That's right. It's about diamonds again. About their beauty, purity, types of cut. But, most importantly, about how not to let yourself be deceived when buying these most precious stones in the world. With questions about how to choose the right diamonds, and what should be paid attention to first of all, we turned to Anna Mazhova, an accredited gemologist. Anna Mazhova - Accredited gemologist, jewelry designer. Graduated from GIA (Gemological Institute of America - Gemological Institute of America)
Anna, please tell me, is it true that diamonds and jewelry with them, especially on holidays, are becoming the most sought-after goods?
Since Dubai has proclaimed itself a center for trading in gold and diamonds, it is natural that buyers from all over the world come here, and often, just for diamonds. However, it should be borne in mind that in Dubai diamonds are not mined, cut, but only sold, though quite successfully, thanks to a clear tax policy.
How can an ordinary buyer determine if he is buying real diamonds or not, if not a specialist can do it at all?
I must say that there is only one synthetic substitute for a diamond - it is synthetic masonite, which goes through all electronic tests for checking diamonds for authenticity and "behaves" like a real diamond (by the way, it looks amazing - it shines well, reflects light and so on ) Now there are already special tests that can determine whether it is a diamond or synthetic masonite. By eye, using a magnifier, only a specialist can determine the difference. Moreover, keep in mind that small mazonites are not produced, since this is not profitable, therefore most often unscrupulous merchants can issue synthetic mazonites for large diamonds weighing 0.5 carats or more.
When buying a diamond (if it is just a stone not inserted into the product), you must pay attention to the integrity of its packaging. The diamond should be tightly and neatly sealed in plastic, and a magnetic number should be on the surface of the package. You also need to ask the seller for a certificate for a stone, which should contain the serial number of the diamond and its main characteristics - color, weight, clarity, cut. If the diamond is not soldered, ask to be weighed. All figures indicating the weight in the certificate must match the actual weight of the stone.
The same goes for diamond color. If the certificate states that it is colorless, then it should not even contain a hint of any shade. The easiest way to check this is to place the diamond upside down on a white sheet of paper and look at it vertically from above. Be sure to pay attention to the fact that a true diamond with the correct cut "flashes" with all the colors of the solar spectrum.
The main trick of dishonest sellers is to replace a diamond of a higher quality in terms of purity and color (with equal weight and the same cut) with another one, with a lower quality (with more impurities, cracks, some shade).
The color of a diamond is determined by letter designations - from the letter D to the letter Z. And purity - from the letter F (from the English flawless - impeccable). Most of the diamonds presented in Dubai are VVS, which means “very very slightly included” (or “with very, very minor inclusions”). These are high quality diamonds. Good diamonds are also considered VS (“very slightly included") if they are colorless.
Minor cracks or inclusions that are not located in the center of the stone, a professional jeweler will always be able to hide, correctly "set" the diamond in the product.
Who is the guarantor of the quality of diamond jewelry?
As a rule, sellers are responsible for the quality of their products and are required to give a certificate or indicate the main parameters of all diamonds in the jewelry when issuing a sales receipt. If the buyer has any doubts, he can apply for an examination to the state gemological laboratory, which is in Dubai. In it, on special equipment, the parameters of a diamond (if it is one in the product) or diamonds are checked for compliance with what is stated in the seller’s certificate.
It remains for me to thank you, Anna, and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I would also like to wish you and your readers happy New Year holidays and successful shopping. And so that the jewelry you purchased does not disappoint you subsequently, please use my advice and do not hesitate to ask sellers a lot of questions and demand from them the necessary documents confirming the quality of the products. Let your diamonds become “best friends”!
