In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, wedding rings play a central role as in the traditional weddings of many other countries. Jewish law stipulates that a mere oral declaration of commitment, however solemn, is not enough for a man and woman to be considered married. To reinforce the Jewish law, the giving of a wedding ring, is considered an outward symbol of the sanctity of marriage.
The ring must be made of solid metal, mostly in gold, with no holes or porosity destroying the circle. The continuity of the rings represents the hope for an undying love and everlasting togetherness.
The ring must be bought and gifted by the bridegroom's family to the bride at the time of the Jewish wedding ceremony. The ring is used as an item of value given to the bride in order to complete the marriage contract. While only one Jewish wedding ring is required by Jewish law to be given by the groom to the bride, many Jewish couples today exchange rings. There are certain sections of orthodox Rabbis who disapprove of a double ring ceremony. It is their contention that it invalidates the idea of the groom acquiring the bride if the bride were also to give a ring back to him.
Jewish wedding rings are generally made of solid gold bands, although mbellishment of these bands with Hebrew letters is becoming commonplace. Many rings are today fully customized with unique Hebrew phrases, or the couple's names either inscribed or raised inside the band. Orthodox weddings require the ring to be solid all the way round into a full circle. It is not necessary to be solid gold and can be of any other metal. Jewish Wedding Rings are made also in silver by some follow the kabbalah trend that requires a silver wedding ring to be used in wedding ceremonies.
During the Jewish wedding, the groom initially places the ring on the bride's right index finger. Afterwords, most women move it to the customary ring finger of the left hand. This time-honored tradition goes back to the time of the Talmud when controversy raged about which finger is closer or more direct to the heart! Christianity claimed it to be the ring finger while Judaism believed it to be the index finger. Today many scholars opine that fidelity, which is what the ring symbolizes, has less to do with the heart than a strong conscience and sense of integrity - and hence any finger should be good enough.
In most traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies, the bride receives the ring from the groom but does not present a ring to her groom in return. This is because of the ancient Jewish belief it is the man who openly declares his responsibility by offering the ring. However, today most brides give a ring to the groom and most grooms are also willing to wear a ring. The bride also places the ring on the groom's index finger during the wedding ceremonies and afterwords the groom shifts the ring to the ring finger.
During Jewish wedding ceremonies, the bridegroom will repeat a Hebrew vow after the Rabbi, while gifting the ring to his bride. The bridegroom would declare, "Behold, thou art consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel."
Showing posts with label wedding bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding bands. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Engagement Ring 101 For Him!
This is strictly for helping guys pick an engagement ring for those who have allowed themselves to become ensnared by that most dangerous and ferocious of beasts; the female of our species.
I kid you not; choose an engagement ring at your own considerable, personal peril and those around you. If you want the very best advice for choosing an engagement ring it is to take a pull ring from a Coke can, go down on one knee (it used to be two but beheadings are no longer legal) and using your prosthetic engagement ring propose with that on the strict undertaking you will allow her to go choose a ring she wants for herself.
If you are still reading this we can see why you are bent on this path down to matrimonial bliss - you are obstinate, foolhardy, deaf to advice and stubbornly determined; so herewith is the font of our wisdom when it comes to YOU choosing an engagement ring for her and may God be with you!
Rule One: Look at What She wears Now
Yes we know you probably have never done this before but you need to make a start!
Look at her jewelry she owns now and particularly what she claims are her favorite pieces but a hint for you will be to assess what she wears regularly. You should not be overt about this as men taking too close an interest in jewelry tends to unnerve ladies because they are so unused to this attention plus it is a dead giveaway you are planning "something" - be careful!
Consider the types and colors of metal she likes; there is gold, silver, platinum, white gold and other variations. Does she prefer diamonds or other gemstones such as sapphires or rubies; think about the style of jewelry such as whether it is modern, bold or subdued, maybe classical or ornate.
You will also easily get her ring size by using a bar of soap and imprinting one of her rings into it!
Rule Two: Her Opinion
Be prepared for this, once you are married there are two opinions - hers and whatever opinion she gives you.
The best way to find out her opinion is to take her shopping; if this is an unknown concept to you can simply take her to one of the big shopping malls and she will automatically guide you through the process. You are looking to see what catches her eye, what she looks at most closely or tries to wear while she makes up her mind - a great way to engineer the situation is to go to a jeweler and tell her you need some help in choosing a new watch. Nature will do the rest for you as she gravitates to the good stuff on display for ladies and you can sit back and watch; if possible you may contribute by saying something vaguely intelligent but best to keep quiet.
Rule Three: Exercise Your Judgment
Now we are on very dangerous ground here not least because exercising your judgment after you have judged she is the one for you can and will get you into a lot of hot water very quickly.
You will have to judge whether a ring will look good on her hands and fingers and some tips here are if she has short fingers, go for an elongated diamond shape such as an oval or marquise which will accentuate them and they will look longer. Wide ring bands will make her fingers look shorter though if your intended has long fingers she will be able to get away with bold ring styles though delicate ring settings will look lost on large hands.
You will also have to decide on the shape and setting for your engagement ring and most women choose a round diamond above all others. This popularity may not translate to your lady and she may prefer a square cut (also known as emerald cut), oval (pear shaped) or even a cluster of stones as opposed to a solitaire. This is where her existing jewelry will guide you in making the decision.
All that can now be said is "Good Luck!" - you are going to need it!
I kid you not; choose an engagement ring at your own considerable, personal peril and those around you. If you want the very best advice for choosing an engagement ring it is to take a pull ring from a Coke can, go down on one knee (it used to be two but beheadings are no longer legal) and using your prosthetic engagement ring propose with that on the strict undertaking you will allow her to go choose a ring she wants for herself.
If you are still reading this we can see why you are bent on this path down to matrimonial bliss - you are obstinate, foolhardy, deaf to advice and stubbornly determined; so herewith is the font of our wisdom when it comes to YOU choosing an engagement ring for her and may God be with you!
Rule One: Look at What She wears Now
Yes we know you probably have never done this before but you need to make a start!
Look at her jewelry she owns now and particularly what she claims are her favorite pieces but a hint for you will be to assess what she wears regularly. You should not be overt about this as men taking too close an interest in jewelry tends to unnerve ladies because they are so unused to this attention plus it is a dead giveaway you are planning "something" - be careful!
Consider the types and colors of metal she likes; there is gold, silver, platinum, white gold and other variations. Does she prefer diamonds or other gemstones such as sapphires or rubies; think about the style of jewelry such as whether it is modern, bold or subdued, maybe classical or ornate.
You will also easily get her ring size by using a bar of soap and imprinting one of her rings into it!
Rule Two: Her Opinion
Be prepared for this, once you are married there are two opinions - hers and whatever opinion she gives you.
The best way to find out her opinion is to take her shopping; if this is an unknown concept to you can simply take her to one of the big shopping malls and she will automatically guide you through the process. You are looking to see what catches her eye, what she looks at most closely or tries to wear while she makes up her mind - a great way to engineer the situation is to go to a jeweler and tell her you need some help in choosing a new watch. Nature will do the rest for you as she gravitates to the good stuff on display for ladies and you can sit back and watch; if possible you may contribute by saying something vaguely intelligent but best to keep quiet.
Rule Three: Exercise Your Judgment
Now we are on very dangerous ground here not least because exercising your judgment after you have judged she is the one for you can and will get you into a lot of hot water very quickly.
You will have to judge whether a ring will look good on her hands and fingers and some tips here are if she has short fingers, go for an elongated diamond shape such as an oval or marquise which will accentuate them and they will look longer. Wide ring bands will make her fingers look shorter though if your intended has long fingers she will be able to get away with bold ring styles though delicate ring settings will look lost on large hands.
You will also have to decide on the shape and setting for your engagement ring and most women choose a round diamond above all others. This popularity may not translate to your lady and she may prefer a square cut (also known as emerald cut), oval (pear shaped) or even a cluster of stones as opposed to a solitaire. This is where her existing jewelry will guide you in making the decision.
All that can now be said is "Good Luck!" - you are going to need it!
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Gold Prices Are Sky Rocketing!
You know it doesn't seem that long ago that gold was at $300 an ounce. Wait a minute, it wasn't that long ago. Back in 2002 prices started to rise and they have never really stopped. When I saw gold go over $1,000 I couldn't believe it even though I knew it was coming. In hind sight think of the money you could have made if you would have invested in gold even a couple of years ago. I often think and wonder will it ever end up the same price as platinum?
One thing that hasn't changed however is our traditions. Couples still walk down the aisle on their wedding day and they still need to have an engagement ring and wedding rings to get married. The question for them now is what metal to choose for their bridal set. If you are looking to buying gold for your bridal ring setting the longer you wait to make your purchase the more you are going to probably pay. It's a no brainer plain and simple.
Are we running out of our precious resources and how long do we have until they have been depleted? Look at the craze we have been going through over oil. Human beings have been mining gold from our precious earth since ancient times. It has been used for many things but one use still holds strong to this day and that is its use for making fine jewelry. So when you are wearing that beautiful ring, necklace or earrings, think about how precious of a metal gold really is. In fact I believe you can even go to the extent of believing it is irreplaceable. That is something to think about now isn't it?
One thing that hasn't changed however is our traditions. Couples still walk down the aisle on their wedding day and they still need to have an engagement ring and wedding rings to get married. The question for them now is what metal to choose for their bridal set. If you are looking to buying gold for your bridal ring setting the longer you wait to make your purchase the more you are going to probably pay. It's a no brainer plain and simple.
Are we running out of our precious resources and how long do we have until they have been depleted? Look at the craze we have been going through over oil. Human beings have been mining gold from our precious earth since ancient times. It has been used for many things but one use still holds strong to this day and that is its use for making fine jewelry. So when you are wearing that beautiful ring, necklace or earrings, think about how precious of a metal gold really is. In fact I believe you can even go to the extent of believing it is irreplaceable. That is something to think about now isn't it?
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Is the Market For Diamonds Going Up Or Down?
Things like mines closing down, government relief being extended to Indian diamond cutters, diamond scrips moving downwards, and the like will hog the news; and the feeling is that the diamonds market is on its way down.
With the recession fully upon us - not just in the America, but almost in every country across the globe, things might seem pretty bleak on paper.
However, there is also a surprising under current happening in these times. Page two of Google search results will take you to the best and most reputed diamond retailing portals, and the happenings there are pretty amazing. There are press releases from leading online diamond portals mentioning sales of over a million dollars - and we are not talking about monthly sales, those are way beyond - there are single purchases of tens of thousands of dollars on those sites! So, it gets us to wonder - where has the recession gone then?
That is the wonderful thing about shopping online. It is not that people do not have money to spend on luxuries. It is that the spending has become much more controlled and more thoughtful. Gone are the days (temporarily of course!) of splurging without thought. Luxuries such as diamonds and gold jewelry are pushed to the end of the lists, but they are as important as any other item on it.
Think about it - birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions happen even during the recession, don't they? But when the purse strings are drawn tight, money does not flow as easily, and hence customers look for places where shopping can be done at a lower price - without compromising on the quality; and that place is online.
Statistics show that there has been a sudden increase in the amount of money being spent online, and that is partly thanks to the global recession. With malls and stores closing down, and with tons of layoffs happening in the retail field, the onus to deliver is on the online sales industry. eBay shows a lot of traffic every single day, and the number of conversions also are very healthy!
Coming to our title, is the market for diamonds going up or down?
Actually, the market for diamonds is on its way up. Though there are diamond guilds showing a slowdown in global sales, there is a whole new market being created thanks to the online diamond retailers. People who thought that diamonds were out of reach all these days are suddenly realizing that they too can get into the diamond ownership exclusive club. For instance, there are gift items on Diamonds On Web, which start from about $ 120! If you can get a piece of jewelry studded with certified brilliant cut diamonds at around the price, people naturally will gravitate towards them, won't they? And that is exactly what is happening. Though there is the recession and all this depressing talk going around with layoffs by the thousands and salary cuts by the millions, engagements and weddings are still happening, aren't they? And when there is an engagement or a wedding (which are occasions that demand a very special ring), how can there not be a diamond present for the occasion? Since jewelry stores might be out of reach for a lot of people, online jewelers are becoming the perfect replacement.
And buying jewelry online is a win-win situation, as the prices are way lower than those at your local specialty jewelry stores, and the range available online is absolutely unmatchable by the jewelers outside. With all the warranties and guarantees in place, getting an engagement ring (or any other kind of jewelry) online is a decision that is easily taken. The next time you have a special occasion coming up (which should be pretty soon), log on to one of the internet's leading diamond retailers, and you will see why the popularity is on the rise. Now you tell us, is the market for diamonds going up or down?
With the recession fully upon us - not just in the America, but almost in every country across the globe, things might seem pretty bleak on paper.
However, there is also a surprising under current happening in these times. Page two of Google search results will take you to the best and most reputed diamond retailing portals, and the happenings there are pretty amazing. There are press releases from leading online diamond portals mentioning sales of over a million dollars - and we are not talking about monthly sales, those are way beyond - there are single purchases of tens of thousands of dollars on those sites! So, it gets us to wonder - where has the recession gone then?
That is the wonderful thing about shopping online. It is not that people do not have money to spend on luxuries. It is that the spending has become much more controlled and more thoughtful. Gone are the days (temporarily of course!) of splurging without thought. Luxuries such as diamonds and gold jewelry are pushed to the end of the lists, but they are as important as any other item on it.
Think about it - birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions happen even during the recession, don't they? But when the purse strings are drawn tight, money does not flow as easily, and hence customers look for places where shopping can be done at a lower price - without compromising on the quality; and that place is online.
Statistics show that there has been a sudden increase in the amount of money being spent online, and that is partly thanks to the global recession. With malls and stores closing down, and with tons of layoffs happening in the retail field, the onus to deliver is on the online sales industry. eBay shows a lot of traffic every single day, and the number of conversions also are very healthy!
Coming to our title, is the market for diamonds going up or down?
Actually, the market for diamonds is on its way up. Though there are diamond guilds showing a slowdown in global sales, there is a whole new market being created thanks to the online diamond retailers. People who thought that diamonds were out of reach all these days are suddenly realizing that they too can get into the diamond ownership exclusive club. For instance, there are gift items on Diamonds On Web, which start from about $ 120! If you can get a piece of jewelry studded with certified brilliant cut diamonds at around the price, people naturally will gravitate towards them, won't they? And that is exactly what is happening. Though there is the recession and all this depressing talk going around with layoffs by the thousands and salary cuts by the millions, engagements and weddings are still happening, aren't they? And when there is an engagement or a wedding (which are occasions that demand a very special ring), how can there not be a diamond present for the occasion? Since jewelry stores might be out of reach for a lot of people, online jewelers are becoming the perfect replacement.
And buying jewelry online is a win-win situation, as the prices are way lower than those at your local specialty jewelry stores, and the range available online is absolutely unmatchable by the jewelers outside. With all the warranties and guarantees in place, getting an engagement ring (or any other kind of jewelry) online is a decision that is easily taken. The next time you have a special occasion coming up (which should be pretty soon), log on to one of the internet's leading diamond retailers, and you will see why the popularity is on the rise. Now you tell us, is the market for diamonds going up or down?
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Wedding Ring Sets - A Popular Trend
Wedding ring sets usually consist of two or three rings. Most often an engagement ring plus 1 or 2 matched wedding bands. The bands are worn on either side or next to the engagement ring. Sets will sometimes also have a wedding ring which the groom can wear.
The sets are very popular and there are a large and increasing number to choose from on display in most jewellery stores. Prices of the sets will often vary depending on the maker and also depending on the quality of any stones set into the rings. The prices will also have a large range depending on the metal which the ring is made from, and if stones are included, on the stone's colour, clarity, size and type of cut.
The sets are frequently made from yellow gold which has been combined with a different metal, for example copper, tin or bismuth. Over the years, precious stones set into rings have had some sort of hidden meaning. Sometimes the first letter of each type of stone will form a word, e.g. a diamond, an emerald, an amethyst, a ruby, another emerald, a sapphire and a topaz will make the word 'dearest'. There are quite a few combinations of stones which can form other words.
A wedding ring set is likely to be the most important and significant jewellery that a couple will ever own. Many couples like to buy matching sets made from the same metals and having the same stones set into the rings. There are many different sets available choose from, meaning that there should be something to suit every couple. Designer bands sometimes have a more intricate design than traditional wedding bands. Bands made from the metal titanium are a popular modern choice as titanium is extremely hardwearing and is also light, plus it is less expensive than platinum or gold. The two-toned wedding ring set is also popular. These have a combination of both white and gold metals.
A wedding ring set can be a great way to make sure that your wedding rings are properly matched, and each set can be exactly to your own personal taste. The groom's ring, as well as the bride's ring, can also be part of a ring set. For many people, wedding ring sets are a fantastic idea which can save both time spent searching for suitable rings and also save money compared to buying the rings individually.
The sets are very popular and there are a large and increasing number to choose from on display in most jewellery stores. Prices of the sets will often vary depending on the maker and also depending on the quality of any stones set into the rings. The prices will also have a large range depending on the metal which the ring is made from, and if stones are included, on the stone's colour, clarity, size and type of cut.
The sets are frequently made from yellow gold which has been combined with a different metal, for example copper, tin or bismuth. Over the years, precious stones set into rings have had some sort of hidden meaning. Sometimes the first letter of each type of stone will form a word, e.g. a diamond, an emerald, an amethyst, a ruby, another emerald, a sapphire and a topaz will make the word 'dearest'. There are quite a few combinations of stones which can form other words.
A wedding ring set is likely to be the most important and significant jewellery that a couple will ever own. Many couples like to buy matching sets made from the same metals and having the same stones set into the rings. There are many different sets available choose from, meaning that there should be something to suit every couple. Designer bands sometimes have a more intricate design than traditional wedding bands. Bands made from the metal titanium are a popular modern choice as titanium is extremely hardwearing and is also light, plus it is less expensive than platinum or gold. The two-toned wedding ring set is also popular. These have a combination of both white and gold metals.
A wedding ring set can be a great way to make sure that your wedding rings are properly matched, and each set can be exactly to your own personal taste. The groom's ring, as well as the bride's ring, can also be part of a ring set. For many people, wedding ring sets are a fantastic idea which can save both time spent searching for suitable rings and also save money compared to buying the rings individually.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Buying a Diamond Ring? Read These Tips Before Choosing One!
Yes, diamonds are forever. And many times buying one is a luxury although your perspective should be that it is an investment. Some shapes of diamond wedding rings or a diamond wedding band are more expensive than others. Of course, because a wedding ring is a symbol of commitment and devotion, you should always make sure that you love what you buy because you will probably have it whether it's in platinum or gold, for the rest of your life.
Your wedding day is going to be one of the most important days of your life. The wedding bands that you purchase serve as the symbol of the importance of your day. And every woman has in her mind the diamond ring and diamond wedding band she will wear on that very special day. Whatever metal you're looking at it means a lot to have some tips before you actually make this all important purchase.
Obviously, if you are about to buy a ring and wedding band be sure that you have glanced through magazines so you know exactly the shape that you love. As previously mentioned, some shapes cost more money. And of course most people realize that platinum is a more expensive metal than gold and the larger the diamond, the more money it's going to cost. As long as wedding bands have been in existence, there have been diamonds that are judged according to four important factors: cut, color, clarity and carat or size. This stone has distinctive shapes: round, pear, oval, marquise, emerald and heart shaped. And although all of those shapes exist for a diamond ring, nearly three quarters of all wedding and engagement rings sold are in the round shape.
The color of the diamond ring is also a vital factor in affecting the price. The stones in diamond wedding rings and diamond wedding bands come in pink, yellow, green and blue but these colors most times are much more costly. So if you decide you want a rare color in your diamond understand that there will be a very large price tag attached.
Within the diamond stone itself there are usually imperfections called inclusions as well as possible cracks and cleavages. Whether the ring is set in yellow gold, white gold, 14k or 18k, or platinum, a dull, lifeless stone will cost less but most times are just not as brilliant and it is not pleasant to look at. Of course you will pay less for the ring, but you have to be happy with it because you will be looking at it for a long time.
Your wedding day is going to be one of the most important days of your life. The wedding bands that you purchase serve as the symbol of the importance of your day. And every woman has in her mind the diamond ring and diamond wedding band she will wear on that very special day. Whatever metal you're looking at it means a lot to have some tips before you actually make this all important purchase.
Obviously, if you are about to buy a ring and wedding band be sure that you have glanced through magazines so you know exactly the shape that you love. As previously mentioned, some shapes cost more money. And of course most people realize that platinum is a more expensive metal than gold and the larger the diamond, the more money it's going to cost. As long as wedding bands have been in existence, there have been diamonds that are judged according to four important factors: cut, color, clarity and carat or size. This stone has distinctive shapes: round, pear, oval, marquise, emerald and heart shaped. And although all of those shapes exist for a diamond ring, nearly three quarters of all wedding and engagement rings sold are in the round shape.
The color of the diamond ring is also a vital factor in affecting the price. The stones in diamond wedding rings and diamond wedding bands come in pink, yellow, green and blue but these colors most times are much more costly. So if you decide you want a rare color in your diamond understand that there will be a very large price tag attached.
Within the diamond stone itself there are usually imperfections called inclusions as well as possible cracks and cleavages. Whether the ring is set in yellow gold, white gold, 14k or 18k, or platinum, a dull, lifeless stone will cost less but most times are just not as brilliant and it is not pleasant to look at. Of course you will pay less for the ring, but you have to be happy with it because you will be looking at it for a long time.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Objective Qualities of Diamond Wedding Ring
When you are finally there to buy a wedding ring as per your wish to have a unique one then you better to have some objective knowledge in your mind about some details of a wedding ring. Judging or choosing a wedding ring is largely a subjective affair but before buying one you need to be aware of those objective criteria such as cost factor, durability, color of the stone, cutting etc. you want your personalized jewelry to be a good one and surely do not want to compromise on that factors. So, you prefer to know about all those factors well before buying the wedding ring.
Weight: At first we will be discussing about the weight of a wedding ring. For a diamond weight is measured in carats and for gold, it is measured in karats. It's a measure not of size or weight, but of purity. A 14kt gold ring contains 14/24 pure gold, or about 58%. This fact is commonly misunderstood as people gets confused by this thing. For platinum the same thing is weighed on a scale of 1000. Out of 1000 if it is said that a platinum wedding is 950PT weighed then it should be understood that that particular platinum ring is 95% pure.
A diamond is measured by the unit carats (ct) which can be ranging from near zero to up scale.1 carat is =200mg. now anything less than 1/8th or by some experts less than 1/4th of a carat is termed as chip. A reason behind this is polishing and faceting a small diamond is very much difficult and to bring out the diamonds effects it has to be done. A diamond stone that is not fully faceted and properly shaped is also called chip. This is a result of accident or the crystal structure may be like this that makes the cutting and polishing impossible. That is why these small stones are called chip. The biggest diamond Cullnan is weighed around 3106 carats and that is why it is called the biggest individual gem-quality diamond ever discovered. It was cut down into the egg-shaped stone that sits in the scepter of England, itself about 525 carats.
Clarity: Another factor, which is equally important for determining the diamonds price, is its clarity. Professionals get an idea of the stones price from its clarity. FL and IF are those kinds of diamonds, which are rare, stones and considered as flawless. These stones are very much expensive. These are the highest grade of diamond quality in this era. Then come VVS1 and VVS2. These types of rings are slightly included. Included is used to denote that these types of diamonds are slightly occluded or cloudy. The reason might be adding of non-diamond materials. But they are indeed of high quality as the flaws can be seen under 10 x magnifications not by bare eyes. VS1 and VS2 are those types of diamond stones where inclusion of non-diamond materials can be seen in the open eyes. SI1 and SI2, I1 and I2, I3 are some other diamond varieties where flaw is visible.
Weight: At first we will be discussing about the weight of a wedding ring. For a diamond weight is measured in carats and for gold, it is measured in karats. It's a measure not of size or weight, but of purity. A 14kt gold ring contains 14/24 pure gold, or about 58%. This fact is commonly misunderstood as people gets confused by this thing. For platinum the same thing is weighed on a scale of 1000. Out of 1000 if it is said that a platinum wedding is 950PT weighed then it should be understood that that particular platinum ring is 95% pure.
A diamond is measured by the unit carats (ct) which can be ranging from near zero to up scale.1 carat is =200mg. now anything less than 1/8th or by some experts less than 1/4th of a carat is termed as chip. A reason behind this is polishing and faceting a small diamond is very much difficult and to bring out the diamonds effects it has to be done. A diamond stone that is not fully faceted and properly shaped is also called chip. This is a result of accident or the crystal structure may be like this that makes the cutting and polishing impossible. That is why these small stones are called chip. The biggest diamond Cullnan is weighed around 3106 carats and that is why it is called the biggest individual gem-quality diamond ever discovered. It was cut down into the egg-shaped stone that sits in the scepter of England, itself about 525 carats.
Clarity: Another factor, which is equally important for determining the diamonds price, is its clarity. Professionals get an idea of the stones price from its clarity. FL and IF are those kinds of diamonds, which are rare, stones and considered as flawless. These stones are very much expensive. These are the highest grade of diamond quality in this era. Then come VVS1 and VVS2. These types of rings are slightly included. Included is used to denote that these types of diamonds are slightly occluded or cloudy. The reason might be adding of non-diamond materials. But they are indeed of high quality as the flaws can be seen under 10 x magnifications not by bare eyes. VS1 and VS2 are those types of diamond stones where inclusion of non-diamond materials can be seen in the open eyes. SI1 and SI2, I1 and I2, I3 are some other diamond varieties where flaw is visible.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
All the Right Stuff
As its name indicates, this is a fashion ring for the right hand, a ring whose design and purpose are different from the engagement or wedding rings on the left. Those rings, usually a gift from a man, have their own romance and significance. The important difference about the Right-Hand Ring, however, is that it's intended to be a self-purchase, a gift a woman chooses for herself to celebrate who she is.
We tell our clients to think of a Right-Hand Ring as a personal statement of style and status. It's an ideal choice for jewelry lovers who have the financial means to buy it for themselves. And while the Right-Hand Ring can be of any style or made from any material, the most popular ones we've sold have been diamond rings.
Choose from classically elegant designs in platinum, white or yellow gold with prong-set, pave or channel-set diamonds. Many of the new rings are fairly wide, yet are comfortable and easy to wear because they are braided, woven or pierced like lace. The size and number of diamonds is always an option: Some rings sport a large center diamond, others are designed with many different sized stones, still others are entirely of pave. The design is another matter of personal choice. While many women prefer to coordinate the style of the Right-Hand Ring with their wedding and engagement rings, others want something totally different. As a result, jewelry designers have come up with a large variety of new looks to choose from. Come in today to view our selection of Right-Hand Rings and find the perfect one to reflect your taste and style.
We tell our clients to think of a Right-Hand Ring as a personal statement of style and status. It's an ideal choice for jewelry lovers who have the financial means to buy it for themselves. And while the Right-Hand Ring can be of any style or made from any material, the most popular ones we've sold have been diamond rings.
Choose from classically elegant designs in platinum, white or yellow gold with prong-set, pave or channel-set diamonds. Many of the new rings are fairly wide, yet are comfortable and easy to wear because they are braided, woven or pierced like lace. The size and number of diamonds is always an option: Some rings sport a large center diamond, others are designed with many different sized stones, still others are entirely of pave. The design is another matter of personal choice. While many women prefer to coordinate the style of the Right-Hand Ring with their wedding and engagement rings, others want something totally different. As a result, jewelry designers have come up with a large variety of new looks to choose from. Come in today to view our selection of Right-Hand Rings and find the perfect one to reflect your taste and style.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
On the Hunt For Your Diamond
Hunting for the perfect diamond engagement ring or indeed, a diamond for any other occasion is a task the uninitiated may sometimes feel overwhelmed by; diamonds sparkle but everything that sparkles is not gold! Certainly not "gold" when it comes to making the right decisions on the diamond of your choice!
Before you start looking for a diamond, take a few moments to educate yourself on how to spot a great diamond from a piece of squashed graphite: diamonds and graphite are made from exactly the same element - Carbon - but the process for making each of them is very different deep within the bowels of the earth.
Diamonds are formed at least fifty miles under our feet where the pressures defy belied and at extremely high temperatures which force the carbon atoms into a peculiar lattice structure and it is this atomic formation which gives diamonds their strength and beauty as well as three of the four factors which affect their value and the price you pay - "The Four C's".
The four C's are:
1. Color - this is something of a trick; the most valuable diamonds have no coloring at all which accentuates the brilliance and fire after they are cut and polished; many diamonds have a yellowish coloring and this decreases the luster and sparkle of the stone so the less color a diamond has the more valuable it is. As a side note, there are blue and pink diamonds which are exceedingly rare and these do have an astronomical price tag!
2. Clarity - when a diamond is forming in the earth, other material aside from carbon may be included in the mix - bubbles of gas or foreign matter, or as part of the process the growing diamond may have scratches or faults along the lattice - these may be visible or may not be; if they are visible this will impact the value of the diamond and you will pay much more for a flawless diamond than one with flaws. Even though your diamond may have flaws, there are considerable detailed classifications for how serious the flaws are - visible inclusions near the surface of the stone decrease the value much more than a tiny, invisible to the naked eye inclusion towards the base of the diamond.
3. Carat - this is a measure of weight drawn from ancient times when the seeds of the Carob tree were used as a counterbalance on the diamond weighing scales - one carob became one carat and this is equal to 0.2 grams. Be aware that the term carat is a measure of weight and not shape of size; a diamond may appear to be large from how it has been cut (see the following) but is in fact a lesser carat than another smaller looking stone. The more carats the more you will pay.
4. Cut - The only man-made part of the process which affects the value of a diamond; how it is cut will account for as much as 40% of the final value of the diamond itself. It is a highly skilled process practiced by exceptionally gifted craftsmen. The cut will determine the final shape and appearance of the stone but more importantly, how brilliant and fiery a diamond appears is directly related to how well it is cut. The sparkle of a diamond comes from the internal reflection of light entering the stone; it bounces around the interior of the diamond and this gives an amplified effect when it leaves the stone and enters your eye. Too shallow a cut and the light does not reflect so well as it simply passes through the stone; a good cut will maximize the internal reflection of light and it will enhance its sparkling appearance.
Before you start looking for a diamond, take a few moments to educate yourself on how to spot a great diamond from a piece of squashed graphite: diamonds and graphite are made from exactly the same element - Carbon - but the process for making each of them is very different deep within the bowels of the earth.
Diamonds are formed at least fifty miles under our feet where the pressures defy belied and at extremely high temperatures which force the carbon atoms into a peculiar lattice structure and it is this atomic formation which gives diamonds their strength and beauty as well as three of the four factors which affect their value and the price you pay - "The Four C's".
The four C's are:
1. Color - this is something of a trick; the most valuable diamonds have no coloring at all which accentuates the brilliance and fire after they are cut and polished; many diamonds have a yellowish coloring and this decreases the luster and sparkle of the stone so the less color a diamond has the more valuable it is. As a side note, there are blue and pink diamonds which are exceedingly rare and these do have an astronomical price tag!
2. Clarity - when a diamond is forming in the earth, other material aside from carbon may be included in the mix - bubbles of gas or foreign matter, or as part of the process the growing diamond may have scratches or faults along the lattice - these may be visible or may not be; if they are visible this will impact the value of the diamond and you will pay much more for a flawless diamond than one with flaws. Even though your diamond may have flaws, there are considerable detailed classifications for how serious the flaws are - visible inclusions near the surface of the stone decrease the value much more than a tiny, invisible to the naked eye inclusion towards the base of the diamond.
3. Carat - this is a measure of weight drawn from ancient times when the seeds of the Carob tree were used as a counterbalance on the diamond weighing scales - one carob became one carat and this is equal to 0.2 grams. Be aware that the term carat is a measure of weight and not shape of size; a diamond may appear to be large from how it has been cut (see the following) but is in fact a lesser carat than another smaller looking stone. The more carats the more you will pay.
4. Cut - The only man-made part of the process which affects the value of a diamond; how it is cut will account for as much as 40% of the final value of the diamond itself. It is a highly skilled process practiced by exceptionally gifted craftsmen. The cut will determine the final shape and appearance of the stone but more importantly, how brilliant and fiery a diamond appears is directly related to how well it is cut. The sparkle of a diamond comes from the internal reflection of light entering the stone; it bounces around the interior of the diamond and this gives an amplified effect when it leaves the stone and enters your eye. Too shallow a cut and the light does not reflect so well as it simply passes through the stone; a good cut will maximize the internal reflection of light and it will enhance its sparkling appearance.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Diamond in the Sullen Rough
A diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man and when combined with the brilliant fire of the cut and polished finished product, has made diamonds one of the most valuable gemstones in the world.
Diamonds in all of their glory are pure carbon, just the same way lead pencils used to made from graphite which is also pure carbon, it is the way the carbon atoms are arranged which makes the difference between cheap, dull graphite or brilliant, fiery diamond. Diamonds are formed at great pressure and temperature inside the earth; at least 50 miles below the surface where the pressure is so intense that the carbon atoms are compressed together into an extremely packed formation and which gives diamond its strength. Diamonds are brought to the surface as a result of the natural, geological processes of the earth or more usually, are sought in some of the deepest mines in the world.
Brazil and India used to be the principal sources of diamonds with their gemstones being sourced from rivers and gravel deposits which had come to or close to the surface naturally. In 1870, Kimberlite rock was discovered to be richly laden with diamonds in South Africa and now, huge masses of rock are mined and processed to extract the diamonds it contains. To put it into some perspective, for one carat of polished diamond over 250 tons of Kimberlite ore must be mined and processed - now you understand why diamonds are so expensive!
Once extracted from the ore, the rough diamonds must be sorted and processed further. Processing includes cutting and polishing as at this stage, the diamonds resemble pebbles you would encounter on a beach and are nondescript in appearance. Cutting and polishing the rough diamond brings out the internal fire and beauty of the diamond, however, it is how a diamond is cut which determines the level of light which enters the stone and is internally reflected before exiting the diamond - this level of internal reflection is what adds to the sparkle and brilliance of the stone so cutting a diamond properly is essential or it will appear dull.
After being cut and polished, diamonds are then graded according to a system know as the "Four C's". The Four C's are - Carat (or weight), Cut, Clarity and Color. A carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams but you must take care not to confuse diamond size with weight - a carat is a measure of weight and not size; a smaller looking diamond may very well be a larger weight of a much larger diamond simply because of composition and the way it has been cut. The cut, as we have seen, determines how much light enters and internally reflected within a diamond thus bringing out the fire or brilliance - too shallow a cut, where the diamond is not deep enough to allow the internal light reflection, will mean the diamond looks dull instead of fiery - this is a poor cut and underlines why diamond cutting is a highly skilled art.
Clarity refers to how clear and flaw-free the diamond is; diamonds will contain flaws which may be foreign matter enclosed within the diamond when it was forming in the earth or bubbles of gas and even internal faults where the carbon atoms have not uniformly bonded together. The presence of flaws affects the visual appearance of the diamond but also influences how light will travel and internally reflect within it; for these reasons, a flawless diamond is considerably more valuable than one with flaws.
Finally, color - diamonds can come with a yellowish tinge or at the other end of the scale have no color whatsoever - no color means a brighter and fiery brilliance whereas the yellowish tinge will dampen the brilliance of the diamond. The less color a diamond has the more valuable it is and the more you are going to pay for it.
Diamonds in all of their glory are pure carbon, just the same way lead pencils used to made from graphite which is also pure carbon, it is the way the carbon atoms are arranged which makes the difference between cheap, dull graphite or brilliant, fiery diamond. Diamonds are formed at great pressure and temperature inside the earth; at least 50 miles below the surface where the pressure is so intense that the carbon atoms are compressed together into an extremely packed formation and which gives diamond its strength. Diamonds are brought to the surface as a result of the natural, geological processes of the earth or more usually, are sought in some of the deepest mines in the world.
Brazil and India used to be the principal sources of diamonds with their gemstones being sourced from rivers and gravel deposits which had come to or close to the surface naturally. In 1870, Kimberlite rock was discovered to be richly laden with diamonds in South Africa and now, huge masses of rock are mined and processed to extract the diamonds it contains. To put it into some perspective, for one carat of polished diamond over 250 tons of Kimberlite ore must be mined and processed - now you understand why diamonds are so expensive!
Once extracted from the ore, the rough diamonds must be sorted and processed further. Processing includes cutting and polishing as at this stage, the diamonds resemble pebbles you would encounter on a beach and are nondescript in appearance. Cutting and polishing the rough diamond brings out the internal fire and beauty of the diamond, however, it is how a diamond is cut which determines the level of light which enters the stone and is internally reflected before exiting the diamond - this level of internal reflection is what adds to the sparkle and brilliance of the stone so cutting a diamond properly is essential or it will appear dull.
After being cut and polished, diamonds are then graded according to a system know as the "Four C's". The Four C's are - Carat (or weight), Cut, Clarity and Color. A carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams but you must take care not to confuse diamond size with weight - a carat is a measure of weight and not size; a smaller looking diamond may very well be a larger weight of a much larger diamond simply because of composition and the way it has been cut. The cut, as we have seen, determines how much light enters and internally reflected within a diamond thus bringing out the fire or brilliance - too shallow a cut, where the diamond is not deep enough to allow the internal light reflection, will mean the diamond looks dull instead of fiery - this is a poor cut and underlines why diamond cutting is a highly skilled art.
Clarity refers to how clear and flaw-free the diamond is; diamonds will contain flaws which may be foreign matter enclosed within the diamond when it was forming in the earth or bubbles of gas and even internal faults where the carbon atoms have not uniformly bonded together. The presence of flaws affects the visual appearance of the diamond but also influences how light will travel and internally reflect within it; for these reasons, a flawless diamond is considerably more valuable than one with flaws.
Finally, color - diamonds can come with a yellowish tinge or at the other end of the scale have no color whatsoever - no color means a brighter and fiery brilliance whereas the yellowish tinge will dampen the brilliance of the diamond. The less color a diamond has the more valuable it is and the more you are going to pay for it.
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