From emerald cut diamond rings. When grading and appraising Gems, cut may not be as influential as the other C’s like color, clarity, and carat weight, but it is definitely an influencing factor when it comes to the Gemstones overall beauty. To properly evaluate the cut of a given Diamond, you must not only study its face-up view or the surface or top view but study it from all other angles as well. An excellent cut can reduce loss on carat weight but enhance its looks to breathtaking proportions at the same time.
Common Cuts Used on Gems
Brilliant Cuts A brilliant-cut Gemstone usually has three flat polished surfaces per facet. They are positioned in such a way to radiate the best light from the Diamond. Gemstone cutters also make sure that the angles will enhance the brilliance of the Gemstone. Brilliant cuts are mostly used for Gemstones and transparent Gemstones.
Some facets will have one or more shapes like stars, hearts, kites, and lozenges. Variations of the brilliant cut include the naivet or boat-shaped marquise, per-shaped pendeloque, and oval shape. Oval shapes are suitable for Gems with lower carat weight because they can make them appear bigger.
The most popular variation of all is the full-cut round brilliant. It has fifty-eight facets, presently the greatest count for brilliant cut Diamonds. The single brilliant cut, on the other hand, has seventeen to eighteen facets. For Diamonds used in earrings and pendants, the briolette variation is mostly used to provide it with circular cross-section teardrop shapes. Brilliant cuts with triangular dimensions are called trilliants while square brilliant cuts are also known as princess cuts.
Step Cuts Another popular cut for a Diamond is the step or trap cut. Step cuts are best used for colored Gemstones because they possess four-sided table facets and girdles as well as parallel quadrilateral facets. The term step cut was used because this Gem cut bears similarities with a staircase. Step cuts have fewer facets than brilliant cuts.
One well-known variation of a step cut is the baguette. It is rectangular in shape but with square corners. Emerald cuts are also quite popular. Its name was derived from its consistent use with emeralds. Emerald cuts remove the corners and form an octagonal shape. Clipping off the corners protect delicate Gemstones like emeralds and facilitate setting of Gemstones at the same time. Other popular variations for step cuts are window, table, radiant, and oval.
The best advantage of step cuts is its ability to enhance a Gemstones color, making the color richer and appearing to have originated straight form the belly of the Diamond.
Mixed Cuts Mixed cuts for Gems are mostly combinations of brilliant and step cuts. The crown or top portion of a Gemstone will resemble a brilliant cut while the pavilion or bottom portion of a Gemstone will receive a step cut. At times, the two cuts will appear side by side. Mixed cuts are also characterized by their rounded outlines. Many transparent Gemstones like rubies and sapphires are often cut this way. Gems with mixed cuts are also commonly set in prongs.
Variations for mixed cuts include but are not limited to cushion, zircut, pear or teardrop, and oval.
Cabochon Cuts A Diamond with a cabochon cut will appear rounded on top and flat on the bottom. At times, Gemstones will only appear in this cut. Height of a Gemstones dome with a cabochon cut varies. The name is derived from the French term used for bald heads. Cabochon cuts are simplest to make, and that’s why you’ll often see them used on affordable Diamonds and those that will not benefit from faceting.
Fancy Cuts Any other cut besides those mentioned above is usually referred to as fancy. A checkerboard cut, for instance, will have a combination of a large table facet on top and a mixed cut. A rose cut will have a round girdle outline, flat base, dome-shaped crown, and facets of a brilliant cut.
When judging the cut of a Gem, start by evaluating it face up. See if the Gemstone shows uniform color distribution and radiates light in the best possible way. Gemstones cut with large windows are unappealing. Lastly, recheck all other angles and determine if the cut took both carat weight and looks into consideration.
For more see asscher cut solitaire engagement rings and unique princess cut rings.
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May 23, 2010
Diamond Engagement Rings - Care and Maintenance
Diamond may be the hardest naturally occurring material known to man, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid cleaning it and making sure it looks its best now and for the generations to come. There are some basic steps for making sure you look after and acre for your diamond which you should understand and practice when you have been given a diamond engagement ring.
Basic Cleaning and Care Tips
Here are some basic tips to keep your diamond engagement ring in perfect condition:
· Clean your diamond engagement ring at least once a week to ensure the diamond and metal retain their sheen and sparkle;
· Remove your ring before you start on household chores or working in the yard – this will stop it from accumulating dirt, getting scratched and even worse, loosing it;
· Make sure you arrange insurance for your ring, not just in case of loss or theft but for repair if it becomes damaged or the diamond setting becomes loose;
· Never wear your ring when engaging in sports – you can injure another player as well as damage it;
· Make sure you have your ring appraised by a professional who will certify the value of the ring which will help you in the event of a claim on yoru insurance policy;
· Don’t take your ring off or place it near the sink, the bathtub or drains;
· Don’t wear your ring while you are applying make-up or using skin creams and lotions;
· Never wear your ring while swimming, whether in the pool, lake or the sea because the water will cause shrinkage of your finger and the ring can slip off;
· Store your engagement ring in a separate box apart from other jewelry because it will scratch other items or be damaged by them; and
· Never wear your engagement ring while using chemicals such as bleach or cleaning agents because they can cause discoloration.
<strong>How Do I Clean My Ring?
It is a myth that you can use ordinary soap and water to clean your ring – many ladies think their ring is getting a good clean when they are washing their hands, but this is far from the case. Soap and water will help to dull the piece and the diminish the attraction and beauty of the ring.
To clean your diamond engagement ring you will need a mild detergent (don’t use a concentrated detergent) and a soft-bristle brush. Using plenty of water, make a mild detergent solution and immerse the ring – take the toothbrush (and be sure it has soft bristles) and use this to work free dirt and grime which has accumulated in and around the setting. If you are really keen, you can buy a specially created cleaning solution from almost any jewelry retailer. If you are confident, you can use ammonia to clean the ring and gemstone but, you must be extremely careful that your stone does not have any fracture within it because this will cause the stone to appear cloudy and blemished.
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March 24, 2010
Modern Look: Hip-Hop Gem Stone Jewelry
From: cheap diamond solitaire engagement ring. What’s great about diamond jewelry is that it could go along with the latest fashion trend. There are different designs and styles that could make gem stone jewelry fit different fashion, even Hip Hop. Hip Hop is the fashion trend that most of the young generation follow, even celebrities would follow the latest Hip Hop fashion style.
Hip Hop jewellery is often characterized as extravagant, flashy and catchy accessories that would also serve as status symbol for some. This would show or celebrate a person’s success and the quality of life they are experiencing. This is not just about showing extravagant and expensive jewelries, but is also about celebrating life. It is no different from how ancient cultures would use accessories. Bones, shells and other decorative pieces are used to indicate their status in their society.
Fashion jewelries for Hip Hop emerged during 1970s. Celebrities from different fields, music, film and sports would show up with the Hip Hop trend from ’80s until the ’90s. Until it was not only the celebrities showing up with this kind of fashion. Hip Hop jewelries started to become bigger and flashier as the years go by, along with its number of followers.
Nowadays, it is not unusual to see artists performing with chains, gem stone rings and earrings, and watches encrusted with jewels. Hip Hop fashion is not only about the clothes and the accessories. It has become a lifestyle, living in extravagance, luxury and expression of success and celebration of the fruits of hard work.
Hip Hop jewelry can be made from variety of materials, it could be yellow or white gold, platinum, silver and gem stone. In the ’80s and ’90s, it was mainly just gold. But later on, silver, platinum and diamond became more popular because of the brilliance and its slick feel. Hip Hop jewelry is often referred to as Bling-Bling. It did not only materialize in watches, rings and chains. It is also usual to see gem or jewel encrusted belt buckles, dog tags, and other aspects of fashion.
With the increasing popularity of Hip Hop jewellery, there are also Bling-blings which are designed for those with simpler tastes. These kind of jewelries are becoming popular not only with the younger generation, but even with those who belong is a more mature age level. gem Bling-blings are great gift ideas for both men and women. There are different designs that could go easily with different occasions. Although, Hip Hop fashion is characterized as being flashy, there are also tone-downed designs which could be given to those who do not have flashy tastes.
But diamond and jewel encrusted jewelries are not the most affordable gift items. Actually, they can be very hard on wallets. An option would be buying similarly designed jewelries but with imitation or synthetic gem stones. These diamonds are not naturally made or mined which make them more affordable, but they mimic the characteristics of a real gem.
However, if you are decided on buying real diamonds for your Hip Hop fashion, always get a grade certification from the jeweller. This document would assure you that you got your money’s worth. If you are not up to extravagant spending, then you could settle for some man-made gem jewelry with the Hip Hop feel. You could easily check for designs and costs on the internet.
For more see emerald cut solitaire engagement rings and pear shaped diamond solitaire engagement rings.
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From: affordable diamond solitaire engagement ring. Contrary to what we commonly know, diamond jewelries are not always clear. Colored diamonds are becoming more popular compared with the usual white and transparent diamonds even though naturally colored gem stones are more expensive. Some companies are giving some of their diamonds color treatment to make it more suitable for some customers, budget-wise.
Treating gem stones with color would be by inducing the stones into extremely high heat to change the color. It could also be painted. When appraising color-treated diamonds, they tend to be more affordable since the color are less intense compared with the natural ones.
There are different shades and colors for naturally colored diamonds. But there are popular color shades and combinations, they are the pink, blue, brown, yellow, orange, green and red. Interestingly, there are also black diamonds. Yellow colored diamonds are the most common, while those in red, blue and green are the rarest.
When buying naturally colored diamonds, they are evaluated and checked just like the white and transparent ones. The 4 Cs are still used in grading colored gem stones: cut, clarity, color and carat. However, the way or the factors how colored diamond are inspected are different.
- Color. Naturally colored diamonds’ value would depend on the intensity of its color and its hue. The more intense and vivid the color is, the value of the diamond also increases. There would be times when there are traces of other color. If the traces of the secondary color magnifies the beauty of the stone, then that would be great for the value of the stone. But if the underlying color is not complementing the main color, then it lowers down the gem stone’s value.
- Cut. A gem’s cut gives the brilliance to the gem. The cut would enhance the intensity and the shade of the diamond’s color. Most colored diamonds are in round, oval, and princess cuts. There are also some that would be heart shaped and other unique shapes.
- Clarity. Clarity is important for white and transparent diamonds, but for naturally-colored diamonds they may not be as important.
- Carat. Carat is all about the weight of the gem stone and not about the size. Of course, the bigger it is the heavier it will be. The heavier the colored diamond, the higher its value.
Just like when purchasing white diamonds, obtain a grading certificate from the retailer. Make sure that the certificate is issued by international laboratories like the IGI, GIA or EGL. This certification would be your assurance that what you have bought is indeed a natural colored gem and not a stone that was tampered with.
The most popular colors would be in yellow and pink. There are celebrities who fancy wearing colored diamonds. Over the years, the demand for other colors is also increasing. Another subject of curiosity would be the black diamond which is sometimes associated with both luck and being unlucky. Most legends would say that black diamond jewelries are cursed and would bring bad fortune to those who own it. But different from other colored diamond jewelries, black gems are mainly used for industrial purposes.
For more please see oval diamond rings and vintage diamond solitaire engagement rings.
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March 15, 2010
Proper Care For Your Gem Jewelry
From: diamond solitaire engagement rings in cushion cut. Diamonds are forever, so the song goes. That might be so, but your diamond jewelry still requires proper care and cleaning or you will not enjoy its celebrated beauty.
Like any other personal ornament, diamond jewelry needs some periodic cleaning and grooming to be at its best. The following are some practical care tips collated over time from diamond owners.
Dirt and grime
A clean gem stone shows more brilliance and fire than any stone of its kind that is dirty, smudged, or covered with grime. These definitely lessen the beauty of your jewelry.
This is simply because oil, dirt, or water reduces the natural sheen of the stone. Oil is usually caused from constant touching and natural day-to-day handling of your diamond jewelry.
Dirt and grime, on the other hand, often settle at the bottom of the diamond. These interfere with the gem stone’s brilliance.
The minutest film of oil that smudges the stone reduces the gem’s capacity to reflect light. Dyes or other colored liquid materials can also have an effect on the apparent color of your stone.
Precautions
While it might be the hardest mineral and can only be cut or polished by another diamond, a really hard blow can cause these stones to chip.
Doing rough work, strenuous sports and other heavy activities might also be risky. They can loosen clasps, bezels and other holding mechanisms of your jewellery’s stone.
It is good policy to remove jewelry when going into a swimming pool, Jacuzzi or hot tub. Chlorine and bleach could accumulate in your jewelry and make the gold and other metals brittle and could loosen the prongs that hold the stones.
Everyday toiletry items can dull your diamond’s luster. Lotions, soaps, powders, perfumes, hair sprays, and your own skin oils can diminish your diamond’s sparkle.
Cleaning
If you do your own cleaning, you can prepare a mix of warm water and any mild detergent. Put in some few drops of ammonia, if you have it.
Soak your jewelry for some minutes to loosen the grime and the oil. Afterwards, very gently clean your jewelry with an old toothbrush. (An eyebrow brush is very good.)
Using warm water, rinse away the sudsy feel. With a soft lint-free cloth, pat it dry while trying not to touch it (if possible) with your bare fingers.
There are commercial jewellery cleaners that come with applicators that you can buy and quickly clean your jewellery. Be careful to read and follow the instructions well.
Regular inspection
Everyday use (putting on and taking off) of your gem jewelry might loosen some of the metal frames. It is good to inspect your jewelry regularly.
Take it to a competent jeweler if you suspect something is loose for fixing. It is good policy if you can have you gem jewelry examined once a year. The jewelers can do repair work, if there is need of one, and can do the cleaning as well.
Storing
Never store all your jewelry together in a bunch. The diamonds can scratch all the other gemstones, metals, and the other diamonds.
Your gem stone jewelry is best stored in a fabric-lined case with individual compartments. Wrap them separately in soft cloth (or tissues) or in jewelry pouches for each piece. When you wear them, you can enjoy them in all their glorious best.
For more see asscher cut diamond solitaire engagement rings and vintage diamond solitaire rings.
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February 14, 2010
Handmade Jewellery As A Hobby and Business
From discount princess engagement ring. What is handmade Jewellery and why is it becoming so popular?
Handmade Jewelry is made by individuals with the aid of simple tools. To be truly handmade, nothing should be machine made and as such, it is truly unique. The uniqueness is what makes handmade Jewelry valuable and popular in this age of mass production and computer aided designs. Handmade Jewelry is a work of art.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of handmade Jewelry?
Advantages
1. It is unique, no one else has the same item. No two items are alike and there are people who are willing to pay for the uniqueness of handmade Jewelry.
2. Generally, more durable than the machine made Jewelry. Many who are in the handmade Jewellery business are there not just to make money but also to practice something they love doing. Since they love Jewellery making, their creations are usually made with the utmost care and dedication.
3. Makes for an interesting conversation piece because there is usually a story behind most handmade Jewelry.
4. An expression of one’s individualism. There are handmade Jewellery pieces that the majority wouldn’t care to wear but there are those who see them as an expression of who they are. And since no one else has that item, then the wearer is truly unique.
5. Could be a valuable item in time particularly if the creator becomes a popular artist. This has happened in other art forms where the value of the items go up with their creator’s rise to fame. It sometimes pays to invest in really good pieces of art.
Disadvantages
1. More expensive than a mass produced item of almost the same model. This is understandable since everything in a handmade Jewellery is really handmade. You can’t buy machine-made parts, assemble them manually and consider the finished item as handmade.
2. Requires more time, skill and concentration. Yes, the process is slow and requires the skills of a crafter.
3. The Jewelry looks just like the hundreds or thousands that have been mass-produced.
4. Loses its value with time.
Handmade Jewellery as a Business
With the growing popularity of handmade Jewellery, there is also a growing demand for it. Since not everyone has the knack for actually making handmade Jewelry, this is the time for the hobbyists to become entrepreneurs. Going into business is also a chance to earn doing something you truly enjoy.
For more see antique cushion cut diamond engagement rings and radiant cut solitaire engagement rings.
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From round diamond rings. To set things straight, lets begin with describing loose faceted Diamonds. This is so that you can understand better the following information on these types of Gemstones.
A Gem is a precious stone that is of high value because of its beauty, rarity, color and luster especially when already cut. The number of cuts or facets have been calculated to show the maximum brilliance or sparkle of the stone.
Because of the popularity of Gemstones, loose faceted Gemstones are quite in these days. When Gemstones are loose, that means that they aren’t mounted in gold or silver. So why do most people like to buy loose faceted Gemstones? Here are some reasons why you should consider buying precious stones in their loose form.
1. Most people like them loose because they can choose the design they want for their loose stones. Jewelers can be asked to do special settings of loose faceted stones. When you choose the design, you can mix and match different stones and patterns to suit your taste. You can even choose what type of Jewellery you want it set in (i.e. pendant, ring or bracelet).
2. If you dream of having a big-stoned piece of Jewellery and you simply can’t afford it, maybe you could get one if it were loose. Because most of the time, when stones are set in Jewellery already, they come are really expensive. But buying them loose gives you the freedom to set them in designs that are simpler by jewelers that charge lower.
3. If you are a die-hard collector of Gemstones, buying them loose would be the perfect way to obtain them because you can see the stones in their entire splendor. Since all facets are exposed in a loose stone, the maximum brilliance is appreciated. Also, the authenticity is also more visible this way.
4. Aficionados can choose properly between different categories like fancy, cabochon and faceted. If you go for the faceted category, which means the stone has many flat surfaces, you can choose distinctly between the following cuts: round, trillion, square, baguette, pear and marquise.
5. If you are geared towards business, it is important that you buy Gemstones that are faceted and loose because if you want to buy them as an investment to resell them later on at a higher price, these are the stones that are much easier to sell.
For Diamond buffs such as you, buying Diamonds in their loose and faceted forms is the best way to go. Not only are they cheaper, but the possibilities are endless.
For more see antique cushion cut diamond engagement rings and discount emerald cut engagement ring.
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