SILIQUA - Certified Natural Diamonds
SILIQUA Diamond Capital will only source Conflict free, Certified Natural Diamonds, from RJC compliant Suppliers. Today we see that Investments in Natural Diamonds are outperforming any other Alternative Asset. We strongly believe that an increased demand for tangible Assets and declining Global Diamond Supply will drive the value.
Today the trade in conflict diamonds has been virtually eliminated through the efforts of Kimberly Process participants and from adherence to warranties and monitoring processes as part of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.
SILIQUA will source only from suppliers that can guarantee and prove that the diamonds offered are Conflict-Free.
Natural Diamonds
Real is Rare
Video Credit: DPA
The annual recovery of 1 carat diamonds would fill one exercise ball. The annual recovery of diamonds 5 carats and above would fill one basketball.
Natural Diamonds are becoming scarse
Natural diamonds are true miracles of nature and older than even life on this planet. They are between one and three billion years old and were created under rare conditions of intense temperature and pressure 100 miles below earth's surface. Only a small quantity of natural diamonds were propelled to the surface of the earth by volcanic eruptions 300-400 million years ago.
Diamonds are rare and getting rarer everyday. The number of recovered diamonds peaked in 2005 and will decrease significantly over the next decade. Diamond-bearing kimberlites, the ancient, underground volcanic pipes that hold most of today’s diamonds, are very hard to find.
In fact, most of the diamonds recovered today come from kimberlites discovered decades ago, which is why diamond production is gradually decreasing and diamonds are becoming rarer.
source: DPA, Diamond Producers Association
Conflict - Free Natural Diamonds
Kimberly Process
Formed in 2000, the KP is a binding agreement among governments, civil society and industry leaders to remove conflict diamonds from the global supply chain.
Membership imposes extensive requirements on every participant including adherence to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) that both safeguards the shipment of rough diamonds and certifies them as conflict free.
KP Certification Scheme
The KPCS was first implemented in 2003. Today 81 governments have included the Kimberley Process Certification System in their national law.
more information: https://www.kimberleyprocess.com/
Of all diamonds are Kimberley Process Certified as conflict-free.
Natural Diamonds VS Lab Grown Diamonds
The Problem with Lab Grown Diamonds
As an industrial product, a laboratory-grown diamond has no resale value and its price is falling rapidly.
Retail price continues to erode as the costs of production decline. Production costs of laboratory-grown diamonds are driven almost entirely by electricity usage, which is why some producers move to regions where electricity costs are low. This explains why over time, as technology improves, production costs will continue to decline. In the case of color gemstones like rubies, sapphires or emeralds, the price of synthetic stones is about 10% of that of the natural stone. Also important to know: due to economies of scale, the larger the synthetic diamond produced, the lower the cost per carat - a stark contrast to natural gemstones.
source: Diamond Producers Association
NO value in Lab grown Diamonds
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- Laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) are industrial products with no resale value.
- Production costs of LGDs have declined 90% over the past 10 years.
- Wholesale prices of laboratory-grown
diamonds have dropped threefold over the past 2 years. - LGD prices are likely to stabilize at about 10% of their natural counterparts.
- The price difference between natural diamonds and LGDs will increase as size of stone increases.
Diamond Certification: The 4 C's
Image Credit: Sothebys.com
GIA certified Diamonds
SILIQUA will only offer GIA graded diamonds that are laser inscribed with the certificate number. GIA is the foremost authority in grading diamonds. Almost all diamonds offered in auctions are accompanied with this certificate.
more information: gia.edu
Image Credit: Gia.edu / sample report
Carat
Diamond Carat Weight Measures a Diamond’s Apparent Size
Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. A metric “carat” is defined as 200 milligrams.
Each carat can be subdivided into 100 ‘points.’ This allows very precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweler may describe the weight of a diamond below one carat by its ‘points’ alone. For instance, the jeweler may refer to a diamond that weighs 0.25 carats as a ‘twenty-five pointer.’ Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.08 carat stone would be described as ‘one point oh eight carats.’
source: GIA.edu
Clarity
Diamond Clarity Refers to the Absence of Inclusions and Blemishes
Natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called ‘inclusions’ and external characteristics called ‘blemishes.’
Evaluating diamond clarity involves determining the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the stone. While no diamond is perfectly pure, the closer it comes, the higher its value.
source: GIA.edu
Color
Diamond Color Actually Means Lack of Color
diamond color evaluation of most gem-quality diamonds is based on the absence of color. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of pure water, and consequently, a higher value. GIA’s D-to-Z diamond color-grading system measures the degree of colorlessness by comparing a stone under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions to masterstones of established color value.
source: GIA.edu
Cut
A Diamond’s Cut Unleashes Its Light
Diamonds are renowned for their ability to transmit light and sparkle so intensely. We often think of a diamond’s cut as shape (round, heart, oval, marquise, pear), but a diamond’s cut grade is really about how well a diamond’s facets interact with light.
Precise artistry and workmanship are required to fashion a stone so its proportions, symmetry and polish deliver the magnificent return of light only possible in a diamond.
source: GIA.edu
SILIQUA Diamond Capital AG
+41 798 506 632
Unter Altstadt 28
6300 Zug, Switzerland