The Ashoka Diamond

The Ashoka Diamond comes in a variety of carats...but what exactly is a carat? Just like a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is comprised of 100 points. For example, a 25-point diamond weighs 0.25 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have exceedingly different monetary values depending on other factors, including cut, clarity, and color. You will find that most diamonds you encounter in fine jewelry weigh less than one carat.

Many people mistakenly think that a greater carat means a better, more attractive gem.  This is not always the case. It needs to also be symmetrical, well cut, and have few flaws to be truly outstanding. If you are concerned about size, you may be interested in choosing a gem with a fancy shape. These often appear larger than standard large gems.
Image via Wikipedia
However, even a fraction of a carat can make a large difference in the cost or value of the diamond. Precision in crafting the diamond is crucial. In the diamond industry, weight is usually measured to the hundred thousandths of a carat, and then rounded to a hundredth of a carat.  Diamond weights more than one carat are displayed in carats and decimals. Don’t confuse carat with karat, as in “16K gold,” which refers to the purity of gold.

The carat, the international standard unit in weighing diamonds and gemstones, actually gets its name from the carob seed. In ancient Rome, these small seeds had a fairly uniform weight, so the first gem traders used them as counterweights in their balance scales. The modern metric carat, equal to 0.2 grams, was adopted by the United States in 1913 and every other country followed suit.  This is about the same weight as a standard paperclip. The Ashoka diamond comes in different carats, and housed in stunning jewelry that appeals to sophisticated diamond enthusiasts. 

Related articles

• Bling In America : Diamond Sales by Region (since1910.com)

Certified Ashoka Diamond Jewelry

Each diamond in our Ashoka diamond jewelry collection is laser inscribed with a certificate number. What are these certificate numbers? All reputable diamonds are certified to by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGS (American Gem Society).  A certificate is a "blueprint" of a diamond, it tells you the diamond's exact measurements and weight, and characterizes its cut and quality. It points out all the exact characteristics of the stone. Each diamond has its own identity and value as described in a unique certificate. 

A certificate is not the same thing as a diamond appraisal. A certificate will describe the quality of a diamond, but it does not place a specific cash value on the gem. An appraisal places a monetary value on your diamond, and it does not certify the quality of the diamond.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) are the two most widely regarded and recognized diamond grading labs in the world. There are also smaller labs --check with your retailer to make sure your diamond is certified.   Different labs have different grading standards. Some have much more lax standards than others. You may want to do some research on the lab before buying your diamond to ensure the quality of it.

Shopping for certified diamonds allows you to make a better choices about your diamond purchases and to comparison shop. You can evaluate one diamond with a particular weight and quality with other diamonds of similar weight and quality and determine which is the better value. By comparison shopping this way, many consumers find that Ashoka diamond jewelry is superior in quality and value to its competitors. 

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Why do impurities or flaws increase rather than decrease the value of diamonds (wiki.answers.com)

An Ashoka Cut Diamond for Your Engagement Ring

An Ashoka Cut Diamond is an elegant choice for your future wife’s engagement ring. However, choosing a ring she will fall in love with is not a task to be taken lightly.  Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting her ring:

First, you should pay attention to what she wears now. Most women have a definite preference for either white gold or platinum or yellow gold. Does she wear a lot of modern jewelry, with unique styling? Does she prefer classic looking pieces? Make a note of the kind of jewelry she wears often, not items she only wears occasionally.

Next, take the hint. Has she ever said what her favorite jewelry styles are? If not, take her to the jewelry store. See what captures her attention. If you want to be subtle, say you're looking for a new watch as a present for someone else, but be sure to walk past the engagement ring counter.

Also, think about what would look best on her hand. An elongated diamond, such as an oval, can make short fingers look longer. Wide bands usually make fingers appear even shorter. A setting that's more subtle could get lost on large hands. Do you know her ring size? Does she have rings that she already wears on her engagement finger? Maybe a friend could get hold of one long enough for you to have the size determined.

Round Ashoka cut diamonds are the number one shape chosen by brides. However, she might prefer an elongated marquise, oval or square cut diamond. Look at her current collection to see if she would rather have a solitaire diamond or a cluster of diamonds.  You won’t regret doing your homework when she sees what’s inside that little box.

Image by cliff1066™ via Flickr

Related articles

• Shania Twain's Engagement Ring Reveled! (since1910.com)

What Makes an Ashoka Diamond Superior?

When we speak of an Ashoka diamonds clarity, we are talking about the presence of certain characteristics on the surface of (blemishes) and within (inclusions) the diamond. If you think about the huge amount of pressure it takes to create a diamond and the fact that diamonds are not formed in an automated laboratory, it's no surprise that nearly every diamond is flawed. In fact, it is often that these flaws make diamonds unique and contribute to their beauty. None is absolutely perfect under 10× magnification, though some come close. Known as flawless diamonds, these are exceptionally rare. Most jewelers have never actually seen a flawless diamond.

There are two types of flaws: inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions refer to flaws on the inside and blemishes refer to flaws on the surface. Inclusions include flaws like as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond. Blemishes include scratches, rivets, and chips. Some blemishes occur during as they are being cut. Diamonds with no or few flaws in clarity are more expensive than those with less clarity, since they are so rare.

Diamonds are graded for clarity by 10x loupe magnification. Grades range from Flawless (perfectly clear diamonds), to Included 3 (diamonds which possess flaws that are visible to the naked eye). We would recommend not buying a diamond that has easily-seen blemishes.  Stones that are VVS2 to F are very expensive. Most couples will opt for something between SI2 and VS1, and cannot tell the difference. There are certificates that will come with your diamond to assure the quality and clarity level of the stone. When you
buy Ashoka Diamonds, you can be confident that you are buying high quality gems with stunning clarity.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Is cushion shape one of the best cut diamond (wiki.answers.com)

William Goldberg – the Diamond Innovators

People who love the finest jewelry need no introduction to the name William Goldberg. This company, named after its founder, is one of the premier jewelry companies in the world. Few other fine jewelry distributors have the rich history and dedication to the finest pieces of jewelry that the Goldberg company has. Unlike other big diamond and jewelry companies, they are still a family run company. That means that every gem stone and piece of jewelry is picked and fashioned according to a standard that the other jewelry companies cannot match.

Famous Pieces
Some of the world's most talked about and precious pieces of jewelry have come to notoriety due to the hard work and expertise of William Goldberg. For example, the awe inspiring, 137 carat Premier Rose, is one of the most spectacular and talked about diamonds in the history of the world. This beautiful diamond, of course, was presented to the world by this prestigious diamond company. There have been many other diamonds that are shockingly beautiful, like the 89 carat Guinea Star. Simply put, this company is one that is synonymous with the most stunning diamonds ever to be seen by human eyes.

The Tradition Continues
The company is part of a proud, 50 year commitment to the bringing the best diamonds in the world to people everywhere. Discerning diamond customers know that when they get any diamond, be it a small, but brilliant piece, or a larger one, like an Ashoka diamond, that they are getting the absolute best diamonds the world has to offer. William Goldberg continues to make the finest, most coveted diamonds in the world available to their customers.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Pauly D & Ronnie -- 121 Carats of Diamonds Later (tmz.com)

What makes an Ashoka Diamond Different?

It might be easy to assume that every diamond is as good as the next, and that size is the only thing that really matters. After all, you hear stories every day about a celebrity wearing a huge diamond piece of jewelry and how special that piece is, strictly because of the diamond's size. Yes, size is one of the determining factors in how valuable a diamond is, but that isn't all there is to consider. The cut of a diamond is also important. The Ashoka diamond is one that is highly coveted; both for its size and it's unique, and beautiful cut.

Size Considerations
As you know, diamond size is measured by carats. Pieces of jewelry commonly have diamonds that range from small chips to one or two carats. More expensive pieces of jewelry might have larger diamonds, but an Ashoka diamond starts off with a rough that is 15 carats in size. These aren't your everyday roughs, so immediately a diamond has to be pretty large as a rough to even qualify for being cut to the Ashoka standard. In fact, only about 200 roughs are found each year that qualify to become Ashoka diamonds.

The Final Cut
Once a rough qualifies for being cut as an Ashoka, it goes into the hands of a master jeweler for the cutting process. The Ashoka diamond, when it is complete, will have 62 brilliant facets and be shaped in a broad, somewhat rectangular shape. In fact, the shape of this unique cut makes diamonds appear much larger than comparable diamonds cut to another standard. In other words, Ashoka diamonds just look bigger.

Clarity and color also figure into the totality of any diamond. Ashoka diamonds have very high standards for these two factors as well. When you see an Ashoka diamond in all its brilliance, you'll understand why discerning jewelry fans consider them to be the best in the world.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• How to Name a Diamond (blogs.wsj.com)

The Unique Cut of an Ashoka Diamond

Diamonds are the most precious gems in the entire world. All you have to do is say the word "diamond" and people immediately think of the rarity and beauty of these gems. As you know, however, there are subdivisions among diamonds that make them different. In other word, all diamonds are not created equally. For example, the Ashoka cut diamond is anything but the typical diamond that you might see every day.

Ashoka Diamonds
The name for Ashoka diamonds goes back to ancient India. These gems are actually named after a famous, historical leader in India. The name Ashoka is one that is associated with peace and prosperity, due to its relation to this famous leader. Ashoka diamonds are leaders in their own right, as no other cut of diamond can compare to the Ashoka cut.

Large and Multifaceted
You hear a lot about diamonds and their facets. Of course, every style of cut brings out certain facets to the rough diamond to expose its beauty and brilliance. This is where Ashoka diamonds really stand out. Every Ashoka cut diamond is crafted in such a way as to give the rough diamond 62 brilliant facets. As you can imagine, the sheer number of facets, makes an Ashoka diamond a marvel to behold.

When you see an Ashoka in all its splendor, beauty and brilliance, you'll realize why these diamonds are considered to be amongst the most coveted gems in all the world. When one of these diamonds is placed into a piece of jewelry, it becomes an instant, wearable work of art.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Where is the most valuable diamonds located (wiki.answers.com)