A Guide to Choosing Black Diamond Rings

Critics say that black diamond rings are just a fad, and it's most likely that these gemstones will depreciate once the hype wears off. However, this doesn't lessen the enjoyment that males are now discovering in the precious stone. Diamonds used to be a gemstone that only women appreciated. The white perfect diamond appeared to be too flashy for the male species. This is the reason why, in most engagements, only the women wore the ring. Today is a different matter, though.

Black diamond rings have won the hearts of many men because of the character it exudes. Compared to the white gemstone that flashes light, quite literally, the black gemstone absorbs light. The darker they are, the higher it is graded, which is the complete opposite in white diamonds which is graded higher when it reflects lesser hues of color.

Transparent to translucent black diamonds are very rare. This is why if you're planning to impress your husband with this gemstone, look for rings that exude this quality. You have to be prepared to spend a lot of money, though, because these stones can definitely break your budget.

The most impressive diamond rings are set in white metal, so cross out yellow gold and other reddish metals off your list when you're planning the design. The stone looks best when set against silver, platinum, titanium and white gold rings. To bring in more contrast, you can also try setting the stone with white gemstones. White and black diamonds complement each other, and it is highly likely that when they're next to each other, their imperfections would be overlooked because the design would play on contrast.

Just because the stone exudes a more mysterious and masculine character, though, doesn't mean that it's designed specifically for males. You can give your wife or your fiance a black diamond jewel as well, as the stone's beauty is also appreciated by women. As a matter of fact, black diamonds further gained popularity in the 90s when Carmen Electra was presented with her first giant black rock.

In choosing the carat value of your diamond, make sure that you purchase stones that are not exactly 1.00 carat. These flat 1.00 carat stones are poorly cut, because it's mathematically impossible to cut a stone that weighs exactly 200 milligrams. If your black diamond rings are flat 1.00 carat ones, it's most likely that the dealer had the cut compromised to give way for the stones' carat values.

By Billy Bob Bronson

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

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

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

The Secret to Buying a Diamond is What Your Jeweler Won't Tell You!

If diamonds are a woman's best friend then why does the man have to buy them? Most men are not familiar with the fine details of diamond characteristics and value. Making such a large purchase without any experience or knowing who to trust can make diamond shopping a daunting task. A visit to your local jeweler almost always consists of a tutorial on the "4 C's" leaving you more confused than ever.

What your jeweler will not tell you is the single most important diamond trait which determines value and brilliance. The rarely mentioned yet most important detail is a diamond's depth percentage. A diamond cut to the ideal depth percentage will reflect substantially more light known as brilliance or fire. A diamond with the same color and clarity may appear dull and boring compared to a diamond with an ideal depth percentage.

Diamonds are often cut either too shallow or too deep in order to save diamond mass which results in a dull appearance and cheaper cost. You may think you are getting a good deal but you are really paying for poor quality. The ideal depth percentage is different for each diamond shape. An ideal round diamond should be cut between 58-63%.

To find the best quality diamond look first for an ideal depth percentage, then consider color, clarity, and carat weight. Buy only certified diamonds which come with a third party verification of its characteristics. Make diamond education a large part of your search and you will be better equipped to make an educated purchase. You work hard for your money so make sure you are buying the best!

Most jewelry stores will charge a hefty premium for a properly cut diamond. Desert Brilliance offers ideal cut diamonds without any additional fees giving you the most for your money. Buy with confidence at Desert Brilliance for the best priced, best quality diamonds available.

By Jared D Gonzalez

Top 10 Mistakes of Buying Diamonds

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

Below are some mistakes we usually commit when buying diamonds.

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

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

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

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

5. ASSUMING ALL DIAMONDS ARE WELL CUT

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

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

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

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

10. ASSUMING A DIAMOND CAN BE BOUGHT WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

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

By Mayline C. Homecillo