Tag Archives: Best

How to Find the Best Value Diamonds

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Choosing best value diamonds is very subjective because what would represent best value to one customer would be way out of the reach of another. By taking a look at the way in which diamonds are appraised it is possible to see which diamonds would be the best value for you.

Not all diamonds are colorless, which is something that factors into the cost of a diamond. According to gemologists, such as those that carry out appraisals of EGL loose diamonds, the most expensive diamonds are those that have some color.

For GIA diamond rings, the diamond that is being appraised is placed next to a master stone that has been previously graded by this institute. Then it is compared to the master stone in terms of color quality under an ultra violet light. It may take the use of several of these master stones before a match or a close match is found.

Of course the best color for a diamond is none at all, showing that the diamond is pure. There is also a color grading scale to categorize the diamonds. The AGS (American Gem Society) used numbers to grade the color of a diamond, but the other appraisal societies use letter grades. Colorless diamonds have a grade of D, E or F, which is the highest.

Those that are almost colorless have a grade of G to J. Faint yellow diamonds are graded between K and M. The list proceeds to very light yellow with grades between N and R, and light yellow has grades from S to W. Fancy, yellow best value diamonds are graded X, Y, or Z.

The above examples are for grading yellow diamonds. There is a grading chart for other colors of diamonds that work in the same way. The most expensive diamond you can buy is a red diamond, which has a value of about $1 million per carat.

The number of carats in the diamond is another factor in considering whether you have best value diamonds. Carat is the easiest of the four C’s of diamond appraisal to understand. It refers to the weight and measurement of the stone. It is only natural that the larger the diamond the greater the carat and therefore the more expensive it is.

What many people do not realize is that the cut of the diamond plays a part in determining the carat weight. This is why the cut of the diamond plays an important role in the price and in determining whether or not you have best value diamonds. The main diamond cuts for rings and pieces of jewelry are:

• Emerald

• Princess

• Marquise

• Oval

• Round

• Pear

• Trillion

When appraising the cut of EGL loose diamonds or GIA diamond rings, gemologists also look at the precision of the cut because this can cause imperfections in the diamond and the way in which it catches the light. One of the main aspects is the symmetry of all the facets or points of the diamonds. The way in which the diamond is finished and polished also comes into play in determining the overall value.

Experts recommend that when you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, you should be prepared to spend at least two month’s salary. For most people, the only diamond ring they ever buy or receive is a diamond engagement ring, while for others buying diamonds and diamond jewelry is an everyday occurrence that doesn’t affect their bank account in any major way. You may look at a diamond and think it is a wonderful choice because of your budget and another customer would pass it by moving immediately to a more expensive diamond.

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in best value diamonds, EGL loose diamonds, and IGI appraisals. For design your own diamond jewelry, check out http://www.diamondwave.com/.

Women’s Best Friends – Diamonds and Diamond Jewellery

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Women love the gorgeous and captivating diamonds. Every woman dreams of having the beautiful and sparkling diamond jewellery. Women and girls all over the globe are simply crazy about diamonds and love to have them in jewellery items like watches, rings, pendants and earrings. No matter to what economic class they belong, they love to buy this shining and classy stoned jewellery. The less affording women go for diamonds with lower carat weight which fall within their budget.

Every girl dreams of and expects to get a diamond ring on her engagement, the day she had always fantasized about. So diamond engagement rings for your loved one will no doubt sweep her off her feet. Diamonds symbolize love and romance. They are a sign of purity and when given on such special occasions can be an outstanding souvenir. Girls are mad about the exquisite designs of jewellery having diamonds. An extravagant gift for your valentine can be a diamond bracelet or a ring. It will surely take her breath away and she will be pleased to know how much she is being loved and cared.

Women adore diamonds and can’t resist buying them or even glancing or touching them. Diamonds are said to be the weakness of women. It is said that there is nothing to win a woman’s heart but diamonds. Wearing diamonds has also become a status symbol. Women belonging to elite class can never imagine of going anywhere without wearing their dazzling articles of diamonds. The women’s fascination for diamonds can never be faded away. On the other hand men are of the view that diamonds are very expensive but are worthless like flowers. They think that diamond and flowers have beauty and attraction but are of no use. But these men have developed a taste for diamonds and buy diamond gifts to make their beloved happy because they know diamond will do the work for them.

Diamond jewellery is very expensive because these timeless stones are rare. Moreover the process of making the diamond requires too much labor and time. One of the reasons of its popularity is the high price of diamonds. And being expensive makes them a status symbol. Stunning and intricate designed jewellery articles are made using diamonds. The diamond cuts are very famous for their eternal beauty and uniqueness. Brilliant cut requires great effort and time and is usually quite expensive. The word diamond is derived from the word “adamas” which means ‘invincible’. And as the name indicates the diamonds are unique and truly unbeatable gemstones.

Diamond comes in different colors and types. The precious pink diamond is the rarest of all and so is the most expensive. Black diamond is one of a kind. The beauty of black diamonds is enhanced when combined with silver metal like platinum, titanium and sterling silver. Other amazing colors are also used in bangles, bracelets, rings, belts, pendants and other jewellery articles. Diamonds come in different types as well. Three main categories on the basis of the origination process of diamonds are; Natural Diamond, Synthetic Industrial Diamond and Thin Film Diamond. Diamond is made up of carbon and is prepared after a long process of heating and pressurizing the carbon under the surface of the earth. Diamond is the hardest translucent gem of all the gemstones. Exotic designs of diamond jewellery are made by using different beautiful and sensational cut diamonds.

Please visit our site for full information about Jewellery and its different types and designs. You will get valuable information about all popular Jewellery types and Jewellery Designs.

Get The Best Business Results With The Least Amount Of Effort.

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The Title Says It All, This Easy-to-read Book Is Designed To Be 100% Practical For Business People Who Want To Cut To The Chase And Become Fast Learners To Either Run Up The Success Ladder Two Rungs At A Time Or Make More Profits Than Their Competitors.

Get The Best Business Results With The Least Amount Of Effort.

The Princess Cut Engagement Ring: One More Reason Why Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

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People who buy diamonds are often adviced to take note of the four C’s – clarity, color, carat weight and cut.  All things being equal, most people will usually base their purchase on the diamond’s cut.  The cut, after all, not only influences the diamond’s size and shape but also its brilliance.  One of the most popular cuts that people choose these days is the princess cut — simple, beautiful and capable of bringing out the fire in a diamond.  Here are just a few reasons why princess cut diamonds are a good choice for engagement rings:

Brilliance
The most stunning and desirable quality in diamonds other than their hardness and durability is their brilliance.  Regardless of how well some gemstones are cut and polished, nothing quite achieves the same reflective power that a diamond has.  

The princess cut was first seen in 1964.  Before then, round cut diamonds (or brilliant cut) were the more preferred cuts over square cuts (also known as emerald cut) because they tended to reflect light more.  The princess cut was developed as a way to combine the brilliance of the round cut to the unique beauty of the square cut.  

With princess cut engagement rings, even square diamonds could exhibit multiple facets.  The princess cut made square-shaped diamonds sparkle.  As a result, they have become more attractive not just for traditional jewelry but also as engagement rings.  With the extra faceting, princess cut diamonds look more stunning, especially when worn by a blushing bride-to-be.

Choice of setting style
Probably the most known setting type is the Tiffany, a setting that utilizes a set of crowns or prongs to hold a diamond to a band ring, which is plain.  Although the princess cut engagement ring can look beautiful on this type of setting, it can also look its best using other settings.  For the popular eternity ring, for example, the preferred style for anniversary bands, princess cut diamonds are considered the most ideal gemstones to use.

Price
Thanks to improved methods, diamonds these days are not exactly rare but they remain pricey.  Princes cut diamonds, however, are sold at pocket-friendly and relatively cheaper prices.  This is one of the best reasons why princess cut engagement rings are a good choice.  They are affordable (or even reasonably priced, depending on the carat weight, color and setting) but do not sacrifice style, beauty and brilliance for their user-friendly price.

Know more brilliant information about diamonds and select from a variety of princess cut engagement rings from YourSpecialDiamond.com -

Certified Diamonds – Gia, Egl, Ags, Which Diamond Grading Lab Is Best?

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There are lots of opinions in the jewelry industry about which grading lab is best when choosing a diamond. The trouble with these opinions is that they’re usually jaded because the person/business giving you the opinion wants to sell you their diamond. Their opinion on which grading lab is best is decided by what lab has graded their diamond, how convenient is that?! If they own a diamond certified by EGL then they tell you that EGL is best, if they have another diamond owned by GIA then GIA is best. These are biased opinions and you should be very cautious as to how much weight is given to them during your decision making process.

How are diamonds certified?

The “Big Three” grading laboratories as I like to call them have similar processes for certifying diamonds. This process involves several Graduate Gemologists independently assessing and agreeing on the color, clarity, and carat weight of the diamond. This helps reduce the possibility for human error when determining the final grade for the diamond, although it doesn’t eliminate it. You must consider the indisputable fact that there is no exact science behind diamond grading. I know the grading systems sound official and science like but they’re really aren’t. Ponder this statement for a moment, “No two diamonds are exactly alike.” With that being said, how could two different diamonds which are not exactly alike be graded exactly alike? In reality they can’t be.

The other important fact is that the final quality grades are decisions or opinions not scientific calculations. So if they are opinions and every diamond is graded by different labs and different graders then how could there be any consistency? Truth be known, grading labs have a tough time with that, regardless of which lab you talking about. Let’s say for example, that you send a diamond to GIA for certification and it comes back carat weight – .50ct, clarity-SI2, Color-H. Then, you throw away the certification and send the diamond back for a second grading as if it were never graded before. The chance of it coming back SI2, H again is probably 80% and 20% that it’ll come back different. So the grading and certification process is somewhat flawed to begin with. If you can’t get one grading lab to consistently agree with its own grades, how could you expect other labs to agree with another? Again, there’s no easy answer to that question and as an industry we still don’t have it figured out.

From a consumer standpoint the best approach to buying a diamond is to use your best judgment. Read the grading report from whatever lab certified the diamond and examine both the diamond and the certification. Use the certification as a rule of thumb or a starting point, don’t use it as the end all be all. Learn how the grading system works and then compare diamonds side by side under the microscope and decide for yourself which diamond looks better. If you would like more information on how a diamond is graded you can visit http://www.andrewsjewelers.com .

GIA, EGL, AGS
GIA – Gemological Institute of America
EGL – European Gemological Laboratory
AGS – American Gem Society

Recently, GIA seems to have the best reputation for grading diamonds accurately. I challenge this because I’ve seen and compared many diamonds from all three labs and witnessed inaccuracies in GIA grades as often as EGL and AGS. I believe that GIA, EGL, and AGS are the three best solutions for purchasing diamonds however, I don’t feel one is better than the other. One interesting fact is that you’ll pay 15% more (on average) for a diamond certified by GIA because their reputation appears better than other labs. The problem with that is that EGL and AGS are perfectly capable of grading a diamond as accurately as GIA, and usually do. So if that is the case, then why would pay more for a GIA certified diamond that has the same grade as an EGL or AGS diamond? The answer is that you shouldn’t! One of the best deals in the jewelry industry is a diamond certified by EGL; this is because some jewelers assume that EGL isn’t graded as conservatively as a GIA. In the end many jewelers price an EGL certified diamond at less than GIA or AGS stones. This I believe is a mistake because in my experience the grading for all three labs is similar. For a consumer though, purchasing an EGL certified diamond is an excellent opportunity to buy a well graded diamond for much less than you have to.

AGS has become very notable for their knowledge about cut and grading a diamond for its potential light performance. Most of what the jewelry industry uses to determine if a diamond is optimized for brilliance is based on AGS’s research. If a jeweler suspects that a diamond is cut very well then he may send the diamond to AGS for certification. If you are looking for a diamond with a very high cut grade you should consider looking at diamonds that have been certified by AGS.

Final recommendations

Get more involved in the diamond buying process and understand how the 4C’s work, not just what it stands for. Ask to use a jeweler’s loupe (eye piece) or a microscope to see the diamond under magnification. When looking at the diamond under magnification examine the inclusions for each grade you’re considering then compare them side by side to determine if one looks better than the other. For example, let’s say you are looking at two SI1 diamonds – one is a certified by EGL and the other GIA. After comparing them, you decide that the diamonds look similar but the EGL diamond is 15% less in price. Who cares what lab certified them! Just because some jewelers think that GIA is a better grading lab doesn’t make the diamond certified by GIA better. The grading labs don’t make the diamonds, they simply grade them, a diamond isn’t made better by its certification. A certification is just a piece of paper; you can’t put a piece of paper in a ring and propose. If one diamond looks better than another it probably is, regardless of the grade or what lab assigned it. So in this case the logical choice is to get the better looking diamond, forget about what lab is better and save your money.

Don’t exclude comparing the color. The best way to do this is to ask to see loose un-set diamonds and then compare them side by side. Take a white piece of paper and place the diamonds upside down and next to one another on the paper. The white background adds contrast to the diamond’s color and helps you distinguish the color differences between them. After making a decision on your own about the amount of color a diamond has then refer to the certification to see what the grade is. Again, it doesn’t matter who graded the diamond or what the grade is. In the end you need to see it with your very own eyes and trust your instincts about which diamond is right for you.

Diamond certification is certainly important to have and I don’t think you should purchase a quality diamond without one. I do believe though, that a healthy decision is one that involves you referring to the certification, comparing diamonds side by side, and using your head. Let’s not forget the value of working with a reputable jeweler as well. A good jeweler lends his/her expertise and provides an unbiased opinion about each diamond’s characteristics. The final decision about a diamond and whether it’s right for you – should be made by you. Not a grading lab!

Andy Moquin
President
Andrews Jewelers Inc.
716-630-7091

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 716-630-7091, andrew@andrewsjewelers.com, http://www.andrewsjewelers.com/, http://therealscooponbuyingdiamonds.blogspot.com/

The Best Diamond Engagement Ring Styles

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Even though there are many different cuts available for engagement rings, most couples choose to stick to just a few popular ones.  

An engagement ring must look appropriate and be sturdy, so it is often a simply set stone or up to three stones embellished with pave chips. Our setting are completely secure, regardless of how simple or ornate of a setting you wish for your dream design.  Rest assured, even in a simple setting we have safely secured your stone to safeguard against accidents.

The round cut stone is the most common. Many jewelers say that round cut is the best with very best fire and all facets of the stone are taken care of. Surrounding cuts in what are often called “Tiffany settings” or raised prong settings, are the characteristic idea of an appointment ring: a lone stone balanced just higher than the band of the loop with most experience of the sandstone to beam. A tiffany setting is ideal for a good round stone. There are few places to hide a small, muddy, stone.

Beautiful green emeralds really shine when cut into long rectangles. Not as ostentatious as the round cut, the emerald cut can carry a very large stone, show it to its advantage, yet appear quite traditionally formal. Also, the Princess style cut, is a square shaped cut stone, allows a 4 square, secure look with beautiful color and a lot of security that you won’t lose it. Prongs will safeguard the corners will solidifying the sides if these linear cuts is correctly mounted.

Cushion cut diamonds have the shine and beauty of round cut diamonds but also the grace of linear cuts, making them very diverse.  Stones that are said to be cushion cut are stones with a rounded edge and are square or a rectangle with curved sides and the corners also rounded off.

Pear cut, or tear drop diamonds are too beautiful, but the uneven balance of the form is more difficult to utilize in a stable and ordinary setting. Solitary stones must be set properly in order to avoid looking unbalanced and awkward. These beautiful gems might be more appropriate for necklaces, earrings, or rings that are designed to work alone rather that together with a wedding ring.  

One cut, known as the Marquise is typically cut in an oval shape, however, unlike a typical oval, the Marquise is sharply pointed on the ends.  The Marquise is often used in rings with multiple stones. A particularly beautiful setting is a central marquise cut diamond or stone surrounded by triangular trillion cut stones.

Other stones may exist, but these stones are both industry standards and beloved, stunning in settings and beautiful when combined. With a sense of these diamond cuts you have a foundation of a  most classical design of your ring.

Best Diamond Rings: How To Find One?

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A person is happiest when he is giving something precious to a loved one. Whether its flowers, chocolates, or jewelry, it is undeniable that the person goes through extreme effort to find the right gift. During highly significant occasions, it becomes even more important to find the perfect item. Diamond remains the most valuable and previous gemstone of all. Nothing else sparkles as brightly as a well-chosen diamond. It is not surprising that it is used to mark an anniversary, an engagement, or a wedding. Diamond rings are considered as the symbol of love and lasting relationship.

There are many considerations to look into when looking at diamond rings though. There are three components that the buyer should focus on including the stone, the band, and the setting.

The Band
It is usually made from platinum, white gold, yellow golf, or silver. In selecting the diamond ring though, one shouldn’t choose silver because it doesn’t have the necessary qualities associated with high-quality diamond rings. The other three metals do have these qualities and it is the buyer’s discretion which type of band he wants to buy. If you want the look of silver, a good alternative is using white gold because it has better properties with almost the same look.

The Setting
Diamond setting is part of the diamond ring that holds the stone in place. The most commonly used setting is the prong (also known as claw). It is a popular choice of solitaire diamond rings. Several different styles are available including the thin, short, or hooked with each offering a distinct appearance.
The Stone
This is probably the most important consideration you need to look into is the stone. Diamonds can vary significantly in color, price, and overall quality. To help you find the perfect diamond, you should look into its 4 C’s:
• Cut – it is the overall proportion, finish, and polish of the stone. It determines the brilliance of the diamond. There are percentages and angles for brilliant cut diamonds. If the diamond flashes in the light, it is well cut. Otherwise, it was not cut property by the diamond cutters and graders.
• Clarity – the purity and clearness of the stone. A grade is given to each stone with “I” representing heavy inclusions and “F” representing flawlessness. There are varying grades between the two. Most diamonds can be found between “I” and “F”. Majority of diamond ring buyers choose a stone with minimal inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye.
• Color – ideally, diamonds should not have any color. But diamonds have varying degrees of coloring and it is graded accordingly. Diamonds are graded against “master stones” under natural daylight in the Northern Hemisphere or under artificial light.
• Carat – it’s the diamond’s unit measurement of weight. A gram contains five carats. And each carat can be divided into 100 points. Because of this, a diamond that measures 50 points is ½ in weight or 0.5ct. The term “carat” is derived from the carob tree pod seed because it was used to weight precious gems until this century.
By looking at the different aspects of the diamond ring and deciding which is right for you, you will be able to find the type of item that will suitably represent your love and commitment to your partner.

I am 23 year old student on my last year of study at the University of Sydney (Sydney), majoring in Information technology.

Mblife: Where to Get the Best of Colored Diamond Jewelry Sets

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Admit it. When we say diamonds, what comes directly to our minds are the clear white expensive stones. Not everybody is aware that there is a wide range of colored diamonds—from pink ones to blue, green ones to yellow, and a whole lot more. Colored diamonds set on your jewelry set or on diamond pendants, rings, bracelets and the like will definitely give you a special and unique glow among others. Selecting the right colored diamonds, however, is not as easy as it seems. MBLife outlines a few tips on how to be sure you do not fall prey into traps of some sellers who give you nothing but fake and unreal colored diamonds.

MBLife recommends the importance of knowing what you want first before going to the mall or your favorite jewelry shop to purchase your colored diamond jewelry. Knowing what exactly you want will limit the scope by which you will start your search. What color, carat, and cut do you basically want? Of course, you should take into account your lifestyle and personality to be able to answer this criteria. You may want to check out the Internet for the types of colors that will fit you and are available in the market. You wouldn’t want to spend the whole day and find nothing or you’ll turn frustrated at your quest.

MBLife wants you to know that in purchasing colored diamond jewelry you should also be aware that these elegant pieces of jewelry—diamond earrings, rings, bracelets, diamond pendants—are definitely more costly than the regular ones. Because colored diamond jewelry is more unique and more specially developed, they are normally sold at higher price tags than your regular noncolored diamond pendants, earrings, bracelets, and the like.

As with any gift-buying escapades, MBLife suggests determining what the recipient likes is also important. His or her preferences when it comes to color, cut, and the type of jewelry should be given utmost attention. This shouldn’t be much of a problem if you’re trying to find diamond jewelry for your spouse or for your best friend or for your parents. You should be able to pinpoint which colored diamond jewelry they would most appreciate.

Although colored diamonds are now sold, don’t feel frustrated when you find out that the color you want is nowhere available. Narrow down your options by searching the Net which colors are mostly found and which are rare. Red diamonds, for example, are not only very expensive, they are quite hard to find. At MBLife, they give you their colored diamond jewelry collections upon inquiry so you won’t have to go too far.

Personalized diamond gifts and diamond jewelry sets from MBLife are products of careful considerations of a lot of elements and factors. You need not worry about getting fake jewelry or unsatisfying quality with their products. AT MBLife, your personalized diamond gifts will be much appreciated by their recipients and you will definitely be back for more.

Personalized diamond gifts and Diamond Jewelry sets from MBLife are products of careful considerations of a lot of elements and factors.

Ways of Selecting the Best Diamond Ring

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As Shirley Bassey’s song goes “Diamonds are forever sparkling round my little finger” – diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring mineral and a diamond ring is what every woman dreams of displaying on their finger. It is also a material with unique physical qualities because they can hardly get damaged by another substance. Therefore the lustre and its polish will stay forever. Giving a diamond ring made out of this everlasting mineral is the most romantic way of expressing one’s love and devotion to a woman.

 

“Diamond” is a Greek word which means unbreakable and untamed. A diamond can only be cut by using another diamond. This precious gemstone, which originated from India about 4,000 year ago, can be cut into various shapes and depending on the expertise of the diamond cutter. Possible shapes vary from heart s to princess, oval, square and pear.  While colourless diamonds are more popular and expensive, shades of blue, green, red and pink are also available but very rare. A ring adorned with a beautifully shaped diamond on your finger is definitely capable of adding a look of class and genteel to your personality.

 

Most people will not be satisfied with the second best, but if they can afford it, they would always go for a diamond ring to wear on their engagement or wedding day. While rings can be made in different ways, the ideal and most fashionable way would be a diamond ring selected by a groom for his future bride. The price of your ring depends on the quality of the gemstone it has. Prior to purchasing a diamond ring one should be aware of the major qualities the diamond carries. The cut, clarity, carat and the colour are the four C’s and are all that matters in a diamond. The look and value of your diamond ring depends on the gemstone it displays.  

 

Sometimes diamond rings are made with a meaning. Solitaire rings contain one single diamond and one would also design engagement rings by using one large diamond in the centre. Three-stone diamond rings symbolise the past, present and future to show the couple’s long lasting love together. It is not only worn for an engagement or the wedding day, it is also a perfect gift idea for a birthday or a wedding anniversary.

 

Diamond rings can be purchased directly from the store, ordered online or custom-made according to your style, ring size and the price that suits your pocket. Geraldonline is one of UK’s largest and most renowned online jewellers who feature a wide selection of diamond rings made to suit to everyone’s taste. Styled and designed by expert jewellery designers, these rings are unique and elegant and are sure to charm the lady in your life. They can be made out of gold or white gold according to a weight you specify. A ring is also the best way to express your true love and by giving the best you truly present a token of an endless love.

The interesting article on Diamond Rings was written by freelance author Anne Sutton. Read more interesting facts on Diamond Rings written by renowned fashion designers.