Canada is set to open its first official diamond trading marketplace in downtown Toronto, a move spurred by the rush in recent years to mine and market the homegrown stones both nationally and worldwide.

The Diamond Bourse of Canada opens Monday and will be the first forum of its kind in the country where both polished and rough stones will be bought and sold.

There are 28 diamond bourses in places such as Belgium, Israel and South Africa. The Canadian bourse will become the 29th on the international circuit, which is overseen by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. Canada produces about 15 per cent of the world’s annual rough diamonds.

“It’s only logical for Canada to establish a full-fledged bourse,” federation president Avi Paz stated yesterday. “While Canada’s population is small compared to its huge southern neighbour, the country’s jewelry industry and trade, as well as its consumer market, have been growing steadily.”

See the full article from The Globe and Mail…

Loose Certified Diamonds Hold Value Longer

Certified loose diamonds hold their value longer than diamonds that are pre-set into jewelry pieces like engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings. Diamond values do change over time, but certified diamonds are always worth more. If you’re thinking of buying a pre-set piece of jewelry, consider buying the stone separate online and then having a custom setting designed. Since the diamond has been certified by a trained gemologist and then placed into a custom setting, it will hold its value longer than a pre-designed piece with uncertified diamonds.

Availability Of High Quality Loose Diamonds

Shopping online at Brilliance.com for wholesale loose diamonds means you will have access to more than 70,000 different diamonds from which to choose. Even after narrowing the broad selection down to your preferred cut and carat weight, you’ll still have hundreds of diamonds available that meet your needs. The customer service and personal shopping teams at Brilliance.com are specially trained to help you select the perfect stone. They’ll go the extra mile to make sure you’re pleased with your certified diamonds and will even ship them free with UPS overnight delivery so you won’t need to wait long before they arrive.

Now instead of conveniently buying loose diamonds online, imagine you’re walking into your local bricks and mortar retail jewelry store. You ask to see their selection of certified diamonds. The sales representative may have 50 loose diamonds, but only if you’re lucky. Once you narrow your selection down to the ones that meet your preferred cut and carat standards, you may be left with only four of five stones to choose from. Which option would you prefer?

Brilliance.com Offers More Certified Diamonds

Not all loose diamonds are certified diamonds, but Brilliance.com offers a large selection of graded diamonds. If you’re interested in buying certified diamonds, you’ll find some on our site that are graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). While the GIA is one of the most famous laboratories that certify diamonds, Brilliance.com also offers certified diamonds by the American Gem Society, Hoge Raad voor Diamant, European Gemological Laboratory and the International Gemological Institute. Regardless of the certifying laboratory, certified diamonds are accompanied by paperwork with all the important information about the diamond. This will include the clarity, cut, color and carat weight.

If you purchase a pre-set piece of jewelry and later want to have the diamond certified, you’ll have to first have it completely removed from the setting, which can be expensive and may even damage the setting. To avoid excess costs and potential damage, it’s preferable to always buy loose diamonds that are certified.

Low Prices On Loose Wholesale Diamonds

Since Brilliance.com is an online jewelry store, it is able to offer its customers amazing discounts on wholesale loose diamonds. Brilliance.com doesn’t have many of the large overhead costs such as display cases, retail space and special lighting so it is able to pass on considerable savings to its customers.

Additionally, the store’s large selection also means it can negotiate substantial discounts from its suppliers. These two factors mean that loose certified diamonds from Brilliance.com can cost less than those from a traditional jewelry store. This makes the choice to buy loose diamonds and then placing them in a custom designed setting an easy one.

Loose Certified Diamonds Are Easier To Inspect Than Pre-Set Stones

If you’re not a professional jewelry grader, it can be difficult to inspect diamonds for visible flaws or inclusions, especially if the diamond is already set into a piece of jewelry. The metal prongs of the setting can get in the way and hide any flaws.

Loose diamonds, on the other hand, can be easily inspected with a special jeweler’s tool called a loupe and then set into a custom piece of jewelry. If the stones aren’t certified diamonds, you should look for flaws under the loupe’s special magnifying glass. If the stones are certified diamonds, you can check them against the grading report that accompanies each of the loose certified diamonds.

If you’re looking to buy beautiful certified diamonds, make Brilliance.com your first stop. You’ll find more than 70,000 wholesale loose diamonds to choose from, thousands more than any local bricks and mortar store. In addition, you’ll be able to save yourself money since Brilliance.com can negotiate wholesale pricing from its suppliers. Once your certified diamonds arrive via free express UPS shipping, you’ll be able to easily inspect them and feel confident that they will be hold their value longer. With all of these benefits, there’s no reason not to buy wholesale loose diamonds from Brilliance.com and design your own custom piece of jewelry.

Laboratory Certified Diamonds

What’s the difference between laboratory certified diamonds and uncertified loose diamonds? It’s easy - laboratory certified diamonds have been graded by a trained gemologist. The gemologist will note all the important details about the diamond, including the cut, carat weight, clarity and color. The professional gemologists will be able to discover any flaws, determine the color, weigh the diamond and evaluate how well the cut maximizes the diamond’s brilliance and fire.

Each stone is graded objectively, regardless of who is grading the diamond. Sometimes more than one gemologist grades each stone to ensure accuracy. Since the world of certified diamonds is a small one, some laboratories even hide the name of the diamond’s owner, allowing the gemologist to grade the stone without bias.

What Can You Expect From Brilliance.com’s Certified Diamonds?

You’ll be sure to find quality diamonds if you’re shopping at Brilliance.com. If you’re shopping for certified diamonds, you can easily compare diamonds of similar sizes, cuts and price ranges. This means you can purchase the best quality diamond regardless of how small or large a budget you have available.

Certified diamonds from Brilliance.com are sold with a detailed grading report. If you’re looking for diamonds from other sources, make sure you’ll receive the grading report along with the diamond. A reputable store selling certified loose diamonds should expect to include this information with your purchase. If they can’t provide it, take your diamond shopping elsewhere.

Trust Only The Best Diamond Laboratories

There are many laboratories that grade certified loose diamonds, but Brilliance.com only chooses to use the very best. These laboratories are the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Each laboratory uses different methods, but all are considered top sources of certified loose diamonds.

The AGS grades diamonds on a 0-10 scale, with 10 being the worst and 0 being the best. Two different gemologists grade each stone, and the laboratory is known for having some of the industry’s highest ethical standards.

The HRD, located in Belgium, is well respected in the world of certified loose diamonds. The HRD requires that several gemologists grade each stone and the results must be identical before the stones can be considered certified diamonds. Additionally, the HRD has two more steps to ensure graders are completely unbiased. Firstly, gemologists never know the identity of the diamond’s owner. Also, senior gemologists randomly check the certification paperwork against the stone to make sure the diamonds are being accurately graded.

The EGL is also based in Belgium and is known industry-wide for setting new standards in certified loose diamonds. At one time, loose stones under one carat weight weren’t even considered for grading. Now, many of Brilliance.com’s certified loose diamonds are less than one carat, which shows the influence the EGL has in the diamond world. Recently, the EGL created the SI3 grade, which means a stone has visible inclusions under a 10x magnification.

The IGI ensures accurate grading of loose diamonds by using a team of gemologists to grade each stone and some of the most advanced equipment available. The equipment used by the IGI includes an electronic balance that can accurately measure the diamond’s weight to a ten-thousandth of a carat, 10x magnification loupes and high-powered microscopes. The entire team must agree before a stone can be graded.

The Best Of The Best - GIA Loose Diamonds

The GIA is considered the best of the best in the world of certified loose diamonds. The GIA was founded in 1931 and created the International Diamond Grading System in 1953. The International Diamond Grading System sets uniform criteria that graders use when certifying a diamond. Additionally, each GIA certified diamond is graded by two to five different gemologists to ensure accuracy.

Many different gemologists must agree on a diamond’s certification before it can be given a GIA grading report. The report will give the culet and girdle thickness, the weight, color, clarity, measure, polish, symmetry and even a diagram that tells the buyer exactly where any inclusions are located. The written report should be included when you buy certified diamonds.

Buying certified diamonds, whether loose or pre-set into a piece of jewelry, means you’ll be purchasing a beautiful, quality product that’s sure to provide years of enjoyment for the wearer. After reading up on the different laboratories that offer certified diamonds, you can rest assured that you’re buying diamonds from a reputable source when you shop at Brilliance.com.

Purchasing loose diamonds can be an investment for the future, so it’s best to choose diamonds that will hold their value in the long term. Although you may not be concerned about the resale value of your diamond at the time of purchase, you may be interested in selling your diamond or trading it in for an upgrade later. When buying a diamond, it is best to know what contributes to its quality and value to ensure that you make a sound purchase. An important factor to consider is whether to buy a natural diamond or a treated or enhanced diamond.

Natural Diamonds

Made from carbon, diamonds are the hardest known substance to man and are both a naturally occurring and manufactured abrasive. Natural diamonds form at high pressure high temperature conditions existing between 85 to 125 miles in the earth’s mantle. It takes a diamond 1 to 3 billion years to form beneath the earth. Once formed, a diamond travels to the earth’s surface via streams of molten rock. Throughout this process, natural diamonds acquire inclusions and or flaws within them that give them their own unique “fingerprint”.

Diamonds can be purchased in various sizes (carats), shapes, colors, and clarities. Natural diamonds are preferred over enhanced or treated diamonds because of their rarity and individual fingerprint. No two natural diamonds in the world are identical; each one is unique whether it’s because of its color or clarity or both combined.

Enhanced or Treated Diamonds

The term “enhanced” may sound like a positive feature, however, any diamond that has been enhanced has been treated and altered from its natural condition to artificially improve its appearance. If you decide to purchase an “enhanced” diamond, find out what kind of treatments have been used and how they might affect the value of the diamond. You should also be concerned with the long term care and appearance these enhancement treatments may have on the diamond, as enhancements sometimes result in discoloration or cracks in the diamond.

Enhanced diamonds, unlike high quality natural diamonds are natural diamonds that have had very specific treatments done to them to improve their characteristics, or their natural “flaws”. One type of treatment is laser drilling, which is a process that removes minor inclusions in a diamond to produce a clarity enhanced diamond. This process will typically create lines that resemble tiny trails, which are visible under side-view magnification. The laser may dissipate the imperfection, or chemicals may be injected into the resulting tunnel to bleach away the color. This is a more permanent process than fracture filling. However, it is highly debated whether or not this process damages the integrity of the diamonds, thereby decreasing the value of clarity enhanced diamonds in the long term.

Fracture filling is a treatment that adds a glass-like resin material to a natural diamond to close small cracks. Since the filling has the same optical illusion and refraction index as a natural diamond, it’s nearly impossible to detect the “repair” to the flaws. Fracture filling is not a permanent treatment as heat from future repairs, cleanings, and even sunlight can erode the filler or possibly darken its color, making the diamond less valuable as time goes on.

One other type of enhancement treatment is called HPHT (high-pressure high-temperature). HPHT is a treatment process that General Electric developed to permanently change the color of a diamond. First used to turn yellowish diamonds into “fancy” colored diamonds, this process is commonly used to turn yellow or brown diamonds into colorless diamonds to be sold at a significantly higher prices. HPHT involves putting a diamond into a pressure chamber and squeezing it at high pressure and high temperature for a short amount of time. Although some feel that this treatment should be considered a standard technique and claim that this process is just finishing the job that nature started, the Federal Trade Commission feels that it is an artificial process and requires that HPHT be disclosed. When HPHT treatment is detected in a diamond, the Gemological Institute of American (GIA) notes it on their reports as “HPHT Annealed” or “Artificially Irradiated” and insists that such diamonds be laser-inscribed with the same designation. A diamond that has been enhanced by GE will be inscribed with the symbol “GE POL”.

Detecting Enhanced or Treated Diamonds

There are different ways to detect if a diamond has had clarity enhancement treatments done to it. As mentioned above, laser drilling results in very thin, white lines or tunnels within the diamond that do not follow the pattern of the loose diamond. When fracture filling is used, the diamond may appear flawless when viewed from the top, but careful examination from the sides or other angles may reveal flashes of color that disrupt the pattern of facets in the diamond. Fracture filled diamonds may also have air bubbles trapped within them. Because these hints are only visible from the sides, it is very important to examine the diamond closely and preferable as a loose diamond rather than set into a diamond ring setting.

The Controversy About Enhanced or Treated Diamonds

Due to the controversial nature of diamond treatments within the industry, the CIBJO (World Jewelry Confederation), the United Stated Federal Trade Commission, and the GIA all require the disclosure of all diamond treatments at the time of sale. Without this disclosure, consumer confidence in diamond purchasing would be significantly damaged.

At Brilliance, we want our clients to be educated about different types of diamonds and diamond treatments so that they can feel confident when purchasing their future loose diamond investments. Most consumers and diamond professionals feel that natural diamonds should not be artificially treated in any significant manner. However, there are many differing opinions about the controversy of enhanced or treated diamonds vs. natural diamonds. As most gemological experts agree, Brilliance recommends purchasing natural certified diamonds and offers only 100% natural and conflict-free diamonds. We do not sell any loose diamonds or diamond jewelry that have been enhanced or treated in any way.

Using The 4 C’s In Choosing Your Loose Diamonds

A common criteria in choosing loose diamonds includes what is called the 4 C’s. While there are other variables to consider before making your purchase, the 4 C’s include important classifications. Basically, the 4 C’s within the diamond industry are the standards and criteria used to judge the beauty and price/value of all loose diamonds. Most often, diamond shoppers look to color and clarity as the two most important factors when choosing a diamond. However the cut of the diamond will influence fire and brilliance much more than the other two C’s.

Cut - The cut of a diamond is not its shape, but the way it is cut from the original shape of the rough stone. The cut is evaluated by the location of the inclusions and flaws to be eliminated, the preservation of the weight, and the popularity of shape. When a diamond has a high quality cut, incident light will enter the stone through the table and crown, traveling toward the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before bouncing back out of the diamond’s table toward the observer’s eye.

Color - Color describes the overall tint of the diamond, from white to yellow. Color is graded on a letter scale from D to Z (D being the best).

Clarity - Clarity refers to the presence or absence of tiny imperfections (inclusions) within the stone, and/or on the surface of the stone. A diamonds’ clarity is graded on a scale from FL (Flawless) to I3 (Many Visible Inclusions), clarity describes the amount and location of “inclusions” in the diamond.

Carat Weight - Commonly confused with size, carat refers to the weight of the diamond when measured on a scale. One “Carat” is a unit of mass that is equal to 0.2 grams (200 milligrams or 3.086 grains) or 0.007 ounce.

Choosing Certified Diamonds Only

In searching for the perfect loose diamonds, finding those that are ‘certified’ is a must. Certified diamonds are diamonds that are labeled “certified,” which means they are guaranteed to have been sent to an independent gemology laboratory where they are then evaluated. The certifier will precisely measure characteristics of the diamond such as width, length, table and girdle size as well as all of the angles created by the cutter. From here, the diamond will be examined by a trained gemologist and assigned a color and clarity grade.

In examining color, the stone is compared to a graded control group of diamonds whose color is known. The gemologist will then assign a color based on the closest match to this control group, as well as using their own experience and judgment.

Next, the loose diamonds are then evaluated for clarity. Clarity is determined by examining the diamonds for inclusions and noting the number, location and size of each. The professional certifier will then assign a grade of clarity, which is again determined by the gemologist’s experience and interpretation of each clarity grade.

There are many gem labs in the industry that help in the process of creating certified diamonds. The most widely known and respected being the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), followed by AGL, EGL, IGI, and HRD.

Once the lab has completed the grading process, a certificate is issued describing the measurements, weight, color, clarity and other observations that were made. These certified diamonds are then passed on to the seller. At Briliance.com we pride ourselves in only selling loose diamonds that have been certified.

Beware Of Diamonds That Have Been Enhanced

In searching for the perfect loose diamonds, beyond making sure you are evaluating it according to the 4 C’s as well as buying only certified diamonds, there is a third element to be aware of — making sure your diamond hasn’t been enhanced. Diamond enhancements are specific treatments, performed on natural diamonds (usually those already cut and polished into gems), which are designed to improve the gemological characteristics and therefore the value of the stone in one or more ways.

Diamond enhancements include clarity treatments such as laser drilling to remove inclusions, application of sealants to fill cracks, color treatments to improve a white diamond’s color grade, and treatments to give fancy color to a white or off-color diamond.

The seller of your diamond must inform you whether the loose diamonds you are purchasing have been enhanced. This is due to regulations by the CIBJO and government agencies such as the United States Federal Trade Commission that explicitly require the disclosure of most diamond treatments at the time of sale.

At Brilliance.com we know that buying loose diamonds or certified diamonds doesn’t have to be a complicated process, just one done with forethought and knowledge. By taking into consideration these three main criteria, you can feel confident you have made a well thought out and intelligent purchase decision.

Enhanced Vs. Natural Diamonds

Enhancing or treating a diamond occurs when the stone is considered flawed in some way. Some jewelers have discovered a way to enhance the look of a diamond by applying special treatments to remove the flaws. Diamonds can be treated by drilling with lasers to remove flaws, applying sealant to fill cracks or putting the diamond through a color treatment to improve the color grading. These artificial measures are controversial in the diamond industry because many feel it cheapens the beauty of natural stones.

Brilliance.com only sells natural diamonds. These diamonds are cut to maximize the stone’s sparkle, but have not been enhanced in any other way. Natural diamonds are more valuable than ones that have been enhanced or treated.

If you do decide to purchase an enhanced stone, the jeweler must disclose any enhancements that have been done. This is in accordance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, so beware if your jeweler doesn’t tell you a stone has been enhanced.

Certified Diamonds - What To Look For

Certified diamonds are ones that have been graded by a professional diamond certification laboratory. These can be sold as loose diamonds, but it’s also possible to find certified diamonds pre-set into ready to buy jewelry.

People who certify diamonds evaluate and record the stone’s cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the most well known diamond certification laboratory in the United States, but it’s not the only laboratory that can certify diamonds. Other certification labs are the American Gem Society (AGS), Hoge Raad vood Diamant (HRD), the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

Many people mistakenly assume that all loose diamonds are certified diamonds, so make sure to ask to see the certification before making a major purchase. Certified diamonds may cost a little more, but you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you’re getting your money’s worth. Certified diamonds from Brilliance.com are always sold with the proper certification documents so customers know which laboratory completed the certification.

Cut, Color, Clarity And Carat Weight - The Four C’s

Diamond education has come a long way in the past few years and now nearly everyone has heard of the four C’s. Cut, color, clarity and carat weight are the four different categories diamonds are graded on before they’re sold and all refer to the appearance of each diamond.

Simply put, cut is the shape of the stone. After loose diamonds are mined, each stone is cut in a way to maximize and show off the sparkle and fire diamonds are known for. Brilliance.com sells loose and certified diamonds cut into the most popular shapes, including round, princess, oval, emerald, asscher, marquise, radiant, heart and cushion. Round diamonds are the most popular throughout the world.

Each diamond’s color is graded on a letter scale from D to Z. A diamond that’s been rated as a D is the most valuable and rare because it is colorless. It takes a trained gemologist to detect the slight color variations found in stones rated E through H. Diamonds that are rated I through M may have a faint color tinge, but that doesn’t mean the stones can’t be beautiful and full of sparkle. Because of its dedication to beautiful, quality diamonds, Brilliance.com only sells certified diamonds rated D through M.

The third C stands for clarity. Clarity is graded on a scale from flawless to included. Many times, diamond inclusions are only visible to a trained gemologist and only certified diamonds in the last grade have inclusions visible to the naked eye. This means that it’s possible to find a beautiful stone even if you can’t afford one that’s been graded flawless.

Carat weight is the fourth C. The weight of each stone is measured in carats and is rounded to the nearest one hundredth of a carat. Larger stones are more expensive and valuable, but smaller diamonds can be beautiful, too. Brilliance.com sells diamonds ranging from 1/5 of a carat to up to 14 carats.

Commonly Found Types Of Diamonds

Engagement rings or other pieces of diamond jewelry can be sold pre-set or sold as loose diamonds with a custom setting. Whichever you choose can depend on your budget and preferences. Brilliance.com has a variety of pre-designed pieces, as well as separate settings and loose diamonds to meet everyone’s budget and taste.

Pre-designed jewelry can’t be changed so it’s important to find a piece that you love. However, just because these pieces are pre-designed doesn’t mean they can’t be created using certified diamonds so make sure to ask.

If the available choices of pre-designed rings or jewelry aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, consider buying loose diamonds and the settings separately. You’ll get to choose the setting and then be able to select from multiple loose diamonds. Many people assume this is a more expensive route, but that’s not always the case so be sure to compare prices. While many loose diamonds are certified diamonds, double check with your jeweler to make sure.

Buying certified or loose diamonds should be an enjoyable endeavor now that you’re armed with all the information needed to make an informed choice.

The rectangular-shaped blue stone, the rarest to enter the international market this year, went to an anonymous buyer bidding by telephone after hectic bidding see-sawed between two callers for 15 minutes.

It was the centrepiece of its semi-annual sale in Geneva, conducted by David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry department in Europe and the Middle East, who said the results showed the market’s resilience despite the economic downturn.

“This is already a new world record price for a fancy vivid blue diamond and a new world record per carat for any gemstone (at auction),” Bennett told reporters. See full article at reuters.com…

Now, if they could just figure out who owns it. So far, at least five people have come forward to say it’s theirs.

“It seems like the more we talk to people, the more people claim to have ownership over this thing,” said Lt. Thomas Grubb, who heads the sheriff’s investigative team on the case. “We haven’t determined who’s not a suspect, really.”

Unable to determine who the real owner is, Lt. Grubb decided to keep the emerald locked up while the investigation proceeds. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles civil court is scheduled to hear from different claimants in the case on Tuesday.

Lt. Grubb, who had spent the bulk of his 26-year career conducting narcotics investigations, first got onto the case last September. A distraught man named Larry Biegler had called the sheriff’s office to say that his giant emerald had been stolen from a Los Angeles-area warehouse where he had been keeping it. It was worth nearly $400 million, he said.

Lt. Grubb’s detectives began investigating.

The emerald, they determined, was in the possession of two businessmen named Todd Armstrong and Kit Morrison, whom detectives tracked to a small town called Eagle, in western Idaho. When the detectives arrived in Eagle, Mr. Armstrong was in the process of trying to sell the emerald to a buyer. “We’ve run into a small snag,” Mr. Armstrong says he told his buyer.

The Idaho men said the emerald belonged to them. They said in an interview they paid Mr. Biegler $1 million for diamonds he never delivered. Mr. Biegler had put the emerald up as collateral, they say, for the stones. When the diamonds didn’t materialize, they picked up the emerald from the warehouse in Los Angeles. They showed investigators a stack of documents they said prove their claim. See full article at wsj.com…

The GIA’s Chairman, Ralph Destino, along with its Technical Director, John King, give guidance on how to purchase a loose diamond. They advise consumers to choose a reputable jeweler, then to become educated about how to recognize quality in a diamond, and finally, to purchase a certified diamond that blends quality and value.

Brilliance offers detailed diamond education, as well as a large assortments of loose diamonds. We are member of the Jewelers’ Board of Trade as well as the Better Business Bureau.

Many of the diamonds available at Brilliance are cut in Belgium, one of the leading diamond manufacturing cities in the world. This short video shows just what it takes to get a diamond from looking like just another stone to looking like a beautiful diamond.