April 2009
Community Paper
copyright ©2009 by Community Paper College Park, Inc. All rights reserved.

APRIL BIRTHSTONE - DIAMOND!
by Phyllis Stewart-Tuell, Gemologist, Stewart Jewelry
2212 Edgewater Drive, 407-425-1496
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The saying that “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” is true. For more than three centuries, the chief diamond style has been the 58-facet round brilliant cut. The first version and subsequent variations of the brilliant cut are now called “old Miners.” Old miner cut stones feature a “nearly square or cushion-shape outline, a high crown, a small table on the top and a deep pavilion with a very large culet on the bottom”. These diamonds were on the market until around 1930. It is not surprising to find scads of them in pre-owned jewelry, since they were the most common manufactured diamonds for nearly 300 years. Even though old miners and old European cut diamonds are not cut today, they have their own value. Sometimes greater than having them re-cut to today’s standards.

Diamonds appear in a range of colors naturally: Black, Blue, Pink, Green, Yellow, Brown and Purple. They have also been irradiated and heated to give them colors since the early 1950s. Diamonds are often fracture filled and drilled to remove black inclusions so the stone will appear clean to the naked eye. These procedures should be disclosed to the buyer since it alters the stone.

Whether you are in the market to purchase, custom design or to have your jewelry appraised, come in and let us assist you. If we don’t have the item you want, we will special order for you.