Jewellery Shopping

How Is Silver Made?

March 22, 2011 By admin

Silver

HOW IS SILVER MADE?

Fine silver has a brilliant white lustre. It can be beaten, stretched and shaped into all kinds of forms and intricate patterns. That’s why the art of silversmithing was known to many ancient civilisations. The Minoans worked beautiful silver pieces. The Aztec nobles of Mexico adorned themselves from head to toe in elaborate silver jewellery, reflecting their religious culture and incorporating semi-precious stones. The Ancient Egyptians went to the trouble of importing silver, using it to symbolise religious power and combining it with gorgeous lapis lazuli, turquoise or carmelian.

Silver can be found in a pure form, or it can be extracted from compounds such as Argentine (silver and sulphur) or from copper ore or lead ore. Extraction sometimes involves heating the ore in a furnace to convert the sulphides to sulphates and then using a chemical process to derive metallic silver.

It has been known for centuries that combining silver into alloys with other metals can make a beautiful, durable material. The term ‘sterling silver’ is derived from the silver alloy coinage minted by the ‘Easterlings’, Germans who traded with the early English kingdoms. In more recent centuries sterling silver was the material of choice for making fine cutlery and tableware. In England and later in the United States, the accredited standard for sterling silver was set at a minimum 92.5% silver with usually 7.5% copper. In jewellery sterling silver is plated with a fine layer of pure silver.

APART FROM JEWELLERY WHAT IS SILVER USED FOR?

Because silver conducts electricity easily, it’s used for electrical wiring and components. Silver paints are used for making printed circuits. Silver’s anti-microbial properties make it useful in medical dressings. The compound, silver nitrate, is used extensively in photography. Silver iodide has been used for seeding clouds to produce rain.

HOW DOES SILVER COMPARE TO PLATINUM?

Coming back down to Earth, silver needs the occasional clean, but can soon be restored to its dazzling brilliance. By contrast, platinum has a grey-white lustre and is tarnish-free. In jewellery, platinum tends to be used in a purer form than silver. It is strong and hard-wearing, making it ideal for setting diamonds and other gemstones.

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What Makes A Diamond Expensive?

March 18, 2011 By admin

Diamonds are essentially carbon formed in a particular crystal lattice structure. They constitute the hardest substance on Earth. Gem-quality samples of this crystal can be cut with expertly placed diamond facets: the smooth areas that reflect and refract light, creating brilliance and lustre.

WHERE DO DIAMONDS COME FROM?

All but the tiniest of diamonds are formed way below the Earth’s crust, over billions of years and under very high pressure. Ancient volcanic eruptions brought diamond-bearing rock to the surface up along volcanic pipes extending 100 to 200 miles down. The rock containing the diamonds then gets dispersed and eroded, enabling the diamonds to be mined.

Very tiny diamonds can be formed when meteors impact on the Earth’s surface.

Black diamonds are formed differently. There are several theories about this. One fascinating one is that they are created during supernovae explosions and then transported to Earth via asteroids.

WHAT MAKES A DIAMOND EXPENSIVE?

Four aspects, sometimes known as the ‘four Cs’ contribute to the value of any gem-quality diamond: carat, cut, colour and clarity.

Carat weight: this measures the mass of a diamond. One carat is defined as 200 milligrams.

Clarity: this is a measure of the internal defects of a diamond, called ‘inclusions’. Inclusions may be crystals of a different material or another diamond, or imperfections such as tiny cracks. The number, size, colour, position and visibility of inclusions can all affect the clarity of a diamond.

Colour: a chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is completely transparent with no hue. In reality, most gem-sized natural diamonds are imperfect. The colour of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities or structural defects in the crystal lattice. The hue and intensity of a diamond’s coloration can really affect its value. The most prized grading is ‘D’, meaning that it is absolutely free from any colour. The more white diamonds have a yellow hue, the more they diminish in price. But intense pink or blue diamonds can be dramatically more valuable.

Cut: the cut of a diamond is the manner in which a diamond has been shaped and polished from its original form to its final gem proportions. Part of the skill is to obviate any imperfections. The cut describes the quality of workmanship and the angles to which a diamond has been cut and faceted.

WHAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE DIAMOND?

It is hard to say which diamond is the most expensive, because information is not available on the appraisal value of some of the world’s most evidently expensive diamonds.

The Golden Jubilee, at 545.67 carats (109.13 g), is the largest faceted diamond in the world. It was discovered in 1985.

The Cullinan Diamond was the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found. The largest polished gem from the stone is the ‘Cullinan I’ or ‘Great Star of Africa’ and weighs 530.4 carats. The second largest is the Cullinan II or the ‘Lesser Star of Africa’, At 317.4 carats (63.5 g) this weighs in as the world’s fourth largest polished diamond.

The 968.9 carat (193.8 g) ‘Star of Sierra Leone’ was discovered in 1972.It ranks as the third largest gem-quality diamond and the largest alluvial diamond ever discovered.

The Incomparable Diamond, a brownish-yellow diamond of apparently flawless clarity, weighs in at 407.48 carats (81.496 g). It was cut from a 890 carat (178 g) rough diamond of the same name. The Incomparable appeared on eBay in 2002.

The Centenary Diamond weighed 599 carats when it was discovered. Its cut weight is 273.85 carats. It was cut into modified heart-shaped ‘brilliant’. It is the world’s largest colourless Grade D flawless diamond. In 1991 it was insured for over $100 million.

WHAT TYPES OF DIAMONDS ARE THERE?

When choosing a diamond and considering the four C’s, we want especially to consider the shape into which the diamond has been cut and polished. There are generally speaking nine available types or ‘cuts’.

Round Brilliant Diamonds

These days three-quarters of available diamonds are Round Brilliants. The 58-facet cut is calibrated to a precise formula to ensure fiery brilliance.

Oval Brilliant Diamonds

The long, symmetrical shape of the Oval has the brilliance of the Round, but can also help to accentuate long, slender fingers. Oval Brilliants were first created in the 1950s by the diamond company, Lazare Kaplan.

Marquise Diamonds

The Marquise has an elongated shape with pointed ends. The name is derived from Louis XV’s instruction to his jeweller to cut a gemstone to the shape of the mouth of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. A Marquise looks good either as a solitaire or surrounded by smaller diamonds.

Pear Shaped Diamonds

Shaped like a glistening tear-drop, the Pear Shaped combines the advantages of the Oval and the Marquise. To determine the most pleasing proportions for a Pear Shaped, look for a length-to-width ratio of between 1.50 and 1.75:1.

Heart Shaped Diamonds

This is a very romantic style, but the Heart Shaped is essentially a Pear Shaped with a cleft at the top. Choose a stone with an even shape and a well-defined outline.

Princess Cut Diamonds

The Princess cut is a square cut with numerous facets. It’s a modern innovation quite often used in engagement rings. In choosing a Princess Cut in a ring, ensure that the setting covers the corners to avoid the chipping of the stone.

Emerald Cut Diamonds

The long, rectangular lines of this cut, as the name suggests, were originally used on emeralds. The result is less of the fiery lustre than the Round Brilliant, but instead broader, more dramatic flashes of light.

Radiant Cut Diamonds

The Radiant is a square or rectangular cut combining the elegance of the Emerald Cut with the brilliance of the Round. It has 70 facets, which maximize the colour refraction of the stone.

Asscher Cut Diamonds

This cut harks back to the design created by the Asscher Brothers in Holland in 1902. It is a square Emerald Cut with rounded corners. The style has regained popularity since Kate Hudson and Liz Hurley have been seen with Asscher Cut diamonds.

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The Growing Popularity Of Charm Bracelets

March 1, 2011 By admin

WHY ARE CHARM BRACELETS SO POPULAR?

Building on an old tradition, contemporary charm bracelets allow the wearer to create a personalized and unique piece of jewellery, tailored to their own preferences and taste. The owner can change the charms on the bracelet to suit their mood or the occasion. They can acquire the pieces in a way that suits their budget and circumstances. Any event or milestone in the owner’s life can be the occasion for acquiring a charm, possibly from a loved one. Forever beautiful and individual, the modern charm bracelet has infinite possibilities. You can review reviews on cheap jewellery, expensive jewelery and jewelery brands here. [Read more...]

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What Are Birthstones?

February 25, 2011 By admin

Birth Stones

Birthstones are gems that symbolise the different months of the year. The birthstone list tells us which gem is traditionally associated with the month of our birth. Each birthstone has a distinctive beauty, magic and tradition that reach into many religions and cultures.

The Babylonians believed that the lustre and colour of certain gemstones brought luck and healing powers. The Hindu Vedic system matched particular gemstones to nine key planets; the gems were chosen on the basis on their properties in relation to nature and the Earth. Twelve gemstones had key significance in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Exodus 39 in the Old Testament describes the gems that adorned the breastplate of the high priest Aaron, brother of Moses. These initially represented the 12 tribes of Israel, but various traditions developed to attribute a gemstone to each month of the year. Over the millennia different birthstone lists emerged. In 1912 these were consolidated into one list by the American National Association of Jewellers.

WHAT BIRTHSTONES ARE FOR WHICH MONTH?

Here is the American National Association of Jewellers birthstone list:

January birthstone – Garnet

The deep red colour of the garnet was first alluring to the Ancient Egyptians, who used this gem in their jewellery. The word ‘garnet’ comes from the Latin, ‘granatus’, meaning ‘grain’. Many garnet deposits are small grains of red crystals in their host rock.

February birthstone – Amethyst

Some of the finest examples of this purple-blue gemstone come from Russia and Siberia. The Greek word ‘amethystos’ means ‘not drunken’. The Ancient Greeks believed that amethyst wine goblets prevented inebriation. Similarly, the gem was linked with clear-headedness. Soldiers in the Middle Ages carried amethyst amulets, believing that this would protect and heal them and keep them cool-headed.

March birthstone – Aquamarine

Aquamarine is from the Latin phrase for ‘water of the sea’, and the blue-green hue resembles the waters of the Mediterranean. Aquamarine gemstones and emeralds are both varieties of the mineral, beryl. And yet aquamarines are much tougher than emeralds.

April birthstone – Diamond

Since ancient times diamonds have been treasured for their brilliance and lustre. The more they lack colour, the more highly they are prized. Their association with love and eternity owes much to their durability – diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth.

May birthstone – Emerald

The green of the emerald is reminiscent of fertility and the jungles of Columbia, which produces some of the finest specimens. The Incas were among the early South American civilisations that prized high-quality emeralds. Emeralds always have a perfect six-sided crystal structure.

June birthstone – Pearl

Gem-quality pearls are always iridescent but come in colours from white, cream, pink, yellow, green, blue, brown, purple or black. Before the advent of cultured pearls in the early twentieth century, natural pearls were so rare and expensive that they were reserved almost exclusively for the noble and very rich. They were known as the ‘Queen of Gems’.

July birthstone – Ruby

The deep vivid red or slightly purple-red ruby is rare and very valuable. Rubies are very tough. They are associated with passion and were thought to promote health and courage. Some of the finest are mined in Burma, while some come from Thailand.

August birthstone – Peridot

This gemstone, formed in volcanic fire, comes in shades from lovely apple green to olive green. As early as 1500 BC the Egyptians mined peridots, calling them ‘gems of the sun’ and believing that they had the power to ward off anxiety, enhance speech, and ensure success in relationships and marriage.

September birthstone – Sapphire

‘Sapphire’ comes from ’sappheiros’, the Greek word for ‘blue’. Sapphires include a beautiful range of blues, but they also come in all colours except red. Blue sapphires have been made popular by the engagement of Kate Middleton, and HRH Prince William of Wales. Pink sapphires have also become sought-after recently.

October birthstone – Opal

Each opal gemstone has a unique combination of fiery colours. The word ‘opal’ is derived from the Latin word ‘opalus’, meaning ‘precious stone.’ From ancient times opals have been highly prized.

November birthstone – Topaz or Citrine

The name ‘topaz’ comes from the Sanskrit word, ‘tapas’, meaning ‘fire’. The topaz is a tough gemstone, so you can wear it in any type of jewellery. A medieval belief was that topaz strengthened the mind. In the 1700s Egypt and Rome used to procure topazes from Sri Lanka (known as Ceylon).

Citrine is derived from the French word for ‘lemon’. Some ancient cultures thought that citrine protected the wearer against evil words and thoughts. The citrine gemstone can be found in a variety of yellows or orange/red or golden brown. Clear yellow to brownish red are popular colours with gem and jewellery enthusiasts.

December birthstone – Blue Topaz or Turquoise

Blue topaz is renowned for its uniquely blue clarity. There are different shades, such as ‘sky blue’, ‘Swiss blue’ and ‘London blue’. Most of the blue topaz gems you will encounter have been heat-treated; naturally blue topaz is extremely rare. The Ancient Greeks believed that topaz had the power to increase strength and make one invisible.

The gem turquoise was known to the earliest civilizations: the Egyptian pharaohs incorporated it into their jewellery, and the ancient Chinese carved it into ceremonial figurines. Blue gem turquoise was an accepted source of wealth in pre-Columbian America. The name ‘turquoise’ came into use in the 13th century, when a French trader bought this gem from a Turkish market.

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Where Do Pearls Come From?

February 22, 2011 By admin

Pearls are made naturally by molluscs such as oysters, clams and mussels. The pearl is formed when an irritant such as a grain of sand enters the mollusc shell. The mollusc wraps the grain in multiple layers of a translucent substance, giving the pearl its iridescent shimmer.
Pearls come in a variety of colours. There are normally white but can also be tinted in other colours; these are cream, pink, yellow, green, blue, brown, purple or black.
There are saltwater and freshwater pearls.
Saltwater pearls are formed by oysters in the ocean, usually in protected farms in lagoons. Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian are the three main kinds of saltwater pearls.
Akoya pearls, from Japan and now China, are small and consistently round.
South Sea pearls are large and range in colour from white and cream, to silver, pink, lavender and gold. Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Papua New Guinea and the Philippines are the main regions for cultivation.
Tahitian Black pearls are rare and therefore expensive. They are cultivated in the lagoons of French Polynesia and they come not only in black, but also in silver, grey, green, orange, gold, blue and purple.
Freshwater pearls are formed by freshwater mussels. They are popular because of the range of colours currently available, including lavender, pink and peach. China is today’s largest source of freshwater pearls, and cultivators there are constantly seeking to innovate and achieve the highest quality.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST, MOST EXPENSIVE PEARL EVER RECORDED?
The largest and most expensive natural gem-quality pearl ever recorded is the Arco Valley: a white irregular-shaped (baroque) pearl weighing 115 g, measuring 79 x 41 x 34 mm. This marvel in white, with pink and yellow overtones, has a thousand-year history. It once belonged to
Genghis Khan’s grandson, the Emperor Kublai Khan, who gave it to the Venetian adventurer, Marco Polo. History is hazy as to what happened to it after Marco Polo’s death, but it is documented in the 20th century as the property of an Austrian aristocratic family, the Arco-Valleys. In 2007 a collector from the United Arab Emirates offered $8 million for this amazing gem.
Another baroque beauty, the Hope Pearl, weighing 90 g and measuring 5 cm x 10 cm, with a hue of white at one end and greenish gold at the other, is now owned by the British Natural History Museum.
In 2001 Burmese officials reported the discovery of a natural saltwater pearl believed to be the biggest in the world. It is said to weigh 169 g and have a diameter of 6.2 cm. It was discovered in an oyster bed off the southern coast of Burma. No appraisal value has ever been disclosed.
1990 saw the discovery of the biggest natural Ear Shell mollusc pearl ever found. Known as the Big Pink Pearl, it is an irregular shape but weighs nearly 100 g. In 1991 it was valued at $4.7 million.

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Why is Giving an Engagement Ring a Tradition?

February 17, 2011 By admin

The Ancient Egyptians and Greeks loved wearing rings. The Romans gave rings as love tokens and offered gold rings during a betrothal ceremony.
By the 6th century AD exchanging betrothal rings and entering in to an obligation to marry had taken hold in Christian and Visigoth Europe.
In the late 15th century wealthy and powerful aristocrats were seeking to make the right impression on potential fiancées with gemstone engagement rings. Diamond cutters had just developed the techniques to make these gems more lustrous and attractive. We know for example that in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria offered a diamond engagement ring to his intended, Mary of Burgundy.
Wedding rings have always been central to Jewish and Christian wedding ceremonies. The symbolism of the ring is that the giver is bestowing wealth on the recipient, and there is also an element of love and blessing. In the 20th century it has become more common for the bride and groom to exchange wedding rings.
The tradition of placing the wedding ring on the bride’s fourth finger goes back to a belief in Roman times that a vein, known as the ‘vena amoris, ran from the heart directly to the fourth finger. This didn’t prevent 16th bridegrooms from placing the ring on their bride’s thumb.
WHAT TYPES OF RING DO YOU GIVE?
Since the 16th century in Western Europe wedding rings have been distinct from engagement rings.
The convention is that the man offers an engagement ring to his intended as part of the marriage proposal. The bride’s acceptance of the ring is taken to signify acceptance of the proposal. The popularity of diamond engagement rings owes much to an effective De Beers marketing campaign in the 1950s. At the time it was invariably the man who would choose and purchase the ring. More recently the tendency has been to choose the ring together. In some cases, each partner chooses a ring for the other.
Until the critical moment in the ceremony, the wedding ring is kept safe by the Best Man. Just ahead of the marriage rite, he gives this to the groom, and it is placed on the finger of the bride.

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Why Are Gold Prices So High?

February 14, 2011 By admin

People will always be attracted to the beauty of gold as an adornment, but few realise that since 2001 the price of gold has more than quadrupled. On 30th December 2010 the London Bullion Market price reached a record $1,411 an ounce. Some experts who watch the gold price talk of $1,600 an ounce in 2011 and $2,000 in a year or two.

It follows that higher gold prices result in increased gold jewellery prices.

The price of gold is largely determined by the relationship between demand (the rate at which consumers and investors purchase gold in the form of bullion or jewellery) and supply (the rate at which gold is extracted from mines or recovered from recycling). Another factor is the strength of the US dollar, one of the currencies used by the Bullion Market.

WHY ARE GOLD PRICES SO HIGH?
Prices are high because since 2001 the overall output from goldmines has fallen by 10%. China increased its yield by 62%, but two big producers, South Africa and Canada, halved their output over the same period. A small proportion of gold is being recovered from recycled jewellery, but this isn’t compensating for the decline in extraction.

Worldwide demand for gold exceeds supply. Uncertain economic times have led investors large and small to buy gold as a ‘safe haven’. In any year the purchase of gold jewellery accounts for two-thirds of annual consumption. In 2010 consumption in China increased by 8%, and experts predict that this will grow in the future. The recession has not affected the buoyancy of the Indian and Asian markets, where gold jewellery has always been highly prized.

Gold prices have also been affected by the weaker dollar and the impact of this on other currencies. In 2009 the ailing dollar made the OPEC countries consider buying gold as a stop-gap while they were looking for a different trading currency for their oil.

Ever-increasing gold prices make gold jewellery more expensive to produce. Jewellery makers and retailers will need to work hard and be creative to satisfy discerning customers.

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Silver: How It’s Made, And Why It’s Not Platinum

February 10, 2011 By admin

Silver is one of the most sought-after metals in the world. Though silver jewelry is considered as third or fourth in the list of must-have jewelries, silver is nevertheless hailed as one of the prettiest things that humans ever did see. In fact, some people even go so far as to believe that a piece of silver jewellery is better than gold, pearl, or diamond because it’s sleek, and it’s classic.

Silver is the end product of a long list of processes. Before you can have your silver jewellery, the silver must be separated from the ore first mainly through a process called the heap or cyanide leach. The ore is prepared, cyanide solution is added and the ore is cured, and the silver can then be recovered. This process, though relatively low-cost, can’t be applied to all silver ores because it calls for specific types of silver ores. The silver particles must be small, they must be free from contaminants like sulfide and others, and they must react well with cyanide. But, that does not change the fact that most mining companies employ the heap leach when it comes to harvesting the silver from the ores.

Silver is not only used to make silver jewelry. In the old times, silver was primarily used as coins and for creating silverware. Even at present, most investors have learned to widen their portfolio with gold and silver deposits since they have seen that those two precious metals will never go out of style. With the instability of paper currencies, too, backing up your assets in silver or gold is a very wise move. Also, silverware is a property that most families would pay an arm and a leg for. Their beauty never fade, and their usefulness can never be equaled.

Silver jewelry is often mistaken as platinum jewelry. The two are both precious metals, and they both seem to have the same physical characteristics. But, that isn’t entirely the case. There are differences between the two and knowing them might be helpful in the future, especially if you’re in the business of selling silver jewellery or platinum jewellery.

Silver has that characteristic gray and flat look, although that does not, of course, mean that silver is boring. Platinum has a more shiny feel to it. Many people even think that platinum is very shiny silver. During the earlier years, platinum was even perceived as white. That is because platinum really does have a certain ‘whiteness’ to it that silver will never be able to have.

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History of The Watch

February 8, 2011 By admin

Womens Watches

WHEN WAS THE WATCH INTRODUCED? WHO INVENTED THE WATCH?

In the 16th century highly inventive clockmakers created the prototypes of the watch. These resembled portable clocks and were available only to the extremely wealthy. In Nuremberg Peter Henlein refined a spring balance mechanism, enabling his watches to be smaller and more like the pocket watches that came later. In the eighteenth century a London watchmaker, Thomas Mudge, incorporated the level escapement, a mechanism enabling watches to keep time much more accurately.

The first women’s watch to be worn on the wrist was made as a piece of jewellery in 1844 by the Swiss watchmaker, Patek Phillipe and Company. At the time men preferred to carry pocket watches. The first men’s watch for the wrist had to wait until 1904 when the wealthy Brazilian aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont, complained to his friend, the jeweller and watchmaker, Louis Cartier, that a pocket watch was impractical for piloting an aeroplane. Cartier devised a flat watch with a leather band and a small buckle for the wrist. The ‘Carlos Santos-Dumont’ wristwatch was born, and went into general production in 1911.

WHAT ARE THE MOST FAMOUS BRANDS OF WATCH?

Rolex is the largest single watch brand and has to be the most renowned for luxury and status. Rolex is heavily endorsed by A-list stars and celebrities. The founders of the brand set up business in London in 1905 in London, but they first registered the trademark ‘Rolex’ in 1908, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Cartier is the second largest worldwide name for luxury watches. Louis Cartier took over his master jeweller’s workshop in 1847. By the early 1900s Cartier had achieved such renown that it became a purveyor of fine jewellery to an increasing number of crown heads of Europe and farther afield. In 1888 Cartier made a ladies’ jewellery bracelet watch. Following the launch of the ‘Santos’ wristwatches, in 1917 Cartier designers took unlikely inspiration from the World War I tank to make a line of watches that has also been in production ever since.

Technically intricate and finely crafted, Patek Phillipe watches have fetched the highest prices at auction. However, the price paid is often driven by the company itself, which is always seeking to build its collection in the Geneva Patek Museum. The Pateks had been in Geneva since 1839, and the Patek Phillipe Company was founded in 1851.

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Diamonds

February 8, 2011 By admin

Women and Diamonds

So many songs have been written about diamonds, so many movies have been made about them, and so many women have declared them as the highest proof of their partners’ love. All those have combined to make diamonds the most popular gem stone in the world. No other gem luster can rival that of diamond facets.

Diamonds are formed by carbon deep within the Earth’s crust. Yes, that means that they get formed at a very high temperature. But, this temperature should not exceed 2000 degrees in Fahrenheit for a diamond to be successfully formed. They get discovered when magma surges upward towards the Earth’s surface. When the magma cools down, it forms what is called a kimberlite or a lamproite – indications that diamonds may be present.

Because of the way that diamonds are formed, many people can’t quite understand why they have to be so expensive. After all, they are essentially just compressed carbon. But, like with anything else that is governed by the laws of economics in this world, supply and demand factor a lot in the way that diamonds are priced.

The law of supply and demand states that the rate of supply is in direct opposition with the demand. It is already established that people all over the world would do almost anything to get their hands on even just one piece of diamond jewellery. So, the very high demand for diamond facets paves the way for the steadily decreasing supply of those natural gem stones. Diamonds are quite rare, and they cannot be artificially produced by man. They have to naturally form so that men could make the most of their potentials. The process by which they form cannot be aided by humans, as well. So far, there have been no reports of diamond farms (where diamonds are made) ever cropping up on the planet.

Diamonds vary according to their colors. There are pink diamonds, yellow diamonds, white diamonds, green diamonds, blue diamonds, champagne diamonds, pink champagne diamonds and the black diamonds. All these have diamond facets that can dazzle any living soul. But, none of these diamonds are as interesting as the black diamonds. The black diamonds are quite different from the other diamonds because the way they are formed has not been quite agreed on by all scientists, and they have a rather different physical appearance. It has been speculated that they get formed by exposure to radiation of the fission of uranium and thorium or through the organic carbon conversion or the shock metamorphism of meteors hitting the Earth, and others. They have a more porous surface than the other diamonds, too. For all their controversial differences, though, black diamonds are hailed as one of the most sought-after types of diamonds in the world.