Posts Tagged ‘Diamonds’

 

How to Avoid Purchasing a Conflict Diamond

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Diamonds are a beautiful representation of love, commitment and faithfulness, and are especially popular for use in a sparkling engagement ring. However, before you can purchase the perfect diamond for the ring, you need to make sure you are not buying a conflict diamond.

 

Conflict diamonds, rather than being a positive symbol of your love, instead fuel hatred, bloodshed and terrorist acts. When you are shopping for diamonds, it is important to avoid buying these hate-fueled stones, thereby ensuring no one is profiting from them on your part.

 

Conflict Diamonds – The Basics

 

Also referred to as blood diamonds, conflict diamonds are stones sold by rebel groups to fund their horrible activities. Human rights issues, such as child or slave labor, state violence, the exploitation of workers and other abuses are common practices that are funded by the sale of these stones.

 

Conflict diamonds are characterized by their typical unpolished finish, and are frequently traded for weapons and other things. If you buy a conflict diamond, knowingly or otherwise, you are helping to fund these rebel groups and their illegal activities. What’s more, each blood diamond that is purchased lowers the country’s economic stability, which in itself creates a host of additional problems.

 

Where are Conflict Diamonds Found?

 

Typically, conflict diamonds are smuggled throughout the Central and Western portions of Africa – in fact, these places are the top diamond smuggling areas in the entire world.

 

The trouble with identifying conflict diamonds and non-conflict diamonds lies in their appearance. Once a conflict diamond has been cut and polished, they do not look any different than their legitimate counterparts.

 

Finding a Non-Conflict Diamond for your Engagement Ring

 

Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce the chances that you are buying a conflict diamond. Visit a reputable jeweler, and don’t be afraid to ask where the diamond came from (i.e., where it was mined and imported from.) A reputable jeweler will have no problem answering your questions, and you should avoid any diamonds that come from the chief smuggling areas of the world, as well as neighboring countries that may help fuel oppression and bloodshed with the sale of illegitimate stones.

 

Keep an eye out for any warning signs, as well. For example, if you find a particularly high quality stone for an insanely low price, this could be an indication that the stone was obtained very cheaply. In this instance, you may be unknowingly purchasing a conflict diamond while thinking you are getting a great bargain.

 

While your diamond engagement ring will be a symbol of love and commitment, a ring with a conflict diamond only symbolizes hate, oppression and bloodshed. Shop for your diamonds very carefully so your engagement ring will be a symbol of unity, not a symbol of hate.

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How to Choose a Diamond Shape for your Engagement Ring

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Choosing a diamond shape is actually a very important decision that should be based on a number of factors, not just what shape you like best. Engagement rings are an important purchase, and choosing the right diamond shape for your particular ring is a critical process that should not be taken lightly.

 

What Kind of Diamond Shapes Are There?

 

Before you can choose a diamond shape for your engagement ring, you should familiarize yourself with the kinds of shapes that are available. These included:

  • Oval
  • Round
  • Heart
  • Emerald
  • Pear
  • Marquise
  • Princess
  • Radiant
  • Trilliant
  • Asscher

While your personal preferences will obviously come into play as far as what diamond shape you choose, there are other factors to consider.

 

Things to Consider

 

Before choosing a diamond shape, you should carefully consider which shape would be not only something you like, but practical as well.

 

For example, you want to make sure the stone’s dimensions are good. A poorly cut diamond (no matter what shape it is) will reveal imperfections and flaws and not look as brilliant as you want it to.

 

You also need to take into account the size of your band. A wider band can handle elongated diamonds, while a thin or narrow band is complemented by round or square shaped stones. Try on a bunch of different rings with diamond shapes you’re interested in, as well, because you want to make sure the shape of the stone complements your hand.

 

If you are thinking of incorporating accent stones into the design of your engagement ring, consider how those accents will affect the shape of your central stone.

 

Judging the Quality of a Diamond

 

After you’ve decided on a diamond shape for your engagement ring, it’s important to understand how to judge the quality of the stone you’re interested in.

 

Learning about the 4 C’s (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) will help you in determining the quality of the diamond, and enable you to make good choices. The type of stone shape you choose will have its own pros and cons, so learning about the 4 C’s will help you to find the perfect stone for your engagement ring.

 

If you are having a hard time finding a particular diamond shape, you may need to solicit the help of a designer to craft the perfect diamond for you. Most jewelers stock a limited selection of some of the more basic diamond shapes, but a specialty shape may require you to look elsewhere.

 

While personal preference is important when choosing a particular diamond shape, you still need to consider how to design your engagement ring to best flatter that shape. By learning all you can about judging diamond quality and the different shapes available to you, you can find the perfect diamond that fits your budget, your ring and your personal taste!

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The Importance of Buying Certified Diamonds

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Because an engagement ring is one of the most important purchases in a couple’s lives, you want to make sure you buy a quality ring that will be worn for many years as a symbol of your love and devotion. Buying an engagement ring with certified diamonds will help ensure that you are purchasing a quality diamond and help guarantee the true worth of your engagement ring.

 

Certified Diamonds

Because an engagement ring is such a large purchase, it’s important to guarantee the quality of the ring you are buying. When you buy certified diamonds, you are gaining additional reassurance of the quality of your ring. When a diamond has been certified by an independent party, a certificate will be issued that lists the characteristics of the diamond, including the cut, size, and any flaws or imperfections that may be present. However, keep in mind that just because a diamond has been certified does not mean you are guaranteed to pay a specific price.

 

Diamond Certifications

There are several associations that issue diamond certifications. Different jewelers will offer stones from varying institutes depending where they have their diamonds certified. They are as follows:

  • Gemological Institute of America

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA for short) has been in operation since 1931 and provides diamond grading certificates here and abroad. If your diamond has been certified by the GIA, you should be reassured that the diamond you are buying is of the utmost quality, as the GIA is arguably the most widely renowned institute that issues certifications.

  • The American Gem Society

Professionals in the jewelry industry can join The American Gem Society (AGS) but must follow very strict requirements before acceptance. Because of their commitment to excellency and moral business practices, AGS certified diamonds are a good indication that you are dealing with a quality organization that takes pride in their ability to determine the value of a gemstone.

  • The European Gemological Laboratory

The EGL, one of the oldest independent gemological institutes worldwide, was originally founded in Europe. The the late 1980′s, EGL USA became its own independent institution and no longer is affiliated with any EGL branches outside of North America.

 

International Diamond Dealers

When purchasing international diamonds, you need to make sure you are not only doing business with a reputable dealer but that the certification issued has come from one of the recognized organizations listed above. This is to help avoid buying conflict diamonds and help you to guarantee you are purchasing a quality diamond that has been issued a legitimate certification.

 

Buying an engagement ring with certified diamonds helps guarantee that you are purchasing a quality ring that will be worn for many years. While certified diamonds are more expensive than ungraded stones, couples are advised to choose diamonds that have been certified to guarantee you have purchased high quality gems from a reputable source.

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A Guide to Engagement Ring Mountings

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Engagement ring mountings are arguably the most important part of the ring. Not only does the mounting hold the stone in place, but also serves as the central focus of the overall design. Many people think a ring’s mounting and setting are the same thing, but they actually have quite different meanings. A mounting typically refers to the part of the ring that holds the center stone, whereas the setting refers to the entire design of the ring (including accent stones, engravings, embellishments, etc.).

 

Mounting Characteristics

When considering the type of engagement ring you want, you should carefully consider the various characteristics of mountings and what will work best for the type of ring you want to buy. Typically, diamonds or other stones are attached using prongs to secure the stone, but other types of settings may affect how a stone is mounted. Bezel settings, for example, use metal to wrap around the entire stone, thereby keeping it in place. When checking mountings, make sure whichever you choose enables the stone to be held securely in place and that it is sized appropriately to complement, not overshadow, the stone.

 

The type of metal used in a mounting will vary, but platinum mountings are most popular because of their durability. The stones in your ring will also affect the metal you choose. For example, a low quality colorless diamond may look dull or washed out when mounted in a yellow gold setting, but will retain its brilliance when mounted in platinum or white gold.

 

Finally, when considering characteristics of an engagement ring mounting you need to determine how much light will reach the gemstone, as the amount of light will directly affect the stone’s appearance. Closed mountings work well for lower quality diamonds or stones because the loss of light will detract from any flaws or imperfections. However, stones that are more high quality will appear dull and lackluster in a closed mounting, so choose one that allows the most light possible when dealing with high quality gems.

 

Choosing the Right Mounting

Choosing the right mounting for your engagement ring requires special consideration, and is just as important as picking the right stone, setting and other details that make an engagement ring beautiful. Mountings are considerably important because they serve as the focal point of an engagement ring. A mounting that is improperly sized or unbalanced will be very apparent and will detract from the overall design of the ring.

 

Choose correctly and the mounting will highlight the stones and details of the ring beautifully. With certain design tricks, a proper mounting can even lessen the impact of flaws or imperfections on a lower quality stone and help your gems sparkle brilliantly.

 

Choosing an engagement ring is an important investment, and picking the appropriate mounting is an important step in the process. With careful research and consideration, you will have a beautiful piece of jewelry your bride-to-be will love showing off.

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How to Find the Perfect Diamond Engagement Ring

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Proposing to the woman you love with a beautiful diamond engagement ring will be one of the most special moments in your life. With that being said, you want to make sure you are buying the best diamond ring you can. Even if you know nothing about jewelry, it pays to familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of a diamond and how each affect the value of the stone. Armed with a basic understanding of diamonds, you can ensure the diamond engagement ring you present to your bride-to-be will be perfect.

 

Determine What She Likes

Choosing a diamond is only one step in the process of finding the perfect diamond engagement ring for your bride-to-be. Before you can purchase a ring, you need to determine what kind of jewelry she likes. If you intend on keeping the proposal a secret until the big day, enlist the help of her friends or mother (if they can keep a secret, that is!) or take a peek at the jewelry she already owns. Does she own more white gold pieces, or does she prefer yellow gold? Do her tastes tend to be classic and understated or bold and elaborate? Learn as much as you can about the style of jewelry she prefers so you are able to buy an engagment ring she’ll love.

 

Figure Out How Much You Can Afford

A diamond engagement ring can be very expensive or quite affordable depending on how much you can afford to spend. While you want to buy the best quality diamond you can for your bride-to-be, that doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars if you are unable to. The setting, metal choice and the stone will all affect the final cost of the ring, so figure out what you are looking for and how much you can expect to pay for the diamond and setting you are interested in.

 

Learn What To Look For In A Diamond

A diamond engagement ring is one of the most important and major purchases you will make, so you should take the time to understand what you are buying before you commit. A diamond’s worth is judged by the 4 C’s (cut, clarity, color and carat weight.) Take the time to familiarize yourself with these and use them to judge which qualities are most important in a diamond for you and your bride-to-be. Learning about the various diamond shapes and sizes will also help you narrow down your choice to find the perfect diamond engagement ring that your budget will allow. You should also settle on a setting and band for your ring. Different metals will affect the final cost of the engagement ring as some metals (such as platinum) are more expensive than others.

 

Finding the perfect diamond engagement ring for your bride-to-be can seem like a daunting task. If you take the time to learn about diamonds and ring styles, however, you can ensure the ring you end up buying will be cherished and loved for the rest of your lives together.

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Choosing an Engagement Ring She Will Love

Monday, May 11th, 2009

There are several decisions you’ll need to make when you choose an engagement ring. If you plan on keeping the proposal a secret, then you’ll need to find the ring without her involvement. If that’s the case, you need to learn everything you can in order to buy the perfect engagement ring she’ll love.

 

Choosing a Ring Without Her Knowledge

While buying a ring without her involvement can be intimidating, there are things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Take a look at the jewelry she wears on a frequent basis. Does she like yellow gold or white gold? What style does she seem to prefer? Does she favor bold pieces or understated jewelry?

 

Enlist the help of her friends or relatives to glean information about what ring style she would prefer. If you aren’t sure of her size, look at rings she already owns and have it sized so you can be sure the engagement ring you purchase will fit perfectly.

 

Choosing a Metal

Are you unsure which ring metal to choose? If that’s the case, consider the pros and cons of both platinum and 18k gold.

 

Platinum

  • The strongest metal, guaranteed to last a lifetime
  • More expensive than gold
  • Difficult to repair, but will not tarnish and resists damage well

 

18k Gold

  • More affordable than platinum
  • Easy to repair
  • Won’t tarnish, but can and usually will wear away
  • More easily damaged

 

Whichever ring metal you choose, make sure you base your decision on her personal tastes.

 

Selecting a Setting and Stone Shape


When it’s time to select the perfect stone and setting, it will make selecting the ring metal a walk in the park! There are tons of choices here, but looking at your bride-to-be’s current jewelry can help give you ideas as to what shape and setting she’ll prefer.

 

While round diamonds are a popular choice, you can also choose an emerald cut diamond or a square stone, just to name a few. If she loves fancier shapes, consider purchasing a heart shaped stone.

 

If she favors timeless, understated pieces, she’ll probably love a simple solitaire setting. If, on the other hand, she loves bold jewelry, a three-stone setting or a cluster of small diamonds around the center stone would be the perfect choice. For a truly beautiful option, consider buying a matching wedding band to stack with the engagement ring.

 

Loose Diamonds

If you are determined to keep the proposal a secret but still want her involvement later on, consider purchasing a loose diamond to pop the question with. Afterwards, the two of you can shop for the perfect setting together!

 

Choosing an engagement ring you know she’ll love doesn’t have to be an impossible task. Simply pay attention to the jewelry she wears frequently for clues to her personal tastes.

 

Her overall personality, likes, and dislikes can certainly help when choosing the perfect engagement ring, and you’ll be able to find a ring she’ll be proud to show off!

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An Engagement Ring Transcends Mere Jewelry

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Jewelry is a nice accessory to any outfit, and many of us get very creative with the way that we wear our jewelry. There are people who enjoy wearing different jewelry depending on the outfit that they are wearing, and others who really love the foundational jewelry that they wear and can never be caught without their special watch or a particular bracelet. Most jewelry is primarily worn as a statement of fashion (with the exception of a watch, which has a particular practical function).

 

An engagement ring is indeed a piece of jewelry, but it serves a very different purpose than most other forms of jewelry. It is true that the perfect diamond engagement ring is eye catching and very beautiful to look at from the point of view of aesthetics and fashion, but it is also a symbol. As the legendary psychologist Carl Jung posited throughout his voluminous writings, the consciousness of mankind coalesces around symbols. He called these symbols “archetypes of the collective unconscious.”

 

Love is perhaps the most profound and powerful of human emotions, and the love that you feel for your partner when you have decided to make the ultimate commitment and join hands in holy matrimony is inexplicable in words. So the symbol of that all encompassing love, the diamond engagement ring, transcends the purpose of any other form of jewelry that is worn as a statement of fashion.

 

The fact that diamonds are nearly indestructible and therefore “permanent,” as it were, symbolizes the lifelong commitment that you are making to your spouse-to-be when you present her with a diamond engagement ring. The ring is saying “I promise to love you forever.”

 

Diamonds are essentially the hardest substance on earth, able to endure anything that comes their way without crumbling. The diamond engagement ring is a symbol of the durability of your relationship. It is a statement to the effect of “nothing, no force on earth, can drive us asunder, until death do us part.”

 

A perfect union is indeed strong, like a diamond. It is durable too, and it is a lasting relationship that will span the lifetime of the couple who enter into it. But there is another symbolic factor to consider when you analyze what the diamond engagement ring represents.

 

Diamonds are very beautiful. When you gaze into a well cut diamond you can get lost in the facets and the angles that lend a sense of dimensionality that trumps the mundane world around us. Diamonds are brilliant, and they shine proudly under lights or out in the sun. The ideal loving relationship between a man and woman is one of the most beautiful expressions of being that we have here on earth. That love is, in a very real sense, the origin of mankind, because we all are born as a result of this type of union.

 

A diamond engagement ring is not just another piece of jewelry. It is a symbol the beauty that is present when two people are deeply in love, an outward expression of something that is cheapened when you try to explain it.

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