DOCSLIB.ORG

Val Baynton Sep 13.Qxp

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Val Baynton Sep 13.Qxp Diamonds Diamonds Series Part 4: Diamond Colour by Val Baynton For descriptive and for valuation purposes, diamond dealers Dresden Green was mounted to create an impressive hat ornament and is stored use what is known as ‘the 4Cs. These refer to cut, clarity, in the Green Vault at the Dresden Palace in Dresden, Germany. The Wittelsbach, colour and carat weight. In this final part of a series of four now called the Wittlesbach-Graff Diamond has recently, and controversially, articles examining the four Cs, Val Baynton looks at colour. been re-polished by its current owner Laurence Graff, and it has been on public Curiously, for diamonds the two extremes of colour, i.e. lack display alongside the Hope diamond in the Smithsonian. These diamonds are so of colour and intensity of colour, are both sought after by important because they provide a standard of an undisputedly naturally coloured diamond aficionados. gem, that more recently discovered coloured diamonds can be compared Many diamonds may appear colourless but, in fact, most against. Technology and science has developed so rapidly in recent years that it have a tint of yellow, and, since the mid 1950s, every is possible to manufacture coloured diamonds and for this reason it is important ‘colourless’ diamond has been graded against a colour scale to only buy stones that are properly certified. that was devised by the Gemological Institute of America Editor’s Note: The Hope diamond is only a small part of the original Tavernier (GIA). The scale was introduced to standardise the industry Blue. Its first known owner was the French gem merchant Jean Baptiste and because dealers were already using the letters of A, B and Tavernier. The histories of Tavernier’s journey’s suggest the gemstone origi- C, the scale begins at the letter D and progresses through the nated in India, in the Kollur mine in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh (at alphabet to Z. the time part of the Golconda kingdom), and was acquired in the seventeenth Diamonds graded D, E (both exceptional white) and F (rare century, before being sold to the ‘Sun King’, Louis XIV whence it became white), are the best quality, but the differences in tone between known as the French Blue. This fascinating story may be followed, from the the three categories are virtually impossible to distinguish seventeenth century to the Hope diamond on Wikipedia. except by experts. G (rare white) H, (white) I, or J grades (slightly tinted white), are still virtually colourless and so The definitive ‘C’ quality represent good value, especially if combined with good cut, Of the four Cs then, cut, colour, clarity or carat weight, which is the most clarity and/or carat weight. Grades K and L (tinted white) are important when buying a diamond? For me the cut is the clinching factor. The less good, whilst grades M to Z are referred to as ‘tinted diamond could be the most amazing carat size, but without the cut and the colour’, and the yellow shade is progressively more obvious, consummate skill of diamond cutters and jewellery makers in creating a even to the untrained eye. Diamonds can be graded by eye, but sparkling stone with perfect proportions to make the most of the individual and are more normally graded by examining clean stones through specific dimensions of the gem, the stone will be the poorer. Colour is clearly a their widest point and comparing them against a set of pre- vital factor and intensely coloured stones and pure colourless ones, are graded master stones. For colourless diamonds lack of colour incredibly desirable, but a diamond cutter is still needed to emphasise its is the prized quality and commands premium prices, whereas charms. Also, for most collectors, the prices of these incredibly rare stones are for coloured or fancy diamonds the opposite is true and the so high that consideration of purchase is not possible at all. Finally, clarity. more intense or vivid the shade, whether blue, yellow or pink, Inclusions are fascinating because they reveal so much about the way the stone the more the diamond is worth. has survived the incredible forces of nature but again an expert cutter is required Colour in diamonds is generally caused by impurities of to cut the stone in such a way that light is reflected to the very best, avoiding trace elements, which were present when the diamonds formed the inclusions and their potentially deadening effect on the reflection and millions of years ago deep below the earth’s surface. The most refraction of light through the stone. common impurity is nitrogen causing a yellow or even orange colour whilst boron results in a blue diamond. Other fancy The Colour Table diamonds can be green, caused by naturally occurring GIA - The Gemological Institute of America radiation reacting with the diamond over thousands of years, CIBJO - the World Jewellery Confederation whilst pink, purple or red diamonds develop as a result of a GIA UK Traditional CIBJO Comments defect or alteration in the atomic and internal structure of the stone whilst the diamond is being formed. Black diamonds are D Finest White Exceptional White + Colourless a result of numerous dark inclusions which prevent refraction E Finest White Finest White Virtually Colourless and dispersion of light and give the stones a dark appearance. Of all these shades blue, pink and yellow hues are generally F Fine White Rare White + Virtually Colourless considered to be the most desirable. G Fine White Rare White Virtually Colourless H White White Virtually Colourless Famous Coloured Diamonds. Coloured diamonds are much rarer than colourless ones and I Commercial White Slightly Tinted White Very Faint Colour large ones rarer still, so unsurprisingly there are several J Top Silver Cape Slightly Tinted White Very Faint Colour legendary stones that have interesting and often mysterious histories. Amongst the blue diamonds are the 45.52 carat Hope K TSC to Silver Cape Tinted White Faint Colour and the 35.56 carat Wittelsbach diamonds, whilst pink ones L Silver Cape Tinted White Faint Colour include La Grand Condé at 9.1 carats and amongst the green M Light Cape Tinted Colour increases with Grade varieties, the Dresden Green at 41 carats is an exceptional stone. All these legendary diamonds have had several, mainly N Light Cape Tinted Colour increases with Grade royal or aristocratic owners and provenances, along with O Cape Tinted Colour increases with Grade stories of derring-do, can be traced back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Three are now in museum collections: P Cape Tinted Colour increases with Grade the Hope in the Smithsonian Institute, to whom it was donated Q Cape Tinted Colour increases with Grade in 1958 by Harry Winston, the America diamond dealer and R Cape to Dark Cape Tinted Colour increases with Grade jeweller; La Grand Condé has pride of place in the Condé Museum, Château de Chantilly, Chantilly, France and the S-Z Dark Cape Tinted Deep Colour ANTIQUES INFO - September/October 13 Diamonds 7 11 16 21 Quality certified platinum & diamond ring, brilliant cut 18ct gold solitaire diamond 1 18ct gold solitaire diamond Pair of coloured diamond central diamond 1.03cts, ring, emerald cut diamond colour i-j, clarity VS, 3 The most expensive diamonds twist ring, brilliant cut single-stone ear-studs, round claw set in white gold to the smaller diamonds each side in our archives. Two-stone diamond claw set in white old brilliant-cut stones each yellow gold hoop, Anchor of shoulder, ring size O 1/2, diamond pendant, 4.96 carats gold to the yellow gold hoop, approx 8.25mm dia, fancy Certificate stating diamond Anchor Cert certificate comm- and 4.11 carats, highest GIA certificate stating: weight yellow and brown in rex claw weight as ‘1.03’, colour ‘K’ issioned by Cuttlestones. colour scale grading. Halls 4.3ct, clarity ‘I1’ and colour settings, certificate from Gem and clarity ‘VVS 2’, weight Cuttlestones, Penkridge. Mar Fine Art, Shrewsbury. Oct 10. ‘K’, weight approx 5gms. Testing Laboratory of Great approx 3gms. Halls, 13. HP: £2,100. ABP: £2,478. HP £180,000. ABP: £212,400. Halls, Shrewsbury. Oct 12. Britain stating yellow diamond Shrewsbury. Oct 12. HP: HP: £10,500. ABP: £12,390. weighs 2.37cts, is ‘fancy £1,350. ABP: £1,593. 1 yellow’ and ‘natural colour’. Bearne’s, Exeter. June 05. HP 2 8 £6,800. ABP: £8,104. 22 Stamped 18ct white gold 3 Rare diamond three stone Lady’s/gent’s diamond set stone diamond ring, 3 old cut ring, 3.6 cts, internally 12 ring, 6 channel set rows of Good quality old European diamonds approx 0.97ct, flawless, colour grade D. baguette cut stones on heavy cushion cut diamond solitaire Diamond solitaire ring, 0.65ct, 0.55ct, claw set to Dreweatt Neate, Donnington. tapering white gold shank, ring set in 18ct white gold brilliant cut stone 1.09cts, knife edge shoulders, recent July 06. HP £56,000. 154 stones, total approx 6.93 mount, 4 double claw collet, claw set to 2 shoulders each valuation for insurance cts, colour assessed as G-H, knife edge shoulder shank, pave set 3 small diamonds, assessing diamonds as I-J clarity assessed VS-SI, white weight 2.93ct, size 9.76 x unmarked plain white metal colour, I1 clarity. Frank gold, cast setting with very 8.89 x 4.73 mm, clarity SI2, shank, size L 1/2, with BGI Marshall, Knutsford. Mar 13. minor gaps at ends where colour N/O, total weight 5.1 certificate stating diamond is HP: £1,100. ABP: £1,298. 3 stones meet metal, tested 18ct, grams, ring size O, hallmark colour grade E, clarity A6.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Wittelsbach-Graff and Hope Diamonds: Not Cut from the Same Rough
    THE WITTELSBACH-GRAFF AND HOPE DIAMONDS: NOT CUT FROM THE SAME ROUGH Eloïse Gaillou, Wuyi Wang, Jeffrey E. Post, John M. King, James E. Butler, Alan T. Collins, and Thomas M. Moses Two historic blue diamonds, the Hope and the Wittelsbach-Graff, appeared together for the first time at the Smithsonian Institution in 2010. Both diamonds were apparently purchased in India in the 17th century and later belonged to European royalty. In addition to the parallels in their histo- ries, their comparable color and bright, long-lasting orange-red phosphorescence have led to speculation that these two diamonds might have come from the same piece of rough. Although the diamonds are similar spectroscopically, their dislocation patterns observed with the DiamondView differ in scale and texture, and they do not show the same internal strain features. The results indicate that the two diamonds did not originate from the same crystal, though they likely experienced similar geologic histories. he earliest records of the famous Hope and Adornment (Toison d’Or de la Parure de Couleur) in Wittelsbach-Graff diamonds (figure 1) show 1749, but was stolen in 1792 during the French T them in the possession of prominent Revolution. Twenty years later, a 45.52 ct blue dia- European royal families in the mid-17th century. mond appeared for sale in London and eventually They were undoubtedly mined in India, the world’s became part of the collection of Henry Philip Hope. only commercial source of diamonds at that time. Recent computer modeling studies have established The original ancestor of the Hope diamond was that the Hope diamond was cut from the French an approximately 115 ct stone (the Tavernier Blue) Blue, presumably to disguise its identity after the that Jean-Baptiste Tavernier sold to Louis XIV of theft (Attaway, 2005; Farges et al., 2009; Sucher et France in 1668.
    [Show full text]
  • September 27, 2020: Diamond Consciousness
    Today's Thoughts: September 27, 2020: Diamond Consciousness The Hope Diamond is a large, 45.52-carat deep-blue diamond, now housed in the National Gem and Mineral collection at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Estimated value: $200–$250 million USD. Mine of origin: Kollur mine, Guntur District, India. Diamond Consciousness When you look at the world through your physical eyes, you will see all the facets of our diversity: culture, race, personality, religion and so on. Seeing only through your physical eyes, it is easy to become stubborn and to try to prove yourself right. However where there is stubbornness there is no love. And trying to prove the self-right is equally offensive. A diamond will sparkle even in the dust; you do not ever need to prove that you are right. In the face of the dangers that come from seeing only with the physical eyes, always think: now is the time to go beyond all divisions, beyond all that limits us and our sense of self. Whatever the race, the religion, the class - our consciousness now has to go beyond all of that. Seven Techniques To Let Go Off The Past (Part 2) Positive Information and Intoxication - The more we listen or read positive and constructive spiritual knowledge, even if it is for 10 minutes daily, and imbibe (absorb) it, the more our negative memories fade into the background. Also the regular input of knowledge lifts our consciousness to a higher level and gives us an experience of intoxication or spiritual bliss, in which the memory of our past sorrows and negative experiences gets dissolved.
    [Show full text]
  • The Glorifying History of Golconda Fort
    High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 The Glorifying History of Golconda Fort Dr.K.Karpagam, Assistant Professor, Department of History, D.G.Government Arts College for Women, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam District – 609001 Abstract India is a vast country with a lot of diversity in her physical and social environment. We see people around us speaking different languages, having different religions and practising different rituals. We can also see these diversities in their food habits and dress patterns. Besides, look at the myriad forms of dance and music in our country. But within all these diversities there is an underlying unity which acts as a cementing force. The intermingling of people has been steadily taking place in India over centuries. A number of people of different racial stock, ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs have settled down here. Let us not forget that the composite and dynamic character of Indian culture is a result of the rich contributions of all these diverse cultural groups over a long period of time. The distinctive features of Indian culture and its uniqueness are the precious possession of all Indians. Significance : The art and architecture of a nation is the cultural identity of the country towards the other countries and that's why the country which has a beach art and architecture is always prestigious to the other countries. The architecture of India is rooted in its history, culture and religion. Among a number of architectural styles and traditions, the contrasting Hindu temple architecture and Indo- Islamic architecture are the best known historical styles. Both of these, but especially the former, have a number of regional styles within them.
    [Show full text]
  • The Diamonds of India Philip Scalisi Bridgewater State College, [email protected]
    Bridgewater Review Volume 10 | Issue 1 Article 4 Oct-1992 The Diamonds of India Philip Scalisi Bridgewater State College, [email protected] Recommended Citation Scalisi, Philip (1992). The Diamonds of India. Bridgewater Review, 10(1), 3-7. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/br_rev/vol10/iss1/4 This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. ESSAY The Diamonds ofIndia By Philip Scalisi The richest and most famous mines are those at Kollur on the Krishna River in the former State of Golconda. This locali­ ty was referred to as Gani Coulour (Per­ sian for Kollur Mine) by Tavernier. He reported that this diamond deposit was discovered in 1560 by an accidental find of a 25-carat stone and was worked by as many as 60,000 people. He also reported that the best stones had a green crust, but "when cut they proved to be white and of India was the world's primary source of very beautiful water." The workings were diamonds from the seventh century B.C. quite shallow and the diamond-bearing until 1728 A.D., when diamonds were horizon was approximately one foot thick. discovered in Brazil. During this period, The Koh-i-nur, Great Mogul, and Hope many of the largest and finest gems were diamonds are among those reputedly found. Both Greek and Roman writers found at Kollur. The workings are ex­ (Pliny, Ptolemy, etc.) refer to Indian dia­ hausted and now completely deserted. mond sources. The earliest Sanskrit ac­ The city of Golconda was the capital of On the north bank of the Krishna River, counts of diamonds occur in the Maha­ the medieval state of Golconda, formerly east of Chintapilly, are the Partial mines.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer 2010 Gems & Gemology
    G EMS & G VOLUME XLVI SUMMER 2010 EMOLOGY S UMMER 2010 P AGES 79–164 V OLUME The Wittelsbach-Graff and Hope Diamonds . Opals from Ethiopia—and Madagascar 46 Composite Turquoise . Microtomography of Pearls . A New Gem, Hibonite N O. 2 THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA EXPERTISE THAT SPREADS CONFIDENCE. Because Public Education AROUND THE WORLD AND AROUND THE CLOCK. Happens at the Counter. ISRAEL 5:00 PM GIA launches Retailer Support Kit and website Cutter checks parameters online with GIA Facetware® Cut Estimator. NEW YORK 10:00 AM GIA Master Color Comparison Diamonds confi rm color quality of a fancy yellow. CARLSBAD 7:00 AM MUMBAI 7:30 PM Laboratory technicians calibrate Staff gemologist submits new fi ndings on measurement devices before coated diamonds to GIA global database. the day’s production begins. HONG KONG 10:00 PM Wholesaler views grading results and requests additional services online at My Laboratory. JOHANNESBURG5:00 PM Diamond graders inscribe a diamond and issue a GIA Diamond Dossier® A $97.00 value, shipping and handling extra. All across the planet, GIA labs and gemological reports are creating a common language for accurate, unbiased gemstone evaluation. From convenient locations in major gem centers, to frontline detection of emerging treatments and synthetics, GIA’s Retailer Support Kit has been developed to help to online services that include ordering, tracking, and report previews — GIA is pioneering the technology, tools and talent sales associates educate the public about diamonds, that not only ensure expert service, but also advance the public trust in gems and jewelry worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • Download 1 File
    ^«' Boston University College of Liberal Arts Library Graduate School THE GREAT DIAMONDS OF THE WORLD. THE GREAT DIAMONDS OF THE WORLD. THEIR HISTORY AND ROMANCE. COLLECTED FROM OFFICIAL, PRIVATE AND OTHER SOURCES, DURING MANY YEARS OF CORRESPONDENCE AND INQUIRY. BY EDWIN W. STREETHR, " Precious Stones Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society ; Author of and Gems ;" Gold Medallist of the Royal Order of Frederic ; Holder of a Special Gold Medal from H.M. the King of the Belgians. " THF. MS. OF THE KOH-I-NUr" GRACIOUSLV READ & APPROVED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. " THE ACCOUNTS OF THE " PITT AND THE " EUGENIE" REVISED BY HER MAJESTY THE EMPRESS EUGENIE., EDITED AND ANNOTATED BY JOSEPH HATTON and A. H. KEANE. LONDON : PUBLISHED BY GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. HowLETT & Son, Printers, io. Frith Street, Soho, London, W PREFACE. ->x«. HIS book is a romance of truth. The trite " proverb that fact is stranger than fiction,' was never better illustrated than it is in the following chapters. Some of the incidents in the imaginary career of Sinbad the Sailor may be accepted as modest facts compared with the histories of several of the great diamonds of the world. It is true that in the narratives of such stones as the " " " Koh-i-Nur," the Great Mogul," the Taj-e-Mah," the " Pitt," and other famous gems, fable has crept in, as if to try a bout, in romantic revelation, with fact. Oriental fancy has strewn the lurid history of the diamond with but much traditionary gloom ; human invention is outdone by the reality of human depravity and human woes.
    [Show full text]
  • Kohinoor LATIN
    Kohinoor LATIN Name: Kohinoor Kohinoor Latin is an elegant, low contrast Classification: Sans Serif humanist sans-serif suitable for both body Designer: Satya Rajpurohit and the display text. Kohinoor Latin comes Designed in: 2010 in 5 upright styles with their complementary Styles: 5 Romans + 5 Italics italics. Also part of the Kohinoor super family are further families covering the major Indian www.indiantypefoundry.com scripts, which are part of the MacOs system. — The Latin companion to ITF’s Kohinoor super family Kohinoor Kohinoor Latin is an elegant, low contrast humanist sans- serif suitable for both body and the display text. Kohinoor Latin comes in 5 upright styles with their complementary italics. Also part of the Kohinoor super family are further families covering the major Indian scripts, which are part of the MacOs. ITF — KOHINOOR LATIN WEIGHTS OVERVIEW ROMANS ITALICS 6 7 8 9 1 10 2 3 4 5 1 Kohinoor Light 6 Kohinoor Light Italic 2 Kohinoor Book 7 Kohinoor Book Italic 3 Kohinoor Demi 8 Kohinoor Demi Italic 4 Kohinoor Medium 9 Kohinoor Medium Italic 5 Kohinoor Bold 10 Kohinoor Bold Italic ITF — KOHINOOR LATIN WEIGHTS OVERVIEW LIGHT LIGHT ITALIC Mulletproøfed Balcōny Çaroŧ gamomaniacs Quirky spud boys can jam after zapping twenty-four worthy Polysixes. Astronomers announce the identification of GN-z11, the most distant BOOK BOOK ITALIC abandonment Cŷclopèntëne Kuŋdi Maŗble WHY SHOULDN’T A QUIXOTIC KAZAKH VAMPIRE JOG BAREFOOT? THE GROUND IS 2 MILES FROM LIVERPOOL LIME STREET RAILWAY noncommuter DEMI DEMI ITALIC School Parity Controvėrsial dumbfounded Bored? Craving a pub quiz fix? Why, just come to the Royal Soaker! Many fonts named Garamond are actually based on Jean Jannon’s MEDIUM MEDIUM ITALIC Mâth Ħerétic Senior Kazen Įlinkdama fechtuotojo špaga sublykčiojusi pragręžė apvalų arbūzą.
    [Show full text]
  • CHARACTERIZING NATURAL-COLOR TYPE IIB BLUE DIAMONDS by John M
    CHARACTERIZING NATURAL-COLOR TYPE IIB BLUE DIAMONDS By John M. King, Thomas M. Moses, James E. Shigley, Christopher M. Welbourn, Simon C. Lawson, and Martin Cooper Although rarely encountered, blue dia- ecause of their great beauty and rarity, blue dia- monds are among the most famous, and monds are both intriguing and highly valued (fig- most distinctive, of fine gemstones. To bet- ure 1). Such important historic diamonds as the ter understand these unique gems, more BHope, the Blue Heart (also called the Unzue or Eugénie Blue), than 400 were studied at the GIA Gem and the Idol’s Eye have greatly added to the fascination and Trade Laboratory over several years to mystery surrounding blue diamonds throughout history. reveal additional information about the In recent years, auction sales have also placed blue dia- relationships between their color, clarity, and other gemological properties. The over- monds in the forefront of industry interest. The current whelming majority of natural-color blue record per-carat price paid for a blue diamond at auction, diamonds are type IIb. The color appear- $569,000, was set in November 1995, for a 4.37 ct Fancy Deep ance varies widely from light to dark, but blue oval shape which sold at Christie’s Geneva. Only three there is a limited range of color saturation. diamonds have sold at auction for higher per-carat prices; As a result, color appearance between indeed, of the 10 highest per-carat prices paid for colored dia- neighboring GIA GTL color grades can be monds at auction, six have been for blue diamonds (World subtle.
    [Show full text]
  • Diamond Mining Industry
    IJRESS Volume 5, Issue 4 (April, 2015) (ISSN 2249-7382) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences (IMPACT FACTOR – 4.992) DIAMOND INDUSTRY AND TRADE IN MEDIEVAL ANDHRA (From 14th to 17th Centuries) Dr. Kolipaka Srinivas Assistant Professor in History Govt. Degree College, Parkal, Warangal, Telangana The mining industry is an important industry in India and particularly in Andhradesa during AD 1300 to 1600 AD. Various mines worked between 14th to 17th century in Andhradesa under Vijayanagara and Qutb Shahi rule. The Diamond mines were played a great role in the Andhradesa. The Qutb Shahi and Vijayanagara rulers encouraged mining industry and provided royalties to mines for digging the metal in various regions of Andhra. DIAMOND MINING INDUSTRY: Diamond mining, diamond cutting and diamond setting flourished as an important industry during the medieval Andhra under Vijayanagara and Qutb Shahis period. Diamond is the corrupted form of damant. A naturally crystallised, pure carbon piece of substance is importance to industry because it is the hardest substance known, used in rock drills, tools for cutting glass and as andorasine powder. A clear flawless piece of this stone valued as a precious gem of great refraction power, especially after being cut and polished, is used as an article of jewellery especially for engagement rings. Most of the travellers, who visited Vijayanagara and Golconda, unanimously accepted and acclaimed that large internationally reputed diamond mines were located in the three regions of Vijayanagara and Golconda kingdoms viz. Karnataka on the banks of rivers Krishna and Godavari and some parts of Rayalaseema. Under the Vijayanagara regime also, the diamond mining industry flourished.
    [Show full text]