Tuesday, September 14, 2010

What To Know When Buying Diamonds

As it has been said, diamonds are a girl's best friend. Every woman would like to get a hold of this precious gem. This is because it is considered as the ultimate gemstone and the hardest substance that nature is able to produce. Likewise, it is also contemplated as one of the best stones to be incorporated in any jewelry design.

For many years diamonds have been consistently used to create the most precious jewelries. However, it has been identified that there is a significant increase in the use of these gems within the past decades. Aside from being a proof of status for the elites, the use of such gem has also been more widespread than simply as jewelries. It has also benefited many industries, generating large amounts of profits as it can be applied for cutting tools, a means to transmit sounds, various optical applications, and as a special coating for airplane cockpit windows.

Although such precious stone have various uses, it cannot be denied that it remains as the main ingredient for making any jewelry appear elegant and truly expensive. Many people are now purchasing diamonds and jewelries with these stones because they are good investments. Most, if not all, of these diamond encrusted jewelries increase in value overtime due to the presence of such stones. Similarly, they are also important heirloom pieces that can be passed on from one family member to the other.

Investment worth aside, these gemstones are also timeless keepsakes during important occasions. Diamond encrusted rings, for instance, are extremely popular engagement gifts due to their exquisiteness and added sincerity. Because engagements are one of the most traditional practices to date, it is common for men to give such bands to their future spouse's to identify with the value of the occasion and their feelings for each other. Nevertheless, because diamond encrusted bands are physically durable, they are the most favored choice to be given during engagement ceremonies.

Prior to purchasing such diamond mounted rings however, it is important to ensure that you are buying a high-quality diamond and not just those that can be bought anywhere. There are many cases when unknowing buyers often take a diamond for a cubic zirconium and other similar looking stones. It is always best to buy in reputable stores so that you would be ensuring that the price you are paying is truly that jewelry's worth Nonetheless, it is also imperative to know that the value of a diamond can be determined based from its 4Cs which stands for color, clarity, cut and carat.

So, before buying that diamond ring, a little research can be truly helpful to know whether you are getting the right one or not. There are wide selections of diamond bands in the market; as such it pays to know everything about the product you are interested in. At the end of it all, it would be the representation of you and your future spouse's permanence and love. As such, it is imperative to embark on something that will remind you of that long and lasting union.

Diamonds are considered as the most precious stones in the world. They are usually mounted in jewelries such as rings and necklaces to make these pieces more elegant and expensive. Today, it is can be observed that a diamond ring is the most common keepsake during engagements. Such preference lays on the fact that such band, aside from being expensive, is physically durable that makes it last for a lifetime.

-Lorraine Jacobs

The Value Of Fine Jewelry Pieces For Women

Fine jewelry has been an important staple throughout history. Since the ancient times humans have been inclined to wear jewelry pieces to adorn their bodies. Starting from the old stone age approximately 25,000 years ago, both men and women collected different kinds of items, drilled holes in them and wore them for varying reasons. But, women are undeniably more inclined to use jewelry than men due to the many purposes that these items serve.

In a recent survey spearheaded by one lifestyle magazine, it was found out that out 0f 100 female respondents 95 spends more time shopping for fine jewelry compared to other accessories. This profoundly shows how adept women are when it comes to jewelry. With this result at hand, you might be wondering what is it with jewelry that makes women swoon for it. Accordingly, there's a whole range of reasons why women love jewelry.

To begin with, jewelry of all sorts is an important additive that enhances the entire context of dressing and artistic display. They stand as important components of fashion and style as they provide a glint of lavishness to the wardrobes worn by women. Hair dresses adorned with loose diamonds could make the hair glimmer, brooches and pins apparently make a dull looking office suit into a livelier outfit. Bracelets, rings, earring, necklaces and other articles worn on different parts of the body surely define those parts where they are placed.

Aside from the purpose of accessorizing, articles of jewelry also serve the purpose of defining a female's social status within the society. Back in the ancient times they were determining factors of what positions women hold in the community--with slaves using beads and upper echelons using metallic jewelry pieces accented with gemstones such as loose diamonds. Though this purpose may not be as extensive today as that from the past, it cannot be denied that jewelry pieces are benchmarks for the rich and famous.

Many women also love fine jewelry pieces because of their associated symbolism as well as the spiritual and health value they hold. Women from India have long been using the "tika- which looks like a chandelier earring that is hooked at the hair end with the pendant at the exact center of the forehead to represent spiritual preservation. The nose ring is closely related to heightened sexual reflexes, while necklaces, since they are closely worn to the heart, are helpful in working on emotions, attracting or strengthening love. Charm bracelets are often worn for their ability to hold luck, while bangles symbolize creativity and the sun's energy that could be transferred to their wearers. Gemstones of all kind are also revered for their healthy benefits especially in the field of Feng Shui, with diamonds to enhance clarity and jade to achieve relaxation just to name a few.

Of course, jewelry pieces tell volumes of stories that is why women love them so much. They tell stories of love, friendship, celebration, welcoming or personal epiphany. They speak of relationships with spouses and better halves as seen from the use of wedding and engagement rings embellished with round brilliant cut diamonds; friendships through the token of friendship rings and bands as well as families with the use of heirlooms that are bequeathed from one family member to the other. Generally, jewelry of all sorts tells a whole lot about women that not even words would be able to express.

Fine jewelry pieces have long been adored by women because of the many purposes they hold. Loose diamonds for instance that have round brilliant cut are often used to accentuate wedding and engagement rings used to encompass undying love and devotion. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are worn for artistic display as well as to improve the appearance of clothes, improve health and define social status among others.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Fine Diamond Jewelry: Tips On Where You Could Purchase Diamonds

In buying fine diamond jewelry, not only do you have to consider the four C's but also the place where you intend to make your purchase. Diamonds are expensive items may they be loose, integrated on an article of jewelry or enhanced. This is why they are probably among the most important purchases that you will make in your life. With this in mind, you have to be cautious about the shop where you intend to buy them so that you won't regret your purchase later on.

You have many options at hand to acquire the sparklers you like. The first step that you could actually do is to go online and look for online jewelry stores that sell fine diamond jewelry pieces. Purchasing online is one of the most practical means in order to carry out the task of buying diamonds because online jewelry stores are your key to finding high quality and competitively priced diamonds without breaking any sweat. Most if not all online jewelry shops have wide selections of diamond jewelry pieces in terms of design and finishes, which in turn gives you more opportunity to choose what you think would complement your set purpose for the jewelry.

One of the major benefits that could be derived from buying jewelry online is that you could save more time and energy--with just a click, these online stores would return thousands of jewelry selections that you could easily look at, and you could also engage in online jewelry auctions even without your physical presence. Likewise, online jewelry shops offer more competitively priced diamonds, regardless if they are round brilliant or oval in cut, since they don't incur additional costs on their products, except for taxes and shipping fees, in order to cover their overhead expenses as they do not have physical stores to run that usually require electricity bills and employee salaries. The main drawback with purchasing your jewelry online could be accounted to the profusion of selections that could dilute your ability to objectively appraise the price and quality of your choice. Likewise, as the internet equates to anonymity, jewelry scammers are just around the corner to take advantage of naive online jewelry buyers.

If you would like to secure your purchase, why not try visiting the local jewelry shops within your area? The good thing about this option is that you could personally assess the quality and value of the round brilliant diamonds or any jewelry you are to purchase. Professional jewelers could also assist you if you have questions, which would help you in making your purchasing decisions. Major drawbacks about this option however, lies on the prices of their products; as they have overhead expenses to cover, physical jewelry stores have the tendency to place additional markups on their product prices, which is why jewelry pieces from these stores could be a bit expensive, and they have limited.

Meanwhile, if your are searching for inexpensive pieces, rare jewelry like oval diamonds from specific periods, or used diamonds, you may try your hands on specialty stores, thrift shops as well as pawnshops. If you intend to follow this option, it is essential that you are knowledgeable about diamond jewelry to make appropriate purchases. You must also be patient enough to perform the task of searching as these stores usually do not hold such forms of valuable items. However, if luck is on your side, you might find yourself owning rare diamond jewelry, though this case rarely happens.

When you decide to purchase fine diamond jewelry for yourself or for your loved one, it is highly suggested that you shop around and make comparisons first prior to making your actual purchase. If your primary option is purchase online, be sure to do an intensive background check on your prospective online jewelry stores to make sure if they are legitimate or not and also consider looking at their return and refund policies to ensure that your interests are protected. In terms of local jewelry stores, do not attempt to purchase immediately from the first shop you have visited, rather take the time to go around several stores and make comparisons about their prices, services and product quality. If you're not familiar with the jewelry stores in your area, ask for the recommendations of your friends and family so that you could choose the right jewelry that would be worthy of your expenses.

If you intend to buy fine diamond jewelry, regardless if it has oval diamonds or round brilliant sparklers, it pays to go over your store options to ultimately make the right purchase. Basically, you have two options when it comes to purchasing diamonds. First, you could go online, which is a good option to save time, money and energy, and second, you could visit your local jewelry stores, where you could personally appraise the jewelry you would like to purchase.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Fine Jewelry: What To Look For

Is cut more important than clarity when appraising diamonds? You could spend hours pondering on the merits of one over the other. However, to get a clear answer, you need to grasp the relationship between the two. More importantly, you'll need to mull over what you value in fine jewelry.

A diamond's cut refers to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. Diamonds can be cut in such a way that it attains its highest selling price, or maximizes its capacity for brilliance. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, refers to the number of imperfections a diamond has. High quality diamonds have less imperfection, and are subsequently considered more beautiful and expensive.

Clearly, the skill with which a diamond has been cut will impact its clarity. In the diamond cutting and polishing process, this is one of the few factors which can be controlled. Only the most exacting craftsmanship can ensure that a raw piece of diamond will be made into fine jewelry.

On the other hand, the clarity of diamonds can be poor independent of the quality of the cut. Clarity is also reliant on the quality of the raw diamond. As a buyer, you need to be attentive to this and inspect any diamonds you'd like to buy under a microscope or loupe to check for flaws yourself.

When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how important it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. It will also become more obvious just how closely cut and clarity are connected to each other. Round cuts are known for having the most potential for brilliance above all other cuts. Any mistakes in the cut or internal flaws, even minor, will decrease that potential considerably.

Do you like fine jewelry? Do you think it's the diamond with the best cut, or the highest clarity? You have to look at both factors. However, you can look at the cut first, since it affects clarity, as well as carat weight. Prioritizing one of the four C's over the others is futile, if you don't know enough about diamonds to begin with.

A diamond's cut alludes to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, alludes to the quantity of imperfections a diamond has. When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how critical it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. Only the most painstaking craftsmanship can assure that a raw piece of diamond will be turned into fine jewelry.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Why Choose Round Brilliant Cut Diamond For Your Fine Jewelry

Among the four C's of diamonds cutting is probably the least understood and yet it has a significant impact on the cost of the said articles of fine jewelry. It is noteworthy that well cut diamonds could value 40 to 50 percent more than their poorly cut counterparts. Hence, it is important that a prospective buyer should understand what cut is. With regards to diamonds, cut or make pertains to the overall symmetry, proportioning and finish of the stones that have direct impact on the levels of their fire and brilliance.

The three most basic cutting techniques used for fine jewelry diamonds include the brilliant cut, step cut and mixed cut. A brilliant cut uses several facets, usually triangular and kite shaped that are arranged in specific ways to achieve optimum brilliance. A step cut have fewer facets than that of the brilliant cut, commonly rectangular or trapezoid in shape and are arranged in a linear format. A mixed-cut on the other hand integrates the elements used by both the step cut and brilliant cut styles.

From the mentioned cutting techniques however, the brilliant cut is the most popular because of its ability to optimize maximum brilliance and fire from diamonds. But, when combined with the right shape, a brilliant cut sparkler will definitely show an imposing beauty and value that will endure the test of time. Even though there's a whole range of shapes that suit with brilliant cutting, it is probably the round shape that best complements it. In fact, round brilliant cut is already relative with the said cutting style.

Every round brilliant cut sparkler exudes 58 facets""33 are found on the top or crown, 24 are situated at the bottom, and the remaining one is at the point or culet. Smaller round brilliant sparklers are referred to as "full cut" in order to differentiate them from "single cut" gems that only contain 17 facets, and from "Swiss cut" gems that only have 33 facets. With all these information perhaps you're now wondering, what is with these round brilliant diamonds that make them valuable? The answer lies on their capability to emit the most brilliance, fire and liveliness which could all be credited from their ability to reflect the most light.

Round brilliant cut is also an established favorite and "ideal" combination of cut and shape not only for its brilliance but also for its flexibility as seen from its ability to complement all sorts of articles of jewelry. Diamonds that are cut this way are often used as accents for engagement and wedding rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings since they could be easily arranged no matter what form or shape the jewelry has. Nevertheless, they also go well with all known settings such as pave, prong, and bezel among others. Fundamentally, this cut is truly functional and versatile.

As mentioned above there many ways on how diamonds are cut. What might be preferred by most people may not be a particular choice for others. If you are going to purchase diamonds, whether they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds, it is important that you'd be the one to decide what type of cut you like because the appearance of an ideally cut sparkler may not be appealing to you, and your choice might probably be the ones that received the highest cut grade from GIA. The most important action that you could take is to compare diamonds of differing qualities and prices, as this is an efficient means to train your eyes to properly identify their differences when it comes to fire and brilliance as well as lifelessness and dullness.

The cutting techniques used for diamonds, whether they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds; significantly affect their appeal and value. Among the cutting styles in use, the round brilliant cut is perhaps the most ideal due to its perfect proportions that allow diamonds cut this way to emit the most brilliance and fire. Round brilliant diamonds are also revered for their versatility which is apparent from their ability to suit all forms of fine jewelry setting.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Friday, September 3, 2010

Enhancing The Look Of Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Through The Right Settings

Diamond jewelry gifts are perhaps among the best tokens that a person could give and receive. Although the value of gifts is not actually determined by their outside appearance rather from the sincerity of the one who gave such gifts, it cannot be overlooked that there are instances that we often take gratitude not only for the sincerity of the person but also the aesthetics of the gifts given to us. Taking these things into consideration, diamonds are the best tokens that could actually fulfill our emotional and aesthetic needs when it comes to gifts. Nonetheless, they are valuable pieces that would never fade and would last for the years to come.

When purchasing diamond for gifts, it would be more viable to go for loose diamonds since they are not yet set to any piece of jewelry. Meaning to say, you have the opportunity to have them customized based from your preferred setting. Besides, you won't have a hard time appraising the gems as you could actually go over their overall features. One of the most essential features that you would have to closely consider with loose sparklers is the cut.

It is important to determine exactly what a cut means in reference to diamonds and how it differs from shape. Shape is associated to the outline of the gem's perimeter, while the cut or also referred to as make is what affects the appearance of the stone as it is associated to the proportioning and overall finish of the diamond, which are the two factors that helps the stone to produce fire or the rainbow we perceive inside diamonds and brilliance which refers to the liveliness or sparkle of the stone. To simply put it, a diamond with an excellent make would be more valuable than a diamond with a poor cut. There are various ways in which diamonds can be cut; however, the so-called round brilliant cut is considered as the most popular among jewelers and jewelry buyers.

Round brilliant cut is the most conventional means of cutting diamonds and is regarded as the best at producing prismatic effect, which means its shape produces the most sparkle due to its ability to reflect the most light on the top of the diamond. Diamonds cut this way exemplify greater brilliance than other diamonds as they have no corners where light could hide. As such, the brilliance and fire of the diamond is visibly maximized to its full extent. Though new emerging shapes and cut compare favorably to round cut diamonds, this cut remains on the top of many jewelers.

Round brilliant cut diamonds are very flexible and could suit all types of jewelry settings. If you are looking for round brilliant diamond ring that you would be using for your proposal, there are actually many settings to choose from. Prong setting is the most conventional ring setting where a diamond is sturdily held by either four or six prongs of same height, which in turn makes the gem protrude away from the finger. Pave setting is made up of several pieces of diamonds set closely together, and in between them are little gems that hold them tightly to the metal setting, while a bezel setting has a metal rim or collar that encircle either the entire side or just a portion of the diamond that extends a bit above the stone.

Other noteworthy settings that suit well with round brilliant loose diamonds are channel setting, where several diamonds of same sizes are placed in a metal channel to form a row, and the bar setting where small diamonds of similar sizes are placed on grooves individually separated by metals. All in all, it cannot be denied that diamond jewelry pieces are indeed the perfect gifts because of their beauty and intrinsic value. Hence, if you want to give the best to the person you love, diamond jewelry could proudly express what and how you feel toward that person.

If you are searching for gifts that are truly worthy of your money, diamond jewelry gifts would be a good preference. Loose diamonds are becoming popular today because many jewelry makers are willing to design for individuals who wish to have unique jewelry pieces. For loose sparklers that could befit any jewelry setting, choose the ones that have round brilliant cut so as to maximize the fire and brilliance they produce.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Round Brilliant Cut: Increasing The Value Of Your Loose Diamonds

Since the ancient times, diamonds have captivated the interest of humans. They are probably the most revered articles of accents provided by nature; deeply symbolizing beauty and forever. Among all the stones that our world holds, diamonds are the most preeminent and sought after. Whether they are loose diamonds or blood diamonds, one definite thing remains about these gems, they will be valued by people of all generations.

Due to the visual pleasure we find on diamonds, they become the perennial articles used to seal symbolic occasions like engagements and weddings. Fine diamond rings and other diamond jewelry pieces have turned into valuable possessions with an equal footing to real estate and artworks. Because of all these, availing diamonds transformed into an endeavor that requires proper education about the characteristics of such stones so as to arrive at informed purchasing decisions. While much has been said about the clarity, color, and carat of diamonds, not all of us are very familiar about the facet of diamond cutting.

When speaking about cut in reference to diamonds, this refers to the style or design guide utilized to shape a diamond for polishing. As oppose to shape, this feature is what defines the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond, which all affect the stone's brilliance and fire. Practical history of diamond cutting dates back to the middle ages and is continuously innovated to date. Although many cutting styles have emerged and fall off along the way, the round brilliant cut remains as one of the most revered by jewelers and jewelry aficionados alike.

Round brilliant cut was first introduced in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, Belgian diamond cutter. Since Tolkowsky was an engineer by profession, he's discovery of the said cut was based from definite mathematical and empirical analysis, taking into account the importance of brilliance and fire in diamonds. As an end result, a diamond cut this way contains 58 facets""33 on the top or crown, 25 at the bottom including the culet or the bottom point of the stone. Likewise, it yields two diamonds in one cut, one larger than the other; hence, very little diamond pieces are wasted.

A round brilliant cut diamond that is cut properly creates a shape that permits more light to reflect on the diamond in differing angles, enhancing its brilliance and fire. Due to its relatively safe shape, it is considered as the best choice of cut in terms of its "saleability," optics as well as insurability. Aside from the mentioned qualities, diamonds that are round brilliant in cut are also acknowledged for their flexibility to complement any forms of jewelry settings. Hence, it isn't surprising to know that about 75 percent of diamond jewelry sales are accounted to this type of cut.

If you are shopping for loose diamonds that you would be customizing into jewelry later on, it would be more preferable to go for the ones that are round brilliant in cut. With the outlined characteristics of such cut, you could definitely maximize not only the extrinsic features of your diamonds but also its saleability and insurability. Nevertheless, with its flexible character it won't be difficult for you to find the setting that would complete your jewelry. In a nutshell, diamonds that are round brilliant in cut are definitely worthy of your expenses.

Fine diamond rings made from loose diamonds are perhaps the most preferred jewelry pieces for engagements, weddings and other special events. However, to further improve the appearance and value of these articles make sure that the stones comprising them are round brilliant cut diamonds. Accordingly, diamonds cut this way have greater brilliance and liveliness over other diamond shapes and are considered more valuable.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Diamond Rings: What To Look Out For

Clarity is one of the four C's that impacts the quality of the diamond. It refers to the number of flaws found in a diamond. These flaws are imperfections brought about by mistakes in cutting or that come from the original rock. A diamond with poor clarity will have faults that are conspicuous, even to the naked eye. They will not look pleasing set in diamond rings, and have low resell value. In contrast, a diamond with great clarity is highly coveted by collectors, and will be a gift of true value to loved ones.

Flaws can be grouped into two; external flaws are called blemishes, whereas flaws within the diamond, that can alter its ability to reflect light, are called inclusions. Since inclusions get in the way of a diamond's sparkle, they can reduce the value of a diamond more, but they can also be useful. Inclusions can be used to identify individual diamonds as a sort of diamond fingerprint. This can be used to secure your diamond rings.

Diamonds are graded based on how conspicuous these flaws are. They go through this process while they are still loose diamonds. There are several gemological organizations worldwide that have established different grading systems, although in many cases they are very similar. You should familiarize yourself with the grading system used in the store where you buy your diamond. When buying diamond rings, you will want to check the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in establishing a diamond's monetary value. It is a standard shared by gemological organizations across the board.

To ensure you get diamonds of the highest clarity, get loose diamonds first. You can make an ocular inspection of the diamonds before buying. The jeweler should let you borrow their loupe or magnifier so that you can view them under 10 x magnification if asked. If they are hesitant to let you take a closer look, it's a red flag to look elsewhere.

Be careful when picking jewelry stores as well. One store may be offering dirt cheap sales, or limited period sales. Don't think about getting a bargain; you'll end up with paltry trinkets ten years later. You'll want to get diamonds of lasting value. You can find a quality diamond at a fair price, but you need to know your diamonds.

When buying diamond rings, you will want to check the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in gauging a diamond's monetary value. Jewelry stores are not always what they appear to be. To guarantee you get diamonds of the best clarity, purchase loose diamonds first. You can get a high quality diamond at a sensible price, but only if you study your diamonds.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Sunday, August 8, 2010

How To Purchase Diamond Jewelry

If you're a man, you're probably thinking of giving your bride-to-be a diamond ring and would like to ask her to marry you. The idea seems simple, all you have to do is go to a jewelry store, purchase a diamond ring, and propose to her. Unfortunately though, this isn't always the case because when you see the price tag of your prospective sparkler, you might think twice before you actually get your hands on those sparkly diamond jewelry gifts. If you have the intention to purchase a diamond in the near future, it is important that you know the tricks of the trade for you to take charge of your transactions and get a run for your money.

According to gemologist and diamond expert, Fred Cuellar, there are four basic things that one has to remember when purchasing diamond jewelry gifts: budget, expectations, savvy and timetable. When it comes to budget, you should be able to allocate the amount that you could afford and as much as possible should not exceed your laid budget plan; a month's salary could already suffice for you to buy a diamond. Expectations demand for you to know and understand the needs and wants of the person to whom you will give the diamond; this way you will know what type and design to pick. Being savvy requires you to know the given cost of diamond in the market and the best designs available, as they say knowledge is power; and for the element of timetable, you must have a laid plan about when and where you intend to give the diamond, do not haste things and be sure to give yourself enough time to analyze things.

Now that you have an idea about the basics of purchasing diamond gifts, you must also be aware where to purchase your sparklers. You have two options where you could purchase your diamond jewelry gifts: go online or visit local jewelry shops. Buying online is a practical way to secure your diamond without the need to drive around since everything you need is just a click away; however, you should also consider the drawbacks associated with this practice, first you can't appraise the jewelry and second you don't know with whom you are transacting with; if this option is good enough for you, it is crucial for you to do an intensive background check so that you can be assured that you would really get the diamond you are about to purchase. The latter option of buying your diamond gifts on you local jewelry store is a better choice because you would be able to appraise the diamond personally and long time jewelers could help you out with your questions, which would assist you in arriving at the right decision.

For the diamond, always consider the 4Cs""clarity, color, cut and carat, as these elements help determine the true value of such gemstone. Clarity refers to the absence and presence of blemishes and inclusion in a diamond. Every diamond is assigned with clarity grades that could go from flawless to obvious inclusions. There are also clarity enhanced diamond pieces that are treated to reduce imperfections through irradiation, filling imperfections, or laser drilling.

Sparklers come in a whole range of colors; however, colored diamond pieces are very rare and expensive that they are not usually available in local jewelry stores rather white and yellow diamond pieces are the most common, between the two however, it is always preferable to pick the whiter ones. The yellow coloring of sparklers came from nitrogen; hence the yellower the stone, the lesser its value this is because such color makes the diamond less sharp and sparkly. When it comes to cut, diamond pieces could be cut in different ways, the most common of which is the round brilliant cut. More than indicating the shape of the diamond, a cut also determines how sparkly such gemstone will be.

It is never enough for a diamond to be just white and clear, unless cut in the right manner your diamond will not sparkle. As cut is extremely hard to analyze, the three things that you should look at are brilliance, fire and scintillation; however, if you really want to make things easier, the standard round brilliant cut is probably the most preferable choice compared to other cut. Lastly, carat determines the standard unit weight of sparklers. Most diamond pieces utilized for fine jewelry are often one carat or less in weight.

Purchasing diamond jewelry gifts is a daunting task. Hence, it is always best to be an informed buyer in order to get the most out of your money. Not because a diamond is round brilliant cut doesn't mean it's already a good purchase. Remember that there are still three remaining Cs that you have to consider. A clarity enhanced diamond might be inexpensive but also consider the quality. Educating oneself is a good way to make the right purchasing decisions.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Loose Diamonds: Choosing Round Brilliant And Other Cuts

For most people, the only time they buy diamonds is when they want wedding or engagement rings. The smart way to go about this is to look for loose diamonds first and have them set later. You can inspect them for flaws better, and possibly get a better deal. However, you need to be careful when buying. It's easy to make mistakes and pay too much, or get stuck with an inferior diamond.

When looking at loose diamonds, you must check on the diamond's value. You'll want to study each one for the four C's; carat weight, cut, clarity and color. But keep in mind that each diamond is unique, and it's unlikely for a single diamond to get two separate assessments with identical results. Ultimately, the value of a diamond is subjective, so you shouldn't be too obsessed looking for it's exact value.

The pinnacle of all diamond cuts is the round brilliant cut. Thanks to the work of Marcel Tolkowsky, the proportions needed to get the most brilliance and fire out of a diamond were determined and popularized. Further innovations streamlined Tolkowsky's measurements to optimize diamond's potential for brilliance.

The round brilliant cut is also the established favorite cut. In contrast, the popularity of fancy cuts are dependent on prevailing trends. Nowadays, people look for sparkle, so the heart, oval, and pear cuts are popular. However, the quality and value of a diamond is dependent on other factors. You can easily get a high value diamond of any cut - or low value, if you buy recklessly.

So buy a diamond jewelry gift with any cut you desire. It may be a shape that captures your or your significant other's interest, or one that elicits special memories or feelings within you. If all you want is a big diamond, and you don't mind imperfections, it's easy to get one for cheap. But even if you are buying cheap, you have to scrutinize your purchases to avoid getting gypped.

When it comes time to set your loose diamond, it's safest to have it done by the same people who sold it to you. If you bring it to another jeweler, they won't want to be held accountable for any damage the diamond may acquire during setting. If the seller won't guarantee their own diamonds, just forget them and look for a seller who does.

For most people, the only time they want diamonds is when they want wedding or engagement rings. The smart way to go about this is to get loose diamonds first and have them set later. The round brilliant cut is the established favorite cut. Different fancy cuts become popular in line with the current fads. However, the quality and value of a diamond relies on other factors. So buy a diamond jewelry gift with any cut you desire.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Friday, August 6, 2010

Common Types Of Fine Jewelry

The visual appeal of fine jewelry has never failed to capture our attention. As a matter of fact, jewelry pieces are sometimes perceived as the determining factor of societal status especially during the ancient times. These precious objects have profoundly molded some of the most important traditions in history. From necklaces and earrings, to rings and bracelets, these adornments have provided humans with worldly satisfaction that no other material could induce.

There are many types of fine jewelry pieces to choose from. Some are worn as adornments, while others serve as symbolic tokens presented in different occasions. There are articles of jewelry that are plain and cheap, while there are also pieces that are so ornate, they are often expensive. Some of the most popular and commonly used pieces would be discussed here to provide further understanding about their qualities and uses. Rings are probably the most common forms of jewelry known to man. They usually come in differing varieties, the most common of which are in plain cylindrical bands adorned with gemstones like diamond heart or round cuts, spiral or serpentine coils, signet rings, and open on one side. Rings are used for differing purposes but usually they serve as symbolic tokens given during special events like betrothals and weddings, or just to highlight one's fingers. In the case of signet rings, they commonly bear the emblems of fraternal orders or other organizational insignias.

Another type of jewelry is the necklace, which is intended designed to be worn around the neck. Necklaces come in four general structures: close fitting collar band accentuated with precious gems or beads, chain necklace with pendant, raw of beads or stones in graduated sizes held by wire or chains, and strings of different lengths worn on top of each other. Necklaces can be constructed from different materials that include metals, gemstones or combination of the two, and they are best worn with pendants of precious stones, the diamond heart pendant being one of the most popular design. To further highlight the beauty of necklaces, they appropriately worn with dresses that have low necklines as this design helps the jewelry to become the focal point of the person's upper body.

Meanwhile, earrings are articles of jewelry used for the ears that could be set against the earlobes or are left as dangling drops. One of the most usual forms of earrings set on the earlobes are large pearls, while popular hanging earrings are chandeliers and hoops. Traditionally, the use of earrings requires ear piercings as the practice of wearing such jewelry was once regarded as a barbarous act. Currently, earrings can be worn either through piercing the ears or just by clipping the said jewelry.

The bracelet is another type of fine jewelry, worn on the arm. This large ring-like piece may come as closed band, spiral coil, open on one side, closed with clasp or flexible rings formed as links. Aside from the ring, necklace, earrings and bracelets other form of jewelry pieces include pins, cuff links, anklets, chains, brooches, and collar buttons. All in all, articles of jewelry vary in terms of function, design and quality; it is within the discretion of the wearer where he or she would like to use these pieces.

In creating fine jewelry articles, metals, gemstones, coins as well as other materials are utilized though they are commonly set into precious metals, accentuated with gemstones like diamond heart. Aside from their ornamental purpose, jewelry pieces have long been used throughout history as symbolic tokens given during occasions especially during weddings and betrothals. They were also used to denote power and status in many societies.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond Heart Jewelry: Check For Imperfections

The round brilliant cut is seen as the gold standard for diamond cuts. Designed to maximize the potential of a diamond's brilliance, this cut is also known as the most wasteful, with over half of the raw diamond thrown away to get to this ideal shape. Not to say that it's the sole shape diamonds should come in. In fact, the diversity of diamond cuts adds to their overall appeal.

And diamond heart jewelry is as alluring as it gets. Heart cuts share a lot of characteristics as the pear cut, but vary in height and width. The heart cut retains some brilliance found in the round brilliant cut, but also exhibits the diamond's other qualities, like clarity. Bear in mind that this shape was not invented casually. The heart cut is basically the pear cut with a cleft added in.

Admittedly, diamond heart jewelry is not for everyone. Some people may feel that it is too puerile to use in their wedding rings. Still, it is hard to argue with the romantic appeal of the heart shape. Since it is a relatively new cut, there are less regulations in making heart cut diamonds compared to round brilliant.

In comparison, with round brilliant cut diamonds, your primary interest is in the brilliance of the piece. Diamond makers improved on Tolkowsky's Ideal Cut, the original standard for the round cut. Thanks to breakthroughs in the science of refraction and manufacturing technology, they're able to utilize a raw diamond's potential to reach maximum brilliance.

It is vital that you do a quality check before you obtain any heart jewelry. Particularly, you need to check that it does not have any blemishes, cracks or other imperfections. Some imperfections are not visible to the naked eye, but still alter the diamond's value. These imperfections do become apparent under the microscope, and are considered when the finished diamond is graded and priced.

If you prefer to get more value for your investment, you should watch out for enhanced diamonds. These are treatments performed on diamonds after they have been cut and polished, to eliminate these imperfections. Government regulations require that any enhancements be disclosed to potential buyers. These treatments reduce their value and are only performed on seriously flawed diamonds.

It is vital that you do a quality check before you obtain any heart jewelry. In particular, you need to confirm that it does not have any blemishes, cracks or other imperfections. With round brilliant cut diamonds, your primary consideration really is just the brilliance of the piece. You should be on guard for enhanced diamonds. These are treatments performed on diamonds after they have been cut and polished to excise these imperfections and reduce their value.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Clarity Enhanced Diamond: Inexpensive Alternatives

Diamonds are one of the most desired commodities by many women worldwide. In fact, if you are a man and would wish to sweep your woman off her feet, might as well give her fine jewelry encrusted with diamonds. Of course, these precious stones aren't cheap; a piece could already cost you a month of your annual salary, or if you're going after the rare ones better prepare at least two or three months of your earnings. However, if you really like to seal your vows of love with diamonds without spending too much, you could simply opt for diamonds that were enhanced to improve some of their features.

Clarity is one of the most vital features of a diamond as it serves as a determining factor to know the real market value of such gemstone. For example, untouched loose diamonds are expensive because they do not exude imperfections and inclusions making their clarity high in grade. However, there are also diamonds that are referred to as clarity enhanced sparklers found in the market today. Compared to untouched diamonds, these treated gemstones are inexpensive due to the manipulations in their clarity feature to make them appear more aesthetically appealing.

Clarity enhanced diamond is a diamond that had exemplify eye visible imperfections. Meaning it is a stone that originally had lower clarity grade, and because nobody wants to have a diamond that has eye visible imperfections, its inclusions are treated so as to make them invisible to the naked eye. After the treatment process, there are no apparent differences between enhanced and flawless diamonds. Enhanced diamonds are also referred to as "fracture filled diamonds."

There are several ways on how the enhancement process can be done to achieve clarity enhanced diamond. The most common method is known as drilling wherein a tiny hole is drilled toward the diamond in order to remove minerals and other elements that causes discoloration. Drilling is usually done with the aid of laser, which is capable of neatly creating a tiny hole towards the stone's inclusion. After drilling, it is more likely that the diamond would be left with a small fracture which is then filled with silicon or hard glass that isn't apparent to the eye; this process of filling is known as fracture filling.

If you are to buy a diamond, always remember that diamonds that have underwent augmentations aside from basic cutting, cleaning and polishing should be disclosed by the jeweler to the buyer as this is clearly indicated in the FTC rules. However, if you really want to be sure before you make your purchase, you could ask the jeweler if you could have the diamond appraised by a different appraising firm. Always remember that a clarity enhanced diamond has no visual differences with a flawless diamond. Hence, the best thing that you could do is to have the diamond tested in order to know whether it has been enhanced or not.

If you're a guy who would like to have a decent looking diamond that would complement your limited budget, a clarity enhanced sparkler would definitely be a good choice. If all the other traits of the enhanced diamond are in excellent condition, and the diamond itself is visually clean in grade, don't let the thought of enhancement discourage you from taking it as recourse. Parallel to untouched diamonds, treated diamonds also suit well with all sorts of fine jewelry pieces and are surely going to last for long. As such, enhanced diamonds may have some aesthetic limitations, but for sure they would invaluably express your love the same way as flawless diamonds does.

Nowadays, it is difficult to find inexpensive loose diamonds that one could befit into fine jewelry pieces. However, if you really wish to give your loved one something special without necessarily emptying your pocket, clarity enhanced diamond could be the perfect option for you. Although it does not thoroughly exemplify the perfection that an untouched diamond exudes, it is definitely a good find as its enhancements are barely discernible to the naked eye.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Loose Diamonds: Choosing Based On Cut

Why buy loose diamonds? They're not quite as practical as earrings and necklaces. You would not be able to have them on you or display them anywhere you go. But diamonds have a beauty on their own that can't be compared to diamonds set in jewelry. They seem even more exceptional when they are bought for their own sake.

Diamonds are produced in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The most famous of these is the round brilliant cut. Simply put, the round brilliant is the most famous because it provides the most brilliance. The way it has been cut makes it reflects the most light. What most people don't know is that the shape of the round brilliant is the most uneconomical. As much as half of the original diamond is left out when it is changed into a round brilliant. For this reason, diamonds are produced in several other shapes as well, commonly known as fancy cuts.

Now some of the fancy cuts are already based on familiar shapes, and will appeal to people even if they aren't that familiar with diamonds. The heart and oval cuts are named after their shapes. The pear cut is often interpreted as an upside down teardrop.

On the other hand, how do you explain to people the differences between the Asscher and emerald cut, or the princess and radiant cut, when they may all look the same? This is where we get a bit technical, but fortunately you don't have to get that esoteric.

Emerald and Asscher cuts are classified as step cuts. In contrast to the round brilliant, they are rectangular in shape, with each side bordered with small steps. Step cuts emphasize lustre and clarity over brilliance. The Asscher cut has been around for over 100 years, and its proportions are less even.

The princess and radiant cuts come from a third category, known as mixed cuts. They have more brilliance than step cuts, but are more cost-efficient than brilliant cuts. The princess cut is only second to the round brilliant in its popularity, whereas the radiant cut has over 70 cuts.

When choosing loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you like. The jeweler, in turn, will narrow your choices in terms of price and quality, and help find the best choice for you.

Diamonds are available in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The round brilliant cut has been designed in such a way that it reflects the most light. Step cuts stress lustre and clarity over brilliance. Mixed cuts have more brilliance than step cuts, but are more cost-efficient than brilliant cuts. When choosing loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you prefer.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond rings is the best investment for someone you love

People with extra money would usually channel their funds on investments that can earn their money interest.To help their money grow, they would usually acquire assets like land or stocks and even condominium units because they can generate revenue as their value appreciates.

But while enormous and expensive assets may be the way for most people, others choose to invest on more enjoyable and less expensive items.And what else can cater to their interest but their hobbies which can be a more delightful way to spend their extra cash.

Toys, fine jewelry and luxury cars, are just some collections that can gain more value as time goes by and may be considered as a reasonable investment despite being considered a luxury.But of course not all of them appreciate in value, only a selected type of toys or jewelry like diamond rings can really gain vale over time.

Some toys when kept in mint condition or intact in their boxes can sell at ten to twenty times its original value as time goes by.Another good example is fine jewelry because this definitely appreciates in value in time.Jewelry with diamonds like diamond rings and bracelets can definitely get more valuable as the years go by.

Diamond rings does not only serve us a sound investment but it also can be a symbolic gift for a person that you truly care forAs they say, diamonds last forever, which makes it and even more sound luxury investment given that other assets can actually degrade in quality or go out of style as the years takes its too on it.

So for those ready to take the next step, it is a wise thing to invest excess money in assets that can deliver the planned results as the years go by.While there are readily available investments means, it might be also ideal to explore other avenues that not only gives more value to an investor's money but also entertain and feeds their hobby or interests.

While some people spend on assets like condominium units or land to make their money grow, others choose to invest on their hobbies and interests instead. Some like fine spending on fine jewelry or expensive cars or rare toys. This is a smart investment because like diamond rings or rare toys, they can only get pricier as the years go by.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond rings are more than just a luxury

It is normal for people with extra money to invest their funds in assets that would allow their money to grow.Instead of keeping it in the bank, they would use their funds to buy land, stocks or condominium units which can reap them additional interest in the long run.

But while enormous and expensive assets may be the way for most people, others choose to invest on more enjoyable and less expensive items.And what else can cater to their interest but their hobbies which can be a more delightful way to spend their extra cash.

There are a number of hobby collectibles that can be considered a reasonable investment just like toys, fine jewelry and luxury cars which gain value over time.But of course not all of them appreciate in value, only a selected type of toys or jewelry like diamond rings can really gain vale over time.

Toys are a good example of items that, when kept in mint condition, can actually sell for more than its original value, sometimes ten to twenty times the original.Fine jewelry is also a good choice for a luxury investment.Jewelry with diamonds like diamond rings and bracelets can definitely get more valuable as the years go by.

Another good thing with buying diamond rings or necklaces is the fact that you can readily share this as a very meaningful gift for a loved one.As they say, diamonds last forever, which makes it and even more sound luxury investment given that other assets can actually degrade in quality or go out of style as the years takes its too on it.

So for those ready to take the next step, it is a wise thing to invest excess money in assets that can deliver the planned results as the years go by.Looking into the non traditional methods of earning profit or interest for your money can be a good way to start as there are numerous ways available that can reap rewards and feed someone's happiness and interest at the same time.

Investments do not necessarily need to be traditional ones like land or mutual funds. Some investments can actually be a source of happiness and entertainment for an investor like fine jewelry or luxury vehicles. Just like land or stocks, diamond rings or luxury cars can appreciate in value over time and give the owners the option to sell it at for a much higher price after a few years.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Differences Between Wedding Ring And Engagement Ring

Since prehistoric times, bands have played significant roles during betrothals and marriages. In fact, it would be difficult to imagine completing engagement and wedding ceremonies without any band to attest that such events really happened. Due to their enduring presence, the use and purpose of wedding ring and engagement ring are often confounded with each other. But, it should be taken into account that though these jewelry pieces are commonly seen among married women, they profoundly differ from each other in many aspects.

In order to identify the differences of wedding ring and engagement ring, let's take a closer look at their individual functions. To simply put it, an engagement ring is given by the man to the woman prior to their marriage in order to signify that they are bound to be married. On the other hand, wedding bands are the jewelry pieces exchanged and worn by the couple during their wedding day to seal their marital vows. After the ceremony and the years of their marriage, both the bands are worn by the woman on her left finger, while the man only wears the wedding ring since men are not accustomed to wear an engagement band.

Between wedding and engagement bands, many couples prefer investing on engagement bands. As a matter of fact, an engagement ring is probably the ring that captures more attention than the wedding ring, which is appropriate as it symbolizes the silent announcement of the engaged status of the couple. Engagement bands traditionally have prominent center stones that are commonly constructed from fine diamond jewelry. Today however, aside from diamond engagement bands, couples can also incorporate other precious stones like ruby, sapphire and opal in place of diamond as the central stone as they are inexpensive but also good in quality and design.

Meanwhile, wedding ring is often plain in design and finish, or at times is designed as the simpler version of the engagement ring. However, there are also couples that make use of fine diamond jewelry for their wedding bands, though this rarely happens as the plain design of such ring symbolizes the sanctity of marriage. The wedding and engagement bands are both worn on the left finger between the index and pinkie as tradition has it that the said finger holds the vein that is connected directly to the heart which is referred to as the vena mori. But, this is not always the case as there are cultures that place their wedding and engagement bands on the right hand.

Wedding and engagement bands are usually purchased separately from each other. They may also come as a set, which is why a wedding ring can also be as elaborate as the engagement ring. However, if you are to purchase each piece separately, remember that you are going to wear them everyday, so when you select the shape of the stone always consider your lifestyle. Diamond may be hard, but it is most likely to chip off or break especially if its edges are pointed; it would be more appropriate to pick bands that have round brilliant cut stones embedded in them as they are more likely to last longer.

Generally, wedding ring and engagement ring are important pieces that represent two important stages in a couple's relationship, the engagement and marriage. They vary greatly in terms of function, purpose and design. Setting aside their differences though, what is apparent is that they share the same concept of undying love and commitment, apparently shown from their round shape that has no beginning and no end as well as the materials used to develop them. They also serve as material seals that strengthen the symbolism and sentimentality of devotion of the couples.

Wedding ring and engagement ring are important jewelry pieces that represent love and devotion. Both these pieces vary greatly from each other in terms of purpose and design. Traditionally, the engagement ring is made from fine diamond jewelry with round brilliant cut that is given to signify the engaged status of couples, while the wedding ring is a simpler version that represents the sanctity of marriage.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Monday, July 26, 2010

Is There Such Thing As Cheap Diamond?

The diamond is perhaps one of the most revered gems in history. It serves as a manifestation of power, love, invincibility and refinement to name a few. Due to the acknowledgment given to such gemstone, along with the controversies surrounding its mining process, purchasing and owning a flawless diamond would definitely cost a person his fortune. If you are looking for means to buy cheap diamond, there are certain ways that you can do to get one.

As a start, why not search for online jewelry shops that are known for their inexpensive jewelry pieces but are high in quality? Online jewelry shopping is a very practical means to come up with an inexpensive diamond because compared to local jewelry shops that usually place markup prices on their diamonds to cover their overhead expenses, online jewelry stores offer their clients with competitive prices in such a way that they don't incur additional costs often induced by overhead expenses. You can also engage in online diamond auctions usually facilitated by longtime jewelers. Of course, purchasing online will help you save not only your money but your time and energy.

If you have no issues purchasing and owning pre-owned blings, another option that you can do is to personally visit stores that offer either discounted or inexpensive jewelry pieces. You can find these shops in the form of pawnshops and thrift stores. However, make sure that you are knowledgeable enough about diamonds so that you will know if what they are offering are real or not. Nonetheless, if you really are open for this option you must be prepared to get disappointed because more likely that you'll leave the shops empty handed, but if it's your lucky day chances are you'd be able to close a good deal and get a sparkler that is still in good condition.

Another practical approach that you can do to get cheap diamond is to buy loose diamond. Basically, a loose diamond is a real type of diamond that hasn't been used for jewelry production process. Compared to read- to-wear diamond jewelry pieces, loose diamond is more economical because you don't have to pay for metals used for ready made diamond jewelry pieces, the services, warranty coverage and the gift casing. With loose diamonds, you have the option to customize your jewelry according to your own preference.

Alongside online shopping and buying loose diamonds, you can also get cheap diamond by downgrading some of its characteristics. By downgrading on some of the areas or the 4Cs of your diamond, you can make a huge difference in terms of cost. If you're worried about the quality of your sparkler, you don't have to because downgrading does not incur discernible reduction on the quality of the diamond. For example, in terms of clarity downgrading instead of buying flawless diamond, you can just settle for a diamond that has lower clarity rating but can still be considered as eye-clear, or in terms of carat try purchasing diamonds that have carat grades shy away from full numbered or exact half numbered carats.

Lastly, if you are really tight on budget, you can settle for clarity enhanced diamonds or treated diamonds. Try to remember that all diamonds, with an exemption for the very rare and flawless ones, have character flaws called inclusion or imperfection. Inclusion determines the clarity grade of a diamond. Hence, when you speak of treated sparklers they have imperfections that were corrected by differing processes such as irradiation, filling imperfections and laser drilling to name a few; however, it must also be taken into account that these enhancements does not totally ruin the quality of diamonds, but they make such gemstones relatively inexpensive.

Cheap diamond is not really hard to find if you just know how and where to find it. Visiting online shops, pawnshops and thrift stores that usually sell inexpensive jewelry pieces is a good start for your search. But then again, if you don't want to waste time searching, you can always go for clarity enhanced diamonds. They are generally inexpensive but have apparent high quality aesthetic appearances.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Fine Jewelry: The Perfect Gift For Any Occasion

Fine jewelry refers to items that are commonly used for personal accessories, most common of which includes earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches. Oftentimes, jewelry pieces are made from differing materials ranging from metals and gemstones, to seashells and synthetic materials. Ever since the prehistoric period, jewelry has arrested the attention of humans, and this perspective is still applicable to date. In fact, we use various kinds of jewelry pieces depending on our moods and occasions.

Fine jewelry pieces have been primarily used as adornment, but aside from they are also regarded as the perfect gifts for varying occasions. This is due to their ability to encompass fashion sensitivity, which simply translates to their capability to maintain their timelessness and their ability to synthesize different aspects of the society. One good example of which is in the form of engagement and wedding rings, which are common tokens to seal two important life occasions, engagement and wedding. Jewelry can also be symbolic of group membership; for instance in many organizations worldwide the use of rings or pins is common to denote their membership to a certain group or as a welcoming item for new members.

Nowadays there's a wide selection of fine jewelry pieces for both males and females. For females, popular jewelry choices includes necklaces, earrings, brooches, bracelets and rings. For men, the most common jewelry pieces available are cuff links, tie accessories, watches, customized rings, necklaces and money clips. Overtime, the designs, finishes and prices of these pieces have evolved in order to befit differing situational, cultural and occasional needs.

If you wish to give something meaningful to someone, you may want to purchase jewelry pieces with gemstones. Loose diamonds are the most preferable gemstones to accentuate jewelry pieces because they are widely available, cost efficient, and goes well with any jewelry design and occasions. If you're planning to propose to your loved one, the best way to do so is to give her a ring with loose sparklers. This is the most exemplary means to tell her how much you value her love, as the ring itself is already representative of your unending commitment, and the diamonds would justify your indestructible love for her.

Earrings, bracelets or necklaces with loose diamonds are also good choices for that special gift as you can rarely go wrong when it comes to design. These pieces works well for female siblings, friends or relatives during their birthdays or for any special event for that matter. Other than the wide selections available, the use of these pieces are not only confined to specific occasions, rather they can be utilized everyday the inexpensive ones. Surely, loose sparklers are guaranteed to improve the look of jewelry and make it appear timeless and usable.

If you're a woman and you would like to give something unique to your father or husband, a cuff link would be a good preference. When it comes to cuff links, there are no restrictions when it comes to themes and motifs because they can encapsulate the best trait of your loved one. For instance a simple round cut matt silver cuff link that has loose sparklers in it can symbolize the reticence of a man. Overall, jewelry regardless of size, prize and design is the perfect gift idea because it is fashion forward, timeless, encompass your emotions in small but meaningful package, and more importantly they symbolize the personality of the person who's going to wear it.

If you're running out of gift ideas to give to your loved one, you may want to try giving fine jewelry with loose diamonds. For your proposal, a ring with three round cut loose sparklers could signify your eternal love and commitment. For your mother's birthday, a necklace with heart shaped pendant that has loose sparklers in it could truly exemplify how you appreciate her. Basically, jewelry pieces are perfect gifts as they complement any type of occasion.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Diamond engagement ring and wedding bands for the true, loving couple

Marriage is the ultimate symbol of love and commitment between two people who promise to cherish and care for each other for the rest of their lives. It is what marriage symbolizes that makes the moment so exciting - that moment when your partner presents you with a ring and asks your hand for marriage. It could be called a promise ring, a simple engagement band or a diamond engagement ring that the couple wears before their wedding to state their betrothal.And wearing an engagement ring is an exciting reminder for the couple that they will soon wed and build a family together.

It is not easy to shop for an engagement ring especially if you don't know what to start or what features should be considered.You can do away with the surprise and opt to shop with your fiancee but where's the thrill in that? Excluding the cost, there are a lot to consider about the ring itself, like the style and gemstone, when you go ring shopping.Each ring has an embedded gemstone which can have a different cut, color and weight. One of the popular designs is the trinity ring, a three-stone diamond engagement ring said to symbolize the couple's past, present and future.

The current tradition is that men wear one wedding ring, which could also be his engagement band. The former, on the other hand, wears an engagement ring after accepting a proposal and a separate marriage band after the wedding. Therefore, getting married will require purchasing, at least, three rings. For many couples, they have opted to purchase a jewelry wedding bands in a matching set that includes a man's wedding band, a woman's engagement ring and a woman's wedding ring.

During weddings, the couple makes a vow to be with each other until death to they part - a love to last forever. Marriage rings symbolize strong relationships like a strength of a diamond, the toughest and hardest mineral known to man.It is the number 1 in the ranking of hardness minerals in the Mohs scale of mineral harness, a method used in comparing hardness of stones.It is resistant to scratches, making it perfectly suitable for marriage rings worn on a daily basis.

It is important to do some research and set your budget before shopping for a diamond engagement ring. Diamond rings are more expensive than others because its gemstone is a high-priced, precious commodity. The average price is somewhere between $3,500 and $4,000, depending on the diamond's color, carat weight, cut and clarity. As long as you stick to your budget, you can then feel free to choose among the many styles and design to buy your girlfriend.It is what the ring symbolizes that matters and not the size, cut and cost of the stone attached to it.

In the end, remember that the focus of marriage if you as a couple, and not the material symbol of it. You need not purchase an very expensive ring that will only burden you financially.Also, consider buying jewelry wedding bands in a set since these usually come in cheaper. Lastly, enjoy shopping! Remembering what the ring is for and who it is for is a great inspiration when shopping for that engagement ring.

A diamond engagement ring is a promise of a lasting and loving life together for a couple. Diamonds are the common gemstone used in marriage rings because it is the hardest mineral, making it a perfect part of a ring that symbolizes strong love and commitment. But diamond rings can be tough on the wallet, that's why many couples decide to purchase a jewelry wedding bands in matching sets, as these often come cheaper. But no matter the cost of your wedding rings, the important thing is to make the marriage work and to keep the love alive forever.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Engagement Rings: Choosing The Perfect Diamond Ring For Your Bride

Diamonds are forever. Loose diamonds are long revered for their astounding and compelling beauty. These precious gems can stay as elegant as ever even after a long time. It is a universal belief in almost all cultures across the world that diamonds are ideal for engagement rings since these gems are symbols for eternity.Furthermore, aside from being an emblem of everlasting love, diamond rings have now become status symbols.What made them extraordinary is their expensive cost and the value they currently hold, which makes diamonds a luxury for many people.

Not too many people are financially capable to afford diamond rings. This one big reason why diamond engagement rings are great for surprising your soon to be wife and loved ones.As a sign of your eternal and incomparable love, it would be a great idea if you would surprise your bride to be with a diamond engagement ring.A diamond engagement ring can definitely make your marriage proposal more extraordinary and remarkable one, both for you and your bride to be.

However, before you go on with your plan of getting a diamond ring for your proposal, it would be better if you will educate yourself first with what to look for in diamond jewelry.Since diamonds are all but expensive commodities; it is imperative that you acquaint yourself with the ways on how to find quality diamonds.Getting the necessary education and guidance in getting the right type of diamond jewelry can help you maximize the huge amount of money you are about to spend. Moreover, it can help you in determining the appropriate type of diamond jewelry that can effectively suit your bride's style and preference.

Buying a diamond ring to surprise your bride to be is a task tailored for you. In choosing a diamond engagement ring, it is vital to remember several factors such as the ring size, the style and the type of metal.The first thing to look for is the ring size so as to make sure that your effort and the money you spent will not go into waste. You have to be sure that the diamond ring you are planning to purchase can fit the ring finger of your bride to be. In doing this, you have to think of ways that can help you in finding the ring size of your future wife or you can just tell the jeweler about her body type and size.

The style of the ring should also be considered in finding the right type of diamond jewelry.Diamond rings are sold in varying cuts, styles and colors.Classic solitaire diamonds are very popular while colored diamonds are among the trendiest and stylish.The tiffany style is perfect for a classic look while the invisible style are suited for a more modern and current appeal. In addition, the personality of your bride to be must be your basis in choosing a ring.It would also be perfect if the diamond is certified by diamond grading experts.

One of the vital things to consider in buying a diamond ring is the type of metal present. You can select from a wide array of metals available in the market such as yellow, white gold and platinum.In choosing the metal type of the ring, you have to be cautious of your budget and the type of diamond that will be accompanied by the metal.White gold and platinum metals are the best choices for colored diamonds.

Diamonds are perfect for engagement rings since they symbolize eternity. Diamond jewelry including loose diamonds are now a luxury for many people and a symbol of an eternal love. Diamond engagement rings are perfect for surprising a loved one and for marriage proposals. In choosing a diamond engagement ring, it is important to bear in mind several factors such as the ring size, the style, the type of metal and the required certifications.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamonds And Finding The Best Diamonds

While there are plenty of ways to express and show our sincere and purest form of love to our special someone, giving her a ring can definitely mean something more special. In deciding on the ring that we want to surprise our loved one with, we need to make it as extraordinary and unforgettable as possible.There could never be a better gift for your special someone or your loved one than a diamond ring.Diamonds are eternal pieces of gem making them a perfect symbol of never-ending and enduring love.

Diamonds are the perfect choices especially in choosing the ring for your marriage proposal.These astonishing pieces of jewelry can definitely make your loved one ecstatic and even more surprised. Furthermore, these exclusive gemstones can survive the wear and tear of even the most extreme conditions making it an ideal sign of your eternal love.Even after a long time, these rings will remain as exquisite and as glamorous as it was when you first bought it.

However, the thought of popping out a ring and asking our special someone to marry us might get us too excited in buying a ring straight away. Still, we have to keep in mind a number of essential things before we go into our nearest jewelry store. These precious gemstones are expensive pieces of jewelry. That is why in choosing the ring, we have to be mindful of several factors to make sure that we will get the best ring for her. Also, since these rings do not come cheap, we have to make sure that we can get the most out of the money we would invest for these exclusive pieces of jewelry.

Diamonds are classified and graded according to their cut, carat weight, color, and clarity or what is commonly known as four C's. This grading system was first introduced by the Gemological Institute of America otherwise known as GIA in 1931 and is now widely recognized and accepted as the standard grading system for these gemstones.

In selecting the perfect ring, the first thing to consider is the cut. This criterion refers to the shape of the stone and how well it was cut.Normally, the overall cutting craftsmanship and shape are being graded by the GIA whether a diamond stone is off-round or perfectly round and if the cuts are excellent enough.

Next thing to consider is the carat weight. The carat term for weight measurement of these gemstones traces its origins from a dry fruit that contains seeds that are called carob, whose seeds' actual weight is used to measure the weight of common gemstones.The present standard used internationally has a 5-carat diamond stone equivalent to a gram.

Color is also a significant feature of these precious gemstones that you should take note of.Among the most sought-after colors of these precious gemstones are those which show apparent tint or yellow, which are also the more affordable varieties.Usually, the rarer the color of the diamond, the higher is its price tag. Among the rare and more expensive colors of these precious stones include pink, blue, or green.

The last characteristic you should take note of is the stone's clarity. Clarity is used by a lot of jewelers for determining the stone's impurities. Clarity is used to determine either the lack or the presence of imperfections of the diamond stone whether it is internal or external. Rare varieties of these gemstones are not characterized by these impurities and those which are very rare are usually flawless.

Diamonds are expensive. That is why in deciding on the diamond ring we want to buy, we have to be mindful of several factors to make sure that we will get the best ring for our special someone. In choosing the rings we want to buy we have to consider these four factors namely cut, carat weight, color, and clarity or what is commonly known as four C's; so as to make sure that we will be getting our money's worth.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Engagement Rings And Other Gift Options For Diamonds

Give diamonds not just as engagement rings or wedding rings, but to celebrate other events. You can buy them as business gifts for your coworkers outside of work. Give them for family members on their birthdays, holidays or family reunions. Buy diamond earrings and loose diamonds if rings aren't viable. There is a diamond gift to match every occasion.

Find engagement rings in a variety of shapes, sizes, cleanliness, fluorescence and light performance. Diamonds also diverge and are rated by the four c's: clarity, carat, color and cut. If you are unknowledgeable regarding diamonds, you can still tell their variances in shape and design. But you might not fully comprehend how to properly assess diamonds for value without learning a few essentials.

Whether getting engagement rings, diamond earrings or loose diamonds, get a proper education on diamonds. This way, you will have a better understanding of how much value the gift you are getting actually has. This value isn't just in terms of what you're paying upfront, but in the gift's speculative value as well. Shop smart so that you can give the appropriate value to each gift recipient, whether they be a childhood friend, a business investor, or a prospective life partner.

Several aspects contained in valuing diamonds are not so obvious without a proper study. The truth is, in spite of the existing gemological associations, valuing diamonds remains a subjective process. There are also separate grade systems used to rank and price diamonds. You may be acquiring diamond earrings with greater worth than loose diamonds, albeit visually, they look about the same.

There are some things you should know immediately when it comes to grading diamonds. For one, their weight has more bearing on their price than the quality of their cut. Secondly, diamonds retain their value after it gets cut. Your diamond earrings are probably less than half their original size. But because cutting brings out their fire and brilliance, their value increased.

Grading and pricing systems aside, you can't find anything like the greatest diamond. The Hope diamond, Oppenheimer diamond and Darya-I-Nur aren't any greater or lesser compared to your parent's engagement rings, or to any loose diamonds in the market today. This is because each diamond is created unique. The best diamond gift is not the most expensive, but the one that best matches your needs.

Get diamonds not just as engagement rings or wedding rings, but also for other occasions. You can get them as business gifts for informal meet ups or celebrations. Get them for family members on their birthdays, holidays or family reunions. Get diamond earrings and loose diamonds for loved ones who don't prefer rings. There is a diamond gift to match every occasion.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Friday, May 28, 2010

Diamond Ring: The Perfect Keepsake

As the old adage goes, diamonds are a girl's best friend. Any woman you might ask would simply say that they like to have a diamond in their possession. Perhaps the high value given to such stone can be credited to its timeless beauty and appeal. It is also perceived as the best stone to be mounted in any jewelry piece.

It is noteworthy that the use of diamonds as jewelries has been around for centuries. However, it has been identified that there is a significant increase in the use of these gems within the past decades. Aside from being the testament of social status, such gems have also other varying uses. They also function as cutting tools, a means to transmit sounds, various optical applications, and as a special coating for airplane cockpit windows, which officially makes it a multi-million dollar industry.

Although such precious stone have various uses, it cannot be denied that it remains as the main ingredient for making any jewelry appear elegant and truly expensive. Diamonds and jewelries that contain such stones are considered as good investments that is why many people are now fond of purchasing them. The investment worth of these objects can be accounted to their increasing value. They also serve as important pieces of heirloom that can be passed from one generation to the other.

Investment worth aside, these gemstones are also timeless keepsakes during important occasions. For instance, diamond encrusted rings are popular engagement gifts as they are not only exquisite but also represents the sincerity of the person who gave such gift. Because engagements are one of the most traditional practices to date, it is common for men to give such bands to their future spouse's to identify with the value of the occasion and their feelings for each other. What adds to the worth of these diamond encrusted bands are their physical durability that could simply last for a lifetime.

Before buying a diamond encrusted ring, it is imperative to know that what you are getting is the real ones and not a fake. For unknowing buyers, a diamond can be mistaken with other stones such as cubic zirconiums and other similar looking stones. It is always best to buy in reputable stores so that you would be ensuring that the price you are paying is truly that jewelry's worth Nonetheless, it is also imperative to know that the value of a diamond can be determined based from its 4Cs which stands for color, clarity, cut and carat.

With all the fake ones streaming in the market, it is helpful to know what you are about to get when you purchase a diamond ring. There are wide selections of diamond bands in the market; as such it pays to know everything about the product you are interested in. At the end of the day, having the right band would represent the purity of your vows for each other. As such, it is imperative to embark on something that will remind you of that long and lasting union.

The physical durability of diamonds is one of its primary characteristics that make it more appealing. This is especially true for a man who wanted to express his love for a woman during engagements. A diamond ring has become an engagement keepsake trend due to its value and promise of longevity, which in some way is also representative of an undying love. Such rings are so popular that it has generally become a trademark during elite engagements.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Diamonds: What To Look For In Diamonds

While there are a lot of ways to express and show our deepest and purest form of love to our loved one, giving her a ring can definitely mean something more special.In picking the ring to surprise our loved one, we need to make it more special and memorable as possible. There could never be a better gift for your special someone or your loved one than a diamond ring.Diamonds are eternal pieces of gem making them a perfect symbol of never-ending and enduring love.

Diamonds are the best choices when it comes to choosing the ring for your marriage proposal. These astonishing pieces of jewelry can definitely make your loved one ecstatic and even more surprised. Furthermore, these precious gemstones can endure the wear and tear of even the most extreme conditions making it a wonderful symbol for your unparalleled and everlasting love. Even after for so long, these rings will definitely remain as exquisite and as glamorous as it was when you first bought it.

However, the idea of popping out a ring and asking our special someone to marry us might get us too agitated in purchasing a ring straight away.Still, we have to remember some important things before we jump into our nearest jewelry store. These precious gemstones are no cheap pieces of stones.That is why in picking the ring, we have to remember a number of factors to make sure that we will get the best ring for her. Also, since these rings are no cheap pieces of jewelry, we have to make sure that we will be able to get the most out of the money we would invest for these exclusive pieces of jewelry.

Diamonds are assessed and graded according to their cut, carat weight, color, and clarity or what jewelers refer to as the four C's. This grading system was first introduced by the Gemological Institute of America otherwise known as GIA in 1931 and is now widely recognized and accepted as the standard grading system for these gemstones.

In choosing the perfect ring, the first thing to look for is the cut. This characteristic refers to the shape of the stone and how well it was cut. Normally, the overall cutting craftsmanship and shape are being assessed by the GIA whether a diamond stone is off-round or perfectly round and if the cuts are unique enough.

Next thing to look for is the carat weight. The carat term for weight measurement of these gemstones traces its origins from a dry fruit that contains seeds that are called carob, whose seeds' actual weight is used to measure the weight of common gemstones.The existing standard used internationally has a 5-carat diamond stone equivalent to a gram.

Color is also an important feature of these precious gemstones that you should be aware of. Among the most popular colors of these precious gemstones are those which are displaying apparent tint or yellow, which are also the more affordable varieties. Usually, the rarer the color of the diamond, the higher is its price tag. Among the rare and more exclusive colors of these precious stones include pink, blue, or green.

The last characteristic you should check is the stone's clarity. Clarity is used by many jewelers as a gauge to which the stone's impurities are measured.Clarity is used to measure either the lack or the presence of imperfections of the diamond stone whether it is internal or external. Rare classes of these gemstones do not usually have these impurities and those which are very rare are usually flawless.

In choosing the diamond ring we want to buy we have to consider these four factors namely cut, carat weight, color, and clarity or what is commonly known as four C's; so as to make sure that we will be getting our money's worth. Diamonds are expensive. That is why in deciding on the rings we want to buy, we have to be mindful of these factors to make sure that we will get the best ring for our special someone.