Three Things You Should Know About Gold Wedding Bands
When it comes to buying a gold wedding band, things can get confusing fast. What color gold do you want? What karat will suit your lifestyle?
Gold is the most popular choice for wedding bands, and very popular in dress rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches. Gold is easy to accessorize with, and it is durable. There are three things to consider when looking at gold wedding rings.
First, you should look at the karat number. A karat measures the proportion of pure gold mixed with other metal alloy to make up the final metal. There are several karats available for gold, but most men’s wedding bands employ 9-karat, 14-karat and 18-karat. Since an 18-karat ring has a higher proportion of gold than a 14-karat, the 18- karat will be more expensive. Although there are higher karats than an 18-karat ring, it is generally agreed that 22-karat and 24-karat gold is too soft to make men’s wedding rings.
Karat stamps do not indicate the durability and hardness of gold, however. When choosing your wedding band, it is important to consider your own lifestyle. How often will you wear the ring? Do you work with your hands? Could your ring be easily scratched or bent?
Metal hardness is measured by what is called the Vickers scale. The higher the Vickers score, the harder the metal. A 9-karat ring has a Vickers score of 120 and an 18-karat has a score of 125. The difference is so slight that 9-karat and 18-karat rings are much the same in terms of hardness.
Next, you should consider the color of the gold. Gold comes in several colors: yellow, white, rose, bronze, and lime. Wedding bands can also be made using two or three different tones of gold, creating a unique color.
Adding an alloy to the gold creates different colors. For example, rose gold is made using a mix of pure gold with alloys including copper. The copper provides the reddish color. Yellow gold forms from a mixture of pure gold and alloy metals such as copper and zinc, while white gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals (silver and palladium.)
Natural white gold has a gray tinge to it, which is covered up by adding a plating of rhodium. The rhodium also serves to make the jewelry harder, but it does wear off after about 12 to 18 months. You can get your jewelry re-rhodium plated at your local jeweler.
There are many options when it comes to choosing a wedding band, but ultimately you should be certain that the ring you choose is right for you and your lifestyle. After all, the ring is a symbol of your love and marriage, so it should suit you perfectly.
Amanda Trevino is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing-More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. To find more information about wedding bands, please visit International Jewelers.
Clip Earrings: A Pierce-Less Sense of Style
Pierced jewelry is all the rage among both the young and old, celebrities and commoners alike. But for various reasons, a person may be against ear piercings. It could be because ear piercings are a bit of a hassle, and then again it could be because body piercings are prohibited to a person because of religion or other constraints. Clip earrings are therefore very convenient and suitable for some people. Not everybody wants to be pierced, but everybody wants to be fashionable and chic.
Clip earrings are seldom uncomfortable, and even if one is not accustomed to wearing them, they are easy to get used to. These jewelry items are clasped onto the earlobe, then worn like regular pierced earrings. The clips are often strong, so they don't blow away with the wind or get knocked into the nearest sewer drain while the wearer is casually walking down the street. They are also very convenient; easy to slip on or off in a pinch.
Various materials are used to make this user-friendly and fashionable item. From inexpensive plastic to costly gemstones, they also come in a great variety of designs from which to choose. Clip earrings are an excellent alternative to costume jewelry -- that is, stuff you're going to wear once, and then again only during the next blue moon. Jewelry to wear onstage, and only at specific productions, is an example of this. This might be especially attractive to people who seldom wear earrings, but are drawn by the thought of wearing earrings during special occasions. There is then no need for ear piercings, when such a stylish accessory is already at hand.
Children may also prefer clip earrings as these accessories are enjoyable to wear and to collect. Clip earrings are good for mixing and matching, for swapping and other fun activities. Even if one’s ears are already pierced, clip earrings should still be considered -- they may come with uses and "looks" that will pleasantly surprise any person.
Clip earrings are seldom uncomfortable, and even if one is not accustomed to wearing them, they are easy to get used to. These jewelry items are clasped onto the earlobe, then worn like regular pierced earrings. The clips are often strong, so they don't blow away with the wind or get knocked into the nearest sewer drain while the wearer is casually walking down the street. They are also very convenient; easy to slip on or off in a pinch.
Various materials are used to make this user-friendly and fashionable item. From inexpensive plastic to costly gemstones, they also come in a great variety of designs from which to choose. Clip earrings are an excellent alternative to costume jewelry -- that is, stuff you're going to wear once, and then again only during the next blue moon. Jewelry to wear onstage, and only at specific productions, is an example of this. This might be especially attractive to people who seldom wear earrings, but are drawn by the thought of wearing earrings during special occasions. There is then no need for ear piercings, when such a stylish accessory is already at hand.
Children may also prefer clip earrings as these accessories are enjoyable to wear and to collect. Clip earrings are good for mixing and matching, for swapping and other fun activities. Even if one’s ears are already pierced, clip earrings should still be considered -- they may come with uses and "looks" that will pleasantly surprise any person.
The Meaning of Pearls
Just like all the other gemstones, pearls carry a meaning. Historically, the glowing white orbs have been associated with the moon. With the high luster and deep color of pearls, it is no wonder why these natural gemstones have been held in such high regard for thousands of years.
Eastern cultures believe that pearls symbolize purity and spiritual transformation. Simply wearing a pearl reminds the wearer to be honest, pure, wise, and to walk with the utmost dignity. Different colors of pearls bear different meanings. As expected, white pearls symbolize purity, innocence, faith, and honesty. Gold or black pearls symbolize prosperity and riches. Rose or pink pearls work well with the heart Chakra, while all pearls work with the solar plexus Chakra, beneficial for digestion and immunity.
Just like other gemstones, pearls are given to a single month as a birthstone. June is the month of the pearl and many women and men born in the month of June proudly display their pearls to honor this fact. The birthstone chart was first established in the 16th Century, when it was believed fair favor and good luck would fall upon the wearer of their birthstone.
In Christianity, St. Augustine deemed the pearl to be a symbol of Jesus Christ, after evaluating a passage of Biblical text that gives each of the twelve apostles a specific gemstone in their honor. There are actually several passages in the Bible that refer to pearls, the most well known one an allegory about the “pearly gates” of heaven and “casting pearls before swine.”
The Japanese have always held pearls in high esteem, and often associate good luck to those to wear the round beauties. It should be noted that the Japanese only hold meaning for the salt water variety of the pearl, since the round salt water pearls are native to the archipelago chain and have made the island native quite popular due to the innovations of pearl harvesting companies like Mikimoto.
Pearls have been the most popular accessories with bridal wear historically and still continue to be a strong favorite today. The innocence and beauty symbolized by the pearl is also symbolized by the bride, so the match is perfect. From the traditional princess length pearl necklace to a stunning pendant, earrings, or bracelet mixing pearls with other precious gemstones, pearls are a fast favorite for weddings. Even many bridal gowns, veils, and headpieces are adorned with pearls to create a stunningly elegant effect.
Eastern cultures believe that pearls symbolize purity and spiritual transformation. Simply wearing a pearl reminds the wearer to be honest, pure, wise, and to walk with the utmost dignity. Different colors of pearls bear different meanings. As expected, white pearls symbolize purity, innocence, faith, and honesty. Gold or black pearls symbolize prosperity and riches. Rose or pink pearls work well with the heart Chakra, while all pearls work with the solar plexus Chakra, beneficial for digestion and immunity.
Just like other gemstones, pearls are given to a single month as a birthstone. June is the month of the pearl and many women and men born in the month of June proudly display their pearls to honor this fact. The birthstone chart was first established in the 16th Century, when it was believed fair favor and good luck would fall upon the wearer of their birthstone.
In Christianity, St. Augustine deemed the pearl to be a symbol of Jesus Christ, after evaluating a passage of Biblical text that gives each of the twelve apostles a specific gemstone in their honor. There are actually several passages in the Bible that refer to pearls, the most well known one an allegory about the “pearly gates” of heaven and “casting pearls before swine.”
The Japanese have always held pearls in high esteem, and often associate good luck to those to wear the round beauties. It should be noted that the Japanese only hold meaning for the salt water variety of the pearl, since the round salt water pearls are native to the archipelago chain and have made the island native quite popular due to the innovations of pearl harvesting companies like Mikimoto.
Pearls have been the most popular accessories with bridal wear historically and still continue to be a strong favorite today. The innocence and beauty symbolized by the pearl is also symbolized by the bride, so the match is perfect. From the traditional princess length pearl necklace to a stunning pendant, earrings, or bracelet mixing pearls with other precious gemstones, pearls are a fast favorite for weddings. Even many bridal gowns, veils, and headpieces are adorned with pearls to create a stunningly elegant effect.
The Meaning Of Diamond Promise Rings
Diamond promise rings have increased in popularity in recent years. Everyone from celebrity couples to young couples in middle America seems to have them. Promise rings come in a variety of styles and center stones. They can be given for a variety of reasons, but are mostly used by couples intending to marry sometime in the future.
The Meaning of Diamond Promise Rings
Promise rings are usually given as a symbol of love and commitment. They are often given with the intent of becoming engaged at some point in the future. When the intent is commitment and ultimately, marriage, the ring is worn on the left hand. After the engagement, the ring is often switched to the right hand.
This allows the couple to test their commitment to each other prior to making the larger commitment of becoming engaged and getting married. Couples can show their commitment to each other without rushing into an early marriage, which too often ends in divorce. With the high divorce rates, taking it slow is a good idea.
Settings and stones range from simple to extravagant. In general, these are smaller and less expensive than engagement rings. The most common stone used is a diamond in a silver or gold setting, but just about any gemstone can be used. Some use another stone in the center with small diamonds as accents. Some couples use the birthstones of the couple for a more personal statement.
While they are most often given to the woman in the relationship, they are available in your local jewelry store for men as well. This is not a common tradition, but some modern, younger couples are doing this. These rings often carry the birthstones of the couple and are often engraved with initials or a line from a favourite song.
Early Diamond Promise Rings
The Scribbler ring was seen several hundred years ago in Europe. The diamonds in the ring were used to etch messages of love on windows. The diamonds were generally small in terms of carat, but were set in a way that made them sharp and easy to use to scribble on the glass.
French and English Poesy rings date back to Shakespearean times. These were inscribed with either a line from poetry, music or other messages of love. This tradition continues in promise and wedding jewelry, which are sometimes inscribed with initials, the wedding date or other messages.
Other Reasons for Diamond Promise Rings
By far, these rings are most often given as a promise of love and commitment between a man and a woman. However, promise rings can be given for other reasons. One less common reason is in exchange for a promise to remain drug and alcohol free during the teenage years. These pledges are often sought during the spring Prom season.
In some families, they are given from parent to child in exchange for a vow of chastity. This is often seen in Christian families. The child is promising to remain chaste and to not engage in sexual activity prior to marriage. A ring is given by the parent to symbolize this promise.
The Meaning of Diamond Promise Rings
Promise rings are usually given as a symbol of love and commitment. They are often given with the intent of becoming engaged at some point in the future. When the intent is commitment and ultimately, marriage, the ring is worn on the left hand. After the engagement, the ring is often switched to the right hand.
This allows the couple to test their commitment to each other prior to making the larger commitment of becoming engaged and getting married. Couples can show their commitment to each other without rushing into an early marriage, which too often ends in divorce. With the high divorce rates, taking it slow is a good idea.
Settings and stones range from simple to extravagant. In general, these are smaller and less expensive than engagement rings. The most common stone used is a diamond in a silver or gold setting, but just about any gemstone can be used. Some use another stone in the center with small diamonds as accents. Some couples use the birthstones of the couple for a more personal statement.
While they are most often given to the woman in the relationship, they are available in your local jewelry store for men as well. This is not a common tradition, but some modern, younger couples are doing this. These rings often carry the birthstones of the couple and are often engraved with initials or a line from a favourite song.
Early Diamond Promise Rings
The Scribbler ring was seen several hundred years ago in Europe. The diamonds in the ring were used to etch messages of love on windows. The diamonds were generally small in terms of carat, but were set in a way that made them sharp and easy to use to scribble on the glass.
French and English Poesy rings date back to Shakespearean times. These were inscribed with either a line from poetry, music or other messages of love. This tradition continues in promise and wedding jewelry, which are sometimes inscribed with initials, the wedding date or other messages.
Other Reasons for Diamond Promise Rings
By far, these rings are most often given as a promise of love and commitment between a man and a woman. However, promise rings can be given for other reasons. One less common reason is in exchange for a promise to remain drug and alcohol free during the teenage years. These pledges are often sought during the spring Prom season.
In some families, they are given from parent to child in exchange for a vow of chastity. This is often seen in Christian families. The child is promising to remain chaste and to not engage in sexual activity prior to marriage. A ring is given by the parent to symbolize this promise.
Jewelry that speaks your style
This winter, the jewelry fashion fad is bold and beautiful, colorful and flirty. Although, diamonds are very popular with women, jewelry designers and jewelry lovers find colored gemstones more interesting due to their wide range of shape, color, size, and the variety of other jewelry they easily mix with. Not only this, but colored gemstones are more reasonably priced than ever. So with colored gemstones you can play with color and at the same time make a fashion statement that lasts.
Earrings
If pearls and diamond studs are all you have in your jewelry box, it's time for change.Trendy dangling earrings are the perfect start to the new, fashionable you. Worn with anything from a tight black high neck to a spaghetti or sleeveless top, dangling earrings are simply sexy. Wear them with your hair pulled back and some shiny gloss for your next trip. You'll even be able to divert your man from the baseball game he bet on.
Necklaces
This holiday season, the kinds of necklaces making the biggest fashion statements are long and bold in design, or simple but worn in multiple long layers. Flirty, soft, subdued colors are especially prominent in these designs, as are eclectic beads and charms. If you're not into long, swing necklaces, consider shorter chains with colored gemstone pendants with vibrant colors and a brilliant allure.
Bracelets
This season bangle bracelets have retuned with a vengeance! Bangles look splendid whether thick or thin, colorful or mono-tone, and whether worn single or stacked for extra style. Bangles, these days have emerged as one of the most fashionable jewelry accessories. Designers have become very artistic with bangles, wrapping them with wire, beads, natural fibers, and fabrics are the latest trend. Fashionable bangles are perfect choice for jazzing up less-elaborate,cozy outfits (like the basic black sweater and jeans).
Finger rings
Rings continue to be bold, stylish and trendy, with flirty colorful stones or enamels. As with other jewelry, gold, with its different tones, is reining best. Gemstone rings with diamond are the way to go. Similar to the season’s fashion in necklaces, rings can also be stacked for additional style. If you choose to wear bangles and rings together, choose pieces that will praise each other.
The arcane is in being decked-up but still not over-doing it. If you prefer to wear rings and bracelets, wear hoops for earrings. And if you prefer to sass it up with bold dangling earrings, keep it low on other jewelry. You can go for gemstones. Gemstones can be found in various colors. You can choose colors that match your wardrobe and designs that add that extra jazz and spice-up your appearance. Mix gemstones with different colors and diamond accents for extra vogue for the best collection of gemstones at the best .
Earrings
If pearls and diamond studs are all you have in your jewelry box, it's time for change.Trendy dangling earrings are the perfect start to the new, fashionable you. Worn with anything from a tight black high neck to a spaghetti or sleeveless top, dangling earrings are simply sexy. Wear them with your hair pulled back and some shiny gloss for your next trip. You'll even be able to divert your man from the baseball game he bet on.
Necklaces
This holiday season, the kinds of necklaces making the biggest fashion statements are long and bold in design, or simple but worn in multiple long layers. Flirty, soft, subdued colors are especially prominent in these designs, as are eclectic beads and charms. If you're not into long, swing necklaces, consider shorter chains with colored gemstone pendants with vibrant colors and a brilliant allure.
Bracelets
This season bangle bracelets have retuned with a vengeance! Bangles look splendid whether thick or thin, colorful or mono-tone, and whether worn single or stacked for extra style. Bangles, these days have emerged as one of the most fashionable jewelry accessories. Designers have become very artistic with bangles, wrapping them with wire, beads, natural fibers, and fabrics are the latest trend. Fashionable bangles are perfect choice for jazzing up less-elaborate,cozy outfits (like the basic black sweater and jeans).
Finger rings
Rings continue to be bold, stylish and trendy, with flirty colorful stones or enamels. As with other jewelry, gold, with its different tones, is reining best. Gemstone rings with diamond are the way to go. Similar to the season’s fashion in necklaces, rings can also be stacked for additional style. If you choose to wear bangles and rings together, choose pieces that will praise each other.
The arcane is in being decked-up but still not over-doing it. If you prefer to wear rings and bracelets, wear hoops for earrings. And if you prefer to sass it up with bold dangling earrings, keep it low on other jewelry. You can go for gemstones. Gemstones can be found in various colors. You can choose colors that match your wardrobe and designs that add that extra jazz and spice-up your appearance. Mix gemstones with different colors and diamond accents for extra vogue for the best collection of gemstones at the best .
Body Jewelry Enhancing The Beauty Of Your Body
Since early epoch body bracelets has been a part of the guild and heritage of different religions. It has been known to be a crucial part of the clothing and appearance of the people in many regions of the world. At different parts of time through the centuries it was also worn to denote the taste demarcations prevalent in society at that situation of time. However in latest time it has acquired a new dimension. Body bracelets have never been in such high challenge. The being body is not simply a body, it is a piece of art which has its own natural beauty and body charms is the precise way to enhance the beauty of your body. Not only can you beautify your body with it, but you can also use it to give into focus certain parts of your body or to enhance the beauty of certain parts.
Body earrings matter are generally for particular seats on the creature body. These more joint places for body necklaces involve the nose, eyebrow, nipple, ear lobes and marine, along with ear plugs (both rounded and square barbells). As trend trends keep altering, the numerous parts where you can use body charms and the behavior in which you can use it also keeps varying. Nose body earrings comes each in the classic attentive circular barbell, or as a nose screw. The nose screwed can whichever be jeweled or simple, depending leading your preference. Eyebrow body earrings is alike to that of the nose, in the sensation that the eyebrow body charms also has the small detainee barbell. This is now being made with a floppy, luminous charm to suspend from the superior most part of your eyebrow barbell. The eyebrow body jewels can be both curved or undiluted with a charm of any adapt or affect hanging from the top.
Nipple and maritime body rings are one of the more trendy types of body rings, it sis especially popular among the youth or the more adventurous in phantom. Nipple body bracelets includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. Naval body trinkets designs are also endless. Whatever kind of body ornaments you use or wear it is important to keep some pointers in view. Such as what kind of pertinent is the given body jewels made off, is your skin allergic to it and is the painful for the body earrings has done in a sterile and antiseptic environment. This kind of bracelets is presented for almost every conceivable part of your body. There are endless styles, designs, insignia and textures in which body charms is made. Whatever your budget, whether it is low end or high end; body jewelry is available in every array to ensemble your purloin as well as your tastes.
Body earrings matter are generally for particular seats on the creature body. These more joint places for body necklaces involve the nose, eyebrow, nipple, ear lobes and marine, along with ear plugs (both rounded and square barbells). As trend trends keep altering, the numerous parts where you can use body charms and the behavior in which you can use it also keeps varying. Nose body earrings comes each in the classic attentive circular barbell, or as a nose screw. The nose screwed can whichever be jeweled or simple, depending leading your preference. Eyebrow body earrings is alike to that of the nose, in the sensation that the eyebrow body charms also has the small detainee barbell. This is now being made with a floppy, luminous charm to suspend from the superior most part of your eyebrow barbell. The eyebrow body jewels can be both curved or undiluted with a charm of any adapt or affect hanging from the top.
Nipple and maritime body rings are one of the more trendy types of body rings, it sis especially popular among the youth or the more adventurous in phantom. Nipple body bracelets includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. Naval body trinkets designs are also endless. Whatever kind of body ornaments you use or wear it is important to keep some pointers in view. Such as what kind of pertinent is the given body jewels made off, is your skin allergic to it and is the painful for the body earrings has done in a sterile and antiseptic environment. This kind of bracelets is presented for almost every conceivable part of your body. There are endless styles, designs, insignia and textures in which body charms is made. Whatever your budget, whether it is low end or high end; body jewelry is available in every array to ensemble your purloin as well as your tastes.
The Original Blue Gemstone
Perhaps lapis lazuli is the oldest of the rocks to be considered a gemstone. Its beautiful deep blue was prized by pharaohs in ancient Egypt and continues to be prized today. The finest specimens are lightly dusted with minute flecks of golden pyrite, which identify the stone as genuine.
The most beautiful lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan, where the mines which are worked today might well have been in operation to get the stones for the pharaohs. Lapis has also been found in the Andes, and to some extent in Russia, Angola, Burma, Canada and in California and Colorado in the USA, but no stone from these places is the vibrant intense blue of that from Afghanistan.
The ancient Egyptians favored lapis lazuli for amulets and the Assyrians and Babylonians used it for seals. Egyptian ladies used powdered lapis as eye shadow and the Romans thought it a powerful aphrodisiac. Artists using blue colors in Medieval Illuminated manuscripts and Renaissance paintings found the ultramarine tempera paint derived from lapis lazuli to be very expensive. When oil paint was introduced during the Renaissance, artists found that the beautiful blue was diminished when mixed with oil, so the use of ultramarine declined. Most artists today use synthetic versions of blue colors, but there are a few pigment companies that still produce the genuine ultramarine.
Lapis lazuli can polished to make beautiful jewelry, and can be carved into figurines, statuettes and vases. Near the Euphrates River in the lower regions of Iraq, the ancient Sumerian tombs yielded thousands of carved artifacts of lapis lazuli, and in parts of Afghanistan, artisan craftsmen are still using this beautiful stone.
The most beautiful lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan, where the mines which are worked today might well have been in operation to get the stones for the pharaohs. Lapis has also been found in the Andes, and to some extent in Russia, Angola, Burma, Canada and in California and Colorado in the USA, but no stone from these places is the vibrant intense blue of that from Afghanistan.
The ancient Egyptians favored lapis lazuli for amulets and the Assyrians and Babylonians used it for seals. Egyptian ladies used powdered lapis as eye shadow and the Romans thought it a powerful aphrodisiac. Artists using blue colors in Medieval Illuminated manuscripts and Renaissance paintings found the ultramarine tempera paint derived from lapis lazuli to be very expensive. When oil paint was introduced during the Renaissance, artists found that the beautiful blue was diminished when mixed with oil, so the use of ultramarine declined. Most artists today use synthetic versions of blue colors, but there are a few pigment companies that still produce the genuine ultramarine.
Lapis lazuli can polished to make beautiful jewelry, and can be carved into figurines, statuettes and vases. Near the Euphrates River in the lower regions of Iraq, the ancient Sumerian tombs yielded thousands of carved artifacts of lapis lazuli, and in parts of Afghanistan, artisan craftsmen are still using this beautiful stone.
Personalized Jewelry For Mothers
Looking for a great present for your mother, the woman who gave birth to you, raised you, and was there for you every step of the way? What can you give her that she would love, and at the same time would remind her of you, and her grandchildren?
Give Mom personalized jewelry - personalized jewelry is a great gift for a Mother and it could be personalized with different things, such as a names, initials, birthstones and many other things. The best thing about it is that it can be personalized with Mother's name, or names and initials of her kids and grandkids. This will make the piece of jewelry one of a kind, and your Mom will know that you picked the gift just for her.
Here are tips to help you find a perfect piece of personalized jewelry for your Mom. Here are our tips to help you find that perfect personalized jewelry:
- Personalized Rings. Personalized rings make great gifts for Mothers. You may get a personalized ring with Mom's name on it, or Mom's initials.
Or, make the ring really memorable, by choosing a ring personalized with birthstones. You may pick a ring personalized with family's birthstones - Mom's, Dad's kids' and grandkids' birthstones, all in one ring. Every time Mom looks at the ring, she will think about her family - this personalized ring will be a very special gift, she will always treasure.
- Personalized Necklaces and Pendants. Usually personalized necklaces is something that the younger crowd wears. A necklace, personalized with the person's first name has been a hot item a few years ago. However, these necklaces are good gifts for Moms too.
There are necklaces that say Mom or Grandma, which will also make a great gift for Mom. Or, you can have a personalized pendant made for Mom, the pendant would be personalized with Mom's birthstone and the birthstones of her children and grandchildren. How cool is that?
- Personalized Bracelets are also very popular gifts for Mothers, and there are many to choose from. Some bracelets are personalized with Mom's name. Others may be personalized with Mother's and childrens names. Yet, others may have her birthstone or a combination of her and childrens' birthstones on it, making it one of a kind bracelet just for her.
Next time when you are looking for a gift for Mom, get her a personalized piece of jewelry. You will be glad you did - she will love it!
Give Mom personalized jewelry - personalized jewelry is a great gift for a Mother and it could be personalized with different things, such as a names, initials, birthstones and many other things. The best thing about it is that it can be personalized with Mother's name, or names and initials of her kids and grandkids. This will make the piece of jewelry one of a kind, and your Mom will know that you picked the gift just for her.
Here are tips to help you find a perfect piece of personalized jewelry for your Mom. Here are our tips to help you find that perfect personalized jewelry:
- Personalized Rings. Personalized rings make great gifts for Mothers. You may get a personalized ring with Mom's name on it, or Mom's initials.
Or, make the ring really memorable, by choosing a ring personalized with birthstones. You may pick a ring personalized with family's birthstones - Mom's, Dad's kids' and grandkids' birthstones, all in one ring. Every time Mom looks at the ring, she will think about her family - this personalized ring will be a very special gift, she will always treasure.
- Personalized Necklaces and Pendants. Usually personalized necklaces is something that the younger crowd wears. A necklace, personalized with the person's first name has been a hot item a few years ago. However, these necklaces are good gifts for Moms too.
There are necklaces that say Mom or Grandma, which will also make a great gift for Mom. Or, you can have a personalized pendant made for Mom, the pendant would be personalized with Mom's birthstone and the birthstones of her children and grandchildren. How cool is that?
- Personalized Bracelets are also very popular gifts for Mothers, and there are many to choose from. Some bracelets are personalized with Mom's name. Others may be personalized with Mother's and childrens names. Yet, others may have her birthstone or a combination of her and childrens' birthstones on it, making it one of a kind bracelet just for her.
Next time when you are looking for a gift for Mom, get her a personalized piece of jewelry. You will be glad you did - she will love it!
How To Give The Gift Of Fine Jewelry
Fine jewelry is one of the most luxurious and exquisite gifts that you can give for a holiday or a special occasion. However, picking out the perfect piece for a loved one isn’t always easy. Everyone has their own unique tastes when it comes to fine jewelry, so choosing a piece that the recipient will wear often requires full knowledge of that person’s style and preferences. The temptation is often to spend the most possible money, with the idea that the larger the precious stones the more beautiful the jewelry will be. However, more often than not, a smart choice is not always the most expensive item, but is the item that best suits the wardrobe and the eye of the person who you are shopping for.
If you are planning to purchase a piece of fine jewelry, it is a good idea to make time for several trips to more than one store so that you can have the time you need to compare prices and styles across several different vendors. Before you set off on your shopping trip, try to make a thorough examination of the kinds of jewelry your intended recipient already owns. This will keep you from making a redundant purchase, but more importantly it can give you a guide that will help you choose the perfect piece or set of fine jewelry. Make notes about what kind of stones are most prevalent in the existing set of jewelry. Although many women and men enjoy having a wide variety of stones, it is often a good idea to choose a piece that will match well with earrings, necklaces, and rings that person already owns. If you discover a jewelry box that is already filled with rubies, for example, you would probably do well to choose an item that includes rubies so the recipient can wear the item with matching pieces that are already a part of his or her regular jewelry repertoire. Also notice whether the person you are shopping for tends to prefer single large stones that make a bold statement, or whether his or her collection includes mostly items that combine many small stones for a more delicate and refined look.
If you are not terribly knowledgeable about jewelry styles in terms of modern versus classical settings, avant garde versus conservative pieces, or any of the other spectrums along which fine jewelry falls; pictures can provide a valuable tool in helping you make your purchase. Take simple snapshots or Polaroid photos of some of the recipient’s favorite items, and bring them with you when you shop. A salesclerk with a trained eye will probably be able to glean important information from these pictures, and will then be able to steer you towards pieces of fine jewelry that are similar in terms of style. This can help you make sure that the money you spend on fine jewelry as a gift is money well spent, because the more specifically a piece suits the taste of the recipient, the more often he or she will be likely to wear it.
If you are planning to purchase a piece of fine jewelry, it is a good idea to make time for several trips to more than one store so that you can have the time you need to compare prices and styles across several different vendors. Before you set off on your shopping trip, try to make a thorough examination of the kinds of jewelry your intended recipient already owns. This will keep you from making a redundant purchase, but more importantly it can give you a guide that will help you choose the perfect piece or set of fine jewelry. Make notes about what kind of stones are most prevalent in the existing set of jewelry. Although many women and men enjoy having a wide variety of stones, it is often a good idea to choose a piece that will match well with earrings, necklaces, and rings that person already owns. If you discover a jewelry box that is already filled with rubies, for example, you would probably do well to choose an item that includes rubies so the recipient can wear the item with matching pieces that are already a part of his or her regular jewelry repertoire. Also notice whether the person you are shopping for tends to prefer single large stones that make a bold statement, or whether his or her collection includes mostly items that combine many small stones for a more delicate and refined look.
If you are not terribly knowledgeable about jewelry styles in terms of modern versus classical settings, avant garde versus conservative pieces, or any of the other spectrums along which fine jewelry falls; pictures can provide a valuable tool in helping you make your purchase. Take simple snapshots or Polaroid photos of some of the recipient’s favorite items, and bring them with you when you shop. A salesclerk with a trained eye will probably be able to glean important information from these pictures, and will then be able to steer you towards pieces of fine jewelry that are similar in terms of style. This can help you make sure that the money you spend on fine jewelry as a gift is money well spent, because the more specifically a piece suits the taste of the recipient, the more often he or she will be likely to wear it.
Mens Watches
If you ask a given sample of men as to what, according to them, is the most important accessory of all, chances are that a majority of them would say that it is a watch.
Watch is the essential style statement for men, women, and believe it or faint, even for children. So it’s important that you keep a few pointers in mind while purchasing men’s watches.
The Lifestyle Choice
If you want to choose according to your lifestyle then it would be a pretty good idea if you have different watches for work and play. If you choose a men's watch taking into consideration the lifestyle of a particular person, then it will definitely make for more variety. A person going for a formal watch should take care to select something that is classy or long-lasting in terms of style.
Pick the right watch for a particular occasion. Do not select a watch that measures heights, has a compass, digital display, and the likes for a formal occasion or formal party. Such watches are best kept for non-formal occasions. In the end, whether you like it or not the lifestyle might be the only thing that dictates the choice of a watch. Everything else is secondary.
Feasibility of a Stainless-Steel Bracelet
A person looking for a practical watch might just prefer a watch with a stainless steel bracelet. It can be a more practical option than a leather strap or bracelet is because it radiates class as well as an informal look. A watch with a stainless steel bracelet can not only be worn on formal occasion but also as a casual wear.
If you are willing to spend a good bit of money then a gold strap is also a pretty good option, but you might want to be careful of the image that it will portray.
The Face of the Watch
The size of the face must be in sync with the size of the wrist that is wearing the watch. If a man’s wrist is big, then even a watch with a standard sized face will end up looking like a ladies watch. Today, you will get a host of options to choose from when it comes to the sizes or the face of the watch. Make sure that the size you buy is compatible with the size of the wrist.
However, watches with a bigger watch face have become all the rage now, and whether the person is big or not, he prefers a watch whose face is larger than the standard size. Whatever may be the case, there is no doubt that such watches are great to look at.
The Resistance to Water
All watches these days, come with a water resistant tag attached to it. However, the point is until and unless it comes to the well-known brands, watches have found to be wanting in this regard. You must be well aware as to the extent of water resistance in the watches. You might choose to wear your water resistant watch in pouring rain, and come home to find that your watch has stopped working.
So be very careful as to this feature. The best way is to keep your watch away from water as much as can be helped.
When it comes to men’s watches, the choices are enough to make a mind boggle. You must be price conscious and style conscious. If purchasing a gift, bear in mind the interest and personality of the person that you are buying it for. You might like a watch but the man you are getting it for, might not like it. So put yourself into his shoes to know what he would like and dislike. Only then make your choice!
Watch is the essential style statement for men, women, and believe it or faint, even for children. So it’s important that you keep a few pointers in mind while purchasing men’s watches.
The Lifestyle Choice
If you want to choose according to your lifestyle then it would be a pretty good idea if you have different watches for work and play. If you choose a men's watch taking into consideration the lifestyle of a particular person, then it will definitely make for more variety. A person going for a formal watch should take care to select something that is classy or long-lasting in terms of style.
Pick the right watch for a particular occasion. Do not select a watch that measures heights, has a compass, digital display, and the likes for a formal occasion or formal party. Such watches are best kept for non-formal occasions. In the end, whether you like it or not the lifestyle might be the only thing that dictates the choice of a watch. Everything else is secondary.
Feasibility of a Stainless-Steel Bracelet
A person looking for a practical watch might just prefer a watch with a stainless steel bracelet. It can be a more practical option than a leather strap or bracelet is because it radiates class as well as an informal look. A watch with a stainless steel bracelet can not only be worn on formal occasion but also as a casual wear.
If you are willing to spend a good bit of money then a gold strap is also a pretty good option, but you might want to be careful of the image that it will portray.
The Face of the Watch
The size of the face must be in sync with the size of the wrist that is wearing the watch. If a man’s wrist is big, then even a watch with a standard sized face will end up looking like a ladies watch. Today, you will get a host of options to choose from when it comes to the sizes or the face of the watch. Make sure that the size you buy is compatible with the size of the wrist.
However, watches with a bigger watch face have become all the rage now, and whether the person is big or not, he prefers a watch whose face is larger than the standard size. Whatever may be the case, there is no doubt that such watches are great to look at.
The Resistance to Water
All watches these days, come with a water resistant tag attached to it. However, the point is until and unless it comes to the well-known brands, watches have found to be wanting in this regard. You must be well aware as to the extent of water resistance in the watches. You might choose to wear your water resistant watch in pouring rain, and come home to find that your watch has stopped working.
So be very careful as to this feature. The best way is to keep your watch away from water as much as can be helped.
When it comes to men’s watches, the choices are enough to make a mind boggle. You must be price conscious and style conscious. If purchasing a gift, bear in mind the interest and personality of the person that you are buying it for. You might like a watch but the man you are getting it for, might not like it. So put yourself into his shoes to know what he would like and dislike. Only then make your choice!
Protect Your Jewelry When Traveling
If you have travel plans in your future, think carefully if you really need to take all your expensive jewelry. The risk of theft, loss and damage increases as soon as you start your trip because you are in new surroundings, doing new activities and often in tourist areas that are the target of pickpockets, thieves and con artists.
If you are traveling out of the country, check to be sure your jewelry insurance covers your property when you are traveling outside the United States. Because the risk of theft is so much higher in foreign countries, some insurance companies only provide domestic coverage.
To avoid inviting crime, plan to dress inconspicuously to blend into the environment, especially when in another country. When traveling internationally, consider taking and wearing no jewelry. Criminals assume all tourists are wealthy so if you choose to wear jewelry, turn rings around so the diamonds are not showing and avoid dangling earrings. Large, expensive-looking jewelry is an attractive target and it is easy to snatch dangling earrings.
It is never wise to put jewelry items in checked baggage, especially with security personnel going through your belongings. The percentage of bags lost by airlines continues to increase and their liability for your lost luggage is very limited. Keep your jewelry and other valuables like money, keys, wallets, tickets, cameras, and medications in your carryon luggage. If airport security requires going through your carryon, request a private place so other travelers will not see your valuables.
Be especially careful with your valuables in hotel rooms because they are open to cleaning personnel several times a day and safes in hotel rooms are not particularly secure. How many times have you walked by hotel rooms with doors wide open and cleaning crews not visible? Professional criminals know the cleaning procedures and can quickly enter your room when cleaning service personnel are not looking.
If you do not put your jewelry in your luggage or leave it in your hotel room, that means you are carrying it with you but that can be a problem at the security checks at airports or when carrying something all day as you travel or are sightseeing. Many valuables disappear after being left for a few moments in a bag at a restaurant, transportation waiting room, restroom, or ticket line. Thieves patiently wait for travelers to let their guard down for just a minute and grab their bag without anyone noticing.
Theft is only one of the risks when traveling. Often a vacation includes some time at the beach, pool or hot tub. The sand and concrete can easily scratch precious metals in jewelry as well as gemstones that are not as hard as diamonds. Chlorine can also weaken and discolor precious metals. Travelers often expose their jewelry to risks they would never think of doing at home.
Carrying jewelry when traveling also needs some special care. Diamonds, gemstones and metal can scratch each other if carried together in a single bag. Place fine jewelry in separate cloth bags or put in separate compartments of a jewelry bag made for travel. Then be sure to carry the jewelry case in a purse or carryon.
The purpose of most vacations is to relax, not to impress the locals, so minimize jewelry when traveling. If you do take jewelry, be aware that you are in new and potentially dangerous surroundings. Take special care of your valuables and enjoy your trip.
If you are traveling out of the country, check to be sure your jewelry insurance covers your property when you are traveling outside the United States. Because the risk of theft is so much higher in foreign countries, some insurance companies only provide domestic coverage.
To avoid inviting crime, plan to dress inconspicuously to blend into the environment, especially when in another country. When traveling internationally, consider taking and wearing no jewelry. Criminals assume all tourists are wealthy so if you choose to wear jewelry, turn rings around so the diamonds are not showing and avoid dangling earrings. Large, expensive-looking jewelry is an attractive target and it is easy to snatch dangling earrings.
It is never wise to put jewelry items in checked baggage, especially with security personnel going through your belongings. The percentage of bags lost by airlines continues to increase and their liability for your lost luggage is very limited. Keep your jewelry and other valuables like money, keys, wallets, tickets, cameras, and medications in your carryon luggage. If airport security requires going through your carryon, request a private place so other travelers will not see your valuables.
Be especially careful with your valuables in hotel rooms because they are open to cleaning personnel several times a day and safes in hotel rooms are not particularly secure. How many times have you walked by hotel rooms with doors wide open and cleaning crews not visible? Professional criminals know the cleaning procedures and can quickly enter your room when cleaning service personnel are not looking.
If you do not put your jewelry in your luggage or leave it in your hotel room, that means you are carrying it with you but that can be a problem at the security checks at airports or when carrying something all day as you travel or are sightseeing. Many valuables disappear after being left for a few moments in a bag at a restaurant, transportation waiting room, restroom, or ticket line. Thieves patiently wait for travelers to let their guard down for just a minute and grab their bag without anyone noticing.
Theft is only one of the risks when traveling. Often a vacation includes some time at the beach, pool or hot tub. The sand and concrete can easily scratch precious metals in jewelry as well as gemstones that are not as hard as diamonds. Chlorine can also weaken and discolor precious metals. Travelers often expose their jewelry to risks they would never think of doing at home.
Carrying jewelry when traveling also needs some special care. Diamonds, gemstones and metal can scratch each other if carried together in a single bag. Place fine jewelry in separate cloth bags or put in separate compartments of a jewelry bag made for travel. Then be sure to carry the jewelry case in a purse or carryon.
The purpose of most vacations is to relax, not to impress the locals, so minimize jewelry when traveling. If you do take jewelry, be aware that you are in new and potentially dangerous surroundings. Take special care of your valuables and enjoy your trip.
5 Top Tips for Buying Native American Indian Bracelets
Nothing allows you to express your personality, feel closer to the spirit of traditional American culture, and add something truly unique and personal to your life like wearing an authentic Native American bracelet on your wrist. But how do you safely choose a real, attractive piece that also says the right things about you?
The wonderful craftsmanship, striking appeal, and fun originality of Native American Indian bracelets make them the top choice for the person who wants to wear something a little different than everyone else and own a unique piece of jewelry. However, the range of styles, the unknown authenticity, and the difficulty of finding the right store can make the choice difficult.
Fortunately, the selection of your Native American bracelet doesn't have to be difficult at all. Once you know a few easy points to keep in mind, you can relax and shop to your heart's content, without that fear of making the wrong choice or ending up with a bracelet that isn't right for you.
<b>1. Turquoise bracelets come in many varieties.</b>
Everyone has a different mental image spring up when they hear "turquoise bracelets." You may picture large stones, closely spaced and reaching orderly around the wrist. Or you may think of a circular, mandala-like arrangement of smaller blue-green stones on a centerpiece on the top of the wrist, with the band wrapping around underneath.
In fact, the use of turquoise in Native American bracelets is varied, often used in conjunction with other, multi-colored stones or clever use of silver and other metals. Often, the best piece will include one or two small turquoise pieces to accentuate other colors and textures. Then again, some pieces employ turquoise stones as their main feature, and do so with the utmost craft and beauty.
It is up to you which suits you, but you can shop secure in the knowledge that Native American turquoise retains its beauty even as other trends come and go.
<b>2. Simplicity is beautiful.</b>
It is entirely possible that the piece that speaks to you the best is very simple in design. Perhaps it is a silver band with a simple twisted pattern, or a restrained series of ridges. Maybe your look and personality are accented best by a bracelet with a single, large stone of turquoise or other mineral - just a splash of color to catch the eye. Complicated designs and details may look good in the shop display case, but aren't necessarily the type of Native American bracelet that suit your taste.
<b>3. Intricacy is beautiful.</b>
On the other hand, the intriguingly intricate designs of an elaborately-crafted bracelet can be the conversation piece that sparks confidence, inspiration, and even admiring comments from others! The obvious genius that has gone into a bracelet with clever juxtapositions of its carvings, stamps, stones and/or silverwork can be just the thing that heightens your daily experience and communicates to others just what you want to say.
<b>4. Only shop at places that offer buyer protection.</b>
The most comfortable, free way to shop is when you know that your purchase is backed by a reputable company. In this internet age, the best place to buy Native American bracelets is online, through websites that offer protection to the buyer.
For example, the web's premier auction house, eBay, always has hundreds of listings featuring one-of-a-kind Native American bracelets and other jewelry. eBay features an extensive system to ensure buyers are happy; you can contact the seller before bidding, check comments from the seller's previous customers, send payment safely with your credit card through PayPal, keep your private information hidden, and even appeal to eBay when an item is not as described.
Furthermore, eBay listings feature one or more pictures of the item, as well as its dimensions and, often, the piece's history. In short, you should stick to places like eBay that bring together sellers and buyers with several layers of protection for you. The biggest sites became big thanks to buyer satisfaction, which they take very seriously.
<b>5. Nobody knows what you need like you do!</b>
Sellers will try their best to use flowery language and convincing descriptions to get your business. However, only YOU know what is right for you. And as long as you are happy about the financial protection you as a shopper are receiving, you can tune all of that out and just get the Native American bracelet that speaks to you the loudest. YOU know which one that is... it's just a matter of looking until you find it! Look at websites like <a href="http://native-american-store.fournotes.com">http://native-american-store.fournotes.com</a> for the widest selection of bracelets and sellers. Choice is always good!
Whether buying a lovely Native American bracelet for yourself, or as a gift for a friend or family member, it's important to remember that there are very easy ways to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. You want to be sure the bracelet is authentic, the seller is reputable, and the design suits the person it will be adorning. Use the tips in this article and you are virtually assured of being happy with your beautiful, exclusive bracelet!
The wonderful craftsmanship, striking appeal, and fun originality of Native American Indian bracelets make them the top choice for the person who wants to wear something a little different than everyone else and own a unique piece of jewelry. However, the range of styles, the unknown authenticity, and the difficulty of finding the right store can make the choice difficult.
Fortunately, the selection of your Native American bracelet doesn't have to be difficult at all. Once you know a few easy points to keep in mind, you can relax and shop to your heart's content, without that fear of making the wrong choice or ending up with a bracelet that isn't right for you.
<b>1. Turquoise bracelets come in many varieties.</b>
Everyone has a different mental image spring up when they hear "turquoise bracelets." You may picture large stones, closely spaced and reaching orderly around the wrist. Or you may think of a circular, mandala-like arrangement of smaller blue-green stones on a centerpiece on the top of the wrist, with the band wrapping around underneath.
In fact, the use of turquoise in Native American bracelets is varied, often used in conjunction with other, multi-colored stones or clever use of silver and other metals. Often, the best piece will include one or two small turquoise pieces to accentuate other colors and textures. Then again, some pieces employ turquoise stones as their main feature, and do so with the utmost craft and beauty.
It is up to you which suits you, but you can shop secure in the knowledge that Native American turquoise retains its beauty even as other trends come and go.
<b>2. Simplicity is beautiful.</b>
It is entirely possible that the piece that speaks to you the best is very simple in design. Perhaps it is a silver band with a simple twisted pattern, or a restrained series of ridges. Maybe your look and personality are accented best by a bracelet with a single, large stone of turquoise or other mineral - just a splash of color to catch the eye. Complicated designs and details may look good in the shop display case, but aren't necessarily the type of Native American bracelet that suit your taste.
<b>3. Intricacy is beautiful.</b>
On the other hand, the intriguingly intricate designs of an elaborately-crafted bracelet can be the conversation piece that sparks confidence, inspiration, and even admiring comments from others! The obvious genius that has gone into a bracelet with clever juxtapositions of its carvings, stamps, stones and/or silverwork can be just the thing that heightens your daily experience and communicates to others just what you want to say.
<b>4. Only shop at places that offer buyer protection.</b>
The most comfortable, free way to shop is when you know that your purchase is backed by a reputable company. In this internet age, the best place to buy Native American bracelets is online, through websites that offer protection to the buyer.
For example, the web's premier auction house, eBay, always has hundreds of listings featuring one-of-a-kind Native American bracelets and other jewelry. eBay features an extensive system to ensure buyers are happy; you can contact the seller before bidding, check comments from the seller's previous customers, send payment safely with your credit card through PayPal, keep your private information hidden, and even appeal to eBay when an item is not as described.
Furthermore, eBay listings feature one or more pictures of the item, as well as its dimensions and, often, the piece's history. In short, you should stick to places like eBay that bring together sellers and buyers with several layers of protection for you. The biggest sites became big thanks to buyer satisfaction, which they take very seriously.
<b>5. Nobody knows what you need like you do!</b>
Sellers will try their best to use flowery language and convincing descriptions to get your business. However, only YOU know what is right for you. And as long as you are happy about the financial protection you as a shopper are receiving, you can tune all of that out and just get the Native American bracelet that speaks to you the loudest. YOU know which one that is... it's just a matter of looking until you find it! Look at websites like <a href="http://native-american-store.fournotes.com">http://native-american-store.fournotes.com</a> for the widest selection of bracelets and sellers. Choice is always good!
Whether buying a lovely Native American bracelet for yourself, or as a gift for a friend or family member, it's important to remember that there are very easy ways to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. You want to be sure the bracelet is authentic, the seller is reputable, and the design suits the person it will be adorning. Use the tips in this article and you are virtually assured of being happy with your beautiful, exclusive bracelet!
Choosing a Perfect Wedding Ring - Lifetime Of Gold or Silver
Do not forget the ring a saying famously drummed into the best man before the wedding, well that goes for the future bride/Groom as well. With all wedding preparations it is quite easy to slip your mind to buy the most important item that makes the wedding ceremony a memorable one. The wedding ring is so important because it bonds two people together and it is the exchange of wedding rings that finalize the vow (I do).
Do a check list of all your wedding plans and be sure that choosing a perfect wedding ring is one of your top priorities besides turning up on the day?
Choosing a wedding ring is not as simple as you think, much thought is needed behind your chosen design. What you have to remember the wedding band binds the happy couple together forever. This ornate piece of Jewelry with so much meaning will be worn every day so we need to choose something pretty special.
Back to your budget which will play an important role when making your choice, because of the penny shortage does not mean that you can not have that piece of warm gold or cool silver, if precious stones were to be embedded or mounted in your actual design then dont expect to many diamonds with just a fist full of dollars.
Jewelry materials like what is used in wedding rings have evolved over the years.
Popular is the 14K/18 yellow gold which you will find more of a favourable option worldwide. Close on its heels is the white gold gaining more popularity by the day.
Why not consider platinum, known to be one of the hardest metals and once again a fine choice in a wedding ring. Platinum is a durable material and therefore able to hold up to any wear and tear. Platinum wedding rings look very similar to rings made of white gold which many can be excused for the mix up but at the end of the day both look stylish and elegant. However, platinum wedding rings are more expensive.
For the man it has to be Titanium which is becoming a favourite among the male species. It is light and long lasting and far less expensive as platinum. Once again Titanium wedding rings can be mistaken for the white gold in appearance.
Styles and what to choose is where you come in, only you know what you are looking for therefore it is wise to shop around before making the final decision, you would never forgive yourself if you see a cheaper ring around the corner and more beautiful. There are so many designs and styles to choose from. You have traditional plain bands to more up market exquisite ones.
Modern society designs are worth checking out. Why not opt for a two-tone wedding band. Celtic wedding rings are famous these days with couples where they bond their marriage with highly carved and engraved work of a craftsman.
In some cases the bride matches her wedding ring with the design of her engagement ring. This also has to be taken into consideration when mixing and matching especially when both rings are worn on the same finger.
It is best to know the ring size if shopping out of a catalogue or online.
By going into a jewellers for the wedding bands will cause you less stress where if the rings are ordered they may not be the right size or wrong design when delivered therefore all the heartache of having to send them back. Now we dont want more heartache than necessary as you have that to come with married life (Only joking)
Online shopping is an easy option just be sure to have the right measurements etc and all should be hunky dory just like the hunk you are about to marry.
Do a check list of all your wedding plans and be sure that choosing a perfect wedding ring is one of your top priorities besides turning up on the day?
Choosing a wedding ring is not as simple as you think, much thought is needed behind your chosen design. What you have to remember the wedding band binds the happy couple together forever. This ornate piece of Jewelry with so much meaning will be worn every day so we need to choose something pretty special.
Back to your budget which will play an important role when making your choice, because of the penny shortage does not mean that you can not have that piece of warm gold or cool silver, if precious stones were to be embedded or mounted in your actual design then dont expect to many diamonds with just a fist full of dollars.
Jewelry materials like what is used in wedding rings have evolved over the years.
Popular is the 14K/18 yellow gold which you will find more of a favourable option worldwide. Close on its heels is the white gold gaining more popularity by the day.
Why not consider platinum, known to be one of the hardest metals and once again a fine choice in a wedding ring. Platinum is a durable material and therefore able to hold up to any wear and tear. Platinum wedding rings look very similar to rings made of white gold which many can be excused for the mix up but at the end of the day both look stylish and elegant. However, platinum wedding rings are more expensive.
For the man it has to be Titanium which is becoming a favourite among the male species. It is light and long lasting and far less expensive as platinum. Once again Titanium wedding rings can be mistaken for the white gold in appearance.
Styles and what to choose is where you come in, only you know what you are looking for therefore it is wise to shop around before making the final decision, you would never forgive yourself if you see a cheaper ring around the corner and more beautiful. There are so many designs and styles to choose from. You have traditional plain bands to more up market exquisite ones.
Modern society designs are worth checking out. Why not opt for a two-tone wedding band. Celtic wedding rings are famous these days with couples where they bond their marriage with highly carved and engraved work of a craftsman.
In some cases the bride matches her wedding ring with the design of her engagement ring. This also has to be taken into consideration when mixing and matching especially when both rings are worn on the same finger.
It is best to know the ring size if shopping out of a catalogue or online.
By going into a jewellers for the wedding bands will cause you less stress where if the rings are ordered they may not be the right size or wrong design when delivered therefore all the heartache of having to send them back. Now we dont want more heartache than necessary as you have that to come with married life (Only joking)
Online shopping is an easy option just be sure to have the right measurements etc and all should be hunky dory just like the hunk you are about to marry.
The Romance of Jewelry
"Well," you may ask, "isn't jewelry romantic by it's very nature?"
To some extent this is true, but we wear jewelry for any number of reasons that are not romantic... to look sophisticated, to look professional, to impress our friends and neighbors.
So what about the romance of jewelry?
In this case I'm talking about romance in a broader sense than simply relationships.
Something more like this definition from the dictionary:
"A quality or feeling of mystery, excitement, and remoteness from everyday life"
That wonderful fission, that bit of a chill that you get from something that is just, well, more than day to day life.
Romantic jewelry is that jewelry that makes you feel special, different, like a princess or a prince. That jewelry that takes you out of your normal hum drum life each time you put it on. The little something extra that comes of wearing something truly special.
Perhaps that is why gold is such a popular metal for jewelry. I love silver and platinum and there are other metals (titanium comes to mind) that make great jewelry, but there is nothing like the romance of gold. To wear gold is to wear the jewelry of kings and queens. In ancient Egypt only the pharaohs and those especially favored by the pharaohs were permitted to wear gold. This feeling of being special and above the fray has continued to the modern day. If you want to feel like royalty (or if you want to give a gift that says you think of your beloved as a king or queen), gold is the answer.
Other jewels that inspire feelings of romance are pearls, emeralds and rubies... and, of course, for many people, diamonds.
Somehow though diamonds don't seem to have the same warmth and romance as the other stones. Actually diamonds were not historically valued as highly was we do today. Much of the romance that has been generated around diamonds is do to de Beers in the early part of the 20th century instituting a brilliant and very effective advertising campaign... so I will leave diamonds for another day.
On the other hand pearls... Pearls feel wonderful against your skin. They are sensuous and mysterious. To look deeply into a fine pearl is to look into eternity. There is also something intriguing about a pearl, knowing that is came not from the cold hard ground, but from an industrious mollusk.
Pearls have been prized in all time periods and all cultures. Historically baroque pearls (large irregularly shaped pearls) were used to make wonderful and fantastic jewelry by embellishing them with gold an gems. Frequently these took the shape of Neptune or other greek gods, sirens, beautiful women and animals. The Canning Jewel in the Victoria and Albert museum is a famous and elaborate use of a baroque as the base for a handsome merman.
Black pearls, particularly Tahitian black pearls have become very popular in recent years. They come in a range of colors from spectacular purples and greens, through pinks to sophisticated browns. All are lovely and the range of colors gives them a great deal of flexibility in choosing just the right pearl for your outfit and mood. The most beautiful black pearl necklace I've seen was from Morrison's a small manufacturing jeweler in Berkeley. The pearls were arranged in a rainbow strung together so that each color melted into the one next to it -- stunning. And of course what could be more romantic than pearls from Tahiti?
(By the way, if you wear pearls, do wear them against your skin, it is good for them, but be sure that you do not wear any perfume, scent or lotion, at least not where it might contact your pearls.)
Emeralds and rubies are traditionally the emperor and empress of gems. Perhaps it is their vibrant colors that inspired our ancestors. Certainly that vivid blood red and cool serpent green are hard to ignore. Even today emeralds and rubies of equal size and quality are more expensive than equivalent diamonds.
In Victorian times colored gems were used to spell out love messages. Sometimes this made for interesting and not necessarily attractive settings; but it is very romantic. For instance a piece of jewelry might have these gems in order:
LOVE: Lapis, Opal, Vermeil and Emerald.
REGARD: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond.
The shape of jewelry too can harbor a romantic message. Hearts and clasped hands, hands holding a heart (Claddagh) and cupids are self explanatory, but some shapes are a bit more subtle.
For many cultures, including the Romans and the Victorians, snakes were a symbol of enduring love. A snake biting it's own tail so as to make a circle is a particularly potent symbol of everlasting love. Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a snake engagement ring -- the beginning of a long and celebrated marriage.
Interestingly lizards and frogs were (and perhaps still are) also symbols of wedded happiness. Perhaps this explains the continuing popularity of jewelry depicting this wiggly creatures.
Jewelry in the shape of flowers may also be symbolic. To quote Ophelia "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies. That’s for thoughts."
Other flowers commonly found in jewelry are daisies for innocence, roses for the growth and continuation of love and bouquets expressing the commingling and compatibility of marriage. When you are considering the perfect gift from that next anniversary, rather than the common "anniversary ring" how about a more romantic bouquet pendant?
So the next time you are rooting through your jewel box before that special tryst or looking for the perfect gift for the perfect lover, consider the symbolic romance of jewelry and gems.
To some extent this is true, but we wear jewelry for any number of reasons that are not romantic... to look sophisticated, to look professional, to impress our friends and neighbors.
So what about the romance of jewelry?
In this case I'm talking about romance in a broader sense than simply relationships.
Something more like this definition from the dictionary:
"A quality or feeling of mystery, excitement, and remoteness from everyday life"
That wonderful fission, that bit of a chill that you get from something that is just, well, more than day to day life.
Romantic jewelry is that jewelry that makes you feel special, different, like a princess or a prince. That jewelry that takes you out of your normal hum drum life each time you put it on. The little something extra that comes of wearing something truly special.
Perhaps that is why gold is such a popular metal for jewelry. I love silver and platinum and there are other metals (titanium comes to mind) that make great jewelry, but there is nothing like the romance of gold. To wear gold is to wear the jewelry of kings and queens. In ancient Egypt only the pharaohs and those especially favored by the pharaohs were permitted to wear gold. This feeling of being special and above the fray has continued to the modern day. If you want to feel like royalty (or if you want to give a gift that says you think of your beloved as a king or queen), gold is the answer.
Other jewels that inspire feelings of romance are pearls, emeralds and rubies... and, of course, for many people, diamonds.
Somehow though diamonds don't seem to have the same warmth and romance as the other stones. Actually diamonds were not historically valued as highly was we do today. Much of the romance that has been generated around diamonds is do to de Beers in the early part of the 20th century instituting a brilliant and very effective advertising campaign... so I will leave diamonds for another day.
On the other hand pearls... Pearls feel wonderful against your skin. They are sensuous and mysterious. To look deeply into a fine pearl is to look into eternity. There is also something intriguing about a pearl, knowing that is came not from the cold hard ground, but from an industrious mollusk.
Pearls have been prized in all time periods and all cultures. Historically baroque pearls (large irregularly shaped pearls) were used to make wonderful and fantastic jewelry by embellishing them with gold an gems. Frequently these took the shape of Neptune or other greek gods, sirens, beautiful women and animals. The Canning Jewel in the Victoria and Albert museum is a famous and elaborate use of a baroque as the base for a handsome merman.
Black pearls, particularly Tahitian black pearls have become very popular in recent years. They come in a range of colors from spectacular purples and greens, through pinks to sophisticated browns. All are lovely and the range of colors gives them a great deal of flexibility in choosing just the right pearl for your outfit and mood. The most beautiful black pearl necklace I've seen was from Morrison's a small manufacturing jeweler in Berkeley. The pearls were arranged in a rainbow strung together so that each color melted into the one next to it -- stunning. And of course what could be more romantic than pearls from Tahiti?
(By the way, if you wear pearls, do wear them against your skin, it is good for them, but be sure that you do not wear any perfume, scent or lotion, at least not where it might contact your pearls.)
Emeralds and rubies are traditionally the emperor and empress of gems. Perhaps it is their vibrant colors that inspired our ancestors. Certainly that vivid blood red and cool serpent green are hard to ignore. Even today emeralds and rubies of equal size and quality are more expensive than equivalent diamonds.
In Victorian times colored gems were used to spell out love messages. Sometimes this made for interesting and not necessarily attractive settings; but it is very romantic. For instance a piece of jewelry might have these gems in order:
LOVE: Lapis, Opal, Vermeil and Emerald.
REGARD: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond.
The shape of jewelry too can harbor a romantic message. Hearts and clasped hands, hands holding a heart (Claddagh) and cupids are self explanatory, but some shapes are a bit more subtle.
For many cultures, including the Romans and the Victorians, snakes were a symbol of enduring love. A snake biting it's own tail so as to make a circle is a particularly potent symbol of everlasting love. Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a snake engagement ring -- the beginning of a long and celebrated marriage.
Interestingly lizards and frogs were (and perhaps still are) also symbols of wedded happiness. Perhaps this explains the continuing popularity of jewelry depicting this wiggly creatures.
Jewelry in the shape of flowers may also be symbolic. To quote Ophelia "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies. That’s for thoughts."
Other flowers commonly found in jewelry are daisies for innocence, roses for the growth and continuation of love and bouquets expressing the commingling and compatibility of marriage. When you are considering the perfect gift from that next anniversary, rather than the common "anniversary ring" how about a more romantic bouquet pendant?
So the next time you are rooting through your jewel box before that special tryst or looking for the perfect gift for the perfect lover, consider the symbolic romance of jewelry and gems.
Colored Diamonds You Can Buy
Aside from white, diamonds are also found in shades of yellow, brown, red, purple, blue and green. The color can be either natural or artificial.
Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring in different ways. The color can be due to trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. The diamond may have been exposed to radiation during its creation; green diamonds are an example of gems affected by radiation. Inclusions, regarded as undesirable in a colorless stone, often contribute unique tones and interesting flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.
It is possible to enhance or change the natural color of a diamond. Fancy color diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, so gemologists have developed ways to create affordable versions by using heat and radiation to turn brownish and yellow diamonds into colorful show-stoppers, at an affordable price.
Treatments make it possible for more consumers to own these vivid diamonds, because most natural colored diamonds are rare and expensive. It is best to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated in some way. If there are questions as to a stone's origins, ask for a lab certificate to verify its authenticity. If a colored diamond is offered a bargain price, it is safe to assume the color is synthetic.
Unscrupulous sellers sometimes apply coatings to mask or enhance the true color of a diamond. These coatings can be removed by wear or cleaning solutions. Irradiation, followed by high heat treatment, is used to convert brown and yellow diamonds into fancy colors such as green, vivid yellows, blues, purples, reds and other colors. This color change is usually permanent, but could possibly be affected if high heat is used during setting repairs.
High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) was first used to turn low-priced yellowish diamonds into fancy colored gemstones, but it is also used to transform them into completely colorless diamonds that can be sold for a much higher price. Some companies claim HPHT isn't an artificial treatment at all, calling it a technique that finishes the job nature started. Certainly diamonds are exposed to such an environment in the earth, and when the process is repeated in a man-made environment it is difficult to detect by examination of the stone. GIA grading reports now indicate when HTPT treatments are detected by stating "HPHT Annealed" or "Artificially Irradiated" in the Origins portion of a report. The FTC requires that any diamonds subjected to HPHT be labelled as such.
Synthetic colored diamonds are also available. These are chemically the same as natural diamonds, but they are created in a lab. The secret to making diamonds was discovered in the 1950s, when diamonds were synthesized almost simultaneously by Swedish and American researchers. This process uses pressures of over 55,000 atmospheres and 1400C, plus molten iron to convert graphite to diamond, were necessary. Currently approximately 80 tons of synthetic diamonds are produced annually by General Electric, De Beers, mostly for industrial use.
However, some companies are also producing high-grade synthetic diamonds, and this process makes ownership of a fancy color diamond a reality for buyers who otherwise could not afford to purchase a natural stone. For instance, a company called Gemesis specializes in producing yellow and orange fancy color diamonds.
Several factors influence the price of colored diamonds. The rarer and more intense the color, the more the diamond will cost. Unlike white diamonds, the presence or absence of inclusions is of secondary consideration. Colored diamonds have a grading all their own, and are categorized by the GIA into 9 different groups : Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid.
Yellow and brownish diamonds are the most common; blue, green and especially red are the rarest and most valuable. Yellow and pink diamonds are the most commonly purchased, though public tastes may change in the future. Pink diamond sales received a boost from a large pink diamond ring worn by Jennifer Lopez. Celebrity tastes greatly influence trends in the area of luxury products.
Yellow and brown diamonds are sometimes referred to as Champagne diamonds, and they are less expensive than white diamonds. Champagne diamonds with a secondary pink color are extremely popular. When faced up, these stones display light to bold flashes of pink in their fire. These stones are available in a sparkling range of champagne tones, from light champagne to fancy cognac. An extremely pale yellow diamond will be classified somewhere in the X to Z color range, making it closer to a low end white diamond rather than a fancy color. Yellow diamonds of a high intensity, such as vivid or deep, are quite rare and therefor more expensive.
Natural fancy pink diamonds are rare, and account for only a fraction of one percent of the output of the Australian Argyle mine. Pink diamonds mined in India, Brazil and Africa are usually lighter in color than the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. These diamonds are primarily divided into five color categories: Pink, Purplish pink, Brownish pink, Orangey pink and Pink Champagne. Pink diamonds without any secondary coloring are the rarest and most expensive of all.
By volume, the Argyle mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is the largest diamond supplier in the world. It is also world's foremost source of intensely colored pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world supply. However, only an extremely small proportion of Argyle diamonds production is Pink color, in fact less than one tenth of 1 percent. The fame of Argyle's pink diamonds has grown over the past decade. At the 1989 Christie's auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat.
The Argyle mine, also a leader in the production of brownish diamonds which were previously unwanted by consumers, was the first to introduce the terms ‘champagne’ and ‘cognac’ as a marketing campaign to encourage appreciation of these stones. It seems to have worked, and brown diamonds are becoming more expensive as they are being incorporated more frequently into jewelry.
Within a given grade, clarity, color distribution and cut affect the final price of the stone. Smaller diamonds (less than 0.80) carat can cost 10%-20% less than the rarer large gems. Exceptionally well cut stones and stones with a VVS or IF clarity can cost 10%-20% more. Secondary colors, such as brownish yellow, reduce cost.
A good cut gives a fancy diamond its sparkle and helps to bring out the most intense color possible. White diamonds are cut in a standard way to maximize light refraction. However, when cutting colored diamonds, the cutter usually considers the stone's inclusions, which can enhance the diamond's color. Facets and angles also give color to a diamond, so the cutter must consider what shape would bring out the gemstone's best color.
The best prices are offered by "direct from the mine" wholesalers, merchants who buy either rough stone or newly cut diamonds directly from the source. Not all wholesalers will sell to private buyers, but the ones who do can save their clients a lot of money.
Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring in different ways. The color can be due to trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. The diamond may have been exposed to radiation during its creation; green diamonds are an example of gems affected by radiation. Inclusions, regarded as undesirable in a colorless stone, often contribute unique tones and interesting flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.
It is possible to enhance or change the natural color of a diamond. Fancy color diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, so gemologists have developed ways to create affordable versions by using heat and radiation to turn brownish and yellow diamonds into colorful show-stoppers, at an affordable price.
Treatments make it possible for more consumers to own these vivid diamonds, because most natural colored diamonds are rare and expensive. It is best to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated in some way. If there are questions as to a stone's origins, ask for a lab certificate to verify its authenticity. If a colored diamond is offered a bargain price, it is safe to assume the color is synthetic.
Unscrupulous sellers sometimes apply coatings to mask or enhance the true color of a diamond. These coatings can be removed by wear or cleaning solutions. Irradiation, followed by high heat treatment, is used to convert brown and yellow diamonds into fancy colors such as green, vivid yellows, blues, purples, reds and other colors. This color change is usually permanent, but could possibly be affected if high heat is used during setting repairs.
High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) was first used to turn low-priced yellowish diamonds into fancy colored gemstones, but it is also used to transform them into completely colorless diamonds that can be sold for a much higher price. Some companies claim HPHT isn't an artificial treatment at all, calling it a technique that finishes the job nature started. Certainly diamonds are exposed to such an environment in the earth, and when the process is repeated in a man-made environment it is difficult to detect by examination of the stone. GIA grading reports now indicate when HTPT treatments are detected by stating "HPHT Annealed" or "Artificially Irradiated" in the Origins portion of a report. The FTC requires that any diamonds subjected to HPHT be labelled as such.
Synthetic colored diamonds are also available. These are chemically the same as natural diamonds, but they are created in a lab. The secret to making diamonds was discovered in the 1950s, when diamonds were synthesized almost simultaneously by Swedish and American researchers. This process uses pressures of over 55,000 atmospheres and 1400C, plus molten iron to convert graphite to diamond, were necessary. Currently approximately 80 tons of synthetic diamonds are produced annually by General Electric, De Beers, mostly for industrial use.
However, some companies are also producing high-grade synthetic diamonds, and this process makes ownership of a fancy color diamond a reality for buyers who otherwise could not afford to purchase a natural stone. For instance, a company called Gemesis specializes in producing yellow and orange fancy color diamonds.
Several factors influence the price of colored diamonds. The rarer and more intense the color, the more the diamond will cost. Unlike white diamonds, the presence or absence of inclusions is of secondary consideration. Colored diamonds have a grading all their own, and are categorized by the GIA into 9 different groups : Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid.
Yellow and brownish diamonds are the most common; blue, green and especially red are the rarest and most valuable. Yellow and pink diamonds are the most commonly purchased, though public tastes may change in the future. Pink diamond sales received a boost from a large pink diamond ring worn by Jennifer Lopez. Celebrity tastes greatly influence trends in the area of luxury products.
Yellow and brown diamonds are sometimes referred to as Champagne diamonds, and they are less expensive than white diamonds. Champagne diamonds with a secondary pink color are extremely popular. When faced up, these stones display light to bold flashes of pink in their fire. These stones are available in a sparkling range of champagne tones, from light champagne to fancy cognac. An extremely pale yellow diamond will be classified somewhere in the X to Z color range, making it closer to a low end white diamond rather than a fancy color. Yellow diamonds of a high intensity, such as vivid or deep, are quite rare and therefor more expensive.
Natural fancy pink diamonds are rare, and account for only a fraction of one percent of the output of the Australian Argyle mine. Pink diamonds mined in India, Brazil and Africa are usually lighter in color than the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. These diamonds are primarily divided into five color categories: Pink, Purplish pink, Brownish pink, Orangey pink and Pink Champagne. Pink diamonds without any secondary coloring are the rarest and most expensive of all.
By volume, the Argyle mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is the largest diamond supplier in the world. It is also world's foremost source of intensely colored pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world supply. However, only an extremely small proportion of Argyle diamonds production is Pink color, in fact less than one tenth of 1 percent. The fame of Argyle's pink diamonds has grown over the past decade. At the 1989 Christie's auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat.
The Argyle mine, also a leader in the production of brownish diamonds which were previously unwanted by consumers, was the first to introduce the terms ‘champagne’ and ‘cognac’ as a marketing campaign to encourage appreciation of these stones. It seems to have worked, and brown diamonds are becoming more expensive as they are being incorporated more frequently into jewelry.
Within a given grade, clarity, color distribution and cut affect the final price of the stone. Smaller diamonds (less than 0.80) carat can cost 10%-20% less than the rarer large gems. Exceptionally well cut stones and stones with a VVS or IF clarity can cost 10%-20% more. Secondary colors, such as brownish yellow, reduce cost.
A good cut gives a fancy diamond its sparkle and helps to bring out the most intense color possible. White diamonds are cut in a standard way to maximize light refraction. However, when cutting colored diamonds, the cutter usually considers the stone's inclusions, which can enhance the diamond's color. Facets and angles also give color to a diamond, so the cutter must consider what shape would bring out the gemstone's best color.
The best prices are offered by "direct from the mine" wholesalers, merchants who buy either rough stone or newly cut diamonds directly from the source. Not all wholesalers will sell to private buyers, but the ones who do can save their clients a lot of money.
The Importance Of A Diamond's Cut
Diamonds are a girl's best friend, or so goes a popular adage. The diamond is the most prized among gemstones because of its inherent strength and hardness. This quality of the diamond is the reason why most engagement rings and wedding rings are adorned with the diamond – it has come to symbolize eternal and undying love. But more than its hardness, the diamond is most cherished because of its beauty, and the beauty of a diamond is largely dependent on the way it was cut.
What is a Diamond Cut?
When we speak of diamond cuts, we do not refer to the shape into which the diamond has been fashioned. The cut of a diamond refers to the proportions of the diamond – its depth, its width and its symmetry – and how they work together to bring out a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. How the diamond has been cut dictates how the light will react to the gemstone as it enters the stone’s surface, as well as how the light will behave once it exits the stone.
The diamond cut is actually the most important gauge of the quality of a diamond. Even if a diamond has a good clarity and color, a bad cut will only spoil its beauty. A perfectly cut stone will allow light to shine through it; a badly cut stone will lose the light. Diamonds, after all, are cherished most for their shine.
What is a Good Diamond Cut?
As mentioned above, the diamond cut refers to the proportions of the diamond and how they work together to allow light to bring out the gemstone’s brilliance. A diamond with a good cut has a balanced width and depth, and whose facets are aligned with each other.
It is important for a diamond to have just the right width and depth. The width of a diamond is measured through its girdle, the widest part of the diamond where the top and bottom halves of the stone meet. The top of the diamond is called the crown while the bottom is called the pavilion. On the other hand, the depth of the diamond is the measure from its table through its culet. The table is the largest facet of the diamond, located on top of the crown, while the culet is the smallest facet right at the bottom of the pavilion.
When the width and depth of the diamond is just right, it will have a lovely sparkle when it is brought to the light. If the diamond’s cut is too shallow, meaning that the stone is too wide at the girdle and too short at the pavilion, the light will just travel through and away from the bottom of the diamond. The light will not bounce back up, making the stone appear dull and lifeless.
If the cut of the diamond is too deep, meaning the girdle is too slim and the pavilion too long, the light entering the diamond will bounce off to the side, making the diamond appear dark.
The diamond whose width and depth is just right will make the light entering it bounce from once side to another, and then back up to the table to make the whole stone shine.
The Symmetry and Polish of the Diamond
Aside from the width and depth of the diamond, the symmetry of its facets is also important in determining if it has a good cut or not. A diamond is considered to be symmetrical if its facets are aligned with each other. It the facets of the diamond are correctly aligned with each other, the light will bounce off from facet to facet and bring out the full brilliance of the diamond. If the facets of the diamond are misaligned, the light will bounce off somewhere else and become lost along the way.
The polish of the diamond should never be brushed aside as well. A diamond must have a good polish for the light to be able to through the stone. Without the light going through the diamond, there would be no brilliance to speak of in the first place.
The Different Diamond Cuts
There are two basic kinds of diamond cuts – the brilliant and the step.
Brilliant diamond cuts are meant to play up the diamond’s ability to shine and sparkle, as suggested by the name. A diamond done in the brilliant cut has small triangular facets along the crown. More facets mean more surfaces for the light to bounce off from, and this means that the diamond will shine more brightly. Common brilliants are the round cut and the princess cut.
The step diamond cut, on the other hand, focuses more on the clarity of the diamond rather than its ability to shine. The shape is either rectangular or triangular, with its sides cut away to make them slope and appear like the steps on a staircase. A common step cut is the baguette cut, which is square in shape. Another common step cut is the emerald cut; a diamond cut that is rectangular but has its corners cut away.
There are other kinds of diamond cuts, created by and named after some prominent diamond jewelry designers, and these cuts are patented.
The diamond cut is the most important aspect to look at when judging the quality of a diamond. The diamond is a gemstone that is highly prized for its ability to sparkle brightly when it catches light. The diamond cut must be done correctly to bring forth this ability of the diamond.
What is a Diamond Cut?
When we speak of diamond cuts, we do not refer to the shape into which the diamond has been fashioned. The cut of a diamond refers to the proportions of the diamond – its depth, its width and its symmetry – and how they work together to bring out a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. How the diamond has been cut dictates how the light will react to the gemstone as it enters the stone’s surface, as well as how the light will behave once it exits the stone.
The diamond cut is actually the most important gauge of the quality of a diamond. Even if a diamond has a good clarity and color, a bad cut will only spoil its beauty. A perfectly cut stone will allow light to shine through it; a badly cut stone will lose the light. Diamonds, after all, are cherished most for their shine.
What is a Good Diamond Cut?
As mentioned above, the diamond cut refers to the proportions of the diamond and how they work together to allow light to bring out the gemstone’s brilliance. A diamond with a good cut has a balanced width and depth, and whose facets are aligned with each other.
It is important for a diamond to have just the right width and depth. The width of a diamond is measured through its girdle, the widest part of the diamond where the top and bottom halves of the stone meet. The top of the diamond is called the crown while the bottom is called the pavilion. On the other hand, the depth of the diamond is the measure from its table through its culet. The table is the largest facet of the diamond, located on top of the crown, while the culet is the smallest facet right at the bottom of the pavilion.
When the width and depth of the diamond is just right, it will have a lovely sparkle when it is brought to the light. If the diamond’s cut is too shallow, meaning that the stone is too wide at the girdle and too short at the pavilion, the light will just travel through and away from the bottom of the diamond. The light will not bounce back up, making the stone appear dull and lifeless.
If the cut of the diamond is too deep, meaning the girdle is too slim and the pavilion too long, the light entering the diamond will bounce off to the side, making the diamond appear dark.
The diamond whose width and depth is just right will make the light entering it bounce from once side to another, and then back up to the table to make the whole stone shine.
The Symmetry and Polish of the Diamond
Aside from the width and depth of the diamond, the symmetry of its facets is also important in determining if it has a good cut or not. A diamond is considered to be symmetrical if its facets are aligned with each other. It the facets of the diamond are correctly aligned with each other, the light will bounce off from facet to facet and bring out the full brilliance of the diamond. If the facets of the diamond are misaligned, the light will bounce off somewhere else and become lost along the way.
The polish of the diamond should never be brushed aside as well. A diamond must have a good polish for the light to be able to through the stone. Without the light going through the diamond, there would be no brilliance to speak of in the first place.
The Different Diamond Cuts
There are two basic kinds of diamond cuts – the brilliant and the step.
Brilliant diamond cuts are meant to play up the diamond’s ability to shine and sparkle, as suggested by the name. A diamond done in the brilliant cut has small triangular facets along the crown. More facets mean more surfaces for the light to bounce off from, and this means that the diamond will shine more brightly. Common brilliants are the round cut and the princess cut.
The step diamond cut, on the other hand, focuses more on the clarity of the diamond rather than its ability to shine. The shape is either rectangular or triangular, with its sides cut away to make them slope and appear like the steps on a staircase. A common step cut is the baguette cut, which is square in shape. Another common step cut is the emerald cut; a diamond cut that is rectangular but has its corners cut away.
There are other kinds of diamond cuts, created by and named after some prominent diamond jewelry designers, and these cuts are patented.
The diamond cut is the most important aspect to look at when judging the quality of a diamond. The diamond is a gemstone that is highly prized for its ability to sparkle brightly when it catches light. The diamond cut must be done correctly to bring forth this ability of the diamond.
Building a Jewelry Wardrobe: A Woman's Guide to Seven Jewelry Must-Haves
Just as every woman needs a pair—or twenty—of jeans, a few pairs of black shoes (at the very least: ballet flats, thongs, kitten heels and stilettos), a cocktail dress, a few basic skirts, a chic business suit, a cardigan sweater…I could go on but you get my point. Just as every woman needs these fashion staples, she needs a few jewelry basics—seven actually—with which to accessorize her outfits.
Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley, accessories personalize your style and tell the world that you care enough to go the extra mile for appearance’s sake. And we all know that appearance counts. Within the first three seconds of taking you in, people make judgments about you that you usually cannot reverse. So why not make a good first impression with a look that is polished, put together, and says that you pay attention to style and detail? Still with me? Good. Here are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed woman should be without. Choose any one of them to accessorize in a snap, and to ensure that snap judgments made about you reflect who you really are.
Diamond studs Anyone can pull off this classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant, timeless and simple enough to be worn with other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. Look for clear, sparkling gems with at least ฝ carat total weight, set in white gold or platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their colorlessness. As for shape, round studs will always be in style, but princess cut styles are popular—and classic too. Look for screw backs to help ensure that you won’t lose your investment, and make sure the setting is secure (I prefer four prongs to three).
Be warned that quality diamond studs can be pricey. Blue Nile.com has a beautiful pair of ฝ carat tw diamond studs with screw backs for $600; Tiffany & Co. sells a beautiful pair of .22 total carat weight diamonds set it platinum for $875. Can’t afford these beauties? My sparkly CZ look-alikes get the job done, and cost under $40. And I don’t have to worry about losing—or insuring them.
Pearl studs Like diamond studs, pearl studs can be worn with every style of dress, and with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond studs, pearl studs are surprisingly affordable, especially when you choose freshwater pearls, which today can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for round white gems that are well-matched; these are classics and won’t go out of style. Beware of purchasing button-shaped (flattened) pearls when you think you’re getting round. Choose a back that is comfortable, secure and comprised of a metal your skin can tolerate, such as white gold, yellow gold or platinum.
When wearing pearls, keep in mind that the gems are typically associated with a demure, ladylike reputation, so they’re perfect for a job interview, wedding or other formal setting. Of course, classic pearls are perfect for daytime and casual events as well, and give the wearer a timeless, feminine look that is very polished.
When buying pearl studs, choose akoya cultured pearls or their far more affordable freshwater counterparts, which are just as beautiful. For the best look, choose pearls that are 6mm or greater in size. JR Dunn sells Mikimoto akoya cultured pearls in 6mm round white for $340; MoonRiverPearls.com sells round white freshwater cultured pearls in 7mm for $38.
Dangle earrings I love dangles for their drama, and because their typical hook backs make them easy to get on and off. But many dangles aren’t for everyday; they’ll look out of place with shorts and a tank, for example. If you’re going a bit more formal, though, you have many options with this earring style. Keep in mind that if you want your dangle earrings to become a jewelry staple, look for a classic, elegant design in a neutral color, such as an all metal style or one that ends in a cultured pearl, for example. For your staple piece, don’t choose anything trendy or cute; steer clear of hearts, stars, zodiac signs and skulls. (If you want to go trendy that’s fine, just buy something inexpensive.) As for what to choose, I prefer a dangle that hangs an inch or two below the earlobe to really make a statement. White gold and yellow gold bars, chains or chandeliers are timeless favorites. Of course, hairstyle and wardrobe will play a role here too. If your hair is very long you can get away with more dramatic—and longer—styles. Remember, though, if you wear a dramatic earring it’s best to skip the necklace and let the earrings speak for themselves.
Silver or gold hoop earrings Several styles of hoop earrings can be considered jewelry staples, from small diamond-encrusted loops to gargantuan, J.Lo-style hoops. It all depends on what you like, so choose hoops that fit your personality. Keep in mind, though, that oversize hoops can overpower short hair, an updo, or a face with small features, so take in the overall picture before you step out. Small gold, silver, diamond, pearl or CZ hoops go with everything and are always in style. Look for hoop earrings with a back that’s easy to fasten and won’t readily bend or fall out. And don’t wear gigantic hoops to a job interview or other professional setting, unless you work at Vogue.
Diamond solitaire pendant There’s not enough room here to write about the five Cs of diamond quality, but, if you’re interested, there are a ton of sites out there where you can read about how to choose a diamond. As for the pendant, a single bezel set diamond on a white gold chain looks amazing, crisp and classic. Choose an 18-inch length with a secure clasp (I prefer lobster claw here) and make sure the chain is sturdy, yet thin and unobtrusive. It’s the diamond that you want to showcase here, not the chain. As with studs, you can get a gorgeous solitaire pendant made with a CZ, or, for a twist, try a pearl.
Pearl strand When choosing a classic pearl strand, look for an 18-inch princess length in a classic creamy white. This length is very versatile, and the color is timeless. Both akoya cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls fit the bill, although akoyas will be more expensive. Other factors to keep in mind: pearl size counts. After the 7.5-8.0 mm mark, prices rise dramatically, but a 6.5mm strand is lovely and affordable. Look at luster and surface. Pearls should have a high luster, or surface sheen, meaning they reflect light well. They should also be free from obvious blemishes. Pay attention to uniformity. Make sure the pearls are the same size, the same color and have a uniform luster—the warm glow that appears to come from within the pearl. To check that the pearls are uniformly round, roll the strand on a table. Matched pearls will roll smoothly.
So you think pearl strands are too Barbara Bush? A Tin Cup necklace, where the pearls are evenly spaced on a chain, is a gorgeous alternative.
A Classic Timepiece Lots of options here, but if you’re going to choose just one watch it has to be classic, functional and stylish. I like a water-resistant oversize sterling silver watch or a classic tank watch, both of which will look good with everything except formalwear (then you can tuck it in your clutch). A stainless steel band will wear better than leather, and is usually water-resistant, but try it on in case it feels too heavy or overwhelms your wrist. Stick with a classic white or muted watch face with numbers that are easy to read. (Bold colors are pretty, but distracting.) A glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for brands, Swiss Army has some great styles that wear well and don’t break the bank. If you have the means, a Tag Heuer or Rolex is always nice too.
When you have your seven basic jewelry staples, it’s time to play. There are so many other classics you can add to your jewelry box if you’re so inclined. A diamond tennis bracelet, a beautiful Tahitian pearl bracelet, an oversize pearl cocktail ring, or a signature piece in your birthstone all look terrific. Depending on your style personality and budget, you can choose plenty of other extras to keep up with fashion trends, but keep these on the inexpensive side as they likely won’t stand the test of time. For a statement-making piece, choose an oversize cocktail ring in a bold color. Or, if you like today’s layered look, pick several chain necklaces in your favorite metal in varying lengths, and layer them with pearl strands or oversized turquoise, wood or mother-of-pearl beaded necklaces. Wide wood, mother-of-pearl or metal cuffs always look terrific, and stackable bangles, especially personalized charm bracelets, are always fun. (Do spend more on charm bracelets, as you’ll probably hang on to these.)
Still stuck on what to wear? You can always go with my favorite and most valued piece of jewelry: a handcrafted, hand painted macaroni necklace made for me by my four-year-old son.
Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley, accessories personalize your style and tell the world that you care enough to go the extra mile for appearance’s sake. And we all know that appearance counts. Within the first three seconds of taking you in, people make judgments about you that you usually cannot reverse. So why not make a good first impression with a look that is polished, put together, and says that you pay attention to style and detail? Still with me? Good. Here are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed woman should be without. Choose any one of them to accessorize in a snap, and to ensure that snap judgments made about you reflect who you really are.
Diamond studs Anyone can pull off this classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant, timeless and simple enough to be worn with other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. Look for clear, sparkling gems with at least ฝ carat total weight, set in white gold or platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their colorlessness. As for shape, round studs will always be in style, but princess cut styles are popular—and classic too. Look for screw backs to help ensure that you won’t lose your investment, and make sure the setting is secure (I prefer four prongs to three).
Be warned that quality diamond studs can be pricey. Blue Nile.com has a beautiful pair of ฝ carat tw diamond studs with screw backs for $600; Tiffany & Co. sells a beautiful pair of .22 total carat weight diamonds set it platinum for $875. Can’t afford these beauties? My sparkly CZ look-alikes get the job done, and cost under $40. And I don’t have to worry about losing—or insuring them.
Pearl studs Like diamond studs, pearl studs can be worn with every style of dress, and with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond studs, pearl studs are surprisingly affordable, especially when you choose freshwater pearls, which today can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for round white gems that are well-matched; these are classics and won’t go out of style. Beware of purchasing button-shaped (flattened) pearls when you think you’re getting round. Choose a back that is comfortable, secure and comprised of a metal your skin can tolerate, such as white gold, yellow gold or platinum.
When wearing pearls, keep in mind that the gems are typically associated with a demure, ladylike reputation, so they’re perfect for a job interview, wedding or other formal setting. Of course, classic pearls are perfect for daytime and casual events as well, and give the wearer a timeless, feminine look that is very polished.
When buying pearl studs, choose akoya cultured pearls or their far more affordable freshwater counterparts, which are just as beautiful. For the best look, choose pearls that are 6mm or greater in size. JR Dunn sells Mikimoto akoya cultured pearls in 6mm round white for $340; MoonRiverPearls.com sells round white freshwater cultured pearls in 7mm for $38.
Dangle earrings I love dangles for their drama, and because their typical hook backs make them easy to get on and off. But many dangles aren’t for everyday; they’ll look out of place with shorts and a tank, for example. If you’re going a bit more formal, though, you have many options with this earring style. Keep in mind that if you want your dangle earrings to become a jewelry staple, look for a classic, elegant design in a neutral color, such as an all metal style or one that ends in a cultured pearl, for example. For your staple piece, don’t choose anything trendy or cute; steer clear of hearts, stars, zodiac signs and skulls. (If you want to go trendy that’s fine, just buy something inexpensive.) As for what to choose, I prefer a dangle that hangs an inch or two below the earlobe to really make a statement. White gold and yellow gold bars, chains or chandeliers are timeless favorites. Of course, hairstyle and wardrobe will play a role here too. If your hair is very long you can get away with more dramatic—and longer—styles. Remember, though, if you wear a dramatic earring it’s best to skip the necklace and let the earrings speak for themselves.
Silver or gold hoop earrings Several styles of hoop earrings can be considered jewelry staples, from small diamond-encrusted loops to gargantuan, J.Lo-style hoops. It all depends on what you like, so choose hoops that fit your personality. Keep in mind, though, that oversize hoops can overpower short hair, an updo, or a face with small features, so take in the overall picture before you step out. Small gold, silver, diamond, pearl or CZ hoops go with everything and are always in style. Look for hoop earrings with a back that’s easy to fasten and won’t readily bend or fall out. And don’t wear gigantic hoops to a job interview or other professional setting, unless you work at Vogue.
Diamond solitaire pendant There’s not enough room here to write about the five Cs of diamond quality, but, if you’re interested, there are a ton of sites out there where you can read about how to choose a diamond. As for the pendant, a single bezel set diamond on a white gold chain looks amazing, crisp and classic. Choose an 18-inch length with a secure clasp (I prefer lobster claw here) and make sure the chain is sturdy, yet thin and unobtrusive. It’s the diamond that you want to showcase here, not the chain. As with studs, you can get a gorgeous solitaire pendant made with a CZ, or, for a twist, try a pearl.
Pearl strand When choosing a classic pearl strand, look for an 18-inch princess length in a classic creamy white. This length is very versatile, and the color is timeless. Both akoya cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls fit the bill, although akoyas will be more expensive. Other factors to keep in mind: pearl size counts. After the 7.5-8.0 mm mark, prices rise dramatically, but a 6.5mm strand is lovely and affordable. Look at luster and surface. Pearls should have a high luster, or surface sheen, meaning they reflect light well. They should also be free from obvious blemishes. Pay attention to uniformity. Make sure the pearls are the same size, the same color and have a uniform luster—the warm glow that appears to come from within the pearl. To check that the pearls are uniformly round, roll the strand on a table. Matched pearls will roll smoothly.
So you think pearl strands are too Barbara Bush? A Tin Cup necklace, where the pearls are evenly spaced on a chain, is a gorgeous alternative.
A Classic Timepiece Lots of options here, but if you’re going to choose just one watch it has to be classic, functional and stylish. I like a water-resistant oversize sterling silver watch or a classic tank watch, both of which will look good with everything except formalwear (then you can tuck it in your clutch). A stainless steel band will wear better than leather, and is usually water-resistant, but try it on in case it feels too heavy or overwhelms your wrist. Stick with a classic white or muted watch face with numbers that are easy to read. (Bold colors are pretty, but distracting.) A glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for brands, Swiss Army has some great styles that wear well and don’t break the bank. If you have the means, a Tag Heuer or Rolex is always nice too.
When you have your seven basic jewelry staples, it’s time to play. There are so many other classics you can add to your jewelry box if you’re so inclined. A diamond tennis bracelet, a beautiful Tahitian pearl bracelet, an oversize pearl cocktail ring, or a signature piece in your birthstone all look terrific. Depending on your style personality and budget, you can choose plenty of other extras to keep up with fashion trends, but keep these on the inexpensive side as they likely won’t stand the test of time. For a statement-making piece, choose an oversize cocktail ring in a bold color. Or, if you like today’s layered look, pick several chain necklaces in your favorite metal in varying lengths, and layer them with pearl strands or oversized turquoise, wood or mother-of-pearl beaded necklaces. Wide wood, mother-of-pearl or metal cuffs always look terrific, and stackable bangles, especially personalized charm bracelets, are always fun. (Do spend more on charm bracelets, as you’ll probably hang on to these.)
Still stuck on what to wear? You can always go with my favorite and most valued piece of jewelry: a handcrafted, hand painted macaroni necklace made for me by my four-year-old son.
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