Learn About Diamond Before Using Wedding Ring

Before you decide with diamond you want to buy better you understand about the quality and clarification.

DIAMOND is the hardest, rarest, densest natural substance known to man. A precious gemstone composed of pure Carbon. A diamond's quality is rated in accordance with the Four C's: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. While Africa is known as the Diamond continent, it is actually in Australia that the largest reserves are to be found - including the very rare and highly valued pink and red fancy colored diamonds. Diamond is the birthstone for April.

Usually you must understand about 4 C. What is that?

CUT

How well a diamond is cut has a lot to do with the stone's fire and brilliance. Brilliance describes the reflections of white light coming from the diamond. A diamond that is cut either too shallow or too deep will not be as brilliant as a properly cut diamond. Cut should not be confused with shape. To learn about diamond shapes, see above.

COLOUR

Diamonds are graded according to the GIA color chart. The letters D through Z are used to designate a diamond's color with D being colorless and Z-graded stones having a lot of color. Most often thought of as a colorless stone, diamonds also come in a rainbow of fancy colors. Fancy diamonds are very rare, valuable and sought after by collectors.

CLARITY

Clarity refers to the internal clearness or purity of the diamond. Gemstones with the highest clarity contain few or no inclusions (imperfections) in the stone's crystalline structure. Clarity is graded with a 10x magnifier. The clarity rating of a diamond ranges from FL (flawless) to I (inclusions visible to the naked eye).

CARAT WEIGHT

A very accurate unit of weight used for gemstones. The word Carat is derived from the Carob seed, which was used in the days of antiquity as counterweights on scales for small measurements because Carob seeds were extremely similar in weight. The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. Total carat weight (T.W.) is the total weight of all the stones in a piece of jewelry. One carat is equal to 100 points. The term carats is often confused with "Karats". "Karat" is a measurement of gold purity and has no relationship to the term Carats. The price per carat rises dramatically as the diamond increases in size, simply because larger diamonds are rarer, and found less frequently. Diamonds of the same carat weight vary widely in price, because of other factors that include clarity, cutting or proportion, and color.

Every Women Loves A Diamond Ring

As you are deciding on which wedding rings you and your beloved desire to wear as a symbol of your undying love for one another you may be interested in how this practice came about and the true meaning of wedding rings. The symbolism and rituals are in everything we do today; in particular is the fact when a man or women commits their love to their significant other and gives them the promise of marriage. Certainly, the circle of a ring represents undying love and the continually renewed vows of the married couple. Rings have been used as a symbol of love for many years.

During the 15th century and only few people were able to have diamonds in the rings above all other types of gems, diamonds was known to be the ultimate gem and symbol with properties that no other gemstone posses, it also has the ability to resist incredible forces of destruction. Titanium is one of the most precious metals when producing wedding rings, it is more beautiful than gold or platinum and the quality and the value it posses is a incredible symbol of the love of two people.

When looking back in history the fourth finger has been seen as the symbol of love, the symbol of trustworthiness, faithfulness, and fidelity. It was thought that the fourth finger contained a special vein that was connected directly to the heart, and therefore this became the official finger for the wedding band.

A popular engagement ring for women is the round diamond brilliant cut. The diamond can be crafted into many different sizes and shapes, so when choosing tempt your fiancé with the clarity and sparkle of the different types of diamonds. Wedding rings hold a deep meaning, even though most of the people look at the aesthetic value.

You're no longer limited to gold and platinum as the only choices for wedding rings. When choosing a metal that is similar to white gold but much more durable than it a good choice is platinum. White gold goes with platinum or silver and it coordinates with or most fabrics; platinum is a hard metal which makes it very durable for the couples long lasting love.

As more men celebrate their marriage by the wearing of a wedding ring, mens diamond rings are fast becoming the new mens fashion. Titanium is creating a new look and setting new standards as the classiest materials used in rings, many men are turning to this type of metal. Titanium is setting a standard in the looks of contemporary mens wedding bands.

When planning for a wedding something to consider is the purchase of the wedding rings since wedding usually go over budget it would be a good idea to set a budget and follow a plan when planning the wedding. As the wedding approaches and time seems to move quicker trying to find the ring that is right for you and for the price that you can afford will be one the stressful factors you will need to deal with. The style, color will effect the price of the ring while the size and width of the ring band will normally not have an effect on the price of the ring.

By David Marc Fishman

How To Buy A Diamond Engagement Ring

I say this in jest, of course, because as we all know, women are to blame for bank account liquidation in the name of the ideal finger bauble. Okay, so maybe I do not believe that either, but I can say with confidence that many men do (some of them even write for AskMen.com). In particular, men who have been through costly divorces and would love to have the 10 grand back that they spent on that pear-shaped rock set on a white gold band. But when you think about it, society fuels unrealistic expectations for not just the perfect engagement ring, but also the perfect everything : Sex life, marriage, children, body, career, and life in general.

So try to separate yourself from every other couple, diamond engagement ring and lofty expectation set before you as you strive to kick-start your personal path to nuptial bliss with not the perfect ring, but the perfect ring for your woman and your circumstance.

That said, here are some factors to consider:


The cost of the ring
Jewelry is expensive. Good jewelry is even more expensive. Good jewelry with diamonds is... you get the point here, men. When you start to devise a budget for your ring and solicit advice on the matter, the two-month rule will come up. That is, your salary over a two, or even three-month period, is a common benchmark to judge how much to spend, according to Mr. Pius Kaufmann, a diamond expert and founder of the exclusive Kaufmann de Suisse jewelry stores, with locations in Montreal, New York and Palm Beach. Take that to mean whatever you want it to. Some men spend more because they may have other disposable income from another source and some men spend less and find a more than acceptable ring to bestow on their significant other. The choice is yours. I suggest you shop around, talk to jewelers, surf the Web for resources on the subject and of course, talk to other men who have done the deed.


The four C's
To determine the best price for your ring, you need to familiarize yourself with the four C's, unless of course, you don't plan to buy her a diamond engagement ring. But if, like the vast majority of the population, you opt to, do recognize that more than any other factors, carat, clarity, color, and cut determine the cost of a diamond.

Carat
The concept here is simple: Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. The more carats, the more your bank balance falls. But remember that bigger is not always better. It all depends on the blend of the other diamond characteristics and also, the size of her finger. If your honey has a slender frame and small hands, a 1-carat stone is enough to make a statement.

Clarity
Evaluators of diamonds base part of the price on luster and sheen. These relate to the clarity of the stone. You can spend less on a very large but cloudy diamond for example, than on a small but transparent and shiny one. Diamonds are the most durable compounds on earth and the amount of pressure it takes to cut one is immense. Inclusions (an industry term) form and as a result, there are grades to rate specific diamonds for clarity. The important thing to bear in mind, however, is that the less flaws visible to the naked eye, the more expensive the stone. Keep that in mind as you shop around.

Color
People, rather women, prize the sparkle or refraction of light from a white diamond above all else. The more color one has, the less sparkle there is. Hence, the price rises. There are color grades for diamonds, from D-E-F (clear) to V-W-X (yellow tint), that you must balance with the clarity grade to determine what stone is best for your lady and budget.

A final note about color: The standards above refer to white diamonds. "Fancy" color diamonds, such as the pink one Ben gave to J-Lo, are very rare and out of reach for most.

Cut
Cut may be the most elusive C to understand. A good cut predisposes the amount of light that can enter into the stone, refract and emit that brilliant quality that people love in a diamond. Rather than go into the specifics of this C (trust me, this is heady stuff), I suggest you read up on it yourself (you'll find a link at the end of the article in the Resources).


Certification of diamond
There are some shady characters out there that claim they can sell you a 2-carat diamond for a crazy price. Do not believe the hype. That diamond is bound to be cubic zirconium or more to the point, glass. Hey, maybe you want glass. Be my guest. But if it's a diamond you seek, buy from a reputable jeweler who can certify the stone. That is, when you purchase the ring, you will receive a certificate of authenticity that is, in essence, a blueprint of the diamond. The document will outline the characteristics of the stone, but not the price. Make sure the issuer is either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS).

Pius Kaufmann, with almost 50 years of experience in the business and global recognition as one of the foremost diamond experts, has this advice for men about to purchase their first diamond:

"Look for a jeweler you know you can trust. One that has a good reputation in the community and one that has been in business for many years."

"Does the quality of the merchandise adhere to the highest standards? Look at the workmanship -- the inside of the diamond should be as beautifully finished as the outside. Make sure the setting work is done with the utmost perfection, as you would not want to risk losing a stone you cherish."

By Lawrence Mitchell

Buy A Diamond Engagement Ring Without Making A Mistake

An engagement ring may be the single most important purchase that you make in your lifetime. No pressure, right? Ring shopping, particularly if the ring is a surprise, can be overwhelming because there is much you need to know to avoid making a poor choice. Before you begin consider a budget, quality, cut and style. Two months salary is the traditional guideline for how much you should spend; however, your circumstances and preferences should also be taken into consideration.

Some important diamond basics: Carats are the unit of measure in which diamonds are weighed. While the size of the diamond you purchase is important, the biggest stones are not always best. You must also consider the shape, cut, and clarity of a diamond to determine it's value. Diamonds come in many shapes--pear, round, square, rectangular, marquise, oval and even heart-shaped. Cut does not refer to the shape, it refers to the number and angle of the facets cut into the stone. Facets reflect light and determine the diamonds sparkle and brilliance. A diamond that is too broad and shallow will not reflect as much light. A narrow deep diamond will have similar problems. The brilliant round cut in a yellow gold setting is the most common and one of the most attractive choices. Your significant other may prefer bolder and more daring shapes and settings so pay attention to her other jewelry and hints she may drop about her likes and dislikes.

Diamonds also vary in color. Generally, the less color the better when it comes to the quality of the diamond. Some diamonds may appear unflatteringly yellowish or cloudy; however, a few colors of diamonds are extremely rare and can have a higher value. Clarity goes hand in had with color. Imperfections and flaws in the stones, although they may be imperceptible to the average person's eye, lower the value of diamonds.

Now that you have picked a diamond it's time to look at settings. The variety of styles is staggering. The solitaire set in yellow gold is possibly the most common setting. White gold, titanium, and platinum are also excellent choices. Be sure your setting has a sturdy set of prongs to hold the diamond in place. The beauty of the center stone is often accentuated with smaller stones. This is an easy way to make the diamond look bigger. A Bezel setting completely surrounds the center stone. When choosing the setting take your fianc's personality into account. If she prefers simple elegant clothing she will likely admire the same quality in a ring.

By: Lulu Dallas

Famous Diamonds and Their Appraisals

A Diamond appraisal is basically a clinical process that is 75% objective and scientific, and 25% subjective, being based on personal judgment. That is because three of the four criteria used by diamond dealers to evaluate stones prior to purchasing from diamond wholesalers are based on measurements; carat, or mass and weight, color and clarity, whereas the fourth criterion is cut. This is important; certified loose diamonds that are cut properly are worth far more than those that are not.

In short, diamond appraisal is a somewhat dry and academic exercise in which a dollar value is placed on a stone that throughout history has been surrounded by fabulous legends and to which has been attributed mystical and even supernatural qualities. When dealing with diamond wholesalers, it is good to know the business end of matters and know that what you are purchasing are certified loose diamonds that have been subject to a thorough diamond appraisal; however, one should not lose sight of the romance and mystery that surrounds these rare and valuable gems.

The Most Famous of Them All

When it comes to mystery and legend, the Hope Diamond tops them all. It is not the largest diamond ever cut, but has had one of the most convoluted and lengthy histories of any diamond in existence.

Like most certified loose diamonds, the Hope Diamond was cut from a larger crystal, which in this case was the Tavenier Blue, a crudely-cut stone that was allegedly mined in the legendary Golconda region of India and stolen from a statue of the Hindu goddess Seeta.

The Tavenier Blue came into possession of a French traveler by the same name in 1660, and eventually became part of the French Crown Jewels. This diamond was stolen during the French Revolution in 1792. The Hope Diamond, which was cut from the Tavenier Blue, surfaced in England in 1812. It eventually wound up in the collection of one Henry Philip Hope in 1824. The diamond came to the U.S. when a Hope descendant, Francis Hope, married an American actress named May Yohe in 1894. It changed hands several times over the next sixty years before New York diamond dealer Henry Winston donated it to the Smithsonian Institution, where it remains on display.

A diamond appraisal and analysis in 2005 confirmed that the Hope Diamond was indeed a piece of the Tavernier Blue; although it has been said to have a “death curse,” the fact is that most people who have had possession of the Hope Diamond died of natural causes at advanced ages.

Other Gems of Fame

Other famous diamonds include the Taylor-Burton, tribute to a tragic couple who could live neither together nor apart; at over 68 carats, it fetched $5 million at auction in 1979. Most recently in 2002, the “Incomparable Diamond” – a huge stone of 407.48 carats – made an appearance on the Internet auction site Ebay. At a reserve price of £15 million UK pounds – over $30 million US dollars and most likely determined by a diamond appraisal – it is small wonder that the gem has remained unsold. It will remain a diamond coveted by professional diamond dealers for years to come.

By Jonathon Blocker

Buying Diamonds: Go Online for all your needs

If you are interested in buying diamonds there are a couple of ways you can go about doing it. You can go to a store in your area that sells diamonds and make a purchase in person. Or on the other hand you can visit one of the online sites that sell diamonds. In the past the majority of people thought that buying diamonds online was too much of a risk. But over the past few years this process has become much more widely accepted.

The great thing about buying diamonds online is that you can do much more than that. In addition to actually making a purchase, you can research the entire diamond industry. And for newcomers this is an absolute necessity.

When buying diamonds online make sure that you know who you are dealing with. There are some online sellers that are reputable, as well as a very small group that are in the business to try and make money off of your mistakes or misinformation. Before you start buying diamonds online ask potential sellers for some background information. You may also want to ask around on different online forums that are dedicated to buying diamonds. The people that frequent these forums are experienced in the diamond industry, and can give you great direction.

Many sites that sell diamonds also offer up a wealth of information on the industry as a whole. They have articles on many different aspects of diamonds, as well as background information on how they import their diamonds. On these sites you can find information on many areas such as pricing, weight, how to buy, and clarity among many other areas. It never hurts to learn as much as you can about diamonds before you actually make a purchase.

When buying diamonds online make sure that your purchase comes with a money back guarantee. This is very important when you buy anything online do to the pure fact that you will not get to physically touch the item before money is exchanged. If you are protected with a money back guarantee you can always send the diamonds back if they do not meet your expectations.

The internet is a great place for buying diamonds, as well as learning a lot about the industry. If you are interested in buying diamonds online, check out as many websites as you can before making a purchase. This will give you the ability to find exactly what you are looking for, and also get background information so that you can make the best possible decision.

Buying diamonds online has become quite popular over the past few years. As more and more companies go this direction, the online diamond industry is only going to continue to increase in popularity.

By: Shayla Susanne