Diamond
Of all precious stones the diamond has the simplest composition; it is merely crystallized carbon. Carbon is present in every plant, mineral and animal on earth. Diamonds comes typically from the mines in South Africa. Other countries like India, Brazil, Australia and the United States there has been found diamonds too.
Emerald
An emerald is almost certainly the rarest of all precious stones and is measured by some to be even more valuable than the diamond. If you compare it with other precious stones the emerald is unique in its occurrence in nature. Because it is found in the rock in which it was formed. Different from diamonds, sapphires and rubies, the emerald never occur in gem gravels. The first known locality where emeralds were found was in Upper Egypt close to the coast of the Red Sea. The best emerald stones are found in Columbia, South America. Fine specimens have also been found in the United States in North Carolina.
Ruby
Rubies are the oldest or first identified of all precious stones, dated far back in the early history of Caldera and Babylonia. The finest specimen and the largest quantities are found in Upper Burma. And nowadays over one-half of the world’s supply comes from Upper Burma. The rubies found in Siam, Ceylon and Australia have not the deep rich color like the Burmese ruby: a shade of red slightly inclined to the purple and it is often called Pigeon Blood Ruby. The value of a ruby depends upon its color and transparency.
Sapphire
A sapphire, also named the protector of the innocent, the celestial guardian of truth. It is also told to bring health and youth and it is a symbol of the heavens. The sapphire is birthstone for the month of September and it is made of the same mineral as the ruby, the mineral corundum.
Pearls
Real or natural or pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks like it. The cultured pearl is also grown by mollusks, but with human involvement: an irritant is put into the shells, and causes the pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are artificial made with plastic, glass or a organic material.
If you have doubts whether men can wear precious stones – don’t. Nowadays both men and women are wearing them; and I am sure they all feel the same way – namely special.
Thank you for your time.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Some Secrets of Sophisticated Taste - Jewelry and Watches
Accessories represent that powerful "secret device" of any lady able to transform her entire appearance in the most magical way. However, if you do not have enough experience in purchasing appropriate accessories, it is quite easy to make a mistake and ruin all your charm.
There are some special rules to consider before you stop your choice at acquiring a particular accessory.
Point 1:
It is better to avoid wearing jewelry pieces in the shape of heart, zodiac sign or trident, if you are dressed in a rather formal style and are going to attend some business meeting - otherwise you will not produce a serious impression.
A heart-shaped jewelry piece will be suitable at some St. Valentine's party or a romantic date, while a zodiac sign will be great if you are going to spend your time with other young people.
Point 2:
Keep in mind a very important principle: if you have chosen massive jewelry pieces with big stones, your hair-do and make-up should be rather simple. If you follow this easy rule, accessories will magically transform your image.
Point 3:
Choose jewelry pieces in conformity with the situation and general atmosphere. If you have been invited to the picnic and put on the most expensive jewelry pieces, or you have gone to some solemn reception wearing wooden beads, it is equally inappropriate.
During the day it is better to put on jewelry with unglossy and inexpensive stones. Among the best day-light jewelry pieces there are the following:
- beads of subdued shades and semi-precious (amber, amethyst, onyx, tiger-eye, garnet) or ornamental stones (coral, quartz, agate);
- pearls, including the one of different shades - grey, blue, beige;
- pins and brooches from filigree, enamel, with semi-precious stones ( amethyst, garnet, topaz).
Point 4:
Diamonds should be mentioned in particular. Diamonds are more suitable for wearing in the evening and are preferable for women in their 30-s. Remember that a lady's taste should not depend on her material wealth. Your jewelry should be elegant and should harmoniously match your appearance, clothes and the surroundings.
In the past centuries pearls and garnets were considered to be suitable strictly for young and unmarried ladies (regardless of their age), while wearing diamonds was not allowed for them.
Point 5:
Avoid wearing two jewelry pieces placed closely to each other. The following pairs are more preferable - ear-rings and a bracelet, a necklace and a ring, a brooch and a ring. Professional image-makers believe that the successfully chosen pieces of jewelry are able to underline the strong points of one's appearance, without drawing the attention away for your personality.
It is better to avoid wearing pieces of jewelry that are too shiny, gleamy, or producing a lot of noise, not to divert your companions' attention from your face and speech. It is a mistake to hide one's personality beyond huge, vulgar jewelry pieces that will suggest bad taste and the lack of sense of proportion.
Point 6:
It is not always a good alternative to wear a set of jewelry. This idea will most probably seem strange to you, as jewelry pieces are quite often sold in a set. However, jewelry producers and sellers are more interested in their profits than in their customers' image and creative approach to one's appearance. When we put on a set of jewelry pieces featuring the same design, they quite often loose their expressiveness and exclusiveness.
Point 7:
A brooch draws attention to one's face and upper part of the body. If a lady would not like to show everybody that she has broad shoulders, it is better to wear a brooch closer to the center of her breast. If a lady has a prolonged face and pointed chin, it is advisable to wear a round brooch.
Point 8:
A watch of a lady should also match the chosen pieces of jewelry. It is great if a lady has a few timepieces to match different styles of her clothes and jewelry. In general, the choice of a watch should be suggested by the same principles - it should match your overall appearance and the situation. If, for example, you have a very narrow wrist, an over-sized watch, even a very stylish one, is not exactly the one you need.
Some ladies form their own collection of watches to match different occasions and styles. It is not so expensive if you stop your choice at elegant top quality replica watches. Present day replica watches available at on-line shops feature the most prestigious names in the world of watch-making and fashion.
Qualitative replica watches are almost indistinguishable from authentic timepieces and provide everyone with a great opportunity to have no difficulty in choosing a watch whether going to a business meeting or a tennis court.
Article source: <a href='http://www.cool-watches.com/articles.html'> http://www.cool-watches.com/articles.html</a>
There are some special rules to consider before you stop your choice at acquiring a particular accessory.
Point 1:
It is better to avoid wearing jewelry pieces in the shape of heart, zodiac sign or trident, if you are dressed in a rather formal style and are going to attend some business meeting - otherwise you will not produce a serious impression.
A heart-shaped jewelry piece will be suitable at some St. Valentine's party or a romantic date, while a zodiac sign will be great if you are going to spend your time with other young people.
Point 2:
Keep in mind a very important principle: if you have chosen massive jewelry pieces with big stones, your hair-do and make-up should be rather simple. If you follow this easy rule, accessories will magically transform your image.
Point 3:
Choose jewelry pieces in conformity with the situation and general atmosphere. If you have been invited to the picnic and put on the most expensive jewelry pieces, or you have gone to some solemn reception wearing wooden beads, it is equally inappropriate.
During the day it is better to put on jewelry with unglossy and inexpensive stones. Among the best day-light jewelry pieces there are the following:
- beads of subdued shades and semi-precious (amber, amethyst, onyx, tiger-eye, garnet) or ornamental stones (coral, quartz, agate);
- pearls, including the one of different shades - grey, blue, beige;
- pins and brooches from filigree, enamel, with semi-precious stones ( amethyst, garnet, topaz).
Point 4:
Diamonds should be mentioned in particular. Diamonds are more suitable for wearing in the evening and are preferable for women in their 30-s. Remember that a lady's taste should not depend on her material wealth. Your jewelry should be elegant and should harmoniously match your appearance, clothes and the surroundings.
In the past centuries pearls and garnets were considered to be suitable strictly for young and unmarried ladies (regardless of their age), while wearing diamonds was not allowed for them.
Point 5:
Avoid wearing two jewelry pieces placed closely to each other. The following pairs are more preferable - ear-rings and a bracelet, a necklace and a ring, a brooch and a ring. Professional image-makers believe that the successfully chosen pieces of jewelry are able to underline the strong points of one's appearance, without drawing the attention away for your personality.
It is better to avoid wearing pieces of jewelry that are too shiny, gleamy, or producing a lot of noise, not to divert your companions' attention from your face and speech. It is a mistake to hide one's personality beyond huge, vulgar jewelry pieces that will suggest bad taste and the lack of sense of proportion.
Point 6:
It is not always a good alternative to wear a set of jewelry. This idea will most probably seem strange to you, as jewelry pieces are quite often sold in a set. However, jewelry producers and sellers are more interested in their profits than in their customers' image and creative approach to one's appearance. When we put on a set of jewelry pieces featuring the same design, they quite often loose their expressiveness and exclusiveness.
Point 7:
A brooch draws attention to one's face and upper part of the body. If a lady would not like to show everybody that she has broad shoulders, it is better to wear a brooch closer to the center of her breast. If a lady has a prolonged face and pointed chin, it is advisable to wear a round brooch.
Point 8:
A watch of a lady should also match the chosen pieces of jewelry. It is great if a lady has a few timepieces to match different styles of her clothes and jewelry. In general, the choice of a watch should be suggested by the same principles - it should match your overall appearance and the situation. If, for example, you have a very narrow wrist, an over-sized watch, even a very stylish one, is not exactly the one you need.
Some ladies form their own collection of watches to match different occasions and styles. It is not so expensive if you stop your choice at elegant top quality replica watches. Present day replica watches available at on-line shops feature the most prestigious names in the world of watch-making and fashion.
Qualitative replica watches are almost indistinguishable from authentic timepieces and provide everyone with a great opportunity to have no difficulty in choosing a watch whether going to a business meeting or a tennis court.
Article source: <a href='http://www.cool-watches.com/articles.html'> http://www.cool-watches.com/articles.html</a>
Silver Jewelry for Man
Man wearing silver jewelry like chain, cross or even bracelet is not so uncommon now days as it was sometime back. Those days are over, when wearing any kind of jewelry by man was looked as girly. Nowadays for man, Silver Jewelry can be a perfect way of showing others that you have your own distinct way of fashion sense. Wearing a cool artistic silver chain or a cross can really make you star attraction of any party and it shows that you like to stand out of the league. Always remember that you may have a pleasant personality but it’s going to be what you wear, which will count first.
There are certain factors like being cheap, easy to handle as compared to gold and getting customized, which makes silver jewelry popular among today’s man. The best thing about silver jewelry is that you can wear them as casual wear unlike other costly metal wear. You can wear them while on beach, or playing some outdoor game or at some meeting.
The cost of silver Jewelry for man can vary a lot as it depend on factors like how much artistic work has been done on it, what kind of finishing it has and whether it’s having any other costlier metal or gem in it. But still you can get a good ear ring or chain for around $20 to $50.
The most popular silver items among man are chain, rings and crosses. After that we can count earrings, bracelets and some other jewelry. It’s advisable to not to buy silver jewelry from online stores but find a shop in your town, as the looks can be highly deceptive from what you see online and what the actual jewelry is. If you have a friend who knows a thing or two about jewelry than take him with you.
There are certain factors like being cheap, easy to handle as compared to gold and getting customized, which makes silver jewelry popular among today’s man. The best thing about silver jewelry is that you can wear them as casual wear unlike other costly metal wear. You can wear them while on beach, or playing some outdoor game or at some meeting.
The cost of silver Jewelry for man can vary a lot as it depend on factors like how much artistic work has been done on it, what kind of finishing it has and whether it’s having any other costlier metal or gem in it. But still you can get a good ear ring or chain for around $20 to $50.
The most popular silver items among man are chain, rings and crosses. After that we can count earrings, bracelets and some other jewelry. It’s advisable to not to buy silver jewelry from online stores but find a shop in your town, as the looks can be highly deceptive from what you see online and what the actual jewelry is. If you have a friend who knows a thing or two about jewelry than take him with you.
Jewelry Enhanced
Your jewelry is an important investment, and it retains its appearance and value longer if it is properly cared for. Here are some tips to ensure the long life of your gems.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry
Gold is tarnish-resistant, although it can get smudged and grimy. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils can cover your jewelry and cut down on its brilliance. Jewelry cleaning removes this residue and restores the original luster of your jewelry.
Even though many commercial products are available to clean gold jewelry, a basic solution of detergent and water goes a long way to restore the radiance of gold, and a soft brush helps to gently clean intricate filigree designs and stones. Every now and again it can be helpful to soak the gold jewelry in a mixure of 1 portion ammonia and 6 parts water for about a minute. Make sure to dry and polish your gold jewelry with a soft cloth or chamois afterwards.
Professional jewelry polishing cloths are an efficacious and inexpensive way of keeping your gold collection glittering and radiant. These treated cotton cloths help to dislodge tarnish and to buff jewelry to a brilliant shine.
Never wear jewelry in the swimming pool or while doing chores. Though gold is said to be non-reactive, the fact is that contact with chemicals such as chlorine in pools or household cleaners will discolor or even damage your gold jewelry mountings.
When you are not wearing your jewelry, proper storage is essential. Be careful that pieces don't tumble together in a crowded jewel box if you want to avoid scratching and loss of radiance. Ideally, store your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewel case, or even a compartmentalized box so that every piece of jewelry resides in an individual soft cloth pouch. In damp climates, storing jewelry in small resealable plastic bags can extend intervals between cleaning, especially for silver.
It's important to check the stone settings of your jewelry sometimes for any damage to the bezels or prongs. Immersing the jewelry in rubbing alcohol for a couple seconds will restore the gorgeous sparkle to cloudy stones. It's critical to dry the jewelry thoroughly after cleaning prior to wearing or even storing. Pave set (glued in stones) jewelry should never be soaked in water while cleaning gold jewelry, as these glues, especially those used in older jewelry, are often not waterproof.
Special Gems
Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are relatively hard, though the later two can still sustain scratches. However, pearls, emeralds and opals are softer and need a gentler touch. Emeralds and opals contain water in their matrix and may crack if they are allowed to dry out. Regular application of cod liver oil from the drugstore every few months is recommended by antique jewely dealers. Pearls should be worn frequently to expose them to skin oils. If they dry out, their luster will diminish, so don't clean them with alcohol or detergents . Avoid exposing pearls to vinegar and other acids, as they will dissolve. To clean pearls, simply wipe them with a soft damp cloth.
Ultasonic Jewelry Cleaners
Do not use them on pearls and opals -- they will be damaged.
Silver Cleaner
Line a broad flat dish with tinfoil, then place your silver jewelry in the dish spaced out so they pieces do not touch. Mix together 4 cups of hot water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour this over the silver and leave for a few minutes until tarnish is dissoved, then rinse and polish with a soft cloth.
Make sure you remove the silver as soon as it is clean, and don't let it soak for hours as the electrolytic reaction will continue.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry
Gold is tarnish-resistant, although it can get smudged and grimy. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils can cover your jewelry and cut down on its brilliance. Jewelry cleaning removes this residue and restores the original luster of your jewelry.
Even though many commercial products are available to clean gold jewelry, a basic solution of detergent and water goes a long way to restore the radiance of gold, and a soft brush helps to gently clean intricate filigree designs and stones. Every now and again it can be helpful to soak the gold jewelry in a mixure of 1 portion ammonia and 6 parts water for about a minute. Make sure to dry and polish your gold jewelry with a soft cloth or chamois afterwards.
Professional jewelry polishing cloths are an efficacious and inexpensive way of keeping your gold collection glittering and radiant. These treated cotton cloths help to dislodge tarnish and to buff jewelry to a brilliant shine.
Never wear jewelry in the swimming pool or while doing chores. Though gold is said to be non-reactive, the fact is that contact with chemicals such as chlorine in pools or household cleaners will discolor or even damage your gold jewelry mountings.
When you are not wearing your jewelry, proper storage is essential. Be careful that pieces don't tumble together in a crowded jewel box if you want to avoid scratching and loss of radiance. Ideally, store your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewel case, or even a compartmentalized box so that every piece of jewelry resides in an individual soft cloth pouch. In damp climates, storing jewelry in small resealable plastic bags can extend intervals between cleaning, especially for silver.
It's important to check the stone settings of your jewelry sometimes for any damage to the bezels or prongs. Immersing the jewelry in rubbing alcohol for a couple seconds will restore the gorgeous sparkle to cloudy stones. It's critical to dry the jewelry thoroughly after cleaning prior to wearing or even storing. Pave set (glued in stones) jewelry should never be soaked in water while cleaning gold jewelry, as these glues, especially those used in older jewelry, are often not waterproof.
Special Gems
Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are relatively hard, though the later two can still sustain scratches. However, pearls, emeralds and opals are softer and need a gentler touch. Emeralds and opals contain water in their matrix and may crack if they are allowed to dry out. Regular application of cod liver oil from the drugstore every few months is recommended by antique jewely dealers. Pearls should be worn frequently to expose them to skin oils. If they dry out, their luster will diminish, so don't clean them with alcohol or detergents . Avoid exposing pearls to vinegar and other acids, as they will dissolve. To clean pearls, simply wipe them with a soft damp cloth.
Ultasonic Jewelry Cleaners
Do not use them on pearls and opals -- they will be damaged.
Silver Cleaner
Line a broad flat dish with tinfoil, then place your silver jewelry in the dish spaced out so they pieces do not touch. Mix together 4 cups of hot water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour this over the silver and leave for a few minutes until tarnish is dissoved, then rinse and polish with a soft cloth.
Make sure you remove the silver as soon as it is clean, and don't let it soak for hours as the electrolytic reaction will continue.
Gold Earrings - Important Facts
One thing you can say about gold earrings is that they are timeless pieces that are always in style. They are not only beautiful, but also wear-friendly since, unlike sterling silver, they don’t tarnish. Another great attribute is that people with allergies to certain metals, or find they have a problem with staining from metals that have been combined with gold, don’t have a problem with gold itself.
Gold is a versatile metal, able to be worked in virtually any shape, whether it be small, but sturdy, strands to thin sheets. In fact, just one ounce has the ability to be hammered into an extremely thin sheet measuring at ten feet square. Artisans, especially makers of gold earrings, can manipulate gold into any desired shape.
When choosing gold earrings you need to look at the gold’s karat factor. Different karat numbers are what describe just how much pure gold is in the earrings. The percentage of gold in the earrings is higher when the karat number is higher.
For example, 24K earrings are pure gold, 18K is 75% gold with 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of another metal, 14K, the most common, is 58.3% gold with 14 parts of gold and 10 parts of another metal, 12K is 50% gold with 12 parts of gold and 12 parts of another metal, and, lastly, 10K, the minimum karat that can be described as gold, is a mere 41.7% gold with 10 parts gold and 14 parts of another metal.
Gold earrings made in Europe will have different markings. For example, 18K will be marked as 750, 14K will be marked as 585, and 12 K will be marked as 417. These marking stand for the percentage of gold the earrings contain.
Most gold earrings aren’t made of pure gold since it can be quite soft and not very practical for daily wear. In mot cases, other metals will have been mixed with the gold in order to heighten the durability, as well as lower the price.
When metallurgists add other metals to gold it allows them to change the gold’s color. To create white gold Palladium, also known as nickel, is added. The addition of copper products creates a rose/pink color, while adding silver can give gold a greenish tint.
When choosing the type of gold earrings that is right for you, you must decide how often you will wear them and what type of karat number will fit this need. If you are allergic to such metals as nickel, you should choose gold earrings that have a higher gold content. This means that gold earrings marked with 18K or 22K are best for you.
If you plan to wear your earrings only on occasion, and don’t necessarily have to have the best gold there is, then you have the option of choosing gold earrings that are gold filled or even gold plated. This would not be a good choice if you do plan to wear the gold earrings on a daily basis since a lot of use will reduce the gold layer, therefore exposing the metal that is underneath and possibly causing staining or even an allergic reaction.
If you plan to purchase gold earrings that you want to last a very long time, then make sure you buy a high quality item.
Gold is a versatile metal, able to be worked in virtually any shape, whether it be small, but sturdy, strands to thin sheets. In fact, just one ounce has the ability to be hammered into an extremely thin sheet measuring at ten feet square. Artisans, especially makers of gold earrings, can manipulate gold into any desired shape.
When choosing gold earrings you need to look at the gold’s karat factor. Different karat numbers are what describe just how much pure gold is in the earrings. The percentage of gold in the earrings is higher when the karat number is higher.
For example, 24K earrings are pure gold, 18K is 75% gold with 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of another metal, 14K, the most common, is 58.3% gold with 14 parts of gold and 10 parts of another metal, 12K is 50% gold with 12 parts of gold and 12 parts of another metal, and, lastly, 10K, the minimum karat that can be described as gold, is a mere 41.7% gold with 10 parts gold and 14 parts of another metal.
Gold earrings made in Europe will have different markings. For example, 18K will be marked as 750, 14K will be marked as 585, and 12 K will be marked as 417. These marking stand for the percentage of gold the earrings contain.
Most gold earrings aren’t made of pure gold since it can be quite soft and not very practical for daily wear. In mot cases, other metals will have been mixed with the gold in order to heighten the durability, as well as lower the price.
When metallurgists add other metals to gold it allows them to change the gold’s color. To create white gold Palladium, also known as nickel, is added. The addition of copper products creates a rose/pink color, while adding silver can give gold a greenish tint.
When choosing the type of gold earrings that is right for you, you must decide how often you will wear them and what type of karat number will fit this need. If you are allergic to such metals as nickel, you should choose gold earrings that have a higher gold content. This means that gold earrings marked with 18K or 22K are best for you.
If you plan to wear your earrings only on occasion, and don’t necessarily have to have the best gold there is, then you have the option of choosing gold earrings that are gold filled or even gold plated. This would not be a good choice if you do plan to wear the gold earrings on a daily basis since a lot of use will reduce the gold layer, therefore exposing the metal that is underneath and possibly causing staining or even an allergic reaction.
If you plan to purchase gold earrings that you want to last a very long time, then make sure you buy a high quality item.
Gemstones
Some of the most beautiful jewelry is made using semi-precious gem stones. A gem stone is a mineral, a rock or a petrified material that is cut or faceted and polished before it can be used in jewelry.
Some gem stones are fairly rare, such as amazonite, which is a bright green variety of feldspar. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively from Russia, but recently it was found in Colorado and Madagascar. Its limited occurrence makes it prized as a gem stone.
Citrin, also called citrin quartz, is an amber colored gem stone.
Aventurine is commonly a green gem stone, but can be orange, brown, yellow or grey. The rarest is red and highly prized as a gem stone.
Cordierite is a magnesium, iron and aluminum cyclosilicate, the transparent variety of which is iolite, which is used as a gem stone. The name, iolite, is derived from the Greek word for violet.
Lapis lazuli is a stone which has been classified as a gem stone. This deep blue gem stone dates back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
Jade is an interesting gem stone. The name is applied to two different silicate materials. It is a very tough material and was first used for axe heads, knives and weapons. It was only when other materials were found that could be used for these purposes that jade become a prized gem stone. Nephrite is either green or creamy in color, while jadeite comes in a variety of colors. In New Zealand, where nephrite jade is known as greenstone and not gem stone, the Maoris consider it a treasure. In traditional Maori designs, this gem stone is still widely used to make jewelry. Jade is the official gem stone of British Columbia. Many minerals are sold as jade. These can certainly be used as gem stones, but are not the real thing.
Turquoise is another gem and ornamental stone. The name is a very old word , probably derived from the French meaning Turkish stone, although turquoise was not found in Turkey, but was traded there. Iran and the Sinai Peninsula were sources of very fine turquoise. In the United States, the deposits were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Nowadays there is some imitation turquoise, which is so good, that only an expert could tell the difference between the real stone and the fake!
It’s possible that rings and bracelets and necklaces made with these semi-precious gemstones may not be as valuable as say, gold or diamonds, but they can be exquisite and highly prized. Of course, if the diamond is flawed, it may be impressive to the friends and acquaintances of a newly engaged damsel, but is not of great value.
Some gem stones are fairly rare, such as amazonite, which is a bright green variety of feldspar. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively from Russia, but recently it was found in Colorado and Madagascar. Its limited occurrence makes it prized as a gem stone.
Citrin, also called citrin quartz, is an amber colored gem stone.
Aventurine is commonly a green gem stone, but can be orange, brown, yellow or grey. The rarest is red and highly prized as a gem stone.
Cordierite is a magnesium, iron and aluminum cyclosilicate, the transparent variety of which is iolite, which is used as a gem stone. The name, iolite, is derived from the Greek word for violet.
Lapis lazuli is a stone which has been classified as a gem stone. This deep blue gem stone dates back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
Jade is an interesting gem stone. The name is applied to two different silicate materials. It is a very tough material and was first used for axe heads, knives and weapons. It was only when other materials were found that could be used for these purposes that jade become a prized gem stone. Nephrite is either green or creamy in color, while jadeite comes in a variety of colors. In New Zealand, where nephrite jade is known as greenstone and not gem stone, the Maoris consider it a treasure. In traditional Maori designs, this gem stone is still widely used to make jewelry. Jade is the official gem stone of British Columbia. Many minerals are sold as jade. These can certainly be used as gem stones, but are not the real thing.
Turquoise is another gem and ornamental stone. The name is a very old word , probably derived from the French meaning Turkish stone, although turquoise was not found in Turkey, but was traded there. Iran and the Sinai Peninsula were sources of very fine turquoise. In the United States, the deposits were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Nowadays there is some imitation turquoise, which is so good, that only an expert could tell the difference between the real stone and the fake!
It’s possible that rings and bracelets and necklaces made with these semi-precious gemstones may not be as valuable as say, gold or diamonds, but they can be exquisite and highly prized. Of course, if the diamond is flawed, it may be impressive to the friends and acquaintances of a newly engaged damsel, but is not of great value.
Diamond Buying Tips
No engagement is complete without the engagement ring. Traditionally, the engagement ring is a diamond ring presented by the groom to the bride. Since the engagement ring is such an important part of the wedding you shouldn't take it lightly. There is a lot to know about rings and about your bride before you purchase the ring.
By the time you buy the engagement ring, you should know her ring size. An easy way to figure out her ring size is to secretly take one of her rings to a jeweler. They will be more than happy to help you out. You might also ask her sister or mother, or anyone close to her who would possibly know he ring size. You should also know what shapes of jewelry stones she likes. Does she like white or yellow gold, or platinum?
Next, you must set your budget. Engagement ring prices can range from moderately expensive to very expensive. The price of the engagement ring is only limited by your budget. The diamond is what makes the engagement ring such an expensive gift. With such an expensive investment, you should make sure you understand some of the basics of buying diamonds.
Diamond professionals use four factors to purchase diamonds, and you should use the same standards to buy the diamond engagement ring.
1. Color - The color of the diamond has a significant impact on the overall price. Sometimes this is referred to as the color value of the diamond. You might ask the jeweler to place the diamonds you are interested in order based on color value. Since the color differences are so light, it might be difficult to see the color difference between diamonds. Keep in mind the less color the more expensive.
2. Clarity - Clarity is no less important when it comes to selecting a diamond. An Fl (Flawless) graded diamond shows no inclusions (inclusions = flaws) under 10X magnification. Since flawless diamonds are extremely rare, be prepared to pay extra for perfection.
3. Cut - It is the first aspect of the diamond that is influenced by humans. Cut is also called "make," the better the make the more gorgeous the diamond. Valuing the diamond based on cut can be very subjective.
4. Carat - Carate weight is the basic measuring unit of diamonds. It has to do with how much your diamond weighs.
There is a huge variety of diamonds to choose from. While they are all beautiful, they are very different in color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. We hope you'll find the above information helpful in selecting your engagement ring diamond. Keep in mind, you should only buy a diamond from a reputable jeweler.
By the time you buy the engagement ring, you should know her ring size. An easy way to figure out her ring size is to secretly take one of her rings to a jeweler. They will be more than happy to help you out. You might also ask her sister or mother, or anyone close to her who would possibly know he ring size. You should also know what shapes of jewelry stones she likes. Does she like white or yellow gold, or platinum?
Next, you must set your budget. Engagement ring prices can range from moderately expensive to very expensive. The price of the engagement ring is only limited by your budget. The diamond is what makes the engagement ring such an expensive gift. With such an expensive investment, you should make sure you understand some of the basics of buying diamonds.
Diamond professionals use four factors to purchase diamonds, and you should use the same standards to buy the diamond engagement ring.
1. Color - The color of the diamond has a significant impact on the overall price. Sometimes this is referred to as the color value of the diamond. You might ask the jeweler to place the diamonds you are interested in order based on color value. Since the color differences are so light, it might be difficult to see the color difference between diamonds. Keep in mind the less color the more expensive.
2. Clarity - Clarity is no less important when it comes to selecting a diamond. An Fl (Flawless) graded diamond shows no inclusions (inclusions = flaws) under 10X magnification. Since flawless diamonds are extremely rare, be prepared to pay extra for perfection.
3. Cut - It is the first aspect of the diamond that is influenced by humans. Cut is also called "make," the better the make the more gorgeous the diamond. Valuing the diamond based on cut can be very subjective.
4. Carat - Carate weight is the basic measuring unit of diamonds. It has to do with how much your diamond weighs.
There is a huge variety of diamonds to choose from. While they are all beautiful, they are very different in color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. We hope you'll find the above information helpful in selecting your engagement ring diamond. Keep in mind, you should only buy a diamond from a reputable jeweler.
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