DIAMOND JEWELRY

You've finally decided to take that giant step and propose to the woman you love. You are trying to decide where, when and how to propose. Proposing for marriage is a precious moment, and you want to make sure everything goes right. But there is one problem - you have no idea about the type of engagement ring diamond, you must buy for your future wife! There are so many colors, styles and shapes to choose diamond rings, so we've developed this useful guide for choosing diamond engagement rings - just for you.

What is his style of diamond jewelry?

Observe his taste for diamond jewelry for a while. Does like contemporary ring styles or more traditional rings? Engagement rings have many designs in recent years, but some women prefer the traditional solitaire engagement ring diamond that has never happened fashion. The cut of the engagement ring diamond is also important. There are princess cuts and round cuts.

For the diamond-shaped, as it does elongated shape such as oval or marquise? Or, prefer Does round, pear-shaped or square? The number one choice of brides is round diamonds, but times change! There are even heart-shaped diamonds and other unique forms. Clusters of diamonds are also available, as opposed to the diamond solitaire ring.

Consider the size of his hand and fingers as well. If she has small, short hands a bold style or wide band could make his hands look even smaller.

Choice of color for engagement Diamond Rings

There are several color choices when shopping for an engagement ring diamond. Yellow gold, white gold and silver are the most popular diamond ring metals. Again, observe the jewelry she is on a daily basis to get an idea what kind of jewelry she likes. Moreover, whether it has skin allergies to certain metals. If you're not sure, buy an engagement ring diamond that blends well with his other favorite jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, pendants, necklaces, etc.

Matching all the diamonds and engagement rings, wedding bands

Many diamond engagement rings come in a set with a matching wedding band. Buy the whole is a good idea because you could save money. Also, buying a group of her marriage with her diamond ring shows your dedication and your commitment to go through marriage. It may not seem important to you at the time, but it means everything!

Get the right size

Be sure to discover his left ring before purchasing the size of the ring. Maybe you can ask the size of the ring to a "non-serious" moment, but be careful. It could be suspect. Or, you can ask a friend or relative to find out for you. Do not forget to swear their secret!

Get a Practical engagement ring diamond

Be sure to choose an engagement ring diamond that the practice of everyday life. Consider lifestyle and the type of work she did with her hands. Does she wear gloves in winter? A large stone with claws could snag her clothing (or clothing). A ring mania could disturb after a while. So keep it simple. Remember, she will wear this ring every day for many years to come!

While buying jewelry such as diamond engagement rings, anniversary rings, etc. can be stressful if you do not know what to buy. Use the tips above to choose an engagement ring diamond will love it for a lifetime.


About the author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds most popular Internet marketing and Internet advertising businesses on the Web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

To learn more about topics such as diamond engagement rings please visit the website at: http://www.diamondocean.com

For more details and information related articles and links on the subject and content, please visit Majon Jewelry directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Jewelry

I came to understand the true meaning and value of a business relationship over 10 years ago after spending thousands of dollars in traditional advertisements with little return. This is not to say that traditional advertising is wrong – I just didn’t have the money to do it! I then realized that without the funds to do consistent traditional advertising that I had to develop business relationships that would provide referrals, as well as resources.

Once I started meeting with other business owners one-on-one I discovered that no advertisement or marketing plan in the world could beat the true value of developing a business relationship that involves trust, value and the willingness to share and refer.

How many times have you heard the saying, “the diamonds are in your own backyard”? You know it’s really true! After evaluating where my business came from in 2003, it was either through a referral or from a relationship that I had developed.

Yes, develop a good business relationship and just like the brilliance of a diamond, it will shine throughout your business in the form of referrals and profit. The true source of new business prospects and profit really is just a relationship away!

So, the big question is if this sounds simple and your business can grow from developing relationships, why isn’t it being done more amongst micro and small business owners? The answer is simple – it’s because they don’t understand the true value and benefits of developing a business relationship.

When a small business owner first starts their business they are in what I call their dream stage. They have a tendency to mock what they think or see a successful business as being, but lack the true understanding of why it is being done. Therefore, most small business owners get business cards, create flyers or brochures and wait for the business to come - as though the mere existence of their business will have customers begging for their product or service. Unfortunately, that’s just not true.

This same thinking pattern is also transferred into the networking scene. Business owners go to countless business meetings and events and throw their business cards around as though they were playing some high-powered poker game. Then they leave and wait for the business to come. However, they soon learn that it doesn’t come and they blame it on the networking meeting instead of the fact that they didn’t do anything to develop new relationships.

Part Two will cover the tips you’ll be able to put to use immediately to get your share of diamonds (business relationships.)


About The Author

Trina Newby is President and Founder of Women About Biz, a powerful and effective membership-based network for Businesswomen. Let us show you how to grow your business at http://www.womenaboutbiz.com.

A bracelet is an ornament worn wrapped around the wrist. It is an article of jewelry may be made of cloth, metal, gem stone, diamonds and sometimes of rocks, wood, or shells. The bracelets are also used for medical and identification purposes. The bracelets are generally made of precious metals or precious gems or diamonds.

A glow bracelet is a kind of wristband that glows at night. A glow bracelet is a wearable glow product that is important part of the trendy glow jewelry in rave culture. It’s made of sheer flexible plastic or any other such material. The voguish people attending the rave parties usually wear the glow bracelets.

The rave culture is a kind of bon vivant culture highly popular in Europe, Canada and America. The rave parties are the dance parties that last all night featuring dance and electronically synthesized rave music. The rave parties are quite infamous because of their alcoholic nature and drug culture. In fact these parties are pleasure domes of carefree and happy go lucky people.

There are many slang terms used for different types of ravers. A ‘baby raver’ or a ‘newbie’ is someone new to raving and the hardcore ravers are called ‘pure ravers’ or ‘true ravers’ or ‘partykids’.

The glow bracelets are highly hot among the young male as well female ravers commonly dubbed as Club kids, Candy kids or Candy ravers. The young ravers wear bright, flashy, gaudy clothes such as the t-shirts featuring cartoon characters, and do child-like fashions, such as, carrying glow sticks, blowing flashy whistles and wearing glow bracelets, glow necklaces, glow earrings, glow glasses, glow gloves etc.

The glow jewelry including glow bracelet, glow necklace, glow earrings, is the important part of glowsticking, a light-oriented dance.

The glow bracelets are available in number of styles, ranging from single color, bicolor to multicolor glow bracelets. The glow bracelets can be ordered or purchased online also.

About The Author


Gagandeep Dhaliwal owns the website http://www.glow-sticks.org/, a comprehensive guide on glow necklaces, offering volumes of info and tips on buying glow necklaces, cheap glow necklaces, best glow necklaces etc. For more info on glow necklaces, visit, http://www.glow-sticks.org/subcat/Glow-Necklaces/.

You're a woman and you love to look great and part of looking great is having the right accessories which includes jewelry, shoes, and purses. Wouldn't it be great if we could all afford a designer handbag? But some of us can't so the designer knock off purses may be an option. Right or wrong? That depends.

Now wait! Before we start the judgment game about what's right or wrong. There are different types of designer knock offs. There are the illegal ones which are "exact" copies of the designer bag and break copyright laws and then there are styles that resemble but do not break any laws.

What else is wrong is when a site sells knock offs as originals. In fact that's more than wrong. That's fraud! In recent years this has been a big problem especially on some sites like eBay. If you are looking for a true designer bag, whether it's Louis Vuitton, Gucci, or another designer, make sure you get what you pay for. Here's how to spot a fake designer bag.

1. Fabric

Designer handbags use top of the line fabric that has no flaws. There will be no fake leather or fake skins. When you buy a designer bag you will always get 100% the real thing every time. If the purse is faux leather or made from an inferior fabric then it will most likely be a knock off.

2. Detailing

A designer bag will have extra stitching, wonderful detailing in the buckles and zippers such as a tiny diamond accent. Knock offs will have no diamond touches or nice detailing, the stitching will be basic and there will be nothing that stands it out from the rest unlike a designer bag which is unique and takes hours to make.

3. Labels

Most designer bags have a custom label or logo on their purses which is their mark of authenticity. You might find it on the zipper, embossed on the bag, or even inside the bag. Know that you are getting what you paid for. Knock offs won't have proper markings.

4. Follow Your Gut

Follow your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Designer bags don't magically fall in price to a fraction of their original price. If a designer purse usually sells for $1000 and you can buy it for $50 there's something not right. Follow your gut!

Listen To The Celebrities

If it's good enough to the celebrities it's real. Celebrities don't use fake bags so watch what they have in hand. By watching the celebrities you'll become very good at telling fake from real.

There's an old saying that there is a time and a place for everything. I guess designer knock of purses could be classified as such. Right or wrong - you'll have to decide for yourself but what's most important is being able to tell real from fake and knowing that what you thought you were buying is what you get.


About The Author

Alise Fiore has been in the fashion industry for more than 5 years and was a part-time salesperson in a fashion apparel and accessories store. At http://www.pncr.net, Alise will provide you with an extensive comparison guide between the most popular purse brand names.

Let's take a look at slogans and how just a few words can say volumes. A slogan is a memorable phrase used in conjunction with a political, commercial, or religious advertisement. Slogans are used to convey a deeper meaning. Slogans can be used to elicit emotions, or the slogan might paint a visual image that implies something more.

When considering a slogan or a tagline, keep in mind your objectives. What image do you wish to portray? Slogans should be short, but not to the point of being pithy. Slogans should conjure positive images and distinguish the value your company or product provides.

The best way to analyze slogans is to look at a few.

Slogan: "The toughest job you will ever love" (Peace Corps)

Message behind slogan: This is much more than just a job; it takes heart to be in the Peace Corps; join the Peace Corps and you will be a better person. This job is not about money it is about helping people.

Slogan: "Be Seen, Be Sold" (Shareware Promotions)

Message behind slogan: Being found on the Internet is not easy. Use us to be found on the Internet."

Slogan: "You could learn a lot from a dummy. Buckle up" (National Highway Traffic Safety Admin)

Message behind slogan: Learn from test dummies, be safe and buckle up.

Slogan: "Parents who use drugs have kids who use drugs" (The Partnership for a Drug-free America)

Message behind slogan: Model what you preach, do you want your children to do drugs? It is your responsibility to model appropriate behavior for your children.

Slogan: "This is your brain on drugs" (The Partnership for a Drug-free America)

Message behind slogan: Do you know what this stuff does to you? Taking drugs is stupid.

Slogan: "A diamond is forever" (DeBeers '1948)

Message behind slogan: Diamonds represent marriage, marriage should be forever. If you really want your marriage to last it should be sealed with a diamond.

Slogan: "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking" (Timex Corp)

Message behind slogan: It does not get any more durable than this, other watches can not stand up, but Timex will endure regardless of the treatment.

Slogan: "For all you do, this Bud's for you" (Budweiser)

Message behind slogan: After a long hard day, drink beer to relax.

Slogan: "Where's the beef ? "(Wendys)

Message behind slogan: Our competitors use small patties, but our burgers are big.

Slogan: "I love New York" (NYC)

Message behind slogan: New York is a special place, everyone loves NY, you should come and visit, you will love it too.

Slogan: "See what brown can do for you" (UPS)

Message behind slogan: We do more than just ship packages, we have additional offerings and can do more than just ship.

Slogan: "The few, the proud, the Marines" (US Marines)

Message behind slogan: We are a select group of very special individuals. Do you want to be elite? Take pride in representing the US.

Slogan: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk"

Message behind slogan: You will die if you drive drunk. It is your responsibility to protect your friends. Be responsible, don't let people drive drunk.

Effective slogans leave impressions in the minds of people who see or hear the slogans. Often slogans will have hidden meanings, or be a play on words. The goal of the slogan creator should be to create a memorable tagline that conveys a key benefit or differentiates the brand. Slogans will often help position the product or service in the marketplace. Slogans with just a few words can indicate superior value, excellence, or inspiration.

A business identity and image conveyed through a short statement will affect the way that consumers, competitors and others in the industry perceive your business. Slogans will distinguish your company in a unique way. Words are powerful, and if used properly, they can be an important sales tool.


About The Author

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

Aquamarine is a semi-precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is most often found in shades of clear ocean blue, and is widely recognized as the March Birthstone and the gemstone for the 18th anniversary. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, aquamarine holds a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that adds nostalgic value to its already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your aquamarine jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!

The beautiful Aquamarine is semi-precious, a light greenish blue to a vibrant blue variety of the species beryl, which makes it a relative of the Emerald. The name Aquamarine is derived from Latin, meaning seawater. "Aqua" translates to water and "marina" translates to sea. This seems especially appropriate for aquamarine's barely-there icy blue tones to intense greenish-blue tones, reminiscent of the sea. Also believed to embody the spirit of the sea, it has been regarded as a symbol of purification, ever-lasting youth, and happiness.

The sparkling tones and light blue hues are said to evoke feelings of trust, harmony and sympathy. The unique blues that the Aquamarine displays are said to represent eternity and life-giving properties, since it is, after all, the color of both the sea and the skies.

Aquamarine gemstones look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with Black Onyx, black pearls or dark blue sapphire. More casual combinations include lighter, bridal colored combinations with quartz, raw diamonds or pearls. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring aquamarine, visit www.dashaboutique.com/shopbygemstone. Aquamarine is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works especially well to enhance the luster of blue or green eyes.

According to legend, Aquamarine originated in a treasure chest for mermaids. Throughout history, Roman fisherman have used aquamarine as protection from the water, as the gemstone is believed to lend strength and confidence. Aquamarine's powers are said to develop best if the stone is immersed in sun-drenched water. Carrying aquamarine is also believed to guarantee a happy marriage, making the owner not only happy, but wealthy as well.

Mostly mined in Brazil, China, and Pakistan, Aquamarine is the designated birthstone for the month of March. It is also the zodiac sign Pisces assigned gem, and for the18th anniversary. This gem is often cut into faceted shapes, smooth cabochons, beads and carvings.

Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Aquamarine gets a score of 7.5-8, meaning that it is quite scratch resistant and therefore suitable as a component of jewelry. Aquamarine gemstones should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water or an ultra-sonic cleaner. Avoid solvents and harsh chemicals when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.

Learn more about all semi-precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart: www.dashaboutique.com/gemstone chart.html.

Stone setting in general is much more difficult than many might suspect. There are short courses in various sorts of jewelry work but those provide only a basic starting place and years of experience needed to become truly proficient in many areas. Fortunately, if a person devotes time to stone setting and does enough of one style of setting to become comfortable with it, moving on to similar styles is not nearly as difficult as those "first trials".

As you likely know, stone setting is done in many different styles. Within those styles, one jeweler may use slightly different methods than would another jeweler doing the exact same job. There is room to experiment with methods but only after you have set a few stones and are pleased with the results. Once you have a feel for the metal and the gems, then you know enough not to totally mess-up by trying a slightly different method.

Stone Setting Styles. I will mention a few styles and recommend what I believe is the best place to begin.The prong settings using faceted stones. This is the best place to begin. Start with a round stone, perhaps 4mm to 7mm in diameter. Smaller stones are more difficult until you learn the "give and take" of the metal, while larger stones present other problems. Start with normal prongs, generally four or six to the setting.

There are lots of prong settings with fancy formed and decorated prongs but those are not the best with which to begin learning. I don't care if the prong settings are part of a pendant, ring or earrings. The idea is fairly plain and basic prong settings regardless of the jewelry type.

The Bezel Settings, is use a narrow area of metal around the girdle or waist of the stone to secure the stone in the setting. The most basic form is seen in typical southwestern turquoise jewelry, essentially a band of silver wrapped around the stone and pressed down toward the stone from the top.

The more dramatic and much more difficult bezel is "flush set", where a gemstone is set directly into the surface of metal such as on a ring band and the metal is burnished or hammered to the stone then finished for smoothness. This last technique is quite difficult for a beginner and is best left until you feel ready for it and have the equipment to do the job.

Channel Settings. You have seen these settings in which rows of stones are set into a "groove" or channel of metal. This is also a difficult job and should not be attempted to start. To try a channel setting without lots of previous metal and seat cutting experience will lead to frustration and disappointment. Look at channel set stones at a jewelry store.

Inexpensive jewelry is a "fake job" and the stones are in a channel but held in place with little burs of metal pushed over opposite sides of the stone. Stones fall out of these settings! A real channel set has the metal along the channel pushed down onto the stones, all along the channel. You need to learn to bezel set before doing channel settings since some similar techniques are used.

Bead Set or Pave Setting. This setting is done with hand tools in the final stages, forming metal over one stone at a time and sometimes two at a time using "graver" tools. This is advanced technique. A setting style with a similar look uses "needle point" prongs formed to start with in the metal. We can talk about that sometime down the road.

Fancy Shaped Stones. Even when using prong settings, fancy shaped stones need added techniques. Essentially the same methods are used to cut seats and tighten prongs for emerald cuts as for round and oval stones. Marquise and pear shapes have a pointed end requiring a different seat cutting method to hold the pointed end securely without breaking the stone! The problem with emerald cuts is getting the stone level and straight and secure enough that the stone will not "turn" in the prongs.

The problem with stones with pointed ends or corners is cutting the seat and tightening without damage to the stone. Such fancy shape are not to be feared but understood to be more difficult, requiring practiced hand control before attempting.

Settings. I recommend starting with simple prong settings, generally found in four and six prong versions. Note, jewelers often use the words settings, heads, crowns and mountings to mean the same thing.

Stone Shapes. I recommend round faceted stones in sizes from perhaps 4mm to 7mm. You may try ovals stone, too, but do a few rounds first. With ovals, over tightening any prong can make the stone go sideways a bit in the prongs.

Stone Kinds. CZ's are good to start as are man-made birthstones. Most of the birthstones are synthetic sapphire (corundum) and are quite hard. The value of these stones is, they are pretty when set and are not expensive. The cuts are fairly uniform, too, compared to less expensive natural stones. Still, you need to practice on some stones which are not tough as the birthstones. For this, choose perhaps some inexpensive, meaning almost colorless, amethysts and inexpensive garnets.

These will not be the most beautiful gems but are wonderful for practice and can look pretty in earrings and pendants. You will likely discover the girdle or waist of inexpensive natural gems may be varied in thickness and the angles of the facets on the pavilion or bottom of the stone may vary. The idea is to get the stone level in the mounting so it looks level to the eye.

For the work to be done just like it should, stone seats need to be cut into the prongs to match the gemstone on hand. I suggest trying something in sterling silver. The metal is easy to bend and work. In fact, sterling is soft enough to "over bend" without due care. Gold is somewhat more springy and takes more effort to properly set than silver. However, gold is more forgiving than silver and certainly takes a better finish in the final steps. I suggest a sterling pendant, facet set stone in prongs. That is a good starting place.

Please, keep in mind the main idea is to have a finished piece that does look good to the eye! The stone should be safe and secure in the setting but that is not "seen". What is seen is the finished jewelry. That is the impression both to you and to anyone who happens to see it. Set the stone at a pleasing depth in the prongs, stone set level, finish off the prongs so all is uniform and neatly done. It will take some time to get use to this kind of think, but when you do get use to this kind of thing you will have no problem fixing your jewelery, your families, maybe even some of your friends jewelery.


About The Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.DiamondGems.info/. DiamondGems.info carries the best selection of loose diamonds, diamond rings, and diamond jewelry on the market. Browse through our selection of loose diamonds by size, cut, shape, type, and other features here: http://www.DiamondGems.info/subcategory/loose-diamond.html.

As the De Beers advertising campaign states, “A Diamond is forever”, that does not necessarily mean it is forever on your finger. The beautiful and well intentioned diamond you were given upon your engagement may have sentimental value but there is nothing wrong with upgrading to something larger, a different shape or adding side stones to your current diamond somewhere down the road.

My first piece of advice is to go shopping. Go to as many local jewelry stores as you can and try on a variety of rings. My experience, after being in the diamond business for four years, is that many women think they want a particular shape of diamond based on what they have seen in magazines and on television but in reality what looks good on their particular hand could be totally different. The biggest challenge in shopping is that most jewelry stores only carry rings in a certain size. There might be fifteen rings to look at but the majority of them are a finger size six. This is ok if you have a smaller finger size but can be very frustrating if you have a larger finger. It is so important that you are able to try the ring on and know that the ring will be comfortable to wear all the time.

Once you have determined the shape of the diamond you are interested in do some research into color and clarity. For a round shaped diamond starting with at least I color and SI1 clarity is perfectly fine. For a fancy shaped diamond I would suggest at least H color and VS2 clarity. Above all make sure that you are looking at certified diamonds. Most jewelry stores will tell you that the diamonds in their cases are certified but in fact they only have paper work from the store not from the GIA or AGS. Ask to see the certifications and if they say you can only have that information when you purchase the diamond run out of the store quickly. The diamonds could be any color, clarity and carat weight that they say and you would have no idea what you are actually buying.

A big question is what to do with your current diamond. Clients call us everyday wanting to sell their diamonds and there is really no good outlet for that kind of sale. I would encourage anyone to either incorporate their diamond into the new ring as a side stone or turn it into a new piece of jewelry in the form of a pendant or earring.

Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed. Keeping a piece of jewelry in its current mounting, that you feel is outdated, so in turn you never wear it, is such a waste. Using the diamond in another way preserves the sentimental value and gives you a new piece to enjoy and cherish.

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. 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 and best offer prices. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your detail 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!

In this respect, ask about the seller’s credentials and qualifications, 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!

The use of diamonds has been found to be dated as early as 2,500 years ago, where they were used as religious icons in India. Record has also been found that in early human history diamonds were used in drilling bits and engraving tools. One of the traits of diamonds is that nothing can scratch it except for another diamond.

Diamonds are mined from volcanic pipes in central and southern Africa, found deep in the earth where pressure and temperature allow the crystals to form. Sources of this mineral have also been found in Canada, Russia, Brazil, and Australia.

It is only in the 19th century where the popularity of diamonds arose, mainly because of the De Beers Group which initiated a advertising campaign that used the slogan "A Diamond Is Forever" which is now know to be one of the most successful marketing slogans of all time.

It was invented to stop the creation of a secondary market by discouraging women from selling the diamonds they have received and also from buying diamonds which other women have owned. This helped retailers to sell diamonds at high prices without competition from secondary markets. This allowed De Beers to maintain their hold on the diamond trade at a supplier level.

Diamonds are perfect for engagement and wedding rings, although they are costly, they last a lifetime and the reaction from the person receiving it makes it all worth it. Diamonds are measured in Carats where one carat is the same as 200 milligrams, although long ago each country had their own carat which was roughly comparable to the carob seed.

If you have ever imagined how diamonds really work, then keep reading cause here is a simple explanation. Diamonds form about 160km below the surface of our planet. Most diamonds that we see today were formed a long time ago, like millions, if not billions of years ago.

There are kimberlites which form that allows for diamonds to be brought closer to the earth's surface, (come'on you didn't think people actually drill 170km into the earth, did you?). Think of a kimberlite as a zit, yeah that's right. What happens in the case of a zit (or sort of) is that bacteria forms inside the skin (think of the bacteria as diamonds,) it gets bigger and bigger and finally erupts, which brings the bacteria closer to the surface, after which our itchy fingers proceed to pick it.

Same thing with diamonds, they form deep inside the earth and then a Kimberlite happens and the diamonds are now closer to the surface, which at this point diamond miners will mine them. Soon after, they will be cut, polished, and many times attached to a ring, and then will be sold.

Diamonds are a beautiful thing, and are one of the many wonders on this earth created by the God of the heavens and earth. So I guess the next time you find yourself at a jewelery store, you will be able to understand what all the fuss is about.

1. Rent a horse and carriage and take her for a romantic ride. Propose the old fashioned way on bended knee before getting into the carriage and riding away together. One of our clients did this in Richmond Park in London.

2. Cook and set an elaborate candlelight table (or get a professional caterer to deliver) for a quiet romantic dinner for two at home. Serve her a glass of champagne with the diamond ring in the bottom or ribboned to the stem.

3. Arrange a romantic weekend away. After a perfect day of relaxing and pampering for her - surprise her with the ring and proposal.

4. Create a treasure hunt for her on her birthday or other special occasion so that she is not necessarily expecting a proposal. Create clues that lead her to uncover one-by-one treasured memories of photos or past presents from your time together so far. The last clue should lead her to the ring box and a simple "Will you marry me" note.

5. Take her for a romantic picnic or boat ride outdoors and have a plane sky-write your proposal. Be ready to present the ring when she sees your proposal.

6. Hire a magician to entertain just the two of you. Have the magician make the box with the engagement ring mysteriously appear as the surprise ending of the last trick.

7. Take her back to the first restaurant where you dined and surprise her with the ring. You can arrange for the waiter to present it to her with the dessert.

8. Decorate a Christmas tree with lights and only one ornament -- a ribbon or bow tied around the ring box. Ask her over for a Christmas celebration for just the two of you.

9. For a very traditional approach, ask her father for her hand in marriage. When the approval is given, make plans for the next family gathering and make your proposal to her in private with diamond in hand. When she says yes, stand up and announce your engagement to everyone.

10. Prime a friend with harmless little secrets about the two of you, and have him pose as a psychic when you dial. Be sure to ask the right personal questions to make it look authentic. Have the psychic predict a diamond in her very near future. Then make your proposal on the spot.

11. If she likes sports, then take her to a local or professional sporting event and arrange to have your message displayed on the scoreboard after halftime..."Naomi...Will you marry me?" Have the diamond ready to present when she sees it.

12. Arrange to have dinner together at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Have the waiter give her a special fortune cookie with "Will you marry me?" in it. Or you could have it say, "You will receive a diamond in the very near future." And present the diamond in a box.

13. During dinner at your favorite restaurant, arrange with the waiter to have the diamond in a box as one of the choices on the dessert tray. Tell her she is the sweetest thing you know and you can't resist her any longer.

14. Rent a limousine for the evening and be inside when they pick her up at home or work. Take her to an elegant restaurant for a romantic candlelight dinner for two, then present her the diamond on the way home in the limousine.

15. For the chocoholic: Chocolate-dip the diamond box, and put it in the centre of a big box of chocolates when you are alone for the evening. She will always wonder what's in the largest piece of chocolate that she has seen. Pick it up for her and open it with a flair.

16. Invite her for some games at home. Use Scrabble letters and spell out "Will you marry me?" Have the diamond close by.

17. Plan a romantic train journey (the Orient Express does day trips) and propose en route as you pass some beautiful scenery.

18. Take her for a surprise picnic at the beach or in the woods. At the picnic spot, spell out "Marry Me" with stones, flowers or seashells. Put the diamond in her hand when she says yes.

19. Take her to the highest local peak, get down on one knee and make the highest commitment possible with the highest quality diamond you can afford.

20. Write her a song or poem especially for the occasion and sing/say it aloud or arrange for a professional singer/band.

You have often heard the saying that diamonds are a girl’s best friend and that diamonds are forever. These words reflect the awesome power that diamonds hold and their absolute attraction for jewelry buyers due to their glamour and brilliant shine, not to mention their value.

Diamonds are know for their toughness and are not stones that break, chip away or crack easily. They can of course be broken by a single blow. About 90 percent of the world’s diamonds today come from the diamond mines of Africa, while rest of the diamond contribution comes from the mines of Australia, Canada, Russian and South America.

Before you go out to buy diamond jewelry, you need to be aware of the four C’s of diamond jewelry evaluation. The four C’s stand for the diamond’s cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

A diamond’s cut informs about the level of light reflected by the diamond, it’ dimension as well as its finish.

When looking for a diamond, check to see that it is colorless, as a diamond with colors is not considered of high value. Furthermore, colors can diminish a diamond’s brilliance. Diamonds are graded in a color scale based on alphabets D-Z. ‘D’ stands for colorless diamonds which are also very rare. ‘E’ also denotes colorless diamonds, but with a slight trace of color that is only visible to the expert eye of a gemologist. The grade ‘F’ follows E in the scale except, the trace of color is a little more than what’s found in ‘E’ grade diamonds. Diamonds graded ‘G’ or ‘H’ are near colorless and are of good value. Similarly the grade ‘I’ and ‘J also indicates near colorless diamonds. The grades K-Z are for loose diamonds that have a slight or light yellow color. It’ best to buy diamonds that fall in the G-I grade because they are of the best value, but finding one in the D-H grades is most optimal.

Most coveted diamonds are the ones with hardly any flaws or inclusions. A diamond’s clarity reveals the number, type, size and location of such inclusions in the diamond.

Carat is the weight measurement for diamonds with large diamonds having an exceptionally large carat value.

Information about the four C’s of a diamond is specified in the diamond’s grading report. Be sure to have a look at the copy of this report before purchasing your diamond jewelry. The certificate is a proof of the diamond authentication and informs the buyer that it has undergone an unbiased examination by a professional diamond evaluator.

Diamonds are available in a variety of shapes for diamond lovers and collectors. You will see spectacular center pieces in round, emerald cut, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion shapes. Diamond jewelry can be maintained by gently brushing with a solution that’s a mixture of water and ammonia. Avoid exposing diamonds to lotions, perspiration and other household cleaners as they can make the surface very dull. Store them in original velvet boxes to avoid scratching on the surface.

From the grace of halo to the sophistication of micro pave, design trends in diamond engagement rings and wedding band settings are changing, reflecting today's busy lifestyles. Ergonomic designs reign supreme in today's market, no longer does pure panache determine the design that leads to 'I Do.'

"Some brides prefer an ergonomic design that can comfortably be worn day in and day out," says Brian Gavin, Executive Vice President of Whiteflash.com. "Others look for added style in an intricate or trendy setting; which, unfortunately, can be limiting when it comes everyday wear," adds Gavin. Whiteflash.com is an e-jewelry boutique specializing in Hearts & Arrows diamonds and custom-designed engagement rings.

Here's a peek at the up-and-coming trends in engagement rings according to the boutique's jewelry designers:

Myth: solitaires stand tall

Not true of today's diamond solitaire settings, says Gavin. "Solitaire settings are traditionally upswept, raising the diamond to make a very bold statement," he adds. "However, people are also choosing settings where the center diamond sits down low, creating a look that is extremely elegant and also ergonomic." With the diamond down in the setting, brides-to-be are able to wear the engagement ring in everyday work and play situations long after they say their "I Do's.

Halos make a comeback

The likely reason for that comeback, according to Gavin, is that the halo-style diamond engagement ring makes the center diamond appear larger than it really is. "And the appearance of a high carat weight in the center stone is extremely important for many who are headed to the altar," says Gavin. Whiteflash.com has introduced several halo designs to its line of diamond engagement rings in the past year, including one with beaded diamonds along the shank as well as around the center stone, Increased sales prove the design's resurgence and staying power.

A toast to the 'Champagne' setting

One design stunning even to the most fashion-savvy is the diamond 'Champagne' setting. "Those who desire this setting know exactly what they're looking for...and that's something unique," says Gavin. "The Champagne style of setting has an unmistakable following." The designers at Whiteflash.com deserve a toast of the bubbly for their interpretation of the Champagne-style bubble design in their U-prong Champagne engagement ring...among others.

Gavin says the company's Champagne fashions have produced a great deal of spin-off custom-design work, much of which incorporates Whiteflash.com's exclusive 'A Cut Above' (ACA) melee diamonds. "The design of the Champagne diamond setting intermixes several components...it's these combined features that really draw[s] people to it," he says.

"Often people ask us to replicate one aspect or another of the Champagne design into a custom project, and of course we don't hesitate to do so." According to Gavin, the U-Prong, domed shank and accent diamonds are examples of features that can be applied to any custom piece. "Our 'A Cut Above' (ACA) melee diamonds have been adopted into thousands of projects, and are a stunning complement to any setting style," comments Gavin.

Delicate pave and micro-pave designs

The old debate: Delicate versus complex, which is better? According to the designers at Whiteflash.com, this season the style leans more heavily towards delicacy rather than complexity.

The diamond pave setting is widely admired for its refinement. To give the setting its simplistic, yet exquisite appearance, beads of metal are raised to create secure channels where the diamonds sit securely in the ring. According to the craftsmen at Whiteflash.com, the raised metal of the band (or ring) is used to create the tiny prongs that hold the petite diamonds in place.

Center stage: Eternity bands

The pave and micro pave diamond engagement rings come into play when customers are looking at smaller diamond settings like the eternity band. According to Gavin - who is also a fifth-generation cutter from the world's largest diamond center (South Africa) - there has been a recent push for smaller diamonds in settings. "In some cases even solitaire engagement rings are being replaced with semi, and even full diamond eternity bands," he says. The trend is likely a response to the aforementioned movement towards dainty-looking styles and those that offer daily wear. Eternity bands traditionally are set with diamonds anywhere from one to three points (carats).

Brides trade up

The 'trading-up' trend will never fade into obscurity. "We've found that it makes a difference in the design process if the bride-to-be is involved up front," says Gavin. "If the groom chooses to go it alone, he typically gravitates toward a simple design with a smaller-than-desired diamond. And what happens next? The bride-to-be upgrades the size of her diamonds, even adding side stones, and looks for a setting more suited to their tastes."

'Trading up' need not always be done up front. Many couples consider upgrades for important milestones like anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. "While her diamond engagement ring was [current] as a newlywed, many years later she might change or modify her setting to reflect transition in her own life or to keep up with current jewelry trends," says Gavin. "Even if she keeps the setting forever, there is a chance that down the road she may require a larger diamond. We have many repeat customers who upgrade their diamonds with us," he finishes.

Whiteflash.com anticipates change as a constant and has made it simple for customers to upgrade with a unique guarantee: Every certified diamond sold at Whiteflash.com comes with a lifetime trade-up option. The company will accept the return of any original purchase and extend full credit in the amount of the original purchase price. The credit can be used to purchase a different diamond.

"Marriage is a lifetime commitment," Gavin says. "When you choose Whiteflash.com, we'll be there for a lifetime with you."

About Whiteflash

Whiteflash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of "super ideal cut" to the Internet. Brian Gavin, a 5th generation diamond cutter, and Debi Wexler, a computer entrepreneur, together founded Whiteflash.com in 1999 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. 'A Cut Above' (ACA(TM)) is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a "true patterning" guarantee. Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom diamond ring designs and specialty jewelry.

This article on tanzanite rings is written to provide you with useful information regarding rings with tanzanite gemstone. It is not meant to promote our tanzanite rings or tanzanite gem stone jewelry. This gemstone is not very common but, almost anyone who has seen a tanzanite jewel will be hypnotized by the sheer beauty of this awesome gemstone. Before you make a decision regarding your ring with tanzanite, you need to know a few things about the tanzanite gemstone. We will attempt to cover most of the issues regarding tanzanite rings and tanzanite jewewlry in this article.

Tanzanite information: Most tanzanite rings would have a gemstone that is mined in Tanzania as this is where most of the world's tanzanite gemstones come from. The gemstone has a gorgeous violet-blue color tone and this is what has excited both jewelry designers and jewelry buyers. Most jewelry experts credit Tiffany's with introducing this gem to the jewelry and gemstone industry. Tanzanite was brought into the limelight with tremendous high pitched advertising and publicity and this is one of the reasons for the high price commanded by this gemstone.

Tanzanite gold ring options: It is not common to find silver tanzanite rings, this is due to the fact that tanzanite is a fairly expensive gemstone and is therefore set in gold rather than silver. You will notice that most tanzanite rings worn by ladies are made in white gold and man tanzanite rings are made in yellow gold. There is no specific reason for this pattern and a yellow or white gold tanzanite ring looks great. Tanzanite is one of the few gems that looks equally good in white or yellow gold, personal preference is all that has to be considered. Another choice that you will have to make when buying a tanzanite gold ring is, the choice between 14k and 18k gold. A 14k tanzanite ring would be more sturdy as compared to an 18k tanzanite ring because, 14k gold is much harder than 18k gold. If you are considering a men's tanzanite gold ring, 14k gold would be a great choice as men's rings need to be more sturdy and durable.

Weight of your tanzanite ring: First of all get rid of the false notion created by many jewellers. Buyers are given to believe that a tanzanite gold ring with a good weight would look clumsy and bulky. The fact is that a tanzanite gold ring with good metal weight would have the gold tucked away in portions that, would help to increase the strength and durability of the ring. A good design structure would make the gold play a quiet supporting role in the background. Look at most of the gold rings sold in the markets and you will notice how gold is scooped out from inside the band. This is done to reduce gold weight and lower the price tag rather than to increase the beauty of the ring. Low gold weight for your tanzanite ring would also mean flimsy gemstone mounting with thin spindle like prongs. Light weight rings might be cheaper in the short run but in the long run, they will soon need frequent and expensive repairs and drive up the price of the ring. In the case of a man tanzanite ring, there is no doubt that good gold weight is one of the most important factors to be considered. Men do not take as much care of their jewelry as the ladies and a strong and sturdy ring is very important.

Tanzanite diamond rings: A white gold tanzanite diamond ring would look fantastic but, make sure that the tanzanite gemstone is not overpowered by the diamonds in the ring. Let the diamonds in your tanzanite ring merely add a bit of accent to the tanzanite gemstone. Most people prefer to have a diamond tanzanite ring for special occassion rings like wedding and engagement rings. Bordering the edges of the tanzanite gemstone with diamonds would also help protect the edges of the tanzanite from side impact. For example, a tanzanite diamond ring could have a marquise shaped tanzanite gemstone in the center and be surrounded with small diamonds all around the edge. If you have a limited budget for your tanzanite ring, it is a good idea to leave out the diamonds from the ring and use the budget to get a bigger or better tanzanite gemstone for the ring.

Engagement tanzanite ring: You would most probably be spending a reasonable amount of money for a tanzanite engagement ring, however there is an important thing that many sellers would not let you know. A tanzanite ring should not be worn when doing a lot of physical activity, we have covered more on this issue in the paragraph below titled, caring for tanzanite rings. Most people would like to wear their engagement rings all the while and this would mean that a tanzanite ring is not very suitable as an engagement ring. However, if you decide to wear your engagement tanzanite ring only occassionaly and not while doing household chores or other physical activity, the ring would make a gorgeous special occassion ring. Most engagement tanzanite rings are made in white gold with diamonds, both (tanzanite and diamonds) of which are quite expensive. It is therefore a good idea to select a tanzanite engagement ring with a medium size good quality tanzanite gemstone and then, combine this with small sized diamonds. A special occassion tanzanite ring would not look very attractive with a medium or low grade gemstone and a large size good quality tanzanite gemstone would be very expensive.

Pricing for ring with tanzanite: There are a few simple things that you should keep in mind when choosing a tanzanite ring. The tanzanite gemstone should ideally be eye clean that is, no inclusions and cracks should be visible in the gemstone through the naked eye. Your tanzanite ring could have a gemstone that is very pale, medium violet-blue or dark violet-blue. The price of the ring will be higher as the tanzanite gemstone gets to a darker color shade. A larger tanzanite gemstone is priced much higher (per carat) as compared to a smaller size gemstone. This is true even if the two gemstones are of the same quality. A tanzanite ring with diamonds would obviously be more expensive as compared to a ring with the same design but without diamonds. Work according to your budget and remember that, a good quality smaller size tanzanite gem would look much better than a lower grade but larger size gemstone. Use a similar idea when buying a tanzanite ring with diamonds, if the diamonds are of a poor quality you would be better off with a ring that has no diamonds at all.

Caring for tanzanite rings: Your tanzanite ring will not be a very delicate and fragile jewel however, there are a few precautions that you should take when wearing or cleaning tanzanite rings and other tanzanite gem stone jewelry. Firstly, the tanzanite gemstone will chip or break if struck with impact. It is therefore not advisable to wear your tanzanite ring when doing household chores, excercising etc. Make sure that your ring is not stored near a source of heat as this could affect the quality of the tanzanite gemstone. Do not use ultrasound cleaners or strong cleaning solutions to clean your tanzanite gem stone ring. A moist soft cloth can be used to occassionaly wipe your ring clean. If the tanzanite ring uses prongs to mount the gemstone, gently pat (dab) the area around the gemstone rather than do a wipe. This is to avoid the prongs from getting caught in the cloth, as this could cause the prongs to open up and loosen the gemstone. If the tanzanite ring requires a greater degree of cleaning, use cold water (room temperature is fine) and a little amount of a very mild detergent to gently clean the ring. Then gently pat the ring with a soft, clean cloth to get rid of the water. Do not use dryers or blowers to do the job as these devices often generate heat. When storing your tanzanite ring or other tanzanite jewelry, make sure that the jewels are not bundled together as they could scratch against each other. Do not get the impression that tanzanite gems are difficult to look after and therefore not suitable for your ring. All gemstones have some typical characteristics of their own and these need to be taken into consideration when making, wearing, cleaning or storing jewelry that uses them. For example, Kunzite gems fade in color when exposed to strong light. Emeralds cannot be soaked in water as this ruins the oil treatment that is done for all emerald gemstones.

Summary: Your tanzanite ring can give you many years of wearing pleasure and will be a gorgeous addition to your jewelry collection. However, tanzanite rings are not as durable as sapphire or ruby rings as, tanzanite is not as sturdy as these (sapphire or ruby) gems. Following a few easy steps when wearing and storing a tanzanite ring will ensure that the ring looks stunning and great for many years. Numerous fake tanzanite gems are found in the markets each year. Make sure that you get a reliable seller to buy your tanzanite ring from. The price of a good tanzanite gemstone ring will not be cheap and getting a ring with a fake tanzanite gem would be a real pity and a waste of money. Remember to follow the above suggestions regarding caring for your tanzanite ring as, this would help retain the good looks and condition of your tanzanite ring for many years to come.

You can see some of our high quality tanzanite rings at this link. The detailed explanations provided for each tanzanite ring will give you further ideas and tips on choosing or owning a tanzanite ring. http://www.tanzanite.kaijewels.com/tanzanite-ring-all-kj-01.htm

This article is compiled by the experts at http://www.kaisilver.com the world's largest online source for highend custom jewelry. All jewelry is custom made with our designs or yours and you can choose the gemstone of your choice when ordering our custom jewelry.

Are your tired of dull jewelry with no lustre? When was the last time your jewelry stood out more than your dress? Settling for second best?

These questions and many others, are the reasons why your jewelry collection doesn't get the attention it deserves. A fabulous Platinum 3 Sided Diamond Eternity Band or a glorious 14k White Gold Necklace With Multi Circle Diamond Pendant Center, is what your collection needs.

When looking for quality Diamonds whether they be loose diamonds or even wholesale diamonds, there are a few hard an fast buying rules that you should really know.

The best place to start to find your self a good diamond, would be to explore what is known as the four C's. Loosely, what this means is colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. These factors contribute to the beauty and value of a diamond. So whether you are looking for a ring, necklace or even a bracelet, you are sure to get the very best deal.

Color - Contrary to popular belief the diamond is not truly colorless. The colorless diamond or sometimes called the white diamond, is what other stones are compared with. The diamond is defined by a grade, starting at (d-e-f) which is colorless going up to (s-t-u-v-w-x-y-z) which is a tinted diamond, usually yellow and is visible to your naked eye.

Irradiation and heat treatment - can turn a brown and yellow diamond into a colored beauty, this color is usually permanent and more effective then older techniques that were once used. A naturally colored diamond is very expensive and should come with a certificate!!

The grade of a diamond affects it's price, but it is not the only quality of a diamond you should look for...

Clarity- This term is used to describe the clearness of the diamond, to find yourself a rock with perfect clarity is rare and expensive. It tells you whether your diamond has flaws present or if they are absent. The categories your diamond could fall into are:

(F) Flawless - no internal or external inclusions.

(IF) Internally Flawless - no internal inclusions, slight external inclusions.

(vvs1 &vvs2) which mean very, very slightly included.

(vs1 & vs2) which is very slightly included.

(SI1 & SI2) which is slightly included and (I1 & I2) and these are inclusions that are obvious. This is something which even the best of jewelers can have trouble with and it can have an effect on the...

Cut - This tells us about the shape and proportions of a diamond, The cut of a diamond is essential to its beauty. But if the cut is poor, even if the color and clarity are superb, the diamond will lack that famous sparkle they are known for..

Carat - This tells you how much your diamond weighs.

(ct) is the weight of a single stone.

(ct TW) this refers to the total weight of multiple stones.

(points) refer to the carat definition for a smaller diamond.

There are 100 points in a carat, so 0.05 carat stone would be 5 points (1/5 carat) and 0.25 carat stone would be 25 points (1/4 carat).

Once you have the diamond you want, you can make it look bigger than it really is!

Here are a few techniques to purchase a gemstone that looks bigger than its real carat and weight:

Go for a fancy shape - these diamonds usually look larger than round ones of the same weight, especially elongated shapes such as the oval, marquise and pear.

Try a pave setting - this setting looks like a continuous surface of diamonds, but is really only made up of small diamonds set alongside each other into little holes, their surfaces nearly level with the setting. Tiny beads are made from the surrounding metal to hold the diamonds in place. So what happens is that it becomes difficult to distinguish one stone from another, making you think the wedding ring has larger stones than it really does!

How about an illusion setting? - The diamond is mounted to a mirror-like plate before it is set into the band, making it seem larger, with more brilliance. The only downside is that repair can be a little difficult.

What about a Bezel Set Diamond? - a diamond in a bezel setting, the stone is encircled by a rim. White gold or platinum will work and enhance a white diamond, making it appear bigger. A bezel setting in yellow gold can throw a yellowish tint onto the diamond.

Now you have an insight into the jargon and styles you find when buying a diamond, searching for the best possible diamond for the budget you have should be a piece of cake or even a carat!

It has been said and sung that “…diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, and I have to admit, although I have never thought of diamonds as a “best friend”, their expressive brilliance has mesmerized me at times.

Diamonds symbolize happiness, eternal love, and strength. So, there is not only an aesthetic bond, but an emotional bond too. Even if happiness and eternal love falter, a diamond is still “forever”.

So, where does a diamond’s rainbow of brilliant colors originate?

Diamonds are close to 100% pure carbon – 99.95% to be exact, and are found hidden deep within the dark recesses of the earth. If you were to see a diamond in its natural state, you would probably not pay much mind to it because it looks like any other rock – a hard rock. In fact, it is one of the hardest rocks known to mankind.

Diamonds also come in a variety of colors, the most common being yellow, brown, and black, which usually find their way for use in industrial arenas such as drill bits, saw blades, etc. The rarest of diamonds are colorless, although for jewelry purposes such as engagement rings, they fall in the category of “near colorless”.

The cut is what takes this “colorless” or “near colorless” rock and creates its brilliance. Although a diamond can weigh more than another diamond, depending on its cut, the smaller diamond in weight can appear larger and vice versa.

In jewelry terms, the “cut” actually refers to a diamond’s reflective qualities and is most important because it affects a diamond’s properties and values. It is in this sense that bigger does not mean better.

The cut enables light to enter the diamond, reflect from one side to another before reflecting back out. A poorly cut diamond may let light enter, but when it goes to reflect from one side to another, some of the light leaks out the side and is lost, rather than back out where it entered.

Often times you will see an advertisement for a “larger” diamond at a discounted price, which really should be advertised, “poorly cut diamonds” for sale.

So, while your friend may be showing you her huge rock, yours may sparkle a lot more and appear larger, even if it is smaller.

http://www.diamondoasisteam.com

Bonded diamonds are those sold by bonded jewelers.Bonded jewelers are the most trustworthy to deal with and sell only the highest quality diamonds.

However such quality has to come at a price.Bonded diamonds are usually more expensive than unbonded ones.Out of all the jewelers in the world, only 5% of them are bonded jewelers.

Bonded diamonds usually have a buy-back policy for the lifetime of the diamond.This means that you can always return the diamond back to your dealer for a 100% refund. If there's no 100% buy-back guarantee when you are buying your diamond, you should inspect it more closely to see what's wrong with it.

Another advantage of buying a diamond from a bonded jeweler is that the dealer is obligated to issue you with a new diamond if the original breaks or chips.Such an offer should guarantee to you that the quality of the diamond is of the highest standard as no dealer would be willing to undergoe such an expense on fake diamonds.

With rising inflation and the fact that the value of a bonded diamond appreciates over time, it is a guarantee that the worth of a bonded diamond will appreciate with time.

In case of a market crash, a bonded diamond is a safe form of investment.This is because the bonded jeweler is obligated to refund you the difference between what the diamond is now worth and what you paid for it before the market crash.

Though they aren't available just anywhere, bonded jewelers are the people you're advised to deal with when purchasing diamonds.They can be located through online resources or by tracing them through your local jewelry stores.

Considering the abundant potential for fraud concerning diamonds, purchasing a diamond online seems so risky as to be nearly unthinkable. However, given enough knowledge and caution it is entirely possible to purchase diamonds online without significant risk.

The first thing to think about is the reason for wanting to purchase the diamond online rather than making the purchase from a local jewelry store. Price is the most common reason. Online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices because the lack of a storefront lowers overhead costs. It is, however, important to be careful--a price that is too good to be true is likely to be.

The big advantage of shopping for diamonds online is the nearly unlimited selection. When shopping offline, the selection within the local stores represents a significant limitation. But to reiterate, a great deal of care and consideration must be taken before handing money over to someone that cannot be seen, met, or verified.

It is critical to learn as much as possible about diamonds before shopping, especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. Con artists find it far more difficult to rip off someone knowledgeable about diamonds. Once knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be safe to start shopping.

Equally important is to maintain patience while shopping. Don't purchase the first diamond that seems right or interesting. Instead, look for comparable diamonds for sale. This permits each deal to be examined, weighed, and analyzed in comparison to the others to find the lowest price, or best deal. Once the best deal is found the investigation can begin. Simply having learned about diamonds and finding a diamond that fits the bill at the best deal isn't enough.

Check out the seller's credentials, looking for details such as which (if any) professional jewelry associations they belong to. Read and print out a hardcopy the seller's refund, return, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Conduct a thorough Internet search for customer reviews on this particular company. Especially make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau Online to determine if there have been any complaints filed against the company.

Always request a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, EGL, HRD, or AGS. It's important to get this verification before making a purchase. Finally, if there is any doubt or the purchase will involve a high dollar amount, use a reputable escrow service, ideally one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. This way the diamond and the payment are sent to the escrow service, who then verifies the diamond matches the claims the online seller made before sending the diamond to the buyer and the money to the seller. This is the surest way to guarantee the financial safety of both parties. It should go without saying to be certain that a reputable escrow service is used.

Almost all of us will buy a diamond, a diamond ring or another kind of diamond jewel. Getting married involves buying a diamond ring for your fiancée, anniversary rings are also common, and let's not forget men's diamond rings - they are very popular, too.

In the age of information, it makes sense to consider the option of buying a diamond on the Internet. And indeed, mega sites like bluenile.com, diamond.com and more offer a huge selection of diamonds in all shapes and sizes to choose from. Many of the diamonds are certified so you don't risk getting a diamond that is less than promised.

The big diamond sites are a good option for getting a diamond, but in most cases the savings on the price will not be too great - in fact, you may get a similar price if you haggle a bit with a local diamond dealer. The best place to locate real bargains in the diamond field is ebay.com

There has been a lot of talk on buying and selling on ebay, and one ca find good advice about these subjects. Buy in this article we'll discuss specific advice about buying diamonds on ebay.

There are some very simple rules that need to be observed when buying diamonds on ebay. If you follow these rules you are very likely to find great deals on ebay.

Advice no. 1 - Search the right way. Go for the "advanced search" option. There will be an "Exclude these words" box. You want to exclude words like : "lab", "zircon", "enhanced". This will weed out the "wannabe" diamonds and leave you with the best ones.

Advice no.2 - Does the seller have a solid positive feedback? - check the seller's feedback and see that they have at least 50 positive feedbacks form selling diamonds in the past. Also note how many negative feedback they had. Strive for at least %98 positive feedback. In many cases it is tempting to buy a cheap diamond from a new seller, but this is in many cases a bad move, as you have no knowledge on this seller

Advice no.3 - Watch similar diamonds to the one you want and see how much the sell for. Don’t buy right away. Just watch a few auctions as they evolve. This will help you establish a range of prices you aim at.

Advice no. 4 - Go for certified. Again, it's tempting to buy an un-certified diamond but in many cases this will be a big mistake. Go for certified diamonds only and this way you'll make sure you get what you paid for, no less.

Advice no. 5 - Use ebay as a means of pressure. If you have a local diamond dealer who is trying to sell you a diamond, you may want to use the price levels you see on ebay as leverage in your negotiation with that dealer. You may get a better deal.

Going online to buy a diamond can save you thousands of dollars. Give this approach a try the nest time you go shopping for a diamond.

Pink diamond engagement rings received a lot of attention recently when J-Lo received an exquisite 6 carat pink diamond in 2002 from Ben Affleck. Although the romance fizzled, the desire for pink diamonds did not.

Only a small number of pink diamonds are found each year, making them both extremely rare and highly sought after. Due to the supply/demand factor, they are often extremely costly and can easily run over $10,000 and typically much much more. Natural pink diamonds are light in color with just a hint of pink. Most of the world's pink diamonds are found in Australia.

An appealing alternative to pink diamonds are pink sapphires, which are less expensive ($500 and up), come in a wider variety of shapes and sizes, and have both light and deep shades of pink. Pink sapphires receive their color from small amounts of chromium. They are a hard gemstone and are therefore suitable for everyday wear. Pink tourmalines are another alternative to pink diamonds. For those who fall into the "want champagne on a beer budget category," you can always combine small pink diamonds with more affordable gemstones. Also, colorless diamonds can undergo treatment to develop a pink hue at a more affordable price.

One of the most famous canary yellow engagement rings was worn by Paris Hilton. The emerald cut ring weighed in at a hefty 24 carats. Regular couples today are also selecting canary yellow stones for their engagement rings. While diamonds with a slight yellowish hue are not considered desirable, those with a natural intense yellow color are actually becoming quite valuable. Only 1 in 1,000 diamonds are classified as canary yellow. The yellow color is believed to be due to the presence of nitrogen atoms when the diamond is formed. Diamonds can also undergo a process called irridiation or high pressure/high temperature treaments in order to give them a yellow hue.

Yellow diamonds are more expensive than their white counterparts, and the intensity of the color factors into this. If couples can't afford a natural yellow diamond as a center-stone, as with pink diamonds, there are always alternatives. Smaller yellow diamonds can be used as sidestones or natural yellow gemstones such as yellow sapphires or citrine can be used instead.

Anyone who has even tried to buy a diamond has probably heard of the four c's of a diamond. So, what exactly are the four c's and why do the matter so much for the person who buy the diamond? Well, the 4c's determine the quality of the diamond and therefore - it's worth. Let's take a closer look at these four quality parameters and understand them a little better:

Clarity - describes the clearness or purity of a diamond. It is determined by the number, size an shape of the flows, or imperfections, inside and outside the diamond. The clarity is expressed by a scale of clarity level. The highest level is F - which means "flawless" diamond (very rare). On the other side of the scale there's the I3 clarity degree, which indicates a diamond with very notable imperfections. The scale goes from I3, to I2, I1, SI2, SI1, VS2, VS1, VVS2, VVS1, IF and finally - F. Be aware that the clarity level of a diamond may change over time for many reasons.

Color - The color of a diamond is another factor that should be looked at when determining it's worth. Not all diamonds are clear in color, and some have a yellowish color to them. The color scale starts at D,E,F,G,H and I levels, which represent colorless (transparent) diamond, D being the most colorless. After that, J,K and L represent a diamond which is near colorless. M, N,O,P,Q and R represent a faint light yellow diamond, and the S,T,U,V, W,X,Y and Z letters stand for a light yellow diamond.

Cut - the beauty of the diamond is to a large extent, derived from the quality of it's cut. An ideal cut will reflect most of the light that hits the diamond, thus causing it to shine and look very beautiful. A poor cut will make the diamond look lifeless and in many cases a small diamond that has an ideal cut will look much better that a bigger diamond with a shallow or a heavy cut. In many cases, the cut has a great effect on the diamond's price. One might ask - if the cut is so important, why aren't all the diamonds cut in a prefect way? The answer to that is that the rough diamond doesn't always allow the diamond cutter to cut it in an idea way because rough diamonds are found in different shapes and sizes.

Carat - The weight of the diamond. 1 carat equal to 0.20 grams. A carat is also sub divided into points, where 100 equals 1 carat. The size of a single diamond adds to it's worth, so 2 half-carat diamonds taken together will not cost as much as 1 one-carat diamond. This is due to the fact that the one-carat stone is more rare.

After the 4 c's are evaluated, the diamond's price can be calculated. Of course, diamond's value is also effected by the market - if there is a great demand to certain diamonds, their price may go up beyond their "on paper" value.

GIA certified diamonds set the standard in the gemological industry. While they are not necessarily more valuable than other diamonds they have been thoroughly authenticated versus non-certified dimaonds that have unknown backgrounds. The Gemologcial Institute of America is bowed down to by all others in the diamond industry.

The GIA is a non-profit research and educational institution which has a guiding mission of upholding integrity in the diamond industry. All GIA certified diamonds come with a diamond grading report that tells you more than you probably ever want to even know about the 4 Cs of that little slice of heaven.

There are some additional advantages to purchasing GIA certified diamonds. When shopping around agagement ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engand doing price comparisons, you can compare the characteristics of GIA certified diamonds to the retailer's pricing. Also, if your future wife convinces you to upgrade the ring in the future, it will be easier to find stones with comparable characteristics. God forbid the ring is lost or stolen, it may be helpful in its recovery or for insurance purposes, to have the GIA certificate which indicates the diamond's exact properties.

Diamond Characteristics of GIA certified diamonds are documented in the GIA Diamond Grading Report for diamonds over 1 carat in size and in the Diamond Dossier Report for those under 1 carat. They Diamond Grading Report indicates some of the following:

The diamond's dimensions in millimeters. The measurements for round diamonds help you determine symmetry. For fancy shapes like the marquise or pear shapes, the overall length-to-width ratio is important because certain proportions are more visually appealing.

The weight of diamond in carats. Many people think of carat weight as the size of a diamond. However, if a diamond is cut deep and narrow, it will look much smaller than another diamond of the same weight that is cut shallow and wide

A grading which evaluates the absence of color. Colorless is the most desired status, with other grades exhibiting increasing degrees of color. A few, very rare diamonds exhibit other "fancy" colors, such as pink, green, blue, intense yellow, etc.

Clarity grade. Diamond clarity is the measure of a diamond's flaws (inclusions). Every diamond has some inclusions, even a diamond with a flawless clarity grade

A grade of cut. This actually refers to both the overall shape and how well the shape is cut

Grades that represent a diamond's surface and facet placement. This is a good indicator of the care taken to make the diamond as beautiful as possible.

Color when diamond is viewed under UV light: One technique that gemologists use to help identify and separate diamonds from the diamond look-alikes is by putting the gem under a UV lamp. If it fluoresces (glows) blue, it is almost certainly a diamond.

Overall smoothness of the diamond's surface. A diamond can be polished to have the most perfect, reflective surfaces. This is one reason why diamonds are known for their brilliance. Polish grades range from Ideal to Poor

The shape, alignment and placement of the diamond's facets in relation to one another as well as the evenness of the outline. Poor facet alignment will allow light to leak out before it reflects back resulting in less brilliance.

A map of the inclusions as viewed under a microscope. If a diamond has a clarity grade of VS1 or better, you will not see any flaws with your naked eye. If the clarity grade is VS2 or less, examine the plot to see the placement of the major flaws.

The GIA certificate that is issued has microprint lines, holograms, and security screens to make counterfeits more readily identified. The only other certification that can hold a candle to the GIA is the American Gem Society Laboratories. The AGSL is highly respected and also issues an objective, in-depth report with each diamond that is inspected in their lab.

Of all the precious stones in the world, the diamond is certainly the most popular. You've seen it worn by royalties and celebrities, but it's also available to every me and you.

Its toughness and beauty have been known and praised since ancient times. The actual word "diamond" comes from the old Greek "adamas", which means "unconquerable".

The decision to purchase a diamond is a rather important one. To the Romans, diamonds were falling stars that tipped the arrow of Eros, the God of love. This meant that those who wore them would be filled with love and spread feelings of happiness around them.

Whether or not the belief was based on real facts, diamonds seem to have some form of energy around them, and you should pay special attention when choosing one.

The Four C's

Assessing the Four C's is a method that helps us see the true value of a stone we're about to purchase. Used mainly by professional jewelers, it's still very simple to be applied even by an untrained eye.

So What Are The Four C's?

They are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

The Cut...

.. is considered by many jewelers as the most important of a diamond's properties.

Depending on how well it is made, it determines how well it reflects light. Professionals strive to make the cut as precise as geometrically possible so that it will reflect more light. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes out the sides and the diamond loses brilliance. If the cut is too deep, light is lost out the bottom and the diamond appears dark or dull.

Therefore, a bright shining diamond, with a symmetrical appearance is a definite sign that the cut is of high quality.

Color

Despite the common belief, not all diamonds are white or colorless. In fact, most diamonds you will find have slight tones of yellow, brown or blue.

There is an actual scale you can use to get a beautiful diamond at a reasonable price. It covers all leathers from D to Z.

D to F are colorless diamonds. These are the rarest and of course, the most expensive. Unless you have a huge pocket, look for stones in the range of...

G to I. These ones offer excellent value and they have a light blue color.

Stones graded above K can still be lovely if they have a great Cut and ...

Clarity...

.. refers to the number of imperfections in the stone. Absolutely perfect diamonds are extremely rare.

So the value of the crystal is deeply influenced by the number of "Inclusions" or "Blemishes".

There is also a more complicated scale to rate the perfection of a Diamond, but I won't bore you with it.

Just watch for diamonds rated "I", which have imperfections that may be visible with the naked eye. The other grades aren't important because when mounted in jewelry, the slight imperfections become invisible.

Carat

This is generally the only property people follow when purchasing diamonds.

The carat is the measurement unit for a diamond's weight. One carat weighs 200 miligrams, or 1/5 of a gram. Each carat is divided into 100 points.

The bigger the crystal, the more carats is has and the bigger the price.

Don't be tempted to say the bigger the better. Ultimately, you want a diamond that has a balance between the Four C's.

With this kind of knowledge, you are now ready to start searching for the greatest gift you could ever think of. So wait no longer. I guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the jewel you'll choose.

Tips from the Pros (how to become a smarter diamonds shopper)

A few simple facts will help you save money and become a smart diamond shopper!

1. Diamond grades have points at which the cost of the diamond can rise or decrease precipitously, thus you should try to find a diamond that is a lower weight group but with similar measurements to the higher group.

For example a 1.00 ct with 6.1 mm would cost more than 10% from a 0.96 ct with 6.1 mm this difference in weight won't be noticed to the naked eye. There are a few simple facts that will help you to save money when you are Looking for your diamond.

2. Fluorescence makes a difference in the appearance in only 2% of the stones but it receives a 2-5% discount in the market.

So by buying a medium fluorescence diamond you will lower the price of your purchase with a low probability to notice a genuine difference. (Very strong and strong fluorescence has a higher probability to affect the appearance of the diamond).

3. We all want a perfect diamond to our loved ones or ourselves but we cant always afford a flawless diamond, the clarity of the stone is not visible to the naked eye between IF-VS2 and even SI are not supposed to make a difference once the stone is set in a jewelry so if you have a budget that you must keep SI1 is more than enough.

4. Very important - all of the above is based on the assumption that the stone is graded according to the GIA grading.

Now how would you match the diamonds you buy with your own jewelry

Matching a diamond to your jewelry

To perfectly match your diamonds with your jewelry you must keep reading.

1. Colors-after you know your budget and preferable design you need to match the color of the diamond to the jewelry. Color in diamonds?! First of all there are natural colored diamonds and second of all the material from which the jewelry is made will help you better choose the color of your diamond.

As a thumb rule white gold setting helps the diamond to appear as a higher color than rose gold. So if buying a D color diamond doesn't suit your planned budget choose a lower color with white gold.

2. Measurements-find out what is the range of the needed measurements for your chosen jewelry before purchasing the diamond. 1.00 ct round diamond can be 6.6 mm and it can also be 5.9 mm so you need to research a bit before matching a diamond. (You can and should do it the other way around – buy the diamond according to your budget and than bring it to a local jeweler for setting or buy both from the same online vendor to ensure a perfect fit).

3. Multi diamond jewelry-if you decide to purchase a multi diamond jewelry don’t forget that the human eye determines colors through comparison so it will have a less wanted affect if your side stones will be D color and the center stone J color the other way around should create a better affect.

Precious, brilliant and expensive—why wouldn't diamonds be a girl's best friend? When giving the most significant gift of a lifetime, most men, and even the women who receive them, know precious little about diamonds. By the time they're old and experienced enough to know about cut, shape, grade, brilliance, color, weight, and setting, they already have the diamond of a lifetime. Crack the vocabulary, and you'll be on your way to purchasing your first diamond with confidence.

The Four Cs

Diamonds are not created equally! "The Four Cs of Diamonds"— cut, clarity, color, and carat determine diamond grade. A diamond certificate accompanies each diamond and includes grades for each of the four Cs as documented by a gemologist. Learn what these terms mean to avoid that "deer in the headlights" look when the jeweler uses these terms.

Cut refers to the physical cut, not the shape of the diamond, and it affects the brilliance of the diamond. If the cut is too shallow or too deep, the refraction of the light detracts from the brilliance. Grades for cut, from best to worst, include Ideal, Premium, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. The Ideal grade applies exclusively to round diamonds.

Clarity measures the purity of the diamond. Most diamonds include some flaws, called inclusions. All but the rare flawless diamonds contain inclusions of varying number and size. The Clarity grade measures the purity of the diamond, the relative absence of flaws. Clarity grades the appearance under 10X magnification. Top grades include F (flawless—forget it, you'll never see this), IF (internally flawless, you'll never afford it), VVS1-VVS2 (very, very slightly flawed—not we're getting a little more realistic), VS1-VS2 (very slightly flawed), and SI1-SI2 (slightly flawed). All but the VS1-VS2 and SI1-SI2 diamonds contain flaws that are invisible or barely visible under 10X magnification. Lesser grades include I1- -I3 (flawed and obvious without magnification). If price is a consideration, then invisible to the naked eye is a reasonable tradeoff.

Color actually refers to the absence of color in diamonds. The finest diamonds are colorless, which allows them to absorb and reflect more light, displaying more brilliance. White diamonds range from ice white to light yellow. Color is graded on a scale from D-Z, with D-grade diamonds being colorless and Z-grade diamonds containing the most color. Grades G-J are near colorless to the human eye, and offer the best value for the money.

Carat refers to weight. Because large diamonds are extremely rare, the price rises exponentially rather than arithmetically according to carat weight.

Each of the four Cs affects price. Once you set a budget, determine the attributes most important to you and select your diamond according to your preferences.

Learn a few more simple terms, and you're well on your way to demystifying the world of diamonds and carrying on a conversation with your jeweler that will turn the heads of less astute shoppers.

Shape also affects price, but only in terms of "shape appeal," how pleasing the shape is to the naked eye. By far, the most popular shape is the Round diamond, and it's the most expensive as well. Fancy shapes such as Emerald, Marquis, Pear, Heart, Oval, Radiant and Princess, are less expensive than Round diamonds. Side by side, fancy diamonds look larger than Round diamonds of equal carat weight. If you want something out of the ordinary, a fancy shape might be right for you.

Facets refer to the flat, polished surfaces of the diamond. The round diamond checks in at 58 facets, the most facets of all the shapes. The most important facet is the top or Table facet—the largest facet. Diamonds cut to perfection enable the facets to refract the light brilliantly.

Settings should enhance the brilliance and size of the stones, not detract from them. The range of choices is stunning, from the metal to the prong display. Even more than shape, the setting reflects your personal preference and style.

Now that you understand the clandestine vocabulary of diamonds, you can relax and have fun while selecting that one-of-a-kind, perfect diamond for you.

History and Meaning Of Wedding Bands:

The wedding band has been worn as a symbol of marriage for many centuries. Few people know that it was not always a silver or gold wedding band that was worn, the earliest wedding bands were made of the stem from a plant. The Egyptians are credited with creating and wearing the first wedding band and this was cut out from the stem of a plant. The circular shape of the Eyptian wedding band was supposed to represent, never ending love. The Romans gave the same meaning to their wedding bands, but gave it to their lady with the aim of staking their 'claim' or 'ownership' to her. Wedding bands gained popularity in ancient Asia too and in the Middle East, puzzle ring wedding bands were worn by ladies to prove faithfulness to their husband. A puzzle wedding band is actually made up of many rings that, when worn correctly fit together to form a band ring. A lady who wore a wedding band showed to the world, that she was married and would be faithful to her husband. If she ever took the ring off her finger, it would be very difficult for her to get the puzzle rings correctly together again and the husband would know that his wife had been unfaithful. In colonial America, jewelry was considered to have no moral value and was largely prohibited. Ladies wore thimbles as engagement or promise rings, after marriage the bottom portion of the thimble was taken off leaving just the top portion on the finger. This looked quite like a wedding band and the tradition carried on for many years.

Marriage is a solemn commitment between two individuals to stay together in good times and bad. The wedding band has gradually evolved from the original plant stem and people today wear wedding bands made from precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. Extravagant wedding bands studded with precious gemstones and diamonds are now quite common. You could wear a simple wedding band made from gold or silver or go for a stunning diamond set wedding band, but the meaning and significance of your wedding band will remain the same. It requires an earnest commitment from the husband and wife to make a marriage work and the relationhip flourish, a wedding band is a symbol of marriage and just one part of the institution of marriage.

Wedding Band, Gold Options:

The gold option for wedding bands would include the consideration of 14k or 18k gold for your wedding band. Another aspect would be the selection of yellow or white gold for the ring and also include the option for a two tone wedding band that combines white and yellow gold in the same ring. The main difference between 14k and 18k gold is the gold content in the two, 14k gold has around 58% pure gold and 42% of an alloy of other metals. 18K gold has 75% of pure gold and 25% of other metal alloys. From this comparison it would appear that, 18k gold with a higher content of pure gold would always be better for making jewelry. However the important fact is that 14k gold is much harder than 18k gold and hardness is important in many jewels. For example, in the case of men's wedding bands or large rings and even wedding bands with many gemstones or diamonds, good hardness is required to make the wedding band sturdy and also keep the gemstones and diamonds firmly mounted. The choice of a 14k wedding band or an 18k wedding band would depend on the size of the ring, the frequency with which the wedding band would be worn, the number of gems and diamonds in the ring and also the conditions in which the ring would be worn.

The choice of a white gold wedding band or a wedding band in yellow gold would largely depend on personal likes and dislikes. Both yellow and white gold wedding bands will have the same degree of hardness. There is one important consideration when choosing the gold color for your wedding band, a dark colored gemstone would appear even darker when set in white gold. This is because of the stark color contrast between the white gold and the dark colored gemstone.

The two tone wedding band offers an interesting option especially in cases where plain wedding bands are made without gemstones or diamonds. You can choose to have a white gold wedding band with only the edges made in yellow gold or vice versa. Even simple diamond wedding bands can be made with the two tone gold option to add a touch of elegance to the ring.

Choosing The Finishing For Your Wedding Band:

The finishing of wedding bands can change the overall look and feel of your ring. There are three main types of finishing used in rings. The first type is the high polish finish which is also the most common. The second type is a dull or brushed finish that is produced by a process referred to as 'sand blasting'. White gold wedding bands with diamonds are quite often made with the dull finish, as this gives the ring a sophisticated and expensive look. It is also possible to combine finish types in the same wedding band. For example, a two tone wedding band could have the entire ring in a dull finish leaving just the edges with a high polish look. The third type of finish is not very common and provides a hammered look to the wedding band. The outside of the ring is created with an uneven surface and is more suited for a man wedding band.

Gemstone Wedding Bands:

Wedding bands with gemstones are getting to be quite popular and the design selections are huge. However, you need to select the right type of gemstone depending on the design of your wedding band. A large gemstone wedding band will make it necessary to create a large band width for the ring and this might not be to your liking. You can also increase the meaning and significance of a wedding band by setting a birthstone in the ring. Some gemstones need special care when jewelry is worn or stored so make sure that your jeweller keeps you well informed. You can check your birthstone from our detailed birthstone charts at this link www.kaisilver.com/birth-chart-stone.htm. Another important thing about a gem stone wedding band is the way the gem stone is set in the ring. Prong type of settings tend to stick in pockets and other places, this causes the gemstone to loosen as the prongs gradually open up. Thin prongs can also poke or scratch delicate skin. A good option for setting the gemstone in your gem stone wedding band is to border the entire gemstone with gold. If the design of your wedding band requires the gem stone to be set using prongs, ensure that the prongs are sturdy and do not include any sharp edges.

Diamond Wedding Band:

Wedding bands with diamonds can be made with a diamond as the main stone of the ring or with diamonds as the side stones. Diamonds are quite expensive especially in larger sizes and this causes the price tag of a diamond wedding band to be quite stiff. There is one important aspect that you should know before buying diamond wedding bands and that is about the appearance of the diamonds. Cheap quality diamonds are available but look awful, these diamonds will be opaque and have a powdery look. When you think of a diamond wedding band you will imagine the glitter and glamour of diamonds on your finger, so make sure that the diamonds in the ring will look gorgeous at least to the naked eye. Such diamonds will not be the best quality but a wedding band with these would look awesome and yet not cost you a fortune. Most jewellers will not want to tell you this as, all they wait want is to push the best diamond at a massive price and reap huge profit margins from a single sale! Diamond wedding bands are generally made in white gold and combined with a dull finish look simply stunning.

Round diamonds are the most common shape and wedding bands with round diamonds are therefore very popular. Next is the square or princess cut diamond that is a good choice for a diamond wedding band. Fancy shaped diamonds include heart shape diamonds, pear shaped diamonds and even trillion shaped diamonds. A wedding band with a fancy shape diamond would carry a premium price tag as fancy shaped diamonds are quite rare and therefore quite expensive.

Most diamonds that we talk of are white diamonds which are actually colorless. You will however notice that quite a few diamond wedding bands have diamonds that are yellow, blue, green or a few other colors. For colored diamonds you have two options, the first option is to use natural colored diamonds which are terribly expensive. The next option is more affordable as, white diamonds are treated to enhance and change color and then available as colored diamonds. You should remember that a diamond that is color enhanced has the same hardness as compared to a naturally white diamond. Colored diamonds are a good choice for wedding bands where diamonds are used as side stones to add accent to the center gem stone. For example, a blue sapphire wedding band could have a prominent blue sapphire in the center with small blue diamonds on either side.

Wedding Band Pair:

Since marriage is a commitment of two individuals staying together for the rest of their lives, a pair of wedding bands symbolises the feeling of togetherness and unity. A wedding band pair is basically two wedding bands with a similar design, one for the bride and the other for the bridegroom. The difference between the rings could be just the size of the wedding band or a difference in gemstones set in the pair of wedding bands. In general, it is expected that, the men's wedding band would have a slightly wider band width as compared to the wedding band worn by the lady. In cases where a wedding band pair is made with birthstones, each ring could have the birthstone of the person wearing the ring. It is now becoming a popular trend to wear wedding band pairs where, the husband and wife exchange their birthstone in each others rings. These rings can be worn as white gold wedding band pairs or as as a pair of wedding bands in yellow gold.

Wedding Bands and Long Term Durability:

This is perhaps the most important issue concerning wedding bands, it is also the issue that is down played the most by sellers and jewellers. As a symbol of life long commitment for two individuals to live together forever, a wedding band should be strong and long lasting. This would mean that wedding bands would be made with good gold weight, good design and gemstones that are durable and well mounted. As expected, buyers are impressed by the design of wedding bands and the price tag! Sellers are aware of this and flood markets with merchandise that is light and flimsy and bearing a 'friendly' price tag. The main point to understand is that these low priced wedding bands are cheap only in the short term. In the long run, you will end up paying expensive repairs and modification costs and this will add up to the final cost of owning the wedding band. In some cases, low gold weight could also mean badly mounted gemstones and diamonds, this could result in the stones dropping off! For stones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and even tanzanite, the cost of gemstone could easily exceed the value of the gold in your wedding band. Replacing such a stone would burn ! a deep hole in your wallet.

Custom Wedding Band:

It is not very difficult to find readymade wedding bands as most jewellers would stock a selection of these rings. However, given the meaning and significance of a wedding band, most buyers would like to have a wedding band that is personalized to their liking and preference. You might come across a wedding band with a stunning design, but the gemstone might not be what you wanted. The gemstone that you prefer may be set in a wedding band that has a lousy design! A custom wedding band can be made with a design of your choice and include the gemstone or diamond that you need. The gold color, ring size, finish type can all be handled as you please. Another important thing to note is that, most readymade wedding bands would be made with the intention of attracting mass markets. This also means that they will compromise on gold weight and also gemstone quality inorder to keep the price tag attractive. For a ring that is as important as a wedding band, you will be better off ordering a custom wedding band where you are not expected to compromise on anything.

You can find a complete report on wedding bands at this link: http://www.weddingband.kaijewels.com/wedding-band-information-kj-01.htm you will also see good examples of how wedding bands should be.

Will be back with more interesting information regarding gemstones and jewelry.

Thanks and God Bless.

Ms.Tuk
http://www.kaisilver.com