LA Diamonds: Their Story From The Earth To Your Finger

LA diamonds have a pretty impressive journey before they end up on you finger. Diamonds are made up of carbon atoms that were fused together from intense heat and pressure within the earth. Raw diamonds aren’t all that impressive to look at most of the time, and determining whether or not a mined diamond has the potential to become a gorgeous piece of jewelry takes expertise—and much of that decision is based on the diamond’s color. Diamonds mined throughout the world can range from colorless, which is ideal for a gemstone, to a brownish black color. Diamonds are found within rocks and also in rivers, where they’ve been deposited over time by erosion. Africa is, by far, the largest supplier of diamonds, though significant deposits have also been found in Canada, Russia and the United States. If you want to know where your LA diamonds come from, ask your jeweler; some, like Icing on the Ring, specialize in Canadian diamonds.

How Do They Get To Jewelry Stores In Downtown Los Angeles

Where diamonds are mined is important to many consumers who shop in jewelry stores in downtown Los Angeles, especially those who do not want to support war and bloodshed in Africa with their purchase. Although there are regulations in place banning the importation of these “blood diamonds,” some experts are skeptical about how effective they are. That’s why many consumers look for diamonds mined in more humane environments, such as Canada, which strictly controls the work environment of its miners. Once diamonds are mined, they are shipped to diamond cutters. Cities that have highly-trained diamond cutters include Belgium, Tel Aviv, Surat (India) and New York. The look and brilliance of the diamond is often determined by how well the diamond is cut, making this a critical step before the diamond is put into a setting and sent to jewelry stores in downtown Los Angeles.

Technology Is Helping to Create More Beautiful LA Diamonds

Today, LA diamonds are more beautiful than ever, in part because before a diamond cutter makes the first cut, each diamond is examined closely using a three dimensional computer scan of the stone. By looking at the 3D model and having the ability to see inclusions within the diamond, the cutter can better determine how the stone should be cut. This high-tech method creates far less waste than in years past and allows cutters to optimally cut each diamond they see. How a diamond is cut takes into consideration both the beauty of the final product and fashion trends, as well as optimizes the size of the stone. In general, the larger the stone, the more value it has. Cutters cannot force a stone into a cut, however, and often must work with what the raw stone is “telling” them. Some in some cases, two LA diamonds can be cut from a single rough diamond.

The Diamond Makes Its Way to the LA Jewelry District

What happens when the gemstone gets to the LA jewelry district? In some cases, rings and other diamond jewelry are created all over the world and imported by various retail stores. In other cases, pieces are created right within the district. LA is known to have some of the finest jewelry designers in the world, which is no surprise given that the LA jewelry district is the largest jewelry district in the country. Several companies create gorgeous jewelry. If you are heading to the district, chances are you’ll see diamonds from all over the world that have been cut and polished overseas. If the origin of the diamond is important to you, make certain you see written proof of where your diamond was mined. You may fall in love with a ring designed in Paris or New York, or one that was designed right in the LA jewelry district itself.

More Information

Want to learn more about LA diamonds? Looking to buy a diamond, but want to do so only from nationally-recognized experts? Come to Icing on the Ring, a family-owned and operated store with several experts on staff who can answer all of your questions. Call 888-565-6150 today to learn more!