WF Edwards Jewellers Ltd

Most diamonds are between 2.5 and 3 billion years old and were formed more than 100 miles below the earths surface..

Diamond is the only gem of a pure single element and is the hardest natural substance in the world, it takes one ton of ore to yield just 1/3 carat and only one fourth of diamonds mined are made into jewellery.

Whilst most diamonds you see are colourless (these were considered to be the most beautiful) diamonds are found in all colours of the spectrum which are called fancies, these are becoming more and more popular but are very expensive and have increased by 50% in value in the last five years, a trend set when the Sultan of Brunei reportedly paid $1,000.000 for a 0.90ct red diamond. The rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world are reds and vivid pinks mostly found at the Argyle mine in Australia.

It wasn’t until then end of the 13th Century that diamonds were used in European jewellery, at this time in France it was decreed that only the King could wear diamonds.( Luckily this idea didn’t catch on!)

Diamonds are graded by their Carat Weight, Colour, Clarity and Cut, most gemologists believe that the cut is the most important as it determines the diamonds brilliance, a poor cut will leave a diamond looking dull and lifeless. The cutting of a diamond takes time and precision, it took a master cutter three years to transform The Centenary Diamond approximately 600 carats in the rough, to become the largest modern flawless diamond weighing 273.85 carats when finished.

The diamond you’re wearing has taken a remarkable journey through time, combined with craftsmen’s techniques evolving and being perfected over centuries, the diamond you’re wearing is one of natures most beautiful gifts.

Whilst we appreciate the beauty of diamonds from our world, the future may bring us diamonds from other planets, as now scientists believe that diamonds are present in the interiors of the giant planets Uranus and Neptune and possibly beneath the surface of our own moon.