Through the years, the
rough diamonds were brought to the surface in a rising
magma which solidifies into igneous rock - kimberlite
(and, to a lesser extent, lamproite) which form the
primary deposits of diamonds.
The dispersal of diamonds from these primary sources
into streams and rivers and ultimately to the sea leads
to the formation of secondary deposits.
Pipeline - Value added chain
It takes effort, skill, and investment to find
economically viable diamond deposits.
The first step is to mine and process those deposits.
The next step is to sort and prepare the recovered
rough diamonds for sale because there is the possibility
of thousands of different value categories.
The 3rd step is the most crucial. Through the skills
of expert cutters, like Pacific Diam Ltd, the true fire
and brilliance of the diamond is revealed, taking into
consideration the performance of light as today's most
critical factor.
Today, it has been determined that, although the 4Cs
provide guidelines (and certification) for evaluating a
diamond, they do not necessarily measure a diamond's
beauty.
The most exciting new evaluation feature is
determining the performance of light of a diamond's cut.
Light performance is a function of facet design,
accuracy, and symmetry.
The most fascinating diamonds are those that have
touched human passions throughout the centuries and have
wonderful stories associated with them. Often in the
possession of royalty, film stars, and celebrities, some
of these diamonds have romantic and, even, adventurous
histories. Recently fancy color diamonds have been given
as engagement rings to many a Hollywood star and other
celebrities of the times.
The De Beers Millennium Star
In the Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire, a rough diamond
weighing a lucky 777 carats, was discovered by an
alluvial digger. He offered it to a local De Beers
buyer, who immediately recognized its extraordinary
potential.
The De Beers Millennium Star is considered by many to
be one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world
Cut to 203.04 carats, it is a D color (colorless),
internally and externally flawless pear shape.
Heart of Eternity
A 27.64 carat heart shape is renowned for the
intensity of its color, described as "vivid blue".
The Heart of Eternity was one of 11 rare blue
diamonds and is part of a special collection of De Beers
Millennium Jewels.
This collection, which also featured the famous
Millennium Star, was put together by the De Beers Group
to celebrate the new millennium - 21st century.
Centenary
The Centenary originally weighed 599 carats and
possesses what is said to be "perfect color".
Recovered from the Premier Mine, the diamond was cut
and polished over 2 years, first yielding 273.85 carats
of internally flawless beauty.
The polished Centenary Diamond was finally shown in
1991.
With a total of 247 facets (164 on the table and the
pavilion and 83 on the girdle), it is considered to be
the largest modern cut diamond in the world.
Cullinan
Among top color diamonds, the Centenary is surpassed
in size by only the Cullinan I and the Cullinan II, the
2 largest stones cut from the Cullinan.
The Cullinan I and the Cullinan II were cut before
modern symmetrical cuts were fully developed to maximize
the brilliance of a diamond.
Star of South Africa
Discovered in 1869, the Star of South Africa, a
47.69-carat flawless pear shape, is considered to be a
symbol of South Africa's great diamond prosperity.
Before its discovery, only India and Brazil were
considered to be serious sources of diamonds.
(Legend has it that the Star of South Africa was
exhibited at a session in Parliament shortly after its
discovery, causing the Colonial Secretary to declare
"This diamond, gentlemen, is the rock upon which the
future prosperity of South Africa will be built.")
Incomparable
The Incomparable Diamond weighs 407.48 carats.
Discovered in the Mbuji Mayi district of the
Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire),
almost a decade before the Millennium Star was
discovered in the same region, the Incomparable is the
3rd largest diamond ever cut. It is surpassed only by
(1) The Cullinan I and (2) The Golden Jubilee.
The diamond (with its fancy brownish yellow color) is
remarkable for its unusual triangular shape, called a
"triolette".
De Beers Diamond
Shortly after the founding of De Beers Consolidated
Mines in 1888, a light yellow rough diamond (439.86
carats) was recovered from the De Beers mine.
More than 200 carats of rough had to be polished off
of the stone to reveal a beautiful light yellow, cushion
cut diamond (234.65 carats),
Today it is considered to be the 7th largest polished
diamond in the world.
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