The Four C’s

When you hear people talking about the four c’s of diamonds, they are referring to the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These are the top most criteria that one needs to become familiar with when it comes to diamond jewelry, and what will help you to determine what the actual value of the diamond piece is.

Cut is the first issue to deal with when dealing with diamonds. The cut of a diamond is what allows it to make the best use of light, and when a diamond is cut correctly the light is reflected from one facet to another and then is dispersed through the top of the stone. Therefore, the better the cut of the diamond the more light will be reflected and the more expensive and beautiful the diamond will be.

The color of the diamond is also very important to consider when choosing diamond jewelry. Diamonds range in color but the very best color for a diamond is no color at all because this will show off the extraordinary beauty of the natural diamond.

Clarity is next on the list to consider here, and a diamond’s clarity is determined by using a 10-power magnifying glass and a trained eye. Finally you want to find out the carat weight. This is the last thing to consider before buying diamond jewelry, and the carat weight of a diamond is its weight measured in carats.

It is important that you never rush into buying a piece of diamond jewelry, because there are so many different aspects to consider and of course because diamond jewelry is usually quite expensive. You should always take your time and evaluate your choices carefully when you are looking for any type of jewelry, to ensure that you find just the right piece and get the most for your money.

It is also very important that you take the time to decide on a good place to shop. Make sure that any jewelry company you are considering shopping at is legit and longstanding and has a respected reputation. This way you will ensure that you are dealing with the best and getting the finest jewelry.

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Diamond stud earrings or a simple tennis bracelet are classic and always in style, but for the girl who has everything, try something breathtakingly different. The experts at Jewelry Television recommend their favorite gift ideas.

Black and White and Iced All Over
Diamonds are the hardest known gemstone on earth and are traditionally colorless. But this season rare black diamonds are paired with white diamond shimmer. Black and white diamond earrings set in sterling silver complement a cocktail dress as well as jeans and a T-shirt—and everything in between. Shades of gray are splashed across the runways and this season’s charcoals, heathers and slates call out for a little black and white diamond shine, perhaps in the form of a cluster bracelet that shines like moonbeams dancing off the ocean.

Fit for a Queen
Once upon a time, the price of pearls was so extravagant they caused wars and were worn only by royalty. In fact, pearls have been called the “queen of gems.” A simple pendant, bracelet or drop earrings featuring Tahitian, Freshwater, Mabe or Akoya pearls will make her feel like the queen you know she is.

A Cut Above
This season, it’s all about the cut. The runways feature lean, precisely fitted suits and geometric lines dominate jewelry as well. Rings and necklaces featuring shaped and polished cabochons and other vintage-inspired shapes in bold colors make a statement. Unique designs and contrasting colors are used to create memorable looks in pieces such as multi-colored journey slides and bracelets featuring the graduated shades of the same colored gemstone. Large carat weight stones with defined patterns flatter the fashionable global mix of clothes in the style pages.

Luxury Lite
Retailers are now offering high-end, designer looks for less than designer prices. With Jewelry Television’s Luxury Lite collection, you can give her substantial gold jewelry with natural gemstones at a fraction of the cost. The Luxury Lite collection features a large variety of styles, but this season, tuck the vintage and estate looks of elaborate rings and satin finished pendants into fashion’s latest ruffles, pleats and twists.

For more information, check out Jewelry Television’s Learning Library at jtv.com for the most comprehensive resource on jewelry and gemstones on the Web. You can also check your local listings to find the network on your cable system, Direct TV or Dish Network.

Courtesy ARAcontent

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What You Need To Know When You Buy Sapphire Diamond Jewelry

Your choice of stones is impeccable. You could not have chosen a better combination. However, before you pay a small fortune for it you need to ensure that you are buying genuine stuff. There are a few things that would help you identify whether the sapphire diamond jewelry you are planning to buy is genuine or not.

1. The overall finish – the sapphire diamond jewelry is a very beautiful combination. At the same time it is one that requires perfect setting since both these stones are special and very expensive and you cannot afford to find one fine morning that one (or more) stones have fallen off.  Carefully inspect your sapphire diamond jewelry and check for any flaws in the way the stones are set.

2. The hallmark stamp – All genuine sapphire diamond jewelry would have to be stamped with the name and insignia of the retail outlet which is selling it to you. If that is not available, proceed with utmost care.

3. Check the authenticity certificate of the sapphire diamond jewelry – since the stones are precious they would have an authenticity certificate that guarantees their quality and list other details pertaining to the gems. Can you recognize a genuine certificate from a false one? Ensure you have checked out a couple of such certificates before you buy your sapphire diamond jewelry, lest you would be offered a false certificate and you would fail to recognize it.

4. Have it graded and authenticated by the GIA or the Gemology Institute of America which offers the most accurate (and universally accepted) grading of diamonds and other precious stones.

5. The price your sapphire diamond jewelry attracts – both these stones are top notch. Expect a very steep price for the jewelry you are planning to buy. In case you are quoted a price too good to be true – check it once again very carefully. Just as you cannot soar like eagles in the sky with turkeys, you cannot buy diamonds or sapphires cheap.  If the price is low – be suspicious about the whole deal. Preferably move on and buy from a reputed jewelry shop.

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The Combination Of Pearl And Diamond Jewelry

The pearl and diamond jewelry is a special combination because it consists of two very beautiful stones. Well, the pearl is not exactly a stone, but the result of the defensive mechanism of an oyster. When a foreign body enters by mistake in our body, our body fights it back by forming pus around it and eliminating it.

Similarly, the oyster reacts to a foreign object invasion by forming a hard nacre coat over it, which is a crystalline substance produced by this mollusk. After a while (read that as a few months), the pearl is created. Unfortunately, in order to get to the pearl, the oyster is killed. This is how the natural pearl is formed. 

Man made pearls or cultured pearl follow the same process with only one exception. The foreign object is forcibly pushed into the oyster to kick start the process. The pearls thus formed are in no way inferior to the natural ones.

Now that you know how a pearl is formed, you would be able to look at pearls from a different point of view; this is after all, a master piece of nature. The real value of a pearl is judged by its size, color, shape, luster, thickness of the nacre and its texture. It is very rare to get two identical pearls because of their formation – hence, real pearl jewelry is usually expensive.

The diamonds are far more expensive and choosing one would always be very difficult to the untrained person. The value of a diamond depends upon the four Cs – carat, color, cut and clarity. Carat refers to its weight with one carat weighing about 200 mgs. You will find that mentioned on the jewelry as tcw (Total Carat Weight).

The color of a diamond should be normally crystal clear. In fact diamonds are said to be able to reflect the slightest amount of light magnificently, for which they are believed to shine as fire even in darkness. However, most diamonds have some amount of impurities trapped into their core for which they reflect different hues – pink, yellow, red, blue and so on.

When you look for clarity it refers to the overall look of the diamond. Does it look flawless, or does it look like it caught something within? The clearer the stone is, the higher would be its price.

Lastly comes the cut – this is what differentiates the diamond from a dull, lusterless stone. There are three popular cutting styles – the princess cut, the brilliant cut and the emerald cut. The style of the cut would determine the brilliance of the stone and hence, the brilliant cut is he most expensive while the emerald cut is the least.

Now that you understand the background of the pearl and diamond jewelry to a large extent, you would be able to choose the right type for your gift. It is important to have these two components matched evenly in your choice of jewelry. If the pearl and diamond jewelry consists of a poor choice of pearls, the diamond’s beauty would be diminished by the lack of quality of the pearl. At the same time, if the diamond quality or color in the pearl and diamond jewelry does not match well, the overall show of the pearl and diamond jewelry would be sabotaged.
 

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The shape and size of the diamond should also be taken into account when you are choosing diamond ring settings as a large stone could look incongruous with a small setting and vice versa. Another factor to consider is how active you are and whether or not the diamond ring settings can withstand rigorous activities.

Prong Settings

The prong setting is the most popular amongst the different diamond ring settings and is used widely for solitaires in engagement rings. The stone is housed within the metal setting and held in place with three or more prongs. This configuration allows for maximum refraction so that the diamond sparkles.

Bezel Settings

A band in your choice of metal wrapping around a round diamond for security is called a bezel setting and can be quite strong and protective. Among the diamond ring settings, this is one of the most durable and can easily hide some of the flaws of a diamond while still making it appear larger than it really is. The smoothness of the bezel means that there are no parts, unlike the prong diamond ring settings, which can snag or get caught on something.

Bar Settings

The bar diamond ring settings are similar to the prongs only instead of individual prongs; there are elongated bars to hold the stone in place. While there is more metal shown in a bar setting, it is not obscuring the diamond.

Tension Settings

A rather new trend in diamond ring settings, the tension setting uses the band itself to hold the stone in position. The band is constructed of a super strong metal with tiny grooves etched into the edges where it touches the diamond. The ultimate result of the tension ring is breathtaking as the diamond seems to be suspended in mid-air. The only drawback to tension diamond ring settings is that it must be custom-made for the wearer.

A Variety of Others

There are at least five or more additional diamond ring settings that are quite popular these days than those listed above such as the channel setting, flush setting, pave setting and the invisible setting. Shopping around and perusing through the various diamond ring settings is the only way to determine which one best suits your personal style and taste.

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Diamond pendants are the most popular and the classiest types of jewellery designed with diamonds. These pendants are more favourable than the diamond earrings that greatly vary from a person’s choice; or the very expensive diamond rings. Simple but striking diamond pendants with an equally-handsome chain can always go to any type of out; casual or formal.

Before you shop for a pendant to give to your special someone, be sure to understand some basic facts about this piece of luxury item.

Three Main Types of Diamond Pendants

There are basically three types of diamond pendants, namely: the diamond pendant necklace, the diamond pendant locket, and the diamond pendant diamond shape.

The diamond pendant necklace is the more formal wearable type where you can simply put them on and attend to any types of parties, from the very formal to the light casual. Even if you are wearing a classic and elegant night gown, a diamond pendant necklace is alluring enough just beneath your chin. The diamond pendant locket on the other hand, is perfect for treasuring sentimental moments, most commonly pictures. This makes a perfect anniversary to your partner.

Some diamond pendant lockets come with a small heart-shaped photo frame secured inside. Whatever the setting of the diamond is, these diamond locket pendants are truly a symbol of pure emotions that lie deep down inside. Finally, the diamond pendant diamond shape has the most increasing demand because of the beauty it adds when hung vertically. At the middle part of the locket is a pear-shaped diamond, making the pendant enticing all the more.

Diamond Cross Pendants

These types of diamond pendants have long been loved by most fashion designers worldwide. A lot of people actually believe that the idea of making a diamond cross pendant is one’s symbol of highly-regarding God by using diamond, the most precious stones, as an ornament for this very important Christian symbol. Others also believe that a diamond cross pendant is a tribute to the diamond cross, said to be an asterism found at the south polar assemblage carina. Regardless of the true reason, diamond cross pendants are becoming popular both by Christians and non Christians.

Diamond pendants are truly perfect gifts you can offer to someone special. Visit your local jewellery store and find the one that you firmly believe suits to the taste and the fashion of the receiver.

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Types of Diamond Necklace Designs

There are two distinctive designs: the very common pendants, which by far have the most widely used and popular designs, and the simple chains where the diamonds are interwoven all throughout the metal.

Diamond pendants basically come in varied designs including abstract geometric figures, twists, spirals, teardrops, and plain stick pendants. There are also elegant figural motifs such as starts, crosses, crowns, shoes, butterflies, sandals, flamingos, flip-flops, cherries, apples, initials, and a whole lot more.

The most popular ones though are the heart shaped pendants and they even come in a more variety of styles. The diamond settings of pendants are usually channels, bezels, and prongs, although some pave settings are common for those more elaborate and expensive pieces.

Men’s Diamond Necklaces

As for necklaces for men, there are only a limited number of varieties available. The most common designs often include dog tags with simple diamond accents, crosses, or chains with small diamonds interspersed all throughout its entire length. Typically, men’s necklaces are less flashy and a lot shorter than women’s design, although some men use a sentimental figural design like an initial, or a hobby-oriented charm.

Diamond Types Normally Used in Diamond Necklaces

The types of diamonds usually used in necklaces and pendants vary a lot but generally, necklace diamonds are smaller than the diamond ring stones and are normally treated just to improve its quality. Coloured diamonds are hardly ever used in necklaces because of their rarity and greater expense. However, smaller diamonds can be used to accent other types of stones like coloured gems and pearls.

Shapes of Diamond Necklaces

The most common shapes for diamond necklaces are heart, emerald, or round. Emerald and round stones can be arranged in different unique designs with the use of multiple stones. The heart-shaped is frequently used for pendants that only use one stone.

The Quality of the Stones Used in Diamond Necklaces
 
Generally, diamond necklaces used lower stone quality than those used for engagement rings or earrings. Synthetic stones are very common for diamond necklaces, most particularly those that make use of multiple gems. If the diamonds are purely accents to larger designs or for another stone, cubic zirconia is a frequent substitute.

How to Choose the Best Diamond Necklace

In selecting the most appropriate diamond necklaces, the first step is to choose a design or a motif that reflect the interest and the jewelry preference of the receiver. Once you have chosen the design, the length of the necklace is the next thing to consider. There are varied range necklace lengths available, from twelve to forty-five inches. However, the most ideal size for diamond strands is from fourteen to nineteen inches.

It is important that you know the basics of diamond necklaces. With an unlimited array of styles and designs available, these pieces of jewelry will truly serve as a romantic and thoughtful gift you can give to your special someone.

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White gold diamond rings are so-called because it is not totally gold and its color is white instead of the usual yellowish tint gold is know for.  White gold diamond rings are composed of gold and alloys such as white metals such as nickel, silver and palladium. 

White gold diamond rings just like yellow gold are measured in karat with a symbol k.  The finest white gold diamond rings have 17 karat to 21 karat gold. 

Nickel Content of White Gold Diamond Rings

Nickel used to be the main alloy used in white gold diamond rings. But recently a number of women reported to have allergic reactions to nickel.  Some 12-15% of female population is affected by nickel allergies. That is why; it has been discontinued in some parts of Europe. 

European Union countries under the European Union Nickel Directive which was promulgated January 20, 2000 reduces the nickel content in jewelry and other items that come in contact with the human skin.  Some jewelry manufacturers discontinue using nickel as gold alloy these days.

In EU nickel white golds are being replaced by palladium white golds.  Some lowered the quantity of nickel in their alloys but the lower nickel content however does not guarantee that it will not cause allergic reaction to the wearer.

The US does not have such strict regulations on nickel. All it requires is the label be marked ‘non-allergenic’ or ‘nickel free’.  Japan and China adopted similar regulations on nickel as the EU countries.

Rhodium Coating in White Golds

Since white gold is harder and more durable than yellow gold, it is ideal for diamond and other gemstone settings.  White gold diamond rings are gaining popularity among the younger population.

White gold diamond rings are often coated with very thin layer of Rhodium coating.  A lot of jeweler manufacturers prefer using Rhodium because it shares a lot of similar characteristics with platinum particularly its bright white color.  Rhodium plating is the most widely used coating in the world to make white gold bracelets look whiter and shiner. 

Rhodium however fades after a couple of years. It maybe white and hard but it wears out to reveal the real white gold diamond ring color.  The rhodium coating often lasts for three years.  To make the white gold diamond rings look brand new, they should be re-plated with Rhodium every 12 to 18 months.  Most local jewelers offer this service at affordable prices.

White gold diamond rings are gaining a lot of popularity nowadays.   White gold bracelets, nowadays, come in all shapes, designs and prices that fit any occasion. 

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White gold diamond jewelry is made up of gold and white alloys such as palladium, silver and nickel.  To make it shinier and whiter, white gold diamond jewelry is often coated with rhodium.

White gold diamond jewelry uses similar measure of quality as yellow gold.  It is measured in carats represented by the symbol k.  The highest quality of white gold jewelry is between 17 karat and 21 karat. 

White gold diamond jewelry makes use of alloys to make it harder and stronger enough to hold the rings or pins.  Of the two bleaching alloys, the nickel white gold diamond jewelry is harder and stronger.  The palladium white gold jewelry is softer and hence better for gold gemstone settings.

Some white gold diamond jewelry is made up of gold, palladium and platinum. Platinum add weight and durability to the mixture since both gold and palladium are pliant.  Making this kind of white gold diamond jewelry though takes very skilled goldsmiths.

High-premium white gold diamond jewelry is able to maintain shine and luster but most especially those low-grade ones do not. That is why applying a thin coating of rhodium is most often necessary.  This will improve the appearance of dull white gold diamond jewelry.  However, rhodium only lasts for more or less 3 years so cleaning and re-coating of rhodium will be required.

Effects of Nickel White Gold Diamond Jewelry

It was found out that a good number of women about 12-15% are allergic to nickel content in white gold.  Some develop mild skin rash as a reaction to it.  White gold diamond jewelry alloys without nickel are less allergenic.

White gold diamond jewelry is not a special kind of gold. They are true golds only they come in different shade of the familiar yellowish gold.   Interestingly, white gold diamond jewelry was developed as a substitute for platinum.  Currently, they are considered precious metal and no longer a substitute.

Any white metal added to gold produces a bleaching effect.  Among the gold ‘bleachers’ or alloys, nickel, palladium and platinum are the strongest ‘bleachers’. Silver and zinc come in close second and considered moderate while the rest are weaker in effect.

Palladium white gold diamond jewelry is more expensive than nickel because palladium costs a lot more.

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Knowing What the Four Cs Are

In choosing the right diamond jewelry, it is crucial to find one with a balanced characteristic. The balance to consider is relatively between the four Cs: the cut, the clarity, the colour, and the carat weight. Say, for example, you are weighing a carat weight that seems too heavy, chances are, you might be looking at a diamond that is either too big or unattractive in terms of its clarity. That is why, these four characteristics should go hand in hand when you choose and balance a diamond stone set in diamond jewelry.

The Cut

There are different aspects of a finished diamonds that are all dependent on the cut of the diamond and this is very important before you consider buying a piece of diamond jewelry. Very important of these commonly include brilliance, the number of proportions or the facets, fire, the symmetry of the diamond, its desired weight, its polish, and it over-all final shape.

A diamond’s cut is basically the approach and the result of cutting the rough and raw diamond into a polished, shining gemstone that a lot of people are very familiar with. Specifically, the cut of the diamond refers to its effectiveness to refract or reflect in light.

The Colour

Diamonds are commonly thought of as those scintillating, sparkling and colourless gems. These characteristics provide breathtaking play of light that most of us have directly associated a diamond with. Basically, the more colourless the diamond is, the higher its value becomes. In terms of its pricing, colourless piece of diamond jewelry is more expensive

The Clarity

Clarity is basically the measurement of how a diamond is clearly able to allow light to pass through it, refract within it, or reflect of it. Diamonds normally have features or flaws. Some of these flaws are barely noticeable while others can greatly affect the stone’s ability to transmit and scatter light. The bottom line here is that when you seek for a piece of diamond jewelry, the clearer the stone is; the better.

However, the better the diamond stone is, the more expensive it becomes. A diamond’s clarity is normally a particular measure that most people sacrifice for the sake of cost. But still, you can always go for a piece of diamond jewelry even if its clarity does not fall under the right standards.

The Carat

The carat places the highest impact on diamond pricing. The higher the carat of the diamond is, the more expensive it becomes. This is simply because the carat refers to the diamond’s actual weight and this is a primary indicator for how rare a diamond stone is.

Be sure to get familiar with the four Cs before buying a piece of diamond jewelry so that you will not end up buying for the wrong one.

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