Aside from choosing gems that have unique characteristics, our white diamonds are selected for their clarity and color. When colorless, we prefer to work with those in the color range D - J. And we prefer gems that are clean to the naked eye.
Ethics are an important conversation in the selection process, and whilst it can be challenging to provide specific origins on a diamond as they can typically mined all over the world, we work with trusted vendors that and ensure the gems go through the Kimberly process when they enter the United States.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds—rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments—from entering the global supply chain
Can I choose my own diamond?
As part of our custom process, we can source gemstones for you, however we remind all of our clients that the rareness of cuts & colors that we use, means that we cannot always guarantee an exact match.
We do have a small selection of reclaimed white diamonds in our collection that can be viewed as part of our custom process with an appointment. We create custom pieces with a minimum price, which are typically higher than those seen online. We recommend viewing the collection in store as a starting point. More details on our custom process can be found here.
What are Salt & Pepper Diamonds?
Salt & Pepper diamonds are natural diamonds known for their unique color ranges and unusual internal carbon impurities or tiny bits of minerals trapped in the stone as it was forming, such as graphite or magnetite. While an internally flawless diamond is highly valued, a diamond with anomalies can be perceived as extraordinary. Our salt and Pepper diamonds are an excellent example of perfectly imperfect. You can imagine a large piece of a raw rock or stone – some parts are likely clearer and more free of textures, and some parts might be darker.
Are salt & pepper diamonds as durable as other diamonds? Salt & Pepper Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs’ scale, making them equal to white diamonds, and they're chemically the same. Whilst they have internal textures, they have already been through arduous processing in cutting before they arrive in a piece.
Salt & Peppers offer larger size stones at a more affordable price point than a white diamond. Each gemstone carries it's own fingerprint, exclusive to the wearer. There's a sustainability bonus too, as a by-product of the white diamond industry.
Can I get a GIA certification of a Salt & Pepper Diamond?
No, GIA does not certify salt and pepper diamonds. This is for two reasons: lack of imitation and clarity. First, because there are no meaningful imitations or lab created versions, certification is unnecessary to distinguish natural from synthetic. Second, the GIA clarity grading scale is intended to distinguish diamonds based on lack of inclusions. So, because S&P diamonds are determined by their plethora of inclusions, certification would be unhelpful.
What is the color grading for diamonds?
CUT - The cut of a diamond should enhance the natural beauty of the gemstone. The cut refers to the way the stone is faceted and intensifies the display of light and color. This is not to be confused with shape which is an aesthetic choice and dictates the style of ring or other piece of jewelry that is created. We often use vintage rose cuts which increases the visibility of natural variations in color. Rose cut diamonds often have a flat bottom and allow for an increased surface size at an accessible price.
CARAT WEIGHT - The weight of a diamond or other precious gemstones is sized by weight in carats. (Carob beans were used throughout history was used as a unit of measurement due to the lack of variation in seed size) However, due to the varying density and height of each stone, there may be a considerable difference in mm size from one gemstone to the next. For example, a diamond slice will appear considerably larger from the surface than a regular cut.
At Macha, we place value on the diamonds that display rarely used qualities. Whether it's a variation of color or opaque vs transparencies, we seek the anomalies, the fullness of unique character. We believe those to be extraordinary and cherish those unique finds among the standard.
Care- Diamonds are the hardest stone, rating a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. They are best cared for by cleaning with warm soapy water and dried with a soft cloth or soft bristled toothbrush. Hard chemicals such as bleach, acetone, and chlorine and discolor and damage the Diamond. Avoid storing next to other jewelry as Diamonds will scratch them. We recommend Diamonds for everyday jewelry and engagement rings.
