Loose Diamonds - The Perfect Way to Customize Your Jewelry

A loose diamond is the starting point of any beautiful piece of heart felt jewelry. Every piece of jewelry has to start somewhere, and what better place than with a gem? You can rest assured that once upon a time, the diamond in your most treasured piece of jewelry was loose and just waiting for the perfect setting to come sweep it off it's feet.

Whether you are on the market for an engagement ring or a tennis bracelet, a diamond that is loose is a good way to start your shopping experience. Jewelry experts often suggest viewing the loose diamonds at a jewelry shop to make sure that they are high quality before exploring the pieces they have on display. After all, if the unused gems are sub par it's a very safe assumption that the ones that have been set are going to be below your standards as well.

If you're looking for custom jewelry it's even more important to pay close attention to the loose collection at your jewelers and to be sure that the diamond clarity and cut is what you are looking for. Ask your jeweler to show you a variety of sizes so you can decide what is best suited for you needs and style. While some people may enjoy a 2 carat diamond, others may prefer something larger or smaller. The style of jewelry you intend to use the diamond for may also play into your decision on carat size.

A loose princess cut diamond can be a very popular gem for any setting. Princess cut diamonds are actually the second most popular cut of diamond and because of that, the price on them is often higher than other cuts. They are designed to have an extraordinary amount of sparkle and shine which is what makes them such a sought offer gem. A loose princess cut diamond can be transformed into any number of gorgeous types of jewelry though and will result in a keepsake that your loved one will adore for a lifetime.

If you are on the market to buy a loose diamond wholesale lot, you will be surprised at the number of things you have to consider before making a purchase. If you are just breaking into the jewelry industry you have a good bit of research ahead of you. When browsing the sale options you will be given a variety of factors that will help narrow your search. The easy part is having to choose from variety of cuts such as princess, oval or round. Then you will have to select color, diamond clarity and carat ranges. The options available are innumerable, but that's what gives each diamond it's uniqueness.

Regardless of your reason for shopping on the loose diamond market, make sure you do your research before setting out. It doesn't matter if you intend to buy a piece of crafted jewelry, if you want to design a custom engagement ring or if you are just browsing for fun, having a bit of background information will go a long way. No matter which cut, size or color you choose you are guaranteed to end up with a beautiful treasure that your significant other will love.

By Chuck Chass

A Diamond Tennis Bracelet - The Gift That Will Sparkle Like Her Eyes

The gift of a diamond tennis bracelet, or any piece of diamond jewelry is a big commitment. Opening a jewelry box and seeing diamonds revealed is sure to light up your special lady's face though, so if you are ready, it is a gift that will be well worth the reward. Show her that you mean what you say with a hand chosen bracelet.

Picking out the perfect tennis bracelet for a gift can be a daunting task. It is important to take your time and review your options before leaping into a decision, after all, you are buying this for someone special and they are well worth the time. The first thing to do is address your budget and decide just how much you can spend on your gift. Is this going to be a 1 carat diamond tennis bracelet, a 5 carat diamond tennis bracelet or something even larger? Keep in mind that you are also paying for the material the diamonds are set in as well so if you are opting for a white gold diamond tennis bracelet you may have to get fewer carats of diamonds to offset the price.

Once you have an idea of what style of diamond tennis bracelet you are looking for it's time to get out there and start looking. Visit multiple dealers to see what they have to offer. If you get lucky and find a full set of diamond jewelry in your price range including a bracelet, diamond necklace and diamond earrings. Don't turn away from a set that is in your price range just because you are only on the market for a diamond tennis bracelet. If you do stumble upon a set with the design that you are looking for, you can always break it up into three gifts for different occasions.

If you aren't sure which jewelry to choose don't be afraid to ask questions and come back to the same dealer several times. As a matter of fact, it's usually well advised to view diamond jewelry on several separate occasions at different times of day so you can see how it looks in different amounts of natural and artificial light. With such a serious investment you want to make sure that you're getting the perfect gift and not something that you may feel is sub par later on.

After you make your decision and get the diamond tennis bracelet gift wrapped it's time to decide how to present it to your lovely lady. Depending on whether you do it publicly or in private will probably effect your overall presentation. Pick a time and place to give her the gift and make sure that you keep it well hidden until then so you'll get to see her full excitement when she sees the package and even more so when she opens it.

No matter what your budget, you can find the perfect diamond tennis bracelet for the special woman in your life. More carats isn't necessarily better. What really makes the gift special is that thought that goes into it and the person that it comes from. Whether you get her a 1 carat diamond bracelet or a 10 carat bracelet, she is sure to love it and you'll love the light it will bring to her eyes when you put it on her.

By Karl Greskee

The Different Diamond Settings Available to You

I understand that you might not have a lot of information about purchasing an engagement ring or a diamond ring. I also know that you have probably gone into a jeweler and found that the salesperson was not very helpful in giving you the information that you needed. I'm sure that you would also like to know what the different diamond settings available to you are, and how and what you should choose.

Before I start even discussing the different settings available I do recommend that you allocate a budget towards this diamond ring or engagement ring that you're trying to purchase. This will help you narrow down your search to what you are able to purchase seen as though there are so many different looks of diamond rings out there.

The most famous of all settings is the Bezel; it is also the earliest technique of attaching stones to a piece of jewelry. A bezel is a strip of metal bent into the shape and size of the stone and then soldered to the piece of jewelry.

The prong setting is the simplest and most largely used setting, because it uses the least amount of metal to hold the diamond in place. It also shows off the diamond beautifully in this setting. It is basically there to hold up a certain size of stone fixed to the base.

The channel setting is a method where the diamond stands suspended between two strips of metal called channels. Now the channel setting can come in different shapes. If you're using small diamonds, a linear line shape would be best. But, you could also use it in a U-shape as well. Again, the choice is up to you and how you want it to look.

A bead setting is a term used to set a diamond directly into the metal. The way they get the diamonds onto the metal is by drilling into the metal surface and then attaching the diamond onto it. They will then use a certain beading tool to push the diamond into the metal. The look of the diamond that will occur is called a "pave" diamond.

Now that you understand there are different types of settings available for you I am sure you are still nowhere closer to purchasing a diamond ring. This is why I recommend that you make use of the Internet to start searching in your price range for an engagement ring or diamond ring. You will be able to compare the different online jewelers instantly and not have the hassle of dealing with certain sales people.

Before you decide to purchase from an online jeweler you need to make sure that they are reputable, providing you peace of mind when making a purchase online with them. The things they need to offer you are things like a no questions asked money back guarantee if you're not happy with your purchase. They must offer you a certificate of authentication from the gemologist to prove that the diamond is a real diamond. I also recommend making use of a credit card to purchase the diamond ring because you can always phone your credit card company to reverse the transaction if you are not entirely satisfied.

Before purchasing any diamond ring, make sure that you have peace of mind because you do not want to have any regrets. After making a purchase, and if you do, you need to make sure that you have an option to opt out or return the diamond ring. I have managed to find an online jeweler that provides this type of guarantee and service when purchasing from them.

By Luis JJ Teixeira

Diamond Ring Cuts That Suit You Perfectly

If you want to purchase a diamond ring, but don't have an idea what cut fits your finger. This article will help you get out of your predicament enumerated points you have to consider before you start wearing your dream ring.

Know your hand shape. There are four major types of diamond cuts for various hand and finger shape.

1. Rectangular palms with long fingers

Princess cut diamond ring is perfect for ladies that has long fingers. To know that your finger is long or short, measure the length of your middle finger, if it's the same length with your palm, then you have a long fingers. Princess cut diamond rings looks good on a point setting.

This shape also gets away with adventurous jewelry design. You won't get wrong in exploring with this type of cut, your hand and fingers will get away with it.

2. Square palms with short fingers

A step-cut diamond in a bezel setting is perfect for ladies with short fingers and square palms. This will accentuate the diamond and make it look bigger than it actually is, perfect for 1 carat or less.

Marquise cut is also good. The elongated shape of the stone will give your fingers the illusion of length. Oval cut diamonds are also good for ladies that has short fingers

3. Rectangular palms with equally long fingers

Emerald cut is perfect for ladies that have equally long fingers. The angular shape of the stone will accentuate your fingers, especially if the diamond's setting shows of the diamond well

4. Square palms with long, slender fingers

A heart or pear-cut diamond ring is perfect for ladies that have trim and slender fingers. You will know if your fingers are slender if your middle finger is almost as long as your palm. The unique shape of the diamond will complement to your finger well, making it appear elegant.

Consider your personality

At the end of the day, you would know if your diamond ring cut fits you if it really fits your personality well. If you're comfortable with it, wear it.

By Robert A Hull

Purity Rings - The Real Deal With Having One

Purity is said to have made a comeback, and what better way to express your vow for purity than with precious purity rings. With popular young celebrities proclaiming their vows to stay pure until they get married, namely the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Jordin Sparks, purity rings have gained the spotlight and becoming a popular choice for a good majority of teenagers.

These rings are also known as chastity rings or promise rings. Most of the time, they are embellished with words like "True Love Waits," or "One Life One Love," constantly serving as a reminder to the wearer about his or her commitment to chastity and waiting for the right one.

This practice was originally started during the 1990's and was a way to discourage premarital sex among young people especially. Today, decades after the movement was first started, purity rings are still popular.

Chastity rings are usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand by a person who has decided to commit to purity until marriage.

Other times, they are worn as necklaces around the neck. Despite the influence of movies and television, the concept of chastity is slowly gaining popularity again. Teens and kids who want to showcase their individuality and commit to their faith or simply just decided to remain celibate until marriage will find having purity rings as a good way to get their message across.

This will separate them from their peers who freely give into sex without much thought of the possible consequences.

By Chris Bradley

Blue Diamond Rings

Diamond Ring is one of the most desirable, exorable, fabulous and precious jewelry one can ever have. It is such an important symbol that the focus point of most memorable movie "The Titanic" is blue diamond necklace, which is called the heart of the Ocean. Today, they are among the most luxurious and popular gemstone jewelry.

A mine slave found the rarest blue diamond in 1698. Later on, it was bought by Thomas Pitt who was the grandson of William Pitt by whom Pennsylvania was found. That diamond was colorless with lean blue ting and was sent to England for it's cutting thus result in excellent cut stone, 140-carat rich diamond which was bought by the Duke of Orleans in 1717 later on and renamed the diamond after his name. French royal family members and Bonaparte of Napoleon used it. Today in Louver Museum, it is the French Royal Treasury.

It is a universal fact that diamond rings are so rare and expensive that usually people cannot afford it for a single second. They are far higher in cost as compared to other colorless diamonds but blue diamond really means a precious jewelry. They are only used by royals, kings, queens and other members of princes.

The symbol of diamond ring is The Hope Diamond. Usually, it is set in platinum or in white gold but blue diamond also becomes invaluable and striking in appearance in yellow gold as well. In styles, there are many famous like solitaire, a triangle cut, a step cut and with 58 facets. In 58 facets style, it will give a diamond most glimmering and sparkling looks when anyone will wear it in the ring. They are mostly liked and worn by princess and duchess. Today blue diamond rings, which are available, are often treated or enhanced.

By Sarah Nabila

Celtic Wedding Rings of Love

There is nothing more beautiful than two people celebrating their love through marriage. And a lot of couples choose Celtic wedding rings to solidify that love. They believe not only in its beauty but the symbolic meanings behind each design.

Celtic wedding rings are available in platinum, white gold, yellow gold and silver. Although the most expensive, many marrying couples prefer the platinum ring because it is the most durable. For those who can't afford platinum rings, white gold and yellow gold are the next best choice. They're not as expensive, and they're the next most durable ring. If budget is a bit tight, silver rings are the ones to choose. Don't worry, though, designs are not sacrificed and it will still be beautiful.

Marrying couples can also opt to have gemstones with their Celtic wedding rings. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds add more beauty to an already beautiful ring. These gemstones can be used in several ways, including as studs on the band of the ring or as one ring in the center.

When it comes to the design, there are many to choose from for Celtic wedding rings. And it usually differs with the knots used. Circular knots usually mean eternity and a life forever with each other. These are the most popular designs marrying couples choose for their rings. There are also angular knots available, and these rings symbolize stability and foundation.

Most knots represent life, mankind and even spirituality. Square knots, or shield knots, are meant to ward off evil spirits or bad intentions. Spirals signify rebirth or life cycles. The presence of man or animals on a Celtic wedding ring represents the relationship between man and nature or man and man.

Some favorite designs and knots for Celtic wedding rings include the Eternity Knot, the Trinity Knot, the Lover's Knot and Triskele. The Eternity Knot is any knot that has a closed path with no definite beginning and end. It symbolizes eternal life.

The Trinity Knot is a knot with three points connected into a triangle. Catholic and Celtic beliefs merged with the Trinity Knot. The knot represents the Holy Trinity, according to Catholic beliefs, and the Triple Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic belief. It symbolizes spiritual growth, eternal life and a love that never ends.

The Lover's Knot is any knot that connects what would otherwise be separate paths. The Josephine Knot, or Granny's Knot, can be considered a Lover's Knot. The Triskele has three interlocking spirals. These spirals could represent many things, including fertility, the phases of the moon, reincarnation and creation, preservation and destruction. The Triskele design is located at the center and surrounded with the couple's initials. It can also be seen as a symbol of commitment and eternity.

There are so many designs to choose for a Celtic wedding ring. The infinity band is a popular choice as it represents eternal and never-ending love for each other's partner. It has no beginning and no end and is available in silver, white gold, yellow gold and platinum. Its simple design also makes it an inexpensive choice, especially for the ones with a tight budget.

The Trinity Knot symbolizes perfection because it represents the Holy Trinity or the Triple Gods and Goddesses of the Celts. These rings can be dressed up with gold trims or be made as an inset ring to allow for resizing. The Trinity Knots can be placed all around the band or one by one around the band. The Celtic Knot has no beginning and no end and can be dressed up in a lot of ways. You can add yellow gold or white gold trim, add squares in between the knots or have the knots wrap around the entire band.

Who would have thought picking out Celtic wedding rings would require you to make so many choices? Still, it is worth the effort because it symbolizes a partnership and a lifelong commitment. So choosing the knot is important, and if it surrounds the entire band and has gold trims it will serve as a constant reminder of a couple's love for one another.

By Andy West

Chocolate Diamond Rings

When I first heard about chocolate diamond rings, I was puzzled. Is it a fancy term for the newest product from Hershey's? It was later that I found out that this unique jewelry item is created with chocolate diamonds, which are members of the brown diamond family. Other diamonds under this category would be champagne, cinnamon, cognac, clove and honey diamonds.

A chocolate diamond is given its name because of its color. The diamond is brownish in hue, giving it that "chocolatey" color. They can be sorted into three main categories: synthetic, natural, and heat-treated. Brown synthetic diamonds are created by incorporating nickel and nitrogen in to the diamond, giving it that brown color; these types of chocolate diamonds are easily identified due to the nickel content. Natural chocolate diamonds are by its term "naturally" made. These diamonds get their colors due to extended lattice defects, with discoloration being the most likely candidate. Treating lattice defects by applying heat creates heat-treated diamonds. This process would make the diamonds lighter in color than the dark chocolate varieties.

Chocolate diamonds have their own unique characteristics and are made more beautiful by having a gold setting. Most of the chocolate diamond rings available are set in 18K gold and are normally paired with white diamonds. There are websites available that offer different settings for your ring.

Some people may still not be open to the idea of having a chocolate diamond for an engagement ring, as the ideal would be to have a classic diamond for engagement. Personally, I think they have a really unique and playful appeal. Imagine saying, "I got engaged and I got this yummy chocolate diamond ring!" For those who may not be familiar with these unique accessories, it would sound intriguing - a good start to a conversation!

By Scarlett Miller

Diamond Ring - Insurance and Care

A good diamond ring is one of the very expensive things, a person can have. Its care and safety is very important. Most of the people forget insuring it and in case of its damage or loss, they suffer because of the fact that they can't afford a new one. Its insurance is not that much simple. In fact, most of the companies don't insure it just on the normal policy of the customer and the others insure it just for the case of theft, not for damage or loss.

All the things should be made clear before ensuring it. Knowledge of insurance cost is very important and customer should discuss its impact on the policy with the insurance company representative. Second very important thing to be discussed is the mode of recovery when insurance is claimed. Some companies pay the money to the customer so that he could buy the new one while others simply send a new ring to the customers.

Some of the companies which also insure the damage have their own workers which can repair the damaged one. Others make an estimate of the damage and then have a good jeweler to make the repair.

It is very important to care for diamond ring as a good one is very difficult to find and normal methods of cleaning can't be applied on it. If a person doe's household works while wearing it, its shine fades. Most of the jewelers cover diamonds with protective and shining coats to enhance their attractiveness for the customers. This also makes its shining long lasting. To remove dirt, the best method is to soak it in soap water for some time and then a brush can be used to clean it. Soft cloth should be used to dry it. Scratches can be avoided by keeping it in a separate box, away from the other jewelry.

By Sarah Nabila

Yellow Diamonds - A Brief Guide

Yellow Diamonds have always been valued for their beautiful colour, classy look, exotic appeal and mystic qualities. They look especially nice in the form of a ring. So, if you still haven't seen these beauties, you are in for a magnificent surprise. Yellow diamonds rings are doing the rounds in the fashion world and attracting a ton of attention.

These diamonds come in a wide range, and can be worn in the form of rings, earrings, pendants etc. If you are looking to make an impression at a party, these are the perfect choice. They are not as loud as other coloured diamonds, but yet they have a sophisticated and classy feel to them. They might not make people go green with envy but they will delight you by their sheer presence. So, get yourself these beautiful jewels and get ready to party all night!

Just like other diamonds, one needs to consider the four C's while buying diamonds-Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat weight. In the case of yellow diamonds, the most important feature is the colour because that's the characteristic feature. After all, that's why you are choosing a yellow diamond over others. Obviously, you have to consider the other factors as well. Ensure that you buy diamonds from a certified diamond dealer. When you are spending a fortune on these beauties, you must take every measure to certify their quality and standards.

So, let your hair down with a gorgeous set of yellow diamond earrings or a ring and make your presence felt!

By John Newcomb

Diamond Clarity - Flawless, VVS2, Or SI1? A Rating Guide

What does Clarity mean?

When you are shopping for a diamond engagement ring, a diamond pendant, diamond earrings, or any piece of diamond jewelry; one important factor is the "Clarity" of the diamonds that you choose. Clarity is one of the 4Cs that are used in setting the price of diamonds. The definition of clarity is "the quality or state of being clear". Having a diamond without anything inside of it is extremely rare, especially in larger diamonds. Because of this rarity factor, as a diamond becomes "cleaner" it also becomes more expensive.

Of all the diamonds that are mined every year, only about 20% are "clean enough" to be used in diamond jewelry with the other 80% of the diamonds being used for industrial purposes. So if you have a diamond with the highest possible clarity grade then it really is one in a million, making it even that much more special!

What makes up the Clarity of a diamond?

The two factors that will determine a diamond's clarity are the things that are on the outside, these are called blemishes, and the stuff on the inside of the diamond, these are called inclusions. A diamond will almost always have some other things that were caught up inside of it as it was growing below the surface of the earth. Because diamonds are on average 3.3 billions years old, they have grown very slowly. As they grew, the diamond encountered other materials in their neighborhood where they were formed. The process of having something "included" inside of a diamond crystal took hundreds, thousands, or millions of years to happen. So when you see inclusions inside of a diamond it is like looking back in time over millions or even billions of years. Diamonds most commonly have other diamonds captured inside of them... that's pretty cool, you get more than one diamond with your purchase!

Common inclusions are as follows-

* Clouds

* Feathers

* Included crystals or minerals

* Cavities

* Cleavage

* Bearding

* Internal graining

* Needles

* Twinning wisps

Blemishes are the things on the outside of the diamond. Most of these are a result of the diamond cutting process and could be removed by a diamond cutter. These are not such serious items and usually don't play a major part in determining the clarity grade of a diamond.

Common blemishes are as follows-

* Polish lines

* External Graining

* Naturals

* Knots

* Scratches

* Nicks

* Pits

* Chips

* Fracture

* Extra facets

* Cavity

The clarity grades are as follows-

FL (Flawless)- No inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10x magnification when observed by an experienced grader.

IF (Internally Flawless)- Has no inclusions when examined by an experienced grader using 10x magnification, but will still have some minor blemishes.

VVS1 and VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included)- Contains minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10x magnification.

VS1 and VS2 (Very Slightly Included)- Contains minute inclusions such as small crystals, clouds or feathers, when observed with effort under 10x magnification.

SI1 and SI2 (Slightly Included)- Contains inclusions (clouds, included crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers) that are noticeable to an experienced grader under 10x magnification.

I1, I2, I3 (Included)- Contains inclusions (possibly large feathers or large included crystals) that are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.

It is the combination of the inclusions and the blemishes along with their size, their number, their position, their nature, and their color that will determine a diamond's clarity. There are a lot of variables involved in making a diamond a certain clarity... it is because diamonds are kind of like snowflakes, where each one is different.

A bit of history about the Clarity system.

Currently we have a diamond clarity grading system that everyone understands and has worked well for many years... it wasn't always this way. Years ago, if someone was describing the clarity of a diamond and they said that it was a "clean", a "piqué", or a "loupe clean" diamond, would you know what they meant?

Richard T. Liddicoat of the Gemological Institute of America introduced the current system in 1953 and it was immediately adopted as the universal system to classify the clarity of a diamond. The eleven different clarity grades communicate the clarity quality of a diamond regardless of the geographic location or the language of the consumer.

Along with the definition of these eleven clarity grades, GIA also states that the clarity grading be done by a trained person using a controlled "darkfield" lighting environment, and a 10X magnification corrected for spherical and chromatic aberration. Wow! that sounds pretty technical! however it's relatively easy to understand this system.

How will you be able to know the Clarity of a diamond?

You, a person who is not fully trained in this system, probably might not be able to accurately determine the clarity grade of a diamond. A Gemologist who has been trained as to all the variables involved will be able to determine the clarity grade and they will also be able to show you why a diamond is a certain clarity.

The best way to be assured of the clarity of a diamond will be to have a diamond grading report issued by a credible gemological laboratory. The best reports will be from GIA, AGSL, or GCAL. These nationally known and well respected labs do use a number of graders who must agree on all of the qualities of the diamond before a report is issued.

What is the best Diamond Clarity for me?

The price of diamonds will change, go up or go down, as the clarity moves higher or lower. For diamonds in the most common color, cut, and weight range, as a general rule, look for about a 15 to 20% change in pricing for each change in clarity. A diamond with a clarity grade of FL (Flawless) is no more beautiful than a diamond with a clarity grade of SI1 (Slightly Included 1) but a FL clarity can be more than twice the price of a SI1 diamond.

From the FL to the SI1 clarity grades, any inclusions and/or blemishes are only visible when you look at them using 10X magnification. I don't know of anyone who walks around with a 10X magnifier in their pocket in order to look at people's diamonds... sorry, let me correct that, I don't know of anyone except for jewelers and Gemologists (including myself) that walk around with a 10X magnifier in their pocket.

You will need to see for yourself what these different clarity grades actually look like. I know many people who have looked at the clarity grading chart and see that the VVS2 or VS1 are "in the middle" of the chart so they think it is what they would like to consider when buying a diamond.

There are only a few diamonds that can fit into the nearly impossible FL and IF grades and just a few more diamonds that are able to fit into the extremely tight VVS1 and VVS2 grades... a single tiny, microscopic, pinpoint inclusion will easily move a diamond out of these grades. As you move down into the VS, SI, and I grades it widens out and many move diamonds will fit into these grades. SI1 is more "in the middle" than either VVS2 or VS1.

Find a good Gemologist to teach you or do some research online about diamond clarity grades, it's really not too complicated. When you buy larger diamonds, make sure they come along with a diamond grading report that you trust.

Buy Bud Boland

Diamond Choice

The precision of the cut determines the maximum amount of light that will be reflected through the diamond. When a diamond is cut to good proportions light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the crown or the top of the stone. Put another way, when light shines on a diamond, the light bounces through the diamond and reflects back out the top. The diamond will sparkle, is lively and dancing with spectral color or some use the term "fire". The best cut or Ideal Cut Diamond is not cheap but is worth every extra dollar.

The Cut of the diamond can be also graded into groups: Ideal, Premium, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

An Ideal Cut or Excellent cut diamond will give you the maximum brilliance or sparkle. Diamond jewelry with Ideal round cut Diamonds are some of the finest money can buy and wonderful to own.

A Premium cut, also known as Fine, is a diamond that is graded just below the ideal cut. A premium cut diamond is still one of the finest and will give you maximum brilliance or sparkle. A Diamond Pendant with a premium cut round diamond will be beautiful, will sparkle and be a joy to own.

A Very Good cut is a grade just outside the tolerance of an ideal/premium cut and will reflect most of the light that goes into the diamond. In some cases a decision was made to create a larger diamond rather than to cut into the diamond to create the proper proportions that would give an ideal cut. The price of this diamond will be slightly lower than a premium or ideal cut diamond.

When a diamond is graded as Good much of the light will be reflected to give a sparkle. Diamonds cut with a good proportion have been cut to maximize the size of the diamond and not the brilliance. Diamond Jewelry with good diamonds will be offered with great cost savings. If you are looking for a larger diamond and want to stay within a budget this would be a good consideration that will give you size and also quality.

Fair to Poor cut diamonds are below average and will reflect only a small amount of light. These diamonds have been cut to maximize the size with little consideration to quality.

Diamonds are cut in different shapes. Some of the most popular shapes are brilliant, marquise, pear, emerald, oval, heart, square. The shape of the diamond you choice is just that your choice. The only other thing to consider is a round cut diamond will give you the more sparkle as compared to a pear shape.

COLOR grading scale varies from totally colorless which are rare beautiful diamonds to a light fancy. Our online jewelry store, Golddiamondspro offers you some Diamond Rings with colorless graded diamond with the majority of our Diamond Jewelry offered with diamonds graded G-H Color.

Grading

D, E, F - Colorless, exceptional white, highest color grade and a rare diamond

G, H, I, J - Near colorless and exceptional value

K, L, M, N - Slightly tinted giving you good value

M, N - Tinted

O, P,Q - Very light yellow

R, S,T - Light yellow

U, V, W - Yellow

X, Y, Z - Light fancy

CLARITY is graded with the use of a magnification corrected loupe 10x magnification by a trained professional. With this magnification they are able to see characteristics or inclusions that make every diamond quite unique. These inclusions are nature's fingerprints and neither detracts from its beauty nor jeopardizes its durability. It is the number, nature, position, size and color of these inclusions and how easily they are to see that will determine the grade of a diamond. Clarity is graded from flawless to heavily included inclusions.

Pure flawless diamond has no internal faults or inclusions when examined by a professional using 10x magnification loupe.

VvS1 - Very, very Small Inclusions with internal faults that is difficult for a professional to observe but with a minor fault cannot be designated as flawless.

VvS2 - Very, very Small Inclusions with internal faults but minor and cannot be designated as flawless.

VS1, VS2 - Very Small Inclusions in a diamond that is difficult for a professional to find using a magnification loupe. They may fine a few somewhat larger internal characteristics or several very small ones.

SI1, SI2 - Professional Grade using 10 x magnification loupe may, without difficulty, find internal characteristics or inclusions which may only have insignificant single fault.

I1, I2, I3 - Professional Grade I is used for diamonds which a professional observer with a naked eye can see internal flaws and/or have such major faults which reduces the value of the diamond.

CARAT-WEIGHT or size of the diamond is divided into 100 "points" which is One Carat. A diamond of 25 points is described as quarter of a carat or 0.25 carat, 50 points would be .50 carat or ½ carat, and ¾ carat in weight is 0.75 carat. There are five carats in a gram.

Which Diamond Should you buy? Size is one of the most obvious factors in determining the value of a diamond but now you know that two diamonds of equal size can have very different values depending on their quality. The cut, color, and clarity are important factors to consider when looking at the value of diamond jewelry. To purchase the best diamond ring, bracelet, earrings or necklace look for the least amount of color and an ideal cut. This will be the most expensive but beautiful and definitely the finest you can buy. If your funds are limited then buy the finest cut you can. Buy now at GoldDiamondsPro choicing the factors that are the most important to you.

By Elsie Coates

What You Should Know When Buying a Diamond Ring

Diamond information for couples interested in buying a diamond engagement ring. At a point in nearly every man's life, there comes a time when his heart knows it's time to buy a diamond engagement ring for the woman he loves. Only then will you feel comfortable buying a diamond engagement ring. There are many things to consider when learning how to buy a diamond, you should never rush into buying a diamond without first doing a little research as to how the diamonds are priced. Buying a diamond is no different, except most of know us very little about diamonds. Buying a diamond ring is often an emotional - not to mention expensive - experience.

Diamond Ring:

Buying a diamond ring can be a huge investment and you want to get one with the perfect diamond in it, so you may be intimidated if you are a first time buyer. Buying a diamond means investing in a piece for forever. Every individual buying a diamond seeks out the best they can afford. When buying a diamond, consider your budget and where the stone will be worn to help determine the ideal carat size. The Four C's of Buying a Diamond, to determine the best price for your ring, you need to be familiar with the four C's. The four C's of cut, color, clarity, and carat are explained.

Diamond Color

Most diamonds have a slight hint of yellow and the diamond color scale is based on the amount of yellow present in a diamond. It's the absence of color that adds value to the diamond. Diamond color is graded according to the GIA Grading Scale. Grades are based on the amount of yellow that is visible when viewed face down through the pavilion using the GIA Diamond Lite. The color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (yellow tinge).

Diamond Cut

To achieve the maximum reflection of light that causes a diamond to sparkle requires a diamond to have an Ideal/Excellent cut grade. Ideal cut diamonds are graded as such because they fall within the ideal cut grade parameters specified by the diamond grading labs. The better cut grades are likely to display more fire and brilliance and since their appearance is more desirable, they are priced accordingly. The GIA and EGL have only extended ideal/excellent cut grade parameters to round brilliant stones at this time. Determining a diamond's cut grade, however, goes beyond simple measurements of width and depth. Diamond Cut is perhaps the most important of the four C's.

Diamond Clarity

A diamond's clarity is determined by the number, nature, position, size and color of internal characteristics called "inclusions" and surface features called "blemishes". These show themselves as the various characteristics which make up the clarity of a diamond, included crystals, feathers, clouds etc. These characteristics are sometimes not visible to the naked eye and they are what make each diamond unique. This clarity grade becomes more important as the diamond size increases. The clarity scale was developed by the Gemological Institute of America GIA to quantify these imperfections.

Diamond Carat

It is a common misconception that carats refer to the size of a diamond. In reality, a carat is the standard unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. Since a carat is a measure of weight, not size, one diamond of the same carat weight may look bigger than another depending on the cut. A premium cut diamond may actually appear bigger than many diamonds of a higher carat weight.

Diamond Shape

Stones come in different shapes - round, oval, marquise, pear, emerald, heart, princess, and radiant.

Round

A round brilliant is a great choice if you want the most sparkle and the most enduring classic shape round-brilliant diamonds are the only shape to have this ideal proportion defined. Brilliant cut diamonds have facets that are shaped like triangles and kites. Today's round brilliant diamond has a total of fifty-eight facets, but you'll see varying facet numbers in vintage brilliant cut diamonds. Even though Round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most expensive in the market, they make up the overwhelming majority of diamonds found in engagement rings, and are popular as stud earrings and pendants.

Oval

The elongated shape of Oval diamonds gives a very flattering effect to your finger when worn in a ring, and is found in some of the most beautiful diamond engagement rings. Unlike round cut diamonds, oval cut diamonds have an elongated shape, which makes the diamond appear larger in carat weight. Oval cut diamonds are essentially elongated round cut diamonds. Many women with smaller hands or shorter fingers prefer the look of oval cut diamonds and pear shaped diamonds because they truly slenderize and elongate the fingers on the hand.

Marquise

While marquise diamonds are not as popular as round cut diamonds or princess cut diamonds, they are still quite sophisticated and elegant. A marquise cut diamond has a uniquely beautiful shape that is favoured by many women, but a small percentage of brilliance will be sacrificed for the beauty of this uniquely diamond shape. Compared to the round cuts, the marquise diamonds are not as popular these days. In addition, the shape of the marquise diamond almost makes the stone appear larger than it is. The Marquise shape was created for Louis the XIV and is has become a timeless classic.

Pear

The pear shape is a stunningly feminine diamond shape with a rounded end on one side and a tapering point at the other. Due to their elongated shape, pear cut diamonds are known for their slenderizing effect. .The Pear cut allows a range of cutting styles, so that the teardrop shape can be wider, slimmer, or cut to Ideal proportions, based on your choice and preferences. Pear shaped diamonds have a rounded end and a single point. While pear shaped diamonds are not as traditional as round cut diamonds, or as trendy as princess cut diamonds, they are still coveted by many people.

Emerald

The emerald-cut diamond is among the most classic of diamond shapes that is distinguished by beveled corners and step facets, emerald cut diamonds are more transparent than other shapes, resulting in the need for higher standards of clarity. The emerald cut can be one of the least expensive to cut because its shape is most like the natural shape of the rough diamond crystal. Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire dispersion than the other brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut stone reveals a classic beauty and elegance not seen in other cuts. The trim lines of Emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest of ring designs.

Heart

The heart-shaped diamond is the most romantic of diamond shapes and a symbol of love and affection, the heart cut diamond is an excellent choice for an anniversary or engagement ring. It is a tender gesture to make to someone special. A quality heart-shaped diamond is lovely and distinctive, with an even shape and well-defined outline. They are the ultimate symbol of romance, and more and more people are choosing heart cut diamonds for engagement and anniversary rings. Heart Shaped Diamonds are rarer and more expensive as it takes a large piece of diamond rough to shape cut and polish to something that is the ultimate symbol of love "the heart"

Princess

A modern innovation, the princess shape dazzles and sparkles with its star burst facet pattern, while still leaving the crown of the diamond flat and open. The princess cut is stunning set as a solitaire it is a modern classic of clean, square lines and beautiful sparkle. Its sharp corners are usually contained in a four-pronged or bezel set in wedding rings. You will also find Princess cut diamonds are often channeled into the wedding band itself. Princess Cut Diamonds are for those people who love the sparkle and brilliance associated with round cut diamonds, but prefer the shape of a square. While the round brilliant solitaire seems to be the most popular shape right now for engagement rings, many people are deviating from this trend and going with princess cut diamonds.

Radiant

The radiant cut was first patented in the late 1970's by Henry Grossbard, with its angular shape and brilliant cut facets it makes a scintillating alternative to other cuts such as the Emerald cut. The radiant shaped diamond can be considered a modified brilliant diamond that is closely related to the princess cut diamond because of its square shape. High quality Radiant cut diamonds combine the fire and sparkle of Emerald and Round cuts.

Now you know the different shapes of diamonds that you can purchase and which shape will accentuate individual fingers or provide brilliant sparkle we can now move on to the ring.

There are many different metals used for rings today which can be grouped into two, precious and non -precious, those in the precious group including silver, gold, and platinum, while those in the non-precious group can include brass, copper ad nickel. Most rings today are made of gold or platinum so we will focus our discussion on these two precious metals.

Gold

Gold comes in various colors that can reflect the carat value of the carat of yellow gold with 10k, 14k and 18k being the most popular. Did you know that you can get Rose Gold, white gold and yellow gold and that white gold is more a silver color than white? Until recently white gold was yellow gold with as much of the yellow gold removed as possible, however it was still not a true white color. To give you that white (silver) brilliance the rings are plated with Rhodium or palladium.

Platinum

Platinum became very popular for its natural white (silver) color and durability. Customers that buy white gold rings that have rhodium plating will have to have the ring re-plated every few years if it's worn regularly, as the rhodium wears off. With platinum the color stays the same no mater how often you wear it. Platinum is about twice the price of 14K Gold and can push the price of the setting and diamond out of the range of some customers.

Ring Mounts

There are thousands of different settings available for you to choose from; they come in all shapes and sizes, from solitaires to multi stone rings. Your choice is a personal one; however you should consider when you are going to be wearing your ring. If you plan to wear it daily then pick something with a low profile that protects the diamond and setting from getting damaged if you accidentally catch it against something. This could lead to the diamond coming loose and having to be reset, to forcing the diamond out of the mounting and breaking it.

On the other hand, if you are only going to wear the ring for special occasions then purchase a mount that holds the diamond high so that it's well displayed and allow the light to enter unobstructed from the top and show the scintillating fire and brilliance.

Remember that if you are purchasing a high quality diamond for your ring that having other diamonds around it will detract from your central diamond. If on the other hand you are purchasing a smaller center diamond adding smaller ones around the outside will make the center one look larger.

Engagement sets are also very popular, with couples purchasing the engagement ring and then going back and purchasing the wedding band from the set, for that special day.

By Derek Parnell

Interested in Buying Diamond Jewelry? Start With the Basics!

Diamond buying has gotten easier! Or has it?

Many years ago buying some diamond jewelry was kind of simple. You know... if you wanted to buy some diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet, or a diamond engagement ring, you would go down to your favorite local diamond jewelry store, you would sit down, and then you would choose your favorite piece of diamond jewelry from your trusted family jewelry. Well some of that scenario has changed a bit in the past 30 years and now it is up to you, the diamond jewelry shopper, to play a more active part in this process and so you will need to do your homework before you make your purchase.

The 4 basic elements that make up the pricing of diamonds are pretty straightforward. But like most things, once you get past the basics, the information overload starts to become more than many consumers need to know. The first 3 components of a diamond's pricing; Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight are pretty easy to understand. The heavier the diamond (a greater Carat weight), the more it will cost. The less "stuff" inside of the diamond (a higher Clarity), the more it will cost. The more it looks like "ice" (a higher Color, more colorless), the more it will cost. There are charts you can use for reference so it is kind of easy to comprehend.

The one "C" that gives you the most trouble.

The "Cut" of a diamond is the biggest factor in how beautiful a diamond will be... meaning that if a diamond is cut to exacting angles and proportions, the diamond's potential beauty will be realized. It is this one factor that can account for nearly 50% of a diamond's value! When it comes to the Cut of a diamond, there are many people who can become confused as to what all those numbers and terms mean. Over the years, diamond cutters have been improving their methods and the quality of their finished product. There are a couple of things that have been driving these improvements. The first would be the greater number of Gemologists that are working in the jewelry business and they can quickly and accurately tell the difference between well cut and poorly cut diamonds.

The other big change has been the wide spread use of diamond grading reports, which have become a "must have" part of the diamond transaction. Even with these changes in the diamond buying process, a diamond's Cut can still be a minefield of misinformation and confusion. Just because a diamond has a grading report it does not guarantee that the diamond will be beautiful. When considering a diamond that comes with a grading report, it is best if you only accept diamond grading reports that come from GIA, AGSL, or GCAL. These diamond grading reports do have a Cut grade that can be trusted and that can be used to compare with other diamonds. The topic of diamond grading reports can be pretty involved and there are times that you can depart from this general rule.

What's a consumer to do?

Information will be an important part of any diamond buying process but there is also another element that must not be overlooked. That element? Trust. Just imagine the process everyone should go through when considering buying some diamond jewelry from a local jewelry store. You would want to consider a local jeweler who others have recommended, who has experience, who is a Gemologist, who is located in proper jewelry store, who will spend time with you, and who will freely give you the information that you will need to make an informed decision.

This same type of criteria should also apply to anything you encounter in the online world of diamonds. I am amazed by the amount of incorrect information about diamonds that exists on the Internet. The people dispensing this misinformation are saying that they can save you 70% or $2,987.43 on your next diamond purchase and at the same time they are trying to sell you their new e-book "The Diamond Secrets that jewelers don't want you to know!" for $97.

Would you buy a diamond from somebody who has set up a tent at the corner next to the gas station? This is the same tent that just last week had big banners stating "Information On How To Save $$ on Cell Phones" but now those banners say "Information On How To Save $$ on Diamonds!". If you enter the tent, they don't bother telling you any reason why you should believe anything that they have to say. There are probably some pretty pictures and some bright lights in there. If you can find their "About Us" button and you click on it... up pops "We are committed to bringing you the best diamond buying information". OK, that's nice... but what does it mean? Who is "we"?, what experience does "we" have in the jewelry business?, does "we" have any experience in actually buying and selling diamonds, why should you believe a single word that "we" has to say?, and do you have any reason to trust "we"?

Don't stray too far off the path!

In the search for the right diamond or piece of diamond jewelry it is always best not to be distracted by the siren's song of low prices. You generally get what you pay for. Your local retail diamond jewelry store might have higher diamond prices (maybe they might be able to match online diamond prices!) but they also have diamonds that you can see before you buy, they might have a good trade up program, they might offer a free appraisal, they might offer free checkups / cleanings, they might offer free ring sizings, they might offer lifetime damage or loss guarantees, and a diamond purchased from them could have the added cachet of being a piece of diamond jewelry from Tiffany verses a piece of diamond jewelry from super-ultra-dirt-cheap-diamonds.com.

The online diamond retailers do offer an attractive alternative to traditional diamond retail jewelry stores. Online diamond retailers do offer quality diamonds at good prices along with being able to set the diamond into a basic mounting but it will require more work on your part along with making a purchase of a product sight unseen. Because this type of purchase will be a blind transaction... trust in your basic diamond knowledge along with trust in the company you are dealing with will be essential.

Start and stick with the basics! The 4Cs and trust.

By Bud Boland

Diamonds - Interesting Facts

Diamonds are the symbol that we use to show are undying love for someone. They are the traditional icon of romance and love. Most people may be surprised to learn that the majority of diamonds that are mined today are used for industrial purposes and not for jewelry.

Historians believe that diamonds may have first been used for industrial purposes not for their brilliant sparkle and allure. Peter Lu a Harvard physicist and his colleagues discovered that in the late Stone Age the Chinese used diamonds to polish ceremonial burial axes. Today about 80% of mined diamonds are used for cutting, drilling, grinding and polishing.

Most people might be surprised to know that diamonds are not the hardest substance on Earth. Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral substance, but they are not the hardest substance known to man. A substance called Aggregated Diamond Nonorods is about 11 % harder than a diamond.

The first diamonds were discovered by Indians over 3,000 years ago. Diamonds didn't get associated with love and romance until the 1940's when the De Beers Company began to advertise diamonds as the perfect item for a wedding or engagement rings. They did an all out media campaign and soon people were buying diamond engagement rings all over the world.

It is believed that most diamonds are over three billion years old and most are formed more than 100 miles below the surface of the earth. Before the sixth century, India was the only known source of diamonds and was the predominant source for over 2,000 years.

The Romans believed that diamonds had the power to ward off evil and wore them as talismans. It is believed that they inherited this belief from Indian mythology. In France in the thirteenth century it was decreed that only the king could wear diamonds.

The Gemological Institute of America was founded in the 1950's. It was the first internationally accepted diamond grading system. This system applied uniform criteria to grading the quality of polished diamonds. The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory Diamond Grading Report is the benchmark for the international gem and jewelry industry.

The Cullinan diamond was the largest rough diamond ever found and was 3,106 carats. It was discover in the Premier mine of South Africa in 1905.It was cut into nine major stones. The largest of the stones is the Star of Africa and is 550.20 carats. It is housed in the Tower of London and mounted in the British Royal Scepter. The most recent diamond discoveries have been in the Northwest Territories of Canada and in Colorado. Explorers found diamond pipes in both locations in 1990.

It wasn't until the late 13th century that diamonds were used in European jewelry. Diamonds were initially used for engraving other gems including sapphire cameos. They were also used for drilling holes in hard stone beads.

Diamonds have been around forever and are cherished by all. Diamonds have an exciting and lively history. These are just a few of the fascinating facts associated with diamonds.

By Lawrence Reaves

Tips For Buying Diamond Eternity Rings

Most women love receiving jewelry for a gift on just about any occasion. There are times, however, when only diamond eternity rings will do. These diamond rings are typically given as anniversary gifts or other occasions.

What makes diamond eternity rings different is the fact that the diamonds go all the way around the band. These bands of gold and diamonds are perfect for "stacking" which means a lady can sport two or more of these on one hand.

When purchasing diamond eternity rings be sure to do everything that you would normally do while diamond shopping. The Cs, which are cut, color, clarity and carat weight will tell you if you are purchasing diamonds that are worth the money that you are spending. The fact that you are buying a ring with smaller stones all the way around the band should not deter you from looking into the quality of the stones.

The cut of a diamond is all about the shape. Round diamonds will offer more sparkle and shine to the diamonds. The choice of cuts whether it be round, princess cut or any of the other shapes is normally contingent upon personal preference.

The color refers to how much yellow tint your diamond eternity rings will have. The levels are categorized by letters with D being colorless. The tint will be more the higher up the alphabet you go.

Clarity is how many imperfections one can see with the naked eye. There various levels to this as well and if you are choosing diamond eternity rings based on clarity you will want to look at a scale at your jeweler to see what your options are.

Carat weight is exactly what it says. This is how much the diamond weighs. Most diamond eternity rings will have smaller diamonds that are either channel set or prong set around the entire ring. The combined total weight of all the diamonds will determine how much carat weight you have.

Diamond eternity rings are normally given to women on their wedding anniversaries but in today's world, there are more and more bride who love the look and feel of these bands and are opting to use them for
wedding bands.

By Rich Keys

What Exactly is a Diamond?

Timeless. Forever. These are just a few of the many words used to describe one of the world's most infamous stones - the diamond.

Derived from the Greek word "adamas" which means "invincible", diamond is the only known mineral that is composed of a single element. Diamonds are completely made of Carbon which is one of the most abundant elements on Earth. High pressure and temperatures, ranging from 900 to 1300 degrees Celsius deep underground near the Earth's core, liquefy then crystallize carbon atoms into pieces of rough diamond. Eventually, over extremely long periods of time, these rough diamonds are pushed towards the earth's surface, usually through volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other geologic events. This is why rough diamonds, called octahedrons, are usually found in riverbeds and mines.

For the untrained eyes, a rough diamond would be easily mistaken for a piece of broken glass. However, a diamond is far from a piece of glass as it is one of the hardest substances on the planet. Although it can break, it can only be scratched by another diamond.

A diamond needs to be carefully cut and shaped to bring out its beauty and brilliance. The diamond's brilliance refers to its ability to radiate magnificent colors when tilted back and forth. The surfaces of the diamond, called facets, act as a prism to achieve this wondrous display of fire.

Over the past century many have debated the "correct" formula required to achieve the maximum brilliance in a polished diamond. In the next few articles we'll discuss the fascinating history of this remarkable stone.

Timeless and forever. No other stone shines as bright as a sparkling diamond.

By Eli Zabib

A Diamond Lineage

Diamond history is said to begin in India at least 3,000 years ago. The polishing and processing of diamonds is still predominantly done in India. The ancient Greeks provide the source of the name "diamonds" from the Greek word "adamas". The artistry and craftsmanship involved with setting precious stones goes back thousands of years, and has been passed on to the artisans of today.

There is one amazing diamond lineage that can be traced back to the time of Moses in the Bible. Some time around 1500 B.C., the ancient Israelis made their exodus from Egypt. As depicted in the Charlton Heston movie, The Ten Commandments, the Law was given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. In addition to the list of commandments, there were many instructions given to Moses regarding how the new nation would be organized.

The nation was divided into twelve tribes, according to the twelve sons of Israel. One tribe, made up of the descendants of Levi, was appointed to be a tribe of priests. The Levite who would be the High Priest was the only one who could approach the Ark of the Covenant to make sacrifices on behalf of the nation on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

The High Priest was given a special set of garments to wear, which contained many precious stones. In the book of Exodus, Chapter 28, jewelers and gem cutters from the tribe of Levi were commanded to fashion the priestly outfit to exact specifications. Included in the "uniform" was a breastplate on which were set twelve precious stones. The jewels were arranged in four rows of three. The third stone on the second row is a diamond. The gold and gemstone craftsmen were given the responsibility to fashion all of the precious metal and stones involved in ancient Israeli worship ceremonies.

One of the leaders today in the design and sale of champagne or chocolate diamonds is the LeVian family of jewelers. According to their posted history, Mr. A. LeVian founded the company in the United States in 1950 after immigrating from Persia. It was in that ancient land where he inherited a storied and famous trade from a long line of family jewelers who trace their lineage directly to the tribe of Levi.

Chocolate diamonds are birthed in the geologic history of the earth, but their human history is also a tribute to their staying power. Though their wild popularity may be relatively new, they are one of the least transient things on earth. Chocolate diamonds, relatively speaking, are indeed forever.

By Kenner Beckley

Brown Diamonds Look Great on You

Who wears chocolate diamonds? How about: Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkrinaruebodin Sayamminthrathirat Borommanatbophit. That is the full title to the King of Thailand (easy for you to say). King Bhumibol (for short) was presented the world's largest faceted diamond in 1997. The Golden Jubilee, as the stone is called, weighs 545.67 carats. It is officially graded as "fancy yellow-brown". Chocolate, or champagne diamonds have been worn by royalty and people in authority for centuries. Cardinal Jules Mazarin, the chief minister of France, was a collector of these stones.

Nowadays, check any "red carpet" event and you are likely to see some gorgeous brown jewelry on display from some of the best jewelry designers in the world. Jennifer Lopez wore a combination of shades of champagne and peach diamond earrings to the Academy Awards. Both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress winners in 2007 wore champagne diamonds. Helen Mirren featured a 62-carat brown and white diamond brooch while Jennefer Hudson wore a champagne diamond on her right hand. Previous Academy Award winner, Hillary Swank, wore a 20-carat champagne diamond in her hair.

It is no exaggeration to say that Hollywood is infatuated with chocolate diamonds. Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Simpson and Halle Berry have all been seen with dazzling chocolate diamond arrangements. E! reporter, Maria Menounos, captured everyone's attention wearing a gown embroidered with 2,000 champagne diamonds. A set of gold and champagne diamond earrings were recently worn by Eva Longoria and E! News host, Giuliana Rancic. Singers Kathleen "Bird" York and British pop star Natasha Bedingfield have been seen with champagne earrings and necklaces respectively. The feelings extend across the globe to Japan where the movie star, Mari Natsuki, is a collector of chocolate diamonds.

Everyone, from carriers of the most luxurious high-end jewelry to the local mall retailer, is embracing the hottest jewelry fashion on the planet, champagne or chocolate diamonds. Because of the unique color design options and blending with earth tones, there is room for unlimited design creativity and variation. The affordability of chocolate diamonds allows for price points to be dependent upon the artistry of the design and not just the value of the stones themselves. This creates greater selection and accessibility on the part of purchasers from one end of the economic scale to the other.

By Kenner Beckley

How Diamond Prices Are Determined

Whether you are a diamond jewelry store owner or you are a consumer looking for the right diamond jewelry for your loved ones, knowing how diamond prices are determined will always be an advantage.

When it comes to pricing most products, it is quite simple. By determining how much is the cost price and how much it costs to market the product, and mark the total up by at least 15% to 30% or more to earn profits. Pricing diamonds is not quite as simple as pricing other products. There are many factors that need to be considered before launching them to the market.

The first thing that diamond prices are determined is by adding the cost of the rough diamond, the cost of cutting the diamond and all the other cost to turn a rough and unrefined diamond into a marketable diamond. After turning it into a marketable diamond, the company may need to call an independent company in to certify the grade of the diamond based on its weight, clarity, cut and colour.

As diamond changes hands, it becomes more expensive. When it reaches the retailers the price is again increased a little bit more. As you can see from here, before a diamond reaches the retailer, it must travel from the mine, to the cutter and polisher, then to the individual grading company, and lastly to the primary market. From the primary market, jewelry store owners and retailers will then purchase the diamond and sell it to the consumers. Therefore, the earlier you can purchase a diamond in the process, the lower the cost of it will be.

If you have recently just bought a diamond and do not know how much does it worth, you can send your diamonds for appraisal, but take note that the appraisal may not be accurate. A more accurate way to determine the price of your diamond is to obtain its certificate and use the cutter's guide to determine a more accurate worth for your diamond.

You can also surf the Internet and locate many diamond worth calculators. Before you can calculate the worth of your diamond using those calculators, you need to know the cuts, clarity, colour and weight of it. With this information, the calculator will be able to determine an accurate worth of your diamond.

Again, the best way to determine the price of a diamond is to get a Diamond Grading Report and use the information in it to look up the price in one of the guides that your diamond cutting industry uses. With the right worth in mind, you will be better informed about the value that you have paid for the diamond in your possession, as well as of the diamond jewelry that you are considering purchasing.

By Cheow Yu Yuan

Diamond Buying Tips

Many people do not know what they are looking for when they set out to buy a piece of diamond jewelry, especially if it is their first time buying an engagement ring or a present for a loved one. It can be an overwhelming and intimidating process, going into retailers, looking at all of the different, delicate, expensive pieces. You've probably braced yourself to pay more than you want to, but you would like to avoid paying too much. The first thing is to remember not to buy a diamond simply because it looks like it costs much less than the other pieces in the store.

Just because it's a diamond doesn't mean it's valuable. In fact, much of the diamond's value simply comes from the demand and mystique associated with it. There are several extremely low-quality pieces of diamond jewelry that are advertised for twenty bucks and worth less than five. Similarly, just because something is advertised as "on sale," doesn't mean that it's the best price or the best diamond piece out there. Best value diamonds have an essential jewelry combination of quality and price, both of which should have equal influence in your decision.

If the person you are buying the jewelry for has absolutely fallen in love with a piece that you and your family most certainly cannot afford, be firm. As the salesperson if there are any other pieces like it or research online, but don't spend money you don't have and can't get over a piece of jewelry. Be an intelligent shopper. There are hundreds of millions of beautiful pieces of diamond jewelry in the world, the one expensive one that appeals most at the time is neither the best nor the only on out there. You can keep it in mind as something to save up for, but practice discretion.

Just because the store has a certificate for a certain loose diamond or piece of jewelry doesn't necessarily mean that it is high quality. Many official reports on a gemstone are written in such a way that only professional gemologists and dedicated gem collectors can understand what they mean. The certificate being presented to you can say that the diamond is the poorest quality that a diamond can be, or it can say that it is a beautiful example to diamonds everywhere. You wouldn't know though.

If you are trying to buy a piece of jewelry made with a non conflict diamond, keep in mind that while the diamond certificate is an extremely good indication as to the cleanliness, it is possible to bypass and forge such documents. The certificate is as much of a guarantee as you can get, but shipments of blood diamonds sometime slip into the shipments of non conflict diamonds. In addition, while the 4 C's (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight) are widely known and highly marketed, they are only a fraction of the variables that go into consideration when a diamond is being rated.

Do not have the 4 C's be the deciding factor in your diamond purchase. When you are looking at the cut of the diamond, keep in mind that it should not be too shallow or too deep. The perfect diamond will be able to reflect all of the light that it is exposed to. Diamonds with a heavier carat weight are more expensive than those with a lighter weight, but you do not want to buy a diamond that is too low quality. GIA diamond rings and other diamond jewelry are generally a safe bet, but you should be sure that you understand the certification.

Clearer diamonds are also more expensive, since they are the most attractive and light travels through them better than a slightly cloudier diamond. Color is determined on a letter scale. Diamonds rated between D and F are considered to be colorless, between G and J is close to colorless, but not quite. Diamonds that are between K and N have slightly yellowish hues. T and Z are light yellow. This is because yellow is the most common color found in diamonds. Many diamonds that appear to be colorless actually have a slight yellow tint. "Fancy" colors, which are not slightly yellow, can include vivid yellows, blues, and pinks.

By Allison Ryan

Diamond in the Sullen Rough

A diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man and when combined with the brilliant fire of the cut and polished finished product, has made diamonds one of the most valuable gemstones in the world.

Diamonds in all of their glory are pure carbon, just the same way lead pencils used to made from graphite which is also pure carbon, it is the way the carbon atoms are arranged which makes the difference between cheap, dull graphite or brilliant, fiery diamond. Diamonds are formed at great pressure and temperature inside the earth; at least 50 miles below the surface where the pressure is so intense that the carbon atoms are compressed together into an extremely packed formation and which gives diamond its strength. Diamonds are brought to the surface as a result of the natural, geological processes of the earth or more usually, are sought in some of the deepest mines in the world.

Brazil and India used to be the principal sources of diamonds with their gemstones being sourced from rivers and gravel deposits which had come to or close to the surface naturally. In 1870, Kimberlite rock was discovered to be richly laden with diamonds in South Africa and now, huge masses of rock are mined and processed to extract the diamonds it contains. To put it into some perspective, for one carat of polished diamond over 250 tons of Kimberlite ore must be mined and processed - now you understand why diamonds are so expensive!

Once extracted from the ore, the rough diamonds must be sorted and processed further. Processing includes cutting and polishing as at this stage, the diamonds resemble pebbles you would encounter on a beach and are nondescript in appearance. Cutting and polishing the rough diamond brings out the internal fire and beauty of the diamond, however, it is how a diamond is cut which determines the level of light which enters the stone and is internally reflected before exiting the diamond - this level of internal reflection is what adds to the sparkle and brilliance of the stone so cutting a diamond properly is essential or it will appear dull.

After being cut and polished, diamonds are then graded according to a system know as the "Four C's". The Four C's are - Carat (or weight), Cut, Clarity and Color. A carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams but you must take care not to confuse diamond size with weight - a carat is a measure of weight and not size; a smaller looking diamond may very well be a larger weight of a much larger diamond simply because of composition and the way it has been cut. The cut, as we have seen, determines how much light enters and internally reflected within a diamond thus bringing out the fire or brilliance - too shallow a cut, where the diamond is not deep enough to allow the internal light reflection, will mean the diamond looks dull instead of fiery - this is a poor cut and underlines why diamond cutting is a highly skilled art.

Clarity refers to how clear and flaw-free the diamond is; diamonds will contain flaws which may be foreign matter enclosed within the diamond when it was forming in the earth or bubbles of gas and even internal faults where the carbon atoms have not uniformly bonded together. The presence of flaws affects the visual appearance of the diamond but also influences how light will travel and internally reflect within it; for these reasons, a flawless diamond is considerably more valuable than one with flaws.

Finally, color - diamonds can come with a yellowish tinge or at the other end of the scale have no color whatsoever - no color means a brighter and fiery brilliance whereas the yellowish tinge will dampen the brilliance of the diamond. The less color a diamond has the more valuable it is and the more you are going to pay for it.

By Lawrence Reaves