Loose Diamonds

Loose diamonds are diamonds which are not set in precious metals such as gold and platinum. Those are diamonds that have been expertly cut and polished and are ready to either be mounted in an engagement ring and other type of jewelry, or remain unmounted as part of an investment collection.

Diamond has remarkable optical characteristics. Because of its extremely rigid lattice, it can be contaminated by very few types of impurities, such as boron and nitrogen. Combined with wide transparency, this results in the clear, colorless appearance of most natural diamonds.

The best diamonds are the whitest, clearest, and are cut to specific proportions which give them their brilliant glow. Diamonds which have higher carat weights are also worth more.

Most natural diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 120 mi) in the Earth mantle.

Today, the majority of rough or uncut diamonds are mined from African countries, with the remainder coming from Australia, South America, Canada, and Russia. On average, nearly 250 tons of diamond ore must be mined to produce a 1-carat, gem-quality loose diamond.

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