Diamond Jewelry Gifts Purchasing Tips

So, you are a young man in love, with that burning desire in your heart to offer your bride-to-be a diamond ring and ask her to marry you. The idea seems simple, all you have to do is go to a jewelry store, purchase a diamond ring, and propose to her. Realistically speaking though, this isn't always the case because when you first look at the price tag of your chosen sparkler you'll soon realize how nerve-racking it really is to purchase diamond jewelry gifts. If you have the intention to purchase a diamond in the near future, it is important that you know the tricks of the trade for you to take charge of your transactions and get a run for your money.

According to gemologist and diamond expert, Fred Cuellar, there are four basic things that one has to remember when purchasing diamond jewelry gifts: budget, expectations, savvy and timetable. In terms of budget, you should try to figure out first how much you intend to spend on buying diamond, and you should stick to that budget outlay; a month's salary could already be a good starting point. For expectations, it is important that you know and understand the needs and wants of the person to whom you are going to give the diamond so that you will have an idea what to look for and what to pick out from the bunch. Being savvy is a manner with which you must be aware of the cost of sparklers in the market as well as the designs available; and for timetable, you must know when you will purchase and when you will give the diamond, but be sure to give yourself more time to analyze things so that you could be prepared in any case.

Since you are now aware of the general basics, you should also consider where to buy your sparklers. You have two options where you could purchase your diamond jewelry gifts: go online or visit local jewelry shops. Purchasing online is a practical means to buy diamond pieces without the need to drive far as the items you need are just a click away; however, there are two major drawbacks with this option: you can't personally appraise the diamond and you never really know whom you are dealing with; if you think this would work for you, make sure to do a background check first so that you can be assured that you know where your money would go. The second option which is to check on your local jewelry shops is still the best because aside from the fact that you could personally appraise the diamond, the jewelers could also assist you on your purchasing decisions.

Now for the diamond itself, you must always consider the 4Cs of diamond which stands for clarity, color, cut and carat as they are the determining factor of how the diamond will cost. Clarity is what determines how free from blemishes and inclusions a diamond is. Every diamond is assigned with clarity grades that could go from flawless to obvious inclusions. Sometimes, due to quality issues there are diamond pieces that are treated to reduce their imperfections by irradiation, filling imperfections, or laser drilling, these are known as clarity enhanced sparklers which are usually lesser in value.

Sparklers come in a whole range of colors; however, colored diamond pieces are very rare and expensive that they are not usually available in local jewelry stores rather white and yellow diamond pieces are the most common, between the two however, it is always preferable to pick the whiter ones. This is because the yellow coloring of sparklers came from nitrogen which affect their sharp and sparkly features; hence, as a rule of thumb, the yellower the diamond, the cheaper it becomes. In terms of cut, sparklers may come in a whole range of shapes including round brilliant cut, box, marquise, and pear to name a few. When you look at the cut always remember that aside from indicating the stone's shape, it also determines how sparkly your diamond could become.

Aside from being clear and white, a diamond cannot be considered as a diamond unless it sparkles, which could only be achieved by properly cutting it. Though cut is extremely difficult to evaluate, you could be able to do this by identifying three of its characteristics: brilliance, fire and scintillation; but if you want to take a short cut, the standard round brilliant cut is probably the best choice as all the other cut are considered as fancy shapes. Finally, the carat is the standard weight unit of diamond. Most diamond pieces utilized for fine jewelry are often one carat or less in weight.

Diamond jewelry gifts are not easy to purchase especially if you're not aware of what you're looking for. Round brilliant cut diamond could be truly beautiful but it can cost you an arm and a leg, while clarity enhanced diamond might be inexpensive but you might be sacrificing the quality of your sparkler. As a simple rule, always look at your budget and analyze the 4Cs of diamond, this way you would be able to know the tricks of the trade.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Loose Diamonds: Looking At Round Brilliant And Fancy Cuts

For most people, the only time they want diamonds is when they want wedding or engagement rings. The smart way to go about this is to find loose diamonds first and have them set later. You can inspect them for flaws better, and possibly get a better deal. However, you need to be careful when buying. It's easy to make mistakes and give too much, or end up with an inferior diamond.

When looking at loose diamonds, you should confirm the diamond's value. You'll want to scrutinize each one for the four C's; carat weight, cut, clarity and color. But bear in mind that each diamond is unique, and it's rare for a single diamond to get two separate assessments with identical results. Ultimately, the value of a diamond is subjective, so you shouldn't be too obsessed looking for it's exact value.

The greatest diamond cut of all is the round brilliant cut. Thanks to the work of Marcel Tolkowsky, the proportions needed to get the most brilliance and fire out of a diamond were determined and popularized. Further innovations perfected Tolkowsky's measurements to optimize diamond's potential for brilliance.

The round brilliant cut is also the most enduringly popular cut. In contrast, the popularity of fancy cuts are dependent on prevailing trends. Nowadays, people look for sparkle, so the heart, oval, and pear cuts are popular. However, the quality and value of a diamond is based on other factors. You can easily get a high value diamond of any cut - or low value, if you buy carelessly.

So buy a diamond jewelry gift with the cut you prefer. It may be a shape that captures your or your significant other's interest, or one that elicits special memories or feelings within you. If all you want is a big diamond, and you don't mind imperfections, it's easy to get one for cheap. But even if you are buying cheap, you have to scrutinize your purchases to avoid getting gypped.

When it comes time to set your loose diamond, it's safest to have it done by the same people who sold it to you. If you bring it to another jeweler, they won't want to be held accountable for any damage the diamond may acquire during setting. If the seller won't take responsibility for their own diamonds, leave them for a seller who will.

For most people, the only time they look for diamonds is when they want wedding or engagement rings. The smart way to go about this is to look for loose diamonds first and have them set later. The round brilliant cut is the most enduringly popular cut. Fancy cuts become popular based on prevailing fashions. However, the quality and value of a diamond is based on other factors. So buy a diamond jewelry gift in the cut you really want.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Round Brilliant Cut: The Perfect Cut For Diamonds

Among the four C's of diamonds cutting is probably the least understood and yet it has a significant impact on the cost of the said articles of fine jewelry. It should be taken into consideration that diamonds that exude excellent cutting could cost 40 to 50 percent higher than diamonds that are poorly cut. As such, a prospective buyer should fully understand the value of cutting when it comes to diamonds. With regards to diamonds, cut or make pertains to the overall symmetry, proportioning and finish of the stones that have direct impact on the levels of their fire and brilliance.

Basically, there are three general cutting techniques employed for fine jewelry diamonds: brilliant cut, step cut and mixed cut. A brilliant cut utilizes several facets that are usually triangular and kite in shape and are arranged in a particular manner to optimized the diamonds' brilliance. A step cut utilizes fewer facets, mostly rectangular or trapezoidal in shape and are arranged in linear pattern. A mixed-cut on the other hand integrates the elements used by both the step cut and brilliant cut styles.

Among the three mentioned cutting techniques though, the brilliant cut is the most preferred due to its ability to expose the maximum fire and brilliance of diamonds. But, if integrated with the right shape, a brilliant cut sparkler will not only show the most brilliance and fire, it would also show incomparable appeal and value. Even though there's a whole range of shapes that suit with brilliant cutting, it is probably the round shape that best complements it. In fact, round brilliant cut is the most popular shape that befits well with the said cutting technique.

Each round brilliant cut sparkler contains 58 facets""33 are situated on the crown, 24 at the bottom, and another facet at the culet or point. Smaller round brilliant diamonds are known as "full cut" stones in order to discern them from the so-called "single cut" stones which only exude 17 facets, or from "Swiss cut" stones that contain only 33 facets. By now you're probably wondering, what is so special about this round brilliant diamonds? The answer is that since this shape has no corners it displays the most liveliness as it is capable of reflecting the most light that passes through the stones due to its perfect proportions.

Round brilliant cut is also acknowledged as the most favorite and "ideal" combination of cut and shape because of its versatile nature that could befit all sorts of jewelry pieces. Diamonds cut this way are commonly incorporated on engagement and wedding rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings since they could be arranged easily regardless of the shape and form of the jewelry. Nonetheless, they befit all settings whether it is prong or pave. Fundamentally, this cut is truly functional and versatile.

As mentioned earlier, different cutting techniques could be used for diamonds. What might look strange to some, might be ideal for others. When choosing diamonds, regardless if they are loose diamonds or clarity enhanced diamonds, you should be the one to decide what type of cut you would like because the appearance of a sparkler with an ideal make would not actually appeal to you, and the diamonds without ideal proportions are sometimes receive the highest cut grade from GIA. The most important action that you could take is to compare diamonds of differing qualities and prices, as this is an efficient means to train your eyes to properly identify their differences when it comes to fire and brilliance as well as lifelessness and dullness.

When searching for fine jewelry diamonds it is important that you consider the cutting technique used for the sparklers as this greatly affect their ability to produce fire and brilliance. Round brilliant cut is probably the most promising cutting style employed on diamonds since it is capable of exposing the maximum brilliance of such stones. Regardless if you like loose or clarity enhanced diamonds, the round brilliant technique will surely make them more valuable.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Clarity Enhanced Diamond: Identification, Description And Source

Diamonds are probably the most sought after gemstones by women all over the world. As a matter of fact, if you are a man and would like please your woman, what better way to do it than give her fine jewelry with diamonds. Of course, these precious stones aren't cheap; a piece could already cost you a month of your annual salary, or if you're going after the rare ones better prepare at least two or three months of your earnings. However, if you really like to seal your vows of love with diamonds without spending too much, you could simply opt for diamonds that were enhanced to improve some of their features.

Clarity is just one of the most valued traits of diamonds that helps determine the real value of such precious stones. For example, untouched loose diamonds are expensive because they do not exude imperfections and inclusions making their clarity high in grade. However, the market today also has what are now referred to as clarity enhanced sparklers. These diamond pieces are way inexpensive that untouched diamonds due to the manipulations done to them in order to make them look aesthetically appealing.

Clarity enhanced diamond, as it is called, is a gemstone that had eye visible imperfections. Meaning it is a stone that originally had lower clarity grade, and because nobody wants to have a diamond that has eye visible imperfections, its inclusions are treated so as to make them invisible to the naked eye. Once the enhancement is carried out, there would be no discernible differences between enhanced and untouched diamonds. Enhanced diamonds are also referred to as "fracture filled diamonds."

There are several ways on how the enhancement process can be done to achieve clarity enhanced diamond. The most common method is known as drilling wherein a tiny hole is drilled toward the diamond in order to remove minerals and other elements that causes discoloration. Drilling is usually done with the aid of laser, which is capable of neatly creating a tiny hole towards the stone's inclusion. After this, the diamond may be left with a small fracture which would be filled with a heavy glass that is definitely unnoticeable by the naked eyes; this latter process is also referred to as fracture filling.

If you have the intent to buy a diamond, one thing that you must remember is that in adherence to the FTC rules, diamonds that had augmentations other than basic cutting, cleaning and polishing should be fully disclosed to the buyer. However, if you really want to make sure about the quality of your chosen diamond, ask the jeweler if you could have the diamond appraised by a different appraising firm. Always remember that a clarity enhanced diamond has no visual differences with a flawless diamond. Hence, the best thing that you could do is to have the diamond tested in order to know whether it has been enhanced or not.

If you're a guy who's looking for a decent looking sparkler but you are a bit tight on budget, clarity enhanced sparkler is always a good consideration. If all the other traits of the enhanced diamond are in excellent condition, and the diamond itself is visually clean in grade, don't let the thought of enhancement discourage you from taking it as recourse. Like untouched diamonds, treated sparklers also befit well with fine jewelry pieces of all kinds and are guaranteed to last for a lifetime. Hence, enhanced diamonds may not be perfect, but they could definitely express your true emotions the same way as flawless diamonds.

Nowadays, it is difficult to find inexpensive loose diamonds that one could befit into fine jewelry pieces. However, if you really wish to give your loved one something special without necessarily emptying your pocket, clarity enhanced diamond could be the perfect option for you. Although it does not thoroughly exemplify the perfection that an untouched diamond exudes, it is definitely a good find as its enhancements are barely discernible to the naked eye.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond rings are more than just a luxury

For people with cash to spare, it is but natural to put these funds into an investment that would give more value to their money.To help their money grow, they would usually acquire assets like land or stocks and even condominium units because they can generate revenue as their value appreciates.

But while enormous and expensive assets may be the way for most people, others choose to invest on more enjoyable and less expensive items.And there is nothing more appropriate than to invest on their hobbies where they can directly enjoy money they have spent.

There are a number of hobby collectibles that can be considered a reasonable investment just like toys, fine jewelry and luxury cars which gain value over time.But of course not all of them appreciate in value, only a selected type of toys or jewelry like diamond rings can really gain vale over time.

Some toys when kept in mint condition or intact in their boxes can sell at ten to twenty times its original value as time goes by.On top of the list of hobby investments that gains value over the years is fine jewelry.Diamond encrusted jewelry like diamond rings can definitely get more expensive over time.

Another good thing with buying diamond rings or necklaces is the fact that you can readily share this as a very meaningful gift for a loved one.Diamonds pretty much last for a lifetime so it can be smart investment compared to other things like cars or houses that can depreciate as time takes its toll and cause mechanical or aesthetic problems.

In a nutshell, spending extra money on assets and investments is a smart thing to do as it should be dictated by the desired outcome as time progresses.While there are readily available investments means, it might be also ideal to explore other avenues that not only gives more value to an investor's money but also entertain and feeds their hobby or interests.

While some people spend on assets like condominium units or land to make their money grow, others choose to invest on their hobbies and interests instead. Some like fine spending on fine jewelry or expensive cars or rare toys. This is a smart investment because like diamond rings or rare toys, they can only get pricier as the years go by.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Loose Diamonds: Choosing Based On Cut

Why purchase loose diamonds? They're not quite as practical as earrings and necklaces. You would not be able to have them on you or display them anywhere you go. But diamonds have a beauty on their own that can't be compared to diamonds set in jewelry. They seem even more extraordinary when they are bought for their own sake.

Diamonds are available in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The most famous of these is the round brilliant cut. Simply put, the round brilliant is the most popular because it provides the most brilliance. It has been designed in such a way that it reflects the most light. What most people don't know is that the shape of the round brilliant is the most wasteful. As much as half of the original diamond is left out when it is changed into a round brilliant. For this reason, diamonds are sold in several other shapes as well, commonly known as fancy cuts.

Now some of the fancy cuts are already based on familiar shapes, and will appeal to people even if they aren't that familiar with diamonds. The heart and oval cuts are named after their shapes. The pear cut is often seen as an upside down teardrop.

On the other hand, how do you explain to people the differences between the Asscher and emerald cut, or the princess and radiant cut, when their shapes are the same? This is where we get a bit technical, but fortunately you don't have to dig that deep.

Emerald and Asscher cuts are both step cuts. In contrast to the round brilliant, they are rectangular in shape, with each side bordered with small steps. Step cuts stress lustre and clarity over brilliance. The Asscher cut has been around for over 100 years, and its proportions are less even.

The princess and radiant cuts comprise a third category, known as mixed cuts. They have more brilliance than step cuts, but are more cost-effective than brilliant cuts. The princess cut is the most popular next to the round brilliant, whereas the radiant cut has over 70 cuts.

When selecting loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you find attractive. The jeweler, in turn, will narrow down your choices in terms of price and quality, and help find the best deal for you.

Diamonds are produced in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The way the round brilliant cut has been cut makes it reflects the most light. Step cuts accentuate lustre and clarity over brilliance. Mixed cuts evoke the brilliance of brilliant cuts, but are more practical to produce. When selecting loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you like.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond Heart Jewelry: Check For Quality

The round brilliant cut is considered the gold standard for diamond cuts. Designed to maximize the potential of a diamond's brilliance, this cut is also known as the most uneconomical, with over half of the raw diamond discarded to get to this ideal shape. Not to say that diamonds should exclusively come in this shape only. In fact, the diversity of diamond cuts adds to their overall appeal.

And diamond heart jewelry is as alluring as it gets. Heart cuts are in many ways similar to the pear cut, but vary in height and width. The heart cut retains some brilliance found in the round brilliant cut, but also flaunts the diamond's other qualities, like clarity. Bear in mind that this shape was not invented casually. The heart cut is fundamentally the pear cut with a cleft added in.

Admittedly, diamond heart jewelry may not appeal to everyone. Some people may feel that it is too puerile to use in their wedding rings. Still, it is hard to question the romantic appeal of the heart shape. Since it is a relatively modern cut, there are less requirements in making heart cut diamonds compared to round brilliant.

In comparison, with round brilliant cut diamonds, your primary interest is in the brilliance of the piece. Diamond makers refined Tolkowsky's Ideal Cut, the original standard for the round cut. Thanks to breakthroughs in the science of refraction and manufacturing technology, they're able to utilize a raw diamond's potential to reach maximum brilliance.

It is vital that you do a quality check before you obtain any heart jewelry. Particularly, you need to check that it does not have any blemishes, cracks or other imperfections. Some imperfections are not visible to the naked eye, but still alter the diamond's value. These imperfections do become apparent under the microscope, and are considered when the finished diamond is graded and priced.

If you prefer to get more value for your investment, you should keep watch for enhanced diamonds. These are treatments performed on diamonds after they have been cut and polished, to eliminate these imperfections. Government regulations require that any enhancements be disclosed to potential buyers. These treatments reduce their value and are only performed on seriously flawed diamonds.

It is crucial that you do a quality check before you acquire any diamond heart jewelry. Specifically, you need to verify that it does not have any blemishes, cracks or other imperfections. With round brilliant cut diamonds, your primary interest is in the brilliance of the piece. IYou should keep watch for enhanced diamonds. These are treatments performed on diamonds after they have been cut and polished to eliminate these imperfections and reduce their value.

-Lorraine Jacobs

A Brief Comparison Of Wedding Ring And Engagement Ring

Bands have figured prominently in betrothal and marriages since prehistoric times. As a matter of fact, it would be hard to imagine having an engagement and wedding without referring to bands. Due to their long history, the use and functions of wedding ring and engagement ring are often intermingled with each other. But, it should be taken into account that though these jewelry pieces are commonly seen among married women, they profoundly differ from each other in many aspects.

In order to understand the difference between the wedding ring and engagement ring, let's start to look at their individual purposes. Simply, an engagement ring is the band given by the man to the woman prior to their marriage to signify the engaged status of their relationship. On the other hand, wedding bands are the jewelry pieces exchanged and worn by the couple during their wedding day to seal their marital vows. After the ceremony and the years of their marriage, both the bands are worn by the woman on her left finger, while the man only wears the wedding ring since men are not accustomed to wear an engagement band.

Between the two mentioned bands, many couples invest more on their engagement bands than on their wedding bands. In fact, an engagement ring can be treated as the most attention-seeking between the two, as it is somehow symbolic of announcing the couple's status. Traditionally, betrothal bands have prominent center stones, most of which are made from fine diamond jewelry. At the moment however, couples need not to buy engagement bands that are accentuated with diamond stones, rather as a less expensive option they could use other precious stones such as ruby, sapphire, opal, etc., as the center stone of the engagement ring.

Meanwhile, wedding ring is far from the grandiosity that engagement ring usually exemplify as it is often plain in finish and does not have any accents, or sometimes it is designed after the engagement ring but is a simpler version of the first. However, the design of the wedding bands is always dependent on the couple's choice; there are couples who also use fine diamond jewelry for their wedding bands, though this is not always the case as the plain finish of such band represents the sanctity of marriage. Traditionally, both wedding and engagement bands are worn on the left finger between the index and pinkie fingers because according to belief the said finger on the left hand has the vein that is directly connected to the heart which is called as vena amori. Though there are some cultures that place their wedding and engagement bands on the ring finger on the right hand.

Usually, wedding and engagement bands are purchased separately. They may also come as a set, which is why a wedding ring can also be as elaborate as the engagement ring. However, if you are to purchase each piece separately, remember that you are going to wear them everyday, so when you select the shape of the stone always consider your lifestyle. Diamond might be naturally hard, but if it has pointy edges or is protruding on the ring it is more likely to chip or break off due to over usage; in such case, it would be more preferable to purchase wedding and engagement bands that have embedded round brilliant cut gemstones to ensure that they will last for a lifetime.

Overall, no other jewelry best represents engagement and marriage than the wedding ring and the engagement ring. They indeed have distinct qualities that sets them apart from each other. Regardless of these differences however, it remains a fact that these precious pieces are primarily based on the concept of undying love as seen from the round shape of the bands and their material makeup. They also serve as material seals that strengthen the symbolism and sentimentality of devotion of the couples.

Wedding ring and engagement ring are important fixtures in the relationship of couples. An engagement ring is an indication of the engaged status of couple. It is usually more expensive than the wedding ring as it is commonly made from fine diamond jewelry with round brilliant cut and side gemstones. Wedding bands on the other hand are exchanged by couples during the wedding ceremony to seal their marital vows and are simple in design and finish.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Standard Articles Of Fine Jewelry

The visual appeal of fine jewelry has never failed to capture our attention. As a matter of fact, jewelry pieces were once considered as the basis of social status especially during the ancient times. These pieces have played significant roles in shaping some of the most important traditions we know of. From necklaces and earrings, to rings and bracelets, these adornments have provided humans with worldly satisfaction that no other material could induce.

There are many types of fine jewelry pieces to choose from. Some are worn as adornments, while others serve as symbolic tokens presented in different occasions. There are articles of jewelry that are plain and cheap, while there are also pieces that are so ornate, they are often expensive. Some of the most popular and commonly used pieces would be discussed here to provide further understanding about their qualities and uses. Rings are perhaps the most common articles of jewelry that almost all of us are familiar with. They are widely available in several varieties; they may come as plain cylindrical bands commonly seen in wedding rings adorned with gemstones such as diamond heart setting, spiral or serpentine coils, signet rings, and open on one side. Rings vary in functions depending on their wearers, but they are usually used as symbolic gifts to seal engagements and weddings, or just hoops to adorn the fingers. As for signet rings, these hoops are customized to carry the emblems of fraternal orders or insignias of some organizations and are worn by the members of such organizations.

The necklace is another popular form of jewelry worn around the neck. Basically, there are four general forms of necklaces: close fitting collar band with stones or beads, chain necklace with a single pendant, row of beads that are usually graduated in size held by a wire or chain, and several chains or strings of differing lengths worn on top of each other. Necklaces can be made of different precious metals, gemstones, raw materials or a combination of these items, and are commonly used together with pendants that are made of precious stones; the most of popular of which is the diamond heart pendant. To further highlight the beauty of necklaces, they appropriately worn with dresses that have low necklines as this design helps the jewelry to become the focal point of the person's upper body.

Meanwhile, earrings are articles of jewelry used for the ears that could be set against the earlobes or are left as dangling drops. The most favorite form of earrings set against the earlobe is the pair of pearls, while popular hanging drops are the ones referred to as chandelier earrings. Traditionally, the use of earrings requires ear piercings as the practice of wearing such jewelry was once regarded as a barbarous act. Currently, earrings can be worn either through piercing the ears or just by clipping the said jewelry.

Another form of fine jewelry usually designated on the arm is the bracelet. This large ring-like piece may come as closed band, spiral coil, open on one side, closed with clasp or flexible rings formed as links. Other than the aforementioned pieces, there are other types of jewelry that one may encounter in the market including pins, cuff links, anklets, chains, brooches, and collar buttons to name a few. All in all, articles of jewelry vary in terms of function, design and quality; it is within the discretion of the wearer where he or she would like to use these pieces.

Fine jewelry pieces are created to adorn nearly every part of the body. Necklaces with diamond heart pendants are used to accentuate the neck, bracelets are worn to highlight the arms, while rings and earrings are used as personal ornaments for the fingers and ears respectively. Although artistic display has been the main function of jewelry pieces, they have also been utilized for reasons like currency, protection, status, and symbolic tokens to name a few.

-Lorraine Jacobs