Who is Verreaud?

Verreaud Ltd. was founded on November 9, 2023. We specialize in the trade of polished, physical colored diamonds (fancy diamonds). All our diamonds are verified for authenticity

and quality by the highest international standards and are sold directly from a Swiss high-security bonded warehouse. Buyers receive the original certificate along with proof of ownership.

Who guarantees the authenticity of my diamonds?

Our diamonds undergo multiple authenticity checks. We not only guarantee the authenticity of your diamonds, but you can also verify it yourself!

Each diamond we offer is certified and sealed immediately by the certifying institute. This ensures the absolute authenticity of the diamonds you acquire through us.

How can I tell if my diamonds are authentic?

We primarily trade in "blistered" fancy diamonds, which are sealed by an independent certification institute. An intact sealed blister guarantees the authenticity of your diamonds. It is also possible to test a diamond in a sealed blister. Diamonds are the best-known thermal conductors and perfect electrical insulators. They surpass the thermal conductivity of the best metallic conductors like copper or silver by five times

 and gold by eight times. These physical properties can be measured using a special testing device, which checks the thermo-electric resistance of the stone, thereby determining the authenticity of a diamond beyond doubt. Such testing devices can be easily acquired from specialized retailers, and the test can be performed through a tiny hole in the blister without damaging the seal or removing the diamond.

Do I get my diamonds 'raw', polished, or set?

We exclusively trade in polished, loose fancy diamonds. This means all diamonds are polished and sold without settings or jewelry.

 For protection, the diamond is sealed in a blister during certification. We do not trade in raw diamonds.

Are diamonds gemstones?

Absolutely yes, as diamonds fulfill all the criteria of gemstones: beauty (brilliance, color, and clarity), hardness, and rarity.

What are diamonds made of?

Diamonds are composed of pure carbon and are therefore classified as elements in mineralogy.

What does flawless mean; what are inclusions?

Diamonds are considered flawless if no inclusions or flaws are visible under a 10x magnification. The internationally accepted abbreviation for internally flawless diamonds is "IF".

All diamonds have inclusions, even flawless ones. Inclusions can take the form of other materials, fractures, or gas bubbles.

How is the value or price of diamonds determined?

The quality and thus the value of diamonds are determined internationally using four criteria, known as the "4Cs": CARAT (=weight), COLOR, CLARITY, and CUT. 

The value or price of each diamond is determined based on these criteria, with color being given greater weight for fancy diamonds.

In what colors do diamonds exist?

Most diamonds are white. There is only one colored, so-called fancy diamond for about 10,000 white diamonds. The colors occur because other elements are incorporated into the diamond's carbon lattice, or external

factors influenced the carbon lattice during the diamond's formation. The rarest colors are red, pink, blue, violet, green, and gray; yellow and champagne are more common but still very rare compared to white diamonds.

What is a brilliant?

A brilliant is a diamond with a particular cut, known as the brilliant cut. It is usually round, with 33 facets on the top, including the central table facet, and typically 24 facets on the bottom, separated by the girdle. In total, a brilliant has

at least 57 facets. Other shapes include cushion, oval, marquise, pear, and heart-shaped brilliant cuts. The form must be specified as an addition because the term "brilliant" usually refers to the round cut.

What is the difference between a diamond and a brilliant?

A brilliant is always a diamond with a brilliant cut. Only a diamond with a brilliant cut can be called a brilliant. Other minerals cut in the brilliant style must always include the mineral's name with the term

 "brilliant cut" and cannot be called brilliant. Diamonds are also cut into other shapes such as Asscher, Radiant, or Emerald. A diamond without a cut is simply called a diamond or a raw diamond.

What does the name 'diamond' mean?

The name diamond derives from the Late Latin "diamantem/diamas" and a variation from the Greek "adamas" meaning unconquerable, symbolizing its hardness and the difficulty in cutting the stone.

How old are diamonds?

The age of diamonds can be determined through their inclusions using geochronology and their isotopic composition. 

The youngest known natural diamonds are several hundred million years old. The oldest known natural diamond is dated to 4.25 billion years.

Is there any material harder than diamonds?

No. The diamond is the hardest known material in the world. The hardness of materials is indicated on the Mohs scale, starting with 1 for very soft to 10 for very hard. 

The diamond defines the end of the scale with a Mohs hardness of 10.

Where are diamonds found?

Diamonds are found on all continents. 

The largest deposits are in Russia, Africa, Australia, Canada, and Brazil.

How are diamonds mined?

Diamonds are mainly mined through underground and surface mining. The mine overburden, consisting of kimberlite (magmatic rock) or granite, 

is crushed in various stages to separate the diamonds from the surrounding rock. Diamonds are then filtered out in modern X-ray facilities or large washing pans.

Is mining environmentally friendly?

Diamond mining is significantly more environmentally friendly than mining gold and other precious metals, as fewer or no chemicals are required. It is also much easier to mitigate the negative impacts of mining.

Compliance with environmental regulations and standards is the responsibility of the relevant authorities and mining companies.

What are blood diamonds?

Blood diamonds or conflict diamonds come from conflict zones, mainly in West Africa, where their sale finances rebel wars. 

A UN resolution from 2000 restricts the trade in blood diamonds by requiring that all rough diamonds have a certificate of origin.

How do I know I am not getting blood diamonds?

All our diamonds are conflict-free and of legally sound origin, in accordance with the "Kimberley Process", UN Resolution No. 1459, and the European Community Regulation No.: 2368/2002. 

This is confirmed for each individual diamond by us and by the accompanying independent certificate from a globally recognized certification institute.

Are diamonds really rare?

High-quality diamonds suitable for jewelry or investment purposes are significantly rarer than gold. Although large quantities of diamonds are mined worldwide, the majority are used for industrial purposes, as they do not meet the required quality standards in size, color, and clarity. 

With the current annual production of jewelry-quality diamonds, it would take 1,500 years to mine the same mass of diamonds that is currently mined in one year for gold. Colored diamonds are even rarer; only 0.001 percent are colored, resulting in a high price for fancy diamonds.

How is the size (weight) of diamonds determined, and what does 'carat' mean?

The weight of diamonds is measured in carats. The carat originates from ancient times when scales were not accurate enough. The seeds of the carob tree, 

which have a constant average weight of 200 milligrams, were used as a unit of measurement for diamonds. One carat metrically equals exactly 0.2 grams.

How big is a 1-carat diamond?

The diameter of a 1-carat diamond is approximately 6.5 millimeters.

What is the difference between natural and synthetic diamonds?

A natural diamond formed millions to billions of years ago in the Earth's mantle, hundreds of kilometers deep, and contains invaluable information about the Earth's formation. A synthetic diamond, on the other hand, is artificially created in a lab and is at most about 70 years old, as this manufacturing process was developed around 70 years ago. 

The production costs of synthetic diamonds are about 70 percent of the value of natural diamonds. However, they possess no emotional or financial value. Natural and synthetic diamonds are chemically identical but differ in several details due to their formation or manufacturing process, which can be easily detected with special testing devices.

Can I distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds myself?

The difference between natural and synthetic diamonds can only be determined with specific measuring devices, some of which are available commercially, by measuring properties like different electrical conductivity, UV light absorption, or magnetism. 

Another way to identify a natural diamond is age determination, which is only possible in a lab. You can be absolutely certain by ensuring that the natural origin of the diamond is confirmed by an internationally renowned institute at the time of purchase.

Who guarantees the authenticity of the certificates?

Since each certificate is stored in a database of the respective certification institute, you can easily verify its authenticity online.

How do I know the certificate belongs to the diamond?

All the diamonds we offer are sealed by the certification institute in a labeled special blister immediately after evaluation. 

If your diamond is sealed in a blister, you can easily verify the matching number on the blister with the certificate.

What happens if the diamonds are stolen, damaged in a fire, or lost due to other events?

In the Swiss high-security bonded warehouse, all stored valuables, including your diamonds, are insured against all risks with an "all-risks insurance". In the event of damage, the insurance will reimburse you for the replacement value. If you remove your fancy diamonds from the bonded warehouse, we recommend storing the diamonds

separately from the certificate and insuring your diamonds, for example, under your household insurance. Diamonds are generally already covered up to a certain amount. In case of damage, there should be no issues with the insurance if ownership is proven with the purchase contract and certificate. It is best to discuss this with your insurance advisor.

What if I lose or misplace a certificate?

If your diamonds are stored in the bonded warehouse, we will first need an access authorization from you to temporarily remove your diamond from the bonded warehouse. If you have already removed your diamonds yourself, 

we can solve this problem together with you. We will also need your diamond. In both cases, we can then contact the certification institute that has already evaluated your diamond to obtain a new certificate.

What if verreaud simply keeps my money?

You can rest assured! Since you deposit your purchase price into a control account, monitored by an external "Anstalt" (institution), 

this "Anstalt", in its role as a control agent, will only release your payment to us after we have delivered your fancy diamonds to you without any issues.

Who guarantees that I will actually receive my diamonds?

We guarantee that your ordered fancy diamonds will be transferred to you as quickly as possible after payment is received in the control account. However, as the storage of the diamonds involves an international value transport and a customs entry inspection, 

the transfer may take between 4 and a maximum of 8 weeks. Otherwise, you can immediately request your money back from the utilization of funds control agent. Your payment is fully secured until you receive your diamonds.

What happens if the company goes bankrupt?

This would have no impact on your purchase. If bankruptcy occurs, it does not affect your diamonds. You are the unrestricted owner and have an irrevocable right of access to your fancy diamonds in the 

bonded warehouse, fully protecting you from any potential bankruptcy of Verreaud. Diamonds are also freely tradable worldwide and can be converted into any currency at any time.

What if the warehouse operator goes bankrupt?

Diamond ownership stored in a bonded warehouse is considered special assets. This legally protects you from the warehouse operator's bankruptcy. In the event of the warehouse operator's insolvency, 

you can remove, sell, or store your fancy diamonds with a successive operator. Diamonds are also freely tradable worldwide and can be converted into any currency at any time.

What happens if I die?

As the proven unrestricted owner of your fancy diamonds, your diamonds, like all your property, become part

of your estate and are passed on according to the legal succession unless otherwise specified.

Do I have to pay taxes on the profit from selling the diamonds?

Gains on the value of diamonds are not subject to capital gains tax, withholding tax, or income tax. This tax exemption applies

in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany for private sales. For further information, please consult your tax advisor.

How can I visit the warehouse to see my diamonds?

Please send an email to the warehouse administration with your desired visit date and your phone number (the email address can be requested by phone from the warehouse administration according to the storage certificate) and scan your ID card (front & back), your diamond certificates, and the storage certificate. The warehouse administration will then create a collective invoice - payment of the costs for preparation and travel - which you should pay in advance by bank transfer.

Afterwards, the warehouse administration will provide you with the address of the high-security building and bonded warehouse, including instructions, by email. To access the warehouse, you must present your original passport/ID card, the original certificates of your diamonds, and the original storage certificate.

How can I remove my diamonds from storage?

Please send an email to the warehouse administration with your desired visit date and your phone number (the email address can be requested by phone from the warehouse administration according to the storage certificate) and scan your ID card (front & back), your diamond certificates, and the storage certificate. Only all diamonds listed on a storage certificate can be collected together. Individual diamonds are not possible. The warehouse administration will then create a collective invoice - payment of the costs for preparation and travel and the Swiss VAT (as of 28.05.2024: 8.1%) - which you should pay in advance by bank transfer. 

Afterwards, the warehouse administration will provide you with the address of the high-security building and bonded warehouse, including instructions, by email. To receive your diamonds on site, you must present your original passport/ID card, the original certificates of your diamonds, and the original storage certificate. The storage certificate will then be retained by the warehouse administration after handing over the diamonds to you.

How can the heirs remove the diamonds in case of death?

Please send an email to the warehouse administration with your desired visit date and your phone number (the email address can be requested by phone from the warehouse administration according to the storage certificate) and scan your ID card (front & back), your diamond certificates, the storage certificate, the death certificate, and the certificate of inheritance/ - if available - the will. The diamonds will only be handed over if the submitted documents clearly show that the person(s) collecting the diamonds is/are authorized to do so. Only all diamonds listed on a storage certificate can be collected together. Individual diamonds are not possible. The warehouse administration will then create a collective invoice - payment of the costs for preparation and travel and the Swiss VAT (as of 28.05.2024: 8.1%) - which you should pay in advance by bank transfer. 

Afterwards, the warehouse administration will provide you with the address of the high-security building and bonded warehouse, including instructions, by email. To receive your diamonds on site, you must present your original passport/ID card, the original certificates of your diamonds, the original storage certificate, the death certificate, and the certificate of inheritance. The storage certificate will then be retained by the warehouse administration after handing over the diamonds to you.

How can I sell my diamonds in the bonded warehouse?

Please send an email to the warehouse administration (the email address can be requested by phone from the warehouse administration according to the storage certificate) and scan your sales contract, your ID card (front & back), an identification document of the buyer, your diamond certificates, and the storage certificate. The diamonds will only be handed over or shipped if the submitted documents clearly show that the buyer is authorized to receive the diamonds. Only all diamonds listed on a storage certificate can be sold together. Individual diamonds are not possible. The warehouse administration will then create a collective invoice - payment of the costs for preparation and travel and the Swiss VAT (as of 28.05.2024: 8.1%) - which you or the buyer should pay in advance by bank transfer. 

If the buyer continues to store the diamonds in the warehouse, these fees and the Swiss VAT will not apply, but a storage contract must be concluded with the buyer of your diamonds. Afterwards, the warehouse administration will provide the buyer with the address of the high-security building and bonded warehouse, including instructions, by email. To receive or have the diamonds delivered, the buyer must present the sales contract, their original identification document, the original certificates of the diamonds, and the original storage certificate or send these documents to us in advance in original or certified form before the value transport. The storage certificate will only be accepted as an original document as it will be retained by the warehouse administration after handing over or shipping the diamonds.