Cleaning Diamond Jewelry in 5 Minutes - How to Put Some Bling Back Into Your Life!

How can such an important project bring out so many different methods? Over the years, I've heard quite a few ways of putting the bling back into your diamond jewelry. Some of the methods were good, some were ineffective, and some could be damaging to your diamond jewelry. Now with the Internet, all of this "information" about cleaning diamond jewelry gets spread around faster and farther. I will give you the fastest, easiest, and safest way to clean diamond jewelry.... and this is based on many years of experience.

Three important elements are needed when cleaning diamond jewelry- heat, a cleaning agent, and some pressure. We will get into the "how to" in a minute, but first a very important basic has to be covered.... this is a method for cleaning diamond jewelry only.... diamond rings, diamond earrings, etc. Rubies and Sapphires generally would also be OK.... but NO emeralds, opals, pearls, rhinestones, coral, shell, amber, ivory, costume jewelry, etc.

OK... let's get started!

You will need to have a coffee cup or a bowl filled with some water. Place the cup or bowl into the microwave and zap it for a couple of minutes. Remove it from the microwave; it will be very (boiling) hot, so be please careful! Place a bit of dish detergent in with the water; the general ratio is about 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner. You could experiment on the proper ratio or use a different type of household cleaner, however whatever cleaner you do use please read the ingredients to be sure that it does not contain bleach. Now, you have a container of very hot water, with a bit of cleaner/detergent in it, and you can carefully place your jewelry into the hot solution.... again, please be careful!

Now you will have to let this sit for a bit.... I did actually find an additional cleaning diamond jewelry tip on the Internet that could come in nicely right now! You will need a shot glass of Vodka, an 8 oz. glass, some ice, and some cranberry juice... mix all of them together, have a few sips, and just relax for 5 minutes while you are busy cleaning diamond jewelry at home!

Once the temperature of the cleaning solution has dropped low enough to be able to touch it (without saying a bunch of bad words!) you can now start to use a soft toothbrush to dislodge some of the more stubborn build up of dirt. Do not scrub! Be gentle.... you should use the bristles of the toothbrush in more of a pushing motion to get the bristles along the sides and under the diamonds. Being too excited about cleaning your diamond jewelry could cause a prong or two to loosen and a diamond could fall out of it's setting!

Next you will want to rinse off the soapy cleaning solution to see how it looks. Do not, repeat, DO NOT rinse your jewelry over an open drain, NEVER! If a diamond has become loose it could end up taking a one-way trip through your plumbing system. Instead have a much bigger bowl or container with clean water in it to be able to rinse away the soapy cleaning solution. Pat your diamond jewelry with a clean cloth and let dry.

Congratulations...

You now have earned your "cleaning diamond jewelry" merit badge! This cleaning diamond jewelry system will work especially well if you do it on a regular basis. You should go to your local jewelry store every 6 to 12 months in order to have your diamond jewelry cleaned and inspected. This is especially a good thing to do in early November.... so you can be at your "blingiest" for the holidays and while you are at the store it will give you a chance to update your wish list! This is a fast, easy, and free process that most jewelry stores are happy to do for you. Once this thorough cleaning has been performed at the jewelry store, a monthly cleaning of your diamond jewelry at home will be a snap.

By Bud Boland

Why Choose Brilliant Cut Diamonds For Your Diamond Jewelry?

Round brilliant cut diamonds present a lot of possibilities when it comes to jewelry design and jewelry making. Since these are usually the most common diamond cut around, they can easily be set in many different kinds of jewelry settings. You can see why they are the easiest to set as well as why they are one of the most popular diamond.

Most Number of Jewelry Have Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

There are a lot of jewelry types that have diamonds as the gem of choice in them, and the usual cut that you can find being used in these jewelry are often brilliant cut diamonds. The reason behind this choice might be because of the way that these diamonds are easily cut from raw stone or because of the wide range of possibilities that round cut diamonds present when being used in jewelry making.

The round cut diamonds being used in jewelry may be the central stone of the piece or may be the surrounding smaller stones that help make the piece stand out. These diamonds may also be used in combination with other popular diamond cuts, like the oval cut or the pear shaped cut, in jewelry designs that combine the brilliance of the round diamond and the unique shapes of the other cuts.

Another reason why these diamonds are often the kinds of diamonds that are being cut out of raw diamonds is because of the brilliance and sparkle that the symmetrical shape of the round cut diamond has. It also produces less waste when cut in this manner and is the classiest and most elegant of all diamond cuts. You can have these diamonds alone on any piece of jewelry and still have it look elegant and precious due to its simplicity.

The Right Cut for Your Precious Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

These round brilliant cut diamonds are often chosen for jewelry like engagement rings, earrings, and bracelets due to the fire that these stones emit. The fire that these diamonds emit is often the product of superior craftsmanship by the gem cutter who crafted the stone from its raw form into the round gemstone you now see.

A diamond's cut determines the way it will look in jewelry and how it will sparkle and shine. If the cut is too shallow, the diamond tends to lose the light through its sides, making it look dull and lackluster. If a diamond's cut is too deep, the light simply travels through it, making the stone look dark and dead.

The right cut for diamonds-or for any diamond, for that matter-should be one that lets natural light or any light bounce back at the person looking at the gemstone. The best cut that does this for round brilliant-cut diamonds is usually the very rare ideal cut. This kind of a cut helps the stone exude the most brilliance and fire by reflecting all of the light it captures back out.

This is a pretty difficult kind of cut to find and can cost a lot due to the difficulty in crafting it. The next best cut for round brilliant cut diamonds is the premium cut that reflects majority of the light that the diamond absorbs back out at you. This costs slightly lesser than the ideal cut but is the most recommended by jewelers as the next best choice for a diamond cut.

By Clara Ghomes

Top 10 Mistakes of Buying Diamonds

Diamond is the allotrope of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in an isometric-hex octahedral crystal lattice. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry. It is the hardest known naturally-occurring mineral. It is possible to treat regular diamonds under a combination of high pressure and high temperature to produce diamonds (known as Type-II diamonds) that are harder than the diamonds used in hardness gauges.

Below are some mistakes we usually commit when buying diamonds.

1. ASSUMING ALL DIAMONDS OF THE SAME COLOR, CLARITY, AND CUT GRADE ARE THE SAME

2. ASSUMING LABORATORY GRADING IS ALWAYS ACCURATE AND UNIFORM TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

3. ASSUMING COLOR AND CLARITY ARE THE MAJOR DETERMINANTS IN PRICING A DIAMOND

4. ASSUMING THAT CHOOSING A SPECIFIC COLOR AND CLARITY GRADE AND THEN SHOPPING FOR THE LOWEST PRICE WILL YIELD THE BEST DIAMOND

5. ASSUMING ALL DIAMONDS ARE WELL CUT

6. ASSUMING THAT A DIAMOND CAN BE PURCHASED "BY THE NUMBERS" ALONE

7. ASSUMING THAT EXTENSIVE SHOPPING WILL LEAD TO A BARGAIN PRICE ON A DIAMOND

8. ASSUMING COLOR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC ASSUMING CLARITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC

9. ASSUMING A DIAMOND CAN BE BOUGHT CHEAPER...

10. ASSUMING A DIAMOND CAN BE BOUGHT WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

Diamond clarity is a quality of diamonds relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes. Clarity is one of the four Cs of diamond grading, the others being carat, color, and cut. Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal, or structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, relative location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond. A clarity grade is assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone under 10x magnification.

By Mayline C. Homecillo

Buying Diamonds As a Hedge Against Inflation

You're shopping for a diamond pendant or perhaps considering purchasing a pair of anniversary rings so that you and your spouse can mark an important milestone in your marriage, Diamonds are not only beautiful, but they can also hold their value, something today's savvy consumer is well aware of.

One question you may have, especially as you survey the topsy-turvy global financial markets, is whether diamonds can be a good investment for the long term. Well, that answer isn't as simple as you might hope, because there are a number of factors which determine whether a diamond or diamond jewelry will be worth substantially more money several years down the road.

Though some of what I will share with you is theory, there are a few things to consider before making a diamond purchase especially when doing so as an investment. Please read on and we'll explore how you can protect your diamond investment:

The Bigger, The Better - Jewelry broker, Martin Rapaport whose personal price list is used as a standard for wholesale trade in polished diamonds, mentioned earlier this year that the decline in the value of the dollar, in which diamonds are priced, has increased investment in diamonds as a hedge against inflation. But, the recent run up in value of the dollar is easing diamond prices, suggesting that current market volatility may make such investing a risky proposition for most people.

Heirlooms and Collectibles - Some investors stay away from the big diamonds market, unable to keep up with the big guys who have a lot of cash on hand. Instead, these people frequent estate sales for family heirlooms and collectibles in search of that special diamond wedding band or pair of pearl drop earrings from another era. Dealers scour the market for the best deals, make needed repairs, and turn around and sell their finds for a profit.

Designer Jewelry - The jury is out on the long term value of designer jewelry, particularly on trendy pieces which tend to lose their appeal within a few short years. Keeping that in mind, most of the top designers embody both trendy and classical themes to develop lines of jewelry that will look great ten, twenty, even fifty years or longer provided they are kept in very good shape. Designers such as Danhov and M. Geller are prized today and have what it takes to bring much long term value for buyers.

What You Love - Of course, most buyers purchase their diamond jewelry with one thing in mind: what they love. This is the most important consideration when making any jewelry purchase that you really like what you want to wear. Buying jewelry with an eye on its long term value is fine, but that shouldn't ever supplant your desire for a particular pair of diamond earrings, a silver ring, pearl drop earrings, or some other personally valued accoutrement.

So, can buying diamonds be a good hedge against inflation? Perhaps if you have a lot of money, the expertise to select the right kind of diamond, and have the intestinal fortitude to weather the vagaries of the marketplace, then that answer might be yes.

For everyone else, finding the right diamond jewelry at affordable prices can provide for you just the right blend of value and desirability, something no one can put a price on except for you.

By Bryan Peter

Biggest Diamond

In mineralogy, diamond is the allotrope of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry. It is the hardest known natural material and the fifth-hardest[citation needed] known material after aggregated diamond nanorods, ultrahard fullerite, and rhenium diboride.

Diamonds are specifically renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities; they make excellent abrasives because they can be scratched only by other diamonds, borazon, ultrahard fullerite, rhenium diboride, or aggregated diamond nanorods, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain their lustre. Approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion, and about 100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are synthesized annually.

The name diamond derives from the ancient Greek adamas (±´¬¼±Â; "invincible"). They have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India and usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history.

Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.

Diamond windows

are made from thin diamond membranes and used to cover openings in lasers, x-ray machines and vacuum chambers. They are transparent, very durable and resistant to heat and abrasion.

Diamond speaker domes

enhance the performance of high quality speakers. Diamond is a very stiff material and when made into a thin dome it can vibrate rapidly without the deformation that would degrade sound quality.

By Mayline Saya-Ang

Certified Diamond (Round, Very Good cut, 6.21 carats, G color, VS2 clarity)

Diamond InformationCertification: GIA
This diamond comes accompanied by a diamond certificate grading report from the GIA.

Cut: Very Good
This diamond is cut to exacting proportions that reflect almost as much light entering it as an Ideal cut. Diamonds with a Very Good cut grade represent a brilliant diamond at a lower price than a diamond with an Ideal cut grade.

Color: G
This diamond is in the upper range of near-colorless. The only way to see a very slight tint of color is when it is compared directly to a higher color grade by an expert grader. G color diamonds will appear dazzling bright white in the setting and represent an excellent balance of higher color and great value, as the price, depending on other quality factors, will be less than that of a D, E, or F color diamond.

Clarity: VS2
This diamond has a clarity grade of very slightly included to the second degree. Diamonds with this clarity grade have small inclusions such as pinpoints, included crystals, and feathers that are visible with some difficulty under 10 power magnification. With a clarity grade of VS2, there is no possibility of seeing any inclusion with the unaided eye. Diamonds with this grade offer a beautiful clarity at a great value compared with VVS or IF diamonds and will be a slightly lower price than a diamond with VS1 clarity.

Diamond Jewelry - The Ultimate Classic Adornment

Diamond jewelry is the ultimate adornment for a woman or even a man. It is something which takes us beyond the realm of time. Diamond jewelry is a timeless classic adornment, which can never go out of style and will always be looked up amongst all kinds of jewelry.
In buying diamond jewelry it is important to keep some factors in mind. The diamond history, diamond shape (Diamonds come in more shapes than any other gem. Diamond jewelry with spectacular center pieces are available in round, emerald cut, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion. Diamonds as accents are usually found in small round shapes and baguettes. Popular earrings are usually round or princess cut, though some may come in fancier shapes),

Diamond settings (such as bar, bezel, channel, chevron, invisible, pave, and prongs), diamond carats (The unit used to measure the size and weight of loose diamonds), diamond clarity (Clarity is the clearness of a diamond. The most valued diamonds are the clearest. When shopping for a diamond, look for diamonds with grades from FL to SI2. Stones from VS1 to S2 are the best value because they are lower in price without too many inclusions.)

Diamond color (Diamonds that are colorless or near colorless are the most prized.) And diamond cut (The diamond cut determines the brilliance of the diamonds. If a diamond is poorly cut, the light is lost through the sides and bottom of the diamond and there will be no radiance)

Diamonds are more commonly found in certain shapes

By Angela S Davis

Diamonds Are Forever

Diamond jewelry: diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond pendants and diamond bracelets are some of the most sought after gemstone creations. Your eyes tell you how beautiful a piece of diamond jewelry is, but how do you know you are getting your money’s worth?

A little knowledge can go a long way to help you purchase a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry at a fair price.

Diamond Jewelry 101

A diamond's value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance. This filling may not be permanent and jewelers should tell you if the diamond you're considering has been fracture-filled.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or spots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That's because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable. Jewelers should tell you whether the diamond you're considering has been laser-drilled.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory-created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler if he has the current testing equipment to distinguish between diamonds and other lab-created stones.

When shopping for diamond jewelry online, apply these tips.

1. Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it.

2. Take advantage of information and referrals from an Internet company you have come to trust.

3. Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant's refund and return policies, before you buy.

4. Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.

By Sam Serio

Buying Diamonds Without Being Ripped-Off

Buying diamond jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you’re considering a gift of diamond jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here’s some information to help you get the best quality diamond jewelry for your money, whether you’re shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.

Diamonds

A diamond’s value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of “slightly included” may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you’re considering. A diamond can be described as “flawless” only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, “.30 carat” could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance. This filling may not be permanent and jewelers should tell you if the diamond you’re considering has been fracture-filled.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or pots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That’s because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable. Jewelers should tell you whether the diamond you’re considering has been laser-drilled.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler if he has the current testing equipment to distinguish between diamonds and other lab-created stones.

By Sam Serio

Choosing A Diamond With 4 Cs

Diamonds – girls’ best friend! Why do girls love diamonds? Why are they so precious? Is it because of their beauty and exquisiteness? Talk about buying. Purchasing a diamond can test the nerves of even the most astute buyer - what do you look for? What do the terms mean? What makes one diamond worth more than another?

When you get in the diamond shop and attempt to buy one, but do not know what the different between this one and that one. Even though those two have the same size and carat, the price can be completely different. Why? Here is a simple guide to the essentials of diamond grading.

Understanding these terms will help you discuss with the dealer the features most important to you, ensuring you get the very best diamond for your money. Diamond appraisers look for four qualities in a diamond when discerning its value. Commonly called the '4 Cs' they are: Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color.

CUT

There are 2 big aspects of CUT.

1. Quality of cut - affecting the brilliance of the diamond - the other refers to the actual shape of the diamond.

2. Shape - Diamonds are available in many shapes. Some of the more common are; round, oval, pear (teardrop shaped), heart, princess (square shaped), Emerald (rectangular shaped), marquise (football shaped) and round. Of all the shapes available, round diamonds are the shape most capable of being cut to exude the greatest brilliance. The brilliance is determined by the ability of the diamond to reflect light. A quality cut diamond will have facets angled to reflect the greatest amount of light. Beware of diamonds cut to maintain a higher carat weight while sacrificing the cutting of a good angle as this will dramatically reduce the brilliance.

CLARITY

Diamonds from natural sources are subject to individual flaws including trace minerals and scratches. A diamond without such characteristics is called flawless and is the rarest kind. While these flaws are often not visible to the naked eye, they affect the light reflecting qualities of the diamond which affects the overall brilliance.

Diamond clarity is classified as follows: Flawless, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, SI3, I1, I2 and I3.

CARAT

Carat is the measurement of the weight of a diamond. One carat may also be referred to as '100 points'. This means that a half carat would be listed as '50 points' and so on.

The larger a diamond is the more costly it becomes. Since the larger diamonds are much rarer the cost will go up significantly with each increase in size. A one carat diamond will be more than just double the cost of a half carat, however, a ring with multiple diamonds that have a combined weight of one carat will be cheaper than a single stone of that weight.

COLOR

There are many diamond colors which called fancy diamonds. But the mostly found diamonds will be rated on an alphabetical scale from D to Z. A typical 'white' diamond should be as colorless as possible - a rating of 'D' being the rarest and most desirable. When choosing a colorless diamond it is best to stay within the D-J range or the diamond will have a yellow cast which lessens the value. The less natural color the diamond has the more colors will appear in the flashes reflected in the prism.

'Fancy' diamonds (diamonds with a rating over Z) come in a variety of shades and include some famous diamonds such as the Blue Hope diamond.

When decide to buy a diamond, please keep in mind of these 4 Cs as a factor of buying consideration. It takes years to gain a specialty in this area. Therefore, at least you should point out whether which features are of greatest importance to you and with a little knowledge select the diamond that will hold the greatest value and sentiment for your budget.

By George Williams

Buying Diamond Jewelry: Know What To Look For

In judging diamond jewelry it is a common occurrence to get a diamonds shape and the cut mixed up. The cut of a diamond describes the performance of light, dimensions, and finish. Shape is just the outline of the diamond from a top view. In judging diamond jewelry you must make sure there is a good cut.

The cut of the diamond has the biggest effect on the sparkle of the diamond. A diamond that has immaculate color and is very clear can look dull with a poor cut on the stone.

In judging the value of a diamond the color of the diamond is a major factor. The diamonds with the least amount of coloring are worth the most. Even a very small amount of color in the gem can make it so the diamond’s brilliance is diminished. The higher grade the diamond is the more expensive it will be.
The weight of the carats in the diamond is important when judging diamond jewelry. The diamond in the jewelry in terms of its weight is measured in carats. Considering diamonds that are larger are also rarer than smaller diamonds the value rises very much when the weight increases. If you are buying a diamond from a wholesaler they must by law tell you the carat weight in the piece of jewelry.

In judging diamond jewelry look to see how many flaws are on the diamond. Flaws, also called inclusions, are rare and are highly valued. How the clarity is graded is based on the number, size, location, and type of the flaws found within the diamond. Make sure the flaws are picked out as if they are not the diamond will be much more expensive.

Make sure to check the cut, carat weight, color, and flaws on the diamond in the jewelry to make sure you are getting the best deal. Considering a diamond can be very expensive it is wise to understand all of these factors or get a professional to judge it for you. Also make sure the diamond is certified as the certification will guarantee its authenticity.

By David Flinthoff

Selecting The Cut of A Diamond and The Way They Are Cut

There are quite a few cuts of diamonds to select from. The cut basically relates to the shape that the diamond is cut into, except if you are in the diamond or jewelry field, simply this shape has a great affect on much the diamond glitters.

The most favorite cuts are pear, heart, marquise, oval, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an affect on the extent the diamond sparkles, but the true cutting itself, when the diamond cutter really cuts the diamond into a specific shape, also counts a great deal. If the diamond is badly cut, it will suffer its sparkle.

In the diamond business the cut of a diamond does not relate to its shape at all. On the contrary, this is a reference point to the stone’s brilliance, depth, width, durability, clarity, and other facets of the diamond. General cutting difficulties are a missing or off center culet, not properly aligned, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, crackings, or broken culets.

If looking for a diamond, you should choose the shape that you care for the best, but then consider several assorted diamonds of that shape to locate the one with the best cut, the diamond that sparkles best, in all kinds of lighting.

Diamonds Are Cut How

In their most natural configuration, diamonds are, well, quite unattractive. They have no splendor or radiance,and in fact, they look like nothing but broken glass. A diamond has to be cut, and then made shiny and smooth before it really becomes a thing of beauty.

Diamonds are cut with saws, into round forms. From the rounded shape, other shapes perhaps will be cut, such as heart shapes, but the shape is less significant than the caliber of the cutting that is being performed. When the diamond is badly cut, it will lose light, and it will not glitter and shine very well. Every surface of the diamond must be cautiously cut into the geometrical shapes that permit the diamond to sparkle and glow, then the whole diamond is cut into a particular shape, like an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond.

As soon as the cut is finished, the diamond is put into a dop, which looks like a cup with another diamond, only a diamond is strong enough to polish the edges of another diamond. As soon as the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges polished in the dop, it is smoothed on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel.

By James Ellison

Watch For The Four C's When Buying Diamonds

Of all the precious stones in the world, the diamond is certainly the most popular. You've seen it worn by royalties and celebrities, but it's also available to every me and you.

Its toughness and beauty have been known and praised since ancient times. The actual word "diamond" comes from the old Greek "adamas", which means "unconquerable".

The decision to purchase a diamond is a rather important one. To the Romans, diamonds were falling stars that tipped the arrow of Eros, the God of love. This meant that those who wore them would be filled with love and spread feelings of happiness around them.

Whether or not the belief was based on real facts, diamonds seem to have some form of energy around them, and you should pay special attention when choosing one.

The Four C's

Assessing the Four C's is a method that helps us see the true value of a stone we're about to purchase. Used mainly by professional jewelers, it's still very simple to be applied even by an untrained eye.

So What Are The Four C's?

They are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

The Cut...

.. is considered by many jewelers as the most important of a diamond's properties.

Depending on how well it is made, it determines how well it reflects light. Professionals strive to make the cut as precise as geometrically possible so that it will reflect more light. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes out the sides and the diamond loses brilliance. If the cut is too deep, light is lost out the bottom and the diamond appears dark or dull.

Therefore, a bright shining diamond, with a symmetrical appearance is a definite sign that the cut is of high quality.

Color

Despite the common belief, not all diamonds are white or colorless. In fact, most diamonds you will find have slight tones of yellow, brown or blue.

There is an actual scale you can use to get a beautiful diamond at a reasonable price. It covers all leathers from D to Z.

D to F are colorless diamonds. These are the rarest and of course, the most expensive. Unless you have a huge pocket, look for stones in the range of...

G to I. These ones offer excellent value and they have a light blue color.

Stones graded above K can still be lovely if they have a great Cut and ...

Clarity...

.. refers to the number of imperfections in the stone. Absolutely perfect diamonds are extremely rare.

So the value of the crystal is deeply influenced by the number of "Inclusions" or "Blemishes".

There is also a more complicated scale to rate the perfection of a Diamond, but I won't bore you with it.

Just watch for diamonds rated "I", which have imperfections that may be visible with the naked eye. The other grades aren't important because when mounted in jewelry, the slight imperfections become invisible.

Carat

This is generally the only property people follow when purchasing diamonds.

The carat is the measurement unit for a diamond's weight. One carat weighs 200 miligrams, or 1/5 of a gram. Each carat is divided into 100 points.

The bigger the crystal, the more carats is has and the bigger the price.

Don't be tempted to say the bigger the better. Ultimately, you want a diamond that has a balance between the Four C's.

With this kind of knowledge, you are now ready to start searching for the greatest gift you could ever think of. So wait no longer. I guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the jewel you'll choose.

By Eugen Lisov

What You Should Know About Clarity and Weights of Diamonds

Clarity is an important feature of a diamond, and it is noteworthy to know how to grade the clarity of a diamond prior to purchasing one. It is really quite simple to learn how to grade the clarity of a diamond. There are fundamentally two things that you must understand. Diamonds with visual inclusions and flaws, and those that are eye clean implying that there are no inclusions or flaws that can be seen with the naked eye. And then the clarity of a diamond is further analyzed into subclasses.

Some people erroneously believe that diamond clarity pertains to how clear it is. This is not so.

Clarity really pertains to the internal and external defects of the diamond. The best diamonds, as might be expected, get a grade of FL or IF, Flawless or Internally Flawless, this means that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 signifies that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the most defective.
Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which means that the diamond is very, very slightly defective. VS1 and VS2, meaning the diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and SI-2, which means that the diamond is slightly imperfect.

About Diamond Weights

Diamonds are graded in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is mentioned to as four grains, this in addition means that it is a one carat diamond. The word carob is the basis for the word Carat. A carob that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean is a bean . Years ago, if a diamond weighed as much as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat.

Yet, in the far east, where Carob trees don't grow, rice was utilized to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed the same as four grains of rice, it was four grains or one carat as we recognize it to be today. The bulk of diamond buys are for diamonds that are one third of a carat.

Be alert when browsing for diamonds that have been set or mounted. If many diamonds are used in the piece, the label on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight. It doesn't tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the whole carat weight of the biggest diamond in the piece to really understand what you are purchasing.

By James Ellison

Diamond Clarity

What is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity is the measure of flaws found in and on the outside of a diamond. The less flawed a diamond is, the more value it has and the higher the price tag. There are very few diamonds which can be categorized as having no flaws at all, however, most diamond flaws cannot be seen without magnification of at least 10 times. Because issues with diamond clarity are often undetected when looking at a diamond, some people consider this to be one of the least of their concerns when selecting a diamond to purchase.

How is Diamond Clarity Determined?

The most well known measurement of diamond clarity is done by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It ranks diamonds based on a grading system it created that ranges from flawless diamonds, to imperfect diamonds, with many different grade ranges in between. The better the clarity ranking, the more expensive a diamond will sell for as it has more value.

Types of Inclusions that Effect Diamond Clarity

Inclusions are flaws that effect diamond clarity. They make it so that the diamond is not “perfect”, and there are visual imperfections within the gemstone. Most flaws however, are un-noticeable to the naked eye and can only be seen under high levels of magnification.

There are names for many of the most common inclusions. Carbons effect diamond clarity because they are very small black dots found on the surface of a diamond, which may or may not be visible in regular lighting. Some may be so small that you need magnification to view them. Pinpoints effect diamond clarity because they are white dots along the surface of a diamond. Pinpoints are the most common of all diamond flaws. Clouds effect diamond clarity because they cause what look to be cloudy areas within the gemstone. The clouds are actually made up of many growths of crystals that are positioned very close together within the diamond, and their proximity to one another is what causes the cloudiness to appear. Feathers effect diamond clarity by causing cracks to form within the diamond, that look similar to that of broken glass.

Clarity Enhancements

Diamond clarity flaws can often be fixed or reduced by using a variety of clarity enhancement treatments. Some diamonds are painted, some get lasered in order to remove pinpoints and carbons, and some diamonds undergo a process by which tiny holes are drilled into the diamond in order to reach areas of inclusions within the gemstone, and then the cracks are later filled with molten glass. Having enhancements done to improve diamond clarity decreases the overall value of the diamond, but can improve it's appearance. Diamond certificates should indicate that enhancements were done on the diamond, so ask to see documentation before making a purchase. While most enhancements just cause the diamond to look nicer, some may actually cause the diamond to be weaker, and more prone to breakage than a diamond that has not had any treatments.

By Burt Cotton

Purchasing Diamonds Online

Considering the abundant potential for fraud concerning diamonds, purchasing a diamond online seems so risky as to be nearly unthinkable. However, given enough knowledge and caution it is entirely possible to purchase diamonds online without significant risk.

The first thing to think about is the reason for wanting to purchase the diamond online rather than making the purchase from a local jewelry store. Price is the most common reason. Online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices because the lack of a storefront lowers overhead costs. It is, however, important to be careful--a price that is too good to be true is likely to be.

The big advantage of shopping for diamonds online is the nearly unlimited selection. When shopping offline, the selection within the local stores represents a significant limitation. But to reiterate, a great deal of care and consideration must be taken before handing money over to someone that cannot be seen, met, or verified.

It is critical to learn as much as possible about diamonds before shopping, especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. Con artists find it far more difficult to rip off someone knowledgeable about diamonds. Once knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be safe to start shopping.

Equally important is to maintain patience while shopping. Don't purchase the first diamond that seems right or interesting. Instead, look for comparable diamonds for sale. This permits each deal to be examined, weighed, and analyzed in comparison to the others to find the lowest price, or best deal. Once the best deal is found the investigation can begin. Simply having learned about diamonds and finding a diamond that fits the bill at the best deal isn't enough.

Check out the seller's credentials, looking for details such as which (if any) professional jewelry associations they belong to. Read and print out a hardcopy the seller's refund, return, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Conduct a thorough Internet search for customer reviews on this particular company. Especially make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau Online to determine if there have been any complaints filed against the company.

Always request a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, EGL, HRD, or AGS. It's important to get this verification before making a purchase. Finally, if there is any doubt or the purchase will involve a high dollar amount, use a reputable escrow service, ideally one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. This way the diamond and the payment are sent to the escrow service, who then verifies the diamond matches the claims the online seller made before sending the diamond to the buyer and the money to the seller. This is the surest way to guarantee the financial safety of both parties. It should go without saying to be certain that a reputable escrow service is used.

By Patricia Brown

Diamond Buying: Emotional Experience Or Math Problem?

Professionals in the diamond industry hear warnings about "commoditization" at our trade conventions. We hear the warnings from traditionalists, from sellers and suppliers, from revered industry leaders. We hear the warnings from some of the most esteemed icons of our industry. But what does it mean?

It is about the reduction of an emotional experience to a mere set of numbers. That is the concern.

For many years diamond cutters were considered craftsmen and artists, like blacksmiths and carpenters (the best still are). As technology has moved forward, blacksmiths and carpenters have been replaced with automated manufacture. In diamond-cutting, auto-dialits and assembly line production have replaced the gray-haired cutter of old who took the rough through every step from blocking to brillianteering. However, the unalterable difference between 'smithing and diamond fashioning is that producing a diamond will never be like stamping out automobiles or pre-fabricated woodwork where pieces and parts are interchangeable. Our craft is unique.

Every piece of diamond rough took millions of years to form. Every diamond is a different story. Once mined from the earth each piece of rough is individually studied and analyzed. A different plan is developed for each piece to arrive at the shape, size and beauty that will be yielded. No two diamonds are perfectly alike; not in rough form nor polished. They may be comparable, but color, clarity and even cut differ from piece to finished piece. There are subdivisions within each color grade. There are microscopic elements of crystallization within each diamond that do not appear on a plot. There are aspects to the way the diamond was run on the wheel and took a polish that blend together to create its distinctiveness when finally viewed.

As we know, the cut of a diamond has the largest influence on its overall performance and can be expressed in differing terms. Proportions, cut estimators, 3D scans, natural reflectors and machines like Imagem and BrillianceScope can assign numbers. But numbers will never tell the story of the diamond's birth, its crystallization over millions of years and the blending together of distinctive elements WITHIN the numbers that make it one-of-a-kind.

Traditionalists emphasize that a finished diamond is both a snowflake and an artist's masterpiece. Its uniqueness is absolute; both in nature and in the treatment man has given it. It can never be replicated - and its singular, irreplaceable distinctiveness is the perfect expression for a giver, and the most its wearer could ever hope for.

The traditionalists are right of course.

Now there is concern among traditionalists that by reducing a diamond to a data stream we take away its romance. We remove its symbolic appeal, distinctiveness that can be measured only by the human eye and a history larger than life - and replace them with charts and graphs.

The information age has provided us with the ability to analyze the art of man and nature. We have powerful tools for measurement and analysis. We can place a number beside every facet. We can take analytic photographs at unreal magnifications. We have black boxes that assign values. For trade and factory analysts these things can empower more understanding and the ability to maximize beauty at the source. Certainly there are hundredths of degrees which can help our scientific understanding. However, any professional will tell you that once a diamond is within an acknowledged premium range the nuances of its specific appeal depend entirely on individual human taste and preference. To make such fine judgments, beauty can only be in the eyes of the beholder.

Let us consider the most important people, our clients: For those who will give and receive nature's creation, crafted into shape by man's hand, we should provide technical validation to put them at ease. But for the sake of our trade we have a responsibility to put less emphasis on a decimal point and be more sensitive to our clients' appreciation for the emotional aspect of the diamond - which was his or her motivation for purchase in the first place!

Let us not convert someone shopping for a work of art & love into someone shopping for a tenth of a degree on crown facet number 8. To do so reduces the emotional experience to a math problem and reduces the meaningfulness of the service our trade can provide to our clients.

A healthy marriage of lab grading, parametric data and direct performance assessment should be enough for even the internet shopper's desire for pedigree. By all means, provide validation our clients need to be comfortable in a purchase, but ultimate beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is important for us to remember that when all is said and done it will be sparkle, not statistics, which cause the wearer to love the piece.

By John Pollard

How To Buy Diamonds Online For Ridiculously Low Prices

Almost all of us will buy a diamond, a diamond ring or another kind of diamond jewel. Getting married involves buying a diamond ring for your fiancée, anniversary rings are also common, and let's not forget men's diamond rings - they are very popular, too.

In the age of information, it makes sense to consider the option of buying a diamond on the Internet. And indeed, mega sites like bluenile.com, diamond.com and more offer a huge selection of diamonds in all shapes and sizes to choose from. Many of the diamonds are certified so you don't risk getting a diamond that is less than promised.

The big diamond sites are a good option for getting a diamond, but in most cases the savings on the price will not be too great - in fact, you may get a similar price if you haggle a bit with a local diamond dealer. The best place to locate real bargains in the diamond field is ebay.com

There has been a lot of talk on buying and selling on ebay, and one ca find good advice about these subjects. Buy in this article we'll discuss specific advice about buying diamonds on ebay.

There are some very simple rules that need to be observed when buying diamonds on ebay. If you follow these rules you are very likely to find great deals on ebay.

Advice no. 1 - Search the right way. Go for the "advanced search" option. There will be an "Exclude these words" box. You want to exclude words like : "lab", "zircon", "enhanced". This will weed out the "wannabe" diamonds and leave you with the best ones.

Advice no.2 - Does the seller have a solid positive feedback? - check the seller's feedback and see that they have at least 50 positive feedbacks form selling diamonds in the past. Also note how many negative feedback they had. Strive for at least %98 positive feedback. In many cases it is tempting to buy a cheap diamond from a new seller, but this is in many cases a bad move, as you have no knowledge on this seller

Advice no.3 - Watch similar diamonds to the one you want and see how much the sell for. Don’t buy right away. Just watch a few auctions as they evolve. This will help you establish a range of prices you aim at.

Advice no. 4 - Go for certified. Again, it's tempting to buy an un-certified diamond but in many cases this will be a big mistake. Go for certified diamonds only and this way you'll make sure you get what you paid for, no less.

Advice no. 5 - Use ebay as a means of pressure. If you have a local diamond dealer who is trying to sell you a diamond, you may want to use the price levels you see on ebay as leverage in your negotiation with that dealer. You may get a better deal.

Going online to buy a diamond can save you thousands of dollars. Give this approach a try the nest time you go shopping for a diamond.

By Gill Reese

Are You Looking For an Elegant Diamond Ring?

Days are gone when you could please a girl with a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolate. Today if you want to express your love, you must empty your wallet. But don`t empty your wallet anywhere else. Communicate with loved ones with the help of diamonds. Diamonds are not just mere stones. These are precious stones famous for its brilliance, beauty, price, occurrence or availability, etc.

There are many qualities and features to count, but the feeling of owning or wearing a diamond has a pleasure that can`t be defined by words. One has to experience that feeling of joy himself. If you were fascinated by gold and silver jwellery, then a combination of diamond with gold or silver would bring a smile on your face for sure.

Diamonds can be studded in other metals like platinum, white gold, stainless steel or titanium which is considered as the future metal. If you have the habit of showing off your jwellery in social gatherings then show it to the full extent. If people noticed your golden and silver ornaments then they will never miss the brilliant diamonds over the neck or in your fingers.

Select any shape for diamond to be embedded in your platinum ring. The taste nowadays is the heart shaped diamond rings. It has proved successful in conveying love messages all over the world. Don`t wait for your heart to peep out of your body to express your feelings. Instead choose a heart shaped diamond ring to do so.

By Jitesh Arora

What Makes Up A Diamonds Carat?

A diamond is a gem that is formed far under the surface of the earth by intense pressure. When evaluating a diamond there are generally four things to consider: Clarity, color, cut, and carat. These are called the 4 C's of diamonds. Carat, in terms of gems, is way of describing the weight of the diamond.

The General Conference on Weights and Measures is a meeting that takes place every 4 to 6 years in order to maintain and establish an international standard of measurements. It was at the fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures, in 1907, that the carat was defined. A carat is 200 mg or about .007 ounces. There are a hundred points in a carat that are each 2 mg. In the same way that there are a hundred pennies in a dollar, there are 100 points in a carat.

Special, extremely sensitive, digital scales are now used to measure a diamonds weight, but it was not always this precise. The name carat actually originated from the Greek word for the carob seed. Carob seeds were frequently used to weigh things like gold or diamonds. This is because they had a uniform size and weight, and irregular seeds could be easily picked out by the naked eye.

Generally the higher the diamonds carat, the more it costs. A flawless diamond is called a paragon and weighs at least 100 carats. This is of course very rare and expensive. Most diamonds found in jewelry are considerably less than 100 carats.

A 2 carat diamond will likely be much more expensive than a 1 carat diamond. Sometimes rings and other types of jewelry with multiple diamonds are described in total carat weight (TCW). This includes the combined weight of all of the diamonds in the piece of jewelry. The price of a diamond is actually frequently described in weight per carat.

While a diamonds weight or carat is important, it is only part of the equation when grading a diamond. The cut, clarity, and color of the diamond will all also play an important role in determining its value. When buying a diamond for yourself or a loved one it is important to take all of these factors into consideration, but finding the right size is very important. Remember that the larger the finger, the smaller the diamond looks, and of course the inverse is true. Take this into consideration when modeling the ring on yourself or the sales person. A diamond with a higher carat does not always look bigger to the naked eye. This is because the cut of the diamond can make it look larger than it actually is. Also if size is a factor, but you are on a budget, consider a diamond with a lower color grade, but a good cut and carat.

Diamonds make a great gift for your family, friends, and for yourself. They can be a large investment though, so it is important to understand how they are valued. If you familiarize yourself with the 4 C's and the different types of diamonds available, you will be able to purchase a diamond that will bring you or a loved one much happiness.

By Brad Brubaker

Conflict Diamonds

Diamonds are beautiful stones that are formed deep below the Earths surface. Their shine and brilliance are some factors that make them so popular and valuable. They are also the hardest material known to man, so they have many practical uses in business and manufacturing. Most people purchase their diamonds from a jeweler or online retailer. Diamonds have actually led a very full life by the time they ever end up in a store, and many are well over 3 billion years.

Diamonds are of immense value and like many things of value; they have been frequently used to fund violence and to organize government resistance. Diamonds that are used for this purpose are called conflict diamonds. A large percent of the world's diamonds come from Africa. Rough diamonds, diamonds that have not been cut or polished, have been used extensively to fund wars and buy arms by rebels and revolutionists in Africa and throughout the world.

The world first took note of conflict diamonds during a very violent conflict in Sierra Leone. This was in the late 90's, but diamonds have been used to fund violence in Africa and abroad since their discovery in Africa. The fighting in Sierra Leone propelled this practice to the front pages of papers around the world, and the UN passed a resolution banning the importation of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone.

This resolution spearheaded what was to become the Kimberly Process in 2003. The Kimberly Process is aimed at ensuring that only non-conflict diamonds are purchased. As more and more governments and leaders in the diamond industry embrace the Kimberly Process, the amount of blood diamonds has shrunk, and it is estimated that 99% of diamond available to the public are conflict free.

The Kimberly Process requires that shipments of rough diamonds are thoroughly checked at each border. They must be transported in tamper resistant shipping containers and have a valid Kimberly Process Certificate. The shipment may only be sent to other countries that participate in the Kimberly Process, and a shipment can not be imported or exported unless it has been certified.

Members of the diamond industry have also taken many actions to self govern their actions. Many in the diamond industry have continued to boycott the purchase of diamonds that are used to fund wars, and have created a zero-tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds. They have decided that all members of the diamond industry must ensure that they do not buy uncertified diamonds, or ones from an unknown or suspect supplier.

When purchasing a diamond it is important to ensure that the dealer actively complies with the Kimberly Process. The Kimberly Process requires that a warranty is provided with each purchase to guarantee that their diamonds are free from conflict. A company that does not follow the Kimberly Process is immediately expelled from all diamond industry institutions, and may risk governmental sanctions or punishment.

A diamond can be a beautiful thing, but if it is used to spill the blood of others then it is no longer a thing of beauty. When purchasing diamonds, ensure that the dealer participates actively in the Kimberly process, to make certain that you do not unintentionally fund violence or war.

By Sarah Langley

The Trend For Diamond and Ruby Wedding Rings

One of the latest trends in formal jewelry is engagement rings that feature a splash of brilliant red flash. Gone is the virginal row of white diamonds that used to identify the old fashioned wedding ring. Today you are just as likely to see diamond and ruby wedding rings embracing the fourth fingers of new brides.

These diamond and ruby wedding rings come in all kinds of interesting and creative designs. One of the most popular styles of engagement ring is the single large solitary ruby that is set in a band of diamonds. This color scheme then can be complimented by a ring of white diamonds, red rubies or a ruby and diamond circlet that serves as the wedding band. The visual effect of the blood red ruby wedding band is particularly startling against the whiteness of a diamond. It is also flattering on any color of skin.

So why choose a ruby and diamond wedding ring over just diamonds? It might just have to do with the symbolism of the color red. Red symbolizes love, warmth and vitality. In Feng Shui it is considered to be the color of prosperity. It also looks particularly good cut in a heart shape and surrounded by diamonds in the ring. The diamond and ruby wedding ring is also very romantic. The glittering red ruby provides stark contrast to the glittering white diamonds, kind of like Snow White and Rose Red.

The word ruby comes form the Latin word "rubens" which means "red." Ruby red is a color in itself and is used to refer to brilliant reds that are warm and fiery in color. The stone also symbolizes fire and blood, which of course equates to erotic and sexual passion. The flashing of its natural fire also symbolizes the beating of the human heart. A diamond and ruby wedding ring set is the perfect mix of Fire and Ice.

Rubies are also rare gemstones and much rarer than diamonds. In a way their specialness says something about that once in a lifetime love. It is also a very durable stone with excellent hardness so like a diamond it is worth your investment.

Diamond and ruby wedding rings also have a bit of a cachet when it comes to being popular with the funky or new age set. A ruby band is the perfect gift of jewellry for a woman who is a Buddhist or Hindu. This is because for the longest time, rubies came from India. In fact in Sanskrit, the Ruby is called the "ratnarj" which means the "King of the Gemstones."

Officially the ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral. The sapphire also belongs to this family of minerals, which are among the hardest on earth. On the Moh scale of hardness they register a 9, which is second only to the hardness of diamonds.

The red color of a ruby can be attributed to the presence of a combination of or any number of the following elements in the stone: iron, titanium, vanadium and chrome. Chrome is the element responsible for the tinting of most fine quality ruby gem stones. Rubies that contain chrome have the deepest red color. However they are also the smallest rubies as too much of this element causes the stones to crack while they are growing. That is why it is so rare to find a large bright red ruby. In fact the smaller the ruby you buy, the more chrome it is likely to contain and the redder it is likely to be.

The fact that chrome causes so many fissures in the brightest and reddest of rubies is also why it can be hard to find a stone that does not have any inclusions. The ruby simply cracks before it can be harvested as a large rock. Unless it is made in a laboratory (the Russians have perfected this art) you are not likely to find a ruby gemstone for a ring that is larger than 3 carats. Rubies that are larger than this and especially ones that have no flaws or inclusions are more expensive than even the largest of diamonds.

The absolutely most expensive rubies are the Star Rubies. When cut in a half shape it displays a star with six rays that moves across the surface of the stones. If such a stone does appeal to you keep in mind that the ones with the best value have a star that shines in the center of the stone and not slightly off to the side of the gem.

When shopping for a diamond and ruby wedding rings you might want to consider what professional jewelers refer to as "the silk of the ruby." This is a deep glow that some rubies have that also gives them a soft yet brilliant appearance. This effect, which is caused by a hundreds of microscopic scars in the stone, is also sometimes referred to as "asterism." The rubies that boast complete asterism are the Star Rubies.

Compared to most stones, rubies also express a great deal of "personality". This is because they come in different qualities of silkiness, asterism and also in different hues of red. The color of a ruby is greatly determined by where it comes from. For instance the orange and bluish hue of the Burmese Ruby is particular to gem stones from Burma and the ancient mines from the Mogok Stone Track (also known as the Valley of Rubies) in the North of Myanmar India.

Another interesting and quite trendy ruby are the blue black varieties that are mined near the city of Mong Hsu in the North-East of Myanmar. These rubies often appear to be purple or black in the center. Sometimes these rubies are treated with heat to get rid of the dark core and give the stone a lustrous deep blood red color. These heat-treated rubies are among the less expensive choices if you are looking for a ruby band.

Other color variations include purple rubies from Vietnam and the orange and brown hued "Siam" ruby color from Thailand. The raspberry red ruby, originally from Ceylon, is incredibly rare today as the mines in that region have been depleted of their precious stores.

What is nice about a ruby is that you can match the color of the stone to suit the preferences of the bride. Like people, rubies display quite a bit of personality and like a soul mate, the ruby with the perfect hue can take a lot of time and effort to find.

By Enid Edginton

Diamond Rings - Quality Diamonds

Diamonds are commonly judged and appraised by the "four Cs": Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut. If budget is not much of a constraint, always buy quality diamond ring. Diamond ring is a lifetime investment. Whether buy solitaire diamond ring or set with multiple diamonds, diamond ring is always in fashion and always in demand and perhaps that's why it is popular as 'diamonds are forever'

Diamond ring is becoming affordable now with the improved mining and cutting techniques plus rise in income levels. More and more women working now and becoming self-sufficient and financially independent. Diamond ring is the preferred choice of most women.

Diamond ring is made of various metals such as gold (yellow or white), platinum or palladium. The most traditional of diamond ring metal is gold.

Yellow gold - the most traditional of ring metals; for many gold is a symbol of the warmth, love of a marriage and prospects.

White gold - very much trendy because it coordinates with both silver and platinum jewelry, yet is cheaper than platinum.

Platinum - because it's not mixed with the lesser metals that gold rings are, platinum is safe for those with alloys. However, you'll pay more for platinum than for gold.

To choose the best carat weight of diamond, consider her style, the size of her finger, the size of your setting, and your budget. If you have a set budget to buy diamond ring, explore all your options and you'll find that there is a wide range of diamond carat weights and qualities available in your price range. Also the smaller the finger, the larger the diamond will appear. A 1½-carat diamond solitaire looks much larger on a size 4 finger than a size 8.

Choose diamond ring that you feel is expressive of your style and personality. Diamond ring now come in all kinds of styles, design and price range.

Diamond name is derived from the ancient Greek adamas (invincible). Diamonds have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India. Diamond ring is always classic and timeless fashion statement.

Unlike many other gems in the market, diamonds are well-suited to daily wear because of its resistance to scratching and are preferred for designing and setting in diamond ring, and are worn every day by women and men.

The most important factor when buying diamond ring is to look at the way the diamond is cut, its proportion and symmetry. How the light reflects on diamond surface is very important? Diamond ring made with badly cut will neither have brilliance nor high market value. It really is the human factor, the craftsmanship that goes into the shaping the diamond, which makes all the difference. An independent international laboratory and institutions such as GIA, EGL, DCLA, HRD, IGI, and AGS certify the diamonds.

By Kheri Chawla

How To Clean Diamond Jewelry in 4 Easy Steps

Many people often ask how to clean their diamond jewelry so that it is brilliant and full of fire. Diamonds attract grease and dirt like a magnet. Lotions, creams, hairspray, makeup and perfume form a film over your diamonds over time and make them look dull and lifeless.

After years of experience, we have found that the following method is one of the surest ways to keep your diamonds clean and brilliant if cleaning at home. It is a simple yet effective method that takes no more than fifteen to twenty minutes of your time. This method is not advisable for Pearl or Emerald jewelry or for any gemstone jewelry that has been enhanced.

1. Mix one part Mr. Clean (available at most major supermarkets) to eight parts of hot water. (Water does not need to be boiling hot).

2. Carefully soak your diamond jewelry for a short period of time in this solution - approximately 10 - 15 minutes is usually enough. (Reminder: Please do not put pearl jewelry or emerald jewelry into this solution - pearls are too soft and some emeralds may discolor).

3. Remove all your diamond jewelry slowly and gently brush off residue and dirt with a SOFT bristle toothbrush.

4. Rinse well with water, set jewelry aside to let air dry. You now have diamond jewelry that sparkles and is full of fire and brilliance.

By Nikki K

Buying Diamond Rings Online

One of the most neglected channels through which diamond rings can be purchased is the Internet. Very seldom do ring buyers realize that it is more than possible to acquire desirable, quality rings online at knock-down prices, delivered to your door. Whilst the more traditional route may be to buy your ring with the help of a local jeweler, the online route is far more cost effective and can result in a significant cost saving on the item you choose. Whilst this does allow for enhanced quality in your final choice of ring, the Internet is by no means a foolproof way of shopping, and it does give rise to a number of inherent problems for the potential ring buyer.

Buying a ring online is a great way to save money. You could literally save hundreds on an identical ring online as compared to its shop price, and you can be pretty sure that you'll find something that's suitable on that great big shop we call the Internet. However it isn't as straightforward as order a CD or groceries from an online retailer - this is a big item of expenditure, and it's important to think about the safety aspects of the transaction as well as the benefits of the online buying process.

The best bit of advice anyone can take when buying a diamond ring online is to do so through a credit card. Credit cards offer automatic buyer protection, allowing the disgruntled customer to effect a 'chargeback' where they have not received the product in question. Whilst this is far from ideal for the retailers who are not immediately secure in their payments, it is perfect to protect customers from retailers (particularly online) who are intent on scamming and ripping off engagement ring buyers.

Secondly it is important to be wary with your personal and bank information, particularly the details shown on the face of your card. Don't let anyone see your details and be sure to type them in to secure sites only to prevent your information being used for other purposes. Particularly when you're dealing in large amounts of money as will be the case with engagement ring purchases, the Internet leaves you vulnerable to hackers and identity thieves who will stop at nothing to rip you off.

Of course, the Internet is also a good way to realize a bargain - but only if you are careful. Make sure you buy from a reputable retailer that has established a name for themselves in the offline market where possible. Look to friends for recommendations or forums online where a number of people report good customer experiences from a particular site. Always look for safety icons on any particular website from which you intend to buy, and look and verify memberships to external regulatory authorities and organisations. A bit of research goes a long way in finding an online jeweler that can provide security and value for money, and you might just end up regretting your decision if you don't exercise due diligence prior to purchase.


By Guna Seelan

Diamond Rings - Anniversary Diamond Rings

Dazzle your princess with sparkling diamond rings!

Diamond rings are now a fashion statement. In modern world, quality and style of diamond jewelry defines a woman's persona and her desire to look more elegant and beautiful. The uniqueness of the form of them has fascinated many women and powerful men through the centuries. The most classical of diamond rings has one "solitaire" diamond, or a "trilogy" of diamonds made of three diamonds representing love - past, present and future. Diamond rings as a gift from loved ones are truly a symbol of love and commitment.

Diamond rings are really becoming trendy now days. Nearly up to 80% of potential brides receive a diamond as an engagement ring! When it comes to making a fashion statement with jewelry, women prefer to sport a glittery diamond or two on her fingers.

They are not limited to celebrities or high fashion models or rich and affluent only but have become very much affordable now. The 21st century woman is outgoing, career oriented and self-sufficient.

The size of the diamonds in current styles of diamond rings has also grown from the average one carat to over three carats. But one doesn't have to spend fortune. Diamonds are now more affordable than ever and one can easily find ones similar in style to one's favorite star celebrities without having to spend thousands of dollars.

Diamond rings are available in various designs and price range and are perfect fit for any work place, party or at a ceremonial gathering. Weddings are a big occasion for diamond rings, especially as engagement rings, wedding bands, and even as small token gifts for the immediate family.

Latest statistics of trend in diamond jewelry suggests that the purchase of square-cut diamond engagement rings has gone up from a modest 9 % a decade ago to its current 32% in the American diamond engagement ring market. Yet hardly marks the end of the round-cut diamond engagement ring. Round-cut diamond engagement rings are still the traditional and the most popular choice for most men and women.

Traditionally, the engagement ring is a diamond ring presented by the groom to the bride. Since the engagement ring is such an important part of the wedding, there is a lot to know about rings and about the prospective bride's preference and choice.

It is important to know her ring size. Either you can take one of her ring to any jeweler to find out the actual ring size or you might also ask her sister or mother, or anyone close to her who may perhaps know her ring size. Diamond rings are set in white or yellow gold, or platinum and titanium.

Diamond professionals use four factors to value any diamond, and you should use the same standards to buy the diamond engagement ring. And they are Four C's: Color, cut, clarity and carats.

By Kheri Chawla

Diamond Wedding Rings - Finding the Perfect Ring

There are countless styles of diamond wedding rings available to purchase from a variety of sources and it is often hard to decide just what style to buy or where to purchase from. Of course there are advantages and disadvantages to buying from each, but with a little guidance, it should be possible to make things easier. The all important factor when looking for diamond wedding rings is budget. This essentially decides what you can or cannot afford. There are alternatives however, for those on a tighter budget than others.

First of all we will start with diamond wedding rings set with a single stone. The least expensive option is to opt for 9ct gold, set with a single small diamond. This can be flush set within the band, which itself can be one of a number of profiles. By profile, we mean the shape of the ring when viewed as a cross section. Court profiles are curved slightly on the outside and inside, whilst flat profiles are just that. Other variations include the flat topped court which is flat on the outside and curved on the inside and the D-shape which is curved on the outside and flat on the inside. It is often best to match the profile to that of the engagement ring. Just remember diamonds can be set into any profile. One important consideration though is the depth of the wedding ring. Enough depth has to exist for the diamond to be set. Otherwise, the diamond will push into the finger as it is worn. Your jeweler will check the depth of both diamond and wedding ring before any diamonds are set.

Your choice of diamond shape is entirely personal, but it is a good idea to match this to the shape of the diamonds in your engagement ring.

For something a little more lavish, multiple diamonds, flush or channel set will provide a wonderful show. Very small diamonds can be set across the ring or along the ring. Wider ring widths will accommodate more diamonds and will provide a larger canvas into which diamonds can be arranged.

One of the most expensive metals currently has to be Platinum. Prices have risen greatly and this metal has become even more of a luxury in recent months. It remains the most pure, rare and eternal of metals for jewellery and is ideal for diamond setting. Due to the hardness and permanence of the metal, never wearing, it will provide a high quality and permanent wedding ring in which to have diamonds set. With modern techniques, diamonds can be precision set in the most intricate designs imaginable. If you have a particular design in mind, it is possible to create a wedding ring to your exact specifications. This can be done by creating a wax model of your wedding ring maybe based around the shape of your engagement ring. When this is done, a wedding ring can be cast in any metal and then set with stones to create any diamond wedding ring desired.

Finally let us mention where to purchase from. Diamond wedding ring websites provide a cost effective method of purchase. Many provide excellent prices in comparison to the high street. The latter will provide you with a chance to try on your ring before purchase which is an advantage to buying online. Each has its advantages which must be weighed up before purchase. Make sure you find out what quality the diamonds are before you purchase and ask as many questions as possible. Most retailers will be happy to answer any questions, whether they are online or within a shop. The most important thing is for you to find your perfect diamond wedding rings.

By M Johnson