Behold the Invincible Diamond

The wonder of its beauty, something that never gets old to me, holding something so valuable that is so small and precious. You probably think I’m talking about holding my latest newborn grandson. Well yes, that to me is also amazing. I’m talking about the wonder of diamonds. It is possible one can hold a single stone or several diamonds in one hand and be worth millions of dollars. I do it all the time, many times not realizing the value.

Getting up close and personal with an important high-quality diamond is an experience one does not forget. I treasured the day I feasted my eyes on the famous dark blue Hope diamond in the Smithsonian, a whopping 45.52 carats. My largest memorable diamond experience was with a fifteen-carat pear-shaped natural canary (bright yellow) diamond - that was way back in the late 1980s. I had to make a handmade platinum mounting for a retail store that sold the loose diamond for a whopping $ 1.75 million (nice sale!!! That was lots of money back then).  

There was something magical about holding that bright canary yellow rock in my fingers, turning it every which way so I could enjoy its every angle and facet. It was like viewing a fine master’s painting or sculpture. 

Something strange happened during the two-week design and creation process. Now, this is where you can decide if the cheese has slipped off my cracker or not, and this is back when I was in my early 30s! The diamond actually spoke to me while I crafted the unusual diamond and platinum setting for it.

So now you’re thinking, Richard’s really lost it. He says diamonds speak to him! If you own a large, beautiful diamond or you spend time around these scintillating, sparkling items of wondrous beauty as long as I have, you would certainly have to agree with me.

I have been procuring and selling diamonds of all shapes, sizes, and colors for over fifty-eight years now (I sold my first pair of diamond stud earrings at the age of twelve!), twenty-nine of those years here on Marco Island. I have seen many beautiful gems enter my establishment for various reasons, from simple cleanings and inspections to appraisals, repairs, and remounting. All are welcome. The diamond and the human possessing it enter as strangers and soon become friends in my humble establishment. I can remember selling perfect two-carat plus diamonds in the 1970s for $3,000. They are worth upwards of $30,000 today.

I have also seen a plethora of good, bad, and ugly diamonds. There’s such a thing as an ugly diamond? Yes, there are plenty of those circulating out there. These are very sad diamonds that should have never made their way into the jewelry biz - their fate should have ended up being sent to the factories where their tortured, lifeless souls are crushed into dust that give them a purpose in life as useful grinding, cutting wheels or sandpaper.  

There are several factors that can render the look of a diamond bad or downright ugly. You may have heard me mention the four C’s: color, cut, carat, and clarity. Procuring thousands of diamonds for customers over the years, I added a fifth and a sixth “C” one is cost, and my latest “C” addition is the diamond’s character.

The first four “C’s” are how the cost of a diamond is established. If any of the “C’s” is an unpleasant grade, especially the color - say a dark gray or light brown or faint yellow – is a quality that, for most folks, is undesirable. The cut is also another important factor. A poorly cut diamond will severely affect the look and brilliance of the gem, and most importantly, the clarity is a huge denominator. A highly flawed diamond, otherwise known as an I3 grade, has the brilliance of the worst piece of rock salt; besides looking unsightly, it will show no brilliance at all. The result of even one poor rating out of the four “C’s” categories means the final result of my fifth “C” cost should be very reasonable or downright low. Sadly, I have seen many folks, due to sheer ignorance, pay big bucks for worthless, poor-quality rated diamonds.          

My personal experiences have shown the people who are the most paranoid about leaving their “Priceless Flawless Blue White Diamond” with me for whatever reasons often own the worst quality diamonds that ever saw the light of day and when I have to point out while accepting it that their “gem” of a diamond is, in fact, now how do I say this nicely? Not exactly the gem they think it is. Whaaaat? Now here it comes…“You must be mistaken, how can that be, we got it from a trusted friend in the business!” or “We were told it was worth twice the money!” (Two times nothing is still nothing!) Even someone with a seeing-eye dog would notice this is a “dog” of a diamond.

Just a reminder, if you purchase an inferior quality diamond, it will forever remain a poor diamond. Once, a certain “Karen” I had the misfortune and displeasure of meeting, while in the process of leaving her ring for a missing prong, insisted I write on my repair envelope that her diamond was flawless. On close examination, I could not help but notice that it was far from being “flawless.” I proceeded to show her that very diamond under 30x magnification on my TV screen. There, in full color, was the living proof that her flawless diamond was far from being flawless. Actually, it was chock-full of black and white inclusions. She still refused to accept that fact so I told Ms. Karen another fact…I’m not accepting that flawed, flawless ring for repair.                   

The sixth “C” category Character because it will be a diamond that is not only a sad one but also shady because the owner was most likely duped when they purchased it.

I learned early in the biz that diamonds and certain precious gemstones are like people. They have character, both good and bad, they also possess a mysterious inner spirit. After all, they are created by Mother Nature, born from deep inside the core of this earth, and literally went through hell to get to the surface.     

The diamonds I procure I’m proud to offer to my customers.  Never forget, besides speaking to me, they are like family to me; the diamond’s soul also becomes a part of me. Many of you have heard the term…“Romancing the Stone?” (Or saw the movie?) Usually, a person acquires a diamond to be a symbol of love for someone special - after all, a diamond is forever - something true love should be or at least used to be?                                                   

Watching my customers fall in love with the diamond before they purchase it is always a heartfelt experience. The diamond should also speak volumes to potential new owner(s). Another fact is that diamonds will remain to be enjoyed by loved ones for generations long after you depart this world. Diamonds are forever; unfortunately, we mortals are not.  

A large high-quality diamond that rates high scores in the four “C” categories should always have “Character” and because of the exceptional quality scoring. The fifth “C” COST will ring loud and clear, meaning it will be noticeably expensive.