Is Bigger Better? The How-To's When Shopping For Diamonds
Buying a diamond can be an exhilarating but daunting adventure, especially if you're a newbie.If I could offer only one piece of advice it would be this:
Learn as much as you can about the 4Cs before you go shopping.For the uninitiated, that's cut, color, clarity and carat weight.
And I like to add one more - common sense.Choosing the perfect diamond (and there's no such thing as the "perfect" diamond, although a few have come close) is as much a matter of personal taste as it is a matter of the diamond's characteristics.Some couples are willing to forego quality for size, others prefer the brilliance of a flawless blue-white diamond over a larger stone with less clarity.
You be the judge - but not until you're clear about those characteristics I mentioned.
Talk to any jeweler and they'll all give you a different opinion as to what they believe is the most important quality of a diamond.According to Mayer Herz, Vice President of Diamond Acquisition at Mondera.com, "Cut is the most important consideration if you're on a budget.
You can make up for low color and clarity if the stone is well cut."However, Joseph Schlussel, Publisher of Diamond Registry Bulletin, says "I personally believe that color is the most important thing.
Most people who go into a store today, they are told about cut. But I look at what you can see with a naked eye. I would put cut the last, because most people can't see it."The safest all-round bet is to look for the overall "package", with the levels of cut, clarity, color and size as good as you can get for the price you're willing to pay.Here are my tips to help you get the best value possible:
- Ensure you get a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS) Certificate when you purchase your diamond.
A Certificate guarantees that you are getting what you paid for. - If you are buying at a retail store, ask to see your diamond against a white cloth (or take your own - even a white piece of paper will do the trick!).
Jewelers typically use a black felt cloth to display their stones because all diamonds look white against black. - The American Gem Society says that the cut of the diamond can influence the price by as much as 50%.
A well-cut diamond, when viewed from above, will sparkle with a brilliance you won't find in any other precious stone.
- Most diamonds have flaws (called inclusions) that developed during its formation millions of years ago.
Some are impossible to see with the naked eye, others glare at you.
The more inclusions, the poorer the quality of the diamond, and the less light it will emit.
But its all a trade-off - fewer inclusions means a more expensive diamond.
My very first diamond had a hairline crack deep inside it, and I came to love that diamond as much for its tiny flaws as I loved my husband for his!.
Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.alex@engagement-rings-guide.comDiamonds ? More than Just a Girl?s Best Friend
Everyone is familiar with the use of diamonds for making beautiful jewelry.
Nobody demonstrated that more convincingly than Marilyn Monroe in the movie "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend."
But although diamonds are used to make some of the most beautiful jewelry in the world, many people don't realize that the major use of diamonds is not for jewelry but in industry.
Three-fourths of all diamonds that are mined are used in industry.
This is because the diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man.
The word "diamond" is derived from the Greek word "adamas" meaning "unconquerable."
The name fits well, because the only thing that can cut a diamond is another diamond.
One of the major industrial uses of diamonds is to make tools.
Diamond tools can be used to cut, drill, and grind away any kind of surface.
Because they are so hard, they also last longer than regular tools.
...
Diamond > Diamonds ? More than Just a Girl?s Best Friend
Union Diamond adds Britain?s Hottest Silver Jewelry to its? Collection
Atlanta, GA (ContentDesk) May 12, 2004 -? Union Diamond Corporation, a leading online diamond and jewelry purveyor, announced today that it has added Britain's best selling, quality sterling silver and diamond jewelry collection, Hot Diamonds, to its extensive online offerings."The design and quality of the Hot Diamonds sterling silver collection is fresh and unique," said Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Union Diamond. "These are classic pieces that can be worn every day to show your style and sophistication.
The jewelry is timeless while also being fun and glamorous at a remarkable price."Winner of the UK Jewelry Awards, Jewelry of the Year in 2001 and 2003, Hot Diamonds has been called the "hottest thing in fashion jewelry."
The collection is made from quality rhodium plated sterling silver with a platinum-like finish.
Most pieces of the jewelry are set with brilliant cut diamonds and the line also includes a chic men's collection in addition to their...
Diamond > Union Diamond adds Britain?s Hottest Silver Jewelry to its? Collection
Create the Diamond Jewellery of Your Dreams
Buying precious diamond jewellery no longer means a stressful trip to the high street thanks to DeJoria.co.uk, a pioneer of on-line jewellery shopping which is designed to demystify diamonds and help educate the shopper.
More than just an ?e-tailer,' DeJoria offers a highly personal service to provide the discerning diamond jewellery buyer with the very best quality diamonds at significantly lower prices than the high street.Recent additions to the website include a ?Design with DeJoria' facility whereby the client can turns their design dreams into reality.
This, combined with DeJoria's unique ?Create Your Ring' facility ? allowing the client to choose the size and quality of the diamond to be used in their jewellery ? and an extensive range of ready to wear diamond earrings, pendants and bracelets, provides the client with an unrivalled choice of top quality diamond jewellery."The internet puts the shopper in control" explains Bruce Renny, Marketing Director of DeJoria.co.uk.
Diamond > Create the Diamond Jewellery of Your Dreams
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Arab American film wins 'Best Documentary' Award
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The Benefits of Electric Indoor Wheelchairs
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They are provided with several options and can be custom designed to suit individual needs. There are also plenty of styles and colors to...
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How Part-Time Work (Moonlighting) Can Save You Money
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Credit Scores: How Are They Calculated?
Copyright 2006 Edward Vegliante
Most people know that credit scores determine what and how much you can borrow from lenders, but very few are actually knowledgeable about how credit scores are calculated. When you attempt to borrow money from a financial institution or to obtain a credit card, the financial companies retrieve a copy of your credit report, which contains a score that qualifies (or disqualifies) you for the loan or line of credit.
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