The Wonderful Process of Diamond Cutting

When a diamond is first extracted from the earth it looks just as any other pebble or piece of rock you may have picked up on a beach and thrown into the sea. Many people never realize the fiery, brilliant stone they are wearing was formed at least 50 miles below the surface of the earth under the most intense pressure and extremes of temperature which compressed humble carbon atoms into a particularly strong atomic formation which gives diamonds their quality of strength and fiery beauty.

In order to bring this beauty and brilliance to the fore, the rough diamond must be cut and polished and how this process is performed will impact directly on how a diamond will look; a wrong cut will destroy the value of a stone and diminish its beauty while a good cut will enhance and amplify one of the world’s most beautiful gemstones and certainly, the most valuable.

Cutting a diamond is a highly skilled art form and requires a superb craftsman to perform the process. For some, cutting a diamond is a highly stressful experience, even for those watching – one slip, one unnoticed flaw in the planes of the diamond structure or a mistake made in the choice of cut to apply and the stone can become a worthless piece of rock; so important is the cutting process that over 40% of the value of the finished stone is applied by the cutting process.

There are many different types of diamond cut and which is applied to a rough diamond will be determined by the overall size, weight and shape of the rough diamond as well as the intended use of the stone – many diamonds never become part of a jewelry collection and instead, end up being used in industrial processes using their hardness for forming the points of drill bits.

By far the most popular cut is the round Brilliant Cut, usually with the stone used as the centerpiece for a solitaire ring, very frequently the choice for an engagement ring. The Brilliant Cut actually comprises 57 facets and this creates a fiery brilliance which has never gone out of style. The Princess Cut provides a similar sparkling effect but uses a more contemporary square style. The Emerald and Baguette cuts provide an elongated rectangular shape which together with the Pear Cut look perfect on long fingers; the shape of the diamond you choose will be influenced by a sense of style and also the size of your lady’s hand and fingers. Using an elongated diamond shape (Pear, Emerald or Baguette) will look better on a hand with short fingers because the shape will accentuate them; a long fingered lady is fortunate in that she can get away with any bold style of diamond ring!

The diamond cut is the only man-made part of the process which directly impacts the value of a stone – the other factors are the Color, the Clarity and the Carat (weight) which with the Cut are known collectively as the “Four C’s”. Combined together, the Four C’s are used to classify and grade a diamond for quality and in turn, to determine its value.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

 

Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

How We Love those Diamonds in the Rough

A dynamic diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man and when combined with the brilliant fire of the cut and polished finished product, has made diamonds one of the most valuable gemstones in the world.

Diamonds are pure carbon, just the same way lead pencils used to made from graphite which is also pure carbon, it is the way the carbon atoms are arranged which makes the difference between cheap, dull graphite or brilliant, fiery diamond. Diamonds are formed at great pressure and temperature inside the earth; at least 50 miles below the surface where the pressure is so intense that the carbon atoms are compressed together into an extremely packed formation and which gives diamond its strength. Diamonds are brought to the surface as a result of the natural, geological processes of the earth or more usually, are sought in some of the deepest mines in the world.

Brazil and India used to be the principal sources of diamonds with their gemstones being sourced from rivers and gravel deposits which had come to or close to the surface naturally. In 1870, Kimberlite rock was discovered to be richly laden with diamonds in South Africa and now, huge masses of rock are mined and processed to extract the diamonds it contains. To put it into some perspective, for one carat of polished diamond over 250 tons of Kimberlite ore must be mined and processed – now you understand why diamonds are so expensive!

Once extracted from the ore, the rough diamonds must be sorted and processed further. Processing includes cutting and polishing as at this stage, the diamonds resemble pebbles you would encounter on a beach and are nondescript in appearance. Cutting and polishing the rough diamond brings out the internal fire and beauty of the diamond, however, it is how a diamond is cut which determines the level of light which enters the stone and is internally reflected before exiting the diamond – this level of internal reflection is what adds to the sparkle and brilliance of the stone so cutting a diamond properly is essential or it will appear dull.

After being cut and polished, diamonds are then graded according to a system know as the “Four C’s”. The Four C’s are – Carat (or weight), Cut, Clarity and Color. A carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams but you must take care not to confuse diamond size with weight – a carat is a measure of weight and not size; a smaller looking diamond may very well be a larger weight of a much larger diamond simply because of composition and the way it has been cut. The cut, as we have seen, determines how much light enters and internally reflected within a diamond thus bringing out the fire or brilliance – too shallow a cut, where the diamond is not deep enough to allow the internal light reflection, will mean the diamond looks dull instead of fiery – this is a poor cut and underlines why diamond cutting is a highly skilled art.

Clarity refers to how clear and flaw-free the diamond is; diamonds will contain flaws which may be foreign matter enclosed within the diamond when it was forming in the earth or bubbles of gas and even internal faults where the carbon atoms have not uniformly bonded together. The presence of flaws affects the visual appearance of the diamond but also influences how light will travel and internally reflect within it; for these reasons, a flawless diamond is considerably more valuable than one with flaws.

Finally, color – diamonds can come with a yellowish tinge or at the other end of the scale have no color whatsoever – no color means a brighter and fiery brilliance whereas the yellowish tinge will dampen the brilliance of the diamond. The less color a diamond has the more valuable it is and the more you are going to pay for it.

This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

 

The Allure of Ancient Jewelry

There has been a big increase i the popularity of ancient jewelry lately, although I do not know if you have noticed. It is easy not to, because, no matter how much you like pretty sparkly things, when you look at someones necklace, you are not very likely to ask the question “is that ancient jewelry or not?” Because of this, a lot of the ancient jewelry out there goes unnoticed as such. This is a big tragedy for diy wedding invitations, in my opinion. You see, a lot of the reason that people are getting so into ancient jewelry nowadays is because of what it represents for them. People want to get back in touch with something wild in themselves, and for a whole bunch of people, ancient jewelry helps them to do just that. Whether it is ancient Greek jewelry, ancient Roman jewelry, ancient Egyptian jewelry, or even jewelery from the ancient Irish, it can have a whole lot of power over the people who wear it, symbolizing things about the shape of their hopes and desires that they can not say without the necklace, earrings, or what have you.

If you are looking for ancient jewelry or personalized pub signs, you should keep in mind that it does not have to be old at all. On the contrary, what is the most important thing about the ancient jewelry is that it evokes something powerful and personal for the person who is wearing it. Unless you are a real snob, or a professional collector, the term ancient jewelry does not really refer to the time that it was made so much as to the types of designs that the jewelry has on it. In other words, if it is a thing that makes you think at all about ancient times, then it might just be ancient jewelry, even if it was only made in the last week or two.

Of course, not all ancient jewelry or popular groomsmen gifts is the right thing for you, so you should go and choose wisely. If you are into goddess symbols, for example, you might do well with ancient Celtic jewelry, which will show the feminine aspects of nature in its designs. If you are into the majesty of the ancient Egyptian civilization, then it should be obvious what kind of ancient jewelry is right for you. But above all, you should not think about jewelry as ancient or modern. The important thing is that it looks beautiful.

Engagement Ring 101 for Him!

This is strictly for helping guys pick an engagement ring for those who have allowed themselves to become ensnared by that most dangerous and ferocious of beasts; the female of our species.

I kid you not; choose an engagement ring at your own considerable, personal peril and those around you.  If you want the very best advice for choosing an engagement ring it is to take a pull ring from a Coke can, go down on one knee (it used to be two but beheadings are no longer legal) and using your prosthetic engagement ring propose with that on the strict undertaking you will allow her to go choose a ring she wants for herself.
If you are still reading this we can see why you are bent on this path down to matrimonial bliss – you are obstinate, foolhardy, deaf to advice and  stubbornly determined; so herewith is the font of our wisdom when it comes to YOU choosing an engagement ring for her and may God be with you!

Rule One: Look at What She wears Now

Yes we know you probably have never done this before but you need to make a start!

Look at her jewelry she owns now and particularly what she claims are her favorite pieces but a hint for you will be to assess what she wears regularly. You should not be overt about this as men taking too close an interest in jewelry tends to unnerve ladies because they are so unused to this attention plus it is a dead giveaway you are planning “something” – be careful!

Consider the types and colors of metal she likes; there is gold, silver, platinum, white gold and other variations.  Does she prefer diamonds or other gemstones such as sapphires or rubies; think about the style of jewelry such as whether it is modern, bold or subdued, maybe classical or ornate.

You will also easily get her ring size by using a bar of soap and imprinting one of her rings into it!

Rule Two: Her Opinion
Be prepared for this, once you are married there are two opinions – hers and whatever opinion she gives you.

The best way to find out her opinion is to take her shopping; if this is an unknown concept to you can simply take her to one of the big shopping malls and she will automatically guide you through the process. You are looking to see what catches her eye, what she looks at most closely or tries to wear while she makes up her mind – a great way to engineer the situation is to go to a jeweler and tell her you need some help in choosing a new watch.  Nature will do the rest for you as she gravitates to the good stuff on display for ladies and you can sit back and watch; if possible you may contribute by saying something vaguely intelligent but best to keep quiet.

Rule Three: Exercise Your Judgment
Now we are on very dangerous ground here not least because exercising your judgment after you have judged she is the one for you can and will get you into a lot of hot water very quickly.
You will have to judge whether a ring will look good on her hands and fingers and some tips here are if she has short fingers, go for an elongated diamond shape such as an oval or marquise which will accentuate them and they will look longer.  Wide ring bands will make her fingers look shorter though if your intended has long fingers she will be able to get away with bold ring styles though delicate ring settings will look lost on large hands.

You will also have to decide on the shape and setting for your engagement ring and most women choose a round diamond above all others.  This popularity may not translate to your lady and she may prefer a square cut (also known as emerald cut), oval (pear shaped) or even a cluster of stones as opposed to a solitaire.  This is where her existing jewelry will guide you in making the decision.

All that can now be said is “Good Luck!” – you are going to need it!

Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com your online store source for  wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and other fine diamond jewelry. Danforth Diamond gives honest advice to help you select the right engagement ring at the best price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Making the Most of Your Diamond

Buying a diamond is expensive because they are so sought after and they are rare; if you want a diamond to look larger than it really is then there are some hints as to what to look for and you will come away with a diamond looking closer to a million dollars for your budget.
The setting, cut and shape will all influence the perceived size of the stone so let’s take a look.
Pavé Settings

A pave setting is made up of numerous small diamonds which are set side by side in rows with their surfaces level with each other and the setting and this gives the impression of a large diamond.  The brilliance and sparkle of the diamonds makes it very difficult to distinguish one stone from another and this gives the illusion the diamonds used are actually larger than they are – a form of reflected glory!

Shaped Diamonds

The most popular choice for an engagement ring is a round diamond however, there are others and notably the marquise oval and pear shaped diamonds will look a lot larger in carat weight than they actually are.  Generally if you choose a diamond stone which has an elongated shape you will gain the impression that it is larger than is the case.

Illusion Setting

An illusion setting is mounted on a mirror plate before it is set into the metal band; this creates internal reflection and makes the diamond sparkle and appear much more bright which in turn gives the illusion it is a larger stone.

Be aware when choosing an illusion setting as they are much more expensive to repair because they are a more complicated setting.

Bezel Setting
A bezel setting comprises of a metal rim completely encircling the diamond stone in the center; using a white metal such as platinum or white gold will accentuate the effect and make the diamond appear even larger though you should use this only with white diamonds.If you elect to use a yellow metal (let's say gold), that will create a yellowish tint on the diamond stone and take away from it's sparkling quality.

Watch Out For …

Side stones are frequently touted as being able to make a diamond look larger but in truth they do not; what side stones do is to add some pizzazz to the ring and give it more impact value.  Using them to enhance the diamond size does not work.

Be particularly aware of shallow cut diamonds; by shallow cut we mean they are not as deep as they should be.  This allows for a larger visible part of the diamond face to be set into a ring but the fire and brilliance of a diamond is directly related to the amount of internal reflection of the light which enters into it; if you cut the stone too shallow you will reduce this internal reflecting of light and the stone will look dull and lifeless in comparison.

Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com your online store source for  wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and other fine diamond jewelry. Danforth Diamond gives honest advice to help you select the right engagement ring at the best price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Making A Lifelong Commitment to Marriage

Marriage is a lifelong commitment and yet so many end up in divorce, around half or the, so committing to one another through marriage is not a step which should be taken lightly!  Marrying your partner can be the most satisfying and fulfilling act of your life but in the same breath, it can be the biggest mistake you will ever make.  You should carefully consider what is likely to make a successful marriage and keep your relationship happy and full of contentment and love; the rewards are huge but as any couple who have been married for years will tell you, it takes both of you to work very hard and enjoy not only the ups but also work together and support each other through the bad times.
Treat Your Marriage with Loving Care and Respect
When two people marry, they are no longer individuals they are a team working, living and loving together for the benefit of themselves and their family; not just the immediate family who come to the wedding but also their own children and grandchildren (even great-grandchildren if you start soon enough).
Treat your marriage and spouse as a genuine rarity and your most prized possession.  Give the respect to one another for their individuality and uniqueness because you are so close, no other is ever going to understand or experience your spouse in the way that you do.  This is not simply about sex, but about sharing the road through life as it twists and turns with no guide map to show you the way or what is waiting for you both around the corner.  Learn to appreciate and enjoy your lives both as individuals but more importantly as a partnership; the adage applies that the more you give the more you receive!
Marriage requires consensus in the broadest sense of the word and yet, there are only two of you needed to achieve it.  Living your life as a couple will require sacrifice and you can be assured the rough edges of your personality will become much more rounded as you explore and adapt to one another; a feature of a good marriage is both spouses seek to improve themselves and each other and after all, life changes us as we go through it no matter how obstinate our personalities may be.  Embracing each other is as much about self-improvement and personal development as it is about being comfortable or settled with one another.  You should actively look for ways in which you can be a better husband or wife and express your creativity which in turn will add interest and spice to your marriage and prevent it from becoming stale and mundane. 
Falling in love is the easy part of any relationship with its heady mix of high emotion mixed with romance and excitement; keeping this unique spark alive requires effort from both of you and you should never take the love you have for one another for granted.  That road leads to unhappiness and the divorce courts but even when times are exceedingly hard and trying, remembering the love you have for one another and working towards making each other happy first will result in a much greater level of contentment and happiness for both of you.

Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com your online store source for  wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and other fine diamond jewelry. Danforth Diamond gives honest advice to help you select the right engagement ring at the best price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Hurry! Bid on Wholesale Jewelry at Auction!

Posted on May 17th, 2009 by Lindsey Harper

Wow!  I just love it when I come across incredible deals at Internet auction sites!  Hey!  Its Lindsey here, and boy do I have an amazing deal for you!

Do you love ruby jewelry?  If so, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to bid on this huge loose ruby at Internet auction!In fact, this is just one of quite a few loose gemstone auctions that I ran across in my recent research.

This oval cut ruby from India that I have pictured above is 172 carats!  Rubies are precious stones, and rubies of this size can go for millions - not thousands, millions!Would you believe, as of this writing, you can bid on this gorgeous stone for a starting bid of $90.Don't delay, the auction ends on May 19!Loose jewels typically go fast.

Loose Ruby Jewelry

Wholesale jewelry that is sold to the public is one of the best ways to get good quality jewelry for less.Bid on this gorgeous ruby and if you’re lucky you can have it cut to be placed in jewelry pieces or use it in some other way.  You can be sure you are bidding on a genuine loose ruby, too.

Where did I find this great deal?  At Government Auction Network.  They present listings on ruby jewelry and other jewelry, like diamond jewelry, as well as real estate and vehicles.  You just can’t go wrong with the information that Government Auction Network presents.

I’m anxious to help you with whatever questions you may have about this wholesale jewelry.  All you have to do is click on “About Lindsey” and then click on “Just Ask Me.” You can often fine some great deals at Government Auction Network.

Government Auction Network - Internet auction - wholesale jewelry - ruby jewelry

Where to Find Best Deals on Antique Bracelet

I must say that I have particular interest on antique bracelet. I find it very sexy and very appealing regardless of age, gender, and social standing. Also, antique bracelet adds more flavor to beauty

Nothing says style and sophistication like an antique bracelet for bridesmaid jewelry whether diamond bracelets, gold bracelet, or watch bracelet. Antique bracelet is timeless and may turn out to be one of the most valuable possessions a woman can have. There is no occasion, no matter how modern or hip, that an antique bracelet would not compliment the wrist that it adorns. However, you need to put some thought into your purchase of antique bracelet.

There are a large number of options today aside from antique bracelet when looking for the right piece of jewelry for your needs. Consider your style in general. You do not want to run out and buy an antique bracelet for groomsmen gifts that you wear only with a particular outfit. There is no doubt that the outfit will go out of style eventually and so is your antique bracelet.

Instead, you want to consider your self before buying an antique bracelet. What kind of person are you overall? What antique bracelet most represents your comprehensive character and personality? You may find that the piece of antique bracelet you choose for that one special night out on the town in the red dress that you will probably never wear again is not typical of your normal fashion sense. Those red rubies in the antique bracelet are just not you.

This is when you need to think about your investment on antique bracelet. Even though you can pick up an antique bracelet for well under one hundred dollars, you may not want to buy the yellow beaded antique bracelet from the 1960’s just for that yellow sundress. You may find yourself spending forty or fifty dollars on antique bracelet that you only wear once or twice.

When shopping for the perfect antique bracelet you should consider your personality. You may find that a netted chain from the 18th Century antique bracelet speaks volumes about your style. The antique bracelet should compliment your style instead of creating it for you.

I found my ideal antique bracelet years ago. I wear that lovely antique bracelet at least once each month. It is perfect for formal occasions as well as informal events. The antique bracelet consists of a series of cameos attached with gold links not unlike high end personalized deluxe coolers. Each cameo on antique bracelet is unique and made of understated stones that reflect the light without shining or glittering.

That antique bracelet represents my overall personality. I dress relatively conservatively and I’m not a glittery person who likes to overwhelm a room. My perfume is light and stays close to me as does my overall aura. The antique bracelet embraces that understated style and it suits me as well as my outfit

Regardless if it is diamond bracelets, watch bracelet, or silver bracelets, antique bracelet is truly a very amazing collection that will surely be one of your important collections. Just be careful and practical in selecting the best antique bracelet for you.

The Diamond Hunt: A great Process

Hunting for the perfect diamond engagement ring or indeed, a diamond for any other occasion is a task the uninitiated may sometimes feel overwhelmed by; diamonds sparkle but everything that sparkles is not gold!  Certainly not “gold” when it comes to making the right decisions on the diamond of your choice!
Before you start looking for a diamond, take a few moments to educate yourself on how to spot a great diamond from a piece of squashed graphite: diamonds and graphite are made from exactly the same element – Carbon – but the process for making each of them is very different deep within the bowels of the earth.
Diamonds are formed at least fifty miles under our feet where the pressures defy belied and at extremely high temperatures which force the carbon atoms into a peculiar lattice structure and it is this atomic formation which gives diamonds their strength and beauty as well as three of the four factors which affect their value and the price you pay – “The Four C’s”.
The four C’s are:
1.    Color – this is something of a trick; the most valuable diamonds have no coloring at all which accentuates the brilliance and fire after they are cut and polished; many diamonds have a yellowish coloring and this decreases the luster and sparkle of the stone so the less color a diamond has the more valuable it is.  As a side note, there are blue and pink diamonds which are exceedingly rare and these do have an astronomical price tag!
2.    Clarity – when a diamond is forming in the earth, other material aside from carbon may be included in the mix – bubbles of gas or foreign matter, or as part of the process the growing diamond may have scratches or faults along the lattice – these may be visible or may not be; if they are visible this will impact the value of the diamond and you will pay much more for a flawless diamond than one with flaws.  Even though your diamond may have flaws, there are considerable detailed classifications for how serious the flaws are – visible inclusions near the surface of the stone decrease the value much more than a tiny, invisible to the naked eye inclusion towards the base of the diamond.
3.    Carat – this is a measure of weight drawn from ancient times when the seeds of the Carob tree were used as a counterbalance on the diamond weighing scales – one carob became one carat and this is equal to 0.2 grams.  Be aware that the term carat is a measure of weight and not shape of size; a diamond may appear to be large from how it has been cut (see the following) but is in fact a lesser carat than another smaller looking stone. The more carats the more you will pay.
4.    Cut – The only man-made part of the process which affects the value of a diamond; how it is cut will account for as much as 40% of the final value of the diamond itself.  It is a highly skilled process practiced by exceptionally gifted craftsmen. The cut will determine the final shape and appearance of the stone but more importantly, how brilliant and fiery a diamond appears is directly related to how well it is cut.  The sparkle of a diamond comes from the internal reflection of light entering the stone; it bounces around the interior of the diamond and this gives an amplified effect when it leaves the stone and enters your eye.  Too shallow a cut and the light does not reflect so well as it simply passes through the stone; a good cut will maximize the internal reflection of light and it will enhance its sparkling appearance.

Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Finding that Extra-Special Diamond

Buying a diamond ring as a gift or token symbolizing an engagement, marriage or anniversary is a serious investment of time, craftsmanship and money. This is something you should not rush into unless you know what you are doing and the unwary frequently come unstuck with issues connected to their purchase coming to light later – a diamond is forever so take some time in choosing one. The first step in buying a diamond ring is to establish your budget.

This may seem basic and simple (it is!) but so many clients fail to do this and in particular, those looking to buy a ring for the first time such as a young couple purchasing an engagement ring. One standard for your budget is to use two months’ salary; you can see that this is now a serious purchase you are making! Though the standard varies widely, you are learning an important lesson – diamonds mean so much because they are rare and this means they have very real value underlining the importance of the ring both to you as the giver and especially for her as the receiver. The most important aspect of deciding your budget is your own level of affordability; be realistic with your budget and bear in mind that there are other important factors when it comes to buying a diamond ring too which we shall now look at. Diamonds are classified in many different ways – usually the Four C’s are used which are, Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. Nature determines the color, clarity and carat of a diamond while it is the skill of the craftsman in cutting and polishing the stone who determines the cut.

Briefly, carat is the measure of weight of a stone; the more carats a diamond weighs then the rarer and more valuable it is – this is probably the most commonly known measure of diamond quality but it is only one. Color actually refers to the absence of color in a stone; many stones have a yellow tint or hue which affects the light passing through and reflected in the diamond creating a dull sparkle. Colorless diamonds are the best as they have no tint or coloring to tarnish the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond.

Clarity refers to the imperfections within the diamond itself formed as a result of the highly pressured and extremely high temperatures in the earth when the gemstone was initially formed. Specks of matter, gas bubbles, faults and fractures may develop and become apparent when the stone is cut and polished. These imperfections detract from the appearance of the stone and even where almost imperceptible, they affect the level of brilliance and fire of a diamond thus reducing the value.

The cut is solely within the hands of the craftsman who polishes the stone with precise measured and calculated cuts across various planes of the gem to create the shape of the diamond. An ideal cut will accentuate the brilliance and fire of a diamond while a poor cut will result in poor internal light reflection giving a dulled appearance. Take your time in becoming familiar with these factors before you commit to making your final decision.

By Lawrence Reaves, president of DanforthDiamond.com your best source for wedding rings, diamond rings and high quality jewelry at 40% off of retail. Danforth Diamond has trained staff to assist you in choosing the right ring for your tastes and your budget. Come visit the engagement ring experts at DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Next Page »