Tag Archives: GIA

Ethiopian Opal

In 1994, a new opal discovery was announced in the east African country of Ethiopia. It was located in the province of Shewa, near the village of Mezezo. People always get excited about gem-quality opal, and these opals were unlike anything anyone had ever seen. They were dubbed “chocolate opals” for the dark brown body…

Continue Reading »

Diamond Certification Part III

So I’ve gone from what diamond certification is to why it’s important to both the industry and the consumer. Then I wrote about how it’s been hijacked and abused. Now I’m going to set forth my personal philosophy on how I’m handling the problem in my store. In short, having a reputable onsite gemologist and…

Continue Reading »

Diamond Certification Part II

Recently, I gave you the basic rundown on what diamond certification is, and why it is important for you as a consumer. This week, I’m going to explain why diamond certification is so important to me as both a jeweler and as an ethical businessman. I’ve been selling diamonds for a very long time and…

Continue Reading »

Diamond Certification Part I

Most people are familiar with the Four Cs of Diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Those of you who have purchased a diamond from me know I harp on cut more than anything else because the quality of cutting can make or break the Wow Factor of a diamond. But there is an unspoken…

Continue Reading »

Some Diamonds are Fancier than Others

If I asked you picture a diamond in your mind, what do you think of? Most people think of a transparent, colorless, sparkling gemstone set in an engagement ring. But what if I asked you what your favorite color was? Then what if I told you it was a legitimate possibility to find a diamond…

Continue Reading »