Friday, September 10, 2010

Women And Jewelry: The Relation Between Women And Fine Jewelry Pieces

Fine jewelry has been an important staple throughout history. Since the ancient periods, humans have been documented to have worn articles of jewelry to enhance their appearance. Beginning in the old stone age about 25,000 years ago, both men and women took different objects they found, drilled holes in them and wore them in different areas around their bodies. However, compared to men, women are perhaps more inclined to use jewelry pieces in order to befit differing purposes.

In a recent study facilitated by a lifestyle magazine, it was found out that 95 out of 100 surveyed female responds are more disposed to shop for fine jewelry pieces than any other items of accessory. This study, though not extensive, profoundly speaks of how much women admire jewelry. With this result at hand, you might be wondering what is it with jewelry that makes women swoon for it. Accordingly, women love jewelry for a number of reasons.

To begin with, jewelry of all sorts is an important additive that enhances the entire context of dressing and artistic display. They are considered as vital components of fashion and style as they have the power to improve the visual appeal of the clothes women wear. Hair dresses such as hairpins and clips that are embellished with loose diamonds and other precious stones could enhance the appeal of a female's hair; brooches and pins on the other hand have the power to make boring looking uniforms into trendier pieces of outfits. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry pieces worn on different body parts could create a visual focal point that could hide certain aesthetic flaws.

Aside from the purpose of accessorizing, articles of jewelry also serve the purpose of defining a female's social status within the society. Back in the ancient times they were determining factors of what positions women hold in the community--with slaves using beads and upper echelons using metallic jewelry pieces accented with gemstones such as loose diamonds. Though this purpose may not be as extensive today as that from the past, it cannot be denied that jewelry pieces are benchmarks for the rich and famous.

Women also appreciate fine jewelry items because of their associated symbolism and spiritual and health value. Women from India uses the so-called "tika- which appears like a chandelier earring though it is hooked at the end of the hair with the pendant dangling at the exact center of the forehead to symbolize spiritual preservation. Nose rings on the other hand is said to enhance sexual reflexes, while necklaces, which are often worn close to the heart are identified as pieces that work on emotions and attract or strengthen love. Charm bracelets are often worn for their ability to hold luck, while bangles symbolize creativity and the sun's energy that could be transferred to their wearers. Gemstones of all sorts have been used to cure different health conditions with diamonds being used to induce clarity and jade to enhance relaxation among others.

Of course, jewelry pieces tell volumes of stories that is why women love them so much. They could tell tales of love, friendship, celebration, welcoming and even personal epiphany. They speak of relationships with spouses and better halves as seen from the use of wedding and engagement rings embellished with round brilliant cut diamonds; friendships through the token of friendship rings and bands as well as families with the use of heirlooms that are bequeathed from one family member to the other. All in all, jewelry speaks volumes about the characters of women that not even written or spoken words could express.

Fine jewelry pieces have long been adored by women because of the many purposes they hold. Loose diamonds for instance that have round brilliant cut are often used to accentuate wedding and engagement rings used to encompass undying love and devotion. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are worn for artistic display as well as to improve the appearance of clothes, improve health and define social status among others.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Fine Diamond Jewelry: Locating The Right Store

In buying fine diamond jewelry, not only do you have to consider the four C's but also the place where you intend to make your purchase. Diamonds are expensive items may they be loose, integrated on an article of jewelry or enhanced. Hence, purchasing diamonds can be one of the most important decisions that you could make in your lifetime. By taking these things into account, it would be wise to become cautious about the store or stores where you would embark your purchase so that you would not bemoan your decision in the future.

You have many options at hand to acquire the sparklers you like. The first step that you could actually do is to go online and look for online jewelry stores that sell fine diamond jewelry pieces. Doing your purchases online is a practical way to land on articles of diamond jewelry without tiring yourself, as online jewelry stores are the key to finding diamonds that are both competitively priced and high in quality. In addition, online jewelry shops hold all sorts of diamond jewelry products from different parts of the world which gives you more room for choices.

One advantage of purchasing from online jewelry stores is that you could time and energy--with just a click of your finger, even while you're at home or in the office, you could instantly make your purchases from a whole range of selections and you also engage in online jewelry auctions that are usually run by professional jewelers. Similarly, online jewelry stores offer competitively priced diamonds and jewelry pieces, whether round brilliant or any form of cut you desire, because they do not have price markups since they don't have physical stores to run that often incur overhead expenses such as electricity bills and employee salaries among others. The main disadvantage with online shopping however could be associated to the abundance of jewelry choices which often weaken the ability of consumers to rationally assess the quality and price the jewelry pieces. Nevertheless, since the internet permits the operation of anonymous individuals and businesses, there are many jewelry scammers who are waiting to pounce on naive jewelry buyers who make the wrong move.

If you would like to secure your purchase, why not try visiting the local jewelry shops within your area? The main benefit of engaging in this option is that you have the opportunity to personally appraise the quality and value of the round brilliant diamond you wish buy. Professional jewelers could also assist you if you have questions, which would help you in making your purchasing decisions. The major issues surrounding such option however could be found on product pricing; most of the time physical jewelry stores place markups on their products to cover the overhead expenses they use to run their business, and you have limited selections unlike those with online jewelry stores.

Meanwhile if you're after cheap diamonds, rare jewelry like oval diamonds from certain era, or used diamonds, you could try looking at specialty stores, thrift shops and pawnshops. If this option is something that you would consider, it is essential that you have the right knowledge about diamond jewelry and how to appraise it so that you won't make wrong purchases. You would also need a lot of patience and perseverance as most of the time these shops do not hold highly valuable items that you are looking for. But, if you're truly lucky, you can purchase rare finds that you could include in your collections, though this instance rarely occurs.

If you're in the market to buy fine diamond jewelry for yourself or somebody special, it is advisable to shop around and make comparisons before you make your purchase. If you're looking at buying online, be sure to do some research about the stores where you wish to buy to make sure if they are legitimate or not; go over the reputation of these online jewelry shops and study their return and refund policies. In terms of local jewelry stores, do not attempt to purchase immediately from the first shop you have visited, rather take the time to go around several stores and make comparisons about their prices, services and product quality. If you are not familiar with the jewelry stores around your area, you could ask for the recommendations of friends and family members to ensure that your money won't just go down the drain.

Fine diamond jewelry is perhaps one of the most important purchases you could make in. To make sure that you won't go wrong with your decision, it is advisable to check the store options you have at hand. You could buy your round brilliant diamonds online to save money and time. However, if you want to make sure about the quality of your oval diamonds personal visit with your local jewelry store would permit you to appraise them.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Maximizing Fire And Brilliance""Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

Since the earliest times, diamonds have captured the attention of mankind. They are probably the most revered articles of accents provided by nature; deeply symbolizing beauty and forever. Of all the precious stones that the world cradles, diamonds are the most renowned and sought after. Whether they are loose diamonds or blood diamonds, one thing remains a fact, they will continuously captivate the attention of generations of people.

Because of our deep appreciation for diamonds, they emerged as permanent trinkets of jewelry during special occasions such as betrothals and weddings. Fine diamond rings and almost all diamond jewelry pieces have become valuable possessions that are in the same valued positions as that of real estate and artworks. For these reasons alone, purchasing diamonds has become a practice that demands deep comprehension about the important features of such stones in order to make informed decisions. Much has been discussed about the clarity, color and carat of diamonds, but little attention is given towards the value of diamond cutting.

Cut with an emphasis on diamonds, refers to the guide of style or design used to shape a diamond for polishing. As oppose to shape, this feature is what defines the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond, which all affect the stone's brilliance and fire. The history of diamond cutting can be traced from as far back as the middle ages, and has since been innovated until today. Although many cutting styles have emerged and fall off along the way, the round brilliant cut remains as one of the most revered by jewelers and jewelry aficionados alike.

Round brilliant cut was first introduced in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, Belgian diamond cutter. Considering that Tolkowsky was an engineer by profession, his development of the pertained cut was strongly based on precise mathematical and empirical analysis, with consideration on the importance of brilliance and fire of diamonds. As a result, a diamond that had undergone this cutting style exemplifies 58 facets; 33 of which are on the top of the stone and 25 are in the bottom part of the gem including its culet or point. In addition, a single cut produces two diamonds, one is larger than the other; hence, minimal diamond pieces go to waste.

When a round brilliant cut diamond is cut well, the shape produced allows light to pass through from any angle, thereby making the diamond to have greater brilliance and fire. Relative to its safe shape, diamonds cut in a round brilliant pattern are considered as best preferences in the aspects of "saleability," visual optics and insurability. Other than these qualities, diamonds that are round brilliant in cut are also revered for their versatility to befit any type of jewelry setting. Hence, it isn't surprising to know that about 75 percent of diamond jewelry sales are accounted to this type of cut.

If you are shopping for loose diamonds that you would be customizing into jewelry later on, it would be more preferable to go for the ones that are round brilliant in cut. With the outlined characteristics of such cut, you could definitely maximize not only the extrinsic features of your diamonds but also its saleability and insurability. Nonetheless, with its versatile nature, you will not have any trouble finding the right setting for your diamond jewelry. Simply, diamonds that are round brilliant in cut will surely give you a run for your money.

If you are looking for diamonds, you may want to consider loose diamonds, which would give you the option to choose your desired setting for your fine diamond rings. However, to further maximize the value of these loose sparklers, pick the ones that have round brilliant cut. This cut is noted for its ability to exemplify the greatest brilliance and fire in diamonds.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Settings That Goes Well With Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

Diamond jewelry gifts are among the best presents that a person could give and receive. While the value of gifts isn't determined by their aesthetic appeal, it cannot be denied though that in some ways most of us look on the outside appearance of presents. With these considerations at hand, diamond gifts are the ones that could suffice to the emotional and aesthetic needs that we are yearning for. Likewise, with their durability, they are the gifts that could never be forgotten even after years have passed by.

When purchasing diamond for gifts, it would be more viable to go for loose diamonds since they are not yet set to any piece of jewelry. Meaning, you could actually have them customized in accordance to your desired setting and piece of jewelry. Besides, you won't have a hard time appraising the gems as you could actually go over their overall features. One of the most essential features that you would have to closely consider with loose sparklers is the cut.

It is important to determine exactly what a cut means in reference to diamonds and how it differs from shape. Shape is associated to the outline of the gem's perimeter, while the cut or also referred to as make is what affects the appearance of the stone as it is associated to the proportioning and overall finish of the diamond, which are the two factors that helps the stone to produce fire or the rainbow we perceive inside diamonds and brilliance which refers to the liveliness or sparkle of the stone. Simply, a diamond with an excellent make is more expensive and valuable than a diamond with a poor cut. There are several cutting styles that one could use in order to produce high-quality diamonds; however, the round brilliant cut is probably the most popular and most preferred by many diamond enthusiast.

Round brilliant cut is the standard cutting method for diamonds and is identified as the best at creating prismatic effect, which means the shape formed through this cut presents the most sparkle as it enables light to pass through the diamond and reflect back on the top of the gem. Diamonds that are cut this way shows greater brilliance than other diamonds because there are no corners where light could hide. This is the primary reason why the brilliance and fire of the diamond are exemplified at their maximum levels. Though new emerging shapes and cut compare favorably to round cut diamonds, this cut remains on the top of many jewelers.

Round brilliant cut diamonds are very versatile and will suit all kinds of jewelry setting. If you wish to offer a round brilliant diamond ring during your proposal, there's a wide array of ring settings that you could choose from. Prong setting is the most conventional ring setting where a diamond is sturdily held by either four or six prongs of same height, which in turn makes the gem protrude away from the finger. Pave setting is designed with closely set diamonds with trinkets of gems in between, while a bezel setting is acknowledged for its rim or collar that surrounds the entire side or a portion of the diamond, and extends just a bit above the stone.

Aside from the aforementioned settings, other noteworthy settings used for round brilliant loose diamonds include the channel setting, where diamonds of similar sizes are placed in a metal channel forming a row, and bar setting where diamonds are incorporated in grooves with metals to separate them from each other. Overall, diamond jewelry pieces are truly worthy to be called the perfect gifts because of their incomparable appeal and intrinsic value. As such, if you wish to give something that is truly special to the person you love, diamond jewelry is the one that you should go after since it could best encompass your real emotions.

Diamond jewelry gifts are probably the best token you could give to the person you love. If you are to give these kinds of gifts, choose loose diamonds that have round brilliant cut instead of sparklers that are already set. This is because round brilliant loose sparklers could be customized according to your desired setting and would allow you to properly appraise the gems.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond Rings: What To Look Out For

Clarity is one of the four C's that affects the quality of the diamond. It refers to the amount of flaws found in a diamond. These flaws are imperfections brought about by mistakes in cutting or that come from the original rock. A diamond with poor clarity will have faults that are easily noticeable, and may even be seen with the naked eye. They will not look charming set in diamond rings, and have low resell value. In contrast, a diamond with great clarity is in demand among collectors, and will be a gift of true value to loved ones.

Flaws can be grouped into two; external flaws are called blemishes, whereas flaws within the diamond, that can alter its ability to reflect light, are called inclusions. Since inclusions get in the way of a diamond's sparkle, they can lower the value of a diamond more, but they also have their uses. Inclusions can be used to identify particular diamonds as a sort of diamond fingerprint. This can be used to secure your diamond rings.

Diamonds are graded based on how easy it is to perceive these flaws. They go through this process while they are still loose diamonds. There are several gemological organizations worldwide that have developed separate grading systems, although in many cases they are very similar. You should familiarize yourself with the grading system used in the store where you buy your diamond. When shopping for diamond rings, you will want to assess the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in establishing a diamond's monetary value. It is a standard accepted by gemological organizations across the board.

To ensure you get diamonds of the highest clarity, get loose diamonds first. You can make an visual inspection of the diamonds before buying. You can ask the jeweler for a loupe or magnifier so that you can view them under 10 x magnification. If they don't want you to take a closer look, you should look elsewhere.

Don't look at jewelry stores at face value. One store may be offering rock cheap prices, or limited period sales. Don't think about getting a bargain; you'll end up with paltry trinkets ten years later. Your priority should be getting diamonds of lasting value. You can get a high quality diamond at a sensible price, but only if you study your diamonds.

When shopping for diamond rings, you will want to assess the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in determining a diamond's monetary value. Don't look at jewelry stores at face value. To ensure you get diamonds of the highest clarity, get loose diamonds first. You can buy a good quality diamond at a reasonable price, if you take the time to learn about diamonds.

-Lorraine Jacobs

The Importance Of Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

Among the four C's of diamonds cutting is probably the least understood and yet it has a significant impact on the cost of the said articles of fine jewelry. It should be noted that well cut diamonds could cost as much as 40 to 50 percent more than poorly cut sparklers. Hence, it is important that a prospective buyer should understand what cut is. In reference to diamonds, cut or make refers to the overall symmetry, proportioning and finish of the stones that directly affect how these gems produce their fire and brilliance.

There are three basic cutting styles used for fine jewelry diamonds: brilliant cut, step cut and mixed cut. A brilliant cut utilizes several facets that are usually triangular and kite in shape and are arranged in a particular manner to optimized the diamonds' brilliance. A step cut uses lesser facets than the brilliant cut, usually in trapezoid or rectangular shape, arranged in a well-defined linear pattern. On the other hand, a mixed cut uses combined elements from the step cut and brilliant cut techniques.

From the mentioned cutting techniques however, the brilliant cut is the most popular because of its ability to optimize maximum brilliance and fire from diamonds. But, if combined with the right shape, a brilliant cut sparkler will surely overshadow other diamonds in terms of beauty and value. While there are many shapes that complement brilliant cutting, it is perhaps the round shape that truly stands out. In fact, round brilliant cut is already relative with the said cutting style.

Every round brilliant cut sparkler exudes 58 facets""33 are found on the top or crown, 24 are situated at the bottom, and the remaining one is at the point or culet. Smaller round brilliant diamonds are known as "full cut" stones in order to discern them from the so-called "single cut" stones which only exude 17 facets, or from "Swiss cut" stones that contain only 33 facets. Probably by now you're asking, what is so special about these round brilliant diamonds? The answer is that since this shape has no corners it displays the most liveliness as it is capable of reflecting the most light that passes through the stones due to its perfect proportions.

The round brilliant cut is an established favorite and considered "ideal" combination of cut and shape not only because of its premium brilliance but also its ability to suit all types of jewelry pieces. Diamonds cut this way are most preferred for engagement and wedding rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings among others because they could be easily lined together regardless of the form of the jewelry. Nonetheless, they befit all settings whether it is prong or pave. Basically, this cut warrants functionality and versatility that other cutting styles could not produce.

Of course, as stated earlier there are different cutting techniques that could be employed for diamonds. What might be ideal for some may not be the choice of another. If you are going to purchase diamonds, whether they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds, it is important that you'd be the one to decide what type of cut you like because the appearance of an ideally cut sparkler may not be appealing to you, and your choice might probably be the ones that received the highest cut grade from GIA. The most important thing that you have to do is to look and compare diamonds of various qualities and prices as this will train your eyes to properly detect their differences in terms of fire and brilliance as well as lifelessness and dullness.

When searching for fine jewelry diamonds it is important that you consider the cutting technique used for the sparklers as this greatly affect their ability to produce fire and brilliance. Round brilliant cut is probably the most promising cutting style employed on diamonds since it is capable of exposing the maximum brilliance of such stones. Regardless if you like loose or clarity enhanced diamonds, the round brilliant technique will surely make them more valuable.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Fine Jewelry And Its Salient Qualities

Is cut more important than clarity when assessing diamonds? You could spend hours speculating on the merits of one over the other. However, to get a clear answer, you need to grasp the relationship between the two. More importantly, you'll need to consider what you really value in fine jewelry.

A diamond's cut pertains to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. Diamonds can be cut in such a way that it achieves its highest selling price, or maximizes its potential for brilliance. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, refers to the number of imperfections a diamond has. High quality diamonds have less imperfection, and are subsequently considered more beautiful and expensive.

Clearly, the skill with which a diamond has been cut will affect its clarity. In the process of manufacturing a diamond, this is one of the few factors which can be controlled. Only the most painstaking craftsmanship can assure that a raw piece of diamond will be turned into fine jewelry.

On the other hand, the clarity of diamonds can be poor independent of the quality of the cut. Clarity is also based on the quality of the original diamond. As a consumer, you need to be conscious of this and check any diamonds you want to buy under a microscope or loupe to find flaws yourself.

When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how critical it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. It will also become more evident just how closely cut and clarity are connected to each other. Round cuts are renowned for having the most potential for brilliance above all other cuts. Any mistakes in the cut or internal flaws, even minor, will decrease that potential considerably.

Do you want to have fine jewelry? Are you looking for a diamond with the best cut, or the highest clarity? You cannot ignore either factor. However, you can inspect the cut first, since it affects clarity, as well as carat weight. Prioritizing one of the four C's over the others is counterproductive, if you lack a basic education on diamonds.

A diamond's cut refers to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, refers to the number of imperfections a diamond has. When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how important it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. Only the most precise craftsmanship can guarantee that a raw piece of diamond will be recut into fine jewelry.

-Lorraine Jacobs