Diamonds

Chapter 1: Diamond Formation, Mining and the Marketplace

• Diamond formation process

• Mining history and methods

• The journey of a diamond from the earth to the marketplace

• Conflict diamonds

• Kimberly Process

Chapter 2: Diamond Properties

• Diamond composition and structure

• Physical and optical properties

• Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation

Chapter 3: Diamond Shapes and Cutting Styles

• Round Vs Fancy Shapes

• Anatomy of a Round Brilliant and Fancy Shapes

• Cutting Style

Chapter 4: Tools of Diamond Grading

• Learn about all of the tools used in diamond grading

• Setting up, focusing and using a gemological microscope

• Lighting techniques

Chapter 5: The 4 C's - Carat

• Conversion from carats, points, grainers and grams

• FTC guidelines

• Diamond melee

Chapter 6: The 4 C's - Color

• D-Z color grading scale

• Grading procedure used by gemological laboratories

• Fancy color grading scale

• Hue, Tone & Saturation

Chapter 7: The 4 C's - Cut

• Diamond cutting process

• Diamond Proportions and its affect on light performance

• Tolkowsky research into cut

• Grading Cut

• Assessing the Girdle and Culet

• Polish and Symmetry Grading

Chapter 8: The 4 C's - Clarity

• Factors that affect clarity

• The clarity scale

• Types of inclusions and blemishes

Chapter 9: Diamond Plotting

• Learn how to properly read and make a diamond plot

• Clarity characteristic symbols

Chapter 10: Grading Mounted Diamonds

• Types of settings

• Estimated diamond weight

• Clarity and Color grading techniques

Chapter 11: Diamond Simulants, Synthetics and Treatments

• Common diamond simulants and how to identify them, including synthetic cubic ziconia & synthetic moissanite
• Synthetic (aka laboratory grown) diamonds. HPHT vs CVD methods
• Common treatments including laser drilling, feather filling and color enhancements