Posts Tagged ‘Sapphires’

Tips For Selecting A Unique Engagement Ring

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Keep in mind when selecting a setting for an engagement ring that tradition does not have to dictate this important purchase. A bride and groom are absolutely free to select what their hearts desire. In fact, it is best for the groom to be sure the bride’s personal tastes are reflected in the chosen ring since it will be worn for a lifetime.

There are plenty of ways to make sure an engagement ring is unusual. Some of the options include:

  • Going for a distinct cut for the centerpiece stone – Even if a solitaire is ultimately desired, there are ways to make this type of setting distinct. Rather than opting for a traditional round-cut diamond, a pear-shaped, marquise or even a trillion can be used instead. There are many different types of cuts available and each offers its own style and beauty.
  • Picking an unusual setting – Just about any type of setting is acceptable for an engagement ring. While solitaires are the norm, there is nothing wrong with opting for a three-stone or multi-stone setting. These settings, in fact, can prove to be particularly stunning if the center stone is offset with other diamonds or gemstones.
  • Adding in some color – Diamonds are traditional for engagement rings, but they do not have to be the only stone considered. Other precious and semi-precious gemstones can also be used for the centerpiece or as additional stones in a multi-stone setting. Some brides, for example, like having a diamond for the center stone, but choose rubies, emeralds or sapphires as complements in a three-stone setting.
  • Picking a favorite metal – Another way to distinguish a ring is to select a favorite metal. While white gold and yellow gold are standard, platinum provides a distinctly different alternative.
  • Designing a customized ring – It is also possible to design a completely distinct ring online. When this option is exercised, the groom and/or bride can personalize not only the stones, but also the setting and metal. This gives rise to a ring that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Design your own ring – Select your setting design and your center stone or browse a large variety of ring designs.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/tips-for-selecting-a-unique-engagement-ring-1734957.html

New Best Friend: Man Made Diamond Jewelry

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

There is not doubt about the value of a diamond jewelry. Over the centuries, man are trying to create the perfect synthetic diamond, something that will look like a diamond jewelry on the naked eye.

As early as 1893, there are already attempts in creating substitutes to diamonds. The first attempt to make a man made diamond was done by Frederic Henri Moissan which involved heating charcoal and adding pressure that caused changes from the graphite into a diamond.   But it was 1979 when mass production of diamond imitations became possible.  

De Beers was the first to coin the term, “ A Diamond is Forever” during the 1940s.   With this kind of advertising, diamond became the usual stone for engagement rings.  Before, during 1930s, engagement rings would usually have opals, rubies and sapphires for their stone.  The value of diamonds started to increase, so was the attempts to create a perfect synthetic diamond.

By 1955, General Electric produced small artificial diamonds which where of the same quality as industrial diamonds.  Synthetic diamonds were created by exposing carbon dioxide to heat over a metal surface.  The heat was created or generated by several lasers. Today, they are mass produced with production reaching as much as 100 tons every year.

Here are some lists of diamond imitating stones:  

• Rock crystals or rhinestones are crystallized quartz which can look like a diamond, however, they could get easily scratched.  

• Zircon is another kind of stone which could pose as a diamond.  By exposing the stone to heat, it could turn colorless making it look like quartz and diamond.  Just like rhinestones they could get easily scratched.  
• Cubic zirconia is called the grandfather of artificial diamonds.  As a diamond copy, it is synonymous with low-cot jewelry and not as a decent fashion accessory.  

• Russian diamonds are also cubic zirconia stones.  The difference is that they are of high quality and can cause about $280 per carat.  These stones are usually mounted in metal settings that are worth real stones.

• Moissanite is another kind of stone which is created or made inside the laboratory.  Just like a diamond, it is a hard kind of stone.  Although they are relatively more affordable than diamonds, they are still expensive.  Moissanite tends to give a greenish shade in natural light and may sparkle too much because its light reflection characteristics. These characteristics make it easier for some expert to differentiate a moissanite from a real diamond.

• Another best imitation of the diamond would be from the Diamond Nexus.  The Nexus and the real diamond’s characteristics are so close together.  The Diamond Nexus could cut glass due to its hardness and sparkle and can be just as brilliant as the real diamond.  Because they are just being introduced in the market, they considerably cost lower.

• Gemisis cultured diamond is another diamond copy.  The difference with the real diamond is that they cannot be made into a clear and white color.  

• Other synthetic diamonds would be strontium titanate, artificial rutile and spinel.  

There’s quite a number of synthetic or man made diamonds available.  Buying them is not illegal, but if the jeweller is trying to sell of man-made diamonds as real diamonds, then there will be a problem.  Which is why when buying diamond jewelry always ask for certification. If you would like to buy a nice present for a loved one but would like to stay within budget, then buying man-made diamond jewelry is not a bad idea.

Get more complete tips on choosing diamond jewelry, visit: www.diamondjewelry.getmytips.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/new-best-friend-man-made-diamond-jewelry-1625939.html

Vacation Heart Bracelets Pieces – The Best Gift for This Christmas

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Some of the most sentimental jewelry gifts could be rings and pendants. And guess next. Yes they are bracelets. Presenting bracelet is like holding her hand, conveying security and togetherness. Apart from women it is also one of the favored jewels by men and for babies. A tremendous variety of bracelets are available in stores today but desire of richness and luxury for dear ones could be fulfilled only by lavish gemstones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and tanzanite.

So it’s festive season and even jewelry stores are flooded with jewelry gift items. Don’t get baffled and choose vacation heart bracelet pieces. Your woman is going to love it infinitely. Bracelets embossed with heart gemstones are breathtakingly beautiful. Imagine ravishing heart rubies hanging from bracelet made in platinum in her hand. Won’t it be an ultimate surprise to your sweetheart this vacation.

Women always love to be pampered so if money is not an issue buy her vacation heart bracelet studded with splendid diamonds embossed in platinum. These exquisite jewelry pieces are also adored by teenagers. Girls love to flaunt such magnificent gifts from boyfriends in college and among friends. This could also work as a promise gift to your girlfriend this Christmas.

It could be very pleasant this vacation if you surprise your husband or boyfriend as he always does. Get him a diamond heart bracelet and personalize the gift by writing a note and cooking his favorite food. The assorted gemstone embedded bracelet would tempt your man to go astray in your arms and make it an unforgettable Christmas vacation of life.

An amazing vacation heart bracelet with beautiful tiny jingle bells for your new born baby embedded with emeralds would keep her away from bad spirits and the baby would be ecstatic to hear the sweet bells jingling. This could also be worn by her till teenage by adding a loop as she grows.

The time of Christmas is the time for vacation and it’s precious as you get to spend time with friends and family. Parties and vacations bring a pleasant change for everyone to enjoy and have fun. These lovely gifts are symbolic for lifetime of immense love and affection. Best possible gift to priceless people in your life is an opportunity to express that you care. Vacation heart bracelet pieces do exactly that and unsaid words find eloquence.

Chrimas Jewelry Gifts, Baby Jewelry and Jewelry Gifts at angara.com

Jewelry is not just in writing but a fascination for me. I grew into it since the day I started my research. There is a lot that one needs to know about jewelry simply because they are so valuable that you cannot afford to miss a single bit. My alliance with online gemstone and jewelry selling website enables me to bring you the best of jewelry fashion and jewelry education.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/vacation-heart-bracelets-pieces-the-best-gift-for-this-christmas-1530750.html

Celestial Blue Sapphire

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Sapphire, the name has originated from Latin ‘sapphirus’ meaning blue and the Persian “safir’ signifying beloved of Saturn. That is it. Now what you will find, as you continue reading below, wouldn’t resemble the same monotony on this gemstone, which almost 90% of the online material would provide.

Apart from the same matter like blue and other types of colors found in this crystal, there is much more to provide to buyers. This includes information about color zoning, enhancements, or treatments, and imitations.

Pleochroism in corundum family, makes sapphire, a color zone prone stone. Color zone in this stone indicates towards the growth layers of mineral. It actually is in the form of series of concentric hexagons parallel to prismatic crystal faces. Like known, color and clarity of a gemstone, play a vital role in its pricing.

While valuing blue sapphire, a stone with a violet overtone, with no hints of grey or green, is preferred. As above, irregular color coverage, or dispersion is detracting from its value and beauty. A properly faceted stone can solve a stone’s color zoning problem and enhance its color coverage.

In addition, more color coverage ensures high saturation, seen in normal viewing positions. Sapphire gems cut too shallow can decrease color coverage.

As a precaution, sapphire shouldn’t be cut too shallow or deep, for that matter, since excessive deep-cutting is a sacrifice on brilliance.This creates black areas as ‘extinction’.

Whereas a shallow cut could result in appearance of short light paths called as ‘windows’. Therefore, most large sapphires are in oval, emerald or cushion cuts and the smaller ones are able to fancy other kind of shapes too.

There is rarely a sapphire which is flawless. Sapphires are usually found with inclusions. In addition, inclusions and clarity go together. Clarity is basically based on factors such as size, number, contrast, and location.

However, there are cases of sapphires with inclusions, which are relatively highly- valued just like flawless ones. Since sapphire is a hard stone, it does contain preferred directions of parting which shows, that material can be brittle in spite of its hardness.

Many internal conchoidal fractures and or cracks can weaken a stone. Nevertheless, there are very less chances when sapphire as a jewel has failed first, as compared to the metal work, during years of wear and tear.

Going back to clarity, it is decided by referring to its inclusions. Fracture filling is a common industry practice which includes oil, wax, paraffin, and glass and epoxy resin as fillers. After this, color of stone is still not diminished and fractures are non-reflective.

An enhancement like heat-treatment is also widely practiced. A permanent practice, heating facilitates melting of any silk inclusion plus intensified color. Whereas irradiation is a temporary process of intensifying color.

Numerous imitations or doublets are sold to travelers in Far East, since they are difficult to be separated from the natural sapphire gemstones. Even gemological tests, after setting in jewelry fail to catch the culprit.

Presence of misnomers, like ruby as red spinel and red garnet was prevalent during 1800’s. Still today, this malpractice is found to be conducted intentionally.

For example, a cobalt-blue glass is stuck with a crown of garnet, or a low-grade sapphire crown and pavilion are simply glued together with a colored epoxy. This results into a fake yet creation of a blue sapphire with an expensive hue reflection.

Jewelry is not just in writing but a fascination for me. I grew into it since the day I started my research. There is a lot that one needs to know about jewelry simply because they are so valuable that you cannot afford to miss a single bit. My alliance with online gemstone and jewelry selling website enables me to bring you the best of jewelry fashion and jewelry education.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/celestial-blue-sapphire-1455190.html

Types of Jewelry That Can be Cleaned with Ultrasonic Cleaners

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Whether it is our treasured heirloom pieces or the modern and trendy watches and rings we wear for just a season or two, jewelry is a fun and versatile way to express ourselves. The jewelry that we wear also tells a lot about us.

 

When it comes to our finer jewelry, a lot of care and maintenance is required to keep it looking great. Fine jewelry easily loses its luster and value so it is very important to use an appropriate cleaning method to preserve the life of it. Many people try to clean their jewelry using pastes, brushes and soft cloths, but normally cannot get the jewelry very clean as dirt and grime are often embedded deep within the cracks and crevices.

 

An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is a machine that you can purchase for home use. It is designed to clean jewelry using sound waves and a cleaning solution.  You simply fill the tank on the machine with the cleaning solution, set your jewelry into the provided basket and turn it on. Within a minute or two, sound waves produce tiny bubbles that form and collapse quickly which sweep away the dirt particles and grime from the crevices of the jewelry. The results are astonishing and your jewelry will become shiny and looking new again.

 

Ultrasonic cleaners are ideal for cleaning jewelry that is made of gold or platinum and those pieces that contain harder stones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires and quartz. They should not however, be used to clean more delicate items that include pearls, emeralds and opals. If these types of stones are cleaned ultrasonically, they can crack and weaken the color. There is a rule that is called the red, white and blue rule with ultrasonic cleaning that should be adhered to. Rubies, diamonds and sapphires are normally safe in the ultrasonic cleaner.

 

Most jewelers actually use ultrasonic cleaners to clean the jewelry you take in to have professionally cleaned. Crest Ultrasonics is a world leader in the ultrasonic technology industry. Crest produces industrial as well as tabletop ultrasonic cleaners for jewelry. A Crest ultrasonic cleaner is often what jewelers use to clean delicate jewelry. If you wish to save yourself a considerable amount of money you can purchase a small and compact unit that sits on your countertop at home.

 

If you own delicate jewelry such as antique pieces and are not sure if you should clean them in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, then it is best to ask an expert, such as your local jeweler.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. A Crest ultrasonic cleaner is often what jewelers use to clean delicate jewelry. If you own delicate jewelry such as antique pieces and are not sure if you should clean them in an sonic jewelry cleaner, then it is best to ask an expert, such as your local jeweler.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/types-of-jewelry-that-can-be-cleaned-with-ultrasonic-cleaners-1312551.html