Quality Guide

Diamonds are forever…

Over the age’s precious stones and precious metals have acquired an aura which fascinates mankind, and probably always will.

Jewellery, precious stones and metals possess a mysterious significance, enhancing their own natural fire and warmth, and they achieve that which man himself cannot- that is to escape from time itself.

From the earliest times the scarcity of precious minerals – and the difficulties frequently attendant upon their discovery and divining from the Earth – has given them a value that made them symbols of status and social standing as well as laying the foundations for investment and the roots of the economy we know today.

The sourcing and acquisition of these amazing gemstones is of extreme importance to any prospective item of jewellery. They are intrinsic to Aurum’s success and certainly only the most breathtakingly beautiful high quality stones are, selected personally by Richard and his daughter Julie, from diamond specialists in Antwerp and from visits to stone cutters in the far East.

Care for your diamonds
Diamonds do need care to keep them at their brilliant best. A clean diamond not only reflects light better but also, actually looks bigger than one that’s been dulled by skin oils, soap and cosmetics. Diamonds have an affinity for grease and should be cleaned regularly to look their best.

Diamond do’s & dont's
- Don’t let your diamond come into contact with chlorine bleach when you’re doing housework. It won’t hurt the diamond, but it can pit or discolour the mounting.
- Don’t wear your diamond when you are doing rough work or washing up. Even though a diamond is durable, a hard blow along its grain can chip it.
- Don’t jumble your diamond pieces into a drawer of jewellery case because diamonds can scratch each other and also scratch other jewellery.
- Bring your Aurum diamonds back in to us at least once a year where we will check your jewellery for any loose settings or signs wear.

Conflict- free Diamonds

We endeavour to insure that all materials used in our jewellery come from ethical sources and we can offer Kimberley-certificated stones which prove this. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Kimberley Process or KP) is an international governmental certification scheme that was set up to prevent the trade in diamonds that fund conflict. Launched in January 2003, the scheme requires governments to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are conflict-free.

About Diamond Certificates - The confidence you deserve
The purpose of a diamond certificate is to offer you the highest possible level of security and confidence. It confirms the diamond's authenticity and describes its essential characteristics or ' 4 Cs'... Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut

Not just anyone can grade a diamond. It needs to be examined by expert gemmologists, under strict regulations and using specialised equipment. To ensure your absolute confidence, Aurum of Jersey only uses polished diamonds that have not been set into a piece of jewellery.

We believe that all customers need to be informed correctly about the diamonds they buy. That is why we examine the diamonds we buy to see whether a diamond has been subject to any unreported treatments in order to alter its appearance or whether it is synthetic, meaning that it was not born millions of years ago in nature, but in a laboratory.

Carat
The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat = 0.2 grams and one carat equals 100 points.


.05	.10	.20	.25	.50	.75	1.00	1.25	1.50	1.75	2.00	2.50	3.00	4.00	5.00	7.00

Clarity
Most diamonds are colourless to slightly yellowish. The colour grade is determined by comparison with a series of masterstones, the best grade being colourless (D, exceptional white +). Diamonds can also occur in all sorts of colours, ranging from brownish to striking yellows, pink to purple, red and blue. These are called “fancy colours”. Certain diamonds can react to “black light” with grades varying from nil-slight-medium to strong. Besides colour, the fluorescence of the diamond is also graded.

D	E	F	G	H	I	J

EXC WHITE +	EXC WHITE	RARE WHITE +	RARE WHITE	WHITE	SLIGHTLY TINTED WHITE (I & J)
K	L	M	N-O	P-R	S-Z

SLIGHTLY TINTED WHITE (K & L)		TINTED COLOUR (M-Z)

Cut
The proportions are determinative for the billiancy and the fire of the diamond. The symmerty describes the variations of the different parameters which define the proportions. The polish described the finish of the facets.

Shape
Diamonds can be cut in various shapes (e.g. square, pear or heart). The round brilliant is probably the best known shape.


ROUND BRILLIANT	OVAL	MARQUISE	PEAR	HEART	EMERALD	PRINCESS	RADIANT

For further information about the Diamond Chart or to find out more about HRD Antwerp please visit www.hrdantwerp.be

The National Association Of Goldsmiths

The National Association Of Goldsmiths (N.A.G.) was established in 1894 to serve and support the Jewellery Industry of Great Britain and Ireland. The Association promotes high professional standards among its membership to inspire consumer confidence and to enhance the reputation of its members. There is a Code of Practice to which elected Members must agree to adhere to and by which applicants for membership are judged.

Government, Trading Standards, industry and the media turn to the Association for advice and we also have a strong international presence, in particular through our very close association with the International Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO).

The Association is committed to encouraging communication within the industry and to helping members to adopt modern technology. Membership comprises professional retail jewellers, both independents and multiples, who are committed to an honest and knowledgeable approach to their business.

The Guild of Master Craftsmen

The Guild of Master Craftsmen exists for the benefit of its members. By increasing public perception of their skill and integrity, The Guild assists their members in obtaining extra work and help make savings on business expenses.

The Guild brings together all skilled people engaged in a type of craft, art, trade, profession or vocation in order to protect the interests of craftsmen and the public. The unskilled are excluded and the minimum qualifications for memberships ensures the high standards of The Guild are preserved.

These high standards are publicised through national and local media, thus creating a greater public awareness. To further promote their high standards of work, The Guild of Master Craftsmen runs a Helpline to aid in finding skilled and reliable craftsmen. This free service uses the Guild’s Membership database to compile lists of Guild member selected by location and craft.

As well as traditional builders, carpenters and skilled tradesmen, Guild membership includes many specialist craftsmen and designer-makers such as soft furnishers and glass retorers.