It’s April, which for Black Betty means one thing only: Diamond Season.
The diamond was formed over 3 billion years ago deep within the earth’s crust, so it’s a meaningful part of our world’s beginnings. It’s the gem that binds two people dedicating the rest of their lives to each other, symbolising value, love and strength.
Natural diamond crystal nestled in kimberlite. Image: Shutterstock
April & Aries babies alike are the lucky few who have this legendary gemstone as their birth & zodiac stone. To celebrate, we’re here to discuss all things diamond.
The first question you need to ask is, where are these diamonds from? It’s incredibly important to know that your diamonds are being ethically sourced. A good tip is to keep your eyes out for mention of sourcing diamonds through the ethical guarantee of the Kimberley Process. The Kimberley Process is there to ensure that diamonds are not sourced from conflict regions and that there are no human rights violations undertaken when retaining diamonds. Black Betty is making certain that we only source diamonds under these ethical guidelines.
When buying your diamond there are many things to consider, but we’ll start with the basics– the 4 C’s.
CUT
An ideal diamond cut is one that lets in the most light through the crown, to get that sparkle we’re all after. The cut is graded on a 5 point scale, ranging from Excellent (EX)– AKA Ideal (ID)– to Poor ℗.
COLOUR
Diamonds range from colourless to light yellow or brown. The less colour, the more valuable the diamond. The colour scale is divided from D-Z.
CLARITY
When choosing your diamond, it’s the small things that count. Clarity refers to a diamond’s tiny markings, and the less markings means the more rare it is.
CARAT
It’s no surprise that the bigger the diamond, the more valuable it is. Carat weight works on a point system, where 1 carat is divided into 100 points– so 50 points gives us ½ a carat.
But it’s not all about size. Each one of the 4 C’s work together in equal measure to assess the value and rarity of your diamond.
Of course we must also consider shape. Whilst a diamond can be cut into any shape, there are 10 notable diamond shapes. The shape you choose for yourself or your soon-to-be, is led by personal taste and personality. Are you after an elegant emerald shape, which is believed to symbolise confidence and personal clarity? Or a classic round shape, which represents honesty & tradition? Perhaps you’d want the extravagant look of a marquise diamond, speaking to personal boldness?
Photo from Hailey Bieber's Instagram
Vogue recently listed the best celebrity engagement rings of all time. From Hailey Bieber’s timeless oval shape to Lady Gaga’s emotive heart shape, it’s clear that your diamond tells your story.
Image from abcnews.go.com
It wouldn’t be a Black Betty celebration if we didn’t speak about the unique diamonds that light our soul on fire. Of course, we value and adore the elegance of traditional diamonds, but we’re also drawn towards unconventional diamonds– are you surprised?
Salt & Pepper diamonds have recently become a new obsession for Black Betty’s owner, Kristin Weixelbaumer. They are a symbol of embracing imperfection over flawlessness. These diamonds champion their colour and inclusions, and that’s exactly what makes them so beautiful. They’re mostly found in unique shapes such as kites and hexagons.
Want to view the rest of Black Betty's Diamond Collection?
With all diamonds, no two are ever the same, however when it comes to our salt & pepper diamonds these differences are far more visible. Looking into a salt & pepper diamond has been said to be like looking into a “little galaxy of stars”, with all its variations and shades.
Whether you’re wanting to gaze into unique little galaxies of your own, or wish to adorn your loved one or yourself with a timeless & classic diamond– we’re here to guide you to choose the forever gemstone that perfectly speaks to you.