Archive for the ‘Gemstone Facts’ Category

 

Holiday Engagement Rings: The Ruby

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Are you thinking of proposing over the holidays?  The cheery and giving spirit brought on by the Christmas season make December a great time of year to pop the question and get the answer you hope for.  When shopping for her engagement ring, think outside the box a little, and consider a beautiful platinum or white gold engagement ring setting with a ruby.  The rich red color is loaded with holiday cheer and would be a perfect engagement gift for this time of year.  Proposing with a ruby, as opposed to the standard diamond, also gives your new fiancé a unique engagement ring she is sure to cherish.

 

The name ruby comes from the Latin ruber meaning red.  The ruby is one of the four traditional gemstones, along with the diamond, the sapphire, and the emerald.  In fact, rubies are the sister stones to sapphires; the only difference is in their color.  The most valuable rubies are the most transparent stones with the purest red, but rubies are found in red colors ranging from orange-red, to purple-red, to brown-red, to blue-red, and a clarity ranging from transparent to opaque.

 

The most famous rubies, the Pigeon Bloodred rubies, are mined from the Moguk Valley in Burma.  For centuries rubies have been produced from this area; mining tools have been discovered that date back to the Stone Age.  While there have been discoveries in Burma of larger examples of rubies, much of what comes out of the region has been smaller in size.  Historically, the King of Mandalay declared all the large rubies mined in the Moguk Valley to be his property, and violators would be punished by death.  Due to this proclamation, many large rubies were broken into smaller pieces.

 

The latest ruby to be discovered is called the Winza Ruby, from 2008.  This is mined in Tanzania and produces rubies with excellent transparency that does not require heat treatment.  The supply is yet to be fully understood, but currently the Winza rubies have incredible value and are a great investment.  Many incredibly large size rubies have been discovered here, some up to ten carats!

 

When purchasing a ruby for an engagement ring, or any other piece of jewelry, care must be taken to be sure that you are not selecting a stone that has been treated, because many of the methods used to enhance the look of the rubies are not permanent and can wear off with normal use of the engagement ring.   Since 1902, synthetic rubies have flooded the market, and it is very difficult to tell the difference, unless you are a gemstone professional.  Most of the natural rubies on the market come from Thailand and have a more brown or blue tint.  When selecting your ruby engagement ring, look for the purest red and the clearest color.

 

The Heart of Winza - Winza Ruby

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Natural vs. “Genuine” Gemstones

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

When shopping for a gemstone engagement ring, it might be very confusing at first. Prices very widely, even among similar-looking stones. What’s more, if you aren’t familiar with gemstones, you may be unaware of what you are buying. Certain words used to describe a stone that’s for sale may only lead to the confusion. Take the time to read this article for a breakdown of what natural and genuine gemstones are, and what that means for you as a buyer.

 

Natural Gemstones

Natural gemstones come directly from nature, and as such are left untreated by humans. While a stone will be cut and polished prior to sale, the gem is untouched by any other alterations like heat or clarity treatments.

 

Naturally “flawless” stones are exceedingly rare, thereby increasing the value of the stone and costing the consumer more.

 

Genuine Gemstones

Those who are unfamiliar with gemstone terminology may be unclear as to exactly what “genuine” means. Rest assured, genuine gemstones are the real thing, but they have undergone some kind of treatment to alter or enhance the appearance of the stone. Once a gemstone has been treated, it can no longer be considered natural. However, treatments can be very useful to alter a stone that wouldn’t be suitable for purchase otherwise.

 

Synthetic Gemstones

While most couples may prefer real gemstones for their engagement rings, synthetic gemstones offer an affordable alternative to the real thing. Synthetic gemstones are created in a lab, but share the same properties as their natural counterparts. Lab-created stones can be just as beautiful as natural or genuine stones, and technology enables synthetic reproductions to look very close to the real thing. If you buy a synthetic stone, you can always use that ring as a placeholder until you can afford to upgrade to a genuine gemstone.

 

Some deceptive jewelers may label a synthetic stone as genuine, so it’s important to verify the origin of the stone and get as much information about it as you can. If a jeweler doesn’t seem receptive to talking about the stone in question, find a reputable jeweler who will.

 

Whether natural or genuine, prices will vary widely depending on the quality of the stone, its relative rarity and other factors. For example, if one gemstone is particularly scarce, that gemstone will be worth much more (and cost more) than an equally beautiful stone that’s quite common.

Familiarize yourself with the type of gemstone you’re interested in and learn how much you should expect to pay for it. Compare prices of several stones and only buy from a reputable jeweler you know you can trust. Examine any paperwork that comes with your gemstone to verify its origins and whether it’s exactly what you thought.

 

Natural and genuine gemstones will vary widely in price, and that’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with as much knowledge about gemstones and their typical value as possible.

 

Whether you choose a natural gemstone or a genuine stone, if you’ve done your research you will have a gorgeous gemstone engagement ring that will look stunning on the hand of your bride-to-be.


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Colored Gemstones

Monday, May 18th, 2009

If your bride-to-be wants a colored gemstone as the center stone of her ring rather than a diamond, she has made a choice many couples are considering to cut down on the expenses of an engagement and wedding.

 

Colored gemstones are a beautiful alternative to traditional diamonds, and can often cost much less. Walk into your nearest jewelry store, however, and you’ll be bombarded with natural stones, lab-created gems and imitation jewelry that can make it hard to tell what you’re buying. Before you shell out the cash for a gemstone engagement ring, you should learn a few things about colored gemstones to be as knowledgeable as possible.

 

Treated Gemstones

While all jewelers are required to let consumers know when they are purchasing a treated stone, there are still those who care only about the sale and will attempt to misrepresent a gemstone as natural when it isn’t. Gemstones can undergo a variety of treatments, most commonly to fix external or internal flaws. Stones can also be heat treated to enhance color. While treated stones are not necessarily bad and are a perfectly acceptable choice for some couples, some treatments are not permanent and will require repair when the treatment doesn’t hold up.

 

Natural Colored Gemstones

Natural gemstones come directly from the earth with no alterations to affect the outward or inward appearance of the stone. Natural gemstones will vary widely in price depending on the particular stone’s rarity and quality, so don’t assume you should shell out thousands of dollars just because a jeweler says the gemstone is “natural.” Natural simply means the gemstones haven’t undergone any type of treatment to fix imperfections, enhance the color, or otherwise improve the stones appearance.

 

Lab Created Colored Gemstones

Lab created gemstones, also referred to as synthetic gemstones, have been “grown” in a lab to mimic a natural stone in nearly every way. In fact, synthetic colored gemstones are virtually impossible to distinguish from their natural counterparts the vast majority of the time. Synthetic gemstones are an affordable alternative for couples who wants the look of a brilliant colored gem but simply can’t afford the real thing. Before you purchase a colored gemstone, however, ask to see a certificate from the lab – that way, you won’t get tricked into paying a lot of money for a synthetic colored stone that has been advertised as something different!

 

Imitation Colored Gemstones

Imitation colored stones have come a long way, and many now look like the real thing except to the trained eye. However, imitation gemstones are normally created from plastic or glass, and do not normally share any characteristics with a natural gemstone. Before you purchase a stone you think is real, it’s important to get as much information about the stone as you can and, if possible, have it appraised if you aren’t sure how to tell a real stone from a fake.

 

While colored gemstones are often an affordable way for couples to purchase a gorgeous engagement ring, it’s important to know what you are buying before you shell your hard earned cash for a gemstone that may not be the real deal.

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What are Clarity Enhanced Diamonds?

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Flaws and imperfections can drastically reduce the value of a diamond, especially if there is major damage to the stone. However, minor flaws can actually be reversed completely in clarity enhanced diamonds. For this reason, more couples are choosing to purchase clarity enhanced stones as an affordable way to purchase an impressive engagement ring.

 

One of The 4 C’s – Clarity

If you are at all familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, you are aware that clarity plays an important role in determining the value of a diamond. Clarity refers to how clear a diamond is and the number of flaws present. There are very few gemstones that are completely flawless. Even the most visually stunning diamonds can have tiny flaws or cracks that aren’t really noticeable.  However, very visible imperfections can have a definite impact on the value of a stone. In order to fix these noticeable imperfections, diamonds can be treated to cover up some of the damage. While clarity treated diamonds can look brilliant and much clearer, the fact they have been artificially enhanced often makes them less valuable when compared to naturally clear stones.

 

While clarity treatments were largely looked down upon at first, there is no denying that many couples are turning to clarity enhanced diamonds for an affordable engagement ring that still looks amazing.

 

Clarity Treatments

There are two common treatments used to artificially enhance the clarity of diamonds.

 

Fracture Filling

Fracture filling is typically used to close small cracks that appear on a diamond. The cracks are filled in using a thin, glass-like film or silica resin. This treatment results in a practically invisible repair of the flaws, and can usually not be detected with the naked eye. If you purchase a diamond that has been fracture filled, you should be aware that this type of clarity treatment is not usually permanent. Because of this, most reputable jewelers will offer a guarantee that they will repair your diamond when and if the treatment doesn’t hold up.

 

Laser Drilling

Laser drilling is a common treatment used to remove minor flaws within a diamond, called inclusions. These inclusions can appear inside the gem as cloudy spots or dark-colored flaws. With this treatment, a laser is inserted into the diamond to create a small tunnel, whereby the flaw can oftentimes be removed or dissolved by the laser. Sometimes, a chemical substance can actually be inserted through the tunnel to bleach away the dark spot. Because laser drilling does not affect the durability of a diamond, it is usually favored over fracture filling. What’s more, this clarity treatment is more permanent.

 

Jewelers are required to disclose which diamonds have been clarity treated, but there are still unscrupulous dealers who do not have a customer’s best interests at heart. That’s why it’s important to only deal with reputable jewelers before purchasing a treated diamond, or any high quality jewelry for that matter.

 

While clarity enhanced diamonds were long looked down upon, they have become an extremely affordable option for couples that can not afford naturally flawless diamonds. Clarity treated stones are usually substantially cheaper than other diamonds that have not been artificially enhanced, and still sparkle as brilliantly as other stones.

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Engagment Rings: Better Than a Bank?

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

We are supreme optimists here and we would never suggest that the economy is not gong to rebound soon. But when you are a realist, you have to consider the possibility that commodities may be a safer place to put your money than currency, stocks, or bonds right around now. We are jewelers, not economists. But the fact is that jewelers do sell diamond engagement rings made with precious stones and metals so when you buy a diamond and gold engagement ring, you may be making a very wise financial decision.

 

The reason why people buy diamond engagement rings is to express the love and commitment that they feel to that special someone, and that is as it should be. But when you buy a car, for instance, you are putting out a nice chunk of change. But as soon as you drive your new car off the lot, you immediately lose money, and your “investment” in the new car is actually going to decrease in value month by month. When you buy a nice new suit or a fresh pair of shoes, they are fine for a while, but before long, the wear and tear takes over and you can no longer wear them. Just about everything that you ever buy is destined to lose its value unless it is a very wise and financially informed outlay of money that is more of an investment and less of a purchase.

 

When you have met the person that you are certain that you want to spend the rest of your life with, the universe has presented you with a beautiful gift. And having the privilege of browsing all of the online jewelry stores for a diamond engagement ring that will have your fiancée oohing and ahhing is perhaps the most satisfying shopping experience that you will ever have. Even if the purchase of a diamond engagement ring was the same as all of the other purchases that are certain to lose value over time, it would be well worth it to see the look on your love’s face when you present her with the perfect engagement ring. Neither of you will ever forget that special moment, and there is no way that anyone can put a price tag on that type of once-in-a-lifetime experience of giving. The engagement ring itself will be a reminder of how you both felt when you got engaged every time you glance at it over the ensuing years of marriage.

 

But guess what? When you buy your diamond engagement ring, you are not buying one of the many things that are destined to lose their value. You are taking your currency, currency of fluctuating value, and exchanging it for something that is made of some of the most valuable and precious metals and gemstones on the planet. So your diamond engagement ring is indeed a selfless expression of the love that you share with your partner, but as a little cherry on top, it is also a very solid investment and its value may be more secure than the value of the money you paid for it.

 

Pictured engagment ring from the Lieberfarb Line (www.Lieberfarb.com).

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Unique and Stunning Asscher Cut Engagement Rings

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Okay, so you are a man who knows little to nothing about women’s jewelry, and you decide that you have been single long enough and you are ready to ask your honey to marry you. You may start thinking about the perfect place to pop the question. Maybe you should take her on a vacation…perhaps a tropical island or a ski trip in the mountains. Maybe it would be best to go to your favorite restaurant, or a concert in the park. Or maybe you are one of those guys who is feeling the ballgame scoreboard proposal or the freeway billboard thing. However and wherever you choose to do the deed, your next challenge is to learn something about women’s jewelry. You are going to have to select an engagement ring that is hard to say no to, and that is going to take some effort.

 

Not knowing a lot about women’s jewelry before you get married is not necessarily a very bad thing. It is totally possible that you wouldn’t have a girlfriend at all if you were the type of guy that is deeply into women’s jewelry and accessories. But I digress. Once you know that you are going to be buying an engagement ring, you have to know what’s out there and try to get some sort of inkling about what type of ring will truly wow your fiance-to-be.

 

A diamond is a precious commodity, but the way that it is cut is one of the things that sets one stone apart from another, and like anything else, there are varying standards of quality when you are talking about cut. One unique and stunning cut is the Asscher cut diamond. The style was patented by the Dutch brothers Asscher back in 1902, and the Asscher cut has been synonymous with elegant lapidary excellence ever since. The Asscher stone has a squarish shape with the corners cut so that the stone actually resembles an octagon. If you are wondering what type of engagement ring you may be able to present to your spouse-to-be that is truly precise and unmistakably eye-catching, you may want to consider an Asscher cut diamond. It is interesting to note that because of the fact that the cut is patented, each and every Asscher stone can be identified and authenticated (under magnification of course) through the family seal that each diamond carries on its girdle.

 

There is a saying that goes something like “I don’t know art, but I know what I like.” If you are somewhat intimidated by the prospect of buying an engagement ring, fear not. Simply do some web browsing and get a feel for the choices that you have, and think like the person who is considering buying a work of art. Find something that you like and it is very likely that the woman in your life will like it as well. Pay attention to detail, take notice of the intricacy of the cut, and let your common sense and personal taste guide the way.

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