My Favorite Jewelry

Diamond is a mineral and is the hardest known substance to man, but one of the simplest being composed of carbon and the first recorded history dates back to some 3000 years ago to India. Throughout history diamonds have been affiliated with mystic power, great beauty and more recently great value and wealthiness. The word comes from the Greek meaning ‘adamas’ meaning unconquerable and they have been worn throughout the ages by men going into battle as a sign of strength, bravery and invincibility.

Most diamonds still originate from central and south Africa though there have been other significant finds in Canada, Brazil, Australia and the biggest diamond mine is in Siberia. The diamond market is very much dominated by De Beers to control the supply and price of diamonds across the world by what some would say are monopolistic practices.

Some of the worlds largest and most worthful diamonds are in the Tower of London in the British Crown Jewels.

Diamonds are indeed very desirable objects and are worn throughout the world set in precious metals in many different types of jewellery. One of the most common pieces of jewellery is still the ladies diamond engagement ring and many women still choose to have a diamond as a symbol of love to wear on their engagement finger whether it be the traditional solitaire or three diamonds which some believe signifies ‘I love you’.
Diamonds have always been associated with romance and legend and it is said that CupidÂ’s arrows were tipped with diamonds because they ingest a magic that zero point else has equalled.

Diamonds vary enormously in price according to size and quality so when choosing diamond rings it is important to consider your budget.

Diamonds are graded according to the 4 cÂ’s which refers to cut, clearness, color and Karat.
The cut of a diamond is very important as it affects the reflective qualities, which will determine the brilliance of a diamond and how it looks to the naked eye. Cut should not be confused with shape such as pear, emerald, round etc.

Clarity refer to the number of flaws known as inclusions in the stone and the stones which have fewer inclusion are more highly prized and valuable because they have greater brilliance. imagine though that a diamond doesnÂ’t have to be flawless to look absolutely stunning.

Diamond colour usually refers to whiteness or colourlessness in white diamonds with those with smallest colour being more valuable because of their ability to pass more light giving more sparkle and fire. Coloured diamonds do total naturally ranging from blue to green but they are rare and very expensive.

Carat is the unit of weight for measuring the size of diamonds and in this case it genuinely is a case of size does matter. The value of a diamond rises exponentially in relation to its size so the cost of a 4 carat stone for instance will not be double the cost of a 2 carat stone but very much more. So it is all down to your budget and not a number of how much someone loves another.

Cost is important when buying a mens diamond ring but you will find that there is a huge choice out there that will fit within your budget. Remember that clever design and settings can make a diamond appear larger but if you really want a larger stone on a especial(a) budget you could decide to purchase a stone which is graded slightly lower in terms of clarity and colour.

read comments (0)

The most important thing every engaged couple needs is an engagement ring.  Most will purchase a  large diamond, gold or platinum wedding band. Of course what a person considers large dependson what they have seen and what their friends have. When I sold diamonds most of the people in my area would consider a 1.5 carat diamond large and 3 carat massive. 

If I went to a jewellery store only 60 miles away the clients shopping at that store would consider the 3 carat an average size diamond and 10 carat large. Now the cost of any quality diamond over six carats can be over $100,000. You would say that any diamond in that price would have an independent grading report if not 2 to guaranty the quality. 

This store did not have any reports and they were excellent at selling but did not have much understanding of the standard of the product being sold.  What this sometimes means was that the customer got a nice looking diamond that was a little under the grade stated .  It is a  fine line between a VS1 and a VS2 so why get too picky.  Of course all is fine for few years unti she finds the guy cheating with his office aid. Now the diamond is up for sale and the purchaser looks at it and tells her it is only a Si 1 stone. She purchased it as a better quality VS1 and a better color than the buyer thinks it is. 

Now with a value difference of thousand they are off to court.  This is the same that occurs everyday with diamonds. Usually average size diamonds that average people can buy. They assume that are as stated but don’t have independent documents to back up the grades. 

If you are purchasing a good size diamond you owe it to yourself to see only diamonds possessing an independent grading report.  When you compare you need to compare the same kind of report to itself.  To paraphrase GIA to GIA, ELG to EGL and IGI to IGI as eash has subtly different standards and quality control. Doing this will help you get the price you are expecting out of your diamond purchase. 

When you are prepared to mount the diamond into a ring be sure to use a platinum head.  A platinum  wedding band or platinum mounting will hold the stone tighter and is less sure to break or have forks break off when hit.  Damaged forks make allowance for diamonds to pop out and bent prongs typically enable you time to see the difficulty and have it fixed before the stone is lost.Also remember to take a good quality photo or hire a professional commercial photographer to take a image for insurance. A photo will help replace a ring that may need to be custom made in the future.

read comments (0)

So you have decided that it is time for your watch to be special. There are a few ways to do this. You can either design a watch of your own or you can buy one of the many different types of jewelry watches that has become so popular these days. There are two types of jewelry watches. The first type of jewelry watch is the standard wrist watch but it has been dressed up to look like a piece of jewelry. The second kind is a piece of jewelry that has a working time piece in it. One of the best ways to find these types of watches at affordable prices is to shop for them online.

Chronograph watches are an excellent gift choice for a man as they are both useful and don’t go out of style.

If you don’t mind spending a little bit more money you can usually buy these watches at jewelry stores. It is more expensive to buy them from jewelry stores, though. There are different reasons for this. The biggest reason that watches purchased at jewelry stores are usually made out of better materials than those purchased elsewhere. They don’t carry as many of the product because they are usually only produced in small amounts (as opposed to being mass produced in factories). This makes them more expensive. Of course, if you don’t mind spending more money, buying a watch from a jeweler or jewelry store can be a fantastic way to have a one of a kind accessory.

Once that is decided, you will need to focus on the type of materials you want your jewelry watch to be made from. Where you go is determined by what you want, for example beaded watches would be in one type of store. A jeweler’s shop is where you would look if you wanted one with precious stones or diamonds. Would you prefer the watch not be made of metal? You can always choose a watch with a leather band, or even one that clips onto your clothing. Before you start shopping it is important to decide these things. If you just start shopping you may become overwhelmed and discouraged by the many choices.

Research the current costs of precious stones and materials. That research will be more important if you are looking for an expensive jewelry watch. Obviously, knowing the current price that diamond carats are selling for will protect you from any jewelers who might try to rip you off. Knowing the cost of these materials will help you determine what markup to expect.

Make sure you have this information handing when shopping, so you can use to help you stand up to sellers when purchasing your timepiece. If you want to be prepared when you are shopping for your timepiece than you will want to educate your self on everything we have talked about.

Finding the jewelry watches you desire for the prices you need doesn’t have to be a challenge. Having the right mindset is all you need. Like with most things, the brainier you are about the approach, the easier a time you will have. Jewelry watches are just as original as each of the people who wear them. Who says you need to wear the same kind of watch that other people wear? You don’t need to spend a ton of money to have a beautiful piece of watch jewelry!

A men’s chronograph watch doesn’t just tell time, it shows class and makes a statement about the wearer.

read comments (0)

There are several different styles of charms that are both very beautiful as well as a great match with most types of charm bracelets. Knowing the different styles and types of charms can help you determine which is the best match for your particular type of bracelet, but also a bit about which are most practical and durable.

In the most basic sense there are three distinctly different types of charms. Each of these types will have several variations, but they all have the same general characteristics. Charms can come in any metal, but all three types are found most commonly in yellow gold and sterling silver charms.

The first category of charms are those that are considered to be 3-D charms. Three dimensional refers to the fact that the charms are like a statue or sculpture and have depth and width as well as height. These charms are very lifelike in appearance and are amazingly detailed in most cases. Three dimensional charms can be solid, semi-hollow or completely hollow in design.

Another very common and elegant looking type of charm is the flat or disc charm. These charms are perfect for adding a personal message of hope, love or inspiration, or just recording a special date. These charms can be in a variety of shapes from hearts to ovals, but most are very decorative and beautifully engraved.

Three dimensional charms can be hollow, which means that they actually have a hollow core rather than a solid center. Hollow charms can also be very stylized with filigree work that allows the light to pass right through the charms for a very airy effect. A charm that has thicker walls or sides but an open pocket in the center is known as a semi-hollow charm.

Within the different styles of charms there are also movable charms. These are charms that are designed to have some natural movement within the charm itself. These can be hinged 3-D charms that open to display designs within the charm or they can be charms with actual moving wheels or other design parts.

Common themes for the movable types of charms include wagons or vehicles with real moving tires or wheels, scissors that open and close, clocks that have movable hands or coffee pots with removable lids. Often the opening is operated by as small hinge and care needs to be taken not to stretch or damage this hinge component.

Heavy bracelets or those with the larger links are best suited to matching, solid types of three dimensional charms or larger, heavier flat disc charms. The light and delicate bracelets are best matched with the hollow and semi-hollow charms in any style.
 Although all charms are very strong and durable, hollow charms can be damaged slightly easier than the other types of charms, but this is only under very extreme types of conditions.

read comments (0)

Black diamonds are believed to be formed in stellar supernova explosions; these stones are also called ‘Carbonado’. Apart from industrial purposes, black diamonds were considered by jewelers as worthless until recently; you should know this before you learn how to buy a black diamond. In combination with little black dress (LBD), black diamonds are used in men’s rings; it is also being used in making engagement rings unique. Still, others consider these kinds of diamonds as oddly eccentric.

Important Note! I highly recommend you visit Online Diamond Store Reviews For our full in-depth look at online diamond retailers.

•First of all, go to the internet to check for the best deals for black diamonds; you should shop around as widely as possible

•Black diamond is a fancy colored stone; therefore the 4Cs of a diamond cannot be applied to this type of stones.

•Colored diamonds has an exclusive grading system with GIA. One is the GIA colored Diamond Grading Report which is like the usual stone grading report; and the other is the GIA colored Diamond Identification and origin report which gives the grade and nature of the color. These reports are important when you buy black diamonds.

•Always ask if the stone has been treated because poor quality black diamonds are sometimes treated to enhance its appearances. For best results in detecting diamonds treated with high radiation, fiber-optic light is place on the diamond. On the opposite side of the stone where it has been enhanced or treated, a darkish green comes out.

•To ensure that you do not get duped always have your black diamond appraised by an independent appraiser.

•Small carats are available with most vendors because most black diamonds are used in a pave setting, although large solitaire sizes are difficult to find. Therefore you need considerable time to shop for a black diamond.

•Naturally black diamonds are significantly more brittle than clear diamonds and have a lot of inclusions in them. GIA states that the inclusions give color to black diamonds; so if you want a naturally black diamond you cannot find one with very little inclusions.

•Due to the rarity of black diamonds, most people buy them from local vendors because they do not have any mental reference to find out what the black diamond is like. Buying online is the best alternative for you because local vendors have limited stocks of black stones.

•Because of the brittle nature of black diamonds, cutting them is difficult and risky. Therefore you spend more money to buy a natural black diamond with a good cut.

It is important that before you purchase a black diamond, you know how to read the grading certificate that comes with the stone and you have learned the basics of stone appraisal. We highly recommend you visit Diamond Ring Brands To learn more about engagement ring settings or please visit Best Diamond For Your Money To discover what diamond you can best buy, for your money.

read comments (0)

Do you enjoy jewelry? Are you particular about what kind of pieces you buy? Do your friends often ask you to make handmade jewelry for them? Most people eventually discover that the very best way to get jewelry that is unique is to have someone make it for them. Some people find that they like unique pieces so much that they learn how to do it themselves. Of course it can get boring being the only designer of your jewelry. The following are some other ways that you can get homemade jewelry.

The easiest way to get your own handmade jewelry is to learn how to make it. One way to do this is to get someone to teach you. Your community center or a few of the jewelry shops in your area might offer classes in making jewelry; think about taking one of them! Sometimes local jewelry designers will work with people on an individual basis. This is the best way to learn to make jewelry because it is easier to learn when you are the only student in the room.

Occasionally, handcrafted jewelry is less expensive. If you visit craft and art fairs, the handmade jewelry you’ll find is typically less expensive than the jewelry you’ll find in jewelry and department stores.

Many people find that buying hand crafted accessories allows them to enhance their wardrobes without having to spend a ton of money doing so. Who wouldn’t want to have more accessories and still save money? Of course, just remember that when you buy a piece of jewelry that was made by hand you are also paying for the artist’s time as well as the materials he or she used.

You can also buy handmade jewelry from jewelry stores (obviously). Sometimes these handmade pieces of jewelry will be very expensive (like what you will usually pay in a jewelry store). Other times it will be very affordable, like the kind you will find in boutiques. Many boutiques will buy jewelry from a local artist and sell it in the shop. The profit from the sale of this jewelry is split between the store and the artist. This is a fantastic way to find handmade jewelry without having to spend hours looking on the internet or waiting for the next art fair.

As someone who likes to save money you probably recognize that making jewelry yourself is the best way to get unique pieces without having to pay a lot of money for them. Making your own handmade jewelry can be very easy. Once you learn how to do it you will probably find that making your own jewelry is very rewarding. Learning how to make jewelry of your own is the best way to get your own handmade pieces without having to break your bank to get them. Many people find jewelry making to be relaxing. Another reason to learn how to make your own jewelry is that, once you have it all figured out, you could even sell the things you make for pocket money! Purchase great Jewelry from online catalogueLittlewoods catalogue

read comments (0)

The opal is a fascinating gemstone to look at. While other stones and diamonds are also interesting in an aesthetic sense, they don’t match up. The stone’s play of colors changes with the angle you look at it, making it a gem that you can look at for hours! These flashes of colors are called opalescence and may be numerous or few and differing in size and type. It is these colorings that determine how much an opal is worth.

The opal is a gem mainly found in Australia. Almost 95% of the stones on the market are mined there, though Mexico, Brazil and a few American states also export the colored gemstone. There have also been recent finding in the African nations of Ethiopia and Mali, but the opal is an Australian stone first and foremost.

There are two different classifications of opals: precious opals and common opals. The precious opal is the most valuable and is characterized by ‘flames’ and displaying flashes of colors. The precious opal comes in different background colors, but it is the distribution of different colors within that makes it a precious opal. The highest valued precious opal is the black opal, with a background color of deep black, deep blue or deep green and exhibiting opalescence in different colors. The second most valued precious opal is the white opal; white, yellow or creamy in background color with opalescence. If an opal is only in color and translucent or transparent, then its known as a common opal. The highest prized type of common opal is the Mexican Fire Opal which is a transparent orange red opal.

In jewelry, doublets, are thin pieces or slices of precious opals that are glued onto a matrix material. These kind of gems are considerably cheaper than solid precious opals, while still displaying the same play of color and intensity. The opal is a relatively soft gem, so a layer or coating of clear quartz is sometimes added to make it more resistant.

Get your fire opal necklace at http://www.jewelrymall.com

read comments (0)

Charm bracelets make spectacular gifts for ladies of all ages. From the very young to the young at heart, these unusual pieces of jewellery can be added to and grown to reflect the wearer’s own personality, style and even life experiences.

When a woman owns a charm bracelet or one is presented as a gift, a little confusion can arise on when the bracelet should be added to. There are an endless variety of occasions that are perfect for marking with special charms or decorative beads. They include:

    * Birthdays – Celebrating milestone birthdays with a special charm is an excellent way to show a woman she’s loved.  Beads also make great gifts on this occasion to help fill in a bracelet and add a little more sparkle to its evolving design.

    * Anniversaries – Marking an anniversary with a charm bracelet or the addition of a beautiful charm to an already-owned bracelet is a fantastic idea. Gemstone charms, heart charms and other similar designs are great for this occasion.

    * Graduations – When a woman graduates from high school or college, adding a charm to commemorate the occasion is a great way to help tell the story of her life.  A charm doesn’t have to be the traditional mortarboard cap either. Any special charm can be given to mark the occasion.

    * The purchase of a house – When a family buys its first real home, adding a charm to mark the milestone is an excellent idea.  While a miniature house is the standard choice here, plenty of other options work, as well. Entwined hearts can signify a family’s love. Ruby-colored beads or charms can do the same.

    * The birth of a child – Baby booties, teddy bears, blocks and even birthstone gem beads are all excellent for celebrating the arrival of a new life in the world. The mother in question will love explaining to friends and charm bracelet admirers what this addition signifies.

    * Travel – Adding charms to a bracelet to remember special destinations by is also a popular choice. It’s even feasible to buy and add charms and beads after a trip is completed. A beautiful turquoise-colored bead, for example, might commemorate a trip to the Caribbean or Mediterranean. A double-decker bus would serve as an instant reminder of an excellent getaway to London.

    * Hobby and interest related achievements – Charm bracelets are meant not only to serve as reminders of very special occasions, but also to tell stories about a wearer’s life. Since hobbies and interests help define people, adding related charms at any time is a great notion.

    * Any time – There really isn’t a bad time to add a charm or bead to a bracelet. Just because gifts are often the most meaningful. The options here run the gamut from decorative beads to add a little more pizzazz to distinctly shaped charms that speak of a woman’s interests or passions.

The beauty of charm bracelets is found in the fact that there never is a bad time to add to their overall design. From marking special events in a woman’s life to simply just because, decorative additions to charm bracelets are always welcomed.

read comments (0)

Bridal Jewelry should complement rather than compete with the wedding gown or ensemble.  When choosing jewelry, keep in mind the general tone and style of the wedding, as well as the gown neckline, silhoutte, and fabric.  Jewelry for a daytime wedding should be less dramatic than a ultraformal evening wedding.

Pearls are always the perfect complement to a wedding gown and also symbolize happiness. Pearls come in shades of white , ecru and blush pink and can be chosen to flatter every complexion color. A simple rule of thumb: The more ornate the gown, the simpler the bridal jewelry should be. For an informal or country wedding, a gold or silver locket may be appropriate.

For a high necked gown or on with lots of beading or lace just below the face, a fussy necklace will overdo the look. Instead, make a statement with simple stud earrings or clustered earrings with pearls or crystals chose to match or mirror the bead work in the gown. Some brides choose to move their engagement ring to the right hand until after the ceremony to make slipping on the wedding ring easier. It’s also wise to avoid wearing any ring on the right hand during the receiving line, when it’s necessary to shake hands for a long time.

A bride should never feel pressured to wear a piece of heirloom jewelry on her wedding day just because her mother in law or another loved one wants her to for sentimental reasons.  Gloves, look for decorative wrist ornaments and beading, lacy fabrics, and styles with the fingertips snipped off. Long gloves are an elegant complement to a gown with little or no sleeve. With a short sleeve, choose a short glove. A sleeveless gown or gown with elbow length sleeves looks lovely with elbow length gloves. Hope this helps with your bridal accessories.

read comments (0)

People who are into jewelry making are more familiar with glass beads. If you are new to this style of jewellery then this article will enlighten you. Glass as we all know is a material which is solid and transparent while beads are small pieces of wood, glass, or plastic which are usually strung on a thread in a series to make a fine piece of an ornament or jewellery. In other words the subject we are talking about here is a kind of bead which is an excellent choice in making fashionable jewellery items.

There are a number of types of beads that are made of glass found in the market today. Selecting the kinds of beads you want to use in your jewellery is up to you. Do not be surprised if you find people asking you about the jewellery you are wearing.

To get you started though you need to familiarise yourself with the kinds of beads that are made of glass on which you could base your selection on when you get to make your very first bead jewellery.
 
If you have a fascination for animals then the kind of design that would suit you best would be the frog beads which are greatly inspired by nature and the animals found in it. These kinds of glass beads are also good for decoration. They come in various styles such as a jumping frog, a dancing frog, and you could even find a frog sitting on top of a lily pad. To make these kinds of beads, manufacturers utilize different kinds of glass such as Venetian, lampwork, and furnace.
 
If you want to make jewellery to express your feelings for someone then you could consider using the heart beads which are crafted in medley of designs, colors, patterns, and shapes by very artistic craftsmen. These kinds of beads are usually very colorful and shiny which are in great demand before Valentine’s Day.
 
Another common design of glass bead for people who love nature are butterfly beads. They are very alluring and attractive with so many designs, colors, patterns, and styles to choose from. Since they have such intricate patterns and details it is best they are used by people who already are more experienced in jewellery making. The kind of glass used to make this type of glass beads include Chinese, Indian, Venetian, and Czech.
 
There are so many different designs to choose from when making your own jewellery. The great thing is that they can usually be found online and you can order them from online stores such as lovingthebead.com with a few clicks.
 
These online stores will supply you with the necessary help you need to get you started in making your jewellery out of glass beads. Take a look at some online shops today so you can start your hobby right away.

read comments (0)