投資鑽石有方法: 有便宜的鑽石嗎?

鑽石可說是貴族的象徵，一顆大小比衣服鈕還細的鑽石，價值可以超過一百萬，這並不是一般平民百姓能買的起的奢侈品。那麼昂貴的鑽石當中，有價錢較划算的嗎? 讓Bee’s Diamonds 教你選購超值的鑽石。

如果有留意我們的文章-「如何計算鑽石價格?」，應該會知道鑽石的價格是根據其大小、顏色、淨度、形狀、切工的評級來決定，一般圓形無色鑽石，愈大顆、顏色、淨度、切工的評級愈高，價錢就愈貴。相反，比較小顆、顏色、淨度、切工較參差的鑽石價錢會較低。

每一個顏色、淨度級數的跳升，價格上都會有一定升幅。比方說，一顆1克拉、顏色級別最高(D)，淨度被評為I2 (有瑕疵)的鑽石，價值只有大約港幣2萬元。淨度跳升兩級SI2(微瑕疵)，價值大約港幣6萬元。淨度為VS1(輕微瑕疵)，價值大約港幣10萬。若淨度為IF(無瑕) ，價值大約港幣21萬元，價錢與淨度I2相差10倍之多。

想找淨度高，但價格不太高的鑽石，是有方法的。其實即使是同一鑽石淨度評級的鑽石，也有高低之分，我們可以選購淨度較低一級，但內含物較不顯眼的鑽石，價格就會較便宜。例如一顆SI1的鑽石，其內含物都分佈於旁邊，台面潔淨，它絕對比得上一顆VS2的鑽石，但價錢便宜5-25%。以一顆1卡D / SI1 和 D / VS2 為例，SI1 的比VS2的便宜了大約港幣2萬多元! 只要懂得挑選，便能節省大約2萬元，買到質素不錯的鑽石，還能用省下來的錢，跟心愛的人去浪漫地方甜蜜一番，實在多花心機在挑選上也是值得的。 Bee’s Diamonds 挑選的鑽石都以台面潔淨為準則，鑽石都是同一淨度評級之中，質素最高的5%，因此大家能在我們這裡放心選購優質而又划算的鑽石。

如果想了解更多有關如何選擇鑽石或戒指設計，請聯絡Bee’s Diamonds。本公司提供專業的鑽石咨詢服務，歡迎電郵或電話查詢。電郵:info@beesdiamonds.com 或電話 (852) 2180 7812.

投資鑽石有方法: 如何計算鑽石價格?

大家都知道鑽石是璀璨奪目、堅硬無比、非常名貴的寶石，像芝麻般大小價值經已價值連成，愈大的鑽石，價格更以幾何級數上升。到底鑽石為何會價值不非，一顆鑽石的價格又是如何計算出來的呢?

鑽石是地球上的一種天然資源，是藏於地底深處，經過長年累月，高溫、高壓條件下形成的碳結構晶體，又稱「金剛石」。擁有十分高的硬度、化學穩定性，打磨後不易被磨損，其極高的折射率和散光度使其有閃閃生光的特性，再加上鑽石資源很有限，罕有度高，同時開採及加工的過程需要大量的資源，眾多因素使鑽石價值非常高。

對鑽石有些少認識的您應該知道，每顆鑽石都是獨一無二，像人一樣，每顆都有不一同特徵。基本上，鑽石的價格是根據這些特徵來定的。第一:克拉-即鑽石的大小，愈大的鑽石愈稀有，其價值亦會愈高。第二: 顏色，鑽石有無色和彩色之分。被定為無色的鑽石之中，大部分都帶有一定程度的黃色，當然，愈接近無色，其價值便愈高。而帶有鮮豔彩色的鑽石，如粉紅、藍、黃、綠、橙和紅色彩鑽是更為罕有的鑽石，價值更加高。第三:淨度，天然鑽石多少會含有一些天然的瑕疵，例如礦物和天然的裂紋。這些內含物的數量、大小、本質決定了鑽石淨度的級數，愈接近無瑕，其價值便愈高。第四:形狀，除了較受亞洲人歡迎的圓形 (Round Brilliance cut) 外，鑽石的形狀還有梨形 (Pear cut) 、馬眼形 (Marquise cut) 、心形 (Heart cut) 、公主方形 (Princess cut) 、 橢圓形 (Oval) 等，圓形鑽石會比其他形狀貴，因為切割時的損耗較其他形狀大。另外，鑽石的切割比例也會影響其價值。

在這個鑽石行業裡，人們都會根據國際鑽石報價表(Rapaport)來計算鑽石的價錢。現時鑽石報價表分為兩個，一個是用於圓形切工的鑽石，另一個則用於其他異形切工的鑽石。報價表顯示了不同卡數、顏色和淨度每卡鑽石的美金價錢。比方說，一顆1.30卡，D色，淨度IF的鑽石，我們先要查看當天1.00-1.49CT的表格，再查看D/IF的數字(例: 275)。這表示這顆鑽石每卡價值USD27,500，而整顆鑽石的價值為USD27,500 X 1.30=USD35,750。香港鑽石業均以USD1=HKD7.8來計算鑽石價格，因此這顆鑽石的價錢是 35,750 X 7.8=HKD278,850。除此之外，每顆鑽石的價格可能因為其內含物分佈的地方和範圍、切工或是大小的罕有度等等而有不同的折扣或增幅。

如果想了解更多有關如何選擇鑽石或戒指設計，請聯絡Bee’s Diamonds。本公司提供專業的鑽石咨詢服務，歡迎電郵或電話查詢。電郵:info@beesdiamonds.com 或電話 (852) 2180 7812. 

SCMP Enterprising Hong Kong Awards 2014 - Best Customer Service Award

Bee’s Diamonds is extremely happy and honoured to be awarded the SCMP Enterprising Hong Kong Awards 2014 - Best Customer Service Award. We are also the only luxury products brand and jeweller among all finalists. It is a great milestone to achieve such success for the Bee’s Diamonds’ service and administrative teams. Without your generous vote and your support over the years, we would not have won this glory. Thank you for your vote and your trust in Bee’s Diamonds.

The award is an encouragement to all of our staff and a great motivation to perfect our service. We promise to do even better in the future and will keep on providing supreme service that cannot be found elsewhere, while adding joy to your every milestone.

Once again, thank you for your support to Bee’s Diamonds.

Bee’s Diamonds非常高興和榮幸地可以獲得南華早報頒發的香港中小企業卓越營商大獎2014 - 最佳客戶服務獎。 我們亦是決賽中唯一的奢侈品品牌，鑽石供應商和珠寶商。Bee’s Diamonds 的服務以及行政團隊取得這個佳積是個重大的里程碑。如果沒有你的慷慨投票，和多年來的支持，我們不會獲得這樣的榮耀。 我們十分感謝您的投票和您對我們的信任。

這個獎項對我們的員工是很大的鼓舞，亦是我們一個很大的動力，去完美我們的服務。我們承諾，我們未來會做得比以往更好，保持提供無法在其他地方找到的至上服務，並繼續為您每一個里程碑加入歡樂。

再次感謝您對Bee’s Diamonds的支持。

投資鑽石有方法: 高品質淨度的鑽石有較高回報?

鑽石, 除了是男士用來表達對愛侶一生一世的承諾外, 愈來愈多人將其當作是人生中長期穩定投資的首選。有分析估計，鑽石以後不但會買少見少，保守的講，鑽石價值更會每年最少漲百分之五至十五。如此說來, 鑽石的確是一種有穩定回報的投資, 但是在芸芸不同的的鑽石中, 應怎樣挑選一顆符合預算且投資回報最高的呢? 

有人說, 投資鑽石愈大顆愈好, 但事實上並不是僅僅如此。一顆細小但擁有高淨度的鑽石往往較相對大顆但淨度低的鑽石回報高。 

鑽石的淨度(Clarity)是以內含物的多少和大小來分等級。淨度等級從全美(Flawless) 到有瑕疵(Included)。鑽石瑕疵包括「內含物」(inclusion)及「表面瑕疵」(blemish)。 內含物是鑽石內部的瑕疵, 通常十分細小, 需要用十倍顯微鏡才能看到, 而這些內含物可能有不同的形狀, 例如是雲霧, 水晶或羽毛。這種天然瑕疵正正給予鑽石一個獨特的指紋。表面瑕疵則是鑽石外部的瑕疵, 通常源於切磨的過程或護理不當。

事實上, 鑽石的內含物和表面瑕疵都十分微細。雖然如此, 但是其品質和價值卻相差極大, 大大影響投資的回報。當你購買鑽石作投資用途時, 建議您在鑽石大小和淨度中取得平衡。即使你買鑽石的目的不是投資, 你其實也需要考慮鑽石將來的價值, 因為這可能會是你家庭中第一份資產, 又或者是一份傳給子孫寶貴的禮物。

除此之外,鑽石的價值亦同時受其純度影響。鑽石的純度是指鑽石內含物的其中位置，大小，性質，及其對鑽石整體耐用性的影響。若比較兩顆4C(Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut)完全一樣的鑽石, 其投資回報可能會因為兩者的純度不同而相差:


從圖中可見, 左邊的鑽石其內含物處於旁邊或不明顯位置 純度明顯比右邊的鑽石高, 因此投資回報亦相對較高。在Bee's Diamonds, 我們的寶石學家會為每位客人提供每顆鑽石的所有特徵，使客人可以在預算範圍內選出投資回報最高的鑽石。

如果想了解更多有關如何選擇鑽石或戒指設計，可以參考我們的鑽石投資文章，或直接請聯絡Bee’s Diamonds。本公司提供專業的鑽石咨詢服務，歡迎電郵或電話查詢。
電郵:info@beesdiamonds.com 或電話 (852) 2180 7812.

Stephanie Lui
 Trainee Diamond Associate

Is 4 prongs or 6 prongs ring safer?

Prong setting is the most popular kind of Engagement Ring amongst all ring or jewellery styles. As the diamond can be most revealed through prong setting, light can enter the diamond from all angles, thereby maximizing its optical effect, light reflection and colour scintillation. In particular, 4 prongs and 6 prongs ring settings are most popular. They do not only secure the diamond snuggly, but they also enhance the beauty of a diamond’ symmetry.

When you have to make a choice between 4 prongs or 6 prongs, what should be your decision? Would more prongs to a ring be better and more secure?

The first decision determinant should be, the size of a diamond, also known as the weight (or carats) of a diamond. If the weight of diamond is more than 2.50 carats, Bee’s Diamonds suggest to choose a 6 prongs ring mount that can securely hold up the center diamond. Diamonds that weigh more than 2.5 carats is comparatively larger than the size of a typical ring, which render a larger space in between the prongs. And so, the larger the diamond and the space in between the prongs, the chance of a diamond being stroke by sharp object at simultaneous angles is higher. In other words, having 6 prongs ring mount for a large diamond would diminish the space in between each prong, providing more security for knocking off.

For diamonds that weigh lesser, 4 prongs ring mount setting is simple and elegant. You can see the diamond very clearly from top down. Not only that, you can also see a diamond’s pavilion through the spaces in between the prongs. Of course, if you want the diamond to be securely mounted, 6 prongs ring mount is also absolutely applicable, keeping in mind that too many prongs would block  light rays, and sharpness of a diamond will decrease.

The second consideration will be the kind of metal to use on your ring. The metals commonly used for making rings and jewellery are 18 Karat Gold (marked as 750), and Platinum, also known asPT950. 18K Gold is an alloy of 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent precious metals, e.g. silver, nickel and palladium. With 18 K Gold, you can utilize either 4 prongs or 6 prongs ring mounts for your mount as 18 K gold is a strong and hard metal that can sustain many years of wear and tear. In contrast, platinum PT950, which is an alloy of 95% pure platinum and 5% precious metals, is a metal with higher ductility, which means the metal is “softer” and it can change shape easily. The diamonds may lose contact with the prongs after receiving small impact. In other words, the prongs to a ring can bent easily.  If you need to choose PT950, please choose a ring mount with more prongs, or request to have the prongs be made into thicker prongs, so to increase protection to the diamond.

Diamond is the world’s hardest substance. However, ring mounts are not as strong as diamonds. Regardless of 18K Gold or PT950, they age over time. The prongs will be weakened through regular usage, and the prongs can easily become loose. It is imperative to have regular checks on your diamonds ring with your jewellery shop.

Want to know which metal should be chosen for wedding band? 18K Gold or Platinum PT950? Stay tuned for other future blog posts. For more information, please visit our website at www.beesdiamonds.com

Vote for us at the SCMP Enterprising Hong Kong Awards - Customer Service Category

Bee's Diamonds is honoured to be your jeweller for your diamond engagement ring, bridal jewellery, celebration and victory jewellery pieces. If you have been satisfied or touched by our personalized service over the years, please vote for us at the SCMP Enterprising Hong Kong Awards - Customer Service Category. Simply click on the link below and vote for BEE'S DIAMONDS. 

Thank you for choosing and supporting Bee's Diamonds. We appreciate every vote to make our work meaningful and accountable. 

Please vote for Bee's Diamonds at:

http://enterprisinghk.scmp.com/en/public_voting_cast.asp 

穩穩陣陣! 求婚戒指用4爪還是6爪指托較安全?

求婚戒指中最受歡迎的款式就是爪鑲，金屬覆蓋鑽石的部份相對其他鑲嵌方法少，光線能從四面八方入射及反射，不會被遮擋，能展現出最大程度的光學效果。 爪的數目以4和6較為普遍，既能穩固鑽石，又能表現對稱的美感。但當要選擇4或6時，應該選4還是6呢? 是愈多爪愈穩固安全嗎?

在選擇爪的數目時，您應考慮兩個因素:

第一，鑽石的大小，即鑽石的卡數。如果您的鑽石大於2.5卡，Bee’s Diamonds建議您選擇用6爪戒指托。因為2.5卡以上的鑽石對比戒指的大小為大，爪與爪之間的空間亦相對增加，鑽石被尖銳物件撞到或鈎到導致鬆脫的機會便愈大，因此大卡數鑽石應使用6爪戒指托較為安全。2.5卡以下的鑽石使用4爪鑲嵌便己足夠，當然，如您希望鑽石能更穩固，小鑽使用6爪是絕對可以的，可是您應考慮過多的戒爪會遮擋光線，鑽石的光芒可能會因而減少。

第二，根據戒指金屬硬度來決定爪的數目。普遍用來做戒指托的金屬有 18K金、鉑金PT950等。18K金是75%黃金混合25%貴金屬如銀、鎳、鈀，是硬度比較高的金屬。用18K金來做戒指托可放心根據第一點來決定爪的數目。相反鉑金PT950即95%鉑金 5%貴金屬，屬於韌度較高的金屬，即金屬本質較軟，容易變形，有機會因輕微碰撞令戒爪鬆開，導致跌石。因此如需要用PT950，應考慮選用較多爪數，或加粗戒爪，增強對鑽石的保護。

鑽石是無比堅硬，不易受損的物質，經得起時間的洗禮，可是戒指托並不像鑽石般耐磨。無論是18K金，還是鉑金PT950，都有機會出現老化的情況，即戒爪有機會變得脆弱，更容易被撞鬆。因此Bee’s Diamonds建議您定期把戒指帶回珠寶店檢查，以防止鑽石鬆脫。

想知道婚戒用那種金屬比較好? 18K金還是鉑金PT950? 敬請留意我們日後的文章!

如果想了解更多有關如何選擇鑽石或戒指設計，請聯絡Bee’s Diamonds。本公司提供專業的鑽石咨詢服務，歡迎網上預約、電郵或電話查詢。電郵:info@beesdiamonds.com 或電話 (852) 2180 7812.

如何檢查鑽石戒指上的鑽石是否穩固?

鑽石戒指只有幾支類似迷你金棒，像金屬爪的東西能緊緊固定鑽石在戒指上嗎? 鑽石會鬆脫嗎? 有方法檢查嗎? 讓我們一一為您解答!

鑲嵌鑽石的方法有六種-槽鑲、共齒鑲、釘鑲、爪鑲、包鑲和逼鑲。當中爪鑲是最常用，用3爪、4爪 或6爪 把鑽石牢牢固定在鑲台上。由於使用的金屬部較少，鑽石被遮擋的位置亦相對較少，因此光線能從四面八方入射及反射，展現出最大程度的光學效果。這優點讓爪鑲成為訂婚鑽戒中最受歡迎的款色。

4爪、6爪的鑲嵌方法雖然只有數個支點把鑽石扣住，但只要鑲工優秀，鑽石便能非常穩固地被鑲嵌在戒台上，不容易鬆脫。當然，戒爪的金屬勞損是有機會影響鑽石的穩固程度。因此Bee’s Diamonds建議你選用堅硬的金屬，如18K金，，令戒指爪不容易鬆脫。相反, Platinum白金950的韌性和延展性很強，建議不要使用Platinum白金950來鑲嵌細微的部分和名貴的鑽石主石。白金也會容易在日常穿戴時磨損或撕裂，亦可能與堅硬的表面接觸時被刮花。

配戴首飾期間，應避免游泳或進行其他劇烈運動，以減低首飾因碰撞，磨擦而產生的損毀。要知道戒指上的鑽石是否穩固方法有兩個: 第一，可以用手輕輕觸碰鑽石，檢視鑽石有否搖動，如有輕微搖動，即表示鑽石並不穩固。第二，可利用一張紙，嘗試把紙張”攝”到戒爪和鑽石之間(即戒爪與鑽石接觸的位置)，如果能把紙張”攝”入，表示鑲嵌並不完美，鑽石有機會鬆脫或移位。如發現鑽石搖動或戒爪變形，必須送往修理，避免繼續佩帶，以免遺失這戒指的主角。第三，穿戴首飾時，請先檢驗： 鉤子鑲嵌沒有鬆脫的情況和鑽石鑲嵌沒有鬆脫的情況。您可以把首飾貼近耳朵，輕輕搖動以確保沒有鑽石鬆脫。假若您聽到有聲音，鑽石可能有鬆脫。請立即把首飾帶回檢查及修理。

除了以上三個方法外，使用放大鏡來進行檢查也是相當有效的。放大鏡把鑲嵌的細節放大，讓你能清楚檢視鑲嵌情況，此方法不單適用於爪鑲，其他鑲嵌方式同樣合適。如包鑲和槽鑲，可以此檢查包邊或槽位是否平均，有沒有缺口，若然金屬邊有缺口或不均情況，應送往珠寶店進行進一步檢查及維修。

在存放首飾前，請獨立存放首飾於專用首飾盒內，避免它們互相磨擦。避免在沒有保護情況下，存放多於一件首飾於同一首飾盒內。雖然鑽石是全世界最堅硬的礦物，但若它脆弱的角度受到撞擊觸碰，都能導致鑽石損毀!

想知道爪鑲中4爪還是6爪戒指托較安全? 敬請留意我們日後的文章!

如果想了解更多有關如何選擇鑽石或戒指設計，請聯絡Bee's Diamonds。本公司提供專業的鑽石咨詢服務，歡迎電郵或電話查詢。電郵:info@beesdiamonds.com 或電話 (852) 2180 7812. 

Trend TV interview

Bee's Diamonds was interview by Trend TV. Lets enjoy the video and learn how to be a gemologist and choose a good diamond.

How to check if a diamond is securely and snuggly mounted on a ring?

Have you ever wondered why a diamond can be securely and snuggly mounted onto a ring with just a few claws? How can you check whether a diamond has become loose? Let us address your concerns with our gemological knowledge and experience.

There are multiple ways of mounting a diamond (or commonly referred to as, setting a diamond on a ring). The most common settings at all times are: channel setting, bezel setting, prong setting, drill setting and pave setting. Prong setting is the most commonly used, highly secure setting. Using 3, 4 or 6 prongs, a diamond can be securely mounted on a ring. As the structure of prong setting allows more light to go through and into a diamond, its brilliance and fire can be brought out through the play of light scintillation. That explains why the most classic and most popular engagement ring style usually features the famous prong setting.

Choice of Metal

Even though only 4 or 6 prongs are used to set a diamond in a ring, it can still be securely mounted if the craftsmanship is exquisite. Of course, prongs are susceptible to usual wear and tear like any other metals, but with the right use of metal and self-checking methods, you can be an expert in identifying whether a diamond has become loose from the ring. 

We recommend using 18K gold. Don’t mistaken 18K gold as the traditional typical yellow type of gold. 18K Gold jewellery can appear in white (silvery), black, purple, blue or even rose-colours. It is most commonly seen in white gold because of its strength to withstand normal wear and tear due to its rhodium plating which is extremely hard and it minimizes the jewellery’s vulnerability to scratches.

Platinum, often known as PT950, is a dense, malleable, ductile precious, gray-white transition metal. Although platinum is hard in nature, it is also extremely ductile and malleable which is not recommended for setting jewellery with refined details or with a valuable center diamond. Platinum is also vulnerable to daily wear and tear and can be susceptible to scratches resulted from constant contacts with hard surfaces.

Checking Methods

Treat your diamond ring as any other piece of fine jewellery, which should not be worn to rigorous sporting activities like swimming, racquet sports, etc. This can significantly reduce the risk of damages that may occur from excessive contacts of hard surface. There are three methods to know whether a diamond has become loose from its prongs.

1.    Touch and Feel!

You can gently touch and feel a diamond with the tips of your fingers to feel whether it has become loose from any of the prongs. If there is any slight movement, it is imperative that you bring the ring to fix immediately. 

2.    Slip it through!

If you are still not sure whether the diamond is loose, try slipping a piece of regular paper into the space between the tip of the prong and the diamond. If the paper can easily slip through that tiny little gap, your ring may be prone to movements.  At this stage, the diamond may not have come loose yet, but it is best that you bring the ring to a reliable jewellery to have it checked.

3.    Shake! Shake! Shake!

The easiest method to check whether a diamond is becoming loose is to shake it three times against your ears closely. If you hear some twinkling sounds, the diamond may have come loose from the ring. Stop wearing the ring immediately and have it check by a jewellery for quickest solutions.

Other than the three methods mentioned above, using a microscope or a magnification loupe is the most comprehensive method to check whether a diamond has indeed become loose. For instance, magnification loupes can identify whether a diamond is loosening from its bezel set and channel set where it is not easy to test its stability using the stated methods above. Another important piece of take away is not to store your jewellery together in unprotected environment with other pieces. Always baggage each piece of jewellery with at least a small plastic bag to avoid damages of the prongs.

Want to know whether a 4 prongs or 6 prongs ring mount is more secured? Stay tuned for other future blog posts. For more information, please visit our website at www.beesdiamonds.com

鑽石戒指款式設計比鑽石質素重要嗎?

很多男士都會來Bee’s Diamonds作求婚戒指咨詢。我們第一句都會問他們: ”你想買怎麼樣的戒指給你另一半呢?”。很有趣，大部分男士都會說要什麼什麼款式、古典風格等等。只有少數的男士從戒指的主角－鑽石說起。很多男士不了解鑽石的細節如鑽柄(Shanks)的厚度，鑽石應該鑲在什麼的高度去提升鑽石的“火”(閃爍度) 等。只有很少數的男士一開始就說要F 色 VS2淨度……等等所以今天要討論的是──我們應該留意鑽石的質素，還是戒指的設計呢？你應該由什麼決定是否購買鑽石戒指呢，是戒指的主石，還是設計呢？

一隻戒指主要由兩部份組成：主石－鑽石或紅／藍／綠寶石，以及戒指設計。Bee’s Diamonds建議你多留意戒指的主石，而是非戒指的款式。首先，戒指的鑽石是你新家庭的第一項資產，這資產是可代代相傳的。就算不是這樣，它亦有可能被你妻子拿去交易(去換一顆更大的鑽石，這個情況很普遍，特別是在婚後多年。近年女士們更喜歡以小鑽石換一顆更大的鑽石) 。更重要的是，鑽石不單是訂婚和結婚的標記，亦代表財富的傳承。由一個家庭傳到另一個家庭。在這層面上，鑽石應該占戒指投資中最大部份。

當然，戒指的設計同樣重要，不過遠比不上鑽石。設計是暫時的，這就好比潮流，現在好看的衣服未必在十年以後一樣流行。很多女士會拿她們祖父母的首飾來Bee’s Diamonds 重新設計和鑲嵌。她們不會亦不可能扔掉或改變鑽石，但會重新設計流行的款式去配合鑽石。所以，無論你或你的妻子多喜歡戒指的設計，都不應該單單因為戒指的設計去購買那戒指，鑽石才是你首要的考慮。再者，設計和鑲嵌的價格是相對更為便宜，所以應該投放更多的時間去跟寶石學家瞭解鑽石，確保你的投資物有所值。

想知道什麼款式的戒指最為常青？而我們會建議你什麼常青而物有所值的戒指款式？應該選擇四爪還是六瓜戒指？　請密切留意我們日後的文章！

如果想知道更多有關如何選擇鑽石或戒指設計，請聯絡Bee’s Diamonds。電郵:info@beesdiamonds.com 或電話 (852) 2180 7812.

Is ring design more important or the diamond?

Very often when men customers come to Bee’s Diamonds for an engagement ring consultations, the very first question that we ask them is “What kind of ring do you envision for your other half?”. Interestingly, 9 out of 10 men would describe how the ring would look like, filigrees, simple crown, solitaire,classic. Only very few men would actually talk about the main character of the ring – the diamond. This is surprising as I thought most guys would not pay attention to small details such as how thick the shanks should be, how high should the diamond be lifted from the ring to maximize sparkles. Only a rare few men would start by saying that they want a F colour diamond with VS2 clarity, etc.. So the question of the day is – should you pay more attention to the diamond or the design of the ring? Should you buy a ring because of its design or because of the center stone?

There are two major parts that compose a ring – the center stone, be whatever it is,whether it is a diamond, sapphire, ruby, sapphire, and the design. Bee’s Diamonds highly advises you to focus your investment on the center diamond rather than the ring design for a number of valid reasons. First, the center stone is your new family’s first asset which will most likely be passed down from your generation to the next. Even if it is not, it may be taken by your wife for trading up(trading in for a bigger diamond in the future, and yes, this happens in later years of the marriage. In fact, very often does this happen, especially in recent years when women always look for bigger looking diamonds). Furthermore,the diamond is not just a symbol of engagement and marriage, it is the passing of wealth from one to another, from one family to another. As such, the diamond should form the largest portion of your investment in the ring.

The design is important too, but of lesser importance. Designs are temporary.Similar to fashion trends, what looks good now may not look good say 10 years from now. A lot of women bring in old jewellery from their grandparents’ era and ask for redesign and remounting at Bee’s Diamonds. They will never change or throw away the diamonds, but they will only create new designs that match the diamond. So, no matter how much you or your soon-to-be fiancé likes the design, one should not buy the ring simply because of the design. The diamond should be your choice of concern. Plus, the sum of designs and mounting is relatively low compared to the value of diamonds, so one should not focus too much time investigating on the designs but a majority of effort on understanding and learning about diamonds from certified gemologists, so to ensure an investment well worth the value.

What kind of ring design would be classic and can be worn in the many years to come?What are some of the recommended designs that would not waste much of your investment but will be long lasting and durable? Should you choose a ring mount with 4 prongs or 6 prongs? Stay tuned for more ring information in future blog posts.

For more information on how to choose a diamond or a ring design, please contact Bee’s Diamonds at info@beesdiamonds.com or at (852) 2180 7812.

應該選擇1卡鑽石還是1.01卡鑽石作求婚戒指?

很多客人都會問我，我應該選擇什麼重量的鑽石作為求婚戒指的鑽石呢？很多男士（和女士）都會覺得用一卡拉重量的鑽石來求婚是最常見和最理想的。有些女士會覺得男士應該用三個月的薪金去購買求婚戒子，這可能是指0.5卡拉，以至10卡拉。這個範圍可能很大，但是我們應該用什麼標準去選擇一顆重量合適的鑽石，而不至於超出預算呢？

按照不同專業的男士的薪酬來說，一卡的鑽石是典型的標準。當我們說一卡拉的鑽石，指的其實是1.01卡的鑽石而非1.00卡。容我簡單地說明一下。卡/卡拉是量度鑽石重量的單位。一卡大約等於0.02克(比一根羽毛還要輕)。一卡之中有100分，所以如果鑽石是低過一卡的，如70分，就是指0.70卡。

我們先暫時放下各樣的數字，重新回到我們今天的主題－應該選擇1.00卡還是1.01卡的鑽石呢?如果你對鑽石一無所知(或是從未購買鑽石)，你應該會覺得求婚戒指的鑽石1.00卡已經足夠。但是寶石學家並不這樣認為。我們從來都不會購買1.00卡的鑽石。因為即使鑽石是世界上最硬的物質，它都有一個最脆弱的部分──鑽石的尖底。當尖底碰到其他的鑽石時或是其他的貴金屬，就會非常容易崩裂或刮花。若果不幸意外地將1.00卡的鑽石交給沒有經驗的工匠，鑲合的時間恐怕有可能會刮花，由1.00卡變成0.99卡。而鑽石的價值就會瞬間暴跌。而你的投資和你家庭的第一項投資就會白白浪費。

1.00卡的鑽石的價值確實是比1.01卡的鑽石還要低，因為1.01卡的鑽石是比較易於在市場交易，長遠來說，市場有一個更好的價值。而普遍來說1.00卡拉的圓形鑽石會比1.01卡的圓形鑽石看起來要小。1.00卡鑽石的直徑為6.3毫米或以下，而1.01卡的鑽石的直徑則會是6.35毫米或以上。

選舉一顆求婚鑽石的意義並不是單單將金錢花在婚禮，這是你家庭的第一項資產，以及日後家庭財富的延伸，亦是人生共中一項最重要的投資，所以選擇一顆真正恆久的鑽石對一個家庭是非常重要。為何不選擇一顆可以長遠令你有高投資回報的高品質的鑽石呢？

吳嘉汶A.J.P. (GIA), G.G. (GIA)

寶石學家及董事，Bee’s Diamonds

Trend TV's Interview

We are very honoured to be interviewed by Kenneth from Trend TV last week. Soon you can see our director and gemologist--- Rendy Ng and our Diamond Associate--- Dennis Lam on Trend TV and know more about how to be a gemologist and identify a good diamond. Let’s stay tuned.

我們很高興可以在上星期參與Trend TV Kenneth的節目。我們很快就可以在Trend TV 看到我們的董事和寶石學家Rendy Ng分享成為寶石學家的要訣，以及聽我們的Diamond Associate---Dennis Lam講解鑽石的4Cs和如何選擇一顆好的鑽石! 

Difference between 1.00 vs 1.01 cts diamond

Quite a number of customers often ask the question of what weight of diamond should I buy as an engagement diamond? Most men (and ladies) would agree that a one carat diamond is typically the ideal and most commonly purchased weight of diamonds for engagement purpose. Some women may choose to say that the value of an engagement diamond should be equivalent to three months’ salary of the gentleman, and that may mean a 0.50 carats (50 points) to 10 carats. So what’s the ideal, or what’s the standard for choosing a properly weighted engagement diamond without blowing your budget?

We would have to say that a one carat is the typical standard, taking into account the varying levels of income from all professional disciplines of gentlemen. When we say one carat, we actually mean 1.01 carats instead of 1.00 carats. Let me put it in easy terms for you. Carat is the unit used to calculate the weight of a diamond. One carat weighs about 0.02 grams (which can weigh lighter than a feather!). There are 100 points in one carat, so if a diamond is less than a carat, it would be put in the term of say, 70 points, being the equivalence of 0.70 carats.

Let’s not get carried away by the numbers and refocus on the topic of the day – should you choose a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats or 1.01 carats? If you are new to diamonds (or have never purchased a diamond before), you would think that going for a 1.00 carat diamond is sufficient enough for an engagement ring. However, gemologists think otherwise. We would never purchase in a round diamond that weighs 1.00 carats. This is because even though diamond is the toughest substance on earth, it also has a weakest link, which is its culet (the tiniest point in a diamond). The culet is easily prone to chipping or scratching when the diamond is scratched against another diamond or even other precious metals.  In the unfortunate or accidental situation where a 1.00 carat diamond is chipped due to improper handling by unexperienced craftsmen during setting, the weight of the diamond would fall to 0.99 carats which renders its value to significantly drop. Your investment and the value of your family’s first asset would go to waste instantly.

It is true that the value of 1.00 carats diamond is much lower than those of 1.01 carats as only those that weigh 1.01 carats are much more tradable within the diamond market and can within a much higher value appreciation overtime. Usually round diamonds with 1.00 carats have a small diameter (6.3 mm or less) and they look smaller, in comparison to those that weigh 1.01 carats (with diameter of 6.35 mm and above). 

Choosing a engagement diamond is not just about the money being put into the wedding, it is building your family’s first asset and extending your family’s wealth to the next generation. Choose a diamond that will last you and your family beyond lifetime is critical and since it will be one of the major investments of your lifetime; why not choose one that with higher quality that can guarantee you with highest rate of return in the long run?

Rendy Ng, A.J.P. (GIA), G.G. (GIA)

Gemologist & Director, Bee’s Diamonds