Diamonds Forever Desirable
April 28, 2009 by OldRomantic
Filed under Diamond Jewelry
For decades, people around the globe have been aware of two main things about diamonds. First, they are the hardest substance that the earth has produced and secondly, they are expensive. While that is very common knowledge, what is less well-known is precisely how diamonds are formed and why they have become so valuable and treasured.
A diamond is actually a mineral and begins life as carbon which is then formed over many, many years. In order for the carbon deposits to form into a diamond, the substance must be subjected to certain conditions that tempers and changes the mineral into the rare and beautiful gem. The first diamonds were recorded to have been discovered some 3000 years ago in India.
Since that era, diamonds have had a strong and lasting reputation for their splendor and intrinsic value and have been treasured by generations as symbols of virtue, fortune, refinement and even greatness. Diamond is a word that is from the Greek language, based on the word “adamas,” meaning unconquerable.
In fact, in many ancient civilizations, the diamonds were worn by warriors as they marched into battle to symbolize courage, strength and invincibility. This is just one of many examples of how the diamond has become such an integral part of culture, history and lore of many countries.
Today, the majority of the stones come from mines that are located in the countries of central and southern Africa. However, there are still significant numbers of the rare and precious gems that are mined in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Australia, Canada and Siberia, which boasts the single largest diamond mine in the world.
Anyone who has ever shopped for a diamond ring, diamond earrings, or other diamond jewelry are probably very well aware that the De Beers company controls a huge portion of the diamond market. The stones must meet stringent quality standards and the De Beers company is one of the diamond suppliers that is well known for the high quality of gems that they bring to the market. In fact, in some parts of the world, De Beers has even been accused on monopolizing the entire diamond market because of the considerable control they have.
There is no doubt that the diamond is still one of the most desirable and treasured gems of any that are available. Virtually all high-end jewelry is embellished with a diamond or two, which immediately makes a statement about the person wearing such a fine piece of body jewelry. A diamond engagement ring is certainly considered to be the standard that symbolizes love, romance and commitment.
Diamonds will vary a great deal in price based upon on the quality classification of the gem. Four aspects are considered when evaluating the diamond’s value. These four characteristics are the Four “C”s and they are clarity, cut, color and carat.
Buying Diamonds Online
April 28, 2009 by OldRomantic
Filed under Diamond Jewelry
Buying diamonds online almost appears absurd, given the possibility of diamond scams! Provided that you are careful, you can safely buy diamonds online.
If you are looking for an excellent selection of diamond engagement ring settings, visit For Lovers Only.
First of all, you should determine your reasons for shopping online rather than buying the diamond from your local jewelry store. The most usual reason is cost. Because of low overhead costs, online wholesalers and jewelers are able to offer lower prices. Nonetheless, you must be cautious as a price that is too low can be a clue that it is a scam.
One of the best things about buying online is the vast selection. When shopping offline, you are restricted to the selection in the stores in your general area. There are no limits online. But again, you must use a great deal of caution before handing your money over to a person that you cannot see and have never met!
Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. It will be more difficult for a con artist to rip you off if you are educated about diamonds. You will be ready to buy online once you have learnt more about diamonds.
Take your time. Don’t buy the first diamond you like. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. To find the best prices, do some comparison shopping. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that appeals to you, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are still quite a ways away from actually acquiring that diamond!
Enquire about the seller’s qualifications, for instance professional jewelry associations to which they may belong. Check out and print the seller’s refund, return, and upgrade policies. As well, check into other services, for example mountings, settings, free shipping and sizing. Look on the internet for customer reviews for this particular company. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.
Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. This should be seen prior to making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The diamond is sent to the escrow service by the seller, and then you send payment for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the best way to protect yourself…again, ensure that you use a trustworthy escrow service!
The Collectibles Store is another excellent website offering an outstanding selection of diamond rings and earrings.
Platinum is the Tops When it Comes to Wedding Rings
April 28, 2009 by OldRomantic
Filed under Diamond Jewelry
Platinum is more than just a fine metal. It can be the heart and soul of a stunning wedding ring. Platinum resembles white gold to a great extent, but it’s usually a lot more expensive. Frequently, they are nearly double the price. But the reasons for the cost variance can be easily explained.
Platinum has an exceptional ability to hold its shape. It is concentrated and can maintain its symmetry even with the daily stresses that a wedding ring frequently undergoes. It also resists scratches and nicks, a regular worry. But because it’s such a rare metal, it’s much more expensive than the alternatives.
Nevertheless, there’s a reason that rises above the rest for purchasing a platinum wedding ring. You can’t beat the exquisite appearance of platinum. Platinum rings are crafted from an extremely high percentage of pure alloy. Most are 90 to 95 percent pure, so a platinum ring has more substance and brilliance. However, the remaining portion isn’t just a common filler material. Iridium, osmium and the like are other components that combine to create the spectacular appeal of these fine rings.
No other metal comes close to the brilliance of platinum. Even among the finest metals such as gold and silver, it stands out as a most desirable choice in jewelry.
Platinum has been a component of wedding rings for thousands of years. It was employed by the ancient Egyptians who were drawn to its magnificence. In South America, it was known as “little silver” and was used by ancient artisans for a variety of ornamental purposes. When Louis XVI caught on to this precious metal in the 18th century, its place of honor in contemporary times was secured.
Modern society is the lucky recipient of these historical trends. There is now a huge variety of designs available in platinum wedding rings. When made from platinum, the simplest of designs can become elegant and sophisticated. This material requires nothing but itself to offer an elegance that anybody could wear with pride. But there are also lots of ways to dress it up.
A few simple gems can elevate a basic platinum band to the status of a family heirloom. A square-cut diamond might be the centerpiece of a design that elevates an already splendid piece to fresh heights. Just the ring alone without any stones will show off your sense of style. The best wedding rings just don’t get any better.
A Guide To Choose Diamond Anniversary Band
April 28, 2009 by OldRomantic
Filed under Diamond Jewelry
There are special pieces of jewelry that are desirable for certain functions. Diamond anniversary band is a piece of jewelry that suits a specific occasion. Diamond anniversary band is a perfect gift for the loved one to celebrate any anniversary. There are however certain key features that must be considered before choosing a diamond ring.
Choosing A Diamond Anniversary Band
Diamond anniversary bands come in variety of sizes and styles. The ring usually has two parts which are ring setting portion and the gemstone part. While selecting a ring, knowing four Cs of diamonds can be very helpful. These include cut, carat, color and clarity. Good quality diamonds will have more favorable of these Cs.
Setting of the ring is as important as the quality of metal and diamond. The setting can be done in variety of styles and different mix of metals. Some of the most popular metals used for diamond anniversary band are yellow gold, white gold and platinum. The styles can be modern, antique or ornate. If choosing the diamond anniversary band for your mate, it is a good idea to choose the ring as per the individual taste. Size and setting of the diamonds depends on the budget.
Cost is usually a major issue while purchasing the diamond anniversary band with diamonds intricately placed within. For more precious metals, higher quality of diamonds is chosen that shoots up the price of the ring. It is important to consider the budget before buying a diamond anniversary band, and then choosing the design as it will pin down the choices channelizing you in the proper direction, and letting you to get the ring within the budget.
It is possible to get some great deals on the diamond band rings. There are commonly sales during festival time that makes shopping quite cost effective. There are also a lot of on-line stores providing good quality certified diamond anniversary bands at moderate costs.
Before buying diamond anniversary band, visit some jewelry stores, or do some research on-line that will greatly help you choose the right ring. Study about diamonds, various patterns, and different metal, and then pick as per your lifestyle. Don’t get carried away by the designs that look attractive, but are of poor quality. Diamond anniversary band should be with you or your loved one for a long time, make it worth the money. Make sure that you buy from a reputable manufacturer, who offers the certificate of guarantee.
Choosing The White Gold Diamond Band Yourself
April 14, 2009 by OldRomantic
Filed under Diamond Jewelry
And they say diamonds are a girl’s best soul-mate, ha! You will be quite surprised to find out how many men out there love diamonds too. From the men who just enjoy it on their own white gold diamond band to the one who dresses up while the wife is far away from home. Is it the clothing or is it the jewelry? Only those who have the guts to ask will truly know.
Of all the colors of gold, a white gold diamond band would probably stand out the most, especially against a olive Mediterranean skin colour. The other options for bands are titanium which also looks like silver but is way more expensive than choosing the white gold diamond band for your hand.
For the person who is as pale as the moonlight itself, the choice of a white gold diamond band on his or her hand will not do well on wedding pictures, they would get totally lost in that pale skin that surrounds them. Those with pale skin should rather go with a deeper colour such as the traditional yellow gold, or even red gold if they wished to.
If you have chosen to purchase a white gold diamond band make sure that your watch and other jewelry match, as it does look odd when you have all the colors scattered all over you, instead of only in one place.
Diamonds: Missed
When you chose the ring you finally wish to wear, it is important to realise which metal is more expensive than which. Silver is the cheapest currently, then gold and then titanium. It is important also to realise that if you do have diamonds set into your white gold diamond band that they are either deep enough or have clasps around them strong enough to keep them there.
If you don’t like the clasps on the ring opt for the inset but raised that way you wont feel that you might have loose diamonds laying around somewhere or lost down the sink, Normally you would not be the first to notice that the diamond is gone in your ring, as others tend to look at other peoples jewelry first.
Just as important as it is to keep you watch in good condition it is also important to keep all your other jewelry in good condition too, even though it may not tarnish that fast, it still gets dull after a while and still requires cleaning and polishing to look like new again.

