Becoming self-employed: What does that mean?

Becoming a self-employed designer in the high fashion sector means that you are the founder of a start-up. This requires not only money, but also an inventory lead time, which means you have to buy and store clothes. Compared to other industries, such as an advertising agency, there are additional costs for the development of your fashion, production and storage.

Why am I telling you this?

With my social media agency, the model agency, the fashion magazine and other brands, I was able to accompany many fashion labels, including high fashion streetwear, in an advisory and development capacity. What are the 3 most important learnings for your fashion startup?

Perseverance is everything! Motivation & financing

Most businesses fail because of money, the so-called “runway”. Let’s assume you have a start-up capital of 150,000. 50,000 of this goes into production, while you use the remaining 100,000 for yourself and marketing, divided into 5,000 per month. This means you can bridge about 20 months in which you have to continuously earn new money.

Believe me, everything costs money:

• Rent, furnishings, cables, lights, stationery, …
• Internet access, web space, domain, software, …
• Much more and yes, you and your employees too

Golden rule: If you can do X, you can also do X2

In entrepreneurship, conventional wisdom says that if you survive 2 years in the market, you can make it another 2 years. If you survive 5 years in the market, you have a good chance of surviving the following 5 years. Start-up capital is therefore essential, especially in the high fashion sector.

Statistically speaking, 90% of all start-ups fail after 5 years. So your goal should be to overcome this critical mark and survive for 5 years! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your new fashion label. It all starts with careful planning and preparation.

There are two options: Either you have sufficient motivation and capital or you don’t.

Here are some tips:

Runway: Sufficient capital (and turnover) – Risk #1

When founding a company, one thing counts above all:

Runway: Make sure you have enough capital to avoid going bankrupt straight away.

But how do you reach this point without your own capital?

3 alternatives to get money

You have three options:

1. You can work hard and save money, but this can take a lot of time.
2. Alternatively, you could ask your parents for a private loan.
3. Or you can opt for a loan.

When taking out a loan, it is important to get good conditions, primarily low interest rates. This means you can also take out a loan on good terms as a self-employed person. Choose a term that is long enough so that you don’t have to pay everything back after just 6 months, and make sure that the monthly installments are reasonable.

The reality is harsh, as a company no one will shed a tear for you. When your company goes bust, the daily business of others continues the next day.

Production, manufacturer and supply chain – risk #2

Supply chain: Make sure you have reliable production.

What do you need to look out for?

You need efficient development, high-quality fabrics, precise workmanship – all of this is crucial in the high-fashion streetwear sector. Customers attach particular importance to quality when it comes to high-priced products. Allow sufficient time.

Many founders fail because of production. With small quantities (MOQs = Minimum Order Quantities), you are often placed at the bottom of the manufacturers’ priority list. Make sure you have a reliable production line. If you sell more, you won’t have any problems with replenishment. Many high-fashion start-ups have already failed here, so be warned.

Marketing: Half the battle

Another important aspect is fashion marketing. Henry Ford once said:

Marketing: “For every dollar you invest in your product, you need another to make it known.”

That’s right!

What can you do? Avoid expensive experiments.

1. Work with small micro-influencers who are already recognized in the high fashion scene. Growth often comes from joint efforts.
2. Use advertisements, especially retargeting. If a user has visited your store but has not bought anything and has left, remind them of your offer again with targeted advertising.
3. Be active! Show behind-the-scenes insights, the design process, material selection, the store, promotions and repost posts from micro-influencers.

These are our three key tips for your high fashion startup 2026!

Price: How expensive is jade? Gram, carat and kilo

Jade is the name given to a group of different gemstones. How expensive a jade stone is depends on the color intensity and whether it is jadeite or nephrite. Nephrite has been losing its place on the market for a few years because there are many imitations and is accordingly no longer as price-intensive. Jadeite with a pure, strong color is the most valuable and smooth, evenly colored stones are the most expensive. Especially the coveted emperor jade acts as a store of value for investors.

In fact, each stone is valued individually. The price is set by dealers, jewelers and auction houses. But if we consider the example from above, then you would have the following selling prices.

Example calculation (Jade Fund in Myanmar)

210 tonnes > 210 000 kg

170,000,000 / 210,000 kg

809,52 USD / Kilogram

4,05 USD / carat

0,81 / gram

Price comparison gold / jade

Tip, read more about buying gold here.

• Gold per gram: 61 USD
• Jade per gram: 0.81 USD

Jade production in the year

Here are official figures from Myanmar (Government):

Average price: export to China

Increase in value after export to China

Mexican name origin

The term jade is derived from piedra de ijada = loin stone. This comes from the fact that it used to be regarded by the indigenous people of South America as a healing stone for loins and kidneys. However, it received its name only in the 16th century, during the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards. Jade, or yu, the term commonly used in China, is actually a generic term for two different gemstones: Nephrite and Jadeite.

Exceptional composition

Originally, it was assumed that all jade objects were made from the same material. However, in 1863, a Frenchman, Alexis Damour, discovered that the material known as “jade” could be divided into two distinct minerals: Jadeite and Nephrite. Because these two materials are difficult to distinguish, and because the word “jade” is so ingrained in the common language, the name jade is still commonly used in many societies, industries, and academic disciplines.

Designations of the materials

In this article, the word “jade” is used for undifferentiated materials. “Jadeite” or “nephrite” is used when the identity of the material is known. The word “nephrite” is also an imprecise term. It is used for materials composed of the minerals actinolite and tremolite.

Jadeite, Nephrite and Science

Jadeite and nephrite have distinctly different mineral compositions. Jadeite is an aluminum-rich pyroxene, while nephrite is a magnesium-rich amphibole. However, the two minerals have very similar physical properties to the eye of the average person. Only trained observers with considerable experience are able to reliably distinguish between them without mineral testing equipment. For this reason, jadeite and nephrite were not properly distinguished by scientists until 1863.

Origin of the distinction

Unknowingly, Chinese artisans had distinguished jadeite from nephrite and valued it enough to pay a high price for jadeite. However, they did not have the knowledge and equipment in chemistry and crystallography to formally distinguish them.

Rarely did Chinese artisans encounter fine-grained jadeite with a bright translucency and a rich, uniform green color. This beautiful material was given the name “Imperial Jade” and was considered the stone of the highest quality. At that time in China, the possession of imperial jade was reserved only for the emperor. Now, anyone who can afford it can own Imperial Jade. The best specimens can cost more per carat than high quality diamonds.

• Chinese craftsmen first found out the difference
• However, did not have tools and knowledge to further investigate him
• Imperial jade was only allowed to be owned by the emperor in China

Still in great demand: Jade in China

The Chinese value jade much more than any other people. For thousands of years, jade has been the most popular gemstone in China. Chinese emperors desired excellent specimens of jade, and they traded or waged war with distant nations to acquire them. In China, gifts of jade are given at almost every important station in life, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other celebrations. It is also a commonly used material for making religious art. China is the country where the importance of jade is the highest.

History of the green gems

Jade has been known since the Stone Age and was a highly sought-after mineral, especially in ancient China, where at times it was valued almost as highly as gold, but also worldwide. Since as early as 3,000 B.C. it has been regarded in China as a yu, a “royal gemstone”. It had always had a very special significance in the long history of art and culture. It was used for the finest objects and cult figures as well as for grave goods for high-ranking members of the imperial family. Even today, this gemstone is considered a symbol of the good, the beautiful and the precious.

Early use of jade in tools

People have been using jade for at least 100,000 years

The earliest items made from jade were tools. Jade is a very hard material and is used as a tool because it is extremely tough and breaks to form sharp edges. Most jade does not have the color and translucency that one would expect from a gemstone. However, when early humans found these special pieces of jade, they were often inspired to make them into a special object.

Toughness is the ability of a material to resist fracture when subjected to loads. Hardness is the ability of a material to resist abrasion. Early toolmakers took advantage of these properties of jade and shaped it into cutting tools and weapons. It was used to make axes, projectile points, knives, scrapers, and other sharp cutting objects.

• Used for 100,000 years
• Earliest items: Tools
• Very tough and hard

Tough, in the context of gemstones, means: Ability of a material to resist breakage. Hardness means: ability of a material to resist abrasion.

Today’s use of jade as a gemstone

Jade is a durable, colorful material that can be worked into shapes and polished to a high shine. These properties make it a highly desirable gemstone. Jade has been used to make a variety of jewelry items such as pendants, necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, beads, cabochons, tumbled stones and other items.

These jewels are often made of solid jade, combined with other gemstones or set in settings of gold, silver or other precious metals. In addition to jewellery, jade is also used to make small sculptures, ornaments, religious art and small functional objects.

Jade trade: Video

Danger of confusion!

Maw sit sit

Maw Sit Sit is a rock composed of jadeite, albite and kosmochlor (a mineral related to jadeite). It has a bright chrome-green color and can be polished to a bright finish. For these reasons, it is used as a gemstone. Maw Sit Sit was first correctly identified in 1963 near the village of Maw Sit Sit in northwestern Burma in the foothills of the Himalayas. This is the only place where it has been discovered so far. It is used for cutting cabochons and making small sculptures. Because of its scarcity and low production, it is rarely used in jewelry.

• Rock consisting of jadeite, albite and cosmochlore
• First identified in 1963 in the Himalayas, near the village of Maw Sit Sit.
• So far the only find
• Only rarely in jewellery

Similar materials

A number of other minerals and materials that are commonly cut and polished are easily mistaken for jade. All of these materials can have a color, luster, and translucency very similar to jade – so similar that the average person cannot recognize them. These materials are often used to make cabochons, beads, and other items in the same style as jade. They sometimes come on the market with and without disclosure. They are often labeled “jade” or one of many misnomers.

Chalcedony

Chalcedony is a translucent variety of microcrystalline quartz that comes in a range of colors similar to jade. Chrysoprase is a light green, chrome colored chalcedony that when cut into cabochons, beads and small sculptures looks very similar to jade. Chalcedony comes in a variety of other translucent colors such as black, lavender, yellow, and orange that can look like the color variations of jade. Chalcedony can look very similar to jade as a gemstone. It can be distinguished from jade by its lower specific gravity and by a variety of instrumental methods.

Serpentine

Serpentine occurs in a variety of wonderful translucent to almost transparent green and yellowish-green colors that look very similar to jade. It is a metamorphic mineral that often occurs in the same geographic areas and the same rock types as jade. Serpentine is much softer than jade and also has a much lower specific gravity.

Vesuvianite, also known as idocrase, is another jade-like mineral that is very difficult to distinguish from jade without laboratory testing. It has a similar hardness, specific gravity, and physical appearance. It is not nearly as tough as jade and breaks more easily – but that requires destruction of the sample.

Jade types, treatments and tips for purchase

For thousands of years, the people who make and sell jade objects have found many ways to improve their appearance. Heat, wax, dye, bleach, acid, polymer injection, and other treatments have all been used to improve the color, luster, and stability of jadeite and nephrite. Although many of these treatments are part of the traditional jade manufacturing process, today’s serious jade buyers want to know about all the treatments that have been used in the manufacturing process.

Classification into type A, B and C

Commercial jadeite objects are classified into three “types” depending on the treatments used during the manufacturing process. They are referred to as Type A, Type B and Type C jadeite.

A jade locket: the deep green color jumps right out at you:

Jadeite type A: Treatment with wax layer

Type A jadeite objects have been treated with a wax coating. This is the most traditional jadeite treatment. It is expected and accepted by serious buyers and generally does not affect the value of a jadeite object. In this treatment, manufacturers boil finished jadeite objects in water to clean and prepare them for wax application. The objects are then dried and dipped in melted wax. The wax fills all pores and fractures near the surface. When the objects have cooled, excess wax is removed and the objects are polished to a high gloss. The wax fills in surface imperfections and gives the surface of the object a smooth, glossy finish.

Jadeite type B: bleaching by hydrochloric or sulphuric acid

Type B jadeite objects were bleached by soaking in hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. The acid removes oxidation stains and leaches sodium. This lightens the color of many materials. The jadeite is then impregnated under pressure with wax or a clear polymer resin. The impregnation fills all pores and fractures near the surface and gives the object improved smoothness, luster and color.

Unfortunately, the appearance of type B jadeite objects can deteriorate after only a few years. Acid treatment causes some jadeite to become brittle, and polymer resins can discolor over time or with exposure to heat and sunlight. Because of these problems, the treatment of Type B Jadeite should always be disclosed when an item is sold, but many items are sold without disclosure. This lack of disclosure is due to the fact that Type B Jadeite objects usually sell for a small fraction of the price paid for a similar Type A object. Sellers often get away with non-disclosure because Type B treatments are difficult to detect. Testing in a gemological laboratory is often required to detect Type B treatments.

• Bleached by soaking in hydrochloric or sulphuric acid
• Impregnated with wax or polymer resin under pressure
• Appearance may deteriorate after a few years
• Treatment should

Jadeite type C: Individual colouring

Type C jadeite usually has all the treatments of type B jadeite, but the object has also been dyed a more desirable color. The dyes may fade over time or with exposure to heat and light. For these reasons, Type C treatments should always be disclosed.

Color treatment can often be determined by examination with a microscope, spectroscope or gemological filters, but this examination should not be required – the seller should disclose the full extent of treatment for each object sold. Disclosure is not always made, as Type C jadeite sells for a small fraction of similar objects with Type B treatment.

Type C objects should be purchased at a price that assumes temporary use for a few years. Anyone spending the considerable money on jade should know the difference between jadeite and nephrite, have a good knowledge of jadeite treatments and how they affect value and future durability and appearance.

• More desirable colour than type b
• Type C treatments should always be disclosed
• Price that assumes temporary use of a few years

Emerald price (gram, carat and kilo)

Emerald is one of the most valuable gemstones in the world and is extremely rare, so it can command an exceptional price. As with all colored gemstones, the 4 Cs (color, clarity, cut and carat) determine the value, but emeralds are priced slightly differently than other gemstones because some inclusions are expected.

Especially the deep green gemstones from the mines of Colombia and Brazil achieve prices of several thousand USD per carat on the market. Less green and not quite as pure stones, on the other hand, are available for as little as 120 USD. To judge the quality of emeralds, see the globally recognized grading system at the bottom of the article.

What will interest you most now, of course

How much does an emerald cost?

As already described, emeralds are weighed in carats.

One metric carat equals 0.2 grams

Emeralds are currently valued at an average of $2,451.83 per carat.

So one gram costs on average 12,259.15 USD

Emerald Price Current (08/20):

• 1 carat 2,451.83 USD or 2080.13 EUR
• 1 gram 12,259.15 USD or 10,400.66 EUR
• 1 kilogram USD 12,259,150 or EUR 10,400,662.86

Gold price (gram, ounce & kilo) in comparison

How does the price of gold compare? Many investors who buy gold constantly keep an eye on the price. As an investor, you should too, because prices for precious metals are subject to fluctuations – even if the gold price is usually very stable.

Current difference per gram: +12,198.15 USD

Gold is currently valued at $61 per gram, compared to emeralds, which can fetch up to $12,259.15 as described, a huge difference that makes emeralds interesting for investors in any case.

Gold price current:

• 1 gram 61.14 USD or 52.47 EUR
• 1 ounce 1,901.77 USD or 1,631.90 EUR
• 1 kilogram USD 61,143.33 or EUR 52,466.80

Quality Features: The famous 4 C

A grading system introduced by the GIA was established to rate emeralds, just like diamonds or other gemstones, on four aspects. These 4 grading systems are known as “the four C’s” in which all emeralds are graded:

1. Colour
2. Cut
3. Clarity
4. Carat weight(Carat weight)

Colour (Colour #1)

Color is possibly the most important factor in evaluating emeralds, they have a unique color, exclusive to natural emeralds. Color is further divided into hue; the exact color, tone; the lightness to darkness and the saturation or vibrancy of the green color. In top grade emeralds, the hue is green, with no additional color undertones, the tone is vivid and deep, not too dark or too light, and the saturation is consistent throughout.

Facts about the colour at a glance:

• Most important factor for emeralds
• Subdivision into hue, exact color, brightness, saturation
• Top emeralds are green without color undertones
• Saturation uniform throughout

The most valuable emeralds have a pure green color with vivid color saturation evenly distributed throughout the stone and no visible color differences. If the hue tends to blue or yellow, it is not an emerald, but another beryl variety that is devalued. To be a true emerald, the gem must be dark enough and saturated enough to be called an emerald; if the color is considered too light, it is simply a green beryl. The degree of greenness has led to a number of different opinions as to whether a stone can truly be called an emerald.

Shades of precious emeralds:

• Precious emeralds have a pure green color
• Uniform and without visible colour differences
• If shade too blue or yellow: beryl variant

Cut (Cut #2)

Emeralds can be cut into almost any shape, with the round and octagonal “emerald cuts” being the most popular. Any cut that brings out the natural color and sparkle of the gemstone increases its price.

Purity (Clarity #3)

Gemstone clarity refers to the presence or absence of inclusions in the stone. Inclusions are any materials such as minerals, gases, liquids, or even other crystals that were trapped inside during its formation. Of the top four gemstones, the others being diamond, sapphire and ruby, emeralds are unique in the number of high quality specimens that contain inclusions, a flawless emerald is almost impossible to find. In fact, the flaws are what often give emeralds their charm, and the absence of any inclusions is often a sign of a fraudulent stone.

Facts about purity at a glance:

• Presence or absence of inclusions
• Emeralds usually contain inclusions
• Flawless emerald almost impossible to find
• Absence of any inclusions is often a sign of a forgery

Important: clarity and transparency

With emeralds, as with other colored stones, clarity and transparency are closely related. It is generally accepted that emeralds have inclusions visible to the naked eye, but only if they affect the transparency, the price is lowered.

Valuable emeralds with inclusions are so standard that there is even a name for them, Jardin-Smaragde (Jardin is French for garden and is so named because of its mossy or grassy appearance). When choosing an emerald, beware of inclusions that come to the surface of the gemstone, as they may indicate future cracks or fractures.

Carat / Weight (Carat #4)

The final indicator of price is, of course, the size of the emerald. Large carat sizes are particularly rare, so a three carat emerald gemstone is not only three times as expensive as a one carat stone, but probably six times as expensive. The size of an emerald is measured in carats (abbreviated as ct). One carat is equal to 0.2 grams (about 0.007 ounces).

Emeralds (as well as other precious colored gemstones) are often sold with a certification document that lists comprehensive details about the stone, specifically their 4 C’s. These certificates are usually authenticated by recognized organizations such as the GIA and the AGS (American Gem Society) and offer authenticity about the stone being purchased. Emeralds that are certified have a premium over non-certified.

Weight facts at a glance:

• Certification document is often sold together with the stone
• Lists comprehensive details about stone, especially the 4 Cs.
• Certified by recognized organizations
• Offer authenticity about the purchased stone
• Higher prices for stones with certificate

Authenticity test method for emeralds

To know for sure that your emerald is 100% real, you need special gemmological equipment or certificates from recognized authorities. But there are a few techniques that even the beginner can use at home. But use these techniques only as a guide and be sure to have your emerald examined by a professional before buying!

First, look for flaws with a magnifying lens or jeweler’s loupe. It is best to examine your gemstone under magnification, ideally through a jeweler’s loupe. Hold it so that the light falls on it at an angle. If you see tiny flaws or irregular patterns within the crystal, it is probably a genuine gemstone – though not necessarily an emerald. If your gem is very clear and without inclusions, you can assume it is a fake.

This is how you recognize real emeralds:

• Troubleshooting with magnifying lens or jeweler’s loupe
• Hold so that the light falls at an angle
• Tiny flaws or irregular patterns speak for authenticity
• Stones without inclusions are often forgeries

Other known test possibilities

Applying oil to an emerald usually improves its appearance, but with a synthetic stone the clarity does not change. Emeralds conduct heat very efficiently, so you can try a breath test. To do this, breathe on the gemstone and watch the mist – with a real emerald the mist disappears almost instantly, but with a fake it takes 4 or 5 seconds.

When lit, real emeralds produce little to no fire or colorful flashes; if your gem produces a rainbow of lightning, it’s not an emerald. Emeralds are also relatively hard gemstones, and while glass and other weak materials used in fake gemstones wear away quickly, emeralds retain sharp, clean edges on the facets. If the edges of the facets look soft and worn, the gemstone is likely a fake.

In addition, emeralds can be recognized by these characteristics:

• Application of oil improves the appearance
• Clarity does not change with synthetic stones
• Heat test: Real stones conduct heat very efficiently
• Relatively hard – sharp, clean edges

Emerald species and their value

Emeralds can be divided into varieties or types rather than species. Emeralds are sometimes distinguished by their place of origin or the presence of certain impurities. Some of the better known emeralds include:

Colombian Emeralds

Colombian emeralds are mined in Colombia. These emeralds are the most highly prized.

Brazilian Emeralds

Brazilian emeralds are generally lighter green gemstones than those mined in Colombia. The term Brazilian emerald sometimes refers to green tourmalines.

Zambian emeralds

The high-end market was slow to accept Zambian emeralds, but that began to change when Tiffany & Co. began promoting emeralds from Zambia in 1989. Today, Zambian emeralds are well respected and recognized for their own distinctive characteristics.

Emeralds for cat eyes

These emeralds have a cat’s eye effect called chatoyancy, which looks like a wide slit, similar to the pupil in a cat’s eye. Cat’s eye emeralds are very rare and only found in light green emeralds.

Trapiche-Smaragde

The rarest type of emerald is the Trapiche emerald, a very unusual combination of emerald and lutite. Due to the hexagonal structure of the emerald, the two minerals alternate much like the spokes of a wheel, creating a very unique formation. The only known source of these exquisite stones is in Colombia and the local name comes from its resemblance to the rollers of a mill that would extract juice from sugar cane – a trapiche.

Emerald mining in one of the largest mines in the world: Video

Popular for over 4000 years

The name emerald comes from the Greek word smaragdos and the Latin smaragdus, which means green gemstone. This further goes back to the Sanskrit maragdam and the Persian zumurrad. Emeralds were already highly valued in ancient times: the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Indians, Aztecs and Incas already revered this wonderful gemstone.

Emeralds may well have a history as long as that of civilized man, they are certainly ancient gems. In the oldest book in the world, the Papyrus Prisse, which is about 4000 years old, it is once said: But good words are harder to find than the emerald, because it is discovered by slaves among the rocks. The quote probably refers to the mines near Luxor where tools dating back to the time of Ramses II in 1300 BC have been found. Other ancient mines include Muzo, Chivor and Cosquez in Colombia and Mingora in Pakistan, where gems were mined 2500 years ago.

Throughout known history, they have been revered by civilizations around the world, from the Babylonians who wrote about their sales in the markets, to Aristotle who recommended wearing one, to Nero who owned sunglasses made of emeralds, to the Incas who worshipped Umina, a goddess represented by an emerald the size of an ostrich egg!

Popular since ancient times:

• First mention in a 4,000-year-old book
• Were revered by civilizations around the world
• Likewise from famous people like Aristotle and Nero…

Main source: South America

Emeralds are mined all over the world (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Australia, United States), but Colombia, Brazil and Zambia are the three main sources. Colombia, located on the South American continent, produces arguably the finest of all emeralds and produces 70-90% of the emeralds for the world market.

Emerald search in Austria: Video

From rough stone to gemstone: production

Unlike most gemstones, emeralds are never subjected to traditional heat treatment to change their color or improve their clarity, but this does not mean that they are not treated in any way. This is because most emeralds are not flawless and have numerous internal inclusions and fractures, as well as tiny surface-breaking fissures or cracks. For this reason, the vast majority of emeralds are treated with oils, usually cedar, to improve their clarity.

Treatment with high quality oils

Cedar oil is sticky and thick, so it is not easy to penetrate the microscopic cracks of the emerald. The process therefore requires heat to warm the oil and pressure to push the oil into the cracks. First, the emeralds are cleaned in an acid bath, then the gems are isolated in tanks along with pure cedar oil and sealed tightly. The heat liquefies the cedar oil and the pressure helps it penetrate the emerald’s tiny cracks.

The emeralds are allowed to cool and the oil returns to its viscous state, remaining in the emerald and improving its clarity and transparency. The stones are then removed and cleaned. Finally, the emerald must be oiled and cleaned again to keep it in the best possible condition.

This is how emeralds are processed:

• Cleaning in acid bath
• Subsequent treatment mainly cedar oil
• Penetrates the cracks of the emerald under heat and pressure
• When cooling, the oil remains and improves clarity

Care of the precious emerald jewellery

Precious emerald is pressure sensitive and susceptible to household chemicals. Although emerald is one of the harder gemstones, it still needs to be handled with care due to its naturally enclosed and flawed formation. Special care must be taken when handling emeralds, as they are more fragile than other forms of beryl. You should avoid wearing emerald jewelry if you work with harsh chemicals or household cleaners such as bleach or acid. To clean, you can use warm soapy water and a cloth or soft rag. Be sure to rinse the stones well to remove any soap residue.

Be careful when cleaning:

• Careful treatment!
• More fragile than other gemstones
• Avoid contact with household cleaners
• Warm soapy water for cleaning

Emeralds should still not be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners, as these can remove the oils used to enhance the emeralds. Traditional oil for emeralds is stable but not permanent, which means that most emeralds will need to be re-oiled from time to time to restore some of their lost color and luster.

Instructions for care with oil:

• Do not clean with ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners
• These remove the oils used for refinement
• Emeralds need to be re-oiled from time to time
• Restores colour and shine

Emeralds can easily scratch other gemstones, and they can easily be scratched by harder gemstones like topaz and sapphires. To avoid scratches, store your emeralds separately from other gemstones and gemstone jewelry. Store your gemstones by wrapping them in a soft cloth and placing them in a cloth-lined box.

Most Valuable Emerald Find Ever: Video

Emeralds: Interesting for investors?

Emerald gemstones are purchased primarily for their beauty, mystery, and emotional appeal, but they can also be a wise investment. Due to the rarity of large cut quality emeralds, prices are expected to rise steadily in the future. Many investors buy high quality emeralds to increase and maintain the value of their portfolios. Also, like all other gemstones, they are easy to store. However, if you are thinking of buying an emerald, you should seek advice from a professional before doing so.

Purchase should be well thought out

Short-term speculation with emeralds is practically impossible due to the value added tax and the high spreads. This can also be used as a fundamental argument against emeralds as a value investment, because the investor is first of all in the red with 19 percent after the purchase and must reckon with further discounts when selling. In addition, there is the lack of a global reference price, as it is available to potential gold investors with the London gold price.

These thoughts are not intended as a general recommendation against buying emeralds, but rather as an invitation to critically reflect on a potential purchase decision.

Diamond price (gram, carat and kilo)

The largest diamond producer by volume is Russia (mainly Siberia). But if you look at the value of the diamonds, Botswana (mainly Jwaneng Diamond Mine) wins. Both produce over 1 million carats a year, which sounds like a lot, but is actually only 200,000 g, or 200 kg per country per year. It is these small quantities that make diamond so valuable.

The most famous and legendary of all gemstones, diamond is very unique in many ways. It is known for being the hardest substance on earth, its sparkling fire, durability and rarity make diamond the most valuable of all gemstones. No gemstone contains as much attraction and interest as diamond. Most diamonds used as gemstones are colorless or very faintly colored. Colored diamonds, called “fancies,” however, can be extremely rare and valuable, and the most valuable gemstones ever known were fancy diamonds. In fact, fancy diamonds are the most valuable substances known to mankind, with colored diamonds selling for more than a million dollars per carat in the past!

What you’ll be most interested in now, of course:

How much does a diamond cost?

As described earlier, diamonds are weighed in carats.

One metric carat equals 0.2 grams

Diamonds are currently valued at an average of $7,116 per carat.

So one gram costs on average 35,580 USD

Diamond Price Current (08/20):

• 1 carat 7,116.17 USD or 5,990.54 EUR
• 1 gram 35,580.90 USD or 30,100.16 EUR
• 1 kilogram USD 35,580,170.34 or EUR 30,100,160.81

Gold price (gram, ounce & kilo) in comparison

How does the price of gold compare? Many investors who buy gold constantly keep an eye on the price. As an investor, you should too, because prices for precious metals are subject to fluctuations – even if the gold price is usually very stable.

Difference per gram currently: +35,519 USD or diamonds are 583x more valuable

Gold is currently valued at $61 per gram, compared to diamonds, which can fetch up to $35,580 as described, a huge difference that also makes diamonds interesting for investors.

Gold price current:

• 1 gram 61.14 USD or 52.47 EUR
• 1 ounce 1,901.77 USD or 1,631.90 EUR
• 1 kilogram USD 61,143.33 or EUR 52,466.80

So for one kilogram of gold you get only a fraction of diamonds!

Countries of origin and largest mining areas

Since the 1870s, most of the world’s gem-quality diamonds have been mined in Africa.

Top 7 producing countries over 1 million carats / year

These seven countries have been world leaders in the production of gem quality diamonds for over a decade.

Production over 1 million carats:

1. Russia
2. Botswana
3. Canada
4. Angola
5. South Africa
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
7. Namibia

Russia leads the list of producers with its gigantic areas. A large part of the productive mines can be found in Yakutia.

Mine: Yakutia, Russia

Inside Yakutia: Russia’s largest mine – video

Yakutia in northeastern Siberia is home to huge diamond deposits, where the gems are mined in huge pits dug deep into the permafrost. The Mir mine in Mirny is 525 meters deep and one of the largest man-made holes in the world.

Production countries with 100,000 + carats / year

Apart from the dominant producers, numerous countries produce less than one million carats per year, but are regular, consistent producers. They all produce over 100,000 carats of gem-quality diamonds per year and have averaged at least that much over the past decade. This production comes from smaller mechanized mines or an enormous number of artisans in alluvial deposits.

• Australia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea
• Guyana
• Lesotho
• Sierra Leone
• Zimbabwe

Number 1 in the 2nd division is Australia. Tip. Read more about production and price of Opal here.

Mine: Australia (Argyle Diamond Mine, Lake Argyle WA 6743)

Inside Argyle: Australia’s Diamonds – Video

A look inside the unique Argyle diamond mine. Located in the spectacular East Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Argyle Diamond Mine produces over 90% of the incredible Pink Diamonds. See how they recover the diamonds from deep underground in their modern block cave mine.

Russia: The largest diamond producer in the world

Diamonds were found in Russia as early as the 18th century. The first significant production occurred in 1957 from the Mir kimberlite pipe and adjacent placers. Since then, numerous diamondiferous pipes and alluvial deposits have been found. Most of Russia’s diamond production to date has come from the open pit mines of the Mir and Udachnaya pipes in the Sakha Republic of Siberia.

Today, Russia is the world’s leading producer of gem-quality diamonds by carat weight and has held this position for over a decade. Botswana is the only country with a higher production value – mainly because its production includes a high proportion of large, high-quality diamonds.

• First finds in the 18th century
• First production facility 1957
• The majority are open-cast mines in the Republic of Sakha.
• Central is Yakutia (10 of 12 mines)
• World leading producer in gemstone quality
• Holds the title for over a decade

ALROSA as the largest export company

ALROSA, a Russian group of diamond mining companies, produces almost all of the diamonds mined in the country. ALROSA sorts and sells its rough diamonds to a number of polished diamond manufacturers located mainly in Russia, Belgium, India, Israel, Hong Kong and China. Most sales are made through long-term supply agreements, but the company also makes one-time sales and is developing methods for online sales.

Primary control of ALROSA is in the hands of Russian government authorities. The Russian Federation Agency for State Property Management owns approximately 44%, the Ministry of Property and Land Relations of the Republic of Sakha owns approximately 25% and the municipal district administrations of the Republic of Sakha own approximately 8%. The remaining approximately 23% is owned by individuals and legal entities.

Away from it all, a look inside the mine is nothing short of spectacular.

Number 1: Largest diamond mine in the world – Video

Botswana: Small country, huge yield

Course a look at Botswana as a country if you don’t know much about it yet.

• Capital: Gaborone
• Currency: Botswana Pula
• Population: 2.254 million (2018, source: World Bank).

Botswana on the map, Jwaneng Diamond Mine:

Botswana was one of the first areas to use bulk sampling and indicator mineral mapping to characterize and identify diamond pipes in a large and difficult geographic area. Exploration began in the 1950s and diamond mining started in 1971.

In the mid-1980s, Botswana had some of the world’s highest-yielding mines, and the tiny country was one of the world’s leading diamond producers.

For over a decade, Botswana has been the second largest diamond producer by carat weight and the leading producer by value. It holds this position because its average diamond size is larger than those produced by Russia and of generally higher quality.

• Diamond mining began in 1971
• 2. largest diamond producer (quantity)
• PS: Measured by value, even the leading producer

Number 1 mines: The most expensive diamonds

Botswana’s Jwaneng mine is often referred to as “the richest diamond mine in the world”. The mine has been producing about 10 million carats of high quality diamonds annually. The mine is owned by a company called Debswana, a joint venture company between De Beers and the government of Botswana – hence the name “Debswana”.

The diamond industry is the most important factor for economic activity in Botswana. Diamonds account for about 60% of Botswana’s exports and about 25% of its gross domestic product. De Beers is responsible for the sale of all of Debswana’s rough diamonds and has built the largest diamond sorting and sales facility in the world in Gaborone, the capital and largest city of Botswana. There, the stones mined by De Beers in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa are sorted and offered to diamond buyers and manufacturers from all over the world in De Beers’ famous “Sightholder Sales”.

• Most important factor for economic activity in Botswana
• 60% of Botswana’s exports are diamonds
• About 25% of its gross domestic product
• Garborone has the largest diamond sorting and sales facility in the world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCEmCUdSnXc

Canada: The big surprise

Canada was the big surprise in the diamond industry. Geologists suspected that gem-bearing diamond pipes pierced the rocks of the Canadian Shield, but many of the world’s most experienced diamond explorers could not find them. Then in 1991, two geologists, Chuck Fipke and Stewart Blusson, found evidence of diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes about 200 miles north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The deposit proved commercial, and mining began there in 1998. Several other mines came on line in quick succession, quickly making Canada one of the world’s leading diamond producers.

Some of the Canadian mines have already been closed due to difficult mining conditions or ore bodies being worked out. However, the country’s position as the third largest diamond producer in the world has been maintained. Most of Canada’s mines are located in remote and cold places in the northern part of the country. Some can only get their heavy supplies by trucks traveling on ice roads that can only be traversed during the coldest months of the year. The mines must also have all the necessary facilities to house and support their workers for months at a time. The mines have proven themselves even in the face of these costly challenges.

• First diamonds were found in 1991
• In 1998 the dismantling began
• Mines mainly in the north, supply via ice roads

Popularity due to good production conditions

Canadian diamonds have been very popular with consumers. Some like them because they are produced away from conflict, because workers are well paid and because there are regulations to protect the environment. Diamond and jewelry manufacturers in Canada have advertised their national origin by labeling their belts with certificate numbers and trade logos. These include a maple leaf, a polar bear, CanadaMark symbols or the words “Ice on Fire.” These inscriptions assure consumers of the provenance of their diamond, link it to a certificate, and are a very successful marketing feature.

Mining of rough diamonds

Diamonds are mostly extracted from vents of extinct volcanoes. They are first mined in open pits, then underground. Extensive open-pit mining of this type is carried out in Botswana, Russia and Angola. In Namibia and South Africa, diamonds are also found inland in some river valleys and in submarine basins. For underwater mining, specially designed ships are used to wash the diamonds out of the sand that is sucked in.

World production of natural diamond is currently around twenty tons per year, which currently only covers around 20 % of industrial demand. Synthetically produced diamonds, whose properties such as toughness, crystal habit, conductivity and purity can be precisely influenced, are therefore increasingly filling this gap in demand.

Statistics: Development of the worldwide diamond production in the period from 2005 to 2020

You can find more statistics at Statista

Recognised grading system: The 4 Cs

A grading system introduced by the GIA was established to evaluate diamonds based on four aspects. These four grading systems are known as “the four C’s” in which all diamonds are graded:

1. Colour
2. Cut
3. Clarity
4. Carat weight(Carat weight)

Colour (Colour #1)

The color of a diamond is graded on an alphabetical scale, ranging from the letters D to Y. This scale measures color saturation, which ranges from absolutely colorless to deep yellow (or yellow-brown). D is completely colorless, with no hint of any other color. Y indicates intense deep yellow or deep yellow-brown. The letters between D and Y describe the color, depending on the degree of yellow saturation.

The color bar below shows the letter and the color saturation it represents. (The bar is not limited to yellow; it can also be yellow-brown and is not necessarily accurate, as monitor saturation can vary.) The letter Z in a diamond’s color grade can sometimes be used to indicate a fancy diamond.

Cut (Cut #2)

The cut, or facet, of the diamond is the shape and style in which it is cut. The most common cut is the brilliant cut, a facet specifically designed to bring out the most fire in the stone. Sometimes this cut cannot be given, either due to flaws or cleavage habits. A great deal of planning must be done before cutting a diamond, as a slight flaw in the facet can significantly reduce the value of the stone.

Brilliant cut and old cut

The brilliant cut is the classic cut for diamonds. The 57 facets of the brilliant cause the best possible light reflection.

The old cut is the precursor of today’s brilliant cut. This particular cut is mainly found in jewellery from private collections. Special features of this cut are a somewhat higher upper body and a smaller table as well as a cut calette. A perfectly round cut was not necessarily aimed for. This cut still enjoys particular popularity among connoisseurs today.

Purity (Clarity #3)

The brilliance of the stone also depends decisively on the clarity, which is of course very strongly reflected in the value of the diamond. Truly flawless stones are very rare and therefore also particularly valuable.

Carat / Weight (Carat #4)

The size of a diamond is measured in carats (abbreviated as ct). One carat is equal to 0.2 grams (about 0.007 ounces).

Another weight measurement sometimes used for small diamonds is the point measurement (abbreviated as pt). Each point is equal to one/one hundredth of a carat. For example, a stone weighing 34 pt weighs 0.34 ct. Larger diamonds are worth more than proportionally smaller ones, meaning that a 3 ct diamond exceeds the value of three 1ct diamonds.

Diamonds (as well as other precious colored gemstones) are often sold with a certification document that lists comprehensive details about the stone, specifically their 4 C’s. These certificates are usually authenticated by recognized organizations such as the GIA and the AGS (American Gem Society) and offer authenticity about the stone being purchased. Diamonds that are certified have a premium over non-certified.

Detect fake diamonds?

Since a diamond is real, it must have some inclusions! These inclusions are visible to the naked eye or under magnification. If no inclusions, black spots or milk spots, are visible in a diamond, then it is either a zirconia or a piece of glass.

Diamonds that have no inclusions under 50x magnification are very rare and can only be found by collectors. The small black specks that are visible in diamonds are crystals of graphite or other forms of carbon. These black specks glow under the light. Diamonds have an affinity for grease; the surface of a cut diamond generally has a film of grease when touched.

• Inclusions (naked eye or under magnification)
• No inclusions under 50x magnification = very rare
• Black spots are crystals of graphite or other forms of carbon
• Affinity for fat

Test methods for the authenticity of diamonds

The most important test of a diamond is that all light entering the front of the stone is completely reflected by the back facets, which form a series of mirrors. A well-cut diamond, when viewed from the back and held up to the light, will show only a pinpoint of light from the cult. Moreover, when you look down at a brilliant diamond, you don’t see the wearer’s finger under the stone, as you do with other stones. White light entering a diamond is scattered into a spectrum of colors, creating vials of different colors from the smaller crown facets.

Detect diamond imitations: Video

Various quartz shapes

There are many forms of quartz that can be called diamond. Many are locality specific and precede the word diamond with a locality name. Many of these names are rarely used or invented by dealers, but there are a few, such as Herkimer Diamond, that are used universally. Here are some names to consider that describe quartz varieties:

Names describing varieties of quartz:

• Arkansas
• Baffa
• Bristol
• Cape May
• Cornish
• Dauphine
• Herkimer
• Hot springs
• Marble Marsh
• Pecos
• Vallum
• Zabeltitzen

Other false names are also used which do not refer to quartz. They are as follows:

• Alaskan Black – Hematite
• Jourado – Colorless synthetic spinel
• Killiecrankie – Colourless topaz from Killiecrankie Bay at the northern end of Flinders Island, Australia.
• Matura – Colourless zirconia
• Strass – Colorless glass as gemstone simulant
• Swarovski – Highly polished form of glass

Production of synthetic diamonds

For many years, it was very legitimate to use the terms “diamond production” and “diamond mining” as equivalent – at least for gem quality diamonds. That has changed. The United States Geological Survey reports that in 2015, an estimated $52.4 million worth of gem-quality diamonds were produced in laboratories within the United States.

Already produced $52.4 million worth of synthetic diamonds in 2015

An unknown quantity is also produced in laboratories outside the United States. Most of these synthetic diamonds enter the gemstone market and are labeled as “lab-created” or “lab-grown” or “synthetic” at the time of sale to consumers. When this occurs, these man-made diamonds are generally sold at a price at least 25% below the cost of natural diamonds for stones of similar size and quality.

Still complicated and costly at the moment

It is extremely difficult and costly to distinguish man-made diamonds from natural diamonds, especially at the wholesale level when synthetic diamonds are inserted into large lots of very small diamonds. This infiltration of synthetic stones into natural stone stock has raised concerns among the gem and jewelry trade, as well as consumers. Is my diamond “natural”?

Most consumers still buy “natural diamonds” because the supply of lab-created diamonds is relatively small. However, a lower selling price attracts certain consumers to lab-created diamonds because they have the same chemical composition and physical properties and look exactly like natural diamonds to the eye. Time will tell how interested consumers will be in natural diamonds and how much of a discount they are willing to refuse.

For a layman not to recognize: The difference between natural and synthetic diamonds.

Biggest diamonds ever

In this chart you can see the biggest diamonds that were sold until 2010:

1. The Golden Jubiliee – 545.67 carats
2. The Cullinan I – 530.2 carats
3. The Cullinan II – 317.4 carats
4. The Centenary – 273 carats
5. The Millenium Star – 204.4 carats

Diamonds for investors

Investors should base the purchase decision on the “4 Cs” described above to ensure a minimum level of quality. In order to ensure successful resaleability at a reasonable price, it makes sense to keep the standards rather high.

Role of diamonds in the portfolio

In contrast to shares, ETFs or other forms of investment, the long-term price development of diamonds is characterised by a relatively steady rise. Therefore, diamonds are very well suited as a defensive addition to the portfolio to cushion strong downturns. A fundamental outperformance compared to stock indices such as DAX or MDAX, however, is usually not given.

Your motivation in buying diamonds as an investment should be to minimize risk by diversifying your assets.

This means that diamonds are not recommended in a small portfolio. If you have to exceed a maximum portfolio share of 5 percent to reach the minimum size and quality when buying diamonds, you should rather wait with the investment.

Diamond Cut: 21 Shapes & Types

Diamonds are known to have the unique property of refracting light in such a way that it sparkles intensely! So much so that diamonds continue to increase in value. Today, 1 carat (0.2 grams) will cost you 7,116.17 USD or 5,990.54 EUR. Besides the brilliance, the cut determines a large part of the purchase price. There are different shapes of cut diamonds, 21 of which I want to introduce to you today. To the cut forms belong for example round cut (also brilliant cut), heart, oval, marquise, radiant and princess (princess cut). The cut quality significantly determines the value of a diamond. When determining the value, it is all about how well the facets of a diamond interact with the light.

The cut of a diamond is crucial to the final beauty and value of the stone. Of all the 4Cs of diamonds, the cut itself is the most complex and technically difficult to analyze.

• Diamond cut: 21 types

Investing in diamonds: Yes or No?

Short-term speculation with diamonds is practically impossible due to the value added tax and the high spreads. This can also be used as a basic argument against diamonds as a value investment, because the investor is first of all in the red with 19 percent after the purchase and has to reckon with further discounts when selling. In addition, there is the lack of a global reference price, as it is available to potential gold investors with the London gold price.

These thoughts should not be understood as a fundamental recommendation against buying diamonds, but rather as an invitation to critically reflect on a potential purchase decision.