Thursday, October 23, 2008

Affordable Diamond Jewelry for You!

Some people might say that was a contradiction in terms:
affordable diamond jewelry. I mean diamonds, right. Got to
be big bucks all around! But I'm here to tell you,
affordable diamond jewelry not only can be found, in fact
they're begging for you to come and take it off their hands!
Now as to how....

Finding affordable diamond jewelry isn't as hard as you
might think. Not only are sales an almost everyweek
occurrence at various mall and neighborhood jewelry stores,
the real advantage I want to talk about is online diamond
shopping. That's where the real savings present themselves.
Online diamond stores offer not only so much more in the way
of inventory and choice, they afford many more great deals
than you'd be able to find if you had the time and energy to
search for months offline. With little or no overhead and
plenty of formidable online competitors, diamond merchants
online are bending over backwards to offer great deals not
only the diamond jewelry itself, but deals on shipping as
well. It's not uncommon to save hundreds on your diamond
purchase and then have it FedExed to you for free!

One area that's especially good for affordable diamond
jewelry is loose diamonds. You can really find a great deal
on the perfect stone for your already existing setting or
pick up that nice rock for a new piece you've envisioned.
Another way to pick up affordable diamonds jewelry online is
to shop at strategic times of the year. I mean, think about
it; just after Valentines Day, Christmas, and around prom
and graduation times are spectacular times to reap great
savings on your diamond jewelry purchases. Year-end
clearances can also bring affordable diamond jewelry into
your life. The rules of smart shopping apply online too:
when demand is less supply will be plentiful and price will
be better.

When you're on the prowl for affordable diamond jewelry,
make sure to let your fingers do the walking online, and
hook yourself up with those special pieces you've had your
eye on for some time!

Keith Thompson is a diamond devotee and owner of http://www.diamondstoday.info For more information on affordable diamond jewelry please visit today!

Biggest Diamond

In mineralogy, diamond is the allotrope of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry. It is the hardest known natural material and the fifth-hardest[citation needed] known material after aggregated diamond nanorods, ultrahard fullerite, and rhenium diboride.

Diamonds are specifically renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities; they make excellent abrasives because they can be scratched only by other diamonds, borazon, ultrahard fullerite, rhenium diboride, or aggregated diamond nanorods, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain their lustre. Approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion, and about 100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are synthesized annually.

The name diamond derives from the ancient Greek adamas (±´¬¼±Â; "invincible"). They have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India and usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history.

Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.

Diamond windows
are made from thin diamond membranes and used to cover openings in lasers, x-ray machines and vacuum chambers. They are transparent, very durable and resistant to heat and abrasion.

Diamond speaker domes
enhance the performance of high quality speakers. Diamond is a very stiff material and when made into a thin dome it can vibrate rapidly without the deformation that would degrade sound quality.

For more info go to http://www.diamonds11.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Diamond Buying Guide

If you've ever bought a diamond before, you probably know how tough of a decision it may be. If you never bought a diamond before, you may be in for a surprise. Diamond shopping whether for a diamond ring or necklace is no easy task. Below is a basic diamond buying guide to help you with your decision.

1. Buy only from a trusted diamond retailer. Never buy any jewerly or precious stones from a company or someone you don't fully trust. If you've never heard of them, then it might be safer to steer away from them. This brings us to number two;

2. Use your gut instinct. This may sound simple enough, but this is probably one of the most important things to remember when buying a diamond. If you have a bad feeling, then don't settle, simple as that! Never settle when it comes to jewelry. Only buy what you think you should or only shop from someone you feel good about.

3. Bring a Diamond Guide! Having a Diamond Guide available gives you quick reference when the times are tough. It can provide insight in to a pretty large investment. Don't go unprepared! It may cost you a lot in the long run. The more you know the better off you're going to be, having a guide can be one of the most important things to own when buying a diamond.

4. Know the 4 C's, what they mean and how they are meansured. The four c's of a diamond are Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight. These are basically how diamonds are appraised. You should definitely consider this when buying a diamond.

5. Ask to see an apprasial. Well established diamond retailers may have their diamonds pre-appraised, this can give you insight in to the diamond you are buying. When looking at the appraisal, the price of the diamond should be much lower than the appraised value of the diamond. This is naturally how they are valued. If you buy a diamond just at the appraised value, then you aren't getting that good of a deal.

6. Take lighting in to consideration when buying your next peice of jewelry. Jewelers will often use lights that make precious stones appear much brighter and sparkle much more than they would in normal lighting.

7. 7. Make sure to see if they have a warranty and/or return policy that suites your needs. Knowing this could save you a lot of headache in the long run.

These are just some of the few basic steps to be taken when buying a diamond and possibly the most important. By making a smart buying decision you will create a life-long investment on a product you will appreciate for just as long.

To help in the buying process I recommend this Diamond Buying Guide . Diamonds are really expensive, this e-book isn't!

Don't let your investment go to waste.

Visit us online at http://www.diamond-guide.net for diamond guide resources and information.

Diamond in Jewelery or for Industrial Applications

Diamond is the hardest known natural material. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelery of course.

They make excellent abrasives because they can only be scratched by other diamonds, Borazon, ultra hard fullerite, or aggregated diamond nanorods, which also means they hold a polish extremely well. Approximately 26,000 kg are mined annually, with a total value of nearly £4.4 billion, and about 100,000 kg are synthesized annually.

The name diamond comes from the Greek adamas which mean invincible. They have been treasured as gemstones since their first use as religious icons in India and usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history. The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns. They are commonly judged by the "four Cs": carat, clarity, color, and cut.

Roughly 49% of diamonds originate from central and southern Africa, although significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in other countries like Canada, India or Australia.

Although diamonds are considered the most prized of all gemstones, many other precious stones are used for jewelery, but they will never have the same effect as a beautiful diamond and diamond rings will always be very popular, especially when they are diamond engagement rings.
Representing the past, the present and the future, the three stone diamond rings are just the perfect for your beloved. These diamond rings represent perfectly all that has made each partner what they are today, the present moment that they share, and the future into which they now walk together. The three stones in three stone diamond rings commemorate the eternity of your relationship. Given popularly as anniversary gifts, three stone diamond rings are also exchanged as engagement rings.

Gerald Online is a shop where you can buy Diamond Engagement rings, Diamond Rings and many other types of jewellery.

Consider If You Really Want A Blood Diamond

Many people think that a blood diamond is simply a diamond that has a pinkish or reddish tint to it. Such diamonds exist, but that is not the definition. A blood diamond, sometimes also referred to as a conflict diamond, are diamonds that are mined in the war torn sections of Africa. The leaders of the mining operation are militia and rebels, and the proceeds from the blood diamond mining is used to fund the conflict and war. There is huge abuse of human rights here, and entire villages and communities have reported to have been either killed or enslaved en masse to be diamond mining slaves.

These activities have been going on for a very long time, but this situation has been brought up in the United Nations General Assembly some years ago, going back to 1999 and 2000. In December of 2000, the United Nations recognized the role of these diamonds being used to finance rebel operations in Africa. They came up with a general resolution whose purpose was to cut the tie between the sale of these particular diamonds in the world diamond market.

The resolution also was aimed towards making the international community more aware of this situation and publicize this blood diamond or conflict diamond trading. This resolution is aimed at making countries and diamond wholesale buyers aware of this, and to consider the tremendously bad press they could receive if word got out that the source of their diamonds was funding rebel operations and a war in Africa. For the most part, the resolution is having the desired effect.

In addition to this resolution, several countries have set up their own sanctions and their own methods to stop the sale of these types of diamonds. The basic thought is that is nobody will buy these diamonds, then the mining of these diamonds will be severely cut down or even cease. Like anything else, if there is not a market for these blood diamonds or conflict diamonds, then anything without a buying market will no longer be marketed.

For more information about Blood Diamonds and to read the story behind them, please visit our web site at http://diamond-jewelry-ring.com/blood-diamonds-conflict-diamonds.php

Diamond Wedding Bands At Discounted Rates

The tradition of wearing wedding bands and rings was started by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. The wedding ring was worn on the left hand’s fourth finger. It was believed that the vein of this finger, also called vena amoris, directly goes to the heart. In current times, wedding bands are the most important part of the wedding ceremony all around the world.

Wedding rings create sweet memories and are a symbol of love throughout life, thus it is better to get the best design possible, according to your taste. The Diamond wedding band is popular around the world bcoz the diamond is considered to be the finest jewelry to possess. Diamond wedding bands are treated as a symbol of social status. Diamonds may evoke your emotions in the softest way when it is used on the wedding band.

Care should be taken during the purchasing of the Diamond wedding band. There may be many faults in the quality of the diamond. Our online store provides you with the best quality & choices to select from. The design of the diamond wedding band may be different from the single studded band, which is a mixture of Celtic knots. You may purchase your dream custom wedding rings and other diamond rings too, online store allows you to find different prices according to the cut, color, and caret quality of the diamond. Today, the round cut diamond is the most preferred type of diamond wedding band. A set of wedding bands are always a good option because it solves the problem of matching for both men and women.

The most modern and most popular metal for wedding bands and rings on the market today is the high tech tungsten. There is a wide range of tungsten wedding bands in the market. Tungsten wedding bands are unconventional in comparison with the platinum and gold. The most popular trends of the tungsten wedding bands have an appeal for men, but several styles created also appeal to women. Tungsten wedding rings and bands continue to become more popular. Its unique quality and strengths capture the interest of the people who want something out of the ordinary.

We welcome you to our online jewelry store having the huge collection of wedding rings & wedding bands. Here, you always find a variety of reliable & affordable wedding rings and bands with attractive discounts. Our products are safe, and you are guaranteed to get the highest quality & satisfaction. Our online store is secure & you can buy jewelry of your choice without getting worried about your security.

How To Use Diamond Tool To Cut Steel In Micro Machining

The diamond tool is commonly used in micro-machining as it can withstand the micro hardening of the workpiece surface during micro-machining. This micro-hardening creates enough resistance to break the tool bit easily in micro milling, but not a diamond tool. Micro-machining using diamond tool could be performed at high speeds and generally fine speeds to produce good surface finish such as mirror surfaces and high dimensional accuracy in non-ferrous alloys and abrasive non-metallic materials.

However, if a diamond tool were to be used to cut steel, one of the most common engineering materials used in industries, the diamond tool will face severe tool wear. While diamond only softens at 1350 degree Celsius and melts at 3027 degree Celsius, and is also the hardest material in the world, it has a weakness. Diamond succumbs to graphitization, which means that it will change its crystal structure to graphite crystal structure at 200 degree Celsius in the presence of a catalyst metal such as carbon steel and alloys with titanium, nickel and cobalt.

There have been various attempts to improve the tool life of the diamond tool while cutting steel so as to improve the efficiency and profitability of this operation. Such processes include micro-cutting the steel workpiece in a carbon-rich gas chamber as well as a cryongenically cooled chamber. However, these methods require costly equipment modification and restrict direct supervision of the micro-cutting process.

The latest breakthrough came when the diamond tool was subject to ultrasonic vibration during micro-cutting. It has been shown that a diamond tool subject to ultrasonic vibration can cut the steel well enough to produce a mirror surface finish with acceptable tool life. The ultrasonic vibration at the diamond tool tip allows the tool face to cool down considerably during the cutting process and delays the chemical reaction between the diamond tool and the steel workpiece. As a result, the diamond tool life is increased by a few hundred times.

For example, a single crystal diamond tool with feedrate 5 micron/revolution, cutting speed zero to 5m/min and depth of cut 10 micron was attached to a ultrasonic vibration generator so that the diamond tool tip vibrated about 4 microns while it was used to cut stainless steel. The mirror surface finish of the cut steel surface was measured at 8 nm Ra!

With more and more machining companies moving into the niche micro machining field, such ultrasonic vibration assisted cutting can only help the progressive company to achieve process leadership and innovative differentiation.

Author Ken Yap is a director of Suwa Precision Engineering Pte Ltd in Singapore and represents metal stamping, precision machining, miniature precision balls and PCB manufacturers from Suwa, also called "The Oriental Switzerland" in Japan due to its Swiss resemblance for rich watch-making industry, its mountainous terrain and its precision component making industry.

The Best Womens Diamond Wedding Band - How to Choose

Picking a womens diamond wedding band is really not as difficult as you might thing. The only requirement is that you simply learn very basic knowledge about diamond wedding bands. Here, you will learn the variety of diamond wedding bands and how to pick the very best.

Style

Types of wedding bands include traditional, antique, hand-woven, and personalized wedding bands. A traditional womens diamond wedding band is often designed with simplicity and with one diamond. Although simple in design, there are many kinds to choose from. For example, you can choose a band with a classic claw-like prong or a simple single-band bezel setting that holds the diamond.

An antique womens diamond wedding band can be handed down as a family heirloom or bought new from a jewelry shop. You may obtain a wedding band from your family. On the other hand, you and your partner may like antique-looking pieces and decide on shopping together for a new antique-looking ring.

A hand-woven womens diamond wedding band is an indication of the interlacing of you and your partner's lives. You may pick a hand-woven wedding band that has a diamond in it. It's all up to you if you want to purchase one with a single diamond or more.

Engravings often characterize a personalized womens diamond wedding band. You can engrave a unique statement on the ring that doesn't have to be a person's name. You can engrave your wedding's date, date when you first met, or even your favorite place to visit.

Varieties Of Bands And Diamonds

There are yellow gold, white gold, and platinum bands you can choose from. When it comes to the picking the diamond, there is a wide variety of shapes available. You may pick a diamond shape called baguette, emerald, heart, oval, pear, princess, marquise, or trillion.

Diamond's Color

The diamond's color of a womens diamond wedding band needs a bit more attention. A diamond that is completely transparent with no hue is considered a perfect diamond. Color found in a diamond can either increase or decrease value. A white diamond with some yellow color may decrease value. On the other hand, an intense pink or blue diamond can increase value. A diamond may be white, yellow, blue, red, orange, green, purple, pink, black, brown or steel gray.

How To Pick A Womens Diamond Wedding Band

Notice details found in her accessories and find out if she prefers silver over gold, or vice versa. Also consider the simplicity or complexity of design. This can help you determine whether she'd like a single diamond or more than one diamond, or a single band or multiple bands.

Spend time with her family and friends and talk to them about her possible preference in womens diamond wedding band. You can even just ask her which band she's interested in. Moreover, you may look for a new wedding band together. Make sure the womens diamond wedding band goes with the engagement ring.

Finally, buy a womens diamond wedding band that compliments you and your partner's traits. This guide only illustrates the basics. Selecting a diamond wedding band is all about getting to know each other rather than just the trend alone.

Your wedding band says everything. Discover where you can get the best women's diamond wedding band and the right words to put it your wedding band inscription.

Diamond Clarity And Diamond Cut

Clarity is an important aspect of a diamond, and it is important to know how to grade the

clarity of a diamond before you buy one. It Is actually quite easy to learn how to grade the clarity of a diamond.

There are basically two things that you must understand: Diamonds with visual inclusions and blemishes, and those that are ‘eye clean’ meaning that there are no inclusions or blemishes that can be seen with the naked eye. From there, the clarity of a diamond is further broken down into subcategories.
Many people mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is. This isn’t so.

Clarity actually refers to the internal and external imperfections of the diamond. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF – Flawless or Internally Flawless – meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst.

Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which means that the diamond is very, very slightly imperfect; VS1 and VS2, meaning the diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and SI-2, which means that the diamond is slightly imperfect.

There are many different cuts of diamonds to choose from. The cut essentially refers to the shape that the diamond is cut into – unless you are in the diamond or jewelry business, but this shape has a great impact on the much the diamond sparkles.

The most popular cuts are heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on how much the diamond sparkles, but the actual cutting itself – when the diamond cutter actually cuts the diamond into a particular shape – also matters a great deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose its sparkle.

However, in the diamond industry, the cut of a diamond doesn’t refer to its shape at all. Instead, this is a reference to the stone’s depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and other aspects of the diamond. Common cutting problems include a missing or off center culet, misalignment, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken culets.

When shopping for a diamond, you should of course choose the shape that you like the best, but then look at several different diamonds of that shape to find the one with the best cut – the one that sparkles the most, in all types of lighting.

Diamond Brands and What They Mean Diamonds are one of the few products that simply cannot be ‘branded.’ Even though there are different cuts, different grades, and different values placed on each and every diamond in existence, no diamond is any specific brand – just as gold is not a specific brand.
Branding is actually based on who owns the diamond. For instance, if DeBeers owns the diamond, it is a DeBeers Diamond – but it is still just a diamond. If the diamond was cut by a specific well known cutter, then it might be branded in that way as well – but it usually isn’t. It is still branded based on who owns it at the time. So basically, when it comes down to it – diamond brands mean absolutely nothing at all.

Do not allow a jeweler to try to talk you into paying an exorbitant price on a diamond because it is a specific brand. This is a bit of trickery used by unscrupulous jewelers when they know that they are dealing with people who don’t know much about diamonds. Remember that diamonds are not actually branded – unless mother nature has her own brand!

Buy Diamonds http://www.wonderjewelers.com and http://www.diamondsndeals.com

Diamonds - Guide To Selection

Below are some facts to guide you in choosing the perfect diamond ring:

CARAT. A diamond’s weight is determined in carats. One carat is roughly 200 milligrams. The thing to take note of is that size doesn’t always mean it represents its weight. Some 1-carat diamonds may be smaller than usual but remains just as valuable. Don’t make the mistake of buying the biggest diamond for a discounted price because this is not a steal. You might end up with the most inferior stone.

CLARITY. Other than the weight, a diamond’s quality is measured based on how little flaws are found in it. A diamond’s clarity is graded by the Gemological Institute of America, or the GIA. They can be ranked as:

• Flawless

• Internally Flawless

• Very, Very Slightly Included

• Very Slightly Included

• Slightly Imperfect

• Imperfect

Clarity is hard to determine on first look. It is best to examine plenty of diamonds before you make you the final purchase.

COLOR. The perfect diamond should appear colorless, the lesser quality will appear yellowish. Color also carries a grading system based on GIA. They are classified alphabetically beginning with D to Z, with D being the most colorless and of highest quality.

CUT. Diamond engagement rings have many different cuts that usually fits the personality of the one whom the ring is given to.

Reliable, dependable, not antagonistic (Round Cut)

Adaptable, accommodating, considerate (Pear Cut)

Caring, trusting, sensitive, sentimental (Heart Cut)

Innovative, outgoing, aggressive (Marquise Cut)

Unique, creative, risk taker, organized (Oval Cut)

Conservative, resourceful, honest (Square or Rectangle Cut)

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on jewelry and visit our associated site articles for free.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

For many people, there’s only one way to propose and get engaged: with a diamond ring. It is considered to be a symbol of a man’s enduring love that he will spend a large amount on a large diamond that the woman can then show off to her friends and family – it shows that he can and will support her for the rest of her life.

This idea of giving diamond rings before marriage has been around for less than a century, however, as it was popularised entirely by Hollywood, allegedly because worldwide diamond monopoly De Beers paid off filmmakers to create a romantic image around diamonds, using the slogan ‘a diamond is forever’.

The reality is that diamonds are not intrinsically worth very much at all, with many people who try to sell their diamonds being shocked to discover that they can only get back a fraction of what they originally paid for them. Worse, many diamonds come from parts of the world where the locals have been oppressed and local officials bribed just so the company could set up a diamond mine, especially in Africa.

For these reasons – unjustified cost and ethical concerns – many people now prefer to use other gems in rings instead of diamonds. Fake diamonds with names like ‘diamonique’ and ‘diamonte’ are popular, as stones like rubies and emeralds.

However, for the real traditional feel, plenty of people still feel you can’t beat a diamond. When you’re looking for a diamond ring, it’s common to be worried mainly about how many carats the diamond is, but remember that its cut (that is, the way it has been cut out of the original mined material) can be even more important in giving the diamond a pleasant appearance.

Also, although this is entirely subjective, you might find it worth buying a ring where many small diamonds are used to pleasant effect, rather than one big diamond poking out of the top, and you should also consider getting a guarantee that the diamond is not a De Beers ‘conflict diamond’, so that no-one has suffered to get it to you.

John Gibb is the owner of diamond rings resources, For more information on diamond rings please check out http://www.diamondrings-information.info.

Nature's Beauty

As Marilyn Monroe once said "diamonds are a girl's best friend". "Women have an attraction to diamonds for their rarity and exquisite shape. They can be classified depending on their size, shape, color, clarity, cut, and quality. Diamonds are used in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, crowns and rings. Brides that are just engaged want the perfect diamond ring. In Latin America, the "quinceañeras" receive a diamond ring on the eve of their birthday. But, what is it about diamonds? it is only a shiny glass. But the purity of the diamonds as well as the rareness is what makes them so valuable.

The size. What is the perfect size? Diamonds have different sizes. Most people think that the bigger the better. But this is not true in all cases. A big diamond could have a low quality depending on the clarity of the diamond. Clarity is the measure of the internal defects of a diamond. The less internal defects, the more clarity the diamonds would have. Defects of the diamonds include other metals inside the diamonds and tiny cracks. If you see an opaque diamond you now know that something is very wrong with that diamond!

Contrary to what you may think, diamonds can have certain color and be rarer than transparent diamonds. Colors such as blue, pink, and even extremely yellow have a high value on the market. Colors can be classified from D to Z, where D has no color and Z has a yellowish color: from D to F, the diamond has no color. From G to J, the diamond is almost colorless. From K to M, the diamond has a slight coloration. From N to Y the diamond has a light brown or yellow color. And finally, Z means that the diamond has a bright yellow color. These kinds of diamonds are considered rare. For color the extremes are the best. The most colored and the most colorless diamonds are the rarest.

The cut and shape of a diamond are often confused. A Diamond’s cut is creating mathematically the best angles for the diamond to look brighter. The most common shape is the round shape. Other shapes are the baguette, princess cut, heart and pear out. The Taylor Burton diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. Other famous diamonds include the Blue Heart, the Florentine, and the Hope diamond.

Diamonds are measured in carats. 142 carats is equal to one ounce. The largest diamond in the world is the Golden Jubilee. This diamond was designed by Gabi Tolkowsky. The Star of South Africa was a 69-carat old style pear-shaped diamond. As you can realize, many diamonds that are famous have different colors, such as blue and yellow. Remember, to classify diamonds you may think of the four c’s: Clarity, Color, carat and cut. Diamonds may range from a couple of hundreds to millions of dollars, so never underestimate the high price you may pay for such a small valuable mineral!

Heart Diamond Engagement Ring

Why are diamonds unique?

Diamonds are very much influenced by the wealthy and well-known. They are expensive and really symbolical. Many celebrities, famous people are into diamonds that's why the public follow the trend.

The word "diamond" itself says a lot, rare, beautiful, expensive, precious, genuine, desirable and brilliant. There are many types of diamond rings. They come in different shapes, styles and colors. What is so special about heart diamond engagement rings? If you are to choose a diamond engagement ring, would you like this type?

Heart diamond engagement rings are very popular type of diamond engagement rings. Not only that it is a sign of engagement, the heart-shape itself symbolizes love. It can be considered as the most sentimental and romantic. That is why it is very meaningful to those who are given this type of engagement ring.

So, it is not unbelievable that many couples choose this type as the symbol of their love. But couples should decide carefully in choosing this shape because it could be so common or too bold.

Heart diamond engagement rings are beautiful and are more unique than standard diamond shapes. It can be very timeless and elegant. They can be very expensive but there are also many less expensive ones which are available in the market.

Many couples consider and purchase this type and shape because it says a lot and is a direct and clear representation of their unity and commitment to each other.

There are jewelers who can cut diamonds into any shape that you like. There are even available diamonds which are already cut into a heart-shape. Heart diamond engagement rings can either be flat or elongated.

That's why you can customize and personalize your own diamond engagement ring. This makes the engagement more personal and meaningful. So by the time you have the chance to choose an engagement ring, you might want to consider this style.

About the author:
Alice Sy has been a jewelry and watch wholesaler/retailer since 1993. She runs several websites designed to locate bargain Heart diamond engagement ring, Seiko sports watch and much more.

Diamond Flaws and Inclusions

Internal Diamond Flaws

Being a natural formed substance, diamonds have gone through a lot of stress in the creation process, and no two are exactly the same. Most diamonds do have flaws because for some reason it did not form correctly. Most of these inclusions, or internal flaws are not seen by the naked eye and may not be that important unless they threaten the structure of the diamond.

Very few diamonds are labeled as perfect, but those that are will in all probability be extremely valuable, and therefore expensive.

Some more minor inclusions may cause a diamond to appear somewhat dull. An inclusion within a diamond may affect the clarity of the stone. This occurs when as light passes through the stone, it is interrupted by the inclusion. A number of these inclusions and flaws can be repaired or reduced by various forms of treatment that jewelers and gemologists have become skilled in over time.

Some diamond inclusions or flaws may be large enough to threaten the structure of the gem, and allow it to shatter or break far more easily than a stone without this weakness. These are serious flaws and greatly reduce the value of your stone.

Pinpoint Inclusions

A diamond that has speckles or dark crystal in clusters or distributed throughout the stone, is considered to have a type of diamond inclusions and flaws referred to as pinpoint inclusions. When the dark crystals are gathered together in the stone, the clarity of the diamond is influenced, and it appears there is a “cloud” inside the stone. These diamond flaws and inclusions may give the diamond less value, as it greatly effects it's appearance.

Problems from Laser Treatments

When a diamond imperfection is treated with lasers to remove dark diamond inclusions and flaws within the gemstone, many times a line can be left through the diamond that appears much like a thread. This laser line starts at the outer edge of the diamond, and moves within the stone to the area where the dark inclusion was treated by the laser. These inclusions and flaws are unattractive and can usually be easily spotted by most people, which makes for a less desirable diamond.

Mineral and Crystal Inclusions

Many diamond inclusions and flaws are considered to be negative, but there are situations when some flaws and inclusions are actually an appealing aspect of a diamond. As an example , diamonds typically have smaller crystals inside the diamond, often so small they are not seen without some type of a magnifying device. The clarity of the stone can be influenced by these small crystals. This occurs when there are a number of them and when they are all grouped together in one area of the diamond.

There have been rare instances when another gem stone is actually inside a diamond, and certainly would not be viewed as a diamond flaw or inclusion. There are occurrences of diamonds containing other gemstones within them such as a garnet, another diamond, or another mineral substance.

Illa Maden gives more facts and interesting info on precious gemstones and also find a birthstone list .

Radiant Eternity Ring

Diamond rings have been a very popular choice for most jewelry lovers. If you love diamonds and want an exclusive piece of diamond jewelry you should buy a radiant eternity ring. This ring has a radiant cut diamond set in your choice of metal like yellow gold, white gold or platinum. The diamond is usually cut in a rectangular shape with rounded corners and these are cut in such a manner that they lend a unique radiant look to the diamond. Today, radiant cut eternity rings are a rage because of their versatility and also because a radiant cut diamond studded eternity ring can have other differently cut diamonds around it such as round or baguette shaped ones.

With plenty of different styles, designs, and shapes available, you have a wide range of radiant eternity rings to choose from, whether as a gift or yourself.

More About Radiant Cut

The radiant cut is a method of cutting diamond and is also called as cut cornered or rectangular cut. Out of the 70 facets, the diamond has 25 facets on the crown while 37 are on the pavilion and 8 on the girdle. These cut corners offer the advantage of minimizing loss due to chipping. Combining sophistication and elegance similar to that of Emerald cut diamonds, radiant cut diamonds have often been known as the "pioneer cut" of fancy diamond cuts in the diamond brand retailing industry. The first radiant cut diamond was used in a ring almost 30 years ago (1977) and though was protected by patent, is now free to be used by any diamond manufacturer. Because of the brilliant pattern of the cut, which is given to the crown as well as the pavilion, a radiant cut brings out the beauty, dazzle, and sheer elegance of the precious stone. Some even believe that a radiant cut diamond is much better in appearance than an emerald cut diamond!

It would not be wrong to say that radiant cut diamonds are an enviable combination of shape, elegance, and brilliance that can't be found in either emerald shape or round shape diamonds.

Giving you the best of both worlds, a radiant diamond is actually a hybrid of a princess diamond and an emerald diamond. A radiant diamond eternity ring is a classic and can actually become an heirloom for your family's future generations as the sparkle of this cut is never dull and definite to stay forever in fashion.

If you don't fancy the regular emerald or princess diamond rings, a radiant diamond eternity ring will not just glow on your finger, but catch the attention and imagination of everyone who sees it making it a highly desired jewelry piece. The distinct cracked ice like appearance of a radiant diamond is one of its many distinctive features and makes a great option for not just rings but pendants and earrings as well.

Remember, if you want your eternity ring to be one that reflects your personality and gives you true value for every diamond dollar you spend, go with the best...go with radiant diamond eternity rings!

For further information, please visit New York Diamond
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Abdul Hayi Mansoor
SEO Specialist and Article Marketer

Designer Diamond Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are available in a variety of designs, stones, cuts and shapes. Amongst all the types of stones used in engagement rings, diamonds are the most precious and appropriate ones. Their sparkle truly has the ability to win a woman's heart. There is a fabulous collection of diamond engagement rings available in the market. Some of the rings are designer creations, which are designed as per the customer's choice. They can also be called customized diamond engagement rings. Some of the jewellers provide the customers with the skill of experienced designers to bring magic to the otherwise regular features and shapes.

Designer diamond engagement rings are not only designed according to the choice of customer but also suit their budget. These rings are affordable, as compared to the other diamond engagement rings. The buyers can choose their own ring settings and match the diamonds, to create a special piece of jewelry for loved ones. Most of the designer diamond engagement rings are made in white gold, yellow gold and platinum. Other than the settings and diamond selection, there are a number of other details that play an important role in designing a ring. Apart from choosing a particular design, it is important for the purchasers to keep in mind the different combinations of designs. The width, thickness and precise size of the rings are also important and must be taken into consideration while designing a diamond engagement ring. Most of these rings take about 6 to 8 weeks to be made.

Designer diamond engagement rings are very good options, compared to the readymade rings easily available. These rings offer more satisfaction to the purchasers and are special, owing to the personal touch. They give the buyer to work on the design and choice of stone and personalize the creation.

Diamond Engagement Rings provides detailed information on Diamond Engagement Rings, Platinum Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings, Antique Diamond Engagement Rings and more. Diamond Engagement Rings is affiliated with Diamond Wedding Rings.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Are Diamonds Really Hard?

Diamonds are cut using diamonds and diamond dust as the gem is among the hardest materials on earth. There are other gemstones that are hard as well, but few are as hard as diamond. The hardness of gemstones is measured by the Mohs scale, running from 1 being the softest to 10 being the hardest. An example of a soft mineral, Talc, with a Mohs hardness of 1, can be scratched with a fingernail.

The Mohs scale is arbitrary and not linear; meaning the range from 8 to 9 is much smaller than the range from 9 to 10. Minerals that are harder have always been better choices for jewelry as they tend to be more durable and will not scratch easily by an arbitrary knock. They can also better withstand the changes in elements.

The most common gem mineral is Quartz, which ranges on the Mohs scale at 7 and above. Other gems that are nearly as hard as diamonds, with a Mohs scale of 9 are sapphires and rubies.

One of the common myths of diamonds is that it is indestructible. If you hit the diamond with an iron, the diamonds will very likely shatter. Simply hitting the diamond against surfaces will also scratch the diamonds.

To prevent accidental nicks, scratches and breaks, many diamonds have their corners cut. Most corners on angular diamonds are rounded except for diamonds with the Princess cut, which are square-cut diamonds with pronounced corners. If a protruding point of a rectangular or square diamond is knocked against a surface, it can chip or scratched.

If you are not wearing your diamond, it should be protected in a soft, velvet-lined case. You should have the diamond examined by a professional to check its setting periodically. An investment in diamond is an investment in yourself and your relationship, so take the extra care to preserve it forever!

To summarized, having an understanding of how to protect your diamonds will ensure that your jewelry is well taken care of. (Learn more at http://www.MyLovelyDiamonds.com)

Do You Want To Build Your Own Engagement Ring?

If you answered "yes" to this question or are interested about diamond jewelry, then you might want to read on. It is very easy to build your own engagement ring online. Basically, what you do is choosing a ring and add a diamond to it. Then of course you will have to propose and show the unique gift you created for her.

Concerning the ring many styles are available, from a Solitaire ring to a Pave setting full of little diamonds around the center one, this will be your decision. Plus, some online stores give you the possibility to see how it will look like when the diamond will be mounted on the ring, and even how it looks on a finger.

The three metals you can choose from to design your own engagement ring are Platinum, Yellow Gold and White Gold. White metals became more popular as they reflect more light as Yellow Gold. This, of course, enhance the brilliance and sparkling of the diamond.

The diamond, let's talk about that, this is the most important piece of the engagement ring. Well Important here means the most expensive. But a beautiful diamonds is not necessarily perfect. A perfect diamond, would be ideally cut, colorless and flawless. These diamonds are very rare, so you need to find a compromise between these criteria.

Don't worry, the imperfections of a diamond are only visible by an experienced eye, and under magnification. Nobody could notice slight flaws if they are not experts. So are you ready to engage? Then why not design a unique jewel and build your own engagement ring.

BuildEngagementRing.net is the guide website to learn how to design your own engagement ring online, from knowing the ring size to selecting a diamond. Get education on diamonds and precious metals or visit the discount fine jewelry blog to save on jewelry at the best online jewelry stores.

Diamond Rings For Men - Are Men Comfortable Wearing Diamond Rings?

When many individuals hear the term "jewelry" being spoken about, they often think of women with regard to this item. Although it is true that there are more jewelry items available to women than men, there still is quite a good inventory of jewelry available to the male gender these days. One type of men's jewelry which is quite popular is the diamond ring. The following will discuss the topic of diamond rings for men and determine whether or not men will be comfortable wearing diamond rings by looking at a few different pertinent factors.

Jewelry Worn in the Past

One way to determine if the man whom you are purchasing the diamond ring for will be comfortable wearing diamond rings for men is their past history of jewelry wearing. If the man in question is not a jewelry wearer and has never worn jewelry, perhaps not even a wedding band, then maybe buying a diamond ring for this individual is not the best bet. On the other hand, if the man whom you are thinking of purchasing a diamond ring for has worn different styles of jewelry in the past, then this might just be the perfect gift. When considering diamond rings for men, definitely look into whether they have previously worn any type of jewelry.

Opportunity to Wear the Diamond Rings

When considering if diamond rings for men in your life are the right purchases to make, look at the opportunity they will have to wear the diamond rings. For example, if the man in your life works construction six days out of the week where he is unable to wear any type of jewelry and does not have an opportunity to wear the jewelry at any other time, it may not be a good thing to purchase for him. In the alternative, if your man has a desk-related job where he wears suits everyday, attends church and formal functions on his days off, then perhaps a diamond ring would be perfectly suitable for him.

The Man's Overall Perspective on Jewelry

Lastly, you should consider the man's overall perspective on wearing jewelry in general and more specifically, diamond rings. Some men are completely against wearing jewelry and therefore buying diamond rings for this category of male would not be a good idea, as it would not see the use that it should. On the other hand, if your man or another male who you are buying the diamond ring for is completely open to the idea of diamond ring wearing then by all means go ahead and purchase this wonderful gift for him.

To learn more about the many facets of a diamond engagement ring visit James Greene at http://www.diamondmarketwatch.com where you'll find this and much more about diamond rings and other fine jewelry.

Antique Diamonds

Antique diamonds have exceptional physical features and give a different look to diamond jewelry. They are very rare and may cost more than an average diamond. Today, it is not necessary to travel the work to find an antique diamond that is right for you. Jewelers can now mimic the ancient look of diamonds producing an antique pattern look. Some antique diamonds are a product of customized designs by the customers. The manufacturer of diamond, with the help of new technology can also give the diamonds lace like cuts or a bold, geometric form and imbibe colors in it giving it an antique look.

These antique diamonds then take the form of antique wedding rings, engagement rings, necklaces etc. Apart from women, who normally prefer wearing colorless diamond, men too like to wear diamonds, but their preferences include black or blue antique. The collection of antique diamonds is a part of stylish, designer and luxury jewelry. It also gives a sense of tradition carried on by princely families.

We can easily find a store that sells antique diamonds by connecting to the web. Not only are they available on the Internet, but also there are some online sellers who conduct online auctions to sell antique diamonds. Moreover, it is very important to have knowledge, when purchasing an antique diamond, as it is a rare piece and may not be purchased and sold by many. An individual should always take the guidance and assistance of the "Diamond Buying Guide" before making a purchase. Apart from receiving very expert comments and advice, you will also be provided with a list of stores that sell antique diamonds.

Diamonds provides detailed information on Diamonds, Diamond Rings, Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry and more. Diamonds is affiliated with Certified Loose Diamonds.

How to Choose the Shape of a Diamond

The shape of a rough diamond crystal is octahedral. The cutter must cut in such a way as to maximize its weight, brilliance, and minimize its flaws.
About 75% of all diamond sold are round brilliant. There are other shapes like emerald, princess, oval, marquise, heart, pear shape.

The round brilliant gives the most brilliance . Its facet and proportion have been perfected using science and mathematical analysis conducted by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. Modified brilliants have the same facets and facet arrangement. The following are all modified brilliants: marquise, heart, oval and pear shape.

Step cut diamonds do not sparkle as much as the brilliant cut diamonds. However they highlight the clarity of the diamond. If there are any inclusions these will be visible. Example of a step cut diamond is the emerald shape.

The mixed cut is a combination of the brilliant and step cut. The step cut is applied on the crown while the brilliant cut is given to the pavilion. An example of this cut is the Princess cut.

Contrary to expectations, fancy cut diamonds are more affordable than the brilliant round cut diamond. This is because they are cut to maximize their weight. There is less cutting and waste for a princess cut. A rough diamond cut into a brilliant round may only yield half a carat compared to another 50% more carat for fancy cut diamonds.

You also need to consider the shape of your hands. If you have short fingers or small hands wearing a marquise or oval shape diamond ring will wear your fingers look longer.

Pear shaped diamonds tend to be used for pendant and earrings.

If you are concerned about clarity and color then go for the brilliant round as it covers these flaws well with its brilliance. On the other hand inclusions and poorer coloration is most obvious in the emerald shape since its shape is the most uncluttered of all.Therefore, it is imperative to pick a higher quality emerald shape diamond if you are interested in this shape.

If you are a romantic at heart and want a diamond to symbolize your love to your spouse , consider getting a heart shape diamond. It is actually a pear shape with a cleft at the top.

The size of a diamond is also affected by the shape of the diamond. A one carat emerald diamond with a bigger table and less depth give an appearance of bigger size diamond than a two carat brilliant round with a smaller table but greater depth.

You can find diamonds in these various shapes at http://www.alljewelry.info/diamond.html. http://www.buy-diamonds.net/cut_of_a_diamond.htm tells you how the cut of a diamond influences the value of the diamond.

What Factors Determine Diamond Prices?

If you have been shopping for diamond jewelry, you have probably noticed that jewelry such as engagement rings, eternity rings, diamond necklaces and earrings are on the market for a wide range of prices. In fact, the difference from one diamond ring to the next can easily be several thousand dollars. For most consumers, price is an important factor in a buying decision, so it is important to understand what you are paying for when you purchase a brilliant piece of diamond jewelry.

As with many consumer products, diamond prices paid by end users are affected by the value that is added at each level of the supply chain. Diamonds are mined from the earth in what can be expensive, elaborate mining operations, incurring an initial cost. Of course, diamonds do not emerge from the earth in the beautifully polished cuts commonly seen at jewelry retailers. After being mined, diamonds are typically cut and polished before being sent to an independent laboratory for grading. Then diamonds are placed on the market for purchase by wholesalers or diamond dealers, who in turn sell them to various retailers. Finally, diamonds are in retail stores and ready for purchase by consumers. Each stage of the supply chain adds some kind of value and incurs markup, each of which are reflected in the end price a consumer will pay for a diamond.

The cost to mine, prepare and market a diamond is not the only determinant of the end price of a piece of diamond jewelry. Also included, of course, is the complete cost from mining to market of metals and other gemstones that make up a piece of jewelry, as well as crafting of the piece itself. Diamonds are appraised and valued individually based on evaluation of the four Cs-carat, cut, clarity and color.

The price of a diamond is calculated based on some determined value per carat. That is to say that the value of a 0.5 carat diamond which is valued at $3,000 per carat would be calculated as $3,000×0.5 = $1,500. However, despite the apparent simplicity of the (price per carat x carat weight = diamond price) equation, several factors influence the determined per carat value of an individual diamond. Evaluation of a diamond's color, clarity, and cut contribute to the determination of its per carat value, with diamonds exhibiting the most attractive combination of features being considered the most valuable and thus the most costly., the carat weight for an individual diamond is also affected by its rarity. Since a one carat diamond is much rarer than a half-carat diamond, a one carat diamond will incur a higher per carat weight than an otherwise equivalent half-carat diamond. Though tempting, it is inaccurate to assume that you can simply plug the carat weight into an equation to determine the value of a diamond. Each diamond must be individually appraised in order for a value determination to be made.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings and other diamond platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit http://www.Maliere.com

Worlds Biggest Diamond (Carat, Weight & Size)

The world's largest diamond was the Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless colour and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels.

The Cullinan was three times the size of the next largest diamond, the Excelsior, which was also found in South Africa. The world's largest documented polished diamond - unearthed in 1986, also in South Africa - is called Unnamed Brown. It weighs 545 carats and was cut down from a 700 carat rough diamond. It took an international team of expert cutters 3 years to complete the masterpiece. Another impressive diamond that also took 3 years to cut, and also is part of the British crown jewels, is the Centenary Diamond. It weighs 273.85 carats and is the world's largest flawless diamond.

Carat is the term used to express the weight of a diamond, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams of actual weight.

Carat Abbreviations

The abbreviation ct is a shortened way to write carat, and refers to the weight of a single diamond.

The abbreviation ct TW means carat total weight, and is used to express the total weight of multiple diamonds used in a piece of jewelry.

Carat Weight vs. Size

Carat weight is used as a measure for other gemstones, but different gems of the same weight aren't necessarily the same size, because some gemstones are more dense than others--meaning that they pack more weight into a smaller space.

Weight of Small Diamonds

The weight of smaller diamonds is often expressed as points, not carats. There are 100 points in a carat. Another way to look at it is to say that each point equals 0.01, or one-hundredth, of a carat.

For tips on buying diamonds online go to http://www.diamonds11.com