JEWELLERY SO EXPENSIVE

What Makes Diamond Jewellery So Expensive

Diamonds are coveted all over the world – in fact, it is one of the most admired stones on the planet earth. These highly sought-after stones are commonly found in bridal diamond jewellery, no matter the country or culture. But what is it about diamonds that makes it worth the price tag?

Let’s have a look at what makes these jewelled sparkles so valuable and expensive.

Durable and Versatile

Not only are they beautiful, diamonds are durable and versatile too. Diamonds have a wide range of physical properties that justifies its value. They are one of the hardest materials known to man, great thermal conductors, pressure-resistant, and can act as electrical insulators. Because of this, diamonds have many applications outside of jewellery manufacturing, including industrial, audio, medical, and many more.

For instance, they are useful as an abrasive for industrial purposes. Small particles of diamonds are often embedded in heavy machinery and industrial tools used for cutting, drilling, or grinding hard materials. Due to their heat-resistant property, they are also used to cover the openings of lasers, X-Ray machines, and vacuum chambers. Additionally, diamonds speaker domes are commonly found on high-quality speakers to enhance its performance. 

Due to its durability and versatility, we can safely conclude that your diamond and sapphire jewellery ring will last for a long time, making it an ideal heirloom piece. 

Historical and Cultural Significance

Thousands of years ago, these stones were found in the south of India and the country continues to be a leader in producing diamonds for hundreds of years later. One of the largest, most valuable and most famous diamonds is the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, brought from the sand in India and thought to be revered by the Hindu God, Krishna. Its religious and cultural significance grants Koh-i-Noor Diamond its prestigious status, and the stone continues to have a lasting cultural impact in India. 

Other than India, Ancient Greeks referred to diamonds as the most indestructible stone and even believed it to have mystical powers. Royalty and noblemen in the 14th century wore diamonds as a status symbol, believing that those who wore diamonds are strong, courageous, and invincible. They symbolize the height of affluence and affection and have been regarded as a sign of power, wealth and status for many centuries. With such a long history of diamond engagement rings dating back to the 1400s, people’s adoration for diamonds today is, by all means, not a new phenomenon. 

Sourcing and Ethical Reasons

Many people consider the ethical sourcing of diamonds as a genuine consideration to justify its price.  The United Nations (UN) supports an adopted standard in the diamond trade industry, often referred to as The Kimberley Process, which was created to monitor imports of rough diamonds and ensure they are conflict-free. Large mining companies extract diamonds from deep-earth mines through a process called alluvial mining. However, a percentage of this method of mining needs to be performed by hand – a painstaking labor done by hand. This intense work is mainly performed in African nations where the great majority of diamonds are found.

The problem is that some mining companies perform unregulated alluvial mining. The miners are often underaged children, some as young as five years old or victims of human trafficking, who have to work this intense labor. They live in extreme poverty and work for less than a dollar per day, despite diamonds’ high market value. Informal mining also wreaks havoc on the environment, leaving the land useless, rivers polluted, and the local ecosystem destroyed as a consequence.

The sourcing process of an ethical diamond stone is expensive, as the industry is heavily regulated with guidelines that take extra money to implement. As such, it is no surprise that diamonds come attached with a high price point due to the cost, time, and effort involved throughout their entire mining process. 

The 4C

Diamonds with certain qualities are rarer and more valuable than diamonds that lack them. The most universally accepted standard for assessing the quality of any diamond is 4Cs of Diamond Quality – Colour, Clarity, Carat, Cut. The 4Cs determine the quality of a diamond and distinguish the highest-quality diamonds from a lesser one, hence it is often the most important factor to consider while purchasing diamond engagement rings. This standard assesses the micro-differences between diamonds and serves as an evidence to the high level of rarity, perfections, and finest craftsmanship of each diamond stone, hence it dictates the price of each individual diamond.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is indeed true that fine diamonds are worthy of their price tag.

A high-quality natural diamond that is jewellery-grade, ethically sourced, and has a remarkable 4C standard is considered a rare find that deserves to be valued above the rest. 

When purchasing a diamond, be sure to get yours from a trusted Singapore jewellery designer to ensure your diamond is consistent to its price tag. Browse the full selection of diamonds at Infiniti Jewels and build your own custom made jewellery singapore today.