Diamonds

We have examples of some of the worlds most perfectly cut Polished Diamonds.
Just For You!

The H+A is the most fiery of all polished diamond cuts, displaying a highly characteristic “flicker” and “sparkle”. For many wearers, this character makes it the quintessential polished diamond. The H+A is created for those who prize artistic excellence.

H+A cut stones are exquisitely balanced in three dimensions. There is no room for error. Each must reveal a unique and clearly defined pattern of light when seen through a fire scope: sharp arrows above, and full, rounded hearts below. No Fuzziness.

The H+A cut uses the latest optical insights to create a dazzling architecture of light.
These polished diamonds are created for those who expect the best.

Diamonds:

Diamonds are the hardest of all natural substances. They have been cherished for millennia by royalty as the ultimate symbol of power and wealth. People of ancient India found diamonds on the ground after monsoon storms and thought that they were solidified lightning.

In 1477 Maximillian of Austria asked his court astrologer for the stars' suggestion for that "just right" token to bestow on Mary of Burgundy to mark their engagement. You guessed it...the stars suggested a ring with a diamond. And as DeBeers says: boy, did Max and Mary ever start something!

Why a ring? A ring is round, without corner or end, and as such has represented eternity throughout history. The Romans believed that third finger of the hand (left or right, it doesn't matter) was connected to the heart by a vein of love. That finger was reserved for wedding (and engagement) rings. Rings of power (like those worn by the Pope, bishops, royalty) are worn on the index finger.

If you are seeking polished diamonds, interested in polished diamonds, have been offered polished diamonds at "wholesale prices" - anything concerning polished diamonds, then come and see us!  We have more polished diamonds than any other Christchurch Jeweller, and better polished diamonds at direct to you prices.  We obtained a quote for polished diamonds from a local web based dealer of polished diamonds, and found that on comparison, our "normal" price for a polished diamond mounted in Platinum was 12.5% cheaper!  We have sold many polished diamonds at less than 50% of replacement valuation for similar polished diamonds, so if someone selling polished diamonds sends you to us to search out styles, let us show you how we can beat even their best prices for polished diamonds!  For polished diamonds of exceptional quality and value, Via Sollertia for Polished Diamonds!

Prices and variety have never been better for local buyers in relation to world markets.  Even though diamonds, precious gems and metals have become more expensive internationally due to increasing demand, the pressures created by access to global markets have meant an increasingly better deal in real terms for the local consumer.  Worldwide the Jewellery Industry is in good heart, but margins have been hammered for the hand-makers and Independents, while in the chain stores Indian and Chinese sourced goods abound.

Some people have the perception that better bargains may be found on the internet or overseas, but just as good and better can be found at any good manufacturing jeweller who has good market connections, and you also have the assurance of a bricks and mortar establishment and you are supporting your local community.

There are so many pitfalls for the unwary and there is always good reason why things are as they are – that Internet bargain may just prove to be a blunder. Anyone can write their own history on auction sites if they know how, or write glowing but unsubstantiated testimonials on websites to fool the punters”.  “It’s a jungle out there, and there are many predatory practices, so shop around and ask questions – don’t just believe whatever you are told, check it out and verify it – and find someone you feel comfortable dealing with.  There is increasing transparency in the Jewellery Industry worldwide which means a more aware buying public and greater competition.

Ian Williams, owner/operator of Via Sollertia, has an obvious passion for the diamonds and gems that abound in his store. While he will admit that mass-produced jewellery has its place, the sheer beauty and durability of a ring made by a craftsman especially for you is without peer. If you’re feeling the tug to chase so-called “internet bargains,’ Ian Williams has some advice to offer. A recent cost comparison with a locally based purveyor of polished diamonds revealed that Via Sollertia's "regular" price was 12.5% cheaper than the Internet vendor’s so-called "bargain." It’s quality at competitive prices – sounds like a girl’s new best friend to me!

Diamond Type

Diamonds can be scientifically classified into 4 types, known as type 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b. Diamonds are made of carbon, and are extremely pure, but in almost all diamonds there are tiny proportions of other elements, interspersed within the carbon as part of their crystal structure. Type 1 diamonds contain nitrogen. If the nitrogen atoms are clustered together within the carbon lattice, then the diamond is said to be a Type 1a diamond. About 98% of all diamonds are type 1a. Because these diamonds absorb blue light, they can have a pale yellow or brown color. In Type 1b diamonds, the nitrogen atoms are evenly spread out throughout the carbon lattice. These diamonds absorb green light as well as blue light, and have a darker color than type 1a diamonds. Depending on the precise concentration and spread of the nitrogen atoms, these diamonds can appear deep yellow ("canary"), orange, brown or greenish. Less then 0.1% of diamonds belong to Type 1b. Type 2a diamonds contain no, or minuscule amounts of non-carbon elements and are usually colorless. However, an imperfect carbon lattice will make the diamond absorb some light, which will give it a yellow, brown or even pink or red color. 1-2% of diamonds belong to Type 2a. Type 2b contain no nitrogen, but they do contain boron, which absorbs red, orange and yellow light. These diamonds therefore usually appear to be blue, although they can also be grey or nearly colorless. All naturally blue diamonds belong to Type 2b, which makes up 0.1% of all diamonds 

High-Temperature High-Pressure Diamonds - HTHP

A small number of otherwise gem-quality stones that possess a brown body color can have their color significantly lightened or altogether removed by HTHP treatment, which was introduced by General Electric in 1999. Diamonds treated this way are all Type IIa and owe their marring color to structural defects that arose during crystal growth, known as plastic deformations, rather than to interstitial nitrogen impurities as is the case in most diamonds with brown color. HTHP treatment is believed to repair these deformations, and thus whiten the stone.(This is probably an incorrect conclusion, the whitening due to destruction of stable vacancy clusters according to one of the researchers). Type Ia diamonds, which have nitrogen impurities present in clusters that do not normally affect body color, can also have their color altered by HTHP. Some synthetic diamonds have also been given HTHP treatment to alter their optical properties and thus make them harder to differentiate from natural diamonds. Pressures of up to 70,000 atmospheres and temperatures of up to 2,000°C are used in HTHP.

Also in 1999, Novatek, a Provo, UT manufacturer of industrial diamonds known for its advancements in diamond synthesis, accidentally discovered that the color of diamonds could be changed by the HTHP process. The company formed NovaDiamond, Inc. to market the process. By applying heat and pressure to natural stones, NovaDiamond could turn brown Type I diamonds light yellow, greenish yellow, or yellowish green; improve champagne Type IIA diamonds several color points, even to white; intensify the color of yellow Type I diamonds; and make some bluish grey Type I and Type IIB colorless. In 2001, however, NovaDiamond quit the HTHP gem business because of what the company's leader, David Hall, characterized as the underhanded practices of dealers. Apparently, dealers were passing off NovaDiamond enhanced gems as naturally colored, and the company refused to be party to this deception.

Definitive identification of HTHP stones is left to well-equipped gemological laboratories, where Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are used to analyze the visible and infrared absorption of suspect diamonds to detect characteristic absorption lines, such as those indicative of exposure to high temperatures. Indicative features seen under the microscope include: internal graining (Type IIa); partially healed feathers; a hazy appearance; black cracks surrounding inclusions; and a beaded or frosted girdle. Diamonds treated to remove their color by General Electric are given laser inscriptions on their girdles: these inscriptions read "GE POL", with "POL" standing for Pegasus Overseas Ltd, a partnered firm. It is possible to polish this inscription away, so its absence cannot be a trusted sign of natural color. Although it is permanent, HTHP treatment should be disclosed to the buyer at the time of sale.

Fracture Filling

Fracture filling is a clarity treatment whereby a glass-like resin is injected into white, often bright feathers or fractures that reach the surface of the diamond. The fractures do not disappear, but the film creates an optical illusion that makes them less visible to the naked eye.

How does it work? Feathers are visible when light reflects off of them; by filling them with a resin, light is able to travel through the feather, making it less visible. Some diamonds may first be laser drilled to reach a feather that does not reach the surface; the filling is then injected through the created channel and sealed.

Fracture filled diamonds can be identified by a trained gemmologist under magnification. The most prominent feature of fracture filled diamonds is the presence of a ‘flash effect’, or bright vivid streaks of colour from the filled fracture. These colour flashes are the result of differences in dispersion between the diamond and the filling material. Other identifying characteristics in the filling are gas bubbles, flow structures, and a ‘crackly’ type of texture in the filling material.

Fracture filling is not a stable diamond treatment; the process is reversible and easily altered by heat. Jewellery repairs, diamond resetting, diamond resetting, diamond cleaning, and even sunlight can erode the filler or darken its colour.

Fluorescence

Natural characteristic which causes many diamonds to glow under ultra violet light (UV), which is abundant in natural daylight and some artificial lighting. Fluorescence is caused by sub-microscopic structures within the diamond. Diamonds can have various colours of fluorescence, with blue being the most common.

Fish Eye

Unattractive donut-shaped white ring seen under the table of a round brilliant cut diamond with too shallow a pavilion depth. The ring is caused by the reflection of the diamond’s girdle. Diamonds with a fisheye lack brilliance, and show little life.