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Friday, April 17, 2009
Diamond Earrings and Other Fine Jewelry By Jonathan Blocker Platinum Quality Author
Diamond rings are the most common form of diamond jewelry, but diamond earrings, bracelets and necklaces are also quite popular. In fact, diamond jewelry has been around since the days of the Roman Empire, although it took almost 1500 years before diamond jewelers had figured out how to cut diamonds into attractive shapes that displayed their "fire," or shine and brilliance. Diamond earrings are but one way that people adorn themselves with this mystical, precious gem.
A Fascinating History
Chances are that the first diamond jewelry was from India. The tremendous geologic forces required to form diamonds exists mainly in regions of the world where one tectonic plate slams into another; the Himalayas, where the Indian subcontinent plows into Central Asia, is one such place. Loose diamonds from deep underneath these mountains have been known to appear in the rivers that flow south and westward from the Himalayas: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Irriwaddy have all been sources of these rough, octagonal crystals.
Before diamond jewelers had learned the art of precision cutting, diamond earrings weren't particularly beautiful; rough and dull-looking, they were nonetheless prized for their hardness.
One early example of diamond jewelry in the West was actually a crown made for a Hungarian princess well over 1000 years ago. One of the first diamond wedding ring was the one given to Marie of Burgundy on the occasion of her wedding to Archduke Maximilian I of Austria in 1477. It wasn't until over fifty years later however, during the reign of Henry VIII of England that diamond cutting had reached a level that was suitable for jewelry such as diamond earrings.
Dull and Lifeless
If you had been buying diamonds back then, you'd have been disappointed; those early cuts did not show the kind of brilliance that we see in fine diamond jewelry today. It wasn't until the 1800s that art of diamond cutting had reached a level of refinement that allowed the gem's real beauty to shine through the way it does in contemporary diamond jewelry.
Fiery and Brilliant
Today, there are many different cuts to choose from when buying diamonds. Round cuts and square cuts both have characteristics in their favor, but a relatively new cut, called the "princess," has been gaining in popularity over the past thirty years or so. This particular cut combines the best features of round and square cuts, and causes the least wastage of all cutting methods - so the gem retains much more of its original weight. All three cuts however will make for highly attractive and valuable diamond earrings.
Jonathon Blocker specializes in diamond jewelry, buying diamonds, and diamond earrings. He is a consultant for GemFind.com, a trusted name in the jewelry industry since 1999.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Blocker
Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond Solitaire Rings on you mind? Does your lover cherish diamond solitaire rings? Here are tips on choosing a beautiful diamond solitaire ring for your lover. Like most other purchases, start your search by browsing the net for diamond solitaire rings. Here are some useful tips on comparing and buying diamond solitaire rings.
Diamond Engagement Rings
What are the most exciting diamond engagement rings on the market? Perhaps, the most elegant diamond engagement are diamond solitaire rings in popular styles including basket diamond engagement rings, trellis diamond engagement rings, cathedral diamond engagement rings, bezel set diamond engagement rings and of course the Tiffany classic diamond solitaire rings
Unique Engagement rings
For unique diamond engagement rings, browse online antique style engagement rings and antique looking diamond rings. Many couples design their own unique engagement rings. There are also unique engagement rings based on reproductions of engagement rings through the centuries. These unique diamond engagement rings include antique diamond solitaire rings, antique platinum engagement rings, plain antique ring settings and antique wedding diamond bands.
Certified Diamonds - Diamond Solitaire Rings
Certified diamonds are a wise choice when buying diamond solitaire rings. The major organizations that issue certified diamond certificates are the GIA and EGL. Buying certified diamonds gives you a sense of security as to your diamonds quality. Equally important, certified diamonds are readily accepted by insurance companies. Also, if you ever want to sell or trade, certified diamonds will bring more money and sell much quicker then other stones that are not certified diamonds.
The Diamonds Company is a leading diamond and jewelry store offering diamond solitaire rings, unique engagement diamond rings. Find the best selection of certified diamonds at the best prices. Visit The Diamonds Company.
Diamond Clarity
What Does Diamond Clarity Mean?
Diamond clarity refers to the measure of flaws that can be found in and also on the outside of a diamond. the more perfect, and the less flaws a diamond has, the more value will be assigned to and the higher price tag it will have. there are a small number of diamonds which fall into the category of having no flaws. The majority of diamond flaws will not be seen without magnification of at least 10 times. Since issues with diamond clarity are seldom detected when looking at a diamond without magnification, many people feel this to be the least of their concerns when choosing a diamond to purchase.
By What Means Is Diamond Clarity Determined?
The most respected determination of diamond clarity is carried out by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA rates diamonds based on a grading system it created that ranges from flawless diamonds, to imperfect diamonds, with various grade ranges in between. The higher the clarity ranking, the more costly a diamond will be sold for as it has greater value.
The Kinds Of Inclusions That Effect Diamond Clarity
Inclusions are flaws which can influence diamond clarity. Inclusions cause the gem to be rated as not "perfect", as visual imperfection are found within the gemstone. Many flaws however, go un-noticed by the naked eye and are only seen under high levels of magnification.
There are labels for many of the more common inclusions. Carbons affect the clarity of diamonds because they appear as very small black dots that are found on the surface of a diamond, which might be visible in regular lighting. Some will be so tiny that you need magnification to view them. Pinpoints have an affect on diamond clarity because they are white dots along the surface of a diamond. Pinpoints are the more commonly seen of all diamond flaws. Clouds also affect diamond clarity because they create what appears as cloudy areas within the gemstone. The clouds are actually the formation of many growths of crystals positioned closely together within the diamond, and their proximity to each other is what creates the cloudy appearance. The affect of feathers on diamond clarity causes cracks to form within the diamond, which have a look similar to that of broken glass.
Clarity Enhancements
Diamond clarity flaws can frequently be repaired or minimized by using a variety of clarity enhancement treatments. Some diamonds will be painted, Others get lasered to take away pinpoints and carbons, and some stones undergo a method by which very small holes are drilled into the diamond in order to reach areas of inclusions within the gemstone, and then the later the cracks will be filled with molten glass. Performing enhancements to improve diamond clarity lessens the overall value of the stone, but can improve it's appearance. Diamond certificates should reflect that enhancements have been done on the diamond, so request documentation prior to making a purchase. While most of these enhancements will make the diamond look better, some can actually create weakness in the diamond, and make it more prone to breakage than a diamond that has had no treatments.
Illla Maden gives more tips and interesting facts about diamonds and other precious gemstones.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Illa_Maden
Diamond Jewelry - Useful Buying Tips
The need to be very careful when buying jewelry cannot be overstated. In fact, make sure you stay away from stores that want you to buy now. They want to give you the impression that you will lose the discount if you don't buy now.
There are many places where you can buy quality jewelry. One of them is the local store. However, you must be sure that this is a reputable store that deals with quality products. In fact, it is advisable to patronize stores that have been in the business for many years. If they have been, you or your friends would have known them.
There are many fraudsters out there selling fake jewelry. This is why you must make sure that you examine the jewelry closely before buying it. Examine it under a fluorescent light or during the day so that you can really see what you are buying. Don't be deceived by the lighting provided by the jeweler.
Many people have lost huge sums of money to jewelers selling fake jewelry. Some of the jewelries have been coated or washed and are no longer genuine. So, you must watch out when shopping.
Advertising is one of the greatest weapons employed by jewelers or jewelry manufacturers to persuade people to buy from them. But there is need to be very careful. You must not be moved by these adverts into buying anything less than what you really desire.
The next time you want to buy emeralds, rubies and sapphires, it is very important to look for certification. The certification ensures that the highest standards have been complied with.
A store with a gemologist on its staff is highly recommended for patronage. This is because a gemologist has been trained to detect genuine gems and also has been certified by the American Gem Society. Buying from this kind of store means that you are buying high quality jewelry.
One of the things you must do before buying jewelry is to educate yourself. Not only do you need to know about detecting genuine jewelries, you also need to know how to store these jewelries after buying them.
It is one thing to buy a costly jewelry; it is another thing to store it very well. Lack of good storage of the jewelry may result in loss of quality. So, if you don't know how to store jewelries, ensure you ask the store owner or representative.
One of the things you need to know when buying jewelry is whether the gem will chip, break or scratch and how hard or fragile it is. For instance, it is possible to wear some jewelries everyday while it is not advisable to wear others everyday. In some cases, some jewelry must be removed when you want to wash your hands. Knowing how to care for your jewelry is very important.
Ras Reed gives more interesting Diamond Jewelry information such as Diamond Jewelry And Loose Diamonds, or 18k Gold Jewelry on his website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ras_Reed