My parents and I planning a trip to Hawaii this spring. I’ve heard that Diamond Head is a great place to go for great views. I’ve read some things about hikes and narrow passages. My parents are older and they can’t take heavy hikes or lots of stairs. Is this a place we should plan on bypassing?

i know the meaning of course…what i don’t know is in appearance, i mean, does the other one need a decoration or something? or just plain? and i heard in some countries the engagement and wedding ring is just the same..

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat.

However, in the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains, or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight, it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying.

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All About the Clarity of Diamonds

Clarity is an important aspect of a diamond, and it is important to know how to grade the clarity of a diamond before you buy one. It is actually quite easy to learn how to grade the clarity of a diamond. There are basically two things that you must understand: Diamonds with visual inclusions and blemishes, and those that are «eye clean» meaning that there are no inclusions or blemishes that can be seen with the naked eye. From there, the clarity of a diamond is further broken down into subcategories.

Many people mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is. This isn?t so. Clarity actually refers to the internal and external imperfections of the diamond. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF, Flawless or Internally Flawless, meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst.

Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which means that the diamond is very, very slightly imperfect; VS1 and VS2, meaning the diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and SI-2, which means that the diamond is slightly imperfect.

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Are Diamonds Really Rare?

When you walk into a jewelry store and see all the diamonds in all of the various settings that are for sale, it is difficult to realize that diamonds are indeed rare. Most people don’t even stop to consider how that diamond came to be sitting in that jeweler’s case! There is quite a bit of work that is done before a diamond is ready to sell to the general public!

For every one million diamonds that are mined, only one will be found that is a quality one caret diamond. In order to find a two caret diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than two hundred tons of ore must be mined to find one small diamond, and even then, more than 80% of the diamonds that are mined are only good for industrial use, such as diamond drill bits.

So, the next time you visit your local jewelry store, ask to see the one carat diamonds. You should look at this diamond with new Appreciation, knowing that it truly is one in a million!

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Bonded Diamonds

Before you start shopping for diamonds, consider dealing with a bonded jeweler. Bonded jewelers sell bonded diamonds, and there are very few bonded jewelers in the world. In fact, out of all of the jeweler’s in the world, only about 5% of them are bonded. Buying a bonded diamond will cost more than buying a non-bonded diamond, but when you look at what you get with the bonded option, you will see that it is well worth the extra expense.

First, bonded diamonds have a buy back policy for the life of the diamond. No matter how long you have had the diamond, you can take it back to the bonded jeweler and sell it back to him or her, for a 100% refund. If a jeweler does not offer a 100% buy back guarantee, for the life of the diamond, then you should take a closer look at the diamond to see what is wrong with it.

Bonded diamonds also have a breakage policy. If the stone breaks or chips, the bonded jeweler will replace it with a new one, one time. No jeweler would ever offer such a policy on any stone that was not 100% natural, so just the offer of such a policy should give you piece of mind concerning the quality of the diamond. Bonded diamonds are natural and untreated.

Bonded diamonds increase in value, with a fixed appreciation rate that is designed to keep up with inflation. This means that a diamond that is worth a certain amount of money today will be worth more in the future, as the price of diamonds continues to rise. This generally does not apply to buy backs, however. It typically applies to trade-ins.

Alternately, by purchasing a bonded diamond, you are protected against the possibility of a market crash. If a market crash occurs, the value of diamonds will drop. However, the bonded jeweler guarantees to refund you the difference between what the diamond is now worth and what you paid for it before the market crash.

It may be difficult to find a bonded jeweler in your area, but if you can, this is who you want to deal with, as opposed to dealing with an un-bonded jeweler. Specifically tell the jeweler that you are only interested in bonded diamonds. You can find a bonded jeweler in your area by using various online resources, or by calling the local jewelry stores.

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Buying Diamonds Online

With all of the potential for scams concerning diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems, as long as you are careful.

First, think about your reasons for wanting to purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making a purchase from a local jewelry store. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful, sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam.

One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you must use a great deal of care and consideration before handing your money over to someone that you cannot see and have never met!

Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds, especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about diamonds, you?ve found a diamond that you love, and you?ve found the lowest price, but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!

Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the seller?s return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.

Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds, preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself again, make sure that you use a reputable escrow service!

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Choosing The Cut of A Diamond

There are many different cuts of diamonds to choose from. The cut essentially refers to the shape that the diamond is cut into, unless you are in the diamond or jewelry business, but this shape has a great impact on the much the diamond sparkles.

The most popular cuts are heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on how much the diamond sparkles, but the actual cutting itself, when the diamond cutter actually cuts the diamond into a particular shape, also matters a great deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose its sparkle.

However, in the diamond industry, the cut of a diamond doesn’t refer to its shape at all. Instead, this is a reference to the stone’s depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and other aspects of the diamond. Common cutting problems include a missing or off center culet, misalignment, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken culets.

When shopping for a diamond, you should of course choose the shape that you like the best, but then look at several different diamonds of that shape to find the one with the best cut, the one that sparkles the most, in all types of lighting.

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Colored Diamonds

Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage these days. Gemologists have developed new ways to create versions that are affordable for the average person – by treating less desirable diamonds. These less desirable diamonds are treated with irradiation followed by intense heat. This turns brown and yellowish diamonds into beautifully colored diamonds that you can afford. This produces stunning greens, blues, yellows, reds, purples and other colors. These colors are considered permanent, but there is a possibility they could change during repairs if a high heat is used.

Treatments like irradiation make it possible for more people to own these vividly colored diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds are rare and also extremely expensive. When shopping for colored diamonds you need to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated. Ask about the stones origin and request to view a lab certificate to verify authenticity.

Synthetic colored diamonds are another option if owning a colored diamond is something you desire but cannot quite afford. They are real diamonds, but they are created in a lab.

Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring from different trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can be colored by exposure to radiation during its creation. An example of a diamond affected by radiation is a Green diamond.

Another way that a natural colored diamond gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond, inclusions give unique tones and brilliant flashes of color in a fancy color diamond. Remember that Natural fancy colored diamonds are very expensive, any colored diamond labeled to be sold as natural should be accompanied by a certificate from a respected grading lab.

A “fancy” diamond is a natural diamond that has color. These colors vary from red, green, purple, violet, orange, blue and pink, and most shades between. Fancy color shades vary from faint to intense.

The most famous diamonds in the world are Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond, which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which is blue are colored diamonds. Color diamonds have an amazing financial track record. The value has never decreased on wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue and pink diamonds have doubled every 5 years of a strong economy. In the 1970’s you could have bought a very high quality blue diamond for about 50K and today the very same stone would be worth between 2 and 3 million.

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Diamond Brands and What They Mean

Diamonds are one of the few products that simply cannot be «branded.» Even though there are different cuts, different grades, and different values placed on each and every diamond in existence, no diamond is any specific brand, just as gold is not a specific brand.

Branding is actually based on who owns the diamond. For instance, if DeBeers owns the diamond, it is a DeBeers Diamond, but it is still just a diamond. If the diamond was cut by a specific well known cutter, then it might be branded in that way as well, but it usually isn’t. It is still branded based on who owns it at the time. So basically, when it comes down to it, diamond brands mean absolutely nothing at all.

Do not allow a jeweler to try to talk you into paying an exorbitant price on a diamond because it is a specific brand. This is a bit of trickery used by unscrupulous jewelers when they know that they are dealing with people who don;t know much about diamonds. Remember that diamonds are not actually branded, unless mother nature has her own brand!

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Diamond Certificates

A diamond certificate is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. This report comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and you should require this report when you are purchasing a diamond.

With a diamond certificate, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don’t have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the certificate comes from the GIA, not the dealer. You may be required to pay for the certificate, but the cost is usually low, and in many cases, it will help you negotiate a better price on the diamond, or keep you from purchasing a lower quality diamond altogether.

If you buy a high quality diamond, and then later decide to sell the diamond, you will need to have the certificate, or you will have a hard time selling it to someone else. Furthermore, you can use the Diamond Grading Report to look up the wholesale value of the diamond in question. Use the guide that is used by the diamond cutting industry.

With the Certificate, or Diamond Grading Report, there won?t be any doubts when you are trying to purchase a diamond. You can easily find out what the diamond is worth. This will prevent you from overpaying, and it can prevent a seller from under-charging as well.

A copy of the Diamond Grading Report should be given to your insurance company as well, when you insure the diamond. This provides absolute, unquestionable proof of the value of the diamond should it be stolen in the future. Insurance companies cannot argue with the report.

Avoid diamond dealers who seem reluctant to provide a certificate! Also avoid sellers who tell you that a certificate diamond will cost you more, the only additional cost should be the cost of the certificate, which is low. If the dealer doesn’t want to provide a certificate, then you don’t want to do business with that dealer.

Don’t accept certificates from Gemological Laboratories other than GIA. There are many fly-by-night Gemological labs these days, but in the end, GIA has been established as the most respectable and trustworthy, not to mention oldest, of the lot. So avoid dealers who don’t want to use GIA for certification purposes as well.

Don’t buy an expensive diamond without paying the extra cost of the certificate. If a dealer tries to convince you to make the purchase without the certificate, or if they want to use a company other than GIA, you can be sure that the dealer has probably greatly inflated the price of the diamond, they have something that they are hiding from you.

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Diamond Grading Reports

You’ve been told that having a certificate or a diamond grading report is important, and as a responsible consumer, you get one, unfortunately, you probably won’t understand a word of what is on that diamond grading report, unless you are a jeweler.

On the color grading scale, D, E, and F mean that the diamond has no color. G, H, and I means that it has very little color. J, K, and L means that the diamond has a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and X means that the diamond is a darker shade of yellow. Z means that the diamond has a fancy color, other than white or yellow.

On the color grading scale, D is the most valuable, and X is the least valuable, however diamonds that get a Z rating are the rarest and most expensive diamonds in the world.

There are many aspects to a grading report. Figuring it all out can be very confusing. You should talk to a jeweler you trust, and have them explain everything on the diamond grading report to you.

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Diamond Scams

When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds, for whatever reasons, don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled.

A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond.

This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a 14 carat diamond, it is probably between 4 and 14 carat, but closer to 14.

Jewelry stores often run «fluorescence» scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality, even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well.

Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth, and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action.

Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.

There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.

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Famous Diamonds

Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky110-carat rough.

The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless. The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.

The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.

The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light ) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan?s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.

The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.

The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa.

The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it “Cartier.” The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the “Taylor-Burton». In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale.

Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.

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How Diamonds Are Cut

In their most natural form, diamonds are, well, quite ugly. They have no luster or shine, and in fact, look like nothing more than broken glass. A diamond must be cut, and then polished before it actually becomes a thing of beauty.

Diamonds are cut with saws, into round shapes. From the rounded shape, other shapes may be cut, such as heart shapes, but the shape is less important than the quality of the cutting that is being done. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose light, and it will not sparkle and shine very well.

Each facet of the diamond must be carefully cut into the geometrical shapes that allow the diamond to sparkle and shine, then the entire diamond is cut into a specific shape, such as an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond.

Once the cut is done, the diamond is put into a dop, which resembles a cup with another diamond, only a diamond is strong enough to smooth the edges of another diamond. Once the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges smoothed in the dop, it is polished on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel.

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How Diamonds Are Mined

We seldom think about how the diamonds we wear came to us. Natural diamonds, as opposed to synthetic diamonds or fake diamonds, are mined from the earth. There are currently two methods of mining diamonds: Pipe Mining and Alluvial Mining.

When pipe mining is used, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. These are not man-made pipes. These are natural pipes in the ground. Shanks are put into the ground next to the pipes, and tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. The diamonds are not sorted out at the mine. Instead, huge rocks that are full of diamonds are brought out of the mine and moved to a screening plant for separation.

The Alluvial mining method is done in riverbeds and on beaches. Walls are built to hold back the water and the sand on the bank or beach is moved with a bulldozer until the level of earth that diamonds can be found in is reached. Again, the diamonds are not sorted here. Instead, the sand that contains the diamonds is bulldozed into trucks, and taken to screening plants.

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How Diamond Prices Are Determined

Pricing most products is quite easy. Determine how much it costs to make the item, how much it costs to market that item, and then mark it up by 15, 30% or more. Simple, right? Well, pricing diamonds isn’t quite that simple. There are many factors that are considered when diamonds are priced.

Diamond prices are determined first by adding the cost of the rough diamond, the cost of cutting the diamond, and all other costs necessary to turn the rough diamond into a marketable diamond. Depending on the importance of the diamond, an independent company may be called in to certify the grade of the diamond based on color, cut, clarity, and weight.

At this point, the diamond becomes more expensive each time it changes hands, until it finally reaches a retailer, where the price is raised a bit more. Before reaching the retailer, however, the diamond must travel from the mine, to the cutter and polisher, to the independent grading company, and then to the Primary market. Once it has reached the primary market, it will be purchased by diamond dealers and wholesalers, and from there it will be sold to retailers.

As you can see, the earlier you can purchase a diamond in the process, the lower the cost of the diamond will be, but not the value. The value is based on what the diamond will sell for in the market place, through a retailer.

If you own a diamond, and you have no idea how much it is worth, you can have it appraised, but the appraisal may not be accurate. You will be better off obtaining a certificate through GIA, Gemological Institute of America. With the information on this certificate, you can use a cutter?s guide to accurately determine what your diamond is worth.

There are also many diamond price calculators available. These can be found on the Internet, and many diamond dealers use these as well. You must realize, however, that before you can accurately price a diamond, without a Diamond Grade Report, you need to know quite a bit about diamonds, such as different cuts, clarity, color, and weight, and how each of those aspects adds to the value of a diamond, or decreases the value of the diamond as the case may be.

Again, you will be better off if you get a Diamond Grading Report on the diamond, and use that information to look up the price in one of the guides that the diamond cutting industry uses. This will give you the most accurate value of the diamond in your possession, or of the diamond you are considering purchasing.

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How to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings

There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond, especially diamond engagement rings! The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the ?two months salary’ rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required.

Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn’t happy with it!

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How to Care for Your Diamond

Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. By learning how to properly care for your diamond, you will ensure that your diamond is indeed forever.

First, you should take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler once a year. Have him check the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place. Have him make any needed repairs. This will prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost.

Diamond jewelry that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewelry box where it can be kept separate from other jewelry. Each piece should have its own compartment. This will keep diamonds from becoming scratched, and it will also keep your diamond from scratching other jewelry as well.

Remove your diamond jewelry when doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansers, this can damage or change the color of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the color of the diamond!

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How to Clean your Diamonds

Through our day to day movements our diamonds get smudged and soiled. Even when we are not wearing them, they collect dust. Lotions, soaps, our natural skin oils, can cause film and grime on diamonds and inhibit their brilliance.

Want to keep that Brilliance and Shine?

Diamonds require cleaning so that maximum amounts of light can refract fiery brilliance. Remember that all it takes is a few minutes and a little care to keep that diamond as fiery as the day you first saw it.

You can use an small soft brush such as an eyebrow or lip stick brush and soap and water to clean your jewelry. Simply make a bowl of warm sudsy water with a mild detergent and place your pieces in the mixture. Then brush the diamonds with the soft bristles of the brush while they are in the suds. You will need to make certain that you rinse them clear of the suds after cleaning them. You can use a small kitchen strainer such as a tea strainer to contain them while rinsing under warm water. Use a lint free cloth, or a jewelry polish cloth to pat them dry.

If your diamonds are in need of a stronger cleansing, you may want to soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of half and half water and ammonia. Once they have soaked for 30 minutes, remove them and gently brush the mountings with a small brush. Then replace the pieces to the solution and swish them around in the mixture before removing them to rinse and pat dry.

If you find your self too busy to be mixing soaps and ammonias, many department stores sell liquid jewelry cleaners. Most are kits, with everything you need included. You need to read the labels to determine the one that is right for your diamonds and other jewelry. Read the complete directions and follow all the precautions.

And if you find yourself more the «high-tech type», even in your diamond cleaning routine, there are multiple ultrasonic cleansers on the market. These machines use high-frequency to create a cleaning motion. All machines are not the same, so please read the instructions before using.

Only you can choose the cleaning method right for you. But, it is essential to keep your jewelry clean to keep it brilliant and sparkling. Between cleaning, try not to touch your clean diamonds with your fingers or handle your jewelry by its edges. This will help maintain its shine and brilliance for longer periods.

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How to Sell A Diamond

There are many reasons why you may want to sell a diamond that you own. Perhaps you’ve gotten divorced, or you are strapped for cash. The reasons why don’t really matter, getting the best possible price is what counts! The way to obtain the best price for the diamond is to not be in a rush. Slow down, and carefully consider all of your options, there are many.

First, have the diamond appraised. In fact, have it appraised by two or three jewelers to get an accurate idea of the diamonds value. Tell the appraiser that you want the Rapaport Value. This is the wholesale value of the diamond, and it basically tells you the highest price that you can sell your diamond for. If your diamond has no certificate, you should consider getting a certificate from GIA. This may help you get a better price for the diamond as well.

First, try to sell the diamond yourself, to people you know. Friends and family members may be interested. If you don’t have any luck with friends or family members, you should turn to outside sources. Absolutely avoid pawn shops! A pawn shop will only offer you about 10% of what the diamond is worth!

Also avoid offers of selling the ring on consignment. There are many things that can go wrong, and there is no shortage of diamond scams, even in well known jewelry stores.

If the diamond is important, you should strongly consider auctioning it off through one of the famous auction houses, such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s. If it isn’t what is considered an «important» diamond or a high-end diamond, you should try to sell it to an individual using classified ads, or even eBay. However, selling to an individual that you do not know could put you in danger, especially if the diamond is worth a lot of money.

Your final option should be a jewelry store. It is vital that you not let your diamond out of your sight while in the jewelry store, you might find that the diamond you walked in with is not the same diamond that you walk out with! The jeweler will try to tell you that your diamond is of poor quality or low weight. Inevitably, there will be some problem with the diamond. This is where your appraisal and/or certificate will come in handy.

If the jeweler is fair, they will offer you between 60% and 80% of the value of the Rapaport Value. Do not accept anything less than this. Again, do not let the diamond out of your sight until you have been paid for it.

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How to Spot A Fake Diamond

In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not, especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however.

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away.

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable, natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks.

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Insuring Your Diamonds

Insuring a diamond takes a bit of thought, planning, and shopping around. Diamond insurance isn’t like purchasing car insurance. It is quite different. Depending on the state that you live in, there are basically three different types of policies that will cover diamonds, and all insurance policies that cover diamonds are considered Marine type policies.

The first type of insurance policies for diamonds is an Actual Cash Value policy. If the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company will replace the diamond at today’s market value, no matter how much you paid for the diamond to begin with. This type of insurance policy for diamonds actually is not that common.

The most common type of insurance for diamonds is Replacement Value insurance. The insurance company will only pay up to a fixed amount to replace the diamond that was lost or damaged beyond repair. This does not mean that they will pay that amount, it means that they will pay up to that amount. In most cases, the diamond can be replaced at a lower cost.

The third type of coverage offered for diamonds is Agreed Value. This is sometimes called ?Valued At.? This type of coverage is very rare. In the event that the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company simply pays you the amount that you and the company agreed upon. This is the best type of insurance to have, but it is rarely offered. If you can’t get Agreed Value coverage, Actual Cash Value coverage should be your next choice.

Your rates will be determined by the value of the diamond, the type of coverage that you select, and the area that you live in. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you can expect to pay more for your diamond insurance coverage. It is important to remember that insurance agents are not qualified jewelers, and jewelers are not qualified insurance agents. It is best to get a certificate for your diamond, and to provide the insurance company with a copy of that certificate. This leaves the insurance company less room for arguments over the actual value of the diamond.

Don’t rely on separate coverage to cover your diamond. For instance, if you diamond is stolen from your home, it is probably covered on your home owner’s insurance policy, but the diamond probably won’t always be in your home, and once it leaves your home, there is no coverage.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Selecting Diamonds

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the «Four C?s» these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat.

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire.

Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty. Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C’s.

During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered «flawless», a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using10 power magnifications.

Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the «four C?s» allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Synthetic Diamonds

The first synthetic diamonds were produced by General Electric in 1954. A synthetic diamond is basically a rock that has the durability, refractive index and hardness of a natural diamond, but it is made by man. A synthetic diamond should not be confused with stimulant diamonds, such as glass, cubic zirconia, or moissanite.

Although the technology for synthetic diamonds came into play in 1954, no synthetic diamonds were ever seen on the market until the 1990’s. This was due to the fact that it took many years for General Electric to produce a synthetic diamond that could compare with the quality of a natural

Diamond, and when they figured out how to do it, they found that it cost more to produce a synthetic diamond than it did to mine and cut natural diamonds.

Finally, a small company by the name of Gemesis Corporation figured out a way to produce synthetic diamonds that were of the same quality as natural diamonds, at a cheaper price. Today, Gemesis produces synthetic white diamonds, and colored diamonds as well. These diamonds sell for about 1/3 of the cost of a natural diamond, but there is a shortage of them, and they are hard to find. In fact, it seems that synthetic diamonds are rarer than natural diamonds!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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What Are Dirty Diamonds?

A dirty diamond is one of two things: a rough diamond, or a diamond that hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Rough diamonds are uncut and unpolished, hence, they are dirty. But that type of dirty diamond will soon be cut and polished and sitting in a beautiful jewel box in a display case. Then someone will purchase it, and before long, it will become a dirty diamond once again.

Diamonds become dirty. When you wash your hands with a diamond ring on, soap scum clings to it. When you put on hand lotion, it gets grease on it. Shower with your diamond earrings or necklace, and again, you get soap scum. In one short day, your brand new diamond could be dirty!

Purchase an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner the same day that you purchase your diamond jewelry, and use it every single day, without fail. The clarity of the diamond changes when the diamond is dirty, it loses its sparkle. By taking one minute each day to clean your diamond jewelry, you can avoid this, and your diamonds will never be dirty!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Where Diamonds are Mined

Argye mine located in the Kimberley region in the far north east of Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine is the world’s largest single producer of volume of diamonds. However, due to low proportion of gem quality diamonds it is not the value leader. It does produce 90-95% of the world’s supply of pink diamonds.

Diavik is also owned by Rio Tinto, located in Canada it is a very large mine. It is located north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle on an island. The island is connected by an ice road. It is also an important part of the regions economy employing more than 700 people and producing more than 8 million carats annually.

Ekati diamond mine is owned by BHP Billiton and located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The Ekati is Canada?s first operational diamond mine. Diamonds mined here are sold under the Aurias trade name Authenticity is verified through Canada Mark service. CanadaMark service is also owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds, Inc.

Baken diamond mine is located along the lower Orange River in South Africa. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US)

as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars.

Merlin is the second of only two diamond mines in Australia. No longer operating it was owned by Rio Tinto and sold to Striker Resources, who has explored the possibilities of reopening the mine.

Orapa is the world’s largest diamond mine. It us located 240 Km west of Francistown. The mine is owned by «debswana» which is a partnership between DeBeers and the government of Botswana. This mine operates 7 days a week. It maintains pre primary and primary schools for its employee?s children. There is also a 100 bed hospital and game park. This mine began production in 1971 and is the oldest mine owned by the Debswana Company.

The Premier mine located in Cullinan, South Africa produced the largest gem diamond ever in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. This mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed 545.67 carats. This mine is owned by the De Beers Company and was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine in 2003 in celebration of its centennial.

I know there are pros and cons to wearing a wedding ring to a job interview. The pros would be showing stability and committment. The cons would be the inabililty to flirt (or at least appear to be the charming single person) and discrimination against a potential employee who may have too many dependents to cover regarding medical insurance. Since it’s illegal to ask a potential employee the marriage question, does it make sense to keep them wondering by not wearing the ring?

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Wedding rings, also called wedding bands, are an eternal sign of love between two engaged partners. Most weddings require an exchange of rings taking place between the uniting groom and bride before they could be pronounced husband and wife. The ring itself is stated to be a symbol of an unending love, due to its circular shape. Similarly, the ring finger is traditionally believed to house a direct vein to heart, which describes the intense emotional bond that might develop between two engaged individuals. One could find many similar stories prevailing around the world while trying to learn more about wedding rings.

There is a rich history behind how wedding rings got introduced in the Christian way of life. It wasn’t until the days of Pope Innocent III that couples were asked to wear two rings, one during engagements and the other while finally being married. Families offered rings just to seal engagements prior to this historical pronouncement by the Pope. He also asked the engaged couples to observe a waiting period before they could finally marry. These orthodox dictates slowly grew into colorful traditions, as Christianity traversed across the world over a period of many centuries.

Wedding rings are normally placed on left ring fingers of couples from the USA, France, Sweden and the UK. They are placed on right ring fingers however, in the case of Germany, Spain, India, and Chile. Interestingly, while Jews traditionally place wedding rings on their left hands, like the orthodox Christians, they prefer wearing it on the right ones after being married. There are also varying norms for the period when one of the partners has died. This universally gets deemed to be the end of any wedding concerned in most societies. However, much of this differentiation of norms might stem from the fact, which part of the world you were looking at.

A hardened alloy of Gold, Bismuth, Tin and Copper is often made use of in manufacturing wedding rings. Sometimes Platinum, Nickel and Titanium are also introduced to yield varying results. Platinum is mixed up with white gold for manufacturing a separate class of Platinum wedding rings. Similarly Titanium and Tungsten carbide are also used to produce durability, affordability, varying textures and shades of eye-catching ring designs.

However, less costly metals like Silver, Brass and Copper are scarcely used compared to the more expensive ones due to the former’s corrosiveness. Aluminum and some other toxic metals are hardly ever made use of in the manufacture of either wedding rings or similar other ornaments. However, the widest and cheapest known alloy of the modern world, stainless steel, is surprisingly gaining ground as one of the options these days. Its durability, which is at par with that of Platinum and Titanium, could be attributed for this wondrous growth.

Retail shops may normally quote wedding rings at $600 and more, but could easily be procured at lower rates from various online resources. A brief look at some of the existing jewelry sites might suggest how they were selling most jewelry items at a reduced cost, including those from the latest wedding rings. These websites could easily meet with the demands of all market segments, starting from the casual jewelry buyer to the seeker of high-end ornaments.

Diamond Tutorial

 

What you need to know before buying a diamond

 

In the following pages you will learn about Diamonds, and the things you need to know if you are going to purchasing a diamond in the near future.

 

This short tutorial will tackle each of the “4 C’s”, give you a solid understanding of each, show you how they relate to the diamond’s actual physical beauty, and show how each of these characteristics affect the price and availability of diamonds.

 

Why do people buy diamonds?

 

When shopping for the perfect diamond, the stress of the experience can very often overwhelm the initial motivation and purpose for purchasing the diamond. Diamonds are the ultimate representation of love from one person to another. A diamond is an enduring symbol of commitment and devotion. Here at Emma Parker & Co., we see a diamond as “Love… Embodied…”!

 

What are the “4 C’s”?

 

The “4 C’s” are the four most prevalent characteristics about diamonds, which, coincidently, all begin with the letter “C”.

 

They are:

 

Cut

 

Color

 

Clarity

 

Carat Weight

 

The importance and effects of each of these will be discussed individually in the coming sections.

 

CUT

 

Anatomy of a Diamond

 

Before understanding cut, it is important to understand the different parts of a diamond. This will allow you to understand how each part of the diamond affects the visual beauty of the diamond to your naked eye.

 

Diamonds are divided into three main sections. These sections are called the CROWN (the top part of the diamond), the GIRDLE (The band which wraps around the diamond), and the PAVILION (the lower portion of the diamond). See Figure 1 below.

 

Figure 1

 

LIGHT GREEN is the CROWN of the diamond.

WHITE is the GIRDLE of the diamond.

DARK GREEN is the PAVILION of the diamond.

 

The Crown and Pavilion are made up of external surfaces called FACETS. These facets act like mirrors, reflecting light that hits them. It is the combination of these facets that will either cause the diamond to reflect light (LIGHT RETURN) or to allow light to pass through (LIGHT LEAKAGE). Each facet and each group of facets has a specific purpose and function in affecting the appearance of the diamond. See Figures 2 and 3 below:

 

Figure 2

 

This is the Crown of the diamond.

 

WHITE is the TABLE of the diamond.

BLACK is the STAR FACETS of the diamond.

LIGHT GREEN is the BEZEL FACETS of the diamond.

DARK GREEN is the UPPER GIRDLE FACETS of the diamond.

Figure 3

 

 

 

This is the PAVILION of the diamond.

 

DARK GREEN is the PAVILION MAIN FACETS of the diamond, also referred to as the LOWER HALVES.

 

LIGHT GREEN is the LOWER GIRDLE FACETS of the diamond.

 

The WHITE dot in the middle represents the CULET. If the diamond has one, that is where it will be.

 

Polish & Symmetry

 

Polish

 

Polish is the finish of each of the facets of the diamond. Once the cutting of a diamond is finished, the cutter will then polish the diamond using a polishing wheel with exceptionally fine abrasive diamond grit. This process is done to remove any roughness from the outside of the diamond, to make the facets totally clear, and to give the diamond luster.

 

Different certification companies give different top grades for Polish, some using the term Excellent, and some use the term Ideal. In truth, both are the same thing. Most slight issues with polish that would cause a stone to be downgraded from an Excellent grade to a Very Good grade, are completely invisible to the naked eye; totally imperceptible with out the aid of strong magnification such as a microscope.

 

Symmetry

 

Symmetry, as it is discussed here, is the EXTERNAL SYMMETRY of the diamond. It covers how symmetrical pattern of facets has been cut into the diamond, the shape of the facets, the symmetry of the pattern on the outside of the diamond, etc. Common causes for a diamond to not receive a top symmetry grade are issues like the Table being off center, misshapen facets, skewed patterns, extra facets, etc.

 

Once again, the slight differences in symmetry are totally imperceptible to the naked eye. The differences between a stone that receives Excellent Symmetry, and Very Good Symmetry, will only be visible under the magnification of a microscope.

 

Proportions

 

The PROPORTIONS of the diamond are critical to the diamonds optical beauty. They will determine the path light takes through the stone. They will also determine the amount of light that the diamond reflects as a whole. There are many measurements that affect PROPORTIONS. We are going to go over them one at a time, from the most basic, to the most complex.

 

Here are proportion graphs from American Gemological Society (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). See Figures 4 and 5 below.

 

GIA Graph

 

Figure 4

 

 

Courtesy of AGS

AGS Graph

 

Figure 5

 

 

Courtesy of AGS

For the purpose of this discussion we will use the AGS Graph, as it is slightly easier to read.

 

Diameter

 

The DIAMETER is simply the distance from one edge of the diamond to the opposing edge.

 

Depth

 

The measurement of depth is the distance between the TABLE of the diamond and the CULET of the diamond. (As seen in Figures 2 and 3 above) We see the DEPTH measurement graphed in Figure 5 as 62.8%. This percentage is the actual DEPTH measurement, as measured in millimeters, divided by the average DIAMETER of the diamond.

 

Depth can have several effects on the diamond. A diamond that is cut shallow will have a larger appearance, whereas a diamond that is cut deep will have a smaller appearance. This is referred to as SPREAD FACTOR. SPREAD is simply the diameter of the diamond. If two stones have the same weight, but one is significantly deeper (taller) than the other, it will hold more of its weight in the bottom of the diamond, and will have a smaller face-up appearance, i.e. less SPREAD.

 

Table

 

The TABLE facet is the main facet on the top of the diamond as shown in Figure 2. This measurement is the WIDTH of the TABLE facet. The TABLE has been graphed in Figure 5 as having a 55.9% measurement. This percentage is the actual TABLE measurement, as measured in millimeters, divided by the average DIAMETER of the diamond.

 

Girdle

 

The GIRDLE measurement is the measurement of the band going around the diamond, as seen in Figure 1. This measurement can be graphed several ways; average width measurement, smallest and largest width measurements, or with a word grade, such as, Thin, Medium, Thick.

 

The GIRDLE measurement affects two issues in general.

 

1. Durability

 

If the GIRDLE is too thin, this can affect the durability of the stone, making it more susceptible to damage or chipping during the setting process, or while being worn.

 

2. Hidden Weight

 

If the GIRDLE is too thick, this can be a sign of what is referred to as HIDDEN WEIGHT, or weight that does not contribute to the visual size of the diamond. The downside to this is that, since diamonds are priced according to weight, you are paying for weight that you don’t see. This is, however, very slight in most cases.

 

Culet

 

The CULET is the small point at the bottom of the diamond. This is shown as the small white dot in Figure 3. Culets come in all sizes…from LARGE to VERY SMALL, and can even be graded as POINTED or NONE. In Figure 5, we can see that this CULET is graded as POINTED. This means that there is no flat surface at the bottom of the diamond, but that the CULET comes to a point. If you look at Figure 4, which is the graph from the GIA certification, you will see that they grade the CULET as NONE, which is exactly the same as POINTED.

 

The CULET really has only one significant visual impact on the stone. It can create a “window” effect through the stone if it is big enough.

 

Round Diamond with a Pointed Culet

 

Figure 6

 

Round Diamond with a Large Culet

 

Figure 7

 

When you look at the images in Figures 6 and 7, you can see the effect that the culet has on the diamond. In Figure 7, you can clearly see a “hole” in the diamond, where as that is not visible in the diamond pictured in Figure 6. Certain shapes of diamonds do look very attractive with a large CULET, such as antique cuts, etc. This will be addressed further in the Diamond Shape sections of this tutorial.

 

Crown Height

 

CROWN HEIGHT refers to the “height” of the diamond above the GIRDLE. Figure 5 lists the CROWN HEIGHT for this diamond as 15.3%.

 

Pavilion Depth

 

PAVILION DEPTH refers to the “depth” of the diamond below the GIRDLE. Figure 5 lists the PAVILION DEPTH for this diamond as 43.4%.

 

Crown Angle

 

The CROWN ANGLE is the angle at which the BEZEL FACETS (as seen in Figure 2) are oriented in relation to the TABLE. For this diamond, we can see that the graph in Figure 5 shows a CROWN ANGLE of 34.7 degrees. This measurement, when considered in conjunction with the PAVILION ANGLE, can tell you a great deal about the diamonds LIGHT RETURN. These measurements will tell you how the diamond reflects the majority of the light that enters it.

 

Pavilion Angle

 

The PAVILION ANGLE is the angle at which the PAVILION MAIN FACETS (as seen in Figure 3) are oriented in relation to the TABLE. For this diamond, we can see that the graph in Figure 5 shows a PAVILION ANGLE of 41.0 degrees. This measurement, when considered in conjunction with the CROWN ANGLE, can tell you a great deal about the diamonds LIGHT RETURN. These measurements will tell you how the diamond reflects the majority of the light that enters it.

 

Minor Facets

 

The measurements on the graph also include certain measurements that deal with the MINOR FACETS of the stone. These are fully discussed in our Minor Facets tutorial.

 

AGS Ideal Cut Grade/GIA Excellent Cut Grade

 

In the world of diamonds today, there are two major cut grade systems for round diamonds. American Gemological Society’s (AGS) Cut Grade and Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Cut Grade. Both laboratories published their cut grade systems after extensive research and scientific testing. Both cut grades do overlap, however they approach the principle of cut grading from opposite sides of the spectrum.

 

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Conflicting vocabulary can be one of the most frustrating issues when trying to learn about diamonds. The two leading certification companies in the world, AGS and GIA, use very similar vocabulary in such a way that it confuses just about every person who is learning about diamond for the first time. See the table below to help keep the vocabulary straight and avoid confusion.

 

Characteristic

 

AGS Term

 

GIA Term

 

Cut, Polish, Symmetry

 

Ideal
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor

 

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor

 

Fluorescence

 

Negligible

 

None

 

Culet

 

Pointed

 

None

 

The AGS Approach

 

AGS takes a very scientifically bound approach to the question of cut grade. Cut grades are assigned using a number system ranging from 0 – 10, with 0 being the best, or what is called IDEAL. AGS takes into consideration issues which are not visible to the human eye, and demands utter perfection from a diamond before bestowing upon it the highest cut grade AGS will give…Ideal Cut.

 

The key behind AGS’s cut grade system is a small piece of technology known as ASET (Angular Spectrum Evaluation Technology) pictured below.

 

Figure 8 – Courtesy of AGS

 

 

This technology is very simple. In order for a diamond to sparkle, its facets must reflect light (LIGHT RETURN). In essence, facets that function properly, are functioning as MIRRORS, hence they will reflect something that is put “in front” of them, or as the case may be… over them.

 

The three colors of the ASET simply tell us as the angle at which the facets are reflecting the light. The GREEN will show all light that is reflecting from a 0 – 45 degree angle, the RED will show all light that is reflecting from a 46 -75 degree angle, and the BLUE will show all light that is reflecting from a 76 – 90 degree angle. WHITE is the absence of LIGHT RETURN, or what is referred to as LIGHT LEAKAGE. Where you see WHITE, light is passing through the diamond without being reflected back to your eye.

 

Keep in mind that the higher the angle of LIGHT RETURN, the stronger the brilliance when viewed by the naked eye. RED and BLUE is what we want to see, with as little GREEN as possible. Pictured below are several examples of diamonds, all with different PROPORTIONS that show differences under the asset. Notice the sharp increase in GREEN and WHITE as the diamonds go down in their cut grade.

 

Figure 9 – AGS Ideal Cut

 

Figure 10 – AGS Cut Grade 4/Good

 

Figure 11 – AGS Cut Grade 7/ Fair

 

Figure 12 – AGS Cut Grade 10/Poor

 

One of the unique characteristics of the AGS cut grade system is that of Polish and Symmetry. For a diamond to be awarded AGS Ideal, this diamond must also have Ideal Polish and Ideal Symmetry. If either of these categories does not receive an Ideal grade, the diamond’s cut grade will be downgraded from Ideal to Excellent – irregardless of the light performance of the diamond.

 

It is important to understand that the difference between Ideal Polish and Symmetry, and Excellent Polish and Symmetry is extremely slight and completely invisible to the naked eye.

 

The GIA Approach

 

For cut grading, GIA approaches the issue much different than AGS. The GIA cut grade system is one that is based on HUMAN EYE OBSERVATION. Although taking the science of reflection into consideration, GIA chooses to view cut grading through the eye of the consumer.

 

GIA formed the basis for its cut grade system by surveying 70,000 individuals with 20 different diamonds, and asking each person to rank the stones by beauty. The characteristics of the diamonds were carefully selected, and the responses of those surveyed were recorded and tabulated. These real world results formed the basis for the GIA Cut Grading System.

 

Because GIA chose to base its cut grade on HUMAN EYE OBSEVATION, the tolerance of the cut grade is, naturally, more lenient than that of AGS. It is important to remember that the diamond is being purchased to be beautiful to the naked eye of the wearer, as well as those who view it. From the moment the diamond is worn, it is going to be under constant HUMAN EYE OBSERVATION. Seeing then, that this is the state of scrutiny that the diamond will be under for most of its lifetime, the basis of the cut grade on HUMAN EYE OBSERVATION makes common sense.

 

Here are some examples of how GIA Excellent stones could appear under REFLECTOR TECHNOLOGY. These images represent looking at the diamond through the Ideal-Scope. The Ideal-Scope is a single-color reflector, which shows light return and light leakage.

 

Figure 12 – Courtesy of Ideal Scope

 

 

Very simply, a diamond is placed in a clear tray over a light panel, with the ideal scope on top of it. All of the light that the diamond reflects, LIGHT RETURN, will be seen in two colors, red or black. The red is a reflection of the pink/red plastic while the black is a reflection of the shadow caused by the viewer’s eye through the hole in the top of the scope. The highest angle of light return is black, so this is the strongest, followed by the darker reds and then the lighter reds/pinks.

 

White, under the Ideal-Scope is a result of LIGHT LEAKAGE (light that exits the bottom of the diamond), and is actually the white, lighted background that the diamond is sitting over. Because the diamond is not reflecting light back in these areas, you are able to look through the stone and see the white background behind it. Not all LIGHT LEAKAGE is visible to the naked eye however, so it is important to take what is seen under the Ideal-Scope into consideration along with all of the other information pertaining to the diamond. A decision should never be made based solely on one piece of data.

 

Both of the diamonds below are GIA Excellent cuts.

 

Figure 13

 

Figure 14

 

You will notice that there is much more white in the center of the second diamond, Figure 14, than the first one, Figure 13. This is because the second diamond has more LIGHT LEAKAGE in the center of the stone. The reason that both stones receive a GIA Excellent grade is because the GIA Cut Grade system is based on human eye observation, focusing on brightness. Both of these stones are going to be beautiful and bright, even though the first diamond has superior LIGHT RETURN.

 

What each person can see with the naked eye is different, and indeed there are people who will be able to see a difference between these two stones with the naked eye. There will also be individuals who will not able to see a difference between these stones. GIA’s study concluded that amongst the observers polled the majority was not able to distinguish a significant difference between the two stones. Personal preference will determine where your preferences lie.

 

In addition, the GIA cut grade takes into consideration mostly factors that affect the diamonds beauty to the naked eye. For example, under the GIA cut grade system, diamond finish, i.e. Polish and Symmetry, are permitted to be Very Good, while still maintaining a cut grade of Excellent.

 

COLOR

 

Color Grades

 

Color grades are categorized by a letter grade. The scale of color begins with D color, which is the whitest, to Z color, which is the darkest.

 

Most diamonds purchased for engagement rings, solitaire pendants, and diamond studs, are purchased from the D – K range of color, whereas many of the smaller stones in jewelry are lower color ranges.

 

Figure 15 – Courtesy of GIA

 

 

Color is organized as follows

 

D,E,F

 

Colorless

 

G,H,I,J

 

Near Colorless

 

K – Z

 

Tinted

 

Diamond color is graded with the diamond upside down. The reason for this is that, since color is held within the body of the gem, it is important to observe the diamond from an angle at which the diamond’s sparkle will not interfere with the observer’s ability to look into the gem and see the color.

 

The key to color is that everyone sees color differently. Color sensitivity is something that is entirely unique to each person. This is where a “window shopping” trip to your local mall diamond store comes in handy. Before picking a diamond online, head down to the mall and ask to see several colors of diamonds laid out for you. This will give you a great feel for how much color you can see in a diamond.

 

Bring a white business card with you and ask to see several loose diamonds of varying color grades. Fold the white card in half and rest the diamonds, upside down, in the card. Really when doing this you should be under non-diffused fluorescent light, but the jewelry store lighting should be sufficient for this exercise. By placing the diamond upside down, and looking through the pavilion of the diamond, you should be able to see very slight color differences in the diamonds. Then flip the diamonds right side up, and observe them to see how much color you can see in the face up position.

 

Cut’s Affect on Color

 

The cut of the diamond has a major affect on the visible color of the diamond. The color of a diamond is kept within the gem; that is why color is best seen from the bottom of the diamond. The reason that cut can positively affect a diamond’s face up color, is because when observing a diamond with strong LIGHT RETURN (where the diamond is reflecting a large percentage of light), the reflected light blocks the viewer’s ability to see the actual body of the gem. Since color is held in the body of the gem, and the viewer is seeing more LIGHT RETURN than the actual gem itself, the diamond’s color is less visible when the diamond is in the face up position. When a diamond is said to face up white, this is what is being referred to.

 

Fluorescence

 

Fluorescence is a phenomenon that occurs in about 50% of all diamonds mined. It occurs when the element Boron is present during the formation of the diamond. The result is that the diamond will “fluoresce” or glow under a black light. While Fluorescence comes in many different colors, blue is the most common, and the least worrisome. Many consumers feel the need to stay away from any Fluorescence, however, this is due to the lack of proper information.

 

Fluorescence is graded in levels of None, Faint, Medium, Strong, and Very Strong.

 

Figure 16

 

 

In Figure 16, you can see the effect the fluorescence has on a stone under a black light. Since this glow can only be seen under black light, the wearer would have to be in a place where black lights are used, such as a nightclub, to ever see the diamond glow in a manner such as this.

 

Fluorescence can have two noticeable impacts on a diamond.

 

1. It can help the face up color of a diamond. In a lower color diamond, such as an I or J color, the presence of fluorescence can cause the diamond to appear whiter face up, than a diamond of the same color without fluorescence.

 

2. The fluorescence can cause the diamond to have an oily, milky, or hazy appearance under strong, direct light, such as sunlight or spotlight. However, this does not happen all the time. This really only becomes an issue with diamonds that have strong, or very strong fluorescence, and it does not happen to all of them. A simple way to avoid getting one of these is to ask the vender representing the diamond to take the diamond into a strong lighting source, and examine it for you. The vender should give you an honest opinion about any visible fluorescence, because it is something that you will see in the sunlight, and to be dishonest about this will just about guarantee an unhappy customer and a returned diamond for the vender.

 

In general, fluorescence is not a reason “not” to buy a diamond. It is more important to know what effect the fluorescence has on the stone. Some of the most beautiful diamonds in the world have strong fluorescence.

 

CLARITY

 

Clarity Grades

 

Clarity grading is intimidating, but really quite simple. Stones are graded in the following grades:

 

Flawless (FL)

 

Internally Flawless (IF)

 

Very, Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1)

 

Very, Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2)

 

Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)

 

Very Slightly Included 2 (VS2)

 

Slightly Included 1 (SI1)

 

Slightly Included 2 (SI2)

 

Slightly Included 3 (SI3) Grade not given by GIA or AGS

 

Imperfect 1 (I1)

 

Imperfect 2 (I2)

 

Imperfect 3 (I3)

As you can see, the clarity grades are really only acronyms for the grade they represent. This will make it much easier to remember, and much easier to understand when you start talking diamonds with a vender.

 

Types of Inclusions

 

There are many types of inclusions that you will find in a diamond. Each type of inclusion can affect the diamond in a different way. Knowing the types and understanding their effect on the stone will help you to feel more comfortable when viewing a diamond’s clarity.

 

Pinpoint

 

A pinpoint is a tiny crystal that forms inside the diamond. Pinpoints are tiny, and are almost never visible to the naked eye.

 

Feather

 

A feather is really a small “crack” in the diamond. In most cases, it is totally harmless. The diamond is not broken, or damaged, nor is it going to just break in half one day while it is being worn.

 

How much of an impact a feather will have on the diamond is greatly dependant on the placement of the feather within the diamond, and the size of the feather. Most feathers are not big enough, and not in a position in which they will affect the diamond’s structural integrity. The best way to make sure that a feather in a stone you are interested in, is safe, is to speak with your diamond vender about it. Also, you can have the stone appraised by a reputable, independent appraiser who will be able to give you an additional opinion.

 

Crystal

 

A crystal is just that – a smaller crystal that formed inside the larger crystal, which eventually became the diamond. Crystals can be white or black; they can be very visible or totally invisible, depending on size, color, and location. Crystals don’t pose any structural risks to the diamond and are one of the most common inclusions.

 

Needle

 

A needle is a type of crystal. When observed under magnification, it resembles a small needle. Most of these are small, faint, white inclusions, and should not be any cause for worry.

 

Clouds

 

Clouds are groupings of pinpoints, and pinpoints, as we know, are tiny crystals. So, in essence, Clouds are groupings of tiny crystals. A cloud is one of the best inclusions you can have because it is very difficult to see.

 

Many people think that because the diamond has a cloud, it will appear cloudy. In the majority of cases, this is just not true. Even large clouds can be virtually invisible, even under a 10x loupe. Since many clouds are so faint, they are translucent, allowing light to pass directly through them. They are also almost always invisible to the naked eye, and are a wonderful way to sacrifice on clarity without negatively affecting the diamond.

 

Natural

 

A natural is a portion of the diamond that was not cut or polished. This occurs when during the cutting of the stone, the cutter leaves a small piece of the rough uncut and unpolished. To the inexperience eye, it can appear that the diamond is chipped, but a close examination under a microscope will show otherwise. Common places for this are near the girdle.

Naturals can also be indented. When this is the case, they really resemble chips, but again, close inspection under magnification will show that they are not.

 

Knot

 

A knot is a crystal that reaches to the surface of the diamond after the diamond is cut. Knots are usually like a raised area on the surface of the diamond facet.

 

Cleavage

 

Diamond cleavage is a straight crack with no feathering. A cleavage has the potential to split the diamond apart along its length if it is hit at the correct angle.

 

Cavity

 

An open cavity in the diamond.

 

Chip

 

Where a piece of the original diamond has been chipped off.

 

Bearding

 

Bearding is when hair-like lines that can occur around the girdle during the cutting process. Minimal bearding is usually not a problem, but extensive fringing is often polished away or removed by re-cutting the diamond.

 

Internal Graining/Surface Graining

 

Graining is simply a characteristic structural irregularity in the diamond. It is the visible structure of the diamond at the molecular level. Graining usually appears as incredibly faint lines in the diamond, only visible under magnification. They pose no threat the diamond, and in fact, virtually every diamond has a certain amount of graining.

 

Graining is one of the best inclusions you can have because it is virtually impossible to see with the naked eye. These inclusions are extremely faint. It can be very difficult to find these imperfections under a 10x loupe, let alone with the naked eye.

 

Twinning Wisps

 

Twinning wisps are basically an inconsistency in the formation of the molecules that make up the crystal. This leads to slight inconsistencies in the gem, which can be viewed under very high magnification.

 

Similar inconsistencies can be viewed in the ice cubes that you make in your freezer by observing that the ice sometimes not perfectly clear all the way through, but that there are lines of white or haziness in the ice. These inconsistencies in the formation of the crystal of ice are what causes these. So it is with diamonds.

 

Twinning wisps are invisible most of the time, and are a great inclusion to have in lower clarity diamonds because the fact that they are so faint makes them next to impossible to see with the naked eye.

 

Clarity Enhance Diamonds

 

Clarity enhanced diamonds are diamonds that have been treated in some way to improve the visible clarity of the stone. The two most popular methods of enhancing the clarity of a diamond are by LASER DRILLING and FILLING the diamond.

 

In short, the diamond is drilled with a laser. Sometimes the laser can then be used to burn away or lighten an inclusion. If the inclusion is a cavity in the stone, the stone can be drilled and then a glass like substance is injected into the inclusion through the hole that has been made.

 

For more information on clarity enhanced diamonds, you can refer to the company that invented the process at their website, www.yehuda.com.

 

Clarity to the Naked Eye

 

It is important when looking at clarity to remember that when the diamond is being worn, the only grading tool being used on it for clarity is the human eye. In general, most diamonds that are graded by reputable laboratories as a VS2, or better, will be eye clean. There are also many eye clean SI1’s and SI2’s and these stones make a wonderful price point to purchase at. They might be harder to find, but if you are open to sacrificing a little clarity, you can get more for your money.

 

For individuals who are not concerned with what they may or may not see, but with what they know about the diamond, the higher clarity grades are there for you. If a diamond with little or no flaws is what you are interested in, the grades of IF – VVS2 are where you want to stay. Sometimes knowing is more important than seeing, and this is a personal decision, driven by personal preference.

 

Remember that there is no right or wrong decision. Whatever you decide, you want to be happy with the decision that you made.

 

CARAT WEIGHT

 

What is it?

 

Carat weight is simply the measurement unit for determining the weight of a gemstone. One carat equals one fifth of a gram. Diamonds are weighed in either hundredths of a carat, i.e. 1.25ct or thousandths of a carat, i.e. 1.254ct. How detailed the weight is, depends on the lab that is weighing the diamond.

 

How does it affect visual appearance?

 

Although carat weight is commonly referred to as the “size” of the diamond, this is a misnomer. The actual, visual size of the diamond is much more dependant on the diameter of the diamond than on the carat weight of the stone. It is not uncommon to have two stones of the same weight, look very different in size to the naked eye. It is important to keep this in mind when shopping for a diamond.

 

How does it affect price?

 

Diamonds primary pricing is determined by three factors; weight, color, and clarity.

 

For the weight factor of pricing, diamonds are priced on a “per carat” basis. Therefore, if the per carat price of a 1.50ct diamond is $1000, the price for the diamond itself would be $1500.

 

Per carat prices change as the stones’ weights reach different levels. Typically the price of diamonds changes at .50ct, .70ct, .90ct, 1.00ct, 1.50ct, 2.00ct, 3.00ct, 4.00ct, etc.

 

At each of these stages, the “per carat” price can change anywhere from 10% – 50%. These weights are sometimes referred to as the “magic numbers”, as purchasing a diamond just under the “magic numbers” can save the customer a great deal of money.

 

Although this works in theory, in reality it is much more difficult than this. Diamonds that fall just under the “magic numbers” are scarce and difficult to find. Although it would be nice to buy a diamond that is 1.99ct to try and avoid the price change at 2.00ct, it is virtually impossible to find such a diamond, especially one that is well cut.

 

Knowing where the “magic numbers” are and how they work can come in handy should you stumble upon the right stone. It can also show you when a compromise on some other aspect of the diamond might be a good idea to get into a “magic number” diamond that can save you a lot of money.

 

TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

 

Diamond Scanners

 

As technology has become more advanced, computers have made their way into our everyday lives – the diamond industry has been no exception. One of the most powerful tools that technology has brought to the world of diamonds is that of the “non-contact scanner”. Non-contact scanners are devices that use cameras and light, combined with powerful software to scan and measure diamonds.

 

They do this by taking “pictures” or frames, between 3,000 – 20,000 frames, of the diamond’s profile while the diamond is rotating on a stage. From these images, the software constructs a virtual model of the diamond, complete with measurements and proportions.

 

In addition, some of these scanners and software packages allow the user to manipulate the model of the stone and place it in different lighting conditions and situations. The program actually provides a photo-realistic view of the diamond right on the user’s computer screen. The technology is so accurate that diamond buyers can actually make purchasing decisions based entirely on the models generated by these scanners, without ever seeing the actual diamond.

 

The best part is that, through the advent of technology, venders are able to deliver these models direct to you, just like we do here at Emma Parker & Co. This allows you to get a very realistic view on how the diamond you are purchasing has been cut.

 

The three most popular are the Sarin, Megascope, and Helium Scanners.

 

Reflectors

 

The technology of reflectors has already been touched on in the Cut section of this tutorial. Reflectors are simply that. They are devices which show the user the reflective capabilities of the diamond. There are several reflective devices out on the market today, all of which do pretty much the same thing and have just about the same level of effectiveness. The most common are the Ideal-Scope, ASET, and Firescope.

 

The simple premise of how reflector technologies work is detailed in the Cut section of this tutorial.

GIA Diamond Dock

 

The GIA Diamond Dock is a lighting source that combines direct light with diffused light to create a true daylight appearance. It has proven to be, in our experience, the most accurate re-creation of “man made” daylight available.

 

The GIA Diamond Dock is the basis for the GIA cut grade. The 70,000 observations that GIA conducted to formulate the basis for the cut grade, were conducted under the lighting of the GIA diamond dock.

 

The diamond dock is also useful for photography and color grading. The focus on the diamond dock is to emphasize the brightness of the stone. It gives an excellent view of how the stone will perform out in the real world.

 

GEMEX Brilliance Scope

 

The GEMEX Brilliance Scope is a technology that exposes the diamond to strong, direct light at 5 specific different angles…it then takes a triple exposed image of the stone. The grading software then breaks these images down to a pixel basis, and measures the amount of White Light (Brilliance), Colored Light (Fire), and Scintillation (The movement of light within the diamond) being given off by the diamond. The software then grades the results based on a database of other diamonds that have already been scanned, and ascribes a grade to the diamond.

 

The technology is certainly valid, and is used in the industry, however the results are not always indicative of how the diamond will perform in real life. Generally this applies to stones that score low, but still have a great deal of sparkle and brilliance. A good score on the Brilliance Scope will usually mean a very beautiful diamond.

 

THE BUYING PROCESS

 

The buying process is an issue that is seldom talked about by jewelers until the customer is halfway through it. Here at Emma Parker & Co., full disclosure to the customer is just a piece of our “Honesty is First” policy, and making you, as the customer, feel comfortable with the whole process is very important to us.

 

Choosing Your Diamond

 

You will notice as you browse the inventory on the Emma Parker & Co. site that our diamonds are broken up into several categories. Each of these categories provides the customer with a different buying experience.

 

Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Diamonds

 

Hearts & Arrows Diamonds represent the pinnacle of cutting for a 57 facet round diamond. These stones give amazing sparkle and brilliance, and combine that with the perfect optical symmetry of Hearts & Arrows. Emma Parker & Co. will be happy to provide you with the following information for our Hearts & Arrows Diamonds at no cost to you.

 

GIA/AGS Certificate

 

Sarin Scan & Model

 

Gem Advisor 3D model

 

Reflector Image

 

Hearts and Arrows Images

 

Clarity Pictures

 

All of Emma Parker & Co.’s Hearts & Arrows Diamonds are fully backed with our Lifetime Trade-up, and Lifetime 75% Buy-back policies, as well as our 30-Day Return Policy.

 

AGS Ideal Cut/GIA Excellent Cut Private Stock

 

Emma Parker & Co. is proud to offer one of the largest “Private” inventories of AGS Ideal and GIA Excellent cut diamonds. A full compliment of information and analysis is also readily available for these diamonds. Emma Parker & Co. will be happy to provide you with the following information for these diamonds at no cost to you.

 

GIA/AGS Certificate

 

Sarin Scan & Model

 

Gem Advisor 3D model

 

Reflector Image

 

Clarity Pictures

 

These diamonds are also backed by our Lifetime Trade-Up Policy and Lifetime 75% Buy-back Policy, and can be inscribed with the certification number upon request. These diamonds are covered by a 30-Day Return Policy.

 

Traditional Rounds and Fancies

 

Emma Parker & Co. is proud to offer a full selection of traditional round stones and fancy shape stones. We will be happy to provide you with a copy of the Lab Grading Report at no cost to you.

 

If you would like additional analysis, we are also happy to provide the following analysis to you; all we ask is that you cover the cost of shipping to bring the diamond to our lab.

 

Sarin Scan & Model

 

Gem Advisor 3D model

 

Reflector Image

 

Clarity Pictures

 

If you purchase a diamond, the cost of the shipping to bring in the diamond being purchased will be absorbed into the purchase price of the stone. These diamonds are covered by our 10-Day Return Policy.

 

Choosing Your Ring

 

We know that choosing the right setting for a diamond can be more difficult than finding the right diamond. We have put together a selection of beautiful settings for you to choose from. Here at Emma Parker & Co., we are consumers too, and because of that, you will only find settings in our collection that meet our standards for quality and beauty. This will allow you to select with confidence.

 

We are always happy to help you with selecting the right ring. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or ideas. Settings are custom and are not returnable, so don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you want, so that you can be confident that you have made the right decision.

 

Now that you have completed our tutorial on the education of diamonds, we hope that you have a wonderful, knowledge-filled experience when purchasing the diamond that is just right for you!

 

- Emma Parker & Co.

 

www.emmaparkerdiamonds.com

Amethyst engagement rings enjoy an exclusive position in the festivity of a marriage. The diamond jewelry or diamond wedding rings are used to represent love for each other denoting a permanent link between two people. A citrine engagement ring is also available for purchase to ensure that you look even better on your special day. When you sit and plan for your big day, there are three main types of wedding jewelry or engagement jewelry that you ought to consider; engagement rings, wedding bands and your wedding day jewelry.

The engagement ring is the item that begins the journey. The engagement ring is something which denotes the promise of marriage. While other stones too are turning out to be pretty popular, you just cannot go wrong with an unconventional citrine engagement ring.. If you are a bride groom to be and want to present your bride with one of our amethyst engagement rings and perhaps other diamond amethyst engagement jewelry to go along with it, there are quite a few styles to select from. The one that is most plain and at the same time very stylish is the diamond solitaire ring which consists of a lone amethyst set on a band of gold. This fundamental design can be improved upon by adding diamond accents or small precious stones positioned around the larger amethyst. Also the three diamond ring is also quite popular with each stone representing the past, present and the future of the couples.

Wedding rings or wedding bands are exchanged at a wedding service, and stand for the couples? commitment to each other as well as the marriage till death parts them. Hence, wedding bands are some of the most important accessories that you will be buying since all the love and respect for each other in your relationship is put into them. Wedding bands are normally simple for both men and women but some women would rather have theirs set with diamonds and other precious stones like citrine, amethyst, blue topaz and so on. The main decision you have to make when you buy your wedding jewelry or one of our amethyst engagement rings or a citrine engagement ring is whether you choose to have gold or if it is platinum that you prefer.

So as to get some additional style on your wedding day, think of getting some wedding day jewelry. This can be anything from a necklace to a tiara for the bride and even cufflinks for the groom. These are the few steps that you should take while purchasing your citrine engagement ring or one of our amethyst engagement rings. The most important thing to do is take your time and don?t be in a hurry to buy the first thing that catches your eye. You will be wearing this jewelry for the rest of your life so make sure you are going to be happy wearing it.

The wedding ring may be a symbolic tradition, but these days there is nothing at all traditional about the varying selections of wedding bands available. From the simple unadorned band to colored metals, engraved, patterned, and set with stones, you will find a dizzying array of wedding rings to select from. Before ordering your custom wedding rings perhaps you may like to consider some of the following contemporary trends:

Colored metals are becoming more popular as wedding bands, particularly for the guy who may want something a little different from the plain gold band. Titanium wedding bands are becoming increasingly in demand due to the variety of colors of the metal ranging from very shiny silver (looks a lot like platinum) through to both matte and shiny grays and blacks. Titanium wedding rings are also on the rise due to the fact that, like platinum, they are hard wearing and hypo allergenic. Black zirconium wedding bands are another option for those who admire colored metals. Zirconium is also extremely hard wearing, light weight, and scratch resistant.

Colored diamonds are becoming more and more in vogue for wedding bands, for both men and women. Black and brown diamonds in particular look fantastic set in black titanium wedding bands. Colored diamonds in browns and yellows are also extremely popular. Pink diamonds are a perennial favorite for her.

Diamond wedding ring. Care should be taken when considering a diamond wedding ring as to how to have your diamonds set. This ring will be on your finger all the time, for both work and play. Sensible and hard wearing settings are recommended. Pave set diamonds, and bezel set diamonds are popular setting for women’s wedding rings, while channel, tension, and gypsy style settings are practical for men’s wedding rings.

Two tone wedding bands are a great way to have a totally unique wedding band. Titanium can be worked in different colors or textures in the one band. White gold or platinum, and yellow gold together have always been a traditional favorite to create two tones. Two tone wedding bands are ideal for the individual who likes to mix and match their other pieces of jewelry.

Engraved wedding bands add visual appeal and texture to a wedding ring. Engraving can be relatively simple to highly elaborate. Designs range from Celtic, antique inspired, geometric, swirls, and flowers. Tacori wedding rings are probably one of the most famous of the hand made engraved wedding rings available.

A wedding ring is one piece of jewelry that you will always be wearing. Custom wedding rings are a fantastic way to create not only a unique wedding band, but also an item of jewelry that truly represents your personality and lifestyle. From traditional to totally contemporary and cutting edge, along with combinations of both, there will be a wedding ring for you. Consult your custom jeweler about the availability of titanium and zirconium as wedding band metals if you fancy gray or black.

Your wedding ring should be planned with care. Discuss your work and lifestyle activities with your custom jeweler to ensure your wedding band will be able to be on your finger at all times.