She's expecting you to pop the question, after all you've been dating a while and all the signs show you're right for each other. You're feeling confident and ready to take the next big step toward matrimonial bliss. She is hinting. You are thinking. She's glancing at the jewelry displays. You're peeking at the price tags. Will the one you finally buy be the one that will dazzle her? You wonder as you swallow a pain killer to dull that headache that's been pounding. Guys, no need to stress, no matter which ring you choose for her, you will make an impression that will last her a lifetime. But here's five little steps to help you make a more confident decision as you head off to make this very important purchase.
1. Be Attentive.
Take mental notes at what types of the rings she's looking. Are they contemporary in style, or are they more traditional or antique?
Contemporary style rings are modern designs, strong lines, more architectural shapes and bolder. Traditional style rings are simple, classic solitaires, sometimes with two accent stones on each side of the center diamond. Antique style have been very popular these past several years with the beaded details, leaf motifs, intricate carvings. All that milligree around the setting and band give the ring an antique look.
Beyond the setting, she will most likely express a preference on the diamond shape. Popular ones are the round diamond and princess cut (square). Many women favor the princess cut, but many jewelers will insist that the round diamonds have a brighter sparkle due to its cuts. It will surely depend on the style of the setting as well. If she has a clear preference on the setting, the shape of stone will follow, if she is focused more on the diamond shape, then any style setting will surely please her.
2. Decide on a budget.
Figure out your budget limitation, how much are you willing to spend on a diamond will determine its quality, size and weight. So going in with a budget will help you narrow down the stone and save you time.
3. Gather images.
Now you have a clear idea of what she likes and the budget that's acceptable for you. Get yourself a bunch of magazines and cut out the ring images that most resemble her favorites. This will help you visually and help the jeweler as well. At Jewels Quest, we always end up customizing an engagement ring as the clients want a creation that will be uniquely theirs. With many images to refer to, this will help any jeweler if you choose to go the extra mile and create a one-of-a-kind piece, again while keeping her preferred style in mind.
4. Research.
Research prices on the internet, I don't recommend buying online, though some do, but seeing the stones up close and understanding their properties makes the purchasing process far more interesting and you will make a more educated decision.
5. Shop around for a jeweler.
Independent jewelery stores will more likely have the jeweler on site. And often these jewelers have been in business for decades and will have deeper knowledge than the trained sales reps. You can also ask for a private appointment with the jeweler which might make the shopping experience less stressful. Diamonds range from 2,000 to 40,000+. Somewhere in between might be the perfect size and quality diamond you're looking for. You will probably not make a decision on your first visit, don't let any jeweler pressure you, if you feel pressured, shop around. Also if you have decided to custom design your setting, make a list of jewelers who specialize in custom design and shop for the diamond with them.
With these five simple steps, you will end up with a stunning, unique ring for your special proposal day. Remember: Pay attention. Make a budget. Gather image references. Research diamond cost. Shop around for a jeweler.
Most of all enjoy your shopping. Good luck!
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Friday, 9 October 2009
Engagement Rings - Some Tips For Cutting the Costs
When shopping for engagement rings, the main concern is the costs. Everyone searches the market for a less expensive ring but only those are successful who have followed the basics well and have done their home-work regarding the ring.
If budget is the concern, then all types of rings are available in a jeweler's shop. However, try to purchase a good quality ring at affordable costs. First of all, make a budget for the ring so that you know the price range before entering a shop. Go to the websites of the jewelers on internet in order to have an estimate of the current prices. Then, be prepared to set aside salary of two or three months especially for the purpose.
Once you have planned the budget, know that still the costs may be cut further as you follow some steps. Designing of engagement rings is always cheaper than purchasing them in ready made form. The couples have the options of purchasing loose diamonds as per their budgets. They can also select a setting that costs them less. So, opt for custom made rings for making them more affordable.
A diamond is expensive when it is colorless, flawless and is cut in many facets. Such stone also is of higher carat weight. But a less expensive and yet glittering diamond is the one that is little yellowish in color with its brightness still great on the eyes. Such a stone for the engagement rings is affordable. The couples can buy diamond with invisible flaws at low costs. If there are some blemishes or scratches on its side, the price will be cheaper and the diamond still can be bought to hide its scratches with a metal cover around it on the ring.
Carat weight alone can be a deciding factor in chopping down the overall costs of the engagement rings. Purchase a diamond that is little less than one or two carat for its lower prices. Few smaller diamonds of a total weight of one carat will still cost you less than a single stone of the same carat weight.
Finally, it is advisable to shop online if you are a budget couple. The online retail jewelers offer engagement rings at competitive prices. A ring at the time of wedding season will be further cheaper from the online sellers. But the jeweler must be genuine and must offer you a return policy so that the inadequately designed ring can be returned. Follow the basics to lower the costs.
If budget is the concern, then all types of rings are available in a jeweler's shop. However, try to purchase a good quality ring at affordable costs. First of all, make a budget for the ring so that you know the price range before entering a shop. Go to the websites of the jewelers on internet in order to have an estimate of the current prices. Then, be prepared to set aside salary of two or three months especially for the purpose.
Once you have planned the budget, know that still the costs may be cut further as you follow some steps. Designing of engagement rings is always cheaper than purchasing them in ready made form. The couples have the options of purchasing loose diamonds as per their budgets. They can also select a setting that costs them less. So, opt for custom made rings for making them more affordable.
A diamond is expensive when it is colorless, flawless and is cut in many facets. Such stone also is of higher carat weight. But a less expensive and yet glittering diamond is the one that is little yellowish in color with its brightness still great on the eyes. Such a stone for the engagement rings is affordable. The couples can buy diamond with invisible flaws at low costs. If there are some blemishes or scratches on its side, the price will be cheaper and the diamond still can be bought to hide its scratches with a metal cover around it on the ring.
Carat weight alone can be a deciding factor in chopping down the overall costs of the engagement rings. Purchase a diamond that is little less than one or two carat for its lower prices. Few smaller diamonds of a total weight of one carat will still cost you less than a single stone of the same carat weight.
Finally, it is advisable to shop online if you are a budget couple. The online retail jewelers offer engagement rings at competitive prices. A ring at the time of wedding season will be further cheaper from the online sellers. But the jeweler must be genuine and must offer you a return policy so that the inadequately designed ring can be returned. Follow the basics to lower the costs.
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.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Right Combination is the Key - Mixing Wedding Jewelery With Your Dress and Hairstyle
Weddings are very special and truly memorable occasions. And since you don't want to look mediocre on this special event, you'll surely do all you could to look perfect and wear the appropriate jewelry for this day. According to seasoned wedding planners, you need to plan your budget in advance, so that you will be able to choose and buy only the appropriate wedding jewelry for this day. If you can't decide on which to buy, you may ask for assistance from an established wedding planner, who will most likely refer you to a jewelry designer who would design the pieces according to your preferences and tastes. So, even if you do not have a large budget for this expense, with a little innovation and some good advice from the experts, you still can get the best jewelry for this memorable day.
It's a common notion that although most eyes will focus on the either unique shine, or drab look, of your wedding ring, the other wedding jewelry you wear will also help to prop up your bridal look. Though it would depend on your personal choices, the style of your dress or the flair of your hairstyle should also blend well with the necklace, bracelet or earrings you wear. As the experts keep on saying, coordination is the key to a perfect and lovely look, and this includes the quality of the jewelry you wear.In coordinating your wedding jewelry and attire, wardrobe experts stress that if your wedding dress is replete with a lot of beads, rhinestone details or lace trim, it would be better not to wear a necklace, since this could cause you to look quite busy or over-decorated to some extent. Second, you should also try on different types of jewelry with your bridal ensemble, before deciding which one to use. A piece of jewelry may look perfect on a product catalog or under a glass display, however it could look awkward or less stunning when you actually put it on. Third, it would also be good if you keep in mind that dark or deep-colored stones like sapphires, rubies and emeralds may look too bold when wearing a white wedding gown.
Wedding experts suggest that you opt for lighter colors like topaz, aquamarine or citrine and other lighter color tones. Fourth, buy jewelry that offers a sensible refund or exchange policy. Buying one which offers this exchange policy will help, especially when you suddenly change your mind after making a previous purchase. Fifth, go for a necklace that perfectly complements the cut of your dress. For instance, a rhinestone or pearl choker would suit well with a strapless bodice; while on the other hand, diamond solitaire could look real great when you're wearing a V or sweetheart neckline.In addition, it will also be great if you could perfectly blend and mix the gemstones that are installed or sewed-in your head piece or wedding dress, with the jewelry you will be wearing. Jewelry experts say that pearls help to complement beading, while zirconia or diamonds blend perfectly with crystals or sequins. Lastly, before wearing your dress and jewelry, think whether your hairstyle, necklace or headpiece complements with the earrings you wear. Remember that bigger and chunkier earrings will look very good with upswept hair, while simple shiny or bejeweled studs will blend well with a splendid decorative veil or tiara, as well as with a dramatic necklace.The type of wedding jewelry that you opt to buy and wear for your special occasion will forever remain to be an inseparable part of life. Therefore, you need to be very careful when shopping around for the right jewelry pieces to purchase, because the quality of jewelry you buy will for years, remain as a shining and sparkling symbol of your nuptial day.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Diamond Wedding Rings - Timeless Beauty Now and Forever
Diamond rings are the most precious gift for loved ones. It is the best way to show love and commitment for each other. No other piece of jewelry can make an impression on your spouse as a diamond ring can. Would it not be worth emptying your pockets for the love of your life?When it comes to marriage, you want everything to be special and unique. First thing that strikes to your mind is the wedding ring. Is there anything more important than that? Flowers, bouquets, decorations will not be there for your lifetime but your diamond wedding ring will always be.Choice of the perfect wedding ringIt could be quite a challenging task to find the perfect wedding ring. There are certain important factors which you'll need to look upon while purchasing a diamond ring.
Your wedding ring should always remind you of all the special things on your marriage. Quite often both the partners are involved in selecting the wedding rings for each other. How much are you willing to spend on your wedding ring? This is the first thing your need to determine because it will help you to decide the size and metal of the ring. It is the symbol of devotion towards your would be life partner. Do you research before you make any expensive purchase? If not, then better start to with your wedding ring. Make sure that you research well about the diamond brands and the certificate of authenticity issued by the regulatory boards. You need to be patient and gather complete information before making such an exclusive purchase. Style is what matters the most. You may want to buy a ring which is very much in fashion these days. If you have money to spend, then designer diamond wedding ring would be appropriate to show your love and make your spouse feel really special. Choose a ring which is not very trendy because it soon goes out of fashion and the charm of the style fades. The cut and the clarity of a diamond is the most important aspect to which you'll need to pay close attention on. There are shopkeepers who try to put jewelry on sale in order to get rid of old stock. Many a time's poor and low quality jewelry is also put on sale. You might want to take somebody experienced in jewelry shopping to get the best diamond brand for the person you are going to get married.Why diamond wedding ring only?Diamonds are known to be the hardest mineral on the earth. The ring is worn on the fourth finger of left hand which is supposed to have a vein connecting to the heart.
It symbolizes the love that will continue for the entire lifetime. It reflects the eternal bond between the two people who are going to get married.Diamonds are the best choice for those who can afford them. It is one of the ancient minerals which were well known in countries like India where the first diamond industry flourished.Nowadays lot many diamond brands have come up based on new cuts, gemology, grades and origin. Diamond rings are a great choice for the wedding since it reflects timeless beauty now and forever.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Spring 2009 Jewelry Trends For Men
Who says that jewelry trends are just for the fashion savvy women? Many men have a keen interest in fashion trends and jewelry specifically, and this season's looks are sure to entice even the most fashion-cynical male. As we move out of a cold winter, men's trends are staying on a neutral color scheme, with clothing trending more toward shades of grey. Read on to find out what jewelry works with this hot spring look.One hot jewelry trend for men is I.D. bracelets. Nothing that resembles something you would see on a hospital patient or on a luggage tag-these bracelets are chic and stylish. Men can get their real name and information engraved on these beauties (available in silver, gold and white gold), or perhaps a favorite quote or song lyric. The possibilities are endless, and you will be seeing these on runways everywhere.For a while there, it was more fashionable for men to be wearing more understated pieces of jewelry, such as a simple thin necklace with no pendent. This year, spring has men's necklaces blooming in a big way. Although men's jewelry may never reach the epic, sometimes outlandish nature that women's necklaces can reach, the trend this spring is for larger, more colorful pendants for men.Designers have kept things tasteful and masculine, with simple chains featuring pendants like round, bold colored disks made from a solid gemstone or wood. Large crosses are also being spotted, some in the traditional simple Christian design while others are trending toward more ornate Celtic crosses.Earrings are also popular this spring, but the George Michael one earring was left behind in the 80's. A few years ago, it was common to see men wearing a simple stud earring in both ears. This trend hasn't necessarily faded away, as many men still sport this style, but what is hot this spring is two studs in one ear.Many women have multiple piercings in one ear, and now the trend is for men to have dual studs while leaving the other ear bare. The studs are being seen in very simple designs like small diamonds and even pearls. One model was even spotted wearing turquoise, which would be a lovely and bold compliment to the grey clothing trend that is being seen.For men who enjoy wearing rings, large chunky rings are very hot this spring. These rings look terrific stacked on top of one another, or as a standout piece when worn alone. They usually come in gold or silver, and have thick bands up to inch thick. Look for designs like skull and crossbones, barcodes and Celtic spirals. Wear them on your thumb for a unique look.Body piercings are also making a comeback, specifically facial piercings. While body piercing was once thought of as very taboo, many models this season have been seen with very simple and even elegant facial piercings. Small diamond nose rings are very en vogue right now, as are small silver lip rings. While the trend of having a small chin stud is fading, you can still make a bold statement with the nose or lip ring.If you are considering making the leap for this trend, make sure your employer has a policy that allows facial piercings, as no one should lose their job over fashion. If you run into someone on the street who's piercing you like, make sure and ask where they got their work done. Facial and any piercing can go awry if not done at a reputable shop, so make sure you do your research before you go under the needle.
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