Showing posts with label Diamond. Show all posts

What Are The Differences Between Natural And Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds have become increasingly popular over the last few years. While they’ve been around since the 50s, they’ve only recently become widely available and affordable. Alongside being less expensive, lab-grown diamonds are also more ethical and sustainable.

But despite their growing popularity, some remain sceptical of their quality and durability. For many, there’s still a strong preference for natural diamonds. But what’s the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds? Are there any reasons to choose one over the other?

diamond rings


If you’re planning to propose, looking for a wedding ring or searching for a unique gift, you’ll probably need to choose between natural and lab-grown diamonds. This guide will give you the lowdown on the differences and help you decide which is right for you.

What is a natural diamond?

Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle at high temperatures and pressures. Geological processes such as plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions carry them to the surface. Once a diamond rises to the Earth's surface, it's mined and cut to create the diamonds we recognise.

A natural diamond is a mineral of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice. Diamonds are the hardest known material on Earth. While diamonds are best known for their use in jewellery, many industries use them.

The type and amount of impurities present in the crystal structure determine the colour of a diamond. The most common colours are yellow, brown, and white, but you can also find blue, green, red, and pink diamonds.

What is a lab-grown diamond?

Unsurprisingly, a lab-grown diamond is a diamond created in a laboratory. Creating a lab-grown diamond is similar to how natural diamonds form. The process uses high pressure and high temperature to compress carbon atoms into a diamond crystal.

But the creation of lab-grown diamonds takes a fraction of the time natural diamonds take to form — usually a few months. As a result, lab-grown diamonds are becoming a popular alternative to natural diamonds. As well as being more environmentally friendly, lab-grown diamonds are often less expensive.
So, what’s the difference?

With lab-grown diamonds becoming increasingly popular and affordable, more people are choosing them over natural diamonds. But beyond how they’re made, what are the differences between these two types of diamonds?

Appearance

Let’s be honest, it’s the appearance of a diamond that matters most when we’re buying jewellery. Lab-grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds physically and chemically. They offer the same beauty, durability, and clarity that has made diamonds one of the most popular gemstones in the world.

You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference with the naked eye, and even some experts struggle. So if you’re buying a diamond ring for an engagement or as a gift, there’s very little chance anyone will be able to tell the difference — unless you tell them.

Value

Natural diamonds are much rarer, giving them a higher market value. Natural diamonds also have slight colour variations that impact their value. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are usually perfectly colourless.

It’s also important to note that natural diamonds have been used for centuries as a symbol of love and commitment, whereas lab-grown diamonds are a relatively new phenomenon. As a result, natural diamonds tend to carry more emotional value.
Sustainability and ethics

Natural diamonds form over millions of years. They are then mined from the Earth and cut into the gems we love. The problem with natural diamonds is that mining can be destructive to the environment. But there are also ethical issues surrounding natural diamonds. These issues include violence and child labour.

On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory using advanced technology. While this process requires a significant amount of energy, it does not harm the environment as mining does. Plus, most lab-grown diamonds are ethically sourced since they are manufactured rather than mined.

Choosing between natural or lab-grown diamonds

For many people, the choice between a lab-created diamond and a natural diamond comes down to price. Lab-created diamonds are often less expensive, which makes them a more budget-friendly option.

But ultimately, whether to buy a lab-created or a natural diamond is a personal one. There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons before making a purchase.

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Where To Buy Diamond Jewellery At The Best Prices

Diamonds they say are a girls' best friend. They are also very expensive. If you are looking to buy diamond jewellery for yourself or a loved one there are certain places that you can get a bargain. After all, no one likes to waste money. So let's look at where you can buy jewellery at the best prices.

Online
You can buy diamond jewellery online at a number of websites. Buying online means it's easy to shop around for a bargain. Compare diamond quality with the 5 C's which are Cut, Colour, Carat, Clarity and Certification. For a real bargain lookout for sales such as Black Friday and Boxing Day sales. You can also check out user reviews online to see what others are saying about the company. Buying online is particularly good if you are looking for a choice from a range of diamond engagement rings.  

Buying from an online site such as MJjewels means you can benefit from even greater protection under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, as you have 14 days to return your products.  MJjewels extends this for you by having a policy that allows you to return your products within 30 days of buying them. The only exception to this is made to order items. The quality of jewellery on the MJjewels website is exceptional, especially at the price points they have. 

Charity stores

If you are open-minded about the style of jewellery you may find, It's worth asking at your local charity store if they have any fine jewellery in stock. Sometimes charity stores get goods from people who are deceased or house clearances and may have jewellery in stock that they have in a cabinet or under the counter. Staff, many of who are volunteers, are not experts in jewellery and you may find something that they have priced at a low rate, and maybe even diamond jewellery. It's worth visiting your local charity store and having a browse. You never know what you are going to find. 

Antique Fairs 

Antique fairs are great places to buy diamond jewellery of the vintage or antique nature. This means you will often find something unique and different that no one else will have. Prices can vary but if you know what you are looking for you can grab a diamond jewellery bargain. A true antique is an item that is typically over 100 years of age while a vintage item is often thought of as over 50 years of age, however can be over 20 years of age. Another benefit of buying an antique or vintage piece of diamond jewellery is that the craftsmanship is usually very high. 

Auctions

If you want to find an item of diamond jewellery at a bargain price, it is worth checking out an auction site. Before you buy be sure to read about the item first in the auction guide and look at photos either online or in the guide. If the auction site is local to you you may be able to see the item in person. This will help you check the new or vintage jewellery for any damage or flaws which could affect its price. You can buy antique and vintage jewellery this way as well as new diamond jewellery such as diamond bracelets from stores that have closed down, and you may get a bargain. Think about how much you can bid before the auction and try not to get carried away and bid too much if you want a bargain. 

I hope you found this article informative. Buying high quality diamond jewellery at great price points is not impossible. It just requires a bit of time and effort to find the right store that fits your needs. As you can see you can find a real diamond jewellery bargain if you shop around. From engagement rings to eternity rings and diamond necklaces to diamond earrings, you can get diamond jewellery at the best prices if you put time and effort into sourcing them. 

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Synthetic Diamonds vs. Mined Diamonds: How Do They Compare?

Laboratory-grown diamonds, aka synthetic diamonds, are an ethical alternative to their mined counterparts. But how do they compare when you look at them both side by side? This is an advertorial.

Gemstones made in a lab are actually identical to mined diamonds in terms of chemical, physical, and optical properties. Why is this you ask? Before we dive into the similarities and differences between synthetic diamonds and mined diamonds, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how diamonds are made.

How are diamonds made?



Whether it’s through a man-made process or a natural earth process, diamonds are made from pure carbon that has been exposed to extreme heat and temperatures. The only difference is that deep within the earth’s mantle, samples of carbon are exposed to these elements over a period of thousands of years or more.

Laboratory diamonds, on the other hand, are grown from pure carbon through the exposure of the sample to extreme heat in excess of 2000o C and pressure in excess of 60,000 atmospheres. Also, lab-made diamonds are fully grown in as little as four to 8 weeks.

Given the fact that lab diamonds and mined diamonds are both composed of pure carbon atoms aligned in a hexagonal crystal lattice - it’s only natural that people wonder which option is better? Keep reading as I uncover the differences between mined and lab-grown diamonds and the special attributes of synthetic diamonds that make them such an appealing option in today’s market.

Breaking down the differences between lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds


As stated earlier, when it comes to the chemical composition of the two types of diamonds, they are the same. However, there are a couple of differences that can be detected. Contrary to popular belief though, these subtle differences make lab-grown diamonds the superior contender.

What are the differences between mined diamonds and synthetic diamonds?
  • Diamond manufacturers, such as Heart in Diamond, have the ability to create diamonds with a higher level of clarity than diamonds that were plucked from the earth.
  • A diamond that comes from the ground naturally has many different internal and sometimes rather noticeable flaws. This decreases its level of clarity, but it also helps make the diamond unique.
  • The inclusions, or small imperfections, on a mined diamond are slightly different than the inclusions on a synthetic diamond. Generally speaking, the synthetic diamond will have fewer imperfections due to the controlled process of manufacturing the diamond. However, many of these inclusions are internal and others cannot be seen with the naked eye, so the only way to get a thorough assessment is by having the diamond graded.
  • The growth morphology, or the shape the diamond takes according to the environment where they are created, can be different in synthetic gemstones versus mined diamonds.

In what ways are lab diamonds superior to mined diamonds?




  • Synthetic diamonds cost approximately 30% less than the gemstones from the ground.
  • Lab-grown diamonds are shinier and clearer because they have fewer imperfections. Learn more about lab-grown diamonds here.
  • No one would ever be able to tell that you have a synthetic diamond because it is still a real diamond. Only an expert with complex testing equipment would be able to distinguish the difference.
  • Lab-grown gemstones are the only eco-friendly option. You can feel good about buying a real diamond that was not plucked from the earth by a child who is forced to work under inhumane conditions in a war-struck country (as is the case for many mined diamonds). Furthermore, extensive mines have damaged entire ecosystems and devastated the earth.
  • Because companies, such as Heart in Diamond, can make the stones from the cremated ashes or hair of a loved one, these come with a heavy emotional load. By having the carbon from a loved one used to grow the diamond, you’re left with an authentic gemstone unique according to the chemical make-up of the carbon sample.
Conclusion


So which option is better? For value for money and quality, the answer is clear. Scientists who work at diamond-growing laboratories aim for 100% purity when making these gems and will not sell anything that is less than 99.5%. This results in a diamond that is harder, purer, clearer, and shinier than mined diamonds. Shop for synthetic diamonds today and choose the shape, colour, and setting for your diamond to have a creation customized specifically for you.

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Diamond Alternatives That Won’t Break the Bank

Getting to own a diamond piece of jewellery is something special many women attain to, after all, they say diamonds are a girl's best friends. Diamonds have a rarity, beauty and brilliance that is almost unmatched in the gemstone world. 

However, diamonds can be expensive and out of the reach of many people. Did you know that there are inexpensive diamond alternatives available though? Check out sites such as the online jewellery store in Melbourne for stunning diamond jewellery and gemstone alternatives. This is an ad.

 If you are looking for a pocket-friendly diamond alternative, here are fantastic colourless alternatives to diamonds worth considering.

 Moissanite 

Here's one among of many alternatives you could consider having. It offers an exceptional crystal-clear brilliance that's a great alternative to a diamond. It is its own unique gemstone that reflects light very well.

With this diamond substitute, you get assured of never losing its optical features over time. It's durable and has a fire and brilliance that is unbeaten, however, it isn't as cheap as some alternatives.

 Cubic Zirconia 

The cubic zirconia or CZ is another widespread diamond imitation on the market. It's a popular alternative as the gem portrays almost similar properties to mined diamonds.

The CZ is a laboratory-grown stone that depicts brilliance as well as a colourless attribute. However, you need to be aware of the cloud effect that may appear over a given period. Such a diamond alternative will offer you great value as it mimics the appearance of a natural diamond and you can a CZ piece extremely cheaply. It's a great alternative if you want a large diamond looking ring at pocket money prices.

 Colourless zircon 

Here's a beautiful alternative to diamond that you can have that is affordable and has impressive features. The colourless zircon makes the perfect centre stone for any ring as it has high refraction, sparkling in the light and a well-cut zircon stone can rival a diamond in look

 It also can have flashes of colour called fire which makes it a little different to other diamond alternatives. 

 White topaz

 White topaz is a colourless form of topaz, a silicate mineral and is a naturally occurring gemstone. It can often be mistaken for diamond due to his lack of colour and its lustre. Whilst topaz does come in a range of colours, but in it's the purest form it is actually colourless which makes it a great diamond alternative.

 White topaz is durable and is a great option if you want a real naturally occurring gemstone substitute to diamond.

 Opal

Opals are a unique natural substance. Defined as non-crystallised minerals made by silicon dioxide combined with water, the best thing about opals is their brilliance and range of colours. They can be white or translucent and this makes them a good alternative to a diamond.

Opals have a couple of drawbacks. They are porous substances so if you have an item of opal jewellery, do not use perfume or hairspray around them, as they will lose their lustre. They also aren't as hard as other diamond alternatives so are best used in earrings and necklaces, not in rings that are worn every day.

As you can see there are several diamond alternatives that won't break the bank. What do you think of my ideas?

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I'm In Diamond Heaven With Cardiff's New Jeweller

Cardiff has a new diamond jeweller - Diamond Heaven. I was invited along recently to check out the diamond jewellery and see what the company has to offer the shoppers in Cardiff.


The company, Diamond Heaven, established itself in 2004, and since then their bespoke diamond jewellery has been delighting customers around the UK, first online and then through a number of stores.  Now a welcome presence on the high street in Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Manchester, the Cardiff store recently opened and is the newest addition in St David's shopping centre.


The Cardiff store is chic and stylish, much like the jewellery they have on offer. Selling a range of diamond and gemstone jewellery from a few hundred pounds to thousands of pounds, the most expensive item in store, is a stunning diamond necklace, just under £30,000. Now that's a necklace!


There are plenty of items of jewellery though if you don't have a spare £30,000. I think I fell in love a little with this emerald cut diamond ring in a halo setting.


With an emerald cut ring, the stone has to be of good quality as you would see any imperfections easily with the naked eye. This ring didn't disappoint. It sparkled well and really caught the light. A modern take on an engagement ring it would also be perfect for an anniversary ring or a dress ring too. Priced at £6500 for 1.4cts of diamond it certainly is an eye-catching ring any bride would love. 

A very classicly designed engagement ring and their most popular style is this 4 claw diamond solitaire ring above. The ring featured has a brilliant cut diamond of 1.7ct and retails at £10,500. Simple, stylish, beautiful. 


Of course, with all the diamond rings on sale, you are assured of the highest quality stones, with independent certifications from the likes of GIA and other top diamond laboratories, giving you peace of mind and informing you of the 4 C's - Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.  

Diamond Heaven also sell loose diamonds and different settings so you can make your own bespoke ring as well. A number of loose diamonds are available in store but if you want something specific they can source diamonds too. Jewellery is made in their workshop in Birmingham and in less than two weeks a gorgeous bespoke item is yours to adore.  Of course, it's good to know that all diamonds sold are ethical diamonds that adhere to the Kimberley process to ensure they are conflict-free. 


 As well as diamond engagement rings and dress rings, Diamond Heaven have a range of diamond earrings. These diamond earrings above are set with baguette cut diamonds and surrounded with small brilliant cut stones. True statement earrings and extremely glamorous, I can imagine them being worn for a special birthday, on a cruise ship and at a cocktail bar. Priced at £3600 these 3ct diamond earrings are just fabulous darling!


Of course, any self-respecting diamond lover needs a statement ring of epic proportions, and I think this 18ct white gold dress ring set with baguette cut diamonds surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds fits that bill. A perfect match for the earrings too, why not get both and really spoil yourself or the woman in your life? Priced at £4150 this ring has 3.14ct of diamonds.

It's always a good idea to go back to a jeweller that you have bought an engagement ring with and if you are looking for wedding rings then Diamond Heaven sells them too, in a range of precious metals, and both plain and diamond set. They also offer help and advice on the type of wedding ring that compliments an engagement ring, so take them up on the offer of their expertise.

Another type of jewellery that Diamond Heaven sell is precious jewellery with coloured stones. Their ruby, sapphire and emerald jewellery goes well, and I adore the sapphire and diamond set bracelet I saw in their Cardiff store. It really had the wow factor. Priced at £3500 this sapphire and diamond bracelet would make a wonderful anniversary gift.


Their sapphire jewellery is exceptionally popular and is traditionally given on a 45th wedding anniversary. This pretty sapphire and diamond ring above is just stunning and priced at £1100 it is a bargain too. 

Before I go you may wonder about that diamond necklace I spoke about earlier. This diamond necklace is just outstanding. A scintillating item of jewellery, it has 29ct of diamonds and retails just under £30,000. Complete with a certificate detailing the diamond quality this is an amazing and timeless piece of jewellery. The sort of necklace you can imagine the old school Hollywood stars wearing like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

If you are serious about buying a precious item of jewellery from Diamond Heaven then they have a range of 0% finance options available and the process can be completed in as little as ten minutes. So if you really have to have that special item of jewellery, and cannot pay for it in one go then you do have this option available.


I enjoyed my time at Diamond Heaven in Cardiff. The staff on duty led by Ruena were friendly and helpful. A special shout out to Kirsty who was full of smiles and eager to help and for also being my hand model. 

 You can drop into the store at any time but to ensure you get an allocated time where your requirements can be discussed, then an appointment is a good idea.

 Diamond Heaven is a great addition to Cardiff's luxury shopping scene. If you are looking for diamond jewellery, at a fair price, from friendly staff then I recommend you check this new store out.

Diamond Heaven
Unit 14
St David's Way
Cardiff,
CF10 2EN
029 2034 4487
https://www.diamond-heaven.co.uk/

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Diamonds And Gold - The Luxury Buying Market

Christmas is coming, and many families have to really watch the pennies, but in the lives of the rich and famous, money is no object. Many think nothing of splashing the cash on a Rolex watch worth £50,000 or a diamond-encrusted pen and a tree topper studded with diamonds is virtually acceptable of £600,000.

On my blog today I bring you an article, in collaboration with Angelic Diamonds, retailers of white gold wedding rings looking at the market of expensive goods and investigate how some items earned their price tags.

The attraction to pricey purchases


Of course, if you are super-rich you will have the disposable income to make expensive purchases but people spend money on pricey purchases for other reasons too.

One of these reasons is to demonstrate social status. In one argument by French philosopher, Pierre Bourdieu, it was suggested that the things that consumers buy are ways of communicating a ‘symbolic hierarchy’ to others — a way to distinguish their place in society.

The attitude of the buyer also determines if they are likely to make a luxury purchase and attitudes are affected by age. By 2025, Bain & Company predicts that Millennials and Generation Z will account for 45% of the global personal luxury goods market, yet that brings challenges as they shop and think differently - many preferring experiences than objects of desire and valuing an immersive and/or online shopping experience.

Shopping online has had a revolution in the last 10 years with 70% of luxury purchases influenced by online interactions. The availability of luxury e-commerce also meant that 14% of buyers aged 18 to 24 were found to have made their first luxury purchase over the internet. So there is definitely a market for selling luxury items online as online shopping becomes normalised.

What makes certain items so expensive?

A range of things can determine the price tag of an item. Craftmanship, the quality of the item, what the item is made of and the brand are factors that can determine the price of an item. Two materials that often bump up the cost of an item are diamonds and gold — but why?

The luxury of diamonds 



The attraction to diamonds dates back hundreds of years. At one point in time, they were reserved for royalty — making them a stone owned by the rich and wealthy and sought after by everyone else.

Now, diamonds are more accessible, but price and quality still vary depending on the ‘Four Cs’. These are clarity, carat, colour and cut — together these determine how much a diamond is worth. Clarity refers to the overall appearance of the diamond, which can be affected by ‘inclusions’ and ‘blemishes’. These are often not visible to the naked eye but are found through analysis by an expert. The weight of the diamond is expressed through the carat weight, a 1-carat diamond is definitely a status symbol. Moving over to colour, a pure diamond is truly colourless and more valuable than one which has a presence of colour. Lastly, the cut of a diamond determines how well it sparkles due to its interaction with light, with a round brilliant cut diamond being the most classic and sought-after look for an engagement ring.

Diamond encrusted items can sell for millions of pounds. Take a look at the following, for example:

Potentially the most expensive pair of shades in the world are Dolce and Gabbana's DG2027B sunglasses. They have been crafted with a solid gold frame and studded with diamonds. To buy this luxury product would set you back $383, 609 (£271,472).

One dog collar was valued at an astounding $3.2 million (£2.26 million). Forbes Magazine called it ‘the Bugatti of dog collars’ and it’s clear to see why. It was encrusted with 1,600 diamonds with a seven-carat, colourless centrepiece and black alligator leather for the collar.


A love for gold




Another material which gets a lot of attention from the rich and upper-class is gold. Gold has always been associated with wealth and power and this opinion has continued to today.

Compared to many of the other elements in the periodic table, gold is one of the least-reactive. This means that it is less likely to corrode when used. The metal also doesn’t rust and is aesthetically pleasing, plus it’s versatile! We’ve seen many items crafted out of gold or fitted with gold plates to add value. Take a look at the following:

Costing $999,999 (£707,799) is the GoVacuum GV62711. Features include a 14-inch cleaning nozzle, a weight of 16 pounds and gold plating. There were only 100 of these products made — true exclusives.

Another standard product made expensive by the addition of gold is the 24-carat gold shoelaces. These cost a pricey $19,000 (£13,448) or shoppers can opt for the silver shoelaces which would set them back $3,000 (£2,123) 

Diamonds and gold are examples of true luxury materials. They’ve been popular for centuries with the rich and famous and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s clear that the addition of them to even the most mundane of products can increase the value more than a hundred times over. While the wealthy have the funds to do so, it’s likely that they’ll continue to splash their cash on things that everyone else thinks is a bit extravagant.

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Antwerp - The City Of Diamonds - Part 2

Antwerp in Belgium is a foodie delight and is known for its chocolate, waffles, fries and beer but there is more to Antwerp than food, however delicious it is. Think architecture, think art, think museums, think shopping and think... diamonds.


To celebrate Antwerp being the ‘diamond capital; since 1447' I was recently invited to visit the city by Visit Antwerp and report back to my readers on all the interesting things happening in this vibrant city.



My stay for the two days was Hotel Franq, a newly opened modern boutique hotel a short walk from the main shopping area. The hotel was very chic and beautiful inside and makes a great base for a stay.


Day 1 in Antwerp included a visit to the Mas Museum where I visited the Dazzling Desire exhibition, a new exhibition about diamonds and their links to our emotions. To see some beautiful historic pieces of jewellery, such as a diamond-encrusted pair of boots, was a real eye-opener and certainly worth a visit. That evening we ate the RAS Restaurant overlooking the waterfront, where I dined on shrimp linguine and Belgium beer!

Day 2 started with a scrumptious continental breakfast at Hotel Franq, with locally sourced ingredients and then our group of bloggers and journalists met in the lobby, before being taken to our first stop - Jewellery Van der Veken.



Jewellery Van der Veken is a high-ended jeweller in the heart of the diamond district. Being the first company to be awarded the “Antwerp’s Most Brilliant’ quality label, has really put this jeweller on the map. To be awarded this label a jeweller has to meet 30 strict quality requirements such as ethics, sustainability and service and can only obtain this mark after an independent audit.



The family-run jeweller was founded in 1952 by Joseph Van der Veken and today it is run by Joseph’s son and grandson, Stephen and Christian.


What is special about this jeweller is that it is one of the few artisan jewellery makers left, where everything is ‘hand-forged’. This process means that the jeweller can get a finer finish whilst making the jewellery stronger and in Van der Veken jewellers they are proud of the fact that all the jewellery gets a lifetime warranty due to the superb craftsmanship.



It’s certainly the place to go when you want something special for yourself or a loved one. I could only guess at the price of the beautiful pieces of jewellery we saw, including an amazing diamond brooch and a gorgeous tennis bracelet. Van der Veken jewellers, however, do have a number of items that start under 1000 Euros that do not scrimp on quality and design, so a unique piece of handmade jewellery is within many people's reach.




Next, we visited the site of the new Diva museum, due to open next spring in the centre of Antwerp and spoke to the enthusiastic director Jeroen Martens. This museum, dedicated to diamonds will have many interactive elements and the aim is to provide an immersive and theatrical experience. Modern technology such as touchscreens will be used and special activities for children, such as sorting diamonds will make it fun for younger ones.




As well as finding out about diamonds from their source deep in the ground to the process of cutting and polishing and the finished article, it will also talk about the roll Antwerp plays until this day in the world of diamonds (more of that later).

Less positive aspects of diamond dealing will also be addressed, such as blood diamonds as well as how this has been addressed today with The Kimberly Process - a guarantee that diamonds have not been sourced in an area of conflict. A visit to a 'strong room' where you will see how diamond theft is being dealt sounds interesting. At the end of the museum, you will get a chance to buy your very own diamond. That is one gift shop I will not be exiting quickly I can assure you!


An exhibit at Diva

The DIVA museum certainly sounds exciting, and I for one will be delighted to return to Antwerp just to see this new museum when it opens next May.


So time for lunch next, and a short walk brings us to the Mercado food hall. Here you can choose from a choice of 13 different food stands, from waffles to felafel, to Asian food. As well as having felafels I had the most amazing ‘bubble’ waffle. A light as a feather waffle with cream and syrup which was a decadent snack. Of course, I had to have it as Belgium is known for its waffles and it was totally scrumptious!


Our last stop of the day was to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.

Here are some of the facts I learnt about diamonds here:-

A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.
Russia is the biggest producer of diamonds.
84% of rough diamonds are traded in Antwerp.
50% of polished diamonds are traded in Antwerp.
220 million dollars of diamonds passed through the Antwerp diamond office every day.
Diamonds provide 6600 direct jobs and over 26,000 indirect jobs in Antwerp and the surrounding area.




copyright Jan Crab

Why is Antwerp so important for the diamond trade?

Antwerp is important as 570 years of expertise and heritage are in the Antwerp area and there are more than 1700 diamond companies and manufacturers here.

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre has stringent controls on diamonds including monitoring the import and export of diamonds and running the Kimberley process scheme. This scheme implemented over 10 years ago has helped control conflict diamonds to less than 0.2% of all diamonds worldwide, from 15%. When diamonds are found to be used in armed conflict all participants are suspended from trade.




I really enjoyed my stay in Antwerp. This underrated city has much to offer and is a must-visit for fashion and diamond lovers everywhere.

If you want to read more about my trip to Antwerp, check out my posts Antwerp - the city of diamonds - part 1 and Hotel Franq, a luxury boutique hotel review, Antwerp.

If you want to know what else to do in Antwerp, visit the Visit Antwerp website. Many thanks to Visit Antwerp for inviting me on this press trip. I will be back!

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How To Buy Diamond Jewellery

There are many things to consider when buying a piece of diamond jewellery for yourself or a loved one. You may be spending a considerable amount of money so you want to be sure you buy what is right for you and your pocket.

 I used to own a jewellers and have experience in advising customers in what to buy as well as a JET2 qualification in Jewellery Education and Training. In this post, I will consider what you need to take into account when buying a piece of diamond jewellery.

Buy from a reputable source

 Firstly it is very important to buy from a reputable source. Buying from a company that adheres to the Kimberley Process ensures that your money does not go to fund arms and conflict in underdeveloped countries. A good jeweller will know where their diamonds are sourced from. 

I personally prefer buying diamond jewellery from small independent jewellers. By supporting the high street you are putting money back into the local economy. Independent jewellers provide excellent customer service and advice and will go the extra mile to make the customer happy. Look out for the National Association of Goldsmith's mark for jewellers that adhere to a code of practice.  

 You may pick up a bargain buying a piece of diamond jewellery second hand but this route should only be taken if you are very experienced in buying diamond jewellery as there are plenty of pitfalls and you don't want to get ripped off.

 You can also buy a piece of diamond jewellery online but only go to reputable jewellers which have a high street presence and are members of organisations sich as the National Association of Goldsmiths as mentioned before or the National Association of Jewellers. 

The 4 C's 

Credit: The National Association of Goldsmiths

Diamonds of above a certain size are graded by the 4 C's - Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.

Cut - A well-cut diamond sparkles well and reflects light. Make the cuts too deep or shallow and the sparkle or its 'fire' will be gone. There are many shapes a diamond can be cut into but the most popular ones are round, emerald princess, marquise and pear shape. 

Colour - the most valuable and sort after colour is white, or should I say colourless. The best colour is graded as D, the worse Z. However, some naturally occurring diamonds with a strong and distinct colour can demand a lot of money as they are rare and are called fancy stones.

Clarity - the clarity of a diamond can greatly affect the price. If you look into a diamond with a jewellers eye glass you can often see inclusions - carbon deposits. The best diamonds are graded IF - Internally Flawless with no carbon deposits to the worse grade of diamonds that are graded Included3.

Carat - the weight and size of a diamond are measured by carat weight. A carat is divided into 100 smaller units and these are called points. If you are looking to buy a half carat ring you will be looking for a ring of 50 points.


There is also a fifth C - or Certification. The best diamonds are certified by an independent gemological lab. The certificate will note the four C's as above. Buying a certified diamond gives reassurance to the quality of the diamond but can also add to the cost.

 One of the most recognised laboratories, for example, is the GIA (the Gemological Institute of America). 

Type of jewellery

What type of jewellery are you going to buy? Are you looking to buy a diamond ring, earrings, necklace or bracelet? Are you looking to buy it for yourself, for a loved one or as an investment?

 If you are buying a piece of jewellery for a loved one, think how it would fit into her lifestyle. Maybe she loves eating out and going on holiday, places where she can show off her jewellery, or maybe she likes small understated pieces of jewellery. Think about the jewellery she currently wears, and her own personal style and ask yourself, would she wear it?

 Classic items of jewellery, such as a diamond solitaire ring, round brilliant cut diamond earrings or a diamond tennis bracelet are items every woman should have in their jewellery box. If cost is an issue consider buying a piece of jewellery with a cluster of smaller diamonds as this will be cheaper than a larger single stone. 

 When thinking to buy as an investment then classic diamonds of a 1 carat single stone of the highest quality you can afford would be the easiest to sell in the future than something more unique and of course always buy the highest quality you can.

 Metal choice

A traditional choice is a yellow gold, whilst white gold, palladium or platinum are the modern alternatives. Rose gold has a rich rose hue due to copper deposits in the alloy and is currently very fashionable.

 The cheapest gold is 9ct gold, then 14ct gold, 18ct gold then 22ct gold. Gold is ultimately yellow and has to be mixed with a white metal alloy and coated with rhodium to make it white and to keep its shine. 

 Platinum is the purest metal you can buy for jewellery, it is strong and stays true white so it is said to be the best metal in which to set diamonds. It is also the rarest and thus the most expensive precious metal you can buy. Palladium is the family of platinum but is much cheaper and less rare, it can have a slightly 'gunmetal grey' colour. 
Pin for later

When you are buying for a loved one, look at the jewellery she wears and the jewellery in her jewellery box to ascertain what colour metal she wears and go for that. If you are buying for an investment, buy the best you can afford, which is platinum, then 18ct gold. 

 I hope you like this brief guide on buying diamond jewellery. There are masses of information out there, so I have just touched on some points. Good luck in buying and let me know how you get on.
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