James Allen Diamond Collection

Learn the 4 C's of diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. Click the Certificate link to learn all about A.G.S - American Gem Society or the G.I.A - Gemological Institute America.

CUT:A diamond's cut is not only about its shape, but how effectively the stone can return light back to the viewer's eye. A well-cut diamond will appear very brilliant and fiery; while more poorly cut stones can appear dark and lifeless, regardless of color or clarity.

Color:When shopping for a diamond, it is generally preferred to have the least amount of color possible. Diamond color is divided into five broad categories:

Colorless: Diamonds within the colorless range are the most rare and valuable of all the colors. color stones display virtually no color, whereas colored diamonds will display a nearly undetected amount of color when viewed face down by a gemologist.

Near Colorless: Diamonds within the near colorless range appear colorless in the face up position, but do display a slight amount of color when viewed face down against a perfectly white background. This trace amount of color will be undetectable to an untrained eye once the diamond has been mounted. Near colorless diamonds offer a tremendous value for the money.

Understanding Fluorescence - How does it effect a diamond?
Some diamonds can display a visible light called fluorescence when exposed to an ultraviolet light source. This fluorescence will be measured as inert, faint, medium or strong. Blue fluorescence is most common, however diamonds can also fluoresce white, yellow, and orange (among other colors). Fluorescence usually has no effect on a diamonds appearance in regular light conditions. Strong blue fluorescence can make a yellow colored diamond appear more white, but in rare cases can cause a stone to appear milky or oily. This milky or oily effect is called an "over blue" and only applies to a small number of "strong" and "very strong" fluorescent stones.

Which Color should you Choose?
Most people find it very difficult (if not impossible) to tell the difference from one color grade to another. The difference in price, however, can be significant.However, you can find a tremendous value while still achieving a "colorless" look. Shopping on a budget or trying to maximize the size of your stone? If so then "J" diamonds are most affordable and still near colorless. You may also want to consider choosing a diamond with medium or strong fluorescence. Since these diamonds are discounted slightly in price you can often afford a higher color stone without paying the premium.



Angola
In 1998, the United Nations (UN) placed Angola under sanctions forbidding countries from buying diamonds from them. This was the first resolution of the UN which specifically mentioned diamonds in the context of funding war. Reports estimated that as much as 20% of total production in the 1990s were being sold for illicit purposes, and 15% were specifically conflict in nature.By 1999, the illicit diamond trade was estimated by the World Diamond Council to have been reduced to 3.06% of the world's diamond production.The World Diamond Council reported that by 2004 this percentage had fallen to approximately 1%.

Angola is a former colony of Portugal and gained independence in 1975. Although independent, the country saw civil war between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (PMLA) faction, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) faction. During this war, diamonds were traded by rebel groups to fund their war. The UN recognized the role that diamonds played in funding the UNITA rebels, and in 1998 banned countries from buying diamonds from Angola. Today Angola's civil war has ended and the country is now a legitimate part of the diamond trade.

Sierra Leone
In July 1999, following over eight years of civil conflict, negotiations between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front led to the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement under which the parties agreed to the cessation of hostilities, disarmament of all combatants and the formation of a government of national unity. The United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) helped facilitate the negotiations. In resolution 1270 of October 22, 1999, the Security Council established the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to help create the conditions in which the parties could implement the Agreement. Subsequently, the number of personnel were increased and tasks to be carried out by UNAMSIL adjusted by the Council in resolutions 1289 of February 8, 2000 and 1299 of May 19, 2000, making UNAMSIL the second largest peacekeeping force currently deployed by the United Nations (the largest such contingent is in the Congo.

Following international concern at the role played by the illicit diamond trade in fueling conflict in Sierra Leone, the Security Council adopted resolution 1306 on July 5, 2000 imposing a ban on the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone not controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime. An arms embargo and selective travel ban on non-governmental forces were already in effect under resolution 1171 of June 5, 1998.

On July 31, 2000 and August 1, 2000, Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1132 (1997) concerning Sierra Leone, presided over the first ever exploratory public hearing by the Security Council in New York. The hearing was attended by representatives of interested Member States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, the diamond industry and other relevant experts. The hearing exposed the link between the trade in illicit Sierra Leone diamonds and trade in arms and related material. The ways and means for developing a sustainable and well-regulated diamond industry in Sierra Leone were also discussed.

As called for by resolution 1306 of July 5, 2000, the Secretary-General, on August 2, 2000, established a Panel of Experts, to collect information on possible violations of the arms embargo and the link between trade in diamonds and trade in arms and related material, consider the adequacy of air traffic control systems in the West African region for the purpose of detecting flights suspected of contravening the arms embargo, and report to the Council with observations and recommendations on ways of strengthening the arms and diamonds embargoes no later than October 3, 2000. The Chairman of the Panel was Martin Chungong Ayafor (Cameroon). The other members were Atabou Bodian (Senegal), Johan Peleman (Belgium), Harjit Singh Sandhu (India) and Ian Smillie (Canada). The Panel submitted its report to the Security Council on December 19, 2000. On January 25, 2001 the Security Council, at its 4264th meeting, considered the report of the panel of experts.

Diamond revenues in Sierra Leone have increased more than tenfold since the end of the conflict, from $10 million in 2000 to about $130 million in 2004,although from 1989 to 2003 Liberia was engaged in a civil war. In 2000, the UN accused Liberian president Charles G. Taylor of supporting the RUF insurgency in Sierra Leone with weapons and training in exchange for diamonds. In 2001 the UN applied sanctions on the Liberian diamond trade. In August 2003 Taylor stepped down as president, and after being exiled to Nigeria, now faces trial in the Hague. On July 21, 2006 he pleaded not guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Liberia today is at peace and is attempting to construct a legitimate diamond mining industry. The UN has lifted sanctions and Liberia is now a member of the Kimberley process.

Ok back to love and holiday blessing.
Celebrate your wedding or anniversary with a spectacular James Allen band. We offer a wide range of classic and contemporary designs as well as three-stone and eternity rings.

Womens Wedding Bands
Mens Wedding Bands
Three-Stone Diamond Rings



A pearl necklace is always a wonderful accessory to any outfit. Which necklace fits the woman in your world? It may be the simple silver and freshwater pearl lariat, the exotic Tahitian pearl drop or 100 inches of gray, black and white pearls. James Allen has put together a collection that should pique your interest!

Signature Hearts & Arrows Diamond Collection
JamesAllen.com is proud to offer some of the worlds finest-cut diamonds, all guaranteed
available and ready to be set into your perfect setting. Our high standards in overall diamond
quality and grading, combined with our ability to source some of the most beautiful and precision-cut
diamond inventory has allowed us to introduce the Hearts & Arrows Diamond Collection.

Hearts & Arrows (often abbreviated as H&A) diamonds originally made their arrival to the United States
in the mid 1990's. H&A diamonds are cut so precisely that they display a special pattern through both
the table and pavilion when viewed through a special magnifying device called a Hearts & Arrows (or H&A) viewer.
Top-notch H&A diamonds are highly coveted because of their optimal performance, which can be attributed to both
their overall Ideal proportions as well as the meticulous attention to detail and precision during the cutting process.
Although many diamonds are cut to ideal proportions (and have an incredible amount of fire and brilliance),
very few diamonds will display a clean, perfect H&A pattern.

Each and every James Allen Hearts & Arrows Diamond Collectionis individually inspected for overall beauty using both basic
magnification and detailed review through a Hearts & Arrow viewer. During that review, the diamonds internal
pattern is checked for the following:

Our Standard For Grading Hearts:
*Eight symmetrical Hearts that are separate from the arrows above
*Each Heart must be of the same size and definition with equally sized lobes
*Each Heart must be complete and cannot be separated by overly deep clefts

Our Standards For Grading Arrows:
*Eight uniform and symmetrical Arrows that are the same length, shape and contrast
*Each Arrow must be clearly visible with a shaft and head
*Each Arrow point must meet equally at the girdle

Diamonds that meet with above definitions and that have also been graded with the highest possible ratings for
overall cut, polish and symmetry by either the G.I.A. or A.G.S laboratories are selected for the Hearts & Arrows
Collection. Because we use conservative standards for grading of our H&A diamonds, less than 1% of the diamonds on the
JamesAllen.com website have been identified as part of this special program.

14k White Gold, Round, Diamond Stud Earrings

14k Choice of White or Yellow Gold Black Diamond Studs

14k White Gold, Round, Diamond Classic 4-Prong Pendant

10k Diamond Bridal Set

Mens Stunning 2 Channel Set Diamond Wedding Band- White Gold

10k Yellow Gold, May Birthstone, Lab Created Emerald and Diamond Men's Ring

14K White Gold Emerald-cut Created Sapphire and Diamond Men's Ring

10k White Gold Diamond Promise Ring

14K White Gold Round 3 Stone Blue Diamond & White Diamond Ring

White Gold Diamond Cross Pendant

Stunning 2 Tone Diamond Trio Set For Him and Her
BLOWOUT DEAL-

Diamond Anniversary Band

18k Yellow Gold Overlay Sterling Silver Diamond Accent & Ruby Flower Ring

1/2ctw Diamond Engagement Ring

Three Stone Round Brilliant Diamond Ring 1/3ctw

Skagen Women's Silver Dial Mesh Bracelet Watch

Movado Women's Amorosa Watch

Rocawear Women's Heart Lug Watch

Citizen Women's

Marc Ecko Women's Dreamer Watch

Bulova Women's Crystal Gold-Tone Watch

Timex Woman's Dress Watch

Men's Croton Crystal Watch

Movado Men's Moderno Watch

Citizen Men's Calibre 8700

Seiko Men's Flight Alarm Chronograph

Timex Men's Chrono Alarm Watch

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Two-Tone Steel

Baume & Mercier Hampton City Men's Black Strap Silver Dial 18K Yellow Gold