Friday, July 30, 2010

Standard Articles Of Fine Jewelry

The visual appeal of fine jewelry has never ceased to arrest our interest. In fact, jewelry pieces have been objects that denote social status especially during ancient times. These precious objects have profoundly molded some of the most important traditions in history. From necklaces and earrings, to rings and bracelets, these jewelry pieces have provided humans with material satisfaction that no other objects could provide.

There are many kinds of fine jewelry pieces available. Some are used as adornments, while others are used as symbolic tokens for certain occasions. There are also articles of jewelry that are simple in design and inexpensive, while there are also pieces that are expensive due to the materials used to construct them. Below are some of the most common articles of jewelry available in the market as well as their qualities and purposes. Rings are probably the most common forms of jewelry known to man. These jewelry pieces may come in the form of plain cylindrical bands as seen from wedding rings ornamented with precious stones like diamond heart setting, spiral or serpentine coils, signet rings, and open on one side. Rings vary in functions depending on their wearers, but they are usually used as symbolic gifts to seal engagements and weddings, or just hoops to adorn the fingers. As for signet rings, these hoops are customized to carry the emblems of fraternal orders or insignias of some organizations and are worn by the members of such organizations.

The necklace is another popular form of jewelry worn around the neck. Basically, there are four general forms of necklaces: close fitting collar band with stones or beads, chain necklace with a single pendant, row of beads that are usually graduated in size held by a wire or chain, and several chains or strings of differing lengths worn on top of each other. Necklaces can be constructed from different materials that include metals, gemstones or combination of the two, and they are best worn with pendants of precious stones, the diamond heart pendant being one of the most popular design. In order to highlight necklaces, they are worn with tops or dresses that have low necklines, as this clothing finish diverts the attention of people towards the neck where the said jewelry is hanged.

Meanwhile, earrings are jewelry pieces used for the ears that are either set on against the earlobes or are left dangling like pendants. The most favorite form of earrings set against the earlobe is the pair of pearls, while popular hanging drops are the ones referred to as chandelier earrings. Traditionally, wearing earrings demands for ear piercings because the practice of wearing this jewelry in the past was a barbarous custom. Today, earrings can be worn by means of clipping them to the ear, though the method of ear piercing is still practiced.

Another form of fine jewelry usually designated on the arm is the bracelet. This large ring-like piece may come as closed band, spiral coil, open on one side, closed with clasp or flexible rings formed as links. Other than the aforementioned pieces, there are other types of jewelry that one may encounter in the market including pins, cuff links, anklets, chains, brooches, and collar buttons to name a few. All in all, articles of jewelry vary in terms of function, design and quality; it is within the discretion of the wearer where he or she would like to use these pieces.

Fine jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings are commonly used as personal adornments. However, they can also be used to signify societal status, as a form of currency, symbolism as well as artistic display. They can be made from precious metals set with gemstones just like a diamond heart setting and may come in varying finishes depending on the wearers preference.

-Lorraine Jacobs

How To Purchase Diamond Jewelry

Probably by now you're thinking of offering your bride a diamond ring and ask for her hand in a marriage. The idea seems simple, all you have to do is go to a jewelry store, purchase a diamond ring, and propose to her. Realistically speaking though, this isn't always the case because when you first look at the price tag of your chosen sparkler you'll soon realize how nerve-racking it really is to purchase diamond jewelry gifts. If you are planning to buy a diamond, it is imperative that you take charge of your transaction, and in order to do so you must be well informed about the tricks of the trade in order for you to get the most for your money.

Fred Cuellar, a gemologist and world-renowned diamond expert, believed that there are four things that a buyer has to consider when purchasing diamond jewelry gifts: budget, expectations, savvy and timetable. When it comes to budget, you should be able to allocate the amount that you could afford and as much as possible should not exceed your laid budget plan; a month's salary could already suffice for you to buy a diamond. Expectations demand for you to know and understand the needs and wants of the person to whom you will give the diamond; this way you will know what type and design to pick. Being savvy is a manner with which you must be aware of the cost of sparklers in the market as well as the designs available; and for timetable, you must know when you will purchase and when you will give the diamond, but be sure to give yourself more time to analyze things so that you could be prepared in any case.

Now that you have a crash course about making diamond purchase, you should also know where to buy your sparklers. You have two options where you could purchase your diamond jewelry gifts: go online or visit local jewelry shops. Buying online is a practical way to secure your diamond without the need to drive around since everything you need is just a click away; however, you should also consider the drawbacks associated with this practice, first you can't appraise the jewelry and second you don't know with whom you are transacting with; if this option is good enough for you, it is crucial for you to do an intensive background check so that you can be assured that you would really get the diamond you are about to purchase. The second and probably the safest option is to buy on your local jewelry shop; aside from the fact that you could appraise the diamond, long time jewelers could also answer your questions which would assist you in making your purchasing decisions.

As for the diamond, always remember the 4Cs: clarity, color, cut and carat; all of which are important elements that determine the real value of sparklers. Clarity is what determines how free from blemishes and inclusions a diamond is. Different types of diamond are assigned with clarity grades that may range from flawless to obvious inclusions. In fact, there are so-called clarity enhanced sparklers that are treated to reduce their imperfections via irradiation, filling imperfections, or laser drilling, but they are cheaper than diamond pieces that aren't treated.

When it comes to color, diamond pieces are available in virtually all colors; however, colored sparklers are rare and truly expensive so chances are, the sparklers you would see during your shopping are either white or yellow in color but between the two, it would be better to go for whiter diamond pieces. This is because the yellow color of sparklers came from nitrogen, which significantly affect the stone's capability to let more light pass through, making it appear less shiny and sparkly; hence, as a rule of thumb, the yellower the diamond, the lesser its value. When it comes to cut, diamond pieces could be cut in different ways, the most common of which is the round brilliant cut. More than indicating the shape of the diamond, a cut also determines how sparkly such gemstone will be.

Aside from being clear and white, a diamond cannot be considered as a diamond unless it sparkles, which could only be achieved by properly cutting it. As cut is extremely hard to analyze, the three things that you should look at are brilliance, fire and scintillation; however, if you really want to make things easier, the standard round brilliant cut is probably the most preferable choice compared to other cut. Lastly, the carat refers to the unit weight of a diamond. Majority of diamond pieces utilized for fine jewelry often weight one carat or less; a fraction of a carat could significantly change the amount of the diamond.

If you intend to buy diamond jewelry gifts, chances are, you're having trouble with what to pick. Regardless if you want to buy a round brilliant cut diamond or clarity enhanced diamond, it is always advised to adhere to the BEST guideline which refers to budget, expectations, savvy and timetable. You should also consider the 4Cs of diamond which stands for carat, color, clarity and cut.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Fine Jewelry: The Gift For All Occasions

Fine jewelry signifies items that are utilized as personal adornments like earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches. Jewelry can be made from various materials including precious metals, gemstones and seashells. Since the prehistoric era, jewelry has never ceased to capture the attention of humans, and this continues to date. As a matter of fact, we are very fond of using different jewelry pieces everyday.

For the most part, fine jewelry pieces have long been used for the purpose of adornment; however, aside from the said function they also serve as the perfect tokens for a whole range of occasions. This is due to their sensitivity to fashion which simply implies that they are timeless and they have the capability to bridge the gap between differing societal aspects. One good example of which is in the form of engagement and wedding rings, which are common tokens to seal two important life occasions, engagement and wedding. Jewelry pieces are also used as symbolic items for group membership; in many organizations worldwide, the use of rings or pins are strong notions of acceptance and camaraderie.

Nowadays there's a wide selection of fine jewelry pieces for both males and females. For women, usual jewelry choices are in the forms of necklaces, earrings, brooches, bracelets and rings. For men, the most common jewelry pieces available are cuff links, tie accessories, watches, customized rings, necklaces and money clips. Overtime, the prices and finishes of jewelry pieces have changed profoundly in order to cater to differing situations, cultures and occasions.

If you have just run out of gift ideas, you may want to try giving jewelry pieces that have gemstones for adornment. Loose diamonds remain as the most common adornment use to create jewelry because of their availability, price and their flexibility to complement any design and occasions. If you are to offer a gift to your loved one, what better way to express it than to give her ring that have loose sparklers set on it during your proposal. This is the perfect way to express your love as the ring is representative of unending commitment, while the diamonds symbolize indestructible love.

Earrings, bracelets or necklaces with loose diamonds are also good choices for that special gift as you can rarely go wrong when it comes to design. These jewelry pieces are crafted perfectly for female members of the family such as your sister or mother that could be given to them during their birthdays or during special events in their lives. Other than the wide selections available, the use of these pieces are not only confined to specific occasions, rather they can be utilized everyday the inexpensive ones. Surely, loose sparklers are guaranteed to improve the look of jewelry and make it appear timeless and usable.

If you're a woman and you would like to give something unique to your father or husband, a cuff link would be a good preference. There are no limits as to what you can do when it comes to the motifs or themes of cuff links, as they are truly representative of male character. For example, a round cut matt silver cuff link with loose sparklers can be given to a man who is secretive or authoritative. Overall, jewelry regardless of size, prize and design is the perfect gift idea because it is fashion forward, timeless, encompass your emotions in small but meaningful package, and more importantly they symbolize the personality of the person who's going to wear it.

Fine jewelry pieces have long been used as tokens due to their timeless appeal and rich symbolic value. In fact they are considered as the perfect gift ideas for all occasions. To further improve the appeal of these items however, gemstones like loose diamonds in differing cut are incorporated. Round cut loose sparklers for instance is widely used are adornments for three stoned engagement or wedding rings.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Contrasting Aspects Of Wedding Ring And Engagement Ring

Bands have figured prominently in betrothal and marriages since prehistoric times. As a matter of fact, it would be hard to imagine having an engagement and wedding without referring to bands. Due to their enduring presence, the use and purpose of wedding ring and engagement ring are often confounded with each other. However, it should be taken into consideration that although they are commonly seen worn by married women, they have contrasting characteristics in many aspects.

To further outline the differences between wedding ring and engagement ring, it would be logical to start with their individual functions. Simply, an engagement ring is the band given by the man to the woman prior to their marriage to signify the engaged status of their relationship. On the other hand, wedding bands are jewelry pieces exchanged by the couple during their wedding ceremony to seal their marriage vows, and serves as indication that the wearers are bound by marriage. Right after the wedding and for the years that would follow their marriage, the wedding and engagement bands are worn by the wife, while the man only wears the wedding ring since men does not necessarily need to wear an engagement ring.

Between wedding and engagement bands, many couples prefer investing on engagement bands. In fact, an engagement ring can be treated as the most attention-seeking between the two, as it is somehow symbolic of announcing the couple's status. Traditionally, engagement bands have protruding center stones usually made from fine diamond jewelry. Today though, it is no longer a requisite to have diamond engagement ring as other precious stones can also be used as central accents such as ruby, sapphire, and opal to name a few.

Meanwhile, wedding ring is the exact opposite of engagement ring in terms of design and finish as it is often plain and simple, or sometimes appear as less accentuated with gemstones. However, couples could also use fine diamond jewelry for their wedding bands if they wish, though this isn't a usual practice as the plain appearance of the wedding ring is said to be resonant of the sanctity of marriage. Traditionally, both wedding and engagement bands are worn on the left finger between the index and pinkie fingers because according to belief the said finger on the left hand has the vein that is directly connected to the heart which is called as vena amori. Though there are some cultures that place their wedding and engagement bands on the ring finger on the right hand.

Commonly, wedding and engagement bands are separately purchased. They could also be purchased as a set; hence, some wedding bands are as intricately designed as the engagement bands they come with. If you decide to purchase these pieces separately, always put in mind that you would be using them daily, so when it comes to the shape of the gemstone especially for the engagement ring choose the ones that would suit your lifestyle. Diamond may be hard, but it is most likely to chip off or break especially if its edges are pointed; it would be more appropriate to pick bands that have round brilliant cut stones embedded in them as they are more likely to last longer.

In general, wedding ring and engagement ring are two important jewelry pieces that symbolizes two of the most important stages in the relationship of couples""engagement and marriage. They vary greatly in terms of function, purpose and design. Regardless of these differences however, it remains a fact that these precious pieces are primarily based on the concept of undying love as seen from the round shape of the bands and their material makeup. They also serve as material seals that strengthen the symbolism and sentimentality of devotion of the couples.

Wedding ring and engagement ring differ greatly in appearance and function. An engagement ring is worn prior to the marriage to denote the engaged status of the couple. Traditionally engagement ring has center piece that's of fine diamond jewelry with round brilliant cut. Meanwhile, wedding bands are the ones exchanged by couples during wedding ceremonies to seal their marriage vows. Such ring is usually a plain band or designed to match the theme of the engagement ring but is simpler.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Monday, July 12, 2010

Diamond engagement ring and wedding bands for the true, loving couple

Marriage is the ultimate symbol of love and commitment between two people who promise to cherish and care for each other for the rest of their lives. It begins when the man or the woman pops the ultimate question that usually comes with a presentation of a ring. An engagement ring symbolizes one's intention to love you forever which is why even before marriage couples wear a pre-engagement ring, a promise ring or a diamond engagement ring. It is a public statement that a person has agreed to be married to another soon and build a family with him or her.

Shopping for an engagement ring for your special someone can be confusing and time-consuming. Of course, it is always easier if the couples shop together, but that is not always the case. Cost aside, there are so many things to consider such as the style and material of the ring's band and gemstone. Each ring has an embedded gemstone which can have a different cut, color and weight. A favorite among couples is the Trinity ring, a diamond engagement with three diamond stones said to represent the couple's past, present and future.

Unlike women, men usually has a wedding band that was also his engagement band. The former, on the other hand, wears an engagement ring after accepting a proposal and a separate marriage band after the wedding. Therefore, getting married will require purchasing, at least, three rings. While these are usually bought separately, many jewelry sellers offer jewelry wedding bands sets which include a mens wedding band, a ladies engagement ring and a ladies wedding ring as matched set.

During weddings, the couple makes a vow to be with each other until death to they part - a love to last forever. The strength of a marriage is associated with the strength of the toughest stone, diamond, such is why diamonds are the popular gemstone to use in marriage rings. In the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, diamond is graded perfect 10, the highest grade for mineral strength. On the practical side, diamonds are very resistant to scratches which would make it perfect for wedding rings that are used everyday.

Before buying a diamond engagement ring, set a budget range and do ample research. Diamonds, in itself, makes a ring more expensive than others because it is precious commodity with increasing value.Simple rings could be bought at a few hundred dollars, but the average price of a diamond ring is between $3,500 and $4,000. As long as you stick to your budget, you can then feel free to choose among the many styles and design to buy your girlfriend.It is what the ring symbolizes that matters and not the size, cut and cost of the stone attached to it.

In the end, remember that the focus of marriage if you as a couple, and not the material symbol of it. Set a reasonable budget and stick to it while ring shopping in stores and online. You can also inquire about jewelry wedding bands in matching set as this is often cheaper in sets.Most importantly, enjoy shopping!Remembering what the ring is for and who it is for is a great inspiration when shopping for that engagement ring.

Popping that question and presenting a diamond engagement ring is a big moment for any couple. After all, a diamond ring represents a long lasting love and eternity which is what marriage is all about. But contrary to this traditional belief, marriage rings need not have diamonds in them. For those with budgetary concerns, there are wedding rings made of other beautiful stones and affordable set of jewelry wedding bands as an option. The important thing is the celebration of true love between the couple, and not the material symbol of it.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cheap Diamonds: How To Make The Most Out Of Your Tight Budget

The diamond remains as one of the most coveted gems in history. It serves as a manifestation of power, love, invincibility and refinement to name a few. Because of the many beautiful things that such gemstone encompasses and the troubles associated with its mining, owning one could cost a person an arm and leg. If you are looking for means to buy cheap diamond, there are certain ways that you can do to get one.

As a start, why not search for online jewelry shops that are known for their inexpensive jewelry pieces but are high in quality? Online jewelry shopping is a very practical means to come up with an inexpensive diamond because compared to local jewelry shops that usually place markup prices on their diamonds to cover their overhead expenses, online jewelry stores offer their clients with competitive prices in such a way that they don't incur additional costs often induced by overhead expenses. You can also engage in online diamond auctions usually facilitated by longtime jewelers. Purchasing online saves you money, time and energy.

If you have no issues purchasing and owning pre-owned blings, another option that you can do is to personally visit stores that offer either discounted or inexpensive jewelry pieces. Pawnshops and thrift shops are stores that often sell pre-owned jewelry pieces. However, this option would be more preferable for those people who are knowledgeable enough about diamonds, and are not in a hurry to buy. Similarly, if you really wanted to utilize this option, prepare yourself for series of disappointments because it is more likely to happen that you'd be leaving shops without diamonds at hand, but if you're lucky enough you might end up with a good diamond deal.

Another practical option when buying cheap diamond is to go for the so called loose diamond. A loose diamond is a type of diamond that hasn't been utilized for jewelry production process. Compared to read- to-wear diamond jewelry pieces, loose diamond is more economical because you don't have to pay for metals used for ready made diamond jewelry pieces, the services, warranty coverage and the gift casing. With loose diamonds, you can be as creative as you want and make your own customized jewelry designs.

Downgrading is also preferable to get cheap diamond. By downgrading on some of the areas or the 4Cs of your diamond, you can make a huge difference in terms of cost. If you're worried that downgrading can alter the quality of your diamond, don't fret because downgrading only induces very little or no discernible reduction on the quality of a sparkler. For instance, instead of purchasing a flawless diamond, you could try your hands on a piece that has few ratings lower in the clarity department, or rather than going for a full or half carat, purchase a sparkler that has a carat lower than an exact half or a full number.

Lastly, if you're budget won't permit you to buy either flawless or downgraded diamonds, clarity enhanced diamonds are good alternatives. All diamonds, except for rare and flawless ones, contain flaws known as inclusion or imperfection. If you are wondering what an inclusion is, it is the determining factor of the clarity grade of a diamond. Hence, when you speak of treated sparklers they have imperfections that were corrected by differing processes such as irradiation, filling imperfections and laser drilling to name a few; however, it must also be taken into account that these enhancements does not totally ruin the quality of diamonds, but they make such gemstones relatively inexpensive.

Cheap diamond is not really hard to find if you just know how and where to find it. Visiting online shops, pawnshops and thrift stores that usually sell inexpensive jewelry pieces is a good start for your search. But then again, if you don't want to waste time searching, you can always go for clarity enhanced diamonds. They are generally inexpensive but have apparent high quality aesthetic appearances.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Engagement Rings: How To Find Quality Diamond Rings

Diamonds are forever. Loose diamonds are admired for their astonishing and compelling beauty. These precious gems can stay as elegant as ever even after a long time. It has become a common belief in almost all cultures across the world that diamonds are perfect for engagement rings since these gems epitomize eternity. Furthermore, aside from being a symbol of undying love, diamond rings have also become status symbols. What made them extraordinary is their expensive cost and the value they currently hold, which makes diamonds a luxury for many people.

Not too many people have the financial capacity to afford diamond rings. This one big reason why diamond engagement rings are great for surprising your soon to be wife and loved ones.As a symbol of your undying and unparalleled love, it would be a good idea if you would surprise your bride to be with a diamond engagement ring. A diamond engagement ring can definitely make your marriage proposal a more special and unforgettable one, both for you and your bride to be.

However, before you move on with your plan of purchasing a diamond ring for your proposal, it is recommended that you educate yourself first with what to look for in diamond jewelry. Since diamonds are all but expensive commodities; it is recommended that you acquaint yourself with the ways on how to find quality diamonds. Getting the necessary education and guidance in getting the right type of diamond jewelry can help you maximize the huge amount of money you are about to spend. Moreover, it can help you determine the right kind of diamond jewelry that can effectively fit your bride's style and preference.

Buying a diamond ring to surprise your bride to be is a task you have to do by yourself. In choosing a diamond engagement ring, it is important to bear in mind several factors such as the ring size, the style and the type of metal. The first thing to look for is the ring size so as to make sure that your effort and the money you spent will not go into waste. You have to be sure that the diamond ring you are about to purchase can fit perfectly into the ring finger of your bride to be.In doing this, you have to consider the ways on how to determine the ring size of your future wife or you can just tell the jeweler about her body type and size.

The style of the ring should also be considered in finding the right type of diamond jewelry.Diamond rings are sold in varying cuts, styles and colors.Classic solitaire diamonds are very popular while colored diamonds are among the trendiest and stylish.The tiffany style is suited for a classic look while the invisible style are perfect for a more modern and current appeal. In addition, your choice of ring should depend on the personality of your bride to be. It is also important that the diamond is certified by diamond grading experts.

One of the vital things to consider in buying a diamond ring is the type of metal present. You can select from a wide array of metals available in the market such as yellow, white gold and platinum.In choosing the metal type of the ring, you have to be cautious of your budget and the type of diamond that will be accompanied by the metal.White gold and platinum metals are the best choices for colored diamonds.

Diamonds are perfect for engagement rings since they symbolize eternity. Diamond jewelry including loose diamonds are now a luxury for many people and a symbol of an eternal love. Diamond engagement rings are perfect for surprising a loved one and for marriage proposals. In choosing a diamond engagement ring, it is important to bear in mind several factors such as the ring size, the style, the type of metal and the required certifications.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Engagement Rings And Diamond Gifts For Any Occasion

Buy diamonds not for engagement rings or wedding rings, but for the other milestones in your life too. You can buy them as business gifts for your coworkers outside of work. Buy them for family members on their birthdays, holidays or family reunions. Get diamond earrings and loose diamonds for loved ones who don't prefer rings. You can find a diamond gift that fits any circumstance.

Find engagement rings in a variety of shapes, sizes, cleanliness, fluorescence and light performance. Diamonds also diverge and are rated by the four c's: clarity, carat, color and cut. If you are unknowledgeable regarding diamonds, you can still tell their variances in shape and design. Nonetheless, you may still have to study some salient details regarding diamonds to properly recognize how to value them.

If buying engagement rings, diamond earrings or loose diamonds, find out more about diamonds first. This is so that you know the proper rationale behind the rating provided to your gift. This value isn't just in terms of what you're paying upfront, but in the gift's speculative value as well. Act shrewd so that you can make sure each gift recipient gets a gift due to them, whether they be a childhood friend, a business investor, or a prospective life partner.

A lot of the factors required are unclear if lacking the required knowledge. The fact is, in spite of the several gemological associations, valuing diamonds varies between them. There are also disparate grade systems utilized to rank and price diamonds. You may be acquiring diamond earrings with greater worth than loose diamonds, albeit visually, they look about the same.

There are some things you should know immediately when it comes to grading diamonds. For one, their weight affects their cost greater than the quality of their cut. Secondly, diamonds retain their value after it gets cut. Your diamond earrings are probably less than half their original size. But because cutting brings out their fire and brilliance, their value increased.

Grading and pricing systems aside, there is no such thing as a greatest diamond. The Hope diamond, Oppenheimer diamond and Darya-I-Nur aren't actually that much better in comparison to your parent's engagement rings, loose diamonds or any kind of commercially available diamond. This is due to how all diamonds are designed to be different from one another. The greatest diamond gift does not cost the most, but is best suited to your needs.

Get diamonds not just as engagement rings or wedding rings, but also for other occasions. You can get them as business gifts for informal meet ups or celebrations. Get them for family members on their birthdays, holidays or family reunions. Get diamond earrings and loose diamonds for loved ones who don't prefer rings. There is a diamond gift to match every occasion.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamonds: Your Guide In Buying These Precious Stones

While there are many ways to express and show our deepest and purest form of love to our special someone, buying her a ring can definitely mean something more special. In choosing the ring that we want to use to surprise our loved one, we need to make it as special and memorable as possible. There could never be a greater gift to give to your special someone or your loved one than a diamond ring. Diamonds are everlasting pieces of gem making them a perfect symbol of eternal and enduring love.

Diamonds are the perfect choices when it comes to choosing the ring for your marriage proposal. These astounding pieces of jewelry can definitely make your loved one delighted and even more surprised. Furthermore, these exclusive gemstones can stand the wear and tear of even the most extreme conditions making it a perfect symbol for your eternal love. Even after a long time, these rings will remain as exquisite and as glamorous as it was when you first bought it.

However, the thought of popping out a ring and asking our special someone to marry us might get us too excited in buying a ring straight away. Still, we have to be mindful of several important factors before we jump into our nearest jewelry store.These precious gemstones are no cheap pieces of stones.That is why in picking the ring, we have to remember a number of factors to make sure that we will get the best ring for her. Also, since these rings are no cheap pieces of jewelry, we have to make sure that we will be able to get the most out of the money we would invest for these exclusive pieces of jewelry.

Diamonds are classified and graded according to their cut, carat weight, color, and clarity or what is commonly known as four C's. This grading system was first introduced by the Gemological Institute of America otherwise known as GIA in 1931 and is now widely recognized and accepted as the standard grading system for these gemstones.

In selecting the perfect ring, the first thing to consider is the cut. This characteristic refers to the shape of the stone and how well it was cut. Normally, the overall cutting craftsmanship and shape are being evaluated by the GIA whether a diamond stone is off-round or perfectly round and if the cuts are good enough.

Next thing to consider is the carat weight. The carat term for weight measurement of these gemstones came from a dry fruit that contains seeds that are called carob, whose seeds' actual weight is used to measure the weight of common gemstones. The present standard used internationally has a 5-carat diamond stone equivalent to a gram.

Color is also a significant feature of these precious gemstones that you should take note of.Among the most sought-after colors of these precious gemstones are those which show apparent tint or yellow, which are also the more affordable varieties.Usually, the rarer the color of the diamond, the higher is its price tag. Among the rare and less affordable colors of these precious stones include pink, blue, or green.

The last characteristic you should check is the stone's clarity. Clarity is used by many jewelers for measuring the stone's impurities. Clarity is used to determine either the lack or the presence of imperfections of the diamond stone whether it is internal or external. Rare classes of these gemstones do not usually have these impurities and those which are very rare are usually flawless.

Diamonds are expensive. That is why in deciding on the diamond ring we want to buy, we have to be mindful of several factors to make sure that we will get the best ring for our special someone. In choosing the rings we want to buy we have to consider these four factors namely cut, carat weight, color, and clarity or what is commonly known as four C's; so as to make sure that we will be getting our money's worth.

-Lorraine Jacobs