What is a Diamond?

Diamonds are captivating gemstones that have fascinated humans for centuries. Formed over a billion years ago, deep within the Earth's mantle, diamonds are composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystalline structure. Under intense heat and pressure, carbon atoms bond together tightly to create the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man: the diamond.

For millions of years, diamonds remained hidden beneath the Earth's surface until volcanic eruptions propelled them upward in magma. This geological journey brought diamonds closer to the Earth's crust, where they could eventually be discovered by humans. The earliest recorded discovery of diamonds dates back to the 4th century BC in India, where they were treasured for their rarity and beauty.

Throughout history, diamonds have symbolized wealth, power, and everlasting love. Their brilliance and sparkle have made them a coveted choice for jewelry, from engagement rings to heirloom pieces. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, diamonds have also held cultural significance, representing purity, strength, and resilience.

Types of Diamonds

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth under extreme conditions of heat and pressure. They are comprised of nearly 99.95% carbon, with the other 0.05% reflecting trace elements that aren't part of their essential chemistry — making diamond the only gemstone constructed of a single element. They are the hardest naturally occurring material found on Earth and one of the most sought-after.

Lab Diamonds

Lab diamonds are optically, chemically, and physically the same as natural diamonds. In other words, they look, feel, and are identical. Their difference lies only in their origins — natural diamonds form within the Earth, and lab diamonds are grown by professionals with specialized equipment. Another difference relates to cost; as lab-grown diamonds are less rare than natural diamonds, they often come at a much more accessible price.
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4 C's of Diamonds

Discover the 4 C's of diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These essential factors determine a diamond's quality and value. Understanding the 4 C's empowers you to make informed decisions when selecting the perfect lab-grown diamond for your jewelry piece.

Cut

In the world of diamonds, the "Cut" is a critical factor that directly impacts a diamond's beauty and overall appeal. It refers to the proportions, symmetry, and polish of a diamond, as well as the arrangement and quality of its facets. A well-cut diamond will exhibit exceptional brilliance, sparkle, and fire, captivating the eye with its radiance.

Diamond cuts are graded on a scale ranging from Excellent to Poor, with each grade reflecting the quality of the diamond's cut. Diamonds with an Excellent cut are meticulously crafted to maximize light performance, while those with a Poor cut may lack brilliance and appear dull.

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Color

Color in diamonds refers to the presence or absence of color in a stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D to Z, with D being completely colorless and Z exhibiting noticeable color.

The less color a diamond has, the higher its value. However, some diamonds fall outside this range and are classified as "fancy colored," exhibiting hues like yellow, pink, or blue. Understanding diamond color is crucial when selecting a stone, as it greatly influences its appearance and value.

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Cut Scale SI1 Cut Scale SI2 Cut Scale VS2 Cut Scale VS1 Cut Scale VVS2 Cut Scale VVS1 Cut Scale IF Cut Scale FL

Clarity

Clarity in diamonds refers to the presence or absence of internal characteristics, known as inclusions, and external features, known as blemishes. These imperfections affect a diamond's brilliance and transparency.

The clarity scale, established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), ranges from Internally Flawless (IF), meaning no internal flaws, to Included (I), where inclusions are visible to the naked eye. Understanding a diamond's clarity grade helps determine its overall quality and value.

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Carat

In the world of diamonds, carat is a crucial metric, denoting the weight of the gemstone rather than its physical size. One carat equals 200 milligrams, about the weight of a standard paperclip. While carat weight influences a diamond's price, it's essential to consider other factors like cut, color, and clarity to assess its overall value and appearance. Understanding the significance of carat weight empowers you to make informed decisions when selecting the perfect diamond for your jewelry piece, ensuring it aligns with your preferences, style, and budget.

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Actual Diamond Size on Size 6 Hand

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Diamond Certification

Diamonds, including those on our platform, are certified by esteemed institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), HRD Antwerp, and the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL). These certifications involve rigorous grading by professionals, assessing cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Detailed diagrams illustrate clarity characteristics and graphic representations of proportions. Certifications may also include notes on symmetry, polish, fluorescence, shape, or measurements. Laser inscription with a unique number correlates to the certification, ensuring authenticity. Digital certification delivery minimizes paper use, packaging, and shipping emissions, reducing our carbon footprint.

Certifications provide a comprehensive overview of a diamond's quality characteristics, ensuring transparency and authenticity for consumers. They often include detailed diagrams illustrating clarity characteristics and graphic representations of proportions. Additionally, certifications may encompass notes on symmetry, polish, fluorescence, shape, or measurements, providing valuable insights into the diamond's attributes.

Diamond Shape

Shape denotes the external appearance of a diamond's outline and is separate from the cut, which pertains to the diamond's internal facet arrangement. While the round shape remains the most popular choice, there is a wide variety of other shapes, known as "fancy shapes," each offering its own unique aesthetic appeal.

From the classic elegance of the emerald and marquise shapes to the timeless beauty of the oval and pear shapes, there is a shape to suit every style and preference. Understanding the characteristics and visual impact of different diamond shapes can help you make an informed decision when selecting the perfect lab-grown diamond for your jewelry piece.
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Diamond Hardness

Diamond is renowned as the hardest naturally occurring mineral on Earth. With a remarkable hardness ranking of 10 on the Mohs scale, a system devised in 1822 to gauge mineral hardness, diamonds stand unrivaled in their durability. This exceptional hardness attribute denotes the diamond's unparalleled resistance to scratching, a feat that only a diamond itself can accomplish.

This inherent robustness makes diamonds exceptionally well-suited for everyday wear, rendering them an ideal choice for various jewelry pieces, including engagement rings. Their enduring strength ensures that diamonds maintain their brilliance and integrity over time, withstanding the rigors of daily use without succumbing to wear and tear.

Whether adorning a pendant, bracelet, or ring, diamonds imbue jewelry with an enduring allure that captivates hearts and enhances elegance. As a testament to their enduring appeal, diamonds continue to symbolize everlasting love and timeless sophistication, making them a cherished choice for commemorating life's most precious moments.

Diamond Fluorescence

Diamond fluorescence is a fascinating phenomenon that describes how a diamond reacts when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This reaction is graded based on the intensity of the diamond's response to long-wave UV, a component of natural daylight. Under UV light, diamonds may exhibit a faint blue or yellow glow, known as fluorescence. However, it's important to note that fluorescence typically has no discernible impact on the diamond's appearance under regular lighting conditions. Additionally, it does not compromise the structural integrity or quality of the stone in any way.

While some individuals may have concerns about fluorescence affecting the beauty or value of a diamond, the reality is that its presence or absence is often a matter of personal preference. In fact, diamonds with fluorescence can offer unique characteristics and may even appear to have enhanced color in certain lighting environments.

Ultimately, understanding diamond fluorescence empowers consumers to make informed choices when selecting their desired diamond jewelry. By learning about this natural phenomenon, individuals can appreciate the intricacies of diamonds and confidently choose the perfect stone that aligns with their preferences and aesthetic tastes.

Diamond Price

The price of diamonds is influenced by various factors, including their rarity and quality. Diamonds that exhibit superior characteristics in terms of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight are considered rarer and consequently command higher prices in the market. For instance, diamonds with excellent cut grades, exceptional color grades such as D or E, and high clarity ratings are typically more sought after and valued for their rarity and beauty.

Carat weight also plays a significant role in determining diamond prices. Larger diamonds are inherently rarer and thus carry a premium compared to smaller stones of similar quality. Additionally, the overall scarcity of certain diamond shapes or sizes can influence their market value.

In the case of lab-grown diamonds, their pricing structure differs from that of natural diamonds. While lab-grown diamonds possess identical physical and chemical properties to natural diamonds, they are typically priced lower due to their controlled manufacturing process and increased availability. Lab-grown diamonds offer an ethical and sustainable alternative to mined diamonds while providing excellent value for consumers.

Diamond Grading Scale

The diamond grading scale serves as a comprehensive system for evaluating and categorizing diamonds based on their quality characteristics. Developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), this scale encompasses four key attributes commonly referred to as the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Cut :The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish, which directly influence its brilliance, fire, and overall visual appeal.

Color : The GIA grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with each letter representing a specific level of color saturation.

Clarity : Clarity measures the presence of internal and external flaws, known as inclusions and blemishes, within a diamond.

Carat Weight : Carat weight refers to the mass of a diamond and is a significant factor in determining its size and perceived value.

How to Buy Diamonds

When embarking on the journey to find your ideal diamond, it's crucial to consider several key factors:
  • Familiarize yourself with the 4 C's : Mastery of the four diamond essentials—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—is crucial. Balancing these aspects with your budget ensures a diamond that fits your preferences and financial constraints.
  • Choose your preferred shape : While round Heeroks dominate, explore diverse shapes like oval, cushion, princess, or emerald cuts. Opt for a shape that mirrors your style and personality.
  • Verify certification : Insist on diamonds certified by reputable bodies like GIA, IGI, HRD, or GCAL. These affirm authenticity and quality, ensuring peace of mind. All Heerok Earth diamonds are certified, ensuring transparency.
At Heerok Earth, we offer a diverse selection of sustainable and ethical diamonds, empowering you to make a responsible and conscientious choice. Utilize our intuitive search filters to navigate our extensive diamond inventory effortlessly.

Blockchain Collection

Introducing our Blockchain Collection, where transparency meets elegance. Each lab-grown diamond in this collection is meticulously traced through blockchain technology, ensuring complete visibility into its journey from the mining company to your hands.

Blockchain serves as an immutable ledger, recording every significant step in the diamond's lifecycle. It captures crucial details about the diamond's origin, including its extraction, cutting, polishing, and certification. By leveraging blockchain, we offer you unparalleled transparency and confidence in the authenticity and ethical sourcing of your diamond.

With our Blockchain Collection, you can trust that your lab-grown diamond is not only stunning but also ethically and sustainably sourced. Join us in embracing innovation and responsibility as we redefine the standards of transparency and accountability in the diamond industry.

Truly Herrok's Collection

Introducing Truly Herrok's Collection, where sophistication meets sustainability. Our premium assortment features lab-grown diamonds meticulously selected for their exceptional quality and ethical sourcing practices. Each diamond in this curated collection embodies the perfect balance of traceability, sustainability, cut, color, and clarity, ensuring a timeless and elegant choice for your jewelry needs.

With Truly Herrok's, you can indulge in the luxury of fine jewelry while making a conscious choice for the planet. Our diamonds are lab-grown using innovative technology, eliminating the need for environmentally harmful mining practices associated with natural diamonds. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond our diamonds to every aspect of our production process, ensuring that each piece you purchase aligns with your values of ethical consumption and environmental stewardship.
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Diamond FAQ's

How do you clean a diamond?

Cleaning a diamond is simple. You can use mild soap and warm water with a soft brush to gently scrub away dirt and oils. Alternatively, you can use a jewelry cleaner specifically formulated for diamonds. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, as they may damage the diamond.

A GIA-certified diamond is one that has been graded and certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a leading authority in diamond grading. The certification provides an accurate assessment of the diamond's quality based on its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Diamonds symbolize love, commitment, and eternity, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and other meaningful jewelry. They are also associated with strength, resilience, and purity.

A CVD diamond, or chemical vapor deposition diamond, is a type of lab-grown diamond produced through a synthetic process. It involves the deposition of carbon atoms onto a substrate to create diamond crystals.

Diamonds exist in two forms: natural and lab-grown. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle over millions of years, while lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment using advanced technology.

Natural diamonds are rare, with only a small percentage of mined diamonds considered gem-quality. However, lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular and are more readily available than their natural counterparts.

Cubic zirconia and diamonds may look similar to the untrained eye, but they have distinct differences. Diamonds are harder and more durable than cubic zirconia and will scratch glass, while cubic zirconia will not.

A diamond's sparkle, or brilliance, is determined by its cut, which reflects and refracts light to create sparkle and fire. Well-cut diamonds with precise proportions will exhibit maximum brilliance.

Diamonds represent enduring love, purity, and strength. They are often used to commemorate significant milestones such as engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.

An enhanced diamond undergoes treatments to improve its appearance, such as filling surface-reaching fractures or enhancing color. These treatments may affect the diamond's value and durability.