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 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 that’s worth millions of dollars - I do it all the time, not realizing the value.

Getting up close and personal to 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 canary (bright yellow) diamond. I had to make a handmade mounting back in the late 1980’s for a client; there was something magical about holding that rock in my fingers, turning it every which way to enjoy every angle like viewing a fine master’s painting. During the ten-day design and creation process (and after reading about this experience you can now decide if the cheese has really slipped off my cracker or not!) the diamond actually spoke to me while I created the unusual 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 the time around these scintillating, sparkling items of wondrous beauty as long as I have you would certainly begin to agree with me.

I have been procuring and selling diamonds of all shapes, sizes and colors, for over fifty years - twenty-five of those years here on Marco Island. I have seen many beautiful gems enter my establishment for various reasons, for simple cleanings and inspections to appraisals, repairs and remounting. All are welcome, the diamond and the human who possess it, both enter as strangers and soon become friends in my humble establishment.

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 as useful grinding, cutting wheels or sand paper. 

There are several reasons that can render 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 is a dark gray or light brown or faint yellow - it’s 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 clarity is a huge denominator, a highly flawed diamond (AKA “rock salt”) besides looking unsightly it will show no brilliance at all. The result of poor ratings in the four “C” categories equals the fifth “C”: cost. It should be very low and sadly I have seen many folk due to sheer ignorance pay big bucks for poorly rated diamonds.

My personal experiences have shown the people who are the most paranoid about leaving their “gem” with me for whatever reason often own the worse quality diamonds. What are they afraid of…I’m going to switch it for a better one?

Just a reminder, if you purchase a crummy diamond, it will forever remain a crummy diamond. The sixth “C” will be a diamond that is and has a very shady character. 

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 and are born from deep inside the core of this earth and literally went through hell to the surface.

I never forget the diamonds I buy to resell to my customers - they are like family to me. Besides speaking to me, the diamond also becomes a part of me. Do you know of the term “romancing the stone”? Usually, one is acquiring a diamond to be a symbol of love to someone special - after all a diamond is forever, something true love should be. Watching my customers falling 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 that diamond will remain to be enjoyed by loved ones long after you depart this world… Diamonds are forever; unfortunately, we mortal souls 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.

Richard Alan is a designer/goldsmith and the owner of The Harbor Goldsmith of Marco Island, celebrating his 25th year of excellence in business on the island. He welcomes your questions and comments about “All That Glitters” www.harborgoldsmith.com.