Winter Holiday Gift Suggestions for Your Loved One!

The prestigious US magazine, Advertising Age, in its January 1999 edition, proclaimed “A Diamond is Forever”, the most recognized and effective slogan of the twentieth century. Today, diamond engagement rings are commonplace, but were it not for a single company and its drive to dominate the diamond industry, history would have turned out differently.

Before diamond grading reports became so popular, there was a widespread preference in the trade for stones with fluorescence. These diamonds were called “blue-white” diamonds, and long time diamantaires can recall a time when many buyers would insist on diamonds with fluorescence. The preference began to decline after the FTC outlawed the misuse of the term “blue-white”.

The following is excerpted from the Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries” Misuse of the term “blue white.”

The impact of fluorescence has long been debated; in the Winter 1997 issue of GIA’s Gems & Gemology, William E. Boyajian, President of the Gemological Institute of America, had the following to say on the topic: Opinions of even the most experienced trades people vary widely. With great conviction, some say that blue fluorescence of different strengths typically enhances a diamond’s overall appearance. Others, as convincingly, say that it has a negative effect.

In addition to “Certificate of Origin”, some countries have set up their own measures in order to ensure that blood diamonds are not released in their markets.