The Value Of Fine Jewelry Pieces For Women

Fine jewelry has played a significant role throughout history. From the ancient times, humans have been wearing jewelry pieces to accentuate their bodies. Starting from the old stone age approximately 25,000 years ago, both men and women collected different kinds of items, drilled holes in them and wore them for varying reasons. But, women are undeniably more inclined to use jewelry than men due to the many purposes that these items serve.

In a recent survey spearheaded by one lifestyle magazine, it was found out that out 0f 100 female respondents 95 spends more time shopping for fine jewelry compared to other accessories. This study, though not extensive, profoundly speaks of how much women admire jewelry. With this result at hand, you might be wondering what is it with jewelry that makes women swoon for it. Accordingly, women love jewelry for a number of reasons.

To start with, jewelry of all kinds is a crucial additive that intensify the underlying concept of dressing and artistic display. They are regarded as essential components of fashion and style due to their ability to improve the appearance of wardrobes that women often wear. Hair dresses such as hairpins and clips that are embellished with loose diamonds and other precious stones could enhance the appeal of a female's hair; brooches and pins on the other hand have the power to make boring looking uniforms into trendier pieces of outfits. Jewelry pieces worn on different parts of the body such as bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces create a focal point that hides aesthetic flaws of women.

Other than accessorizing, articles of jewelry are also utilized to define the social status of women in the society. During the ancient times, many cultures used jewelry pieces as determinants of the positions that women hold in their communities--the slaves wore beaded articles of jewelry, while elite women made use of metallic jewelry pieces embellished with precious stones like loose diamonds. Even though this purpose of diamonds is still evident today, with rich and famous people using jewelry to define their social positions, it is not as extensive as that from the past.

Many women also love fine jewelry pieces because of their associated symbolism as well as the spiritual and health value they hold. Women from India have since been using the "tika- which looks like a chandelier earring that they wear at the end of their hair with the pendant suspended at the exact center of their foreheads to represent preservation of their spirits. The nose ring is closely related to heightened sexual reflexes, while necklaces, since they are closely worn to the heart, are helpful in working on emotions, attracting or strengthening love. Charm bracelets are utilized to harness luck, while bangles are signs of creativity and the sun's potent energy. All kinds of gemstones are also appreciated for their health benefits like diamonds that are said to induce clarity and jade to promote relaxation among others.

Of course, jewelry pieces tell volumes of stories that is why women love them so much. They could tell tales of love, friendship, celebration, welcoming and even personal epiphany. They speak of relationships with spouses as seen from the popularity of wedding and engagement rings adorned with round brilliant cut gemstones, friendship in the form of friendship bands, and family which could be seen from the bequeathal of heirloom from one family member to another. Generally, jewelry of all sorts tells a whole lot about women that not even words would be able to express.

Women love fine jewelry for various reasons. They are articles of accessories that enhance the entire context of dressing and artistic display. They define social status which has been in practice since the ancient times with slaves wearing beads and upper class women wearing jewelry pieces that have rare loose diamonds. More importantly, they give substance to many instances in life such as weddings and engagements as seen from the use of rings accented with round brilliant cut gems.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Fine Diamond Jewelry: Locating The Right Store

In purchasing fine diamond jewelry, it is important that you not only give emphasis on the four C's but also the place where you are about to make your purchase. Diamonds are expensive items may they be loose, integrated on an article of jewelry or enhanced. This fact is one of the primary reasons why purchasing diamonds is probably one of the biggest decisions you have to make. By taking these things into account, it would be wise to become cautious about the store or stores where you would embark your purchase so that you would not bemoan your decision in the future.

There are different means in order for you to acquire diamonds. The first thing that you could do is to go online and search for online jewelry shops that offer fine diamond jewelry. Buying online is a practical means to perform the task of looking for prospective diamond jewelry items that are inexpensive but high in quality without getting exhausted. In addition, online jewelry shops hold all sorts of diamond jewelry products from different parts of the world which gives you more room for choices.

One advantage of purchasing from online jewelry stores is that you could time and energy--with just a click of your finger, even while you're at home or in the office, you could instantly make your purchases from a whole range of selections and you also engage in online jewelry auctions that are usually run by professional jewelers. Parallel to this, online jewelry stores offer more inexpensive diamond jewelry pieces, regardless if they are round brilliant or oval in cut, as they do not apply markups on their products, which usually cover overhead expenses, since they do not have physical stores that demand extra fees like electricity and employee salaries among others. The main issue with online purchasing however could be found on the copiousness of jewelry selections that often undermine the ability of consumers to appropriately appraise the value and quality of their jewelry choices. Nevertheless, since the internet permits the operation of anonymous individuals and businesses, there are many jewelry scammers who are waiting to pounce on naive jewelry buyers who make the wrong move.

If you wish to be sure about your diamond jewelry purchase you could always visit the local jewelry stores in your area. The primary advantage of this option is that you have the power to personally check the quality and value of the round brilliant diamonds that you are interested to buy. Professional jewelers could also answer all your queries which would help you establish the right purchasing decisions. The major issues surrounding such option however could be found on product pricing; most of the time physical jewelry stores place markups on their products to cover the overhead expenses they use to run their business, and you have limited selections unlike those with online jewelry stores.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for rare jewelry finds such as oval diamonds from the Victorian era, heirlooms that you will add to your collection, or perhaps used diamonds to save money, you could personally visit specialty stores, thrift shops or pawnshops. If you intend to follow this option, it is essential that you are knowledgeable about diamond jewelry to make appropriate purchases. You would also need a lot of patience and perseverance as most of the time these shops do not hold highly valuable items that you are looking for. However, if luck is on your side, you might find yourself owning rare diamond jewelry, though this case rarely happens.

When you're in the market for a piece of fine diamond jewelry, it pays to shop around and make comparisons to be able to make the right purchase. If you intend to buy online, always do your homework before you purchase to make sure that the store where you would buy is indeed legitimate; check the complaints directory to know the reputation of your prospective online jewelry store and also take the time to study their refund and return policies. In terms of local jewelry stores, do not attempt to purchase immediately from the first shop you have visited, rather take the time to go around several stores and make comparisons about their prices, services and product quality. If you are not familiar with the jewelry stores around your area, you could ask for the recommendations of friends and family members to ensure that your money won't just go down the drain.

There are two basic options when it comes to purchasing fine diamond jewelry, whether they are round brilliant or oval diamonds. First is to go online and search for online jewelry stores that offer such products, and second is to personally drop by at the jewelry shops around your area. The first option gives prospective buyers the opportunity to save time, money and energy, while the latter option is a good means to check on the quality of jewelry.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Fine Jewelry: What To Look For

Is cut more important than clarity when appraising diamonds? You could spend hours pondering on the merits of one over the other. However, to get a clear answer, you need to grasp the relationship between the two. More importantly, you'll need to consider what you really value in fine jewelry.

A diamond's cut alludes to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. Diamonds can be cut in such a way that it attains its highest selling price, or maximizes its capacity for brilliance. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, alludes to the quantity of imperfections a diamond has. High quality diamonds have less imperfection, and are subsequently considered more beautiful and expensive.

Clearly, the skill with which a diamond has been cut will impact its clarity. In the diamond cutting and polishing process, this is one of the few factors which can be controlled. Only the most precise craftsmanship can guarantee that a raw piece of diamond will be recut into fine jewelry.

On the other hand, the clarity of diamonds can be poor irregardless of the quality of the cut. Clarity is also reliant on the quality of the raw diamond. As a buyer, you need to be attentive to this and inspect any diamonds you'd like to buy under a microscope or loupe to check for flaws yourself.

When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how critical it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. It will also become more evident just how closely cut and clarity are connected to each other. Round cuts are known for having the most potential for brilliance above all other cuts. Any mistakes in the cut or internal flaws, even minor, will decrease that potential considerably.

Do you want to have fine jewelry? Do you prefer a diamond with the best cut, or the highest clarity? You can't disregard either factor. However, you can look at the cut first, since it affects clarity, as well as carat weight. Prioritizing one of the four C's over the others is pointless, if you don't know enough about diamonds to start with.

A diamond's cut refers to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, refers to the number of imperfections a diamond has. When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how important it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. Only the most precise craftsmanship can guarantee that a raw piece of diamond will be recut into fine jewelry.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Diamond Rings: Clarity Determines Value

Clarity is one of the four C's that impacts the quality of the diamond. It refers to the quantity of flaws found in a diamond. These flaws are imperfections caused by mistakes in cutting or that arise from the original rock. A diamond with poor clarity will have faults that can be easily observed, and may even be seen with the naked eye. They will not look attractive set in diamond rings, and have low resell value. In contrast, a diamond with great clarity is highly sought after by collectors, and will be a gift of true value to loved ones.

Flaws can be divided into two; external flaws are called blemishes, whereas flaws within the diamond, that can modify its ability to reflect light, are called inclusions. Since inclusions get in the way of a diamond's sparkle, they are more likely to devalue a diamond, but they can also be advantageous. Inclusions can be used to identify individual diamonds as a sort of diamond fingerprint. Think of it as a way to secure your diamond rings.

Diamonds are graded based on the visibility of these flaws. This is done while they are still loose diamonds. There are several gemological organizations worldwide that have created independent grading systems, although in many cases they are very similar. You should familiarize yourself with the grading system used in the store where you buy your diamond. When looking for diamond rings, you will want to inspect the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in gauging a diamond's monetary value. It is a standard accepted by gemological organizations across the board.

To insure you get diamonds of the finest clarity, buy loose diamonds first. This way, you can check on these diamonds with your own eyes. The jeweler should let you borrow their loupe or magnifier so that you can view them under 10 x magnification if asked. If they are hesitant to let you take a closer look, it's a red flag to look elsewhere.

Jewelry stores are not always what they appear to be. One store may have ridiculously low prices, or limited period sales. You may think you're getting a good deal; but they'll lose most of their value in as short as ten years. Your priority should be getting diamonds of lasting value. You can get a high quality diamond at a sensible price, but only if you study your diamonds.

When looking for diamond rings, you will want to inspect the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in establishing a diamond's monetary value. Be careful when picking jewelry stores as well. To insure you get diamonds of the finest clarity, buy loose diamonds first. You can find a quality diamond at a fair price, but you need to know your diamonds.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Settings That Goes Well With Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

Diamond jewelry gifts are probably the best tokens that one could give and receive. While the value of gifts isn't determined by their aesthetic appeal, it cannot be denied though that in some ways most of us look on the outside appearance of presents. Taking these things into consideration, diamonds are the best tokens that could actually fulfill our emotional and aesthetic needs when it comes to gifts. Nevertheless, they are pieces that could endure the test of time.

If you are about to purchase diamond gifts, it would be more preferable to settle for loose diamonds since they are not yet incorporated in any piece of jewelry. Meaning to say, you have the liberty to have it customized according to your own design preference in order to befit the purpose you have in mind. Besides, you won't have a hard time appraising the gems as you could actually go over their overall features. One of the most essential features that you would have to closely consider with loose sparklers is the cut.

In order to fully understand what a cut means, one should be able to differentiate it from shape. Shape refers to the outline of the stone's perimeter, while the cut or make profoundly affect the gem's appearance as it refers to the proportioning and overall finish of the diamond""two elements that are directly linked to how the diamond produces its fire or rainbows, and brilliance or the liveliness and sparkle. Accordingly, a diamond with a good cut is more valuable than a diamond with a poor cut. There are several cutting styles that one could use in order to produce high-quality diamonds; however, the round brilliant cut is probably the most popular and most preferred by many diamond enthusiast.

Round brilliant cut is the standard cutting method for diamonds and is identified as the best at creating prismatic effect, which means the shape formed through this cut presents the most sparkle as it enables light to pass through the diamond and reflect back on the top of the gem. Diamonds that have underwent this method displays greater brilliance compared to any other diamonds because there are no corners where light could hide. Hence, the brilliance and fire of the diamond could be seen at their full extent. Although there are shapes and cut that are comparable to round cut diamonds, the latter remains as the favorite of most jewelers.

Round brilliant cut diamonds are very versatile and will suit all kinds of jewelry setting. If you wish to offer a round brilliant diamond ring during your proposal, there's a wide array of ring settings that you could choose from. Prong setting is the most common band setting where the diamond is held steadily in center position by four or six prongs of equal height, which in turn allows the gem to project outward. Pave setting is made up of several pieces of diamonds set closely together, and in between them are little gems that hold them tightly to the metal setting, while a bezel setting has a metal rim or collar that encircle either the entire side or just a portion of the diamond that extends a bit above the stone.

Aside from the aforementioned settings, other noteworthy settings used for round brilliant loose diamonds include the channel setting, where diamonds of similar sizes are placed in a metal channel forming a row, and bar setting where diamonds are incorporated in grooves with metals to separate them from each other. Generally, there's no denying that diamond jewelry pieces are truly the perfect gifts that a person could give and receive as they encompass beauty, exquisiteness, and value. Hence, if you want to give the best to the person you love, diamond jewelry could proudly express what and how you feel toward that person.

Diamond jewelry gifts are probably the best token you could give to the person you love. If you are to give these kinds of gifts, choose loose diamonds that have round brilliant cut instead of sparklers that are already set. This is because round brilliant loose sparklers could be customized according to your desired setting and would allow you to properly appraise the gems.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond""A Background

Among the four C's of diamonds cutting is probably the least understood and yet it has a significant impact on the cost of the said articles of fine jewelry. It should be taken into consideration that diamonds that exude excellent cutting could cost 40 to 50 percent higher than diamonds that are poorly cut. Hence, it is important that a prospective buyer should understand what cut is. With regards to diamonds, cut or make pertains to the overall symmetry, proportioning and finish of the stones that have direct impact on the levels of their fire and brilliance.

The three most basic cutting techniques used for fine jewelry diamonds include the brilliant cut, step cut and mixed cut. A brilliant cut utilizes several facets that are usually triangular and kite in shape and are arranged in a particular manner to optimized the diamonds' brilliance. A step cut have fewer facets than that of the brilliant cut, commonly rectangular or trapezoid in shape and are arranged in a linear format. On the other hand, a mixed cut uses combined elements from the step cut and brilliant cut techniques.

From the mentioned cutting techniques however, the brilliant cut is the most popular because of its ability to optimize maximum brilliance and fire from diamonds. But, when combined with the right shape, a brilliant cut sparkler will definitely show an imposing beauty and value that will endure the test of time. Although, the brilliant cut fits well with differing shape, it is the round shape that complements it the most. As a matter of fact, round brilliant cut is the most famous shape that is closely identified with the mentioned cutting technique.

Every round brilliant cut sparkler exudes 58 facets""33 are found on the top or crown, 24 are situated at the bottom, and the remaining one is at the point or culet. Smaller round brilliant sparklers are referred to as "full cut" in order to differentiate them from "single cut" gems that only contain 17 facets, and from "Swiss cut" gems that only have 33 facets. Probably by now you're asking, what is so special about these round brilliant diamonds? The answer is that since this shape has no corners it displays the most liveliness as it is capable of reflecting the most light that passes through the stones due to its perfect proportions.

Round brilliant cut is also acknowledged as the most favorite and "ideal" combination of cut and shape because of its versatile nature that could befit all sorts of jewelry pieces. Diamonds that are cut this way are often used as accents for engagement and wedding rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings since they could be easily arranged no matter what form or shape the jewelry has. Nonetheless, they befit all settings whether it is prong or pave. Fundamentally, this cut is truly functional and versatile.

Of course, as stated earlier there are different cutting techniques that could be employed for diamonds. What might be ideal for some may not be the choice of another. If you are going to purchase diamonds, whether they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds, it is important that you'd be the one to decide what type of cut you like because the appearance of an ideally cut sparkler may not be appealing to you, and your choice might probably be the ones that received the highest cut grade from GIA. The most important thing that you have to do is to look and compare diamonds of various qualities and prices as this will train your eyes to properly detect their differences in terms of fire and brilliance as well as lifelessness and dullness.

The cutting techniques used for diamonds, whether they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds; significantly affect their appeal and value. Among the cutting styles in use, the round brilliant cut is perhaps the most ideal due to its perfect proportions that allow diamonds cut this way to emit the most brilliance and fire. Round brilliant diamonds are also revered for their versatility which is apparent from their ability to suit all forms of fine jewelry setting.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Maximizing Fire And Brilliance""Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

From the earliest times, diamonds have amazed mankind. They are the most admired ornaments that nature has given; they are things that symbolize beauty and forever. From all the stones that the world has introduced, diamonds are the most distinguished""appealing to people of all classes. Whether they are loose diamonds or blood diamonds, one definite thing remains about these gems, they will be valued by people of all generations.

Due to our inclination to diamonds, these stones became permanent fixtures during betrothals, weddings and other special occasions. Fine diamond rings and other diamond jewelry pieces have turned into valuable possessions with an equal footing to real estate and artworks. Because of all these, availing diamonds transformed into an endeavor that requires proper education about the characteristics of such stones so as to arrive at informed purchasing decisions. Many of us understand the importance of clarity, color and cut of diamonds but equally many are still unaware about the value of diamond cut.

Cut, when it comes to diamonds, pertains to the style or design guide used for shaping a diamond that is subject for polishing. This is totally different from shape as it relates to the symmetry, proportioning and polish of the diamond, which in turn affect how it produces brilliance and fire. The history of diamond cutting can be traced from as far back as the middle ages, and has since been innovated until today. Although many cutting styles have emerged and fall off along the way, the round brilliant cut remains as one of the most revered by jewelers and jewelry aficionados alike.

Round brilliant cut was originally developed by a Belgian diamond cutter named Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. An engineer by profession, Tolkowsky developed this cut based from precise mathematical and empirical analysis that accounted the essence of brilliance and fire in diamonds. As a result, a diamond cut this way exudes 58 facets""33 on the crown, and the rest are found in the stone's bottom part including its point or culet. Similarly, since a single cut produces two diamonds, one is larger than the other, very few diamond pieces are wasted.

If a round brilliant cut diamond is cut properly, its precise shape allows more light to reflect on the diamond in various angles, making the stone to become more brilliant and lively. Relative to its safe shape, diamonds cut in a round brilliant pattern are considered as best preferences in the aspects of "saleability," visual optics and insurability. Other than these features, diamonds that are round brilliant in cut are also appreciated for their versatility to suit almost all types of jewelry setting. No wonder, approximately 75 percent of diamond jewelry sales around the world are accounted to this form of cut.

If you intend to purchase loose diamonds that will be utilized to customize your chosen jewelry piece, it would be more appropriate to settle for pieces that are round brilliant in cut. With all the mentioned characteristics of this cut, not only will you emphasize the aesthetics of your diamonds, you are also augmenting their sale value and insurability. Nevertheless, with its flexible character it won't be difficult for you to find the setting that would complete your jewelry. To simply put it, you can never go wrong with diamonds that are round brilliant in cut.

If you are looking for diamonds, you may want to consider loose diamonds, which would give you the option to choose your desired setting for your fine diamond rings. However, to further maximize the value of these loose sparklers, pick the ones that have round brilliant cut. This cut is noted for its ability to exemplify the greatest brilliance and fire in diamonds.

-Lorraine Jacobs