Diamond Shopping-Where do I Even Begin?

What goes hand in hand with weddings and engagements? Jewelry. The very act of giving jewelry from one to another is almost as timeless as love itself. It’s not just the gesture of giving a ring but it’s what the ring represents-you’re undying affection and care for your soul mate, right? Obviously the importance of the ring you choose cannot be underestimated. But where do you even start? What do you look for in a diamond?

When you select a diamond for that special someone the first rule is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Great diamonds rely on a great cut. While a poor cut means a dull diamond, a great cut means a precious commodity. When it comes to color less is more. Since color steals from the brilliance of the diamond best diamonds are nearly colorless.

Diamonds come in 7 different shapes: emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, and round. This is where personal preference comes in. If you’re planning to give the ring as a surprise you’ll have to do your detective work. Note the type of jewelry your special someone wears. If she’s accustomed to simple rings then a bulky diamond such as a pear shaped will stick out further and be more apt to hit a surface. One of the best techniques is to inquire with one of her close friends.

Once you’re ready to purchase, get a diamond grading report from the dealer. This report will testify to the diamonds authenticity and evaluate the characteristics of the diamond. Diamond shopping isn’t a chore. Now that you’ve got some of the basics down you’re almost half way there. Shop around to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for. After all this may well be one of the most important purchases of your life. No pressure.

Cleaning Your Diamond Jewelry

When you buy diamond jewelry you will find after time the brilliant shine will begin to fade. This happens due to the oils in your skin, lotions you use, and other things that come in contact with it. There are many ways you can clean your jewelry to make it look as brilliant as the day you purchased it. These ways include self cleaning, professional cleaning, and ultrasonic cleaning.

One of the best ways to clean you diamond jewelry yourself is with a soft bristle toothbrush. Use a mild soap and water to scrub. All you have to do is make a mild mixture of soap and water full of bubbles. Place your jewelry in the water and let it soak. Then you will scrub it softly. If you have a diamond watch that you cannot get wet you might consider a professional cleaner for your needs. A jeweler would be the best place to take it and many jewelers will clean it for free.

When you scrub your diamond jewelry you need to make sure that you use a scrubber that is soft. Many people like to use a soft toothbrush or some other type of brush. Just be sure the bristles are soft and not hard. Your goal is to bring out the shine and you don't want to scratch up the gold or make it look funny. You can buy a brush specifically designed for cleaning your jewelry from a jeweler or in a store.

If you are not sure about how to clean your own diamond jewelry and you want to be sure a professional does it the right way you can take it to just about any jeweler out there. Some will clean it for free and others may
have a small charge. The best part about it is that when you pick up your jewelry it will look as new as it was the first day you wore it. This is because jewelers have machines they can put your jewelry in that will clean it for you. These machines work appropriately and you can trust them. No jeweler would ever put your piece of jewelry in anything that would harm the piece. You can always trust the jeweler. In most cases, your diamond ring or other piece of jewelry will be ready within an hour of dropping it off.

Ultrasonic cleaning is another way to clean diamond jewelry. There are many different ultrasonic cleaners on the market you can choose from if you want to clean your own jewelry with the high tech machines the jewelers are using. These use a high frequency which results in a cleaning action. Always read instructions before putting any of your jewelry in a machine like this. Not all ultra sonic cleaners work the same way so be sure you know what you are doing before you put your jewelry in for cleaning.

Taking proper care of your jewelry means you will take the time to clean it. If your jewelry doesn't shine anymore like the day you first got it you will need to clean it. You can always restore the shine of gold and diamonds.

There are many ways to clean your diamond jewelry. If you want your jewelry to have the sparkle it did the day you first wore it then you can clean it on your own at home, take it to a professional jeweler, or even use an ultrasonic machine for cleaning. Your jewelry can maintain the brilliance for decades when you take proper care of it and clean it on a regular basis.

The Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond was developed in the 1960s. This square diamond makes use of the brilliant style of diamond cutting rather than traditional step-cut configurations of traditional squares such as the emerald. The extra faceting causes the princess to have more natural diamond brilliance and scintillation. The enhanced performance hides inclusions and makes color less noticeable. It is, in effect, a square version of the round brilliant, technically recognized as a square modified brilliant cut.

Applications

Square diamonds like the princess cut work well in many design applications. Eternity ring squares can be set in one continuous line with no gaps, as occurs with round stones. The geometrics of the square allow for different looks and easily stand alone or combine with round & other shapes. Rings that are ‘starset’ (meaning the square diamond's shape is turned so the points are N-S-E-W) have a distinctly different look.

Princess Cut Diamond Assessment

Unlike round diamonds (or Hearts & Arrows diamonds), the performance of fancy shape diamonds cannot be predicted using only proportions or static reflector photography. Experienced sellers can recommend a favored range of parameters, and it is possible to make broad conclusions from photography and reflector images, but these shapes must be seen live for decisive evaluation. This is why no lab awarded a cut grade for the princess diamond until 2005, when the American Gem Society introduced the industry’s first-ever scientific cut grade based on actual light performance. For this reason it is imperative to work with an expert you trust on princess cut diamond selection.

Configurations

Several diamond configurations exist for the princess. The main differences are in pavilion construction, where 2, 3 or 4 ‘chevrons’ can be seen. As diamond facets get smaller, broad dispersion is reduced in favor of smaller, rapid scintillation. When choosing a princess cut diamond it is prudent to keep size and construction in mind to arrive at the balance of performance qualities you desire.

crown

pavilion

Princess Cut Diamond Corners

Any sharp point on a square diamond or other gemstone is vulnerable. For this reason the setting process is critical with princess cuts and should be done by a skilled professional worthy of trust. Princess cut diamond points can be set into pre-cut ‘seats’ in the setting. Some manufacturers ‘chamfer’ the corners slightly and others are producing 'clipped-corners' to improve the diamond's durability.

For square diamonds that have sharp corners or points, chamfering is allowed to the extent that it improves durability without obviously changing the shape of the stone.

Princess Cut Diamond History

The forerunner of the princess cut diamond was the Barion cut diamond, developed by Basil Watermeyer of South Africa (nicknamed after his wife Marion). The term princess cut was previously applied to what is now known as the profile cut, developed in 1961, but the profile cut was used for very flat diamonds and differs from the modern princess.

Diamond Rough

Every piece of diamond rough is different and some pieces will finish best as a shape other than round. The diamond cutter makes decisions based on what will make the most attractive diamond while allowing most yield from the rough. The princess cut diamond works well with steep rough and much of the material best suited for square shapes may finish better as a princess, rather than a square baguette or emerald cut.

Expert Selection

It is critical to work with an expert you trust on locating and selecting the best diamond available, particularly in fancy shapes - which must be seen to be decisively assessed.

Diamond Replica Jewelry - Affordable Jewelry

A diamond is considered to be women’s best friend. But having this best friend is not an easy affair. One needs to shell out a huge amount for it. In that case, diamond replica jewelry comes as an easy way out. It is exactly the same as real diamond jewelry, but the only difference is that it is a replica. Diamond replicas have also become a rage these days. The beautiful diamond jewelry worn by famous personalities becomes a fashion statement and comes in the market as diamond replica jewelry.

Besides diamond replica jewelry, you can also go for some real diamond jewelry. You can get some of the unique designs in real diamond jewelry. There are some of the best designs in diamond rings. A diamond engagement ring is the best you can give to your fiancé. Diamond rings and bands are also ideal as a gift. Fine diamond jewelry must be the main priority when buying diamond jewelry. A diamond is also said to be forever, so even if you buy it generally it will be a treasured possession.

Diamond is one of the Indian astrological stones. Many a times, a diamond is prescribed for astrological reasons. Amongst all the gemstones, diamond is considered to be the most expensive. If you want to wear a diamond for astrological reasons a diamond ring appears to be the best option. A diamond is said to add its sparkling rays in a positive manner to your life. Diamond bracelets and diamond bangles are also very beautiful and add a beauty to your wrist.

Diamond necklace jewelry and diamond necklace sets spread sparkling rays all over you. So you can also get the diamond rays sparkle over you and on others by having diamond jewelry. Then you can make others jealous of your style by wearing a diamond necklace set or diamond bangles or even a diamond bracelet. Diamond is the in-thing lady. So get it and flaunt it. But why should men be left behind in this race. There are beautiful diamond rings, bracelets and studs for you.

Diamond replica jewelry has become a fashion trend these days. Its style and affordable price has made it popular among one and all.

Diamond Bangle Bracelets

Wrist jewelry over the years has included: gold bangle bracelets worn in ancient Egypt by women of prominence, tennis bracelets and even the jelly bracelets in a variety of fun and exciting colors worn by young girls in America. Arm accessories are extremely popular. This is primarily due to the fact that they are sturdier than necklaces and can be worn regardless of whether the owner has pierced ears. Arm accessories are highly versatile. This versatility is proven by the fact that they can accessorize an exquisite evening gown and a simple pair of summer shorts equally as well. Apart from being brilliant pieces of jewelry wrist ornaments, like diamond bangle bracelets, have long been worn for spiritual and symbolic reasons. In many cultures, during various centuries, wearing bands around a wrist or forearm was a symbol of either marital status or class distinction. In fact, many archaeologists have uncovered the remains of ancient people buried wearing still arm jewelry.

In ancient Egypt a scarab arm ornament was made out of bone, stone or wood. Archaeologists believe that scarabs were worn as a symbol of rebirth. It is also thought that the ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab god moved the sun across the sky. In parts of South and Central America, Azabaches are arm jewelry worn to protect the wearer from the "evil eye." The evil eye is thought to be bad luck from receiving too many envious and jealous looks from others. Placing an Azabach on an infant is thought to protect the child for life from the pitfalls of the evil eye. In Bulgaria, white and red stings are often tied on people's arms to please Baba Marta. This practice, Martenitsa, is thought to make spring come sooner.

In India inflexible, circular arm bands, called Chudi, are worn to signify a Hindu woman's marital status. The term "bangle" denotes a piece of wrist ornamentation that does not bend or clasp. They are circular and can be made out of gold, silver, platinum and various other precious metals. A Hindu woman would rarely wear less than two, and she begins to wear them as soon as she is married. Occasionally, men wear single wrist bands, called a kada, but it appears to not be acceptable for women. Depending on the economic status of her parents, a married Hindu woman can adorn her arms in simple gold bangle bracelets or studded with pearls or semi-precious gems. Among the elite in India, it is not uncommon to see a married woman donning an arm full of diamond bangle bracelets. Not only would this be a status symbol, but also a visible deterrent to adultery. In ancient Israel, many men courted single women with multiple gold bangle bracelets. "And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold." (Genesis 24:22) She would then continue to wear them as long as they were married.

Typically, the higher the quality of metal, the better the sound of the jingling bands as they adorn the woman's arm. High quality bracelets are praised for creating a deep and attractive jingle. Rather than brash, this sound is often lauded as being soothing to the listener, much like wind chimes in a breeze. As a result, this sound is often viewed as an attractive quality for a woman to have. Conversely, cheaper metal or plastic creates a rather tinny and flat sound when clapping together on a woman's arm. This unsavory clank is looked down upon by passersby and jewelers. Recently, these types of accessories have also been constructed out of glass that is between one fourth to one half of an inch wide. There are finer glass immovable arm bands made in a small city in India called Firozabad. They too are designed to produce an attractive sound when worn on the arm of a moving woman. It is this myriad of sounds, along with the solid, immovable shape that has helped bangle bracelets, from cheap plastic to diamond bangle bracelets, stand out among other arm accessories around the world.

Not always worn for proclaiming marital status or to ward off spiritual evils, in Western cultures gold bangle bracelets and those made of lesser materials like glass and plastic are simply worn for fashion. Hollywood's elite are now seen celebrating at hot spots wearing diamond bangle bracelets or diamond simulations from their wrists to their elbows. The jingling sound and the obvious visual appeal are creating quite a demand for this type of accessory. There are other advantages to this type of jewelry. Due to their unending circular form, gold bangle bracelets have no clasp to break and no pieces to become loose and fall off. There are no jagged edges or prongs to get tangled in a sweater or evening dress. If the jewelry proves too expensive, many jewelers are now rent their jewelry by the hour or by the event. This does not mean that there are no drawbacks to accessories such as these. Women with particularly large arms or hands may find fitting the unending circular accessory over their hands to be quite uncomfortable and unpleasant. Conversely, women with inordinately small wrists and hands may worry that their diamond bangle bracelets will slide or even fly off if they drop their arms or move too rapidly. If a woman with small wrist, but large hands has few options, as a bangle that would fit over her hands, would clearly be too large for her wrists. There are inflexible, circular wrist accessories available in children and youth sizes, but still that does not guarantee as good a fit as with a sizable piece of jewelry.

Fine Diamond Jewelry

Fine diamond jewelry stores on the Internet offer a variety of stones to meet individualized preferences. The brilliance of diamonds is due to the electrons found within the substance and the way it attracts light. The light seems to be dancing around the stone at times. This sparkle and brilliance has attracted stone lovers for centuries. High quality stones that are colorless seem to spray prisms of color when exposed to light, like a rainbow. Another high quality stone is an emerald. Fine emerald jewelry originates from the mineral, beryl and considered rarer than diamonds, one of the most popular in the gemstone family.

The color of emeralds can range from very light to very dark. In nature a stone is usually hexagonal in shape. Fine emerald jewelry gets its color from traces of other minerals, usually through chromium. When shopping for a stone look for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Some jewelers put an emphasis on the value of a gemstone being based upon the intensity of the color. Birthstones are widely accepted and popular gifts and those born in the month of May celebrate with emerald being their birthstone. Many jewelers online offer birthstones through many different pieces and in sets that might include a necklace, earrings and ring together.

Gift collections online for fine diamond jewelry include a large variety of colored diamonds. Some of these colors are blue, pink, red, yellow, white, and black. Some sites online offer the capability of designing one's own ring. Choices include solitaires, three stones, and combination stones. Some of the most popular choices are purchased for engagement, anniversary, and wedding celebrations and settings usually come in platinum, white gold, or yellow gold. Ask a professional about the differences in the stones and how to make the best choice for the money.

Gemstone certificates of authenticity are popular among collectors. The certificate provides a history on the stone in question. It will usually cover the color, clarity, cut, and finish, as well as the measurements of the piece. A fine diamond jewelry store should be able to provide the purchaser with a certificate of authenticity. It is always good to get a second opinion by seeking an appraiser, for verification of the stone in question.

Celebrating a wedding anniversary is always a special occasion. Celebrate the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries by purchasing fine emerald jewelry. The green color of the stones is a color signifying beauty and love. Emeralds are often given as tokens of love to others, a unique way of showing that wonderful person that they are very special. Many retailers online offer emeralds in a variety of sizes, shapes, and prices. Some stones authenticity and quality is associated with places where they are mined. Popular mining sites include Africa and Brazil.

One of the latest phenomenon associated with find diamond jewelry is the right handed ring for women. Sites online offer right handed diamond rings with many styles and design options to choose from. A right handed ring symbolizes many things to women all around the globe; successful women are buying these tokens to celebrate themselves. While these are designed for women, there are also many choices pertaining to diamond rings for men offered online as well. Rings for men come in many designs and shapes. Some of the settings come in white gold, yellow gold, and antique gold.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner it is a good time to go online and check out fine diamond jewelry and fine emerald jewelry. Ideas for gifts might include a bracelet, necklace, earrings, a ring, or a watch. Online stores have a variety of gemstones as well as semi-precious stones. Many retailers provide price range selections based upon the amount one can spend. What a great way to show sentiments of love to that special person this holiday season. "And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things" (Genesis 24:53). The giving of jewels was also popular during Biblical times.

When shopping for trinkets online take some time to look at trinket boxes. Storing jewelry is important in keeping with the quality of certain pieces. Pearls should not be stored with other pearls as storing them together or with other items can cause chips or pits in them. Some gemstones are delicate as well and should be handled carefully and stored separately to protect items from damage. Emeralds should not be stored with any cloth or absorbent surface since they may contain oils. Diamonds are the hardest gems but they can crack if hit on a cleavage point. Be careful storing chains together since they can become tangled with other priceless items. Watches should be stored to protect the face from damage. Do a search on the Internet for a suede lined box to protect priceless trinkets and valuable pieces.

Antique Diamond Jewelry

The lure of antique diamond jewelry can attract an investment minded consumer for any number of reasons. It might be the history of the piece that intrigues them, or they may have a preference for the design esthetics of a particular time in history. Whether that preference leans toward the Victorian era, the Edwardian era, the Georgian era, or perhaps is more inclined toward an art nouveau or art deco style, vintage ornamentation has a unique appeal. Some consumers find a romantic connection with antique jewelry rings. Engagement and wedding rings from days past give some consumers a sense of connection with another place and time. For others, the idea of purchasing vintage pieces as an investment is the top priority and quality items can certainly increase in value as the years go by. Estate sales can often be good sources of pre-owned pieces of a more recent vintage. Some consumers simply prefer the trends and fashions of past decades to contemporary choices.

Searching for antique diamond jewelry is easier than some might think. There are many businesses that specialize in this type of one of a kind merchandise. When searching for a unique engagement ring, for instance, the choices in the area of antique jewelry rings expand far beyond just the traditional diamond. In times past, wedding and engagement rings did not just feature the diamond, but many other precious stones as well including the sapphire, the aquamarine, the topaz, the emerald, the ceylon and others. Some of these pieces included diamonds along with the other precious stones and some did not. Whether contemplating vintage or contemporary pieces, it is important to remember to consider the four C's of quality when making any diamond purchase. These C's stand for color, clarity, cut, and carat. Color is measured on a letter scale with the letter D meaning colorless, the letter Z meaning yellow or brown, with several grades in between. Clarity measures the stone's level of flawlessness. Stones with no flaws are represented by the letter F. From there, the scale measures whether a stone is very, very slightly included or flawed, all the way to the included grade which means that the stone has a flaw that is visible to the naked eye. Cut has less to do with the shape of the diamond as the proportion and faceting of the stone. Finally, carat represents the weight of the stone.

There are a wide variety of styles that are available within the antique diamond jewelry category. The Victorian style is characterized by ornate miniatures and cameos, or even snakes, worn by Queen Victoria herself, which were considered to bring good luck and denote eternity. The Edwardian period saw a preference for more delicate pieces and intricate filigree work. The city of Paris gave birth to the art deco style in 1925 at the Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Manufactures. Bold colors, geometric shapes and strong symmetry were some of the hallmarks of this style. The art nouveau period is believed to have originated as a response to the industrial revolution. Nature was a major theme in fashion during the art nouveau period with the use of birds, flying insects, flowers, and curved lines. Whatever the style, the price of antique jewelry rings can run as high as several thousand dollars.

Vintage items are pieces that were created in the 1930's, and 40's. While not antiques, some vintage pieces carry price tags that are considerably smaller than antique diamond jewelry while others can sell for prices in the same ball park as their more historic counterparts. World War II caused jewelry production to greatly decrease; nevertheless, the items that were produced were marked by large stones and a lavish style. Ironically, this magnificence on the outside masked a very different condition on the inside. Many of the settings were not solid gold or silver but were hollow since metal had to be conserved during the war years. Social conditions also seemed to influence the styles of necklaces, rings, bracelets, and pins during this time. In the war years, women had taken over the jobs traditionally held by men in the business world. Tailored jackets and pencil skirts called for a bolder, chunkier kind of jewelry, which became the calling card for the pieces created during this time.

Another alternative to antique jewelry rings might be estate pieces. In the 1950's, combining style with function became a popular trend. Precious stones were very popular along with curved lines and a sleek and aerodynamic design. The Bible talks about using precious stones for adornment and how King Solomon decorated the temple with valuable gemstones. "And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim." (2 Chronicles 3:6)

Another difference between contemporary and antique jewelry rings might be the cut of the stone. The hand cutting of antique diamonds created a very different look than their modern counterparts. Today's stones are geared toward maximum refraction and the types of cuts that are used reflect that. Older stones were cut to make them weigh more with less concern about refraction and tend to have four major differences from contemporary stones: slighter tables, deeper pavilions, taller crowns, and wider girdles. These characteristics gave the stones a softer glow and less fire. Many consumers find this look very desirable. This difference has increased the demand for classic stones in recent years.