, irradiation, thermal treatment, HPHT – high pressure, high temperature treatment).
At TOUS, in an Atelier collection and a collection created especially for Mexico, we use blue and yellow diamonds, whose color has been treated by irradiation.