What do rough diamonds, steel engagement rings, and hip-hop jewelry have in common?
For example, there’s been a rash of interest in “funky diamonds.” Traditionally, a diamond’s clarity was one of its major attractions, a strong mark of value, but now opaque diamonds have a prominent place in jewelry. Black diamonds are particularly popular. A diamond’s cut, its expert faceting, is considered the single most important quality in determining valuation, but now there is a craze for jewelry with chunks of rough diamonds and other gems, not even polished. Some of the best designers are producing jewelry showcasing pieces of diamond rough.
