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

鑽石的卡數是否愈大愈好呢? 鑽石購買和投資心得分享－如何在有限的預算購買卡數，顏色，淨度和切工令人滿意的鑽石

愈大的東西通常都愈好？是的，如果你指的是你的辦公桌，你的廚房，房子又或者你銀行儲蓄戶口的數字，當然就愈大愈好。但對於世界上一種最集中的財富──鑽石，又是否同樣愈大卡拉愈好呢？很多人當為求婚戒指選擇鑽石時都有一個問題：在有限的預算內，我應該選擇一顆較大的鑽石而忽視它的顏色和淨度，還是選擇一顆卡數較小的鑽石，但顏色和淨度就是最好的呢？又或簡單地只是投資一圓鑽石作短期或長期的投資，應該如果去選擇呢？就讓我給你專業的意見－兩者皆否。

讓我大膽地問你一個問題：現在你立定決心要向你生命中萬裡挑一、眾裡尋她千百度，令你獨狂愛上的那個人求婚，你會否只是因為單一個原因而作出這個選擇，還是有不同的原因？無論你是否承認，你一定會暗地裡為你的另一半評分：你和她的第一印象，你和她相處的時間，她的外貌，身型，談吐，思想，和她種種的經歷，甚至見家長的表現，兩個人一起可能產生的未來等等。當選擇一圓鑽石的時間，其實也是同一個道理。所以，我會建議你選擇一顆各方面平衡的鑽石。

１． 別單以鑽石的卡拉重量或顏色去作選擇。平衝各項鑽石的評分因素－我們通常稱為4Cs 和其他因素如螢光反應，證書和色差等等

２．選擇一顆合適的鑽石以配襯你女朋友的膚色。如果你女朋友的膚色較白，我們建議D至F色的鑽石，一般的膚色會建議G至H色，而較深如古銅的膚色則會建議I至J 色的鑽石。至於K色或以下的呢?由我們的經驗所得，很多女孩不太喜歡K色以下的鑽石，所以要小心選擇。

３．重視鑽石的淨度。你的鑽石不一定要是VVS，但可以是VS1, VS2, 好的SI1或SI2 可以令你的投資更值得。至於如何選擇一顆好的SI1 和 SI2，請緊貼我們之後的文章或向我們Bee's Diamonds的寶石學家查詢。

４．不要選擇任何有黑色雜質的鑽石。大部分的鑽石都有自然雜質，但大多都是黑色，而不是相對理想的白色。這些資訊不會在GIA的證書告訴你，所以一定要在放大鏡下好好看清楚。你可以向你的珠寶商問問，任何誠實的珠寶商都會告訴你所有有關的資訊讓你好好考慮。

５．選擇Very Good切工以上的鑽石。3個Excellence 並不是必須，但至少在切割(Cut)、打磨(Polish)，對稱(Symmetry)上盡量選擇2 個Excellence，以確保日後以後轉售時有一定的價值。要注意不同的數字和比例。我們會在以後的文章再次探討這個問題，不過先記下一些數字：Table – 最好 56 to 60%, total depth: 別超過 62.9% 而 crown angle: 32.5 to 36,最好 34.5

６．一顆好的鑽石最理想是沒有螢光反應(fluorescence)。在鑽石的證書上，如果見到螢光反應為”Stong Blue”, “Medium Blue” 或是”Faint fluorescence” 就不要選擇，找一些寫 ”None” 的。雖然一些鑽石中有硼(Boron)導致的螢光反應會令鑽石價格更平和看起來更白，但如果用作求婚的用途，我還是建議你選擇沒有任何螢光反應的鑽石(除非你女朋友一早就知道)。從我們的經驗所得，多數女孩子並不希望她們的鑽石有任何瑕疵，包括螢光反應。但如果你選擇黃鑽，有螢光反應會較好，因為會令黃色更右飽和。

７．衡量所有GIA證書上的所有評分特徵以及沒有提及在證書之上特徵。這包括色差，這亦可能知道鑽石的來源是否合法。

簡單來說，不要買一顆巨鑽但以其它方面的質素作折衷，又或者買一顆質素完美，但細過蚊滋的鑽石來花光你的預算。如果你真的想要一個嚴格的建議而不想花太多時間慢慢了解鑽石的話，以下是一些給20多歲的男士買求婚戒指鑽石的建議：

                       o   卡拉:       最少一卡

                       o   顏色:    　E 至 H colour

                       o   淨度:       VVS2 至較好的 SI2

                       o   切工:       最少兩個 excellence

                       o   其它:       無螢光反應, 無色差, 有GIA 証書

                       o   預算:       2 至 6 個月的月薪

雖然如此，但我們仍舊建議你找你的珠寶商去瞭解不同的選擇。選擇鑽石不單單只是藝術，更加是你新的家庭的一項投資。畢竟，這是你新家庭的第一項資產，所以應該要具備相當的質素和品味，這樣你的兒孫才有一樣值得保留的東西作為家傳之寶。你都不希望當你日後孫兒拿你的鑽石去鑑定的時候，報告只是顯示這是一顆大大的石頭，而沒有永恆鑽石應有的特質吧？

請到www.beesdiamonds.com以獲得更多資訊。

Is bigger the better? Should I choose a bigger diamond or better quality diamond for engagement ring? / Diamond Buying and Investment Advice

Is bigger always better? It’s definitely a yes if it comes to a bigger desk at work, a bigger car, a bigger fridge, or even, a bigger house. Would this apply to the world’s most concentrate form of wealth – diamonds? When choosing a diamond for engagement rings, one of the most usual problems that guys encounter is - whether to go for a bigger diamond with lower colour and clarity within budget, or a smaller diamonds with the highest clarity grade, colour, etc. Or if you are simply deciding on a diamond to invest for good short term or long term gain, should we aim for size of quality? Let me give you an expert’s diamond choosing advice – Neither.

Let me boldly ask you this question. Now that you have decided to propose to this one in a million woman whom you are madly in love with, was it because of one sole reason? Or was it a combination of reasons?  Admit it or not, you must have done a preliminary assessment of her and the quality of time you spent with her before deciding to commit to a serious relationship. You considered her looks, her body shape, her personality, her values, her philosophy as well as the fun you both had together, the ups and downs you had been through and finally, what future holds for you two. This is no difference when it comes to choosing a diamond. I advise you to choose a well-balanced diamond that possesses all the qualities of the woman you chose. Let me explain.

1. Do not choose a diamond just by its weight or just by its colour. Maintain a balance amongst all the grading factors - what is commonly known as the 4Cs and other important grading factors such as fluorescence, proportions, certification, colour tinge, etc..

2. Choose a diamond with colour that complements your girlfriend’s skin tone. We recommend D to F colour for fairer skin, G to H for medium tone, and I to J for tanned skin. Should you go for a K colour? From experience, many girls do not favour K colour, so choose with caution;

3. Value good clarity. Your diamond does not necessary have to be a VVS, but a nice VS1, VS2, clean SI1 and SI2 that looks like a VS2 would get your investment far and wide – for hints on how to identify a good SI1 and SI2, stay tuned for future posts or consult one of our gemologists at Bee’s Diamonds;

4. Discard diamonds with black inclusions. A majority of natural diamonds have natural inclusions, but more often black inclusions than the preferable white inclusions. This will not be written on the GIA certificate for you. Do look at each diamond option under magnification carefully. Ask your jeweller as any honest jeweller should disclose everything about a diamond for you to consider;

5. A diamond with very good cut and above. Triple excellence is not always necessary, but try to keep at least a double excellence by cut, polish and symmetry to ensure a substantial resell value in the future. Pay attention to the proportions and the figures in percentage. We will further explore this topic in future posts, but for now, keep these figures in mind: Table – preferably 56 to 60%, total depth: not >= 62.9% and crown angle: 32.5 to 36, preferably 34.5;

6. A diamond with preferably no fluorescence. Under the grading item of fluorescence in a diamond’s certificate report, discard those that indicate strong blue, medium blue, or faint fluorescence, choose only those that says “None”. Although diamonds that possess fluorescence effect due to its natural boron content will render the diamond cheaper and also looking a little whiter than its original colour, if the diamond you are choosing is for engagement purpose, I suggest that you choose one with nil fluorescence unless your girlfriend is well informed of the fluorescence. Most girls, from our experience, do not wish for their diamond to have any form of impurity, including fluorescence. However, if you are choosing a fancy  yellow coloured diamond, fluorescence is also preferred as it will make the yellow saturation looks even more intense. 

7. Consider all the grading characteristics written on its GIA certificate and those that are not written on the certificate, and this include colour tinge, which may indicate whether the source of diamond is legitimate or not.

In sum, do not go for a super large diamond and compromise on its quality, but do not choose a really small diamond with supreme quality so to fit into the budget. If you really want a strict recommendation without wasting much time understanding and learning about diamonds, here will be our fast recommendation if you are a 20-something years old guy looking to buy a decent engagement ring for your girlfriend:

-         An adequate, well balanced diamond with preferably:

o   Carat:      At least 1 carat

o   Colour:    E to H colour

o   Clarity:   VVS2 to nice SI2

o   Cut:         At least double excellence

o   Note:       No fluorescence, no colour tinge, GIA certificate

o   Budget:   2 to 6 months of your monthly salary

Having said that, we still recommend you to visit your jeweller and learn about the different options. Choosing a diamond is not only an art, but also an investment for your new family. After all, it is your first family asset. It should be one with quality and taste, so that your children and grandchildren would have something nice to keep as the family’s treasure in years to come. You would not want your grandchild to bring your engagement ring for appraisal and only found out that the diamond is solely “big-looking” and lacks all the quality that an eternal diamond should possess.