Diamond Engagement Rings

How to Make Cascade Style Earrings

2010-12-20T04:55:00.000-08:00

Engagement Sms, Weddings abroad, Fur Industry, ready made curtains, Breitling Galactic - A fine selection of watches including the Breitling Galactic.

Which are the most popular diamonds in the world?

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The Cullinan I: a pear fashioned diamond of 530.20 carats also called ”The Star of Africa”. Set in the English crown jewels. Can be admired in the Tower of London.

The Koh-I-Noor: This”Mountain of Light” is the oldest of the well-known diamonds, has an oval shape and weighs 108.93 carats. Discovered in India, the stone is now fraction of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

The Hope: This is a blue diamond of 44.50 carats and with an extraordinary brilliance. At the moment, the stone is on display at the Smithsonian organization in Washington. Had the reputation to bring misfortune.

Color Diamond

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Gemstone Treatments

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Gemstone treatments or enhancements refer to the way some gems are altered or treated to improve their appearance or durability. Some common treatments include:

Heating, which can lighten, darken or change the color of some gems, or improve a gemstone's clarity.

Irradiation, which can add more color to colored diamonds, some other gemstones and pearls.

Impregnating some gems with colorless oils, wax or resins, which makes a variety of imperfections less visible and can improve a gemstones' clarity and appearance.

Fracture filling, which involves injecting colorless plastic or glass in the gems to hide cracks or fractures and improve the gemstones' appearance and durability.

Diffusion treatment, which adds color to the surface of colorless gems while the center of the stone remains colorless.

Dyeing, which adds color and improves color uniformity in some gemstones and pearls.

Bleaching, which lightens and whitens some gems, including jade and pearls.

Laser-drilling, which removes dark inclusions from diamonds, improving the clarity of the stone.

The Jewelry Guides state that sellers should tell consumers about gemstone treatments in certain circumstances. If the treatment is not permanent or if the treated stone requires special care, you should tell consumers that the stone has been treated and give them appropriate instructions to care for the gemstone. Even if a gemstone treatment is permanent and doesn't create special care requirements, the Guides require you to tell consumers about the treatment if it significantly affects the value of the gemstone.

How to Make a Beaded Butterfly Ring

2010-10-04T05:28:00.000-07:00

Kohinoor Diamond

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The Kohinoor Diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. The Kohinoor diamond was first mentioned in 1306 when it was taken from a Rajah of Malwa, whose family had held the diamond for centuries. It was described as weighing 186 carats and was an oval cut white diamond - the shape and size of a small hen's egg. The Kohinoor diamond belonged to various Indian and Persian rulers but it became part of the Crown Jewels of England at the time that Queen Victoria was proclaimed empress of India. The Kohinoor was re-cut at this time and now weighs 108.93 carats and is kept in the Tower of London.

Kimberley Diamond

2010-09-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

The Kimberley Diamond, named after the Kimberley Mine in South Africa, is one of the most far-famed emerald-cut diamonds in the world.

Before the Kimberley Diamond was cut, it weighed about 490-carats and had the color of sparkling wine. In the year 1921, the rough diamond was cut to 70 carats and in 1958 the Kimberley Diamond was re- cut into the current emerald shape and measured about 55.09 carats. The yellow colored diamond with its beautiful shape has been exhibited in different places and finally an undisclosed collector from Texas bought it in 1971.

The Kimberley Diamond has become famous because of its emerald cut. This emerald cut was initially known as ‘step cut’ and was perfectly suited for emeralds, hence the name emerald cut. The emerald cut consists of 58 facets, 8 girdles, 25 crowns and 25 pavilions. The shapes can vary from squares to rectangles. Later this emerald cut was used while shaping hard stones and so it was also applied in case of the diamonds.

WORLDS LARGEST DIAMOND!

2010-09-07T02:56:00.000-07:00

Firestone Diamonds says Botswana mine ahead of schedule

2010-09-03T23:39:00.000-07:00

Firestone Diamonds said it reached earthmoving and production plant capacity targets ahead of schedule and recovered a high quality diamond at its BK11 mine in Botswana, raising its expectations for the average value of output at the mine.

It said early diamond recoveries included 13.74 carat stone, with value estimated at $5,000 per carat.

"This recovery is very significant and confirms our expectation that larger diamonds will be recovered at BK11," Chief Executive Philip Kenny said in a statement.

Firestone said it would "comfortably exceed" the target production of 1.5 million tonnes per annum at it BK11 production plant once the phase 2 commissioning was completed in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Firestone, which had agreed to buy rival Kopane Diamond Developments for $71 million to get its hands on Kopane's Liqhobong kimberlite project in July, said plans developed in relation to the mine were in advanced stage.

However, the company said a plant it was building for Debswana Diamond Co at a Botswana mine would be delayed to allow Debswana to focus on certain higher priority projects.

The construction of the modular tailings treatment plant at the Jwaneng mine had been expected to start in the first half of 2011 and reach full production in late 2012, said the diamond miner and explorer with operations in Botswana and South Africa.

Shares of Firestone were up 5.4 percent at 24.75 at 0748 GMT on the London Stock Exchange. They touched a high of 11.8 percent earlier in the session.

Beryl Gemstone - The Mother of all Gemstones

2010-08-26T04:41:00.000-07:00

Beryl is the common name given to a group of gems having a similar chemical composition.

Beryl has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs Scale and has a hexagonal crystal system. Beryl is found in many places including Colombia, Africa, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan and California. Other than Jewelry Gemstones Beryl is also the main source of Beryllium which is combined with copper to make high quality resistant wires. It is also used in nuclear reactors, space shuttles.

Beryl jewelry can be cleaned using warm soapy water and then thoroughly rinsed. Though Beryl does not scratch or damage easily It is not advisable to clean beryl stones in ultrasonic cleaners.

Aquamarine is a light bluish green form of beryl. The name of this stone is derived from the Latin word 'Aqua" which means water and 'mare' which means sea.The color of this stone is as a result of the iron content in the stone.

Bixbite is the red form of beryl. It is an extremely rare gemstone and Utah is the only place where bixite can be found. This stone is named after Maynard Bixby who discovered this stone in the year 1904. The red color of this stone is as a result of the manganese content in the stone.

Emerald is the most famous of all beryls and is green in color. The name of this stone is derived from the Greek word ' smargus' which means green gemstone.The green color of this stone is because of the chromium and iron content in the stone.

Goshenite is a form of beryl that does not have any color. This stone is named after 'Goshen' in the US, the place where it was found first.

Heliodor is known as the yellow from of beryl. This stone name is derived from the Greek words 'helios' and 'doros' which means gift from the Sun.The yellow color is due to the iron content in the stone.

Morganite is known as the pink form of beryl. The color of the stone is due to manganese and iron content in stone. Morganite got its name from the American Banker J.P. Morgan.

How Diamonds are Cut

2010-08-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

Surat diamond industry to float Rs1,000-crore company to buy raw diamonds

2010-08-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

The Rs65,000-crore Surat diamond industry which is gaining momentum after the global economic downturn plans to form a Rs1,000-crore company for the purchase of raw material for its units directly from the mining sources, thus doing away with the role of brokers.

The new company which will be known as Surat Diamond Sourcing India Limited (SDSIL), will procure diamond roughs, the raw material for the cutting and polishing industry directly from the mines abroad, a top body of traders said yesterday.

"The proposed company is likely to have a corpus of over Rs1,000 crore with contributions of Rs1.08 crore each from nearly 500 members, who shall be the founder shareholders, and another 1,000 members who will pay Rs54 lakh each," Surat Diamond Association president Rohit Mehta said.

Mehta said the company will be soon incorporated under the Companies Act and registered with the Registrar of Companies. The shareholders will be issued shares of Rs10 each. The founder-shareholders shall have voting rights, while those paying Rs54 lakh will enjoy all benefits of being a shareholder except voting rights.

At present the diamond industry is getting the raw material from the world's rough diamond hub Antwerp in Belgium, and Dubai. The Surat traders believe that they often get cheated by the middlemen during the deals.

SDSIL will directly bid for procurement of rough diamonds from mining firms in Canada, Russia and Africa, and will sell it through a tender system to its members. With this SDSIL hopes to compete with other players by directly dealing with global majors like De Beers, Alrosa, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and others.

6 ct. Fancy Blue Diamond

2010-08-17T23:43:00.000-07:00

A flawless blue diamond represented by Sotheby's Hong Kong sold at auction for $7.98 Million U.S. Dollars to Moussaieff Jewellers of London. The 6.04 carat, internally flawless blue diamond fetched a record breaking $1.32 Million U.S. Dollars per carat making it the most expensive diamond per carat in history. The previous record price paid for a fancy colored diamond was the $926,000 per carat which was paid for the "Hancock Red" in 1987. Moussaieff Jewellers has a reputation for aquiring extremely rare and costly gemstones.

Blue diamonds have long captivated the rich and powerful -- shimmering with a certain dark mystique. The famous "Hope Diamond", a 45.52 carat grey-blue beauty, was passed down through the ages by King Louis XIV of France, Marie Antoinette and American heiress Evalyn Walsh McClean among others. It now rests in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. The selling price for blue diamonds is often ten times the price for white (colorless) diamonds of similar quality.

Hancock Red Diamond

2010-08-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

April 28, 1987: A 0.95 ct Fancy purplish red round brilliant-cut diamond, now known as the Hancock Red, sold at Christie’s in New York for $880,000 fetching $926,000 per carat. The price paid for the Hancock Red set a new world record per-carat price for any gem sold at auction and fetched more than seven times the previous record mark for a diamond ($127,000 per carat, paid for a 7.27 ct pink diamond in 1980). Despite eye-visible inclusions, the Hancock Red commanded such a hefty price due to its exceptionally rare natural color.

The diamond was put up for auction by the heirs of a Montana collector, Warren Hancock, who reportedly had purchased it in 1956 for $13,500. The Hancock Red was one of his several fancy-color diamonds that had been mined and cut in Brazil.

The record price fetched for the Hancock Red in 1987 set a record which was not surpassed until October 2007 when Sotheby's sold a 6.04 carat fancy blue internally flawless diamond at auction for $7,981,835.00 U.S. Dollars which is a stunning $1.3 Million U.S. Dollars per carat!

Pink Yellow Sapphire Butterfly Ring Diamonds 14k White Gold

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Diamond Inclusions

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Inclusions play a major role while judging the quality of a diamond. Their presence can reduce the value of a diamond. Among the four Cs, clarity determines the stone’s purity. Any kind of internal impurity is termed as Diamond Inclusion.

The various types of diamond inclusions are:

Mineral and Crystal Inclusion: Diamonds may have slighter crystals inside them. These crystals can be smaller diamonds or some other mineral. They are intent within the stone during its formation. Though they are referred to as inclusions, sometimes they can actually create the diamond look more appealing.

Pinpoint Inclusion: They are minute crystals inside the stone which degrade its clarity. They are so small that they need to be viewed under magnification. When several pinpoints gather at the same area of the stone, it appears to be more distracting and hence makes the diamond look dull.

Cloud Inclusion: When several tiny crystals or pinpoint inclusions are grouped together, it emits cloudy and hazy appearance hence developing a cloud in the stone.

Needle Inclusion: Long and thin crystals are termed as needles in diamond inclusions. They are similar to pinpoint inclusions except for their shape.

Feather Inclusion: These are inclusions which actually look like feathers or fractures. Although small feathers are harmless but if they reach the diamond surface then they can probably result in its breakage.

Knot Inclusion: When an included crystal extends to the diamond’s surface, it is termed as a knot. They are a higher risk to the stone as they make the diamond less durable.

Cavity Inclusion: It is large opening in the stone and is also called as a crack which is relatively bigger in size.

Cleavage Inclusion: It is quite similar to cavity inclusion but appears to be a straight crack without any kind of feathering. This can be quite hazardous for the stone since if hit at the right place, the diamond can split down.

Girdle Fringes, Bearding Inclusion: They are hair-like lines which usually develop during the cutting process of the stone. They appear around the girdle and extend from the surface towards its internal part.

Grain Lines Inclusion: They are also called as grain lines and are formed during the formation of the diamond. These lines are formed due to irregular crystallization.

Asscher cut diamonds

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Asscher cut diamonds are square shaped. With regard to their shape, asscher cut gemstones resemble an emerald cut stone because both exhibit step cut. But, diamonds with this cut are larger than the emerald cut diamonds.

The different aspects of a diamond are arranged beautifully in asscher cut with the aim to bring out the inner beauty. Its bottom has great depth which accounts for the enormous brilliance of this type of diamond and it is characterized with ‘small table’ and ‘high crown’. One thing that you must notice while selecting your asscher cut diamond is its corners.

A Few Facts about Black Diamonds

2010-07-26T02:41:00.000-07:00

Black diamonds are also called “carbonados,” reflecting their chemical make-up of pure black carbon. All diamonds of any color are chemically composed of carbon that through eons of time, became what we know today as diamonds. They don’t come out of the earth as white, sparkly gemstones, but must be extracted, cut and immaculately polished. Black diamonds are not truly black; they are diamonds that contain a large amount of dark inclusions that give them their dark appearance. These inclusions are actually specks of the carbon that creates all diamonds.

Black diamonds, so far, have only been mined in Brazil and Central Africa. Both countries have a well-known history of producing large, rich diamond strikes. Australia is one of the most prolific producer of diamonds and fire opals, but as yet has not hit a strike of black diamonds.

To enhance their color, black diamonds are treated with an electron beam that causes no harm to the stone. This process can be used with other colored diamonds, but is recommended only for the black diamond’s chemical carbon inclusions. The treated stone is then carefully cut into various carat weights and styles that enhance their dark color.

Diamond Cut Grades

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Blue Nile Signature Ideal cut: Our most brilliant cut, representing roughly the top 1% of diamond quality based on cut. The highest grades of polish and symmetry allow it to reflect even more light than the standard ideal cut.

Ideal cut Diamonds: Represents roughly the top 3% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects nearly all light that enters the diamond. An exquisite and rare cut.

Very good cut: Represents roughly the top 15% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects nearly as much light as the ideal cut, but for a lower price.

Good cut: Represents roughly the top 25% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects most light that enters. Much less expensive than a very good cut.

Fair cut: Represents roughly the top 35% of diamond quality based on cut. Still a quality diamond, but a fair cut will not be as brilliant as a good cut.

Poor cut: Diamonds that are generally so deep and narrow or shallow and wide that they lose most of the light out the sides and bottom. Blue Nile does not carry diamonds with cut grades of poor.

Type of Diamonds

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Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds are classified by the type and quantity of impurities found within them.

* Type Ia - This is the most common type of natural diamond, containing up to 0.3% nitrogen.
* Type Ib - Very few natural diamonds are this type (~0.1%), but nearly all synthetic industrial diamonds are. Type Ib diamonds contain up to 500 ppm nitrogen.
* Type IIa - This type is very rare in nature. Type IIa diamonds contain so little nitrogen that it isn't readily detected using infrared or ultraviolet absorption methods.
* Type IIb - This type is also very rare in nature. Type IIb diamonds contain so little nitrogen (even lower than type IIa) that the crystal is a p-type semiconductor.

Synthetic industrial diamonds

Synthetic industrial diamonds are produced the process of High Pressure High Temperature Synthesis (HPHT). In HPHT synthesis, graphite and a metallic catalyst are placed in a hydraulic press under high temperatures and pressures. Over the period of a few hours the graphite converts to diamond. The resulting diamonds are usually a few millimeters in size and too flawed for use as gemstones, but they are extremely useful as edges on cutting tools and drill-bits and for being compressed to generate very high pressures.

Thin Film Diamonds

A process called Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) may be used to deposit thin films of polycrystalline diamond. CVD technology makes it possible to put 'zero-wear' coatings on machine parts, use diamond coatings to draw the heat away from electronic components, fashion windows that are transparent over a broad wavelength range, and take advantage of other properties of diamonds.

Diamond Color grades

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Colorless diamonds and diamonds that are yellow or yellowish brown are grouped into the categories shown below. These grades do not apply to fancy colored diamonds--they have their own color grading standards.

D-E-F
Colorless.

G-H-I-J
Nearly colorless.

K-L-M
Faintly tinted, usually yellow.

N-O-P-Q-R
Lightly tinted, usually yellow. Tint can be seen with the naked eye.

S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Tinted, usually yellow, may progress to brownish. Tint visible to the naked eye, even when mounted.

Purple diamonds

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Purple diamonds and Violet diamonds are extremely rare and often considered collector items. In nature you can find purple in lavender and orchids. It is considered precious, delicate and often associated with royalty.

Purple diamonds have the same romantic effect as pink diamonds with a touch of mystery. It is a special color which combines both red and blue – which mean it has both warmth and cool effects.

Peled Diamonds presents a wide selection of purple diamonds. You can buy the romantic fancy purple pink diamond or the mysterious and intriguing natural fancy grayish violet diamond.

Blue diamond engagement rings facts

2010-06-29T02:54:00.000-07:00

Colored diamonds like blue diamonds have become more and more popular in the 90s and they have maintained their fame up to these days mostly because of celebrities that are location up different trends in jewelry selection. As natural blue diamonds are rare they are also very luxurious, and blue diamond engagement rings are among the most exclusive options when buying diamond engagement ring, if not of course you go for some diamond imitation or choose to choose some lab created diamond.

When it comes to price of a natural blue diamonds then get ready you to spend a real fortune because (natural) blue diamond engagement rings cost in standard 10 to 50 times more than their white counterparts, and are therefore actually intended for people with the uppermost financial power. Like with many other colored diamonds infrequency and high demand result in very high price that only few people are prepared to pay.

Diamond engagement rings with deep blue color are surely amongst the most attractive diamond engagement rings but only few fortunate ladies have the freedom to wear these valuable stones while other can only dream of it or they need to be content with some simulation.

Blue colored diamond engagement rings also make very good asset, since natural blue diamonds are very rare, and in high demand they keep (and even increase) their value over time compared to white diamonds that in most cases lose their value as soon they get out of the diamond jewelry store.

Diamond Grading and Gemological Reports

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There are a range of gemological institutes that assess diamonds and issue Diamond Gemological Reports, as well as measure and certify loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. Depending on your region, there are a number of highly regarded companies including the following listed below.

HRD - Hoge Raad Voor Diamant (The Diamond High Council). The officially recognized representative of the Belgium diamond trade and industry. HRD headquarters are situated in Antwerp, World Diamond Center.

GIA -Gemological Institute of America. Founded in 1931 in Los Angeles, the GIA formed and introduced the international grading system. Headquarters are still situated in Los Angeles.

IGI - International Gemological Institute. The oldest institute of its kind in Antwerp. Set up in 1975 with labs in New York, Bangkok, Mumbai and Tokyo.

GemScan - GemScan International was included in 1985 as an autonomous jewelry appraisal laboratory if gem identification. GemScan is based in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

AGS - American Gem Society Founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley who also founded the GIA. The AGS is based in Nevada, USA.

EGL - European Gemological Laboratory. EGL was initially opened in Antwerp in 1974, and now has laboratories in Antwerp, New York Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Paris, London, Israel and Seoul.

Champagne diamonds

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Champagne diamonds are in nature coloured diamonds that are fashioned in a wide range of colours from light straw to rich cognac.

The 4C's of colour, cut, clarity and carat weight apply to coloured diamonds just as they do to colourless diamonds apart from the intensity of colour, not lack of it, plays a greater part in the assessment.

Argyle Diamonds created the following scale especially for champagne diamonds. The diamonds are graded on a C1-C7 colour scale. C1 and C2 symbolize light champagne, C3 and C4 medium champagne, and C5 and C6 dark champagne. The fancy cognac diamond is graded C7.

Blood Diamonds

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Blood diamonds are diamonds that are concerned in horrific human rights abuses with diamond-fueled violence, child labor, and environmental destruction. Diamond-fueled violence includes diamonds illegitimately traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, mainly in central and western Africa. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as "...diamonds that create from areas controlled by forces or factions different to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council." This narrow definition does not comprise state sanctioned violence, local brutality in diamond mining, or any other human rights abuses.

Colored Diamonds

2010-06-01T22:19:00.000-07:00

Diamond color nearly always plays a significant role in our search, because color shadings in what should be a white diamond are not attractive. Fancy colored diamonds are all the fury these days. Gemologists have developed new ways to create versions that are cheap for the average person – by treating less attractive diamonds. These less attractive diamonds are treated with irradiation followed by powerful heat. This turns brown and yellowish diamonds into wonderfully colored diamonds that you may afford. This produces stunning greens, blues, yellows, reds, purples and other colors. These colors are measured permanent, but there’s a possibility they could change during repairs if a high heat is used.

The most famous diamonds in the world are Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond, which is yellow and the desire Diamond which is blue are colored diamonds. Color diamonds have a wonderful financial track record. The value has never decreased on extensive level in more than 30 years. Blue and pink diamonds have doubled every 5 years of a strong economy.

Women's Wedding Rings

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Wedding rings are usually exchanged by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremonial to indicate their commitment to each other. As some wedding ring styles are meant to be damaged on the same finger as the engagement ring as a couple, other styles can stand only on a different finger. Usual wedding rings are made exclusively of metal and match nicely with an extensive range of engagement rings. More complicated wedding bands are set with diamonds or a mixture of diamonds and gemstones. These diamond bands are typically specifically designed to match the bride's engagement ring style. Occasionally referred to as "eternity bands", diamond wedding rings are also given as anniversary gifts and offer a dramatic visual impact when worn.

High quality diamond bands, like the ones offered at brightness, are set with diamonds of at least H color and SI clearness for optimum sparkle and long life. Though wedding rings are now being sold in a plethora of metals such as stainless steel, silver, and titanium, Brilliance sells wedding ring made of platinum, palladium, and gold, the precious metals most optional for fine jewelry. As well, many of our all-metal wedding bands are cast as one piece with no closure. This method gives the most toughness and defense for your ring against daily wear.

Brides often become emotionally involved to their wedding ring because of its over-romantic value and significance. So, it is significant to choose a wedding ring that offers typical style and longevity. The jewelry experts at Brilliance can help you discover the perfect wedding ring and present creative ways to match your engagement ring style with a matching wedding ring. Our jewelers can also modify your wedding ring by adding up a particular finish or by etching a personalized message on the inside of the ring.

Finding Your Ring Size

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1. Cut a narrow piece of paper or a piece of string. The paper should be no wider than 3/4" and at slightest 4 inches long.

2. Cover the paper or string approximately the base of the finger to be sized.

3. Mark the cord or paper wherever it completes s the circle. It should not be too tight, nor should it slip off simply.

4. Calculate the length of the paper or string. Estimate from the starting to the mark with a ruler or tape measure.

5. Locate the measurement on the chart to the following to find the matching ring size.

6. If else all fails, go to a shop jeweler (or any of good reputation jewelry department) and have them size your finger for you.

Red Diamonds

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Red diamonds are the rarest of the colored diamond set, and only a handful have still conventional the grade of Fancy Red, sense that they are pure red with no altering color. Though, there live Brownish Red, Pinkish Red, and Purplish Red diamonds, but usually, these stones are uncommon, and their prices reproduce their shortage on the mark.

Red diamonds can come into view in the following hue combinations:

Fancy Red Diamond

Fancy Purplish Red

Fancy Brownish Diamond

Heart Diamonds

2010-05-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Heart diamonds are the eventual present for Valentine’s Day. A shining heart shaped diamond helps you to convey your love for your particular someone with elegance, stylishness and romance.

Even if they are hard to find, because of their rising popularity, retailers and manufacturers are charitable them more importance and annoying to transport them in large numbers.

These fancy-cut diamonds disclose the bow-tie shadow effect even though high quality stones show this effect plainly. They classically contain 59 facets.

When fixed in prong setting they look more wonderful than in any other jewelry set, since the beauty of the shape gets noticed simply with this setting. Typically five prongs would be necessary to grip the stone. Two prongs will grip the lobes, another two to grip the sides and a V-shaped prong holding its sharp tip.

Pink Diamonds

2010-05-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

Pink diamonds is a type of fancy diamond and is one of the precious and rarest colored diamonds. Because of its infrequency, its price is compared to other colored and neutral diamonds.

They are obtainable in different shades of the color pink: Brownish pink, Purplish Pink, Pink Champagne, Orange Pink and a lot of more. Similar to other colored diamonds and gemstones, the color quality of pink diamonds is judged based upon the color strength and constancy across the diamond. More strong and steady it is more expensive will the diamond be. But it should also be noted that yet lighter shades of pink diamonds are pricey because of their rarity.

Engagement rings with pink diamonds have become very popular because Jenifer Lopez was known a pink diamond engagement ring. Also, these diamonds have been the preferred of many celebrities and tendency setters because they carry a unique factor into the jewelry.

They are available in a variety of styles and settings. But if the preferred design is not available with the seller, then they would always welcome a pink colored loose diamonds and a location to create a custom jewelry with this uncommon diamond. They are moreover valued when set into white gold or platinum metal, as these metals improve their beauty.

Ten reasons why you should desire diamonds for your jewelry

2010-04-29T02:17:00.000-07:00

Diamonds are and always will be best compared to all other jewelry. Their best quality and their rarity build them unique pieces of jewelry, unparalleled in beauty, as well as strength and toughness.
Diamonds actually do last eternally. In fact this forever is few millions years but still from our point of view such lifetime in truth looks like an eternity.
Diamonds have extended history, and very rich custom. It's actually classic at its very top, well in terms of jewelry that is.
Diamonds create outstanding investment since their value in most cases raise after time, meaning that they're not only excellent from aesthetic but also from ecological point of vision.
Diamonds polish big time, and girls love glittery stuff. Shine adds the further measurement to your jewelry, and diamonds to put it just rule when it comes to shine.
It is very hard to obliterate diamonds; in fact diamonds can be only injured by other diamonds which makes their protection a quite easy task. Still it is sensible to clean your diamond jewelry from time to time.
Enormous selection and custom complete diamond jewelry. Variety of different diamonds to decide from, all you need to identify is what you want, and of course have sufficient money to pay the price for your collection.
Diamonds are forever fashionable. Standard white diamonds are always the most well-liked choice, so essentially you can't go wrong with them.
Diamonds are no longer obtainable just for rich people, of course there are a number of pieces of diamond jewelry that cost a real chance but "regular looking diamond engagement ring" has suitable price to most "average earning people". Particularly lab shaped diamonds that cost considerably less than usual diamonds, and have the same if not the improved properties.
Diamonds are ideal gifts. No matter what the time you can not go incorrect with diamonds. After all they are the true best.

2.11 Carat Mariela2 Diamond 18Karat White Gold Engagement Ring

2010-04-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

This visually stirring diamond engagement ring is excellence at its finest. The centerpiece of this thinly crafted ring is a dazzling round brilliant cut diamond with a weight of 1.01 carats. This outstanding diamond has clarity of Si1 with a color grade of G and is bezel set reddening into the setting. This not only firmly sets your prized possession, but also protects it through every day wear. Surrounding the center stone, on the bezel are shining round cut diamonds. The side round diamonds than continues behind the side profile of the center structure, onto the characteristic circles, and lastly down the shank. These side diamonds have a total mutual weight of 1.10 carats. The side diamonds are all very fine cut and diversity in clarity from Vs1-Vs2 with a color grade ranging from G-H. The sculptured design of this wonderful piece will bring abundance of positive comments from everyone. This unique and inspirational piece measures 10mm wide at its widest point and is complete of 18kt. white gold with an entirety metal weight of 5.24 grams.

Pink Diamond Earrings

2010-04-20T05:20:00.000-07:00

Pink is most likely the most female color of them all so it's actually no surprise that pink diamond earrings are forever popular choice among girls.

Similar to all the other colored stones pink diamonds are always extremely high in demand, and being high in demand sense these babies will not come up to cheap in most cases, particularly if you choose to go for natural pink diamonds that are very rare, and therefore very luxurious.

Several natural pink diamonds have been established in Argyle mine in Australia, while some pink diamonds in the marker also invent from Africa and Brazil. Pink diamond rings are also fairly popular but not quite as well-liked as pink diamond earrings that are always high in insist.

Pink diamond earrings are recommended to girls that are full of self-assurance, proud of their femaleness, and not frightened to add shine of class to their daily look. With pink diamond earrings one obsession is sure, that is that you won't get ignored as they are sure to add the highlight to your face.

Conflict Diamonds

2010-04-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

As a result of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, diamonds are among the most monitored and audited of any natural resource in the world. This system has proven to be an essential and effective tool in combating the scourge of conflict diamonds

The Kimberley Process was launched in 2003 to control and monitor the trade in rough diamonds. In just three years, the international community has made remarkable strides to certify the $30 billion annual international rough diamond trade by creating a documentary record of rough diamonds from mine to polishing. Rough diamonds must be shipped in sealed containers and exported with a Kimberley Process Certificate which certifies that the diamonds are conflict free.

What are the techniques to find the diamond is real or fake

2010-04-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some techniques that are used to identify that the diamonds are fake or real one.

Transparency Test

In this transparency test, the stone is located up-side down on a paper with written something. If the characters appear to be readable then you can be sure that the diamond is fake one, as written material cannot be read means the diamond is real one.

Fog Test

Blow a little air on the stone from your mouth to fog it. If the fog lives on the stone, it means the stone is not original diamond. Heat gets detached fast on real diamonds resulting in fascinating the fog within no time.

Ultraviolet test

When a real diamond is held below ultraviolet light, it produces blue colored light. The same goes for it when held below black color. The difficulty of this technique is that along with fake diamonds, high class diamonds also do not produce the future blue colored light.

Reflection Test

A real diamond always reproduces shades of the color grey and white and does not produce rainbow reflections. These rainbow reflections can be seen from fake diamonds or real but small excellence diamonds.

Sparkles

Real diamond sparkles from all sides, no matter which point of view it is view from, whereas in fake diamonds the shine is seen from the peak only and looks dull from all the other side angles.

Diamond Rates head up again

2010-04-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Retail diamond values in the second half of 2008 qualified one of the main decreases in decades and followed by comparatively no price changes up or downward in 2009. Though, rough diamond rates in 2009 were up by regarding 15% and they have increased that much by now in 2010. As a result, there is major pressure on refined diamond prices to move up.

With the U.S. financial system star to recover and the U.S. consumers classically purchasing concerning half the world’s diamonds and diamond jewelry, retail rates are moving up.

By the ending of January 2010, there was an industry wide price increase for diamonds over 3.0 carat weight with price increases series from 1.5% to 3.5% depending on carat weight, color and clearness of the diamond. In middle of the February, one more industry wide price increase occurred for round diamonds in the 1.00 to 1.99 carat range with at least H color and VS2 clearness and had increases in the 1.0% to 5.0% range depending on carat weight, color, and clarity of the diamond.

It is only a material of time before we see cost increases for fancy shaped diamonds less than 3.0 carats and for round diamonds in the 2.0 to 2.99 carat weight variety.

These early year increases will not be the last increases as projections are for elegant diamond prices to increase by double-digits for 2010. For diamond consumers, this means that the top prices are leaving to be had now quite than later this year or in the predictable future.

Advice on How to Protect Jewelry

2010-03-30T03:06:00.000-07:00

Try to keep your gold jewelry or Diamond jewelry or any other from scratches, sharp blows, insensitive chemicals, tremendous temperatures and sunlight.

Here are few advices regarding how to maintain your jewelry in good condition:

* Store jewelry disjointedly so it does not scratch to other jewelry.
* When doing home tasks such as gardening and cleaning, at that time, remove rings.
* After washing or bathing and applying any makeup or hair spray, put your jewelry.
* Never put on jewelry whereas swimming in a swimming pool. The chlorine can cause spoil to various gemstones and gold.
* Please avoid storing your jewelry after that to a heating vent, window sill or on a car's dashboard. Store your jewelry away from sunlight because the sun rays may fade your gemstones
* Don’t store your pearls in plastic bags.
* The majority jewelers will restring necklaces or rearrange stones
* Sterling silver will shine up by rubbing or polishing it with a spongy cotton cloth.
* Store silver in plastic bags with an interlocking seal to build it less flat to stain.

Black jewelry in fashion

2010-03-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Black could be the latest trendy fashion in this holiday season. According to fashion cognizant, wearing black clothes can build you slim and wearing black jewelry is the shiniest. And still black jewelry can suit to any occasions. You can decide fashion accessory from rings to necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings, glitzy add-ons, the darker, and the simpler and more traditional accessories.

Going black is the leave days in style! Be ready to shine your way during the holidays? And wearing Black is the fashion in the style world!

Black bling is huge in the shape of black titanium or tungsten engagement ring with a big, fat carbonado. "Carbonado" or "black diamonds" is a luxury baubles and a hot product since their detection in Brazil.

With the new trend of black being the color of selection among several people, jewelry designers have been featuring black diamonds and black titanium as hottest trend of jewelry. Black does go with all and as it would with a fancy New Years dress!

Fluorescence

2010-03-17T02:35:00.000-07:00

Certain diamonds produce a slight blue glow when bare to ultraviolet rays. This interesting fact is called fluorescence. Many light basis including the sun, glowing office lights, and "black" lights produce ultraviolet rays. In usual lighting situation, fluorescence cannot be seen.

EGL USA specifies the power of fluorescence on its diamond certificates for identification purposes. The look of fluorescence in diamonds exposed to strong ultraviolet lamps ranges from extremely faint (hardly perceptible) to very strong (a neon-blue burn). Some diamonds illustrate no fluorescence at all.

A scientific industry learns showed that, with little exceptions, fluorescence in diamonds involves neither price nor look. In case, diamonds with incredibly strong fluorescence and a particular arrangement of clearness characteristics may look a little "cloudy," but consumers hardly ever encounter such diamonds. Fluorescence may also have a slightly positive power on the appearance of convinced off-colored diamonds, thus making them better-looking to own

What Should You Know While Buying An Antique Diamond Ring

2010-03-11T12:20:00.000-08:00

First of all, before you buy an antique diamond ring as a wedding rings or engagement rings, here are few of things you consider:

1. Make sure that the antique diamond ring is efficiently appraised previous to your pay for it. By doing this, you can be certain that all of its gems are genuine. You can also decide if the ring has been repaired or if it needs maintenance in case there are mineral chips or cracks.

2. Look for a snap with a seal or written and signed understanding to identify when the ring was authentic.

3. In case the antique diamond ring needs a mend, get a predictable cost of previous to proceeding.

4. Be flexible. There are gemstones and designs other citizens think as unsuccessful. If you're not into these legends, you might desire to think these antique diamond rings since they might be less luxurious than others.

5. Make sure that you examine and look at closely the state of the antique engagement ring. Get note of the prongs investment the center diamond and the stem of the ring.

6. Make some investigate on 10X jeweler's loupe.

7. Purchase the antique diamond ring from a highly regarded jeweler or Diamond jewelry store.

8. Make sure that all about the antique wedding ring is on paper on receipts, assessments, and guarantees.

9. Identify if the stone is a real diamond or if it is a cubic zirconia, moissanite or other artificial substance.

10. If possible, get an official document from Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to make sure the genuineness of your very old diamond ring.

Diamond Carat Weight

2010-03-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

Carat weight is the diamond weight calculated in carats. One carat is separated into 100 points, so that a diamond of 75 points (carat) weighs 0.75 carats. Carat weight is the clearest factor in determining the value of a diamond. But two diamonds of equal carat weights can have extremely different prices, depending on their excellence. Diamonds of high worth can be found in all size ranges.

The scale over depicts the carat weights and diameter sizes of round shape diamonds. Other shape of diamonds will differ. For example, whereas a 1 carat round shape diamond is 6.5mm on average, a 1 carat princess shape diamond is frequently 5.5mm instead.

Since diamonds are calculated by carat weight, and not measured by size, two diamonds of the equal weight could have different sizes. Why? If a diamond is cut too low it will have a better diameter but a slighter depth. Similarly, if a diamond is cut too bottomless (or bottom heavy) it will have a lesser diameter and thus emerge smaller when viewed from the top.

Custom Wedding rings

2010-02-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

Creating your own wedding rings is easy and beautiful compared to selecting from ready made rings. Wedding rings are a symbol of love and pledge. It is a deal made by the couple that represents an agreement between them to live jointly. Wedding ring is a symbol for the promise they have taken together.

Creating your own wedding ring is the best choice for those who desire their rings to represent their togetherness and union.

You can keep a great deal of money by creating your own wedding ring that expresses the unique love among the couples!

Perfect Cut Builds a Perfect Diamond Ring

2010-02-22T03:03:00.000-08:00

When you begin looking for a diamond ring, the cut of the diamond is one of the significant factors to think. For this basis you will hear jewelers talking often about it.

Now, when a jeweler is talk about cut, they aren’t talking regarding the shape of the diamond. You can have different shapes to the diamond like pear or teardrop shape, and still have a good cut or bad cut.

When a diamonds is being cut, the purpose is to cut the angles of the diamond so that the light is pinched into the heart of the diamond and then redirected back to the observer’s eye. This cut is what gives the diamond its shine and twinkle.

If the cut is mistaken, light can leak outside of the stone and be gone on the person observing the diamond wedding band. A good cut will reproduce the light properly.

While you are looking for a diamond rings or a diamond wedding bands, ask the jeweler to show the difference a variety of cuts creates in the reflective qualities of the diamond. It will help vastly in choosing the diamond wedding band that’s right for you or your future bride.

How to Keep Your Diamond Wedding Bands Beautiful

2010-02-09T00:42:00.000-08:00

With a little regular care your diamond wedding bands will keep on glowing for years to come. Every one it takes a little soap and water once a month.

Your wedding band can obtain attractive stained at times. Makeup cosmetics, hand lotions, even the oils in your skin reduce the ring’s shine. The good reports is, with little care you can maintain your diamond wedding band looking similar to new.

Put a little mild soap in a tiny bowl of water. Set your wedding band in the soap and mix the water. Get a soft and flexible brush. An eyebrow brush or lipstick brush is best will work fairly well.

With the band totally submerged softly scrub the band. Then take the wedding band out and dried up it with a lint-free cloth.

Suppose you need a stronger cleaning? You can mix the water with ammonia in a 1:1 ratio and immerse your ring for a bit previous to scrubbing it. Or, if you’re truly serious about cleaning your diamond wedding band, you can get one of the several ultra-sonic cleaners on the marketplace.

Diamond Cut

2010-01-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

Several people confuse diamond cut with the shape of a diamond. Unlike shape, diamond cut is the metric used to estimate the precision and value of the overall cutting itself. Diamond cut is the majority complex of the 4 Cs, and not even the major labs agree on how to best calculate the quality of a diamond’s cut. Diamond Cut typically takes into consideration 3 criteria: Proportions, Symmetry and Polish. Sometimes Light Performance or other tests can be used to also measure the precision of the diamond cut.

1. When a diamond is cut to correct size, light is reflected from one surface to another surface and then detached through the top of the stone like to the image shown to the left.

2. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes during the opposite side of the pavilion.

3. If the cut is too thin, light escapes during the pavilion before it can be reflected.

Advantages of Shopping Diamonds in Online

2010-01-21T03:06:00.000-08:00

1. Prices are much less. Diamond dealers online only don't have wherever near the overhead stores do. These costs contain renting commercial space, staff, security, displays, decor, and particularly inventory. These fixed costs are well factored into the price of your diamonds when buying in a store.

2. Selection is much better. Stores stock a small amount of items which get a year or more to sell; they merely don't have the sheer traffic and volume online merchants enjoy. This is why online merchants have a vast stock of readily-customizable products they can turn over quickly. This results in a smaller amount inventory expenses factored into your jewelry and a much wider selection.

3. Convenience. Yes, you can factually shop in your pajamas for your diamonds online. Not just that, but several online merchants have a database of loose diamonds you can browse and search during, making comparisons easy and painless. Shopping from store to store can be very boring and time consuming.

4. Tax-free! If you are not buying a diamond from your state or region, then that diamond cannot be taxed. On a $5000 diamond, taxes can add up very fast!

Diamond clarity scale

2010-01-06T01:15:00.000-08:00

All diamonds have recognizing characteristics, but most are undetectable to the naked eye. To view a diamond, experts utilize a 10x expanding loupe which permits them to see the form of tiny crystals, feathers or clouds. These usual phenomena are called inclusions. There are five categories in class that anybody interested in acquiring a diamond should be approachable of when grading clarity.

FL (Flawless) - IF (Internally Flawless)Flawless Diamonds disclose no flaws on the surface or inside are the rarest and most attractive gems.
Internally Flawless Diamonds disclose no inclusions and merely insignificant blemishes on the surface below 10 x magnifications.

VVS1 - VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included)Very difficult to perceive inclusions below 10x magnification. These are admirable quality diamonds.

VS1 - VS2 (Very Slightly Included)Only looking during a 10X loupe can pinpoint the inclusions in this category and are near not possible to perceive with the naked eye. These are less classy than the VVS1 or VVS2 grades.

SI1 - SI3 (Slightly Included)Diamonds with inclusions smoothly identified below 10x magnification. Finding flaws in this category with the naked eye is hard. The gems in this category preserve their truthfulness, depending on the position of the inclusions.

I1 - I3 (Included)Diamonds with inclusions which may or may not be simply seen by the naked eye. The flaws on the stones in this category will have some result on the brightness of your diamond.

Pearl Necklace Lengths

2009-12-28T23:34:00.000-08:00

Pearl necklaces are well-liked in a number of lengths, the names of which are put out below. Be aware that different countries will change the terms and lengths quite:

PEARL NECKLACE TYPE	LENGTH (inches)	LENGTH (cm)
Choker Pearl Necklace	14-16	35-40
Standard Pearl Necklace	16	40
Princess Pearl Necklace	16-20	40-50
Matinee Pearl Necklace	20-26	50-66
Opera Pearl Necklace	28-36	70-90
Long Opera Pearl Necklace	36	90
Rope Pearl Necklace	40	100

Difference Between Natural Pearl & Cultured Pearl

2009-12-22T03:15:00.000-08:00

The difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl used in pearl jewelry may come as a surprise to many. For an oyster/mollusk to make a pearl, an irritant must turn into lodged inside. The oyster then has a protection mechanism next to this “intruder” where it produces a substance called nacre. This nacre covers the irritant and, over time, the layers of the nacre make a pearl.

In a cultured pearl, the irritant is not obtained by some natural means. It is positioned in the oyster by man. Other than that, all is the same. The pearl still grows in the oyster the accurate same way, and a pearl is formed that is just a beautiful as some round natural pearl. The only differentiation is a serving hand lent by humans.

Kinds of Pearls

2009-12-15T02:27:00.000-08:00

1. A culture pearl is shaped by an oyster, collected of concentric layers of a crystalline substance called nacre deposited about an irritant on purpose placed in the oyster’s body.

2. Natural pearls are formed by deposits of nacre about an irritant which by chance lodges in the body of an oyster.

3. An imitation is anything else which resembles a pearl but has a surface shaped by a manufacturing process- this is an imitation or replicated pearl and must be labeled as such.

Pearls and Medicine

2009-12-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Several Ways Pearls Have Been Used As Medicine

As of ancient China and India to medieval Europe and Arabia - and in approximately all culture in between - pearls have been used for medicinal purposes, ranging from aphrodisiacs to cures for lunacy. Pearls could just be worn as jewelry for their healing powers, or they could be ground up and made into potions, balms, and salves used to treat a wide diversity of ailments and conditions. One myth said that a pearl located in the navel could cure stomach disorders!

Ideal Cut Diamond variations AGS Ideal 0 vs. GIA Excellent vs. Hearts & Arrows

2009-12-02T23:06:00.000-08:00

In spite of all of the variety of monikers used to describe the ideal cut diamonds that we sell such as GIA Excellent, AGS Ideal 0, and Hearts & Arrows, the visual performance is mainly dictated by the proportions and the precision of craftsmanship that we insist upon and not the lab which graded the diamond nor the absence or presence of a model of hearts and arrows.

A few years before an independent gemological laboratory determined that the average light return of a round brilliant cut diamond with AGS-4 Good proportions was almost 70% while the average light return for diamond with an overall cut rating of AGS Ideal 0 was in the range of 96 – 98% depending on the accuracy of facet alignment and the mixture of crown and pavilion angle.

Most people are able to separate ideal cut diamonds from non-ideal cut counterparts from a perspective of illustration performance because the ideal cut diamonds just sparkle more. Most people however would be considerably challenged to differentiate between zero ideal cut diamonds of similar carat weight, color and clarity in spite of whether those diamonds were graded as GIA Excellent or AGS Ideal 0 and whether they exhibited a model of Hearts & Arrows or not.

How to Care for Your Pearls

2009-12-01T03:09:00.000-08:00

Like any precious heirloom, your new pearl jewelry will need some care to protect its natural beauty. Rarely clean the pearls gently with a soft lint free cloth dipped in mild soapy water such as that created by mixing a single drop of usual Ivory brand dish soap into a sink full of luke warm water. Then wash the cloth in fresh clean warm water and wipe the pearls clean with a soft motion. Place the pearls on a soft dry cloth and permit them to dry before wearing. It is important to note that not to tug or pull on the strand while it is wet because this can result in breakage of the silk thread and/or stretching which may need that the strand be restrung.

The following ideas will help you to keep your pearls looking their best:

* Remain until after applying make-up, perfume and hairspray to put on your jewelry. Some chemicals may damage jewelry.
* Don't permit pearls to rub against your other jewelry because pearls are a softer gem that can be damaged by other harder gems.
* Softly wipe your pearls clean with a lint free cloth before putting your pearls away after wear.
* Store your pearl jewelry away wrapped up in a clean, soft cloth or the box that it came in so that it is protected from rough objects.
* From time to time, it will be essential to have your pearl necklace re-strung by a professional. Check with a jewelry professional yearly to determine the current condition of your strand.

Diamond Color

2009-11-27T01:30:00.000-08:00

The color of a diamond refers to the quality and saturation of color, or the depth of color in a diamond. The color of a diamond can range from colorless to a yellow or brown shade. A colorless diamond is rarer and more valuable because it appears white and brighter to the eye. The most valued system used today for evaluating diamond color was developed by the Gemological Institute of America, (GIA).

Even though there are several grades in every category, there are minor differences between the letter grades. D grade is the clearest and most precious, X grade is a dirty yellow and least expensive. Z grade-colored diamonds are the rarest and most expensive. A grade diamond so drenched with nitrogen that it becomes a deep, rich yellow is as rare as a colorless diamond.

How to Clean Diamonds

2009-11-25T00:59:00.000-08:00

When cleaning diamonds, the key to a beautiful result is to be sure to remove dirt and debris from every corner and cranny of the ring. Filigree, Celtic, and other elaborate pieces need extra care, while simple solitaires may be cleaned more quickly and easily. The essential steps for cleaning diamond jewelry are:

Decide whether or not the jewelry can be cleaned at home. If you are unsure of the type of metal, accent stones, or safety of the setting, it is best to leave cleaning to a professional. Also, antique and heirloom rings are more delicate and may need professional attention.
Locate a cleaning space. A towel helps protect surfaces from cleaning chemicals and be sure to choose a location with sufficient lighting to see crevices as well as a location protected from loss (away from sink drains, etc.).
Take away hairs or other fibers stuck in the prongs or setting.
Presoak or wash the jewelry to remove loose dirt. If washing under running water, hold the jewelry firmly or use a sieve deep enough to have it without risk of loss.
Dip ring in cleaning solution (diluted ammonia with three parts water, like a solution with mild clean-rinsing detergent, or professional cleaner).
Softly scrub diamond with soft-bristle brush. Change angles regularly to work into crevices but keep a firm grip on the jewelry.
When cleaning jewelry, use running water or fresh water dish and change angles to take away all cleaning solution.
Use cloth to shine ring for maximum sparkle and shine.

Diamond Enhancements

2009-09-08T00:39:00.000-07:00

There are a variety of diamond enhancements or treatments a diamond can undergo that can significantly alter the price of the diamond when compared to a natural diamond. The FTC requires all diamond merchants to disclose all diamond enhancements and treatments to their customers. Failure to do so can result in fraudulent charges and lawsuits against the diamond dealer. When buying a diamond, it is recommended to simply ask for a non-treated or enhanced diamond and have the merchant clearly indicate on the invoice somewhere that the diamond is in fact, not treated and 100% natural mined from the earth. Listed below are some treatments that are done with gemstones.

Bleaching : The use of chemicals or other agents to lighten or remove a gemstone's color to achieve a brighter/whiter diamond.

Gamma/Electron Irradiation : The use of gamma and/or electron bombardment to alter a gemstone's color; may be followed by a heating process.

Heating : The use of heat in a high temperature sintering furnace to effect desired alteration of color, clarity, and/or phenomena.

Infilling/Fracture Filling : The intentional filling of surface breaking cavities or fractures usually with glass, plastic, opticon with hardeners and/or other hardened foreign substances to improve durability, appearance and/or add weight. The foreign material will have a different index of refraction than diamond, and a trained gemologist can see the light bending within the stone.

Lasering : A laser is used to penetrate a diamond and remove certain black inclusions. Chemicals are then used to further reach and alter inclusions in diamonds.

Oiling/Resin Infusion : The intentional filling of surface cavities of a colorless oil, wax, natural resin, or unhardened man-made material into fissured transparent/translucent gemstones to improve appearance. (i.e., oil, man-made resin, paraffin, etc.)

Irradiation : The use of neutron bombardment, with the combination of any other bombardment and/or heat treatment to alter a gemstone's color.

Shapes of Diamonds

2009-08-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

Round Brilliant
Round diamonds are the most well-liked of all the shapes, possibly because their circular proportions display the most "fire" and reflect more light back to the observer than any other shape. Round diamonds require that more rough be removed through cutting and polishing than with other shapes. The combined popularity of round diamonds and the important weight loss during cutting are the two main causal factors to the relatively higher price of these stones.

Princess
The Princess cut is a square cut with sharp ends. It has extremely good fire and a high degree of brilliance. The princess cut utilizes most of the unique shape of the rough diamond and the weight loss from cutting is low. As a consequence, its price is typically more attractive than a comparative round cut with the same weight.

Eme rald cuts
Emerald cuts are smooth and stylish. The Emerald cut is rectangular by means of cut corners. It is a step cut - its facets being broad with flat planes like the steps of a stair. Higher quality Emerald cuts are favored because its cut makes inclusions and lower color grades more obvious than with other cuts. The emerald cut diamond can be totally stunning. Because of its long lines, it tends to be less burning than a "round brilliant" cut, but it also tends to have broader, more dramatic flashes of light.

Marquise
The Marquise cut is boat shaped and is a difference of the round brilliant cut diamond. Marquise cuts are often chosen by women who wish to show an independence of style. Its elongated form can make the illusion of longer, narrower fingers.

Radi ant
This is a customized or combination cut - a brilliant cut square or rectangle shaped diamond with clipped-off corners similar to the emerald cut. It melds the stylishness of the emerald cut diamond with the brilliance and sparkle of the round diamond.

Pear
The Pear cut is a tear-drop shape and is a disparity of the round brilliant cut diamond. This attractive diamond is also very well-suited to pendants and earrings. Lots of the largest stones ever discovered have been cut and faceted into wonderful pear-shapes.

Heart shape
The ultimate symbol of love, the romantic Heart shape is a difference of the round brilliant cut diamond. This ultimate symbol of romance is basically a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top. The ability of the cutter determines the beauty of the cut. Appear for a stone with a yet shape and a well-defined outline.

Oval
The Oval cut is egg-shaped in shape and is a variation of the round brilliant cut diamond. The oval shaped diamond gives a pleasing delusion of length to the finger and hand, and is well-liked among women with small hands or short fingers. It can also emphasize long, slender fingers.

Asscher
The Asscher cut is an alternative of the emerald cut and provides a uniquely regal and elegant look to its wearer. Its art-deco styling combines old-world charm with contemporary cutting and faceting techniques to create a dazzling example of brilliance.

Loose Diamonds: A Girl's Best Friend

2009-08-17T22:57:00.000-07:00

Going up for live sale in New York City late next month is this seized loose diamond auction. Literally hundreds of diamonds will be up and available for offer. This particular loose diamond auction consists of three round brilliant cut stones. The first diamonds, is 1.40 CT, I color, I-1 clarity. The second diamond is 1.25 CT, H color, and I-1 clarity. And finally, but certainly not least, is this loose 1.19 CT diamond that's I color, and I-1 clarity diamond.

Diamond engagement rings

2009-08-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

Diamond engagement rings are frequently seen as the ultimate symbol of love and commitment, but for many men they also bring anxiety and fear. How do you know you’re receiving the best deal? What fashion ring should you get? Can you belief the diamond you’re getting is really the quality the jeweler says it is?

Quick Tips:

1) Never purchase the ring and the diamond together.

While there is nothing wrong with trade the diamond and the ring from the same jeweler, don’t make the mistake of overpaying for the diamond or the ring individually by not understanding of what every cost on their own and doing comparison shopping.

2) Always need a GIA or AGS lab report for your diamond.

While most jewelers are honest, some unluckily are not; some will knowingly sell diamonds that they know are inexactly graded. These diamonds come from lesser tier labs such as EGL, IGI, etc. Don’t let them otherwise convince you that the stone they are selling is huge diamond at a rock bottom price. While it may be accurate some lower tier labs do grade exactly from time to time, the rarest and most exclusive gems are only traded in confidence by jewelers when they are accompanied by a GIA or AGS grading report.

3) There is no such as fixation as a diamond wholesaler / retailer.

Jewelers also sell wholesale or retail, not both. In fact it is illegal and a misleading business practice for a jeweler to assert to sell both.

While is true that margins differ from dealer to dealer, it’s amazing how many consumers think they can buy diamonds at “wholesale” prices or below. Diamonds are a commodity and while the occasional deal may surface every once and while when a variety of retailers are compared, diamond buyers will always transaction with a diamond retailer.

History of Pearls

2009-08-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

A natural gem, pearls are shaped inside mollusks such as oysters and mussels. They are produced when an irritant such as a tiny rock or bit of sand gets within the mollusk's shell. A shiny substance, called nacre, is secreted around the thing to protect the soft interior surface of the mollusk. As layer upon outside layer of nacre coats the nuisance, a pearl is created. Glow that is reflected starting these overlapping layers produces a quality iridescent luster. This method of building a solid pearl can obtain up to seven or eight years.

The most precious pearls are completely symmetrical, relatively large and naturally formed. They contain a shimmering iridescence which is called orient shine.

Silver design jewellery

2009-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Costume jewelry that includes traditional jewelry, wedding sets, jodha-akbar designs, Victorian design etc totally based upon existing market demands. This kind of jewelry designs might be silver plated, with rhinestones, beads, colorful diamonds etc.

Sterling silver jewelry as the name signifies have the whole thing in silver.

Pearl jewelry designs might be totally made up of pearls only or often other material but majority of it would be pearls.

Original jewelry is exclusively focused at youths.

11.46ct Round Brillinat

2009-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ideal cut diamonds

2009-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Precision – This is pardon? tells you how “clear” a diamond is. Almost every diamonds contain “origin marks”. These origin marks are called “Inclusions” and range of forms of inclusions survive:

Black inclusions
Exterior imperfections
Vapors
Feathers
Naturals
Chips
Graining
Knots
Man – Made Drill holes
Enhancements

These imperfections contain a direct effect on diamond value. Depending on the quantity of imperfections and of what type, the diamond be able to be graded as to its clarity, initial from I3 to F. The prices of diamonds go up radically from Included to Flawless.

Queen Mary’s Honeysuckle Diamond Crown

2009-08-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

Queen Mary’s diamond Crown is ornamented with a graduated frieze of styled honeysuckle.
The central ornament is made to be separable. It was completed before or during Febuary 1914. HRH Princess Alice – Duchess of Gloucester was known the crown by Queen Mary.
Our model crown is as close to as possible to the original piece. It is completed in silver plate.

How diamonds are older?

2009-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

A cut diamond with a huge violet-red garnet inclusion.

Diamonds are approved to the surface of the earth by magma, or molten rock, which solidifies while it draws closer to the surface. However, the diamonds themselves is much older than the rock that they are found in.

Measuring age
It isn't at all times possible to find out the age of a diamond by examining it directly. A better process is to look at tiny inclusions, which are crystals complete from other minerals that are frequently found within diamonds. These provide out a slight radioactive indication that scientists can measure to discover how old they are.
This resources flawless diamonds, that don't have some inclusions, are very difficult to date.

A garnet inside a diamond
The diamond during the image above contains a violet-red garnet. The crimson gives us a clue to the situation and rock types that the diamond produced in, as scientists know the temperature and pressure is also needed for garnet to turn into its crystal form.
Extra minerals turn into crystals at different temperatures and different pressures.

Finding Exact information
There is some argue about how accurate the evidence from inclusions is. Various inclusions are very old and so the diamonds they are establish might also have formed a very long time ago. However, some scientists imagine diamonds could have formed around the inclusions more recently.

Synthetic diamonds
Advances within technology mean that we can now generate synthetic diamonds and contain increased our understanding of diamonds in the natural world.
Through working out the conditions needed to create synthetic diamonds, we have also learned more regarding how and where real diamonds form, and where else we might hunt for them.

History of Diamonds

2009-07-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

In the video, museum mineralogist Andy navy discusses the history of diamonds. The talk starts with the days of the Romans while diamonds were placed in jewellery without still being cut and next looks at all of the different ways in which diamonds were used around the sphere over the years thereafter. The meeting finally finishes in the modern day where diamonds are not just for ornamentation but also industry.

Diamonds occurring obviously in 3 different types of rock, from Namaqualand, South Africa and Siberia:

Diamonds might be dazzling, but there's more to them than their appearance. They are some of the oldest crystals on Earth moreover there are diamonds in space that are even older. Discover what diamonds can reveal regarding our solar system and how their amazing natural properties are put to use.

Diamond is created in huge pressure and heat, deep within the earth:

Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon that form below crushing pressures and strong heat. They mostly form in the Earth's layer, the layer beneath the crust or surface layer, at a depth of about 150km.

Buying a Diamond in 2009 Engagement Trends:

2009-07-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Customers are focused on the economical atmosphere the market has generated. Of course size is a thing to most but quality is still absolute. Education of a diamond purchase is clearly on the increase. Knowledge of the four c's is the initial point detail from the origin of the stone to the culet gap is determinate factors in the purchase. Not only are customers learning about diamonds metals are being discussed as well. White platinum which is the more in fashion but expensive choice in metal for engagement rings can now be replaced by choice metals which are a fraction of its cost. White gold can replace white platinum and are about 40 percent lesser in terms of cost. Palladium which is a metal that is similar to platinum can also be worn and is priced about 70% lower than platinum.

How the diamond is place on the ring is also changing in 2009. More and more people are shying gone from the split setting and are choosing more engagement rings to have diamonds that are set in a semi-bezel method into the ring band. The semi-bezel sets will give added hold to the diamond to prevent its loss brought regarding by an active lifestyle. Another recession-friendly trend is the use of the stress setting to hold the diamond in place. Pressure settings have been in survival since the mid 1900s but the technique has greatly enhanced so that it holds the diamond more securely than the conventional pronged setting. Tension setting also allows lighter to pass during the diamond making the engagement ring produce more sparkle.

Diamond jewellery-exhibitors

2009-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the dazzling domain of jewellery, exhibitors of truest Indian art and culture., we provide you designer Diamond Jewellery that are finest paradigms of royals and elegance. Carving the most excellent designs and imbedding the eye-popping final contain the primmest features about our diamond jewelries. We are known as most valued metal jewellery manufacturer just because of placing of nonpareil styles and shades.

Jewelries like kundan jewellery are highly demanded in all over the world, driving us to be one of the major kundan jewellery suppliers from India. We have earned elevated in the hearts of masses as we provide in some of the most unique and innovative designs in jewelers. We have a enormous range for jewellery having the blend of old traditional and new styles, inevitable for generations of all the age-groups!

Certified Diamonds- A Brief direct

2009-07-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Certified diamonds are polished diamonds to have been graded uncounted within one of several gemological laboratories. These diamonds contain and looked at by a capable specialist to determine a variety of factors, each one exact to that particular diamond. These information include such information as the weight, dimensions, colour and purity of the diamond. The diamond shape, the proportions, the finish, the cut, and the presence of fluorescence are amongst these particulars.

It is probable to have any size of diamond certified, but it becomes less cost effective to have smaller diamonds under quarter of a carat certified. Now the cost of the certificate would be a larger proportion of the diamond cost. It is extremely important to purchase your diamond starting a reputable source and know a little about the details that appear on the certificate. The cut of diamond shape for example. This can be choice enormously. A diamond that has a fair cut grade will be less luxurious than a diamond that has a very good cut grade. If you want a diamond that has excellent proportions stop and is normally a very high color and clarity of diamond, expect to pay a premium for being a better diamond. On the additional hand, a greater discount will be offered on diamonds that do not read so well on the certificate.

Gold - How its made

2009-07-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Women's Silver Charms

2009-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

This women's silver disc charm necklace has a polished finish and be able to monogrammed on the frontage to convert it into a personalized piece of wearable art. Engrave the back a genuine inscription. This pendant is supported by a stylish link chain.

This monogram jewelry floats along a good-looking 2mm thick round link chain crafted solid .925 pure silver, obtainable in 16", 18", 20", 24" lengths, firmly fastened by a lobster claw clasp.

This monogram compact disk charm pendant can be not only monogrammed on the front, but also imprinted on it's rear features with an inscription to additional personalize. Please view all design details for the available options.

The main characteristics of diamonds

2009-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Carat is a unit of quantity for the weight of a diamond with one carat equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams, also known as 100 points. Since superior diamonds are harder to find than smaller ones, the price of diamonds with value to their carat cargo goes up exponentially.

The image above shows an example of the change in carat weight with modify in the diameter about diamond. But remain in mind that two diamonds of the same weight could contain different sizes. Why? If a diamond is cut too trivial (or flat) it will have a superior diameter, but shallow depth and become visible larger. Likewise, if a diamond is cut too deep (or pointed) it will contain a smaller diameter and deep depth and come into view smaller. This is why cut is consequently important.

Diamonds is a complete guide explaining diamond characteristics like cut, color, clarity & carat, as well as the dissimilar diamond shapes and types of diamonds. You know how to learn what to buy for your diamond jewellery desires such as diamond rings or diamond bracelets and how these grades will change diamond prices. The method of buying diamonds online may be daunting to few, right through this site we offer advice and information on buying all types of diamonds including loose diamonds with wholesale diamonds and the reasons why you should for all time buy certified diamonds.

Buy Pearl Jewelry

2009-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Wedding is just like a cooperation of the buyers, the two will first combine the original shopping list, and then adding up new items, specially few big, relaxed house is one of them. Now that wedding is related with housing put away, is there any relationship between marriage and house price?

The surprised married couple rate makes forner Federal Reserve president Alan Greenspan re-adjust his predicts of American house price in Aug. With the intention of time, he pointed out to the house price in first half year of 2009 will turn into gradually stable, even as it is still falling. Right now he distorted his words to remit three or six months for the basis that the new pair in America is less than what he has expected.

The hypothesis of Mr Greenspan is simple, the less public get married, the less the domination of house will be. Meanwhile, the earlier the new houses complete, the faster of the speed in house only if will be.

However, Mr Greenspan have not indicated that there might have a violent circle between the falling down home price and re-organized family amount.

Men's Silver Cufflinks

2009-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cufflinks are the wonderful accessory for men who recognise style and strong design.

At this point at English Cufflinks you can look around and buy from a refreshing collection of modern silver, gold, titanium and designer cufflinks.

We include over 100 different designer cufflinks for you to choose starting and we aim to provide a pair of men's cufflinks for most wellbeing, professions, hobbies, sports, pastimes and occasions counting Wedding Cufflinks.

All our own cuff links are hand made in the UK, most are hallmarked solid pure silver and suitable for engraving. Our release is fast and free - anywhere.

Diamond Jewelry store in India

2009-07-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Diamond Jewelry store in India anywhere you can find the most beautiful designs. So, if you are looking for gem necklaces, ruby studded diamond necklaces and bracelets, or gold bars and Tahitian pearls’ rings and studs, or a wonderful set comprising exquisite pendants, necklaces, bangles studs and bracelets, you make out exactly where you’ll find them! So remain no more and compose the priceless diamonds yours, which you will treasure forever.

As an NRI, you can hand finely crafted diamond jewelry offerings, from our store, to your near and valued ones in India. If you are an NRI, you can only select and propel traditional diamond jewelry to your family and friends in India. Choose starting the classic Indian diamond.

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Men's Silver Jewelry

2009-07-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Silver Jewelry has the main collection of stunning sterling silver rings for men and women. Our wholesale silver jewelry groups include silver celtic rings, flower rings, butterfly rings, animal rings, plain graceful rings, tribal rings, puzzle rings, rolling rings, spinner rings, wave rings, dolphin rings and further added.

W e contain new silver rings and silver toe rings. Plus silver bracelets and silver neclaces by without pebbles. We supply about 30 styles of wholesale faceted earrings and rings with real stones.

1.40 carat total weight Princess cut diamond stud earrings

2009-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Diamond and Gold Eternity bands

2009-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Eternity bands converse on your behalf concerning the eternity of love that you share with your much-loved one. Wedding and anniversary eternity bands beginning our amazing album are wonderful jewelries in wide ranging varieties of diamonds and their settings.

Diamond eternity ring with diamond eternity bands are our particular gifts to the group who are both entering in a wedding or celebrating their anniversary of living wage together. Decide our fair gold eternity bands for luxurious feeling of the metal and the diamonds of high quality.

We contain some attractive offers of platinum eternity bands and palladium eternity bands with princess cut diamonds and around dazzling cut diamonds settings. Look around the set for the recent price-cuts that we contain accessible to our esteemed customers.

Blue-gemstone jewelry

2009-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers use a variety of common and specialized handtools and equipment to design and manufacture new pieces of jewelry; cut, set, and polish gem stones; repair or adjust rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry; and appraise jewelry, precious metals, and gems. Jewelers usually specialize in one or more of these areas and may work for large jewelry manufacturing firms, for small retail jewelry shops, or as owners of their own businesses. Regardless of the type of work done or the work setting, jewelers need a high degree of skill, precision, and attention to detail.

Some jewelers design or make their own jewelry. Following their own designs or those created by designers or customers, they begin by shaping the metal or by carving wax to make a model for casting the metal. The individual parts then are soldered together, and the jeweler may mount a diamond or other gem or may engrave a design into the metal. Other jewelers do finishing work, such as setting stones, polishing, or engraving, or make repairs. Typical repair work includes enlarging or reducing ring sizes, resetting stones, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.

Sterling Silver with Turquoise

2009-07-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sterling silver is used for jewelry, silverware, etc. where appearance is paramount. This alloy contains 92.5% silver, the remainder being copper or some other metal. Silver is of the utmost importance in photography, about 30% of the U.S. industrial consumption going into this application. It is used for dental alloys. Silver is used in making solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts, and high capacity silver-zinc and silver-cadmium batteries. Silver paints are used for making printed circuits. It is used in mirror production and may be deposited on glass or metals by chemical deposition, electrode position, or by evaporation.

When freshly deposited, it is the best reflector of visible light known, but is rapidly tarnished and loses much of its reflectance. It is a poor reflector of ultraviolet. Silver fulminate, a powerful explosive, is sometimes formed during the silvering process. Silver iodide is used in seeding clouds to produce rain. Silver chloride has interesting optical properties as it can be made transparent; it also is a cement for glass. Silver nitrate, or lunar caustic, the most important silver compound, is used extensively in photography. Silver for centuries has been used traditionally for coinage by many countries of the world. In recent times, however, consumption of silver has greatly exceeded the output.

Attaching a Clasp to a Beaded Necklace

2009-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Attaching a Clasp to a Beaded Necklace -- powered by eHow.com

Precious opal from Louisiana is a sandstone

2009-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

The reported precious opal from Louisiana is a sandstone/quartzite with precious opal cement and matrix. It has blue or purple play of color. The material could be cut into cabochons for jewelry and other items of interest. To date, most of the material has been cut into large (over 2-inches in diameter) gemstone spheres.

Nevada is known for precious opal from Virgin Valley. The first discovery of precious opal in the Virgin Valley area was in 1905 or 1906. Since then a significant quantity of the highly prized opal has been recovered. Virgin Valley opal is comparable to any in the world for its vivid play of color and in terms of the size of material available. Individual pieces weighing over 3 kilograms have been recovered from the Virgin Valley deposits. In 1993, miners found a 100-kilogram opalized log containing precious opal. The material varies in body color from deep pure black to brown to yellowish-white to white to colorless. The play of color includes all colors common to precious opal, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, etc. The opal occurs primarily as replacement of wood, or sometimes, as replacement of conifer cones. Some opal does occur as nodules filling void spaces in clay. The wood replacement is so complete, that generally the wood grain and banding are no longer visible. The exception to this would be that often the exterior wood texture is still present as a brown or black rind.
The uses of the opal can be restricted because of crazing. Crazing is the breakdown or deterioration of opal by the development of very fine cracks all over the surface that extend until they intersect. In the worst cases, the surface of the opal deteriorates into a crumbling sand-like material. Because of the crazing the opal is not well suited for use in jewelry, but displayed in water, glycerine, mineral oil or other liquids makes remarkably beautiful mineral specimens. The mineral collections of most of the better museums contain very fine pieces of Virgin Valley opal. Many museum pieces are crazed from exposure to the air.

Gemstone gets set to shine again

2009-07-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Long considered two counties yet to fulfill their economic potential, eastern Taiwan's Hualien and Taitung are ready to shine at the Eastern Taiwan Gems and Jades Exhibition. Hosted by the National Taitung Living Art Center from event features more than 1,000 pieces of precious stones and jewelry.

Three famed gemstones found in eastern Taiwan, hornblende (commonly known as Taiwan jade), blue chalcedony and red coral are the highlights of the fair--a joint effort between the government and industry aimed at kick-starting the island's dormant jewelry industry and generating local employment opportunities.

According to Hsieh Jing-lin, chairman of the ROC Gems and Jades Association and co-host of the exhibition, in the 1960s and 1970s, Taiwan hornblende held a 90-percent share of the global jade market. "Back then, Hualien's Fengtian Village was a mining town best known for the precious stone and the county boasted more than 1,000 gemstone factories," he said.

But toward the end of 1970, Hualien's jade industry went into steep decline as local deposits of hornblende were exhausted. "Over the years, many people believed that untapped veins of the stone could be found in the county's mountainous regions," Hsieh said.

"Exploration was never carried out because at that time, Taiwan did not possess the know-how to prospect for these deposits," he added.

A native of Taitung, Hsieh considers Taiwan's blue chalcedony--distributed over ranges in Hualien and his hometown--to be the world's most beautiful "natural" specimen of the quartz. "Unlike blues from abroad, Taiwan's stones do not need heat treatment to improve their color," he said. "They naturally possess a pure luster and clarity, which make them the darlings of Japanese collectors."

The gem dealer said the region's old mining towns, if tastefully transformed into tourist attractions, could breathe added life into eastern Taiwan's precious stone enterprises. "People would be interested in trekking along winding paths through mines where gemstones exposed can be seen," Hsieh suggested.

Old Gold Jewelry!

2009-07-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Properties

It is estimated that all the gold in the world, so far refined, could be placed in a single cube 60 ft. on a side. Of all the elements, gold in its pure state is undoubtedly the most beautiful. It is metallic, having a yellow color when in a mass, but when finely divided it may be black, ruby, or purple. The Purple of Cassius is a delicate test for auric gold. It is the most malleable and ductile metal; 1 oz. of gold can be beaten out to 300 ft2. It is a soft metal and is usually alloyed to give it more strength. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and is unaffected by air and most reagents.

Uses

It is used in coinage and is a standard for monetary systems in many countries. It is also extensively used for jewelry, decoration, dental work, and for plating. It is used for coating certain space satellites, as it is a good reflector of infrared and is inert.

Cost

Gold, like other precious metals, is measured in troy weight; when alloyed with other metals, the term carat is used to express the amount of gold present, 24 carats being pure gold. For many years the value of gold was set by the U.S. at $20.67/troy ounce; in 1934 this value was fixed by law at $35.00/troy ounce, 9/10th fine. On March 17, 1968, because of a gold crisis, a two-tiered pricing system was established whereby gold was still used to settle international accounts at the old $35.00/troy ounce price while the price of gold on the private market would be allowed to fluctuate. Since this time, the price of gold on the free market has fluctuated widely. The price of gold on the free market reached a price of $620/troy oz. in January 1980. As of January 1990, gold was priced at about $410/troy oz.

Silver jewellery Anklets

2009-07-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Anklets are also known as an ankle bracelet which is worn to decorate the ankles. These contain since ages & the flimsy beauty of a lady's anklets get multiply when be jeweled with a pair of uniquely designed anklets, wonderful piece of art. They can with no trouble gel well with both formal and casual wears & has develop into a pretty fashion rage among all age groups, particularly the teenage group.

Customarily in use, anklets have even taken up the present fashion world with a storm & they are individual worn by both youthful and unmarried women in India. Funky & chunky anklets container be seen adorn a woman's anklet in a range of the world. The beauteous anklets have also been originate in other ancient cultures of Egypt and Middle East someplace it was of ornamentation and had great spiritual and public significance as well.

How to make jewelry, diamond cut

2009-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Silver Jewellery of Hupri

2009-07-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

The village of Hupri near Kolhapur has today become a busy and well known place for silver jewellery. Silver jewellery of unique craftsmanship is executed here with traditional artistry.

The speciality of siliver jewellery of Hupri is payal or anklet of various types of length and design. Hupri is also famous for the seamless silver balls known as gujrav. These hollow silver balls combined with solid ones, known as rawa are added to payal as per design needs. There are a variety of designs created through the stamped-out dies. Skilled craftsmen of Hupri turn out complicated payals of different names such a painjan, koyali, kamarpattas etc. They also make special kinds of necklaces. Silver jewellery from Hupri is in great demand at home and abroad. Jewellery shops in Kolhapur, Miraj, Sangli, Belgaum etc make good business of Hupri jewellery as women-folk in those areas and elsewhere clamour for such silver ornaments.

The silver alloy used for jewellery is a compound of silver, copper and zinc which is heated over a coke fire, over the choola constructed indigenously. Clay-graphite crucibles, brought from Kerala, are used for pouring the alloy into cast iron moulds of various traditional designs.

The process of making the seamless, hollow, silver balls is equally interesting. It is a laborious task though. A tiny square piece of silver is beaten into a hemisphere. Two such hemispheres are placed over each other but cross-wise. By rolling the pieces in a groove on a special grindstone, all the eight corners are folded over. These are then coated with the borax-ammonium sulphate mixture and placed on an ash-covered tile, in rows. After heating them with a hand-operated kerosene blow-torch, the pieces being to puff up like purees. It is truly a fascinating sight to watch!

The story of Hupri silver jewellery goes back to the first decade of this century, precisely the year 1904. in that year Krishnaji Ramachandra Sonar switched over to making ornaments in silver from gold. He would have hardly imagined that his silver craftsmanship would one day rise to such a height that within the nest four decades it would make Hupri synonymous with silver smithing.

The master craftsmen of Hupri moved with the times. Many changes took place in their karkhanas) work - shops). Replacement of an imported, hand operated 'pasta' machine for making silver strips and a fly-press for stamping out dies have changed the scene completely. Few years ago there were 9-10 karkhanas (work-shops) employing 20- 30 craftsmen. During the span of fifteen years the number of karkhanas reached to 60 and over 200 skilled craftsmen.

Three String Pearl Set

2009-06-30T02:09:00.000-07:00

Broome pearls adorn crown jewels around the world; the Queen wears them to State banquets and morning teas; Sharon Stone flashes them at the Oscars; and in Asia they are symbols of both achievement and enlightenment.

Occupying the luxury end of the market, South Sea pearls earned the industry $196 million last year and although their price is high, the international spread of well-heeled folk who buy them is expanding.

The marketing and jewellery arms of the industry have been flexing in tandem with pearl production, working to increase sales and distribution and create imaginative fine jewellery which challenges the traditional notion that pearls are just necklaces worn with twinsets.

One man ideally placed to comment on the growth in interest in pearls and pearl jewellery worldwide is David Norman. David's involvement in the industry started when he was quite young. He was born into a pearling family with connections in Japan and Thursday Island and, as he grew up, was determined to stay in the industry; today he is pearl marketing consultant at Broome Pearls Pty Ltd.

His busy job takes him to Broome, where he grades and values pearls during harvest time (about 80,000 in the last crop) to international trade fairs, regular clients and developing markets.

He sells 'raw' unset pearls, rounds, "keshi' and "mabe' and also acts as a broker by buying and selling produce from smaller farms.

Different types of pearls fetch very different prices, depending on their rarity and quality but, as David explains, the best pearls are extremely valuable.

"About 20 per cent of the whole pearl harvest is completely clean - that's over all the different shapes and sizes - and the rest of them have some kind of flaw or blemish," he said.

"The ones which are blemish-free sell for an enormous amount of money, perhaps $15,000 a pearl wholesale, and the very large size perfect ones certainly sell for a lot!'

Jewelers and precious stone

2009-06-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jewelers design, manufacture, repair, and adjust rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry. They use a variety of common and specialized handtools to mold and shape metal and set gemstones. Increasingly, jewelers use computers to design jewelry and lasers to perform very delicate and intricate work.

Jewelers usually specialize in one or more areas: Designing and manufacturing new pieces of jewelry, gem cutting, setting and polishing stones, or repairing broken items. Jewelers who are knowledgeable about the quality, characteristics, and value of gemstones also sell jewelry and provide appraisal services. In small retail or repair shops, jewelers may be involved in all aspects of the work. Jewelers who own or manage stores or shops also hire and train employees; order, market, and sell merchandise; and perform other managerial duties.

The work of jewelers requires a high degree of skill, precision, and attention to detail regardless of the type of establishment or work setting. Typical repair work includes enlarging or reducing ring sizes, resetting stones, and replacing broken clasps and mountings. Some jewelers also design or make their own jewelry. Following their own designs, or those created by designers or customers, they begin by shaping the metal or carving wax to make a model for casting the metal. The individual parts are then soldered together, and the jeweler may mount a diamond or other gem, or engrave a design into the metal. Although jewelers mainly use computers for inventory control, some jewelry designers also use them to design and create customized pieces according to their customers’ wishes. With the aid of computers, customers visualize different combinations of styles, cuts, shanks, sizes, and stones to create their own pieces.

In manufacturing, jewelers usually specialize in a single operation. Some may make models or tools for the jewelry that is to be produced. Others do finishing work, such as setting stones, polishing, or engraving. A growing number of jewelers use lasers for cutting and improving the quality of stones, intricate engraving or design work, and ID inscription. Some manufacturing firms use CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) to facilitate product design and automate some steps in the mold and model-making process. As such systems become more affordable, their use should increase. In larger manufacturing establishments, jewelers may be required to perform several tasks as new manufacturing processes make their way through the industry.

NATURE | Diamonds | The Pinks of Argyle | PBS

2009-06-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of Byzantine gold coins

2009-06-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

A hoard comprising hundreds of gold coins was uncovered in the excavations the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting in 'Giv‘ati car park' in the City of David, in the walls around Jerusalem National Park.

One thousand three hundred year old Chanukah money in Jerusalem: a hoard of more than 250 gold coins was exposed excavations the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting in the 'Giv ‘ati car park' in the City of David, in the Walls Around Jerusalem National Park. The excavations at the site are being carried out on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority and are underwritten by the ‘Ir David Foundation.

Since the archaeological excavations began there about two years ago, they have not ceased in providing us with surprising discoveries that shed new light on different chapters of the city’s past. Currently a very large and impressive building is being uncovered that dates to about the seventh century CE (end of the Byzantine period-beginning of the Umayyad period). A large cache of 264 coins, all made of gold, was discovered among the ruins of the building.

According to Dr. Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets, directors of the excavation at the site on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “Since no pottery vessel was discovered adjacent to the hoard, we can assume that it was concealed inside a hidden niche in one of the walls of the building. It seems that with its collapse, the coins piled up there among the building debris”. Ben-Ami and Tchekhanovets believe, “This is one of the largest and most impressive coin hoards ever discovered in Jerusalem – certainly the largest and most important of its period.

For comparison’s sake, it should be noted that the only hoard of gold coins from the Byzantine period that has been discovered to date in Jerusalem consisted of only five gold coins. All of the coins bear the likeness of the emperor Heraclius. Different coins were minted during this emperor’s reign; however, all of the coins that were discovered in the City of David in Jerusalem belong to one well-known type in which the likeness of the emperor wearing military garb and holding a cross in his right hand is depicted on the obverse, while the sign of the cross is on the reverse. These coins were minted at the beginning of Heraclius’ reign, one year before the Persians conquered Byzantine Jerusalem.

From the moment that the first coin was exposed, it stood out against the background of its surroundings. It is easy to imagine the excitement took hold of the excavators when they continued to discover many more dozens of gold coins alongside it. These were resting on the ground, in one place where they fell, and were buried there more than 1,300 years ago, until once again man laid eyes on them – this time the amazed eyes of the archaeologists.

Although gold is not among the ordinary discoveries in archeological excavations, not long ago a surprisingly well preserved gold earring, inlaid with pearls and precious stones, was discovered at this site.

Ancient Dangling Gold Earrings

2009-06-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Rig-Veda, the oldest book in the world, mentions ornaments worn by the gods. Rudra, a Vedic deity, is described as "shining with brilliant gold ornaments" and "wearing" an adorable, uniform necklace". According to this book the demons also had plenty of gold and jewels and the kings and sages prayed to the God for valuables of that kind. Kakshivat, the sage, prayed for a son "decorated with golden earrings and jewel necklace".

No doubt jewellery making is an ancient craft that goes back to the cave man and its popular use in ancient India is well established.

In addition to it there are more ornaments used for the head, followed by ornaments used for the ears, the neck, the arms, the fingers, the anklets and the feet.

Jewellery in India also has had social and economic implications. It is an investment as also a saving for emergencies. The jewellery given to the bride at the time of the marriage becomes her own possession called stridhan, woman's wealth. This was in addition to the love of personal adornment inherent in the women folk.

But for mortal humans it also symbolises the concept of immortality. Precious stones and precious metals, distinguished by this classification from other substance have, throughout the ages, stood for power and wealth.

And this concept of power and wealth, as imbibed through ornaments, seems to have remained integrated in the psyche of the Punjabi women through the ages and remarkably so despite a stream of war and rapine that marked the life of the people of the land of five rivers with continuous vicissitudes.

Diamonds from Outer Space

2009-06-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Geologists Discover Origin of Earth's Mysterious Black Diamonds

If indeed "a diamond is forever," the most primitive origins of Earth's so-called black diamonds were in deep, universal time, geologists have discovered. Black diamonds came from none other than interstellar space.

In a paper published online on December 20, 2006, in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters, scientists Jozsef Garai and Stephen Haggerty of Florida International University, along with Case Western Reserve University researchers Sandeep Rekhi and Mark Chance, claim an extraterrestrial origin for the unique black diamonds, also called carbonado diamonds.

Infrared synchrotron radiation at Brookhaven National Laboratory was used to discover the diamonds' source.

"Trace elements critical to an 'ET' origin are nitrogen and hydrogen," said Haggerty. The presence of hydrogen in the carbonado diamonds indicates an origin in a hydrogen-rich interstellar space, he and colleagues believe.

The term carbonado was coined by the Portuguese in Brazil in the mid-18th century; it's derived from its visual similarity to porous charcoal. Black diamonds are found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic.

"Conventional diamonds are mined from explosive volcanic rocks [kimberlites] that transport them from depths in excess of 100 kilometers to the Earth's surface in a very short amount of time," said Sonia Esperanca, program director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Earth Sciences, which funded the research. "This process preserves the unique crystal structure that makes diamonds the hardest natural material known."

From Australia to Siberia, from China to India, the geological settings of conventional diamonds are virtually identical, said Haggerty. None of them are compatible with the formation of black diamonds.

Approximately 600 tons of conventional diamonds have been mined, traded, polished and adorned since 1900. "But not a single black/carbonado diamond has been discovered in the world's mining fields," Haggerty said.

The new data support earlier research by Haggerty showing that carbonado diamonds formed in stellar supernovae explosions. Black diamonds were once the size of asteroids, a kilometer or more in diameter when they first landed on Earth -NSF(National science Foundation). To find A Stylish Diamonds, jst chek it out!

Diamonds Retailers Club

2009-06-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Government of the Northwest Territories, together with its partners, supports and promotes a Retailers Club for approved retailers of diamonds certified under its Diamond Certification Program.

The Retailers’ Club provides its membership with exclusive opportunities, tools and products as well as information designed to support the marketing and promotion of a GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED CANADIAN DIAMOND™.

To secure membership, jewelers and diamond professionals must demonstrate the ability and knowledge to provide clients with timely and accurate information about the Northwest Territories, its diamonds and the Government Certification Program.

Qualifying members receive a certificate of designation signed by the Premier of the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories Diamond Certification Program is the world's first of its kind to monitor diamonds from mine to market.

Thanks to the stringent monitor system, the Government is able to guarantee that a CANADIAN DIAMOND™ is 100% Canadian in origin – and was mined cut and polished in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

The Diamond Certification Program is administered by the Minerals, Oil and Gas Division of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

This division also oversees agreements on rough diamond supply, and monitors the production of approved NWT manufacturers.

Factories participating in the GNWT’s Diamond Certification Program are required to keep detailed records on each stone and to submit reports of purchases and processing of individual stones at key stages in the manufacturing process. The program includes factory compliance audits and inspections to examine the diamonds and review the records.

Gold Diamond Pair Watches

2009-06-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Made by Barraud, London. Of Huguenot origin there were several Barrauds working in the horological business from the mid-eighteenth century. The makers of this watch were probably Francis and Paul Barraud. Later, the firm became famous as chronometer makers and survived until late in the nineteenth century as Barraud and Lund.

The fusee driven movement has a verge escapement with an uncompensated balance. The spiral pattern on the back of the watch case was produced using a rose engine which mechanically engraved the case. This was then covered by a layer of translucent enamel.

This style of watch can be described as mechanical jewellery. The deep purple enamel and split pearl bezels were designed to appeal to feminine taste. Arabic numerals are used, a rare feature and the gold hands have diamond shaped tips.

This watch was worn to be seen, and is likely to have been hung on the end of a chatelaine, attached to a band at the waist.

Toughness of Diamond

2009-06-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

Toughness relates to a material's ability to resist breakage from forceful impact. The toughness of natural diamond has been measured as 2.0 MPa·m^1/2, and the critical stress intensity factor is 3.4 MN·m^−3/2. Those values are good compared to other gemstones, but poor compared to most engineering materials. As with any material, the macroscopic geometry of a diamond contributes to its resistance to breakage. Diamond has a cleavage plane and is therefore more fragile in some orientations than others. Diamond cutters use this attribute to cleave some stones, prior to faceting.Diamond Toughness shows the Quality of the Diamonds.. Here Some Of the Beautiful Diamonds To Buy!!

Traditional Indian - Gold Bangles

2009-06-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Fashions in ornaments have undergone a great change in recent years, ornaments are made artistically and having less weight. The innate crave of the female heart for ornaments continues in despite social, economic and political and women continue to be zealous about ornaments.

Investment in the form of , ornaments is considered as unproductive investment yielding no returns. Such a change in the attitude coupled with high price of gold, insecure economic condition and a change in the taste has led to a change in the pattern of ornaments used.

Ornaments are used chiefly by women and children. Men hardly use any things ornaments now-a-days. Formerly, a gold necklace called sakhali, goph or kantha, a pearl ear-ring called bhihbali, a fold wristlet called poci and angathis (finger-rings) were the chief ornaments for men. Then came buttons, links, tie-pins and wrist-watches of precious metals. These are also used rarely now-a-days. Orthodox Jains wear ear-rings, gold chains and angathis.

Women's ornaments show a large variety. In rural areas such a necklace is called dorale. She should also wear silver rings (called masolya) and golden rings (jodavis) on fingers of her feet and a nose-ring (nath).

Ever Wonder How Much Your Diamond Really Cost?

2009-06-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

Second Version of Conflict Diamond

So many people do something to glorify them...I figure I'll do something to horrify them.