W
hat is DiamondDiamond is a colourless exceptionally hard mineral (but often tinted yellow, orange, blue, brown, or black by impurities), found in certain igneous rocks esp. the kimberlites of South Africa. It is used as a gemstone, as an abrasive, and on the working edges of cutting tools. Composition: carbon. Formula: C. Crystal structure: cubic. Name derived from the Greek adamas meaning invincible. Relative density 3.50- 3.52. Cleavage eminent along octahedral faces. Fracture conchoidal. Tenacity brittle. Lustre brilliantly adamantine. Refractive index 2.417- 2.419. Birefringence and pleochroism: none (cubic). Dispersion strong 0.044. Diamond crystals form as cubes, octahedra , the most common gem form, and dodecahedra. Colourless to yellow diamonds which have a strong absorbtion line in the violet end of the spectrum are members of the Cape series.
Where is it found?
The most famous diamond bearing country is South Africa. The first diamond was reported in 1866. By 1869 an 83.5 carat diamond had been found and was named The Star of Africa. It was subsequently cut into a pear shape brilliant weighing 47.74 carats. The Golconda area of Southern India has been the source of some famous diamonds such as the Koh-i-nor (mountain of light 186cts cut to 108.92 cts and now in the Tower of London) and Jehangir. Diamond is widespread in Brazil, most stones being small but of good gem quality. Alluvial diamonds have been found in most states of the USA. White and fancy coloured diamonds such as pinks and pinkish browns are mined at Argyle in North Western Australia. Other important producers are Russia, now the fourth largest producer, and China.
Yellow rough Diamond
(108ct weight)
A large rough Diamond
Heart shape cut Diamond
HOW DIAMONDS ARE FORMED
CENTENARY Diamond - 273.85ct D-colour flawless
The world's largest D-colour flawless diamond, taking 3 years to facet in the late '80s. Gabi Tolkowsky removed 50 carats by hand into 500 carats initally so as not to heat or vibrate the diamond (which might have destroyed it). The result is 247 facets of pure beauty (shaped like the turban of a maharajah), of which there are 3 replicas allowed by the eventual owner. 2 are in museums, and 1 is always in Gabi's pocket. Interestingly, Gabi's hair turned entirely white during the 3 years it took to polish this diamond.
The Pink Sunrise - 29.79ct
This diamond was named when Gabi was flying over China and awoke to the morning sunlight in the airplane, and he saw the pink colour of the sky, which coincided with the colour of this diamond. Hence, he named it the Pink Sunrise, the 6th largest fancy pink diamond in the world. This diamond pays homage to the CENTENARY in its facetting pattern.
This diamond was named when Gabi was flying over China and awoke to the morning sunlight in the airplane, and he saw the pink colour of the sky, which coincided with the colour of this diamond. Hence, he named it the Pink Sunrise, the 6th largest fancy pink diamond in the world. This diamond pays homage to the CENTENARY in its facetting pattern.
The ORANGE TREE - 3.30 ctThis highly unusual diamond was spotted by Gabi, and he peered into the rough diamond and discovered that this diamond had a banding of orange colour in the outside of the diamond and a "core" of white diamond inside. He then minimally facetted the diamond into the shape of an "Orange Tree". This diamond is unique in the world, and cannot be replicated.
GOLDEN JUBILEE - 545.67ct
This diamond, initially mined at 755 carats was considered the "Ugly Duckling" and was used as a test subject for Gabi to experiment on new materials and techniques with which to polish the CENTENARY. Surprisingly, the final 545.67ct diamond became the largest polished diamond in a fire-rose cushion cut. The diamond was purchased by a group of Thai businessmen, and presented to King Bhumibol during his 50th anniversary of his reign - hence the name Golden Jubilee.
This diamond, initially mined at 755 carats was considered the "Ugly Duckling" and was used as a test subject for Gabi to experiment on new materials and techniques with which to polish the CENTENARY. Surprisingly, the final 545.67ct diamond became the largest polished diamond in a fire-rose cushion cut. The diamond was purchased by a group of Thai businessmen, and presented to King Bhumibol during his 50th anniversary of his reign - hence the name Golden Jubilee.
Kite Diamond - 17.65ct fancy reddish brown
This unusual diamond is a piece of history, having been used as a test case for Gabi to test his new materials, polishing tools and techniques before being applied on the CENTENARY (which is valued at US$100 million). Had he broken the CENTENARY, he said, he would have been the most famous diamond cutter of all time... NOT.
This unusual diamond is a piece of history, having been used as a test case for Gabi to test his new materials, polishing tools and techniques before being applied on the CENTENARY (which is valued at US$100 million). Had he broken the CENTENARY, he said, he would have been the most famous diamond cutter of all time... NOT.
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