Archive for September, 2009

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Behind the Allure of Watch Diamonds

September 15th, 2009

The making of watches is, in many industry analysts view, the second biggest application of diamonds in the jewelry industry; after the making of engagement rings. Of course, the idea of mentioning the use of diamonds in making watches as one of the metal’s applications in jewelry might sound a bit odd in many people’s view; because watches are sure not ornaments in any sense of the word – or are they? Turns out, however, that while the practical low-cost watches people wear for the sake of keeping are certainly not ornaments, the types of watches that are typically crafted out of metals like diamonds (real diamond, that is), are usually worn more for their ornamental value than for their practical time keeping value.

 
 At its core then, the watch is both a time-keeping tool and well as a dressing accessory or ornament, as it were. Go to any fully stocked clothing store, either online or the brick and mortar variety on the streets, and chances are that they will typically have a section dealing in watches: bearing witness to the fact that watches are as much of clothing accessories as time keeping tools. If the watch had nothing to do with clothing, then surely, it would have no place in the clothing stores. Indeed, it would seem that the modern watch is worn more for its clothing accessory role than its time-keeping role. After all, for the time keeping role, the average person living today has a quite a wide variety of other gadgets they could use like their mobile phones – living as we are, in a point in time when there are more people in the world who have mobile phones than those who don’t have them!

 
 It is at this point that the watch diamonds we had mentioned earlier make their re-entry into the discussion; having established that the modern watch is worn more for its ornamental value than for its time-keeping value (since there are so many better substitutes to it at the time-keeping task). It turns out that in diamond mining and trading circles, the watch diamonds (the types of diamonds that are suitable for making watches) are highly valued; and are indeed the second most highly valued diamonds after the ring diamonds – that is, the types of diamonds that are used for making rings.  Watch diamonds are defined by their cut, size and color, as diamonds that fit certain definitions in these terms tend to be more suitable for the watch making role than others.

 
 The watch diamonds – like other types of genuine diamonds, are of course not very easy to get a hold of, a fact that has led to the proliferation of numerous counterfeits. Indeed, thanks to the rareness of watch diamonds, chances are usually that at least one out of every two things being sold as diamond watches are nothing of the sort, but rather imitations of the same. Again, thanks to the rareness of watch diamonds, wherever genuine diamond watches happen to be indeed on sale, they tend to be quite dear.

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Why princess cut engagement ring is a woman’s best friend?

September 14th, 2009

For those people who want to purchase a diamond, they are often advised to focus on the four C’s. This includes clarity, color, cut and carat. If you are new with these terms, it is best to read about them. Most often people base their decision on the cut because it influences the diamond’s size, shape and brilliance. The cut is truly essential because it brings out the best in diamonds. There are different kinds of cut today. Princess cut engagement rings are popular choice for women.

If you browse into a jewelry shop, princess cut diamonds are often seen in the display. It is simple, beautiful and can bring out the best in the diamond which is important especially if it is small stone. Here are some reasons why princess cut is considered a woman’s best friend.
The first one is brilliance. It is the most desirable quality of a diamond aside from its hardness and durability. There are some gemstones that are cut and polish however they are not the same with  the characteristics of  diamonds. Princess cut emerged in 1964. Before round cuts were preferred over emerald cuts because they reflect the light more. Princess cuts were developed to combine round cut and square cut. With this cut, even square diamond can show multiple facets. It makes the diamond sparkle even more. As a result, they become more attractive and this is perfect for engagement rings. With extra faceting, diamonds that are princess cut look so stunning.

The most known setting is the tiffany. It utilizes crowns that hold diamond to bands. Although princes cut engagement ring look beautiful, it can also look best in other setting. For anniversary bands, princess cut are the ideal to use. Because of improved methods, diamonds may cost a little. Although they are not rare however they could be quite expensive. Princess cut are sold in a pocket friendly tag. They are relatively inexpensive compared to other diamond rings. This is actually one of the top reasons why princess cut engagement rings are the best choice. The price is so affordable. They are also reasonable priced depending on its weight, color and setting. Of course, it is best not to sacrifice the style Even if there is beauty and brilliance, the price is still friendly to your pocket.

Most women prefer because of its beauty. Its feature also exudes timeless and classic look. If you are planning to buy an engagement ring, it is better to check out this cut. The style is truly unique. The diamond is really accentuated with this cut.  It is best to select a setting that would complement the diamond. Most popular choice are the ones made from silver and platinum.

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Why Pink Diamonds are So Greatly Valued

September 11th, 2009

Few people who understand the workings of the diamond trade can argue with the fact that pink diamonds are among the most greatly valued diamonds. Indeed, wherever premium diamonds are mentioned, one can almost always be sure that the phrase ‘pink diamonds’ will be mentioned when the speaker gets to the particulars of the premium diamonds in question. But just why are pink diamonds so greatly valued?

Well, for one, the pink diamonds are rare to get. Of course, it is possible to take diamond pieces of any color, paint them pink and pass them off as pink diamonds. But where it is the naturally occurring pink diamonds that one is speaking of, getting a hold of them becomes a much trickier affair; because diamond – in the few places in occurs on the globe – hardly occurs in its pink form. This rareness naturally makes the pink diamond highly ‘exclusive’ as the different people who desire to have it have to compete through money (effectively bidding for the pink diamond); so that the diamond ultimately ends up going with the ‘highest bidder.’ This is in keeping with the well know fact in economics that whenever a valuable thing happens to get rare, its prices are naturally expected to go up.

 

Of course, it is worth reiterating that this only applies when it is naturally pink diamonds that are in question. When it is diamonds that were originally of other colors but which were painted pink, then the dynamics change – though not as drastically as one would expect, because even these ‘artificially’ pink diamonds still get to enjoy some of prestige that the naturally pink diamonds enjoy – especially keeping in mind that it is often diabolically hard to differentiate the naturally pink diamonds from the artificially pink diamonds.

Rareness aside, pink diamonds are also greatly valued for their ornamental value: keeping in mind here that pink has come to be seen as the color of feminity – and also keeping in mind that the greatest application of diamonds in the jewelry has tended to be in the making of engagement rings. Given that pink is taken to be the color of feminity – a color that women are said to love – it would not be hard to see why most men who want to give their women engagement rings that they will love opt to go for rings made from pink diamonds. Matters are not made any easier by the fact that in the traditional way of doing things, it is only the men who give women the engagement rings, and where almost every man is keen to give his woman an engagement ring made from pink diamond, it follows that the pink diamond becomes very dear indeed.

Feminine love and pink engagement rings aside though, very few people would argue with the fact that pink diamonds do look cute by their own right; even where the pink diamonds are to be used  for other applications besides making the engagement rings.

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Making your own engagement ring

September 10th, 2009

If you want to design your own engagement ring and still pay well below high street prices, then we suggest you try designsbyindigo based in London … http://www.superidealdiamonds.co.uk/blog/where-to-buy-diamond-jewellery/

Engagement rings with large diamonds in them are certainly eye catching. For the wearer, you can be proud of it. However the problem is, this could be costly. The alternative is going for a ring studded one with small diamonds. If you are planning to against the traditional, you can actually make your own engagement ring. This is made possible by some jewelry store that offers customization. Bit before getting in to making your own engagement, there is a common practice that people opt for shallow cut. It is best to avoid this. Deeply cut diamonds can exude brilliance. Light shallow cut diamonds doesn’t reflect back. As a result, they don’t give a luster even if the diamond is big. Saving money may not be the best decision. Here are some tips in making your own jewelry.

Select fancy shaped diamonds. Typical select round shaped ones. There are other shapes that you can choose from like oval and pear. With this shape, diamonds may appear to be bigger. This can definitely make your engagement ring look impressive. It is best to create an engagement ring with a pave setting. It consists of diamonds that are set together. Small beads metal hold the diamond together to make it look like it’s a dingle diamond. The problem with opting for this is the fact that it is quite expensive. This is due to the fact that there metal work is very intricate. It may cost you less if you go for a large diamond.
It is best to add an illusion setting. This is done by placing a mirror like plate before setting the diamond. Mirrors can definitely create an effective illusion. If you visit a store with mirrors, you will notice that some of them may stock a lot more products. The drawback of putting this is that it is difficult and expensive to repair.

You can ask for a bezel setting. It covers the rim of the diamond in order to hold it securely. The bezel can be made from white or platinum that can blend well with diamond to make it appear larger. A gold bezel is not a good choice because it can give a strange effect. The good thing about bezel setting is the fact that it covers chipping. This is for people who may have an active lifestyle.

You can add more bling to your engagement by adding small diamonds. This can accentuate the center stone. It could create a much greater impression. When making a diamond ring, it is best if you can explore your options. Engagement ring holds sentimental value. Create an impressive showpiece. Also let the diamond speak for itsel. This is a good idea if you want to be simple.

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Why asscher cut engagement rings are gaining popularity?

September 9th, 2009

The latest trend in engagement rings is the asscher cut type. In fact, there are a lot of women preferring the square cut feature of this style. It is something unique and elegant at the same time. The diamonds are offering a timeless appeal without looking traditional and even old fashion. The square cut definitely adds symmetry to the setting making it perfect. As for the diamonds, you have the option to surround it with small diamonds to make it more sparkling and gorgeous than ever.

Also known as modified cushion cut or square emerald cut, this is definitely the latest in ring industry business. This cut is so distinctive and sophisticated. If you look at it by far, the diamond may be shaped like octagon. This cut was invented by the Asscher family. The real diamonds of this kind display a patent laser which is not visible to the naked eye. This can guarantee you the authenticity of the diamond. Asscher cut diamonds have a higher clarity and color. Any flaws of the diamond are visible to the naked eye. This is the reason why assher diamonds are much more expensive than other kind of diamond with the same carat. It is recommended to set this diamond in a white metal however there are other looks and styles that are being encouraged. With this cut, the diamond looks like it has a startling depth. 

This cut came about in 1902 and it suite the art deco engagement ring. Just this 2001, it got a major changes. They add 16 extra features to the original cut and this has certainly increased the sparkle. This new design was also patented that makes it hard for anyone to copy. There are famous celebrities who opted for this cut in their engagement ring. Examples of which are Jessica Alba. She got small diamonds surrounding it that makes it luxurious and timeless. Ashley Simpson’s got a 4 carat engagement ring. She accentuated the square cut with small diamonds. Elizabeth Hurley has chosen a 15 cut diamond for her engagement ring. It was set in white metal cut.

This asscher cut engagement rings is a perfect choice for brides who prefer to have a vintage look. Instead of going with an elegant or contemporary design, Asscher cut is a great choice. The diamond is stunning by itself however you can add some diamonds that surround the center stone. There is another alternative and that is allowing the stone to shine and adding pave diamond in the band. The asscher cut diamond may cost a lot of money however it is a great investment. It is for those people who love something that is beyond the traditional.

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What Makes the 2 Carat Diamond Ring So Attractive?

September 8th, 2009

Before we get into the discussion as to what makes the 2 carat diamond ring so attractive, it would be nice if we could first get some background information as to this whole ‘carat business.’  At its core, the carat turns out to be the measure through which the size of a diamond is measured. It is equivalent to 0.20 of a gram – which works out to exactly 200 milligrams. Besides measuring the size of a diamond, the carat is of course also the unit measure that is used in diamond trading circles, so that diamond prices are typically quoted as ‘so many dollars per carat, so many Euros per carat’ and so on.

 
 Getting back to our original question as to what makes the 2 carat diamond ring so attractive, it turns out that for some reason, the 2 carat diamond ring is considered in many diamond enthusiast circles as the best and most impressive ring you can give to someone. The origins of the idea that the 2 cart diamond ring is the most impressive ring you can give to someone could probably be traced back to the both the fact that it is the carat weight, rather than any of the other factors that are used in grading diamond that seems to explicitly determine what the market price for the diamond is (since price is quoted as so many dollars per carat of diamond).And since diamonds are in the category of products that economists classify as ‘prestige products’ where the more expensive a product is, the more attractive it is deemed to be, it would follow that the bigger (in terms of carat) a diamond ring is, the more expensive it would have to be (since the carat is the unit measure in the market), and hence the more attractive it would be to buyers who are buying it for prestige anyway. So because the 2 carat diamond ring is likely to be perceived as more expensive, it becomes the more attractive under this criterion.
 It is notable that so great is this ‘obsession’ (for lack of a better word) with the 2 carat diamond that even people whose – or whose loved ones’ – fingers were too small to comfortably accommodate the 2 carat diamond ring tend to still go ahead to purchase it, only for the prestige value associated with such higher carat weight.
 Diamond experts, however, tend to say that this obsession with 2 carat diamond rings is quite misplaced; especially where the 2 carat diamond rings are being bought to be worn by people whose fingers are obviously ill suited for them (since a large diamond ring – in terms of carats- will tend to be more conspicuous on a person with a small finger than a person with larger fingers).

According to these experts, the other Cs that go into determining the quality of a diamond (such as color and cut) are just as important, prestige-wise, as C that is carat; so that a person who would be obviously ill-suited by a large carat ring would be advised to opt for a smaller carat ring, that nonetheless rates highly on other attributes like color and cut.

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What is fascinating about emerald diamonds?

September 7th, 2009

Emeralds are somewhat synonymous to Cleopatra. Since then, people are attracted to Emerald. Because of this, emerald diamonds are so popular. A real emerald diamond is truly breathtaking. It is one of the best next to diamond, ruby and sapphire. Aside from the fact that it is a birthstone for the month of May, it also used when celebrating 35th wedding anniversaries.

Emerald diamonds comes mostly from Colombia, Brazil and other South American countries. There are emerald mines that can be found in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia. There are different kinds of emerald diamond. Its name is gotten from where it is found. There is a Columbian emerald and Brazilian emerald.

There are different colors of emerald ranging from blue green to yellow green. The most famous one is the grass green emerald. The price of the stone varies from how intense its color is. The cost of Emerald diamond can also be dependent on its size. The truth is emerald diamonds have flaes which makes them fragile. However, those ones that are not enhanced are quite expensive.

Emerald diamonds are common in earrings and rings. The color range of emeralds enables them to cluster in a necklace, pendants, and bracelet. Emerald diamonds work well with white gold and platinum. Emerald jewelries are often accented by diamonds. It can also work well with other gemstones like ruby and sapphire. If you don’t have enough cash, then you can combine it with other semi precious stones like garnet and amethyst.

Remember if you are planning to clean emerald diamond, it is best to do it with ultrasonic cleaner. Sometimes there are flaws that can come about during the cleaning procedure. You should avoid cleaning the jewelry using soap water. This liquid may erode some fillings of the stone. Emerald diamonds are hard however the flaws of the stone make it susceptible to breakage.

There are many jewelry retailers that are selling emerald diamond. You can purchase them online. It is best to be careful when you decide to invest on them. Ask for a certificate of authentication. This needs to be done especially if the jewelry retailer is claiming that is real. Emerald diamonds could be quite expensive. If you plan to go for an artificial one, ask the method of the stone was created.  When buying online, it is best if they can provide you with certificate as well as some money back guarantee. This can ensure that you are purchasing an authentic one. Be aware that there are some dealers who are just after your money. It is best to careful especially when purchasing online. Emerald diamonds are surely fascinating jewelry. There are lots of reasons to love them.

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Pear Cut Diamond

September 3rd, 2009
Pear Cut Diamond

Pear Cut Diamond

The first pear cut diamond was created in the year 1458 by a Flemish cutter/polisher Lodewyk van Berquem of Brugge.   The pear is a fascinating shape, often referred to as one of the “fancy shapes” along with Marquise, Heart, Oval, and others. 

The actual cut of the pear shape diamond can vary considerably, often the cut will take account of maximising the proportions available within the limits set by the rough diamond from which it is cut.  The more popular ratio of length to width (the aspect ratio)is around 1.5 to 1, giving the cut a full but clear pear shape profile.

To give the pear its “sparkle”, that all important factor for all diamonds, it will normally have 58 facets.  Each of the facets effectively acts as a mirror helping to reflect light internally within the diamond and back toward the eye.  The actual cut proportions are key to any diamond’s overall sparkle, the angle of each facet and its size work together to create the ideal cut pear diamond.

Sometimes, at certain angles, when looking at the pear diamond (and other fancy shapes) a darker shadow maybe seen within, this is quite normal and is referred to as the “bowtie effect”.

Famous people who have purchased a pear shape diamond include Halle Berry (30 ct pear pendant) and Jessica Simpson (4 ct pear engagement ring)

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Where to find antique wedding rings?

September 3rd, 2009

Nowadays, antique wedding rings are very much in vogue. It is important here that both the bride and groom agree to this. Many a times, a couple would want to go in for a traditional wedding with antique wedding rings and old style romance.

Contemporary weddings would not be the right occasion if you are planning to buy this type of an antique wedding ring. Many of the couples would want to go in for new rings once they are married either for their anniversary or when they feel they are financially more comfortable so as afford those rings.

Many such antique rings are passed on from the older generation to the new generation. Some tips which are worth considering before buying antique wedding rings are as follows:

1) Make proper enquiries about the sellers from whom you are going to buy these antique wedding rings. You would able to get a good deal from estate auctions and sales and you could get it at a really cheap price. If you really are keen on buying authentic antiques, you should go to an antique dealer or a pro jeweler.

2) Decide on the style you would want. Many jewelers also replicate the designs and styles of the antique rings. Many couples would like the looks of a particular antique wedding ring, you could always ask the jeweler to replicate it and order for a new pair of rings. Do not make hasty decisions when it comes to buying antique wedding rings. It is important to be doubly sure whether these rings are really antique or not.

3) A jewelry valuer or an antique jeweler would be able to appraise you better about these rings. They would be able to confirm the authenticity of the gemstones.

You could choose from a wide variety of styles and designs. Make sure you take your time before choosing the antique wedding ring. At times, it is not very easy to identify whether the piece of jewelry is antique or not. If you find that the jewelry has different shades of gold, it is for sure that it has been tampered with.

If you browse the net, you would be able to find many sites selling antique wedding rings.  Do a thorough research and also double check whether the ring you are ultimately buying is antique or is just a remake of the original.
Another important tip is if the seller is trying to push the sales, then it means he is into something mischievous and do not get lured into his talks. Take your time and then make the right decision. The decision is for a lifetime and let someone not force you into buying something which you are not fully comfortable with.

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