In this month’s issue…
• What’s the deal with diamond certification?
• Amethyst: February’s birthstone
• Get some jewellery tips from Jo!
“I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, He would have put
diamonds on the floor.” -Joan Rivers
What’s the Deal with Diamond Certification?
At Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers, we put a lot of emphasis on ensuring that the diamonds we sell are certified through the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Why are diamond certifications so important, and why do we use only diamonds certified through the GIA? The grades that diamonds are issued allow diamond wholesalers, cutters, setters, retailers, and the general public to discuss diamonds simply, consistently, and concisely.
“This is a beautiful diamond. It has a slight tint of yellow in it but you will only see the tint when viewed at an angle through the pavilion versus through the table. It has two tiny crystals just under the table, but you won’t see them without magnification and you would really need to know what you’re looking for to spot them anyway.”
The above description is a very complex way to describe a J colour, VS1 diamond. Describing this diamond as a J-VS1 is much simpler, and provides a much better basis for diamond comparison. This is where the Gemological Institute of America stepped in in the 1950s.
The GIA set strict guidelines on grading diamonds that passed through their laboratory and became the preeminent and most widely accepted grading system in the diamond industry. Today, the GIA’s “4-Cs” of diamond grading is the standard of any discussion of diamond quality. Each diamond that the GIA grades is assigned a unique number which is laser inscribed on the diamond’s girdle, and its certification (called a grading report or dossier) will travel with the diamond until it reaches its final home – you! Today, all other grading systems are based on the GIA’s, but no system is as strict, as rigorously tested, as respected, and as accurate as the original. In fact, other organizations that issue diamond certifications can vastly miss the mark when it comes to evaluating their diamonds, to the detriment of the consumer. Diamonds certified by organizations such as the IGI and the EGL, and Gemscan are often graded above their deserved levels to inflate the prices of lesser quality stones. Rest assured that the GIA is not only a non-profit organization, it is also not owned by diamond vendors or wholesalers and maintains strict independence and objectivity.
At Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers, we want your diamond to have the exact characteristics that you choose and pay for. This is why we stress the use of diamonds that have been graded by the GIA. It makes the purchase of a diamond that much more transparent, straightforward, and trustworthy, three characteristics by which we hope to define the Kleinberg Buying Process.
Let’s see a practical example of why a GIA certification is so important. We had the same stone graded by both the GIA and the EGL. As you can see from the certifications below, the GIA rated the stone much lower than the EGL.
Most notably, the EGL graded the stone a full two colour grades higher than it should be, and upgraded its cut grade from “very good” (GIA) to “excellent ideal cut” (EGL)! This inflates the value of the diamond considerably and dishonestly. Buyer beware!
Amethyst: February’s Birthstone
I must declare that I, Chelsea, Samuel Kleinberg employee extraordinaire, love amethyst. I could explain this assertion by telling you that amethyst is the gorgeous purple variety of macrocrystalline quartz, or that it ranks an impressive 7 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale, or that it forms incredible natural crystal shapes in the earth, but let’s get down to basics.
Amethyst comes in a variety of colours, but is known for a rich reddish- purple or purple hue. Here’s a fun fact: because the colour of amethyst is best displayed in a soft or warm light, amethyst looks particularly gorgeous at sunset or sunrise. Romantic!
The word amethyst in ancient Greek (a-mesthustos) means “not drunken”, as wearing an amethyst was allegedly a guard against intoxication.
Amethysts are widely available in all shapes and sizes. Historically, amethyst was prized along with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires as one of the “cardinal gems”, or most precious gemstones, and associated with royalty. However, since the 1800s, this fantastic gemstone has been discovered in large quantities, meaning that it is now affordable
as well as gorgeous. At Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers, we offer a variety of amethyst jewellery, and can custom design amethyst pieces to your heart’s content. And if you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, Pliny The Elder (AD 23–79) wrote that an amethyst worn around the neck on a cord made from dog hair protects against snakebite. Or ask Melissa.
If it’s about jewellery, Jo has the answer! In this section, she’ll answer some of our most frequently asked questions.
Feel free to send her questions at
jo@samuelkleinberg.com!
Q: “How can I make my bracelet more secure?”
A: You can add a few different safety gadgets, such as a figure eight, safety chain, invisible safety bars, etc. Bring it in!
Q: “Are screwback posts the most secure option for my diamond studs?”
A: It really depends on the individual. The screwback has threading on it. For certain people with sensitive skin, this may irritate the ear when it is pushed through the hole. Another type of option is called the “alpha back” that not a lot of people know about. You pinch the safety gadget to put on and remove the earrings. Our studs use a traditional butterfly with safety gaps.
Q: “My tennis bracelet is too big. What can I make with the extra links?”
A: We can make some gorgeous diamonds studs for you, a pendant, rings, anything! There are so many options. Studs and pendants are the most economical choices.
Q: “What can you suggest for a unique bat-mitzvah gift?”
A: A personalized item is always appreciated, such as a name necklace, an initial ring, or even a stacking initial ring. The great thing about stackingrings is that there are so many options for wear. You can use birthstones, diamonds, different metals, different fonts, etc.
Q: “How can I prevent a diamond ring spinning around on my arthritic
hands?”
A: We can add small gold balls inside the shank, which will make the ring more snug only at the base of the finger. It also balances out the weight of the ring. If the arthritis is really bad and your knuckle is very big, you can opt for an invisible ring guard, which is like a ring within a ring. The inside ring is like a spring and the customer can adjust the inside ring after placing it on the finger to make it sit better. Another, but more expensive option, is to use a hinge shank, which means the ring opens and closes like a mini bangle.”
Thanks for reading!