The World of Diamonds

Always admired for their timeless natural beauty, loose diamonds come in a host of different varieties. Diamonds on Web gives you the facts so you know your shapes and colors before making your purchase of loose diamonds.

Shapes and Colors

There are eleven standard shapes for properly cut loose diamonds, but you can actually buy loose diamonds in their original raw state. However, this kind of purchase is very uncommon, because the majority of people are not equipped with the expertise and the equipment necessary for cutting them and furthermore, raw loose diamonds are difficult to appraise before cutting. Only a diamond or a laser can cut another diamond, due to its firm molecular structure, geometrically shaped as a tetrahedron. The four most popular of the eleven standard shapes for properly cut loose diamonds, are oval, emerald, round and cushion forms. The various forms that loose diamonds take can determine how they will be set. Triangle ("trilliant"), asscher and radiant diamonds are most often found of pieces of men's jewelry, while heart and princess diamonds (true to their name), bear a more feminine touch. The marquise form, along with pear shaped forms (or "teardrop") are found mostly in necklaces.

The clear diamond has customarily commanded the highest value in loose diamonds. This is because some loose diamonds may bear traces of brownish or yellowish staining (due to nitrogen impurities) which lowers their value. Nevertheless, uniquely colored diamonds which have a blue or pink hue to them (the color is usually not very strong) can raise the market value of loose diamonds. At even higher market value are loose diamonds which have a strong green, blue or red color, which are rare, exclusive and expensive.

Whether you're looking to eventually trade in loose diamonds, or would just like to buy them to use in your personal jewelry, here at Diamonds on Web believes that a good understanding of loose diamonds is your first step to educated and profitable purchase.