Diamonds are extremely hard and durable. Take care of your diamond by avoiding breaks and scratches and keep it clean. With good care, your diamond will have the same sparkle and beauty in ten, a hundred or a thousand years. Diamonds do not fade, tarnish or wear out like most materials. The secret to keeping a diamond’s sparkle is keeping it clean.
Diamonds are the hardest natural material. Only a diamond can scratch a diamond. Use great caution when wearing multiple diamond rings on the same finger. If the diamonds of one ring touch diamonds in another ring, both diamonds will likely end up scratched in a relatively short time. If you have a diamond wedding band next to your diamond engagement ring, be sure their design allows them to fit together so the diamonds do not touch.
The next most dangerous place for diamonds scratching each other is in the jewelry box. Do not throw your diamond rings, diamond earrings, and diamond bracelet together. Since diamonds will scratch diamonds, think of what they can do to other gemstones and precious metals. Keep your diamond jewelry in separate compartments or isolated by soft cloth to keep them from rubbing each other.
While diamonds are very durable, they can break or chip. You would not let someone hit your diamond with a steel hammer but your diamond ring faces the same type of danger every day. File cabinets, metal seat belt buckles, and car doors are just a few of the metal surfaces that can hit a diamond in the course of a normal day. Avoid sharp impacts with hard surfaces and you will avoid chips and cracks in your diamond.
Diamonds are natural grease attractors. Some diamond mines separate diamonds from the broken rocks by running the material over a conveyor belt covered with a layer of grease. Diamonds stick to the grease and the rocks slide off. At the end of the shift, they remove the grease and melt it away, leaving the diamonds.
Remember diamond’s attraction to grease when you touch a diamond with your finger. The oil from your fingertips will coat the diamond and reduce the sparkle. The same is true when your diamond ring touches the oil in your hair. Hand creams, lotions, hair spray, soap, and grease from food will create a film on your diamond that hides its beauty. When you put your hands in dishwater, the dirt and grease in the water will adhere to the diamond. Dust and powders also cling to diamonds.
Fortunately, diamonds are easy to clean. Put your diamond jewelry in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water. You can also use the containers of “Jewelry Cleaner” available at jewelry and department stores. These typically have a small basket the ring can sit in and a small, soft brush to clean the hard to reach places around the diamond. Swish the ring around in the solution, rinse it with warm water, and dry the ring with a lint-free cloth. While chemicals will probably not hurt your diamond, harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach can weaken and discolor the metal in the jewelry. Keep in mind that swimming pools and hot tubs usually have high levels of chlorine and are not a safe place for jewelry.
There are many types of ultrasonic cleaners available to the public today. The piece of jewelry sits in a basket of water and detergent. The ultrasonic cleaner produces high-frequency turbulence that is an excellent way to clean the hard to get at part of jewelry. Not all gemstones are as durable as diamonds. Never put soft materials like emeralds, opals and pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner.
With a little common sense and regular cleaning, your diamonds will keep their sparkle and beauty for years of enjoyment.
Read more about art deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings including your free “How To Buy An Engagement Ring Report” by visting http://www.buy-engagement-ring-online.com/
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After acceptance of the marriage proposal it is time to seal the deal and make it all official
Besides the vow exchange it is the offering of the gold weddings bands that put the finishing touches to a perfect day. This part of the service is where the marriage is finalized/bonded, infinity together forever till death do us part. Before the marriage takes place be sure that you feel good about your choice of wedding bands.
We dont want know last minute hiccups so whatever your preference when buying gold/silver for the wedding band is, for you both to be satisfied with the style. If you are happy with the choice of ring that leaves a smile on your face then let us pray that the smile stays forever through out married life. No doubt it will if you get right.
Because the wedding band is made of different materials you may find it hard on what to pick. Popular choice among young couples today is the white or yellow gold, should you opt for a 14 karat gold wedding band then remember it is not entirely made purely of gold. A mixture of alloys such as copper and silver may well be present.
Silver and platinum Wedding bands are on the increase, not far from taking the number one spot for popularity when sealing those wedding vows. Platinum is far from a light material and is supposedly known as one of the most precious metals. Platinum is a stunning white metal used in wedding rings which radiates beauty for all who adorn themselves in it.
Why is Silver not classed as superior or upper market in quality, the reason being is silver is a soft metal. Discoloration in Wedding bands made of silver is not rare so be sure that this is what you want when choosing silver. An added bonus for silver lovers is it is far less expensive than other materials.
The thickness of the Wedding band is an important factor that has to be taken into account when the bride and groom make their selection on the wedding band design.
It is not unusual for both parties to choose the same wedding style; it is common in weddings today. Expect the woman’s wedding band to be slightly smaller than that of the male unless the female resembles shrek. If you have any concerns or question that need answering regarding rings then pop along to a professional jeweller for advice before making any decision, this way you receive expert opinion.
Why not go mad and follow the flow with engraved wedding bands, remind yourself before any metal artwork goes ahead that the dedication has meaning and comes straight from the heart, as you do not want to change it at a later date if your feelings change. So choosing the right words to say what you feel has to be carefully planned.
Wording like devotion, initials, dedications, symbols, are fine examples for the engraving process.
Jewellers specialise in ready made wedding bands, if by chance you have something else in mind for the style then ask. Jewellers make wedding bands to a couples specific design requirements. You may find by doing this it could be a lot cheaper than purchasing the rings from a store.
So many rings have different titles like the wedding/engagement/signet ring etc. If I had chance to walk down the aisle once again I would choose the ETERNITY ring over the wedding band. Well why not that is what marriage is all about.
P.S. If I had chance to walk down the aisle for the second time, I wouldnt (Joking). Now go seal the deal.
Read more about where to buy engagement ring and design your own engagement ring including your free “How To Buy An Engagement Ring Report” by visting http://www.buy-engagement-ring-online.com/
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She is the most important person in your life. Maybe she picks you up when you’re down, or is the mother of your children, or just cares for you unconditionally. Or maybe it’s a combination of all three. Whatever your reasons are, the truth is simple and undeniable – you are crazy about her. So why not express your love with an unbreakable diamond ring? We all know that nothing melts a woman’s heart like diamonds, but the ring you select has to be a fit to her personality and style. In this article, we’ll give you some simple tips on making sure the diamond ring you give is one that takes her breath away.
The most important (and overlooked) aspect when it comes to selecting an unbreakable diamond ring is to keep your sweetheart’s tastes in mind. Many guys want to impress their woman by “picking it out themselves”. This often leads to a scenario where she “happily” accepts the ring. She may actually be thinking that she hates it, but will feel compelled to wear it because you picked it out with love. This is one situation you definitely want to avoid – and it is so easy to do
By keeping her in mind and paying attention to her preferences, you will express your love with an unbreakable diamond ring that she will adore. For example, watch her the next time a jewelry ad comes on TV or the next time you pass a jewelry store window. Pay close attention to her reactions to certain pieces, even those being worn by other people. Make a casual comment such as “Boy, that sure looks nice” and see what kind of response it gets. Women love to give “subtle” clues when it comes to diamond rings. Unfortunately, men don’t always pick up on them.
It is also important for you to take stock of the rings she currently wears. And we’re not talking her grandmother’s antique ring that she only wears on special occasions. You want to be taking note of the diamond rings she wears on a regular basis, as these pieces will be your guide to the diamond ring you select. She wouldn’t wear something all of the time if she didn’t like it, right? So, pay close attention to the style of diamond she prefers as well as the choice of metal (white gold, yellow gold, platinum, etc).
One last key piece of information and you’ll be ready to buy. It is helpful, but not necessary, if you can somehow find out her ring size. While she is at work or running errands, you could simply take one of her rings to the jeweler and voila! – you now have that mystery solved.
These tips will help you express your love with an unbreakable diamond ring that is sure to elicit a major reaction on her end. Remember, you don’t want to be the guy who just “picked it out themselves”. You want to be the guy that picked it out perfectly.
Read more about princess cut engagement rings and how to buy engagement ring including your free “How To Buy An Engagement Ring Report” by visting http://www.buy-engagement-ring-online.com/
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In most traditional relationships, women expect their man to give them gifts of jewelry, and the men do so. Today, more women are paying special attention to giving jewelry to their men than ever before.
Giving jewelry to your spouse or romantic partner has always been a popular gift. Often holidays like Christmas, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day prompt men to run to the jewelry store for something shiny and expensive. Imagine how much more valued this gift would be if given without a major holiday attached to it. Why not give your partner jewelry for no particular reason, other than love?
Diamonds are always popular when it comes to choosing jewelry, other gemstones or simply silver and gold can be just as popular. You probably know that each month has a gemstone that represents it, and those gemstones each have a symbolic meaning. If you really want to blow your partner away, select your jewelry for it’s significance to a particular month (birthday or anniversary for example) or for another more personal meaning.
Here’s a brief look at the gemstone for each month and their meanings.
January – garnet, represents faith and stability and is available in many colors, except blue
February – amethyst, represents sincerity and happiness and is royal purple in color
March – aquamarine, represents hope and bravery and is a blue-green or sea-green color
April – diamond, representing joy and innocence
May – emerald, represents peace and tranquility and is always green
June – pearl, standing for wisdom and pureness
July – ruby, represents passion and nobility and is always a beautiful red
August – peridot, stands for patience and has a yellowish-green color
September – sapphire, represents honesty and hope and is available in a variety of shades of blue
October – opal or tourmaline, represents confidence and sweet love
November – topaz or citrine, stands for friendship and faithfulness and both are brown through orange or yellow
December – turquoise, represents understanding and success. In 2002, the AGTA added Tanzanite as another December birthstone
As with any gift from the heart, presentation can count nearly as much as the gift. How would you feel if your beloved just tossed you the diamond ring and said “Gotcha something?” Now, what if they went to some amount of effort to present it to you? There movies and personal stories everywhere about how people have presented a special piece of jewelry to their spouse. Believe it or not, food is one of the most popular methods! People tend to place rings in champagne or other clear beverages or bake it into their special person’s favorite pie or cake. What is often left out of these stories is the precautions you need to take. Make sure your loved one doesn’t actually eat your gift, or worse, choke on it. Next, check with your jeweler about any physical precautions. Champagne will actually dissolve pearls and if you baked a ruby it may crack!
Giving the gift of a lifetime is a significant investment, and you shouldn’t enter into it lightly. Do your research, make sure you know what you’re buying, and how to make a good decision.
Read more about buy engagement rings online and princess cut engagement rings including your free “How To Buy An Engagement Ring Report” by visting http://www.buy-engagement-ring-online.com/
When buying loose diamonds, or any other diamonds, a buyer should consider the now-famous 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat. These four aspects of grading a diamond allow a buyer to determine its quality. The 4 C’s also determine the cost of loose diamonds – and set diamonds. However, a buyer has to determine which of these takes precedence in choosing a diamond.
It is crucial that you make a purchase knowing, especially when you are looking to buy diamonds. There is a classification system that runs through all the unique features to ensure you get the best quality diamonds.
There is no such thing as a diamond grading certificate detailing all the main characteristics of a diamond to ensure that you receive your order desired buying diamonds. The certificate is a list of what experts in the jewelry industry call the 4 “C”, which are used for the rating of a diamond. These four C’s are Carat, cut, color and clarity.
Carat
Carat weight is the measure of the hardness of diamond. Carat weight of a diamond is generally between 0.01 and 1.00. No two diamonds are identical and the only way to determine the value of a diamond is carat. When buying diamonds, know it is very important to note the weight in carats of diamonds, since a large impact on price.
Cut
The cutting of diamonds varies with the cutter. We must have the skill and precision cut diamonds, it is not easy. Amount of light that is reflected in a diamond depends on how it was cut. An excellent section will focus on the best features of the diamond and determine its brightness.
Color
There is a scale that ranks the colors of diamonds. The classification system uses the alphabet and lists of D, which means transparent and Z peak, meaning pale yellow below.
Clarity
This sets the value of diamonds in the list of inclusions or internal characteristics and stains, which reveal chips or scratches. A diamond that has the fewest failures is that most buyers prefer.
This classification system is an objective means to assess the quality of diamonds. Consult experts for a more informed purchasing jewelry and take into account the 4 C to ensure that you are getting for their money.
Before purchasing a loose diamond or a diamond jewelry piece, it is important to learn these aspects of diamonds so that you can determine the exact worth of your expenditure.
However,you might frankly want to buy the stone cut but unset, and get the setting made by someone in school for jewelry making. It’ll be cheaper.
You might also consider having it set with smaller, lesser stones. Flanking it with small rubies and emeralds on a gold setting makes a striking piece. Blue stones around it on a silver or platinum setting can also be very attractive.
Diamond is a mineral and is the hardest 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 associated with mystical power, great beauty and more recently great value and wealth. The word comes from the Greek meaning unconquerable and they have been worn throughout the ages by men going into battle as a sign of strength, courage and invincibility.
Most diamonds still originate from central and south Africa although there have been other significant discover 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 large and most valuable 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 jewelry. One of the most common pieces of jewelry is still the ladies diamond ring bezel set and many women still decide 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 love you?
Diamonds have always been associated with romance and legend and it is said that Cupid arrows were tipped with diamonds because they possess a magic that nothing else has equaled.
Diamonds vary enormously in price according to size and quality so when choosing diamond heart shaped ring it is important to consider your budget.
Diamonds are graded according to the 4 c which refers to cut, clarity, colour and carat.
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 realize as inclusions in the stone and the stones which have fewer inclusion are more highly prized and valuable because they have greater brilliance. Remember though that a diamond doesn’t have to be flawless to look absolutely stunning.
Diamond colour usually refers to whiteness or colorless in white diamonds with those with least colour being more valuable because of their ability to pass more light giving more sparkle and fire. Colored diamonds do occur 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 really is a case of size does matter. The value of a diamond rises exponentially in relation to its size so the amount of a 4 carat stone for instance will not be double the expenses of a 2 carat stone but very much more. So it is all down to your budget and not a measure of how much someone loves another.
Cost is important when buying a pink diamond engagement rings but you will realize that there is a huge choice out there that will fit within your budget. Remember that clever design and settings can manufacture a diamond appear bigger but if you really want a large stone on a limited budget you could decide to purchase a stone which is graded slightly lower in terms of clarity and colour.
Have you been searching for the perfect wedding ring? Many people spend hours and hours shopping for the perfect wedding ring only to end up very discouraged. Often they can not find the ring they want or if the can it is out of their price range. The simplest solution to this dilemma is to create your own wedding ring.
Wedding rings are very important to a couple who have taken the step and decided to spend the rest of their lives together. The wedding ring is the outer physical symbol of this agreement or pact that the couple has made to each other. The ring is a symbol for the vows a couple has taken. Since it is the outward symbol of the marriage it is very important to choose a wedding ring carefully and to find exactly what you want. That is why creating your own wedding ring is often the best option. It is easy, can save you a great deal of money and you will have a unique symbol that the two of you share.
This article will list some of the top reasons you should consider getting a custom wedding ring instead of buying a stock ring from a store.
Custom made wedding rings are Unique
That is right by designing your own ring with a professional ring designer you can ensure that your rings are unique. In fact you will be the only two people in the world to have that exact ring and that exact design. What better symbol of your love to show off to the world then having your own unique wedding ring. Believe me you will get compliments on your ring everywhere you go. People are often amazed that you can even make your own rings and love the uniqueness of the designs.
Custom made wedding rings are Personalized
In creating your own wedding ring you can personalize the design to fit your tastes and even contain secret symbols or messages to each other. If you have a favorite style of ring or artistic style, colors or other thing that you would like to include in the design the jeweler will be glad to consult with you and help you incorporate the design into your ring. For example a lot of people really love the deep symbolism of Celtic knot work since this is a knot tied with one piece of rope and it is never ends it is a continuous knot that runs forever. A lot of people really love this symbolism and love wear a customer made unique wedding ring that has these types of symbols in them. It brings a lot of significance to the ring.
Mutual Agreement
In making your own wedding ring you will come to a mutual agreement on the design and it is an experience that you will always share together. When you sit down with the designer you can both share your ideas openly and talk about the significance of the ring for each of you. Then the designer can work with these ideas and your suggestions and create something that will embody all of these things. It is wonderfully to wear a ring that was created from a joint experience you both had and not just some stock designer ring that holds no meaning or no experience or significance behind it.
Price
This is the best part for many people just getting married. By designing your own ring you are usually reducing the cost of the rings. You see most rings are created by some famous wedding ring designer and the price is based on the popularity of the designer. However, the average person has no idea who these famous wedding ring designers are anyway. So even though you spend a great deal of money on a wedding ring by a well known artist chances are most people will have no idea. However, by making your own ring there is no designer label or name behind it and therefore the costs is often cut in half or even more! Not only that chances are the most people will have no idea who the designer is of a certain ring they will definitely notice you have a unique one of a kind ring!
My wife and I decided to get a custom designed engagement and wedding ring set when we were engaged. Not only that we had the designer work with us to incorporate the feeling of the wedding ring into the design of the grooms or men’s ring also. So now they look like a perfect matching pair of rings! Just think we saved over 65% by purchasing this way at the same time as ending up with unique rings. You really can not go wrong in designing your own wedding ring.
Read more about design your own engagement ring and buy engagement rings online issues by visting http://www.buy-engagement-ring-online.com/
If you enjoy collecting jewelry with personal significance or giving it as gifts, consider Italian charms! They are the most affordable way to create a personalized bracelets with unique meaning. And, there is an amazing variety to choose from.
Whether you love dogs, cats, or want something signifying your family or hobby, it’s all there! And, unlike their classic dangling counterparts, Italian charms link together to form a flat bracelet; for a more sophisticated look enjoyed by women of all ages.
It’s no surprise, then, that tens of thousands of women each year collect Italian charms and give them as gifts. How to get started?
Easy! Whenever buying for yourself or as a gift, the first thing you need to do is get a “starter bracelet” containing blank links. Then, get an additional 4-5 charms to start the bracelet. The recipient can easily replace blank links on the starter bracelets with the charms you give them — and any others they get in the future — to develop a unique bracelet over time.
The Secret to Selecting Quality Italian Charms
When looking to buy Italian charms, it’s important to consider quality. Indeed, there are so many places selling these things that sometimes it’s difficult to separate the good from the bad.
Here are some things to watch out for:
* Make sure they are made of stainless steel (the place where you buy them should say that.) If you really want to get technical, ask them what grade of stainless steel their charms are. They should know, especially if they claim to sell “direct”, because on the manufacturing end stainless steel has exact grades. Usually, it’s a number (like 304) followed by a letter. You’d see them labeled as 304L or 316.
* Charms marked with a logo or brand-name on the back are considered higher quality. You never know, but generally avoid links that are “blank” / have no logo on the back. What about charms that say “Stainless Steel” on the back? Well, I’ve seen a few that were definitely NOT stainless steel… so use caution.
* Make sure the site you’re ordering from has a money-back guarantee and check any customer comments posted on there.
* It’s important to order charms that are covered with protective epoxy. Otherwise they’ll rub off! If the site doesn’t state whether they are or not, ask them.
* You’ll find that many site sell “18kt gold” Italian charms. Well, with very few exceptions, it’s a gold-tone and not sold 18kt gold. Just make sure that if you’re paying 18kt gold prices ($18+ per charm) that you indeed getting 18kt gold. Again, nearly all sites sell 18kt gold-tone (or gold accented) charms. Why pay $18 for the same product if you could get for under $3… and even for $2, and sometimes $1/charm?
* A note about care: Even stainless steel charms can change color when exposed to chemicals, cleaning solutions, and solvents. Avoid chlorine and any harsh chemicals.
What about the Chinese-Made Italian Charms?
Yes, a lot of people ask that question. Very few merchants admit it… but, nearly all Italian charms sold on the Internet are manufactured in China.
Now, what about charms that say “imported from Italy?” Well, that’s nice, but did you know that many of these places simply buy Chinese-made Italian charms through an import company in Italy. So, yes, they’re “imported from Italy” but if you think you’re getting a handcrafted Italian product… think again! They’re still manufactured in one of the three main factories in China.
Which Charms are Great For Gifts?
Well… really, all of them! Charms that are especially popular are, in no particular order: 1) Heart charms, 2) Ribbon (esp. pink ribbon) charms, 3) American flag, 4) Flowers, 5) Family and I love my kids-type charms, 6) Birthstones, 7) Various words and phrases… like “DREAM”, “Family of 5″, “Child of GOD”, etc. 
Religious charms, like crosses, etc.
As you can see, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
Read more about design your own engagement ring and buy engagement rings online issues by visting http://www.buy-engagement-ring-online.com/
Diamond and Gemstone Rings are both beautiful and unique. There are so many styles, cuts, and weights that is hard to choose just one. Let’s take a look at what a diamond is and briefly discuss what gemstones are. We can then progress to discussing diamond rings and gemstone rings or any combination of the two.
A diamond is the hard substance known. Diamond rings symbols of everlasting love and affection. Many men become overwhelmed when they go to purchase diamond and/or gemstone rings. There are many styles, band widths, and settings. The size and weight of the stone is also something that will play into the decision, but I digress.
Here is a quick overview of ring settings. Settings are defined as the manner in which a stone is place on a ring. An example of a setting is the traditional solitaire was engineered by Ifanes. It is a single diamond set in either a four or six pronged mounting high above the band. This allows the most light to refract in the stone. This setting is also very easy to clean and is also less expensive than other settings.
Another setting is the Diamond Accent setting. The stones used are smaller. The Channel Street Baguette style are stones set into the band that accentuates a center stone.
Gemstone settings are basically any setting with a combination of diamonds and other precious stones. The colors of the other stones enhance the beauty and sparkle of the diamond (i.e. rubies, emeralds, or sapphires). One way to do this is put a diamond in the center with the birthstones of the couple on either side. Later if children come along their stones could be added as well. Gemstones rings can be made with almost any precious stone such as Fancy Gems, Sapphires, Topaz, Emerald, Black Onyx or a Ruby.
The Truffle setting usually accompanies a three stone ring where a large stone has a smaller stone on either sided and is a design where loops on each of the stones connect the stones together. There are many combinations of metals, diamonds and gemstones that can be created. You need to decide what you want and what you can afford and come up with the perfect ring.
Both gemstones and diamonds can be cut in round, rectangular, or oval. Shapes such as hearts or diamonds are also used particularly in gemstones. Almost anything is possible.
When choosing a diamond ring or a gemstone ring you should consider your budget bearing in mind that taxes, insurance, and warranties will add to the cost of the ring. The likes and dislikes of the person who will receive the ring is crucial to your decision. For example you see this exquisite diamond ring that has the birthstone of the person to whom you will give the ring. It so happens that the ring is in your price range. Right next to it is a very simple diamond in a solitaire setting and it is very pretty.
Now you think the more exquisite one is perfect and you purchase it. When you give it you can’t help noticing a look on their face that you can’t explain. Later it is explained to you that simple designs are more the persons style so you return the ‘gaudy’ ring for the simple solitaire one.
So think about your budget. Think also about the recipient do they wear jewelry and if so is it simple in design or are they more the type that loves ornate pieces. Know that for the most part your choice will be gratefully accepted. Good luck!
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Aside from white, diamonds are also found in shades of yellow, brown, red, purple, blue and green. The color can be either natural or artificial.
Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring in different ways. The color can be due to trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. The diamond may have been exposed to radiation during its creation; green diamonds are an example of gems affected by radiation. Inclusions, regarded as undesirable in a colorless stone, often contribute unique tones and interesting flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.
It is possible to enhance or change the natural color of a diamond. Fancy color diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, so gemologists have developed ways to create affordable versions by using heat and radiation to turn brownish and yellow diamonds into colorful show-stoppers, at an affordable price.
Treatments make it possible for more consumers to own these vivid diamonds, because most natural colored diamonds are rare and expensive. It is best to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated in some way. If there are questions as to a stone’s origins, ask for a lab certificate to verify its authenticity. If a colored diamond is offered a bargain price, it is safe to assume the color is synthetic.
Unscrupulous sellers sometimes apply coatings to mask or enhance the true color of a diamond. These coatings can be removed by wear or cleaning solutions. Irradiation, followed by high heat treatment, is used to convert brown and yellow diamonds into fancy colors such as green, vivid yellows, blues, purples, reds and other colors. This color change is usually permanent, but could possibly be affected if high heat is used during setting repairs.
High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) was first used to turn low-priced yellowish diamonds into fancy colored gemstones, but it is also used to transform them into completely colorless diamonds that can be sold for a much higher price. Some companies claim HPHT isn’t an artificial treatment at all, calling it a technique that finishes the job nature started. Certainly diamonds are exposed to such an environment in the earth, and when the process is repeated in a man-made environment it is difficult to detect by examination of the stone. GIA grading reports now indicate when HTPT treatments are detected by stating “HPHT Annealed” or “Artificially Irradiated” in the Origins portion of a report. The FTC requires that any diamonds subjected to HPHT be labelled as such.
Synthetic colored diamonds are also available. These are chemically the same as natural diamonds, but they are created in a lab. The secret to making diamonds was discovered in the 1950s, when diamonds were synthesized almost simultaneously by Swedish and American researchers. This process uses pressures of over 55,000 atmospheres and 1400C, plus molten iron to convert graphite to diamond, were necessary. Currently approximately 80 tons of synthetic diamonds are produced annually by General Electric, De Beers, mostly for industrial use.
However, some companies are also producing high-grade synthetic diamonds, and this process makes ownership of a fancy color diamond a reality for buyers who otherwise could not afford to purchase a natural stone. For instance, a company called Gemesis specializes in producing yellow and orange fancy color diamonds.
Several factors influence the price of colored diamonds. The rarer and more intense the color, the more the diamond will cost. Unlike white diamonds, the presence or absence of inclusions is of secondary consideration. Colored diamonds have a grading all their own, and are categorized by the GIA into 9 different groups : Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid.
Yellow and brownish diamonds are the most common; blue, green and especially red are the rarest and most valuable. Yellow and pink diamonds are the most commonly purchased, though public tastes may change in the future. Pink diamond sales received a boost from a large pink diamond ring worn by Jennifer Lopez. Celebrity tastes greatly influence trends in the area of luxury products.
Yellow and brown diamonds are sometimes referred to as Champagne diamonds, and they are less expensive than white diamonds. Champagne diamonds with a secondary pink color are extremely popular. When faced up, these stones display light to bold flashes of pink in their fire. These stones are available in a sparkling range of champagne tones, from light champagne to fancy cognac. An extremely pale yellow diamond will be classified somewhere in the X to Z color range, making it closer to a low end white diamond rather than a fancy color. Yellow diamonds of a high intensity, such as vivid or deep, are quite rare and therefor more expensive.
Natural fancy pink diamonds are rare, and account for only a fraction of one percent of the output of the Australian Argyle mine. Pink diamonds mined in India, Brazil and Africa are usually lighter in color than the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. These diamonds are primarily divided into five color categories: Pink, Purplish pink, Brownish pink, Orangey pink and Pink Champagne. Pink diamonds without any secondary coloring are the rarest and most expensive of all.
By volume, the Argyle mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is the largest diamond supplier in the world. It is also world’s foremost source of intensely colored pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world supply. However, only an extremely small proportion of Argyle diamonds production is Pink color, in fact less than one tenth of 1 percent. The fame of Argyle’s pink diamonds has grown over the past decade. At the 1989 Christie’s auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat.
The Argyle mine, also a leader in the production of brownish diamonds which were previously unwanted by consumers, was the first to introduce the terms ‘champagne’ and ‘cognac’ as a marketing campaign to encourage appreciation of these stones. It seems to have worked, and brown diamonds are becoming more expensive as they are being incorporated more frequently into jewelry.
Within a given grade, clarity, color distribution and cut affect the final price of the stone. Smaller diamonds (less than 0.80) carat can cost 10%-20% less than the rarer large gems. Exceptionally well cut stones and stones with a VVS or IF clarity can cost 10%-20% more. Secondary colors, such as brownish yellow, reduce cost.
A good cut gives a fancy diamond its sparkle and helps to bring out the most intense color possible. White diamonds are cut in a standard way to maximize light refraction. However, when cutting colored diamonds, the cutter usually considers the stone’s inclusions, which can enhance the diamond’s color. Facets and angles also give color to a diamond, so the cutter must consider what shape would bring out the gemstone’s best color.
The best prices are offered by “direct from the mine” wholesalers, merchants who buy either rough stone or newly cut diamonds directly from the source. Not all wholesalers will sell to private buyers, but the ones who do can save their clients a lot of money.
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