"D I A P E A R L"
A Novelty in the Diamond Market

When in 1995 the first cabochon-cut diamonds (convex, rounded surface that is polished but unfaceted) were offered in the gem market, nobody could believe that they really were diamonds. Until then only facet-cut diamonds were available. These cabochon diamonds quickly disappeared in collections of gem laboratories and hobby collectors as special curiosities, and rarely found their way to jewellers or goldsmiths.

Cabochons were made out of polycrystalline diamond material in the colours yellow, yellowish green, grey, black or brown; a material that was not transparent but translucent or opaque, but which was greatly appealing because of its high lustre.

It is no surprise that smart diamond cutters tried various mechanical and technological methods to create spheres out of this material that had long been neglected by jewellery – in vain, until now. Today there is one single company that is able to offer the product. In the meantime some other companies have started producing spheres out of transparent monocrystals.

The relatively new invention of laser drilling allows us to concentrically drill the diamond spheres and string gorgeous necklaces.

The Diapearl was born, and since January 1996 it has been registered as an international trademark.

The diamond sphere is finding its way from the stage of experiment to the real market, it is becoming a commercial good. Its extreme hardness and resistance to chemical attack make the Diapearl one of the most durable objects of value.

But since it is a commercial good, one has to be able to logically determine its value, and here the 4Cs of international quality assessment of diamonds can be applied in a modified way.

Gemmological Laboratory Austria GmbH
Jewellery Appraisals

 Habsburgergasse 10, A-1010 Vienna
Austria / Europe
gemlab@gla.at or gla@aon.at

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