Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Diamond Jewelry Still Makes a Solid Investment



Even in the midst of a struggling economy, the one thing that you can count on is the diamond. Diamond jewelry that is of good quality is not going to decrease in value. Its brilliance is something that just about everyone can appreciate. Celebrities are always going to want to wear them and, every day, more young men are buying engagement rings for their fiancés. They don't call them girl's best friend for nothing. They are the one item that holds massive appeal and will retain its value. The fact is diamond jewelry is still considered to be a solid investment.
Even when everything else seems to be decreasing in value, the diamond retains its current value and may even increase. One of the main reasons for this is that the banks do not have any control in this area and bankruptcies are not going to affect the value of the diamond. Along with this, the diamond is sold worldwide and does not depend on the economy of any one particular country. What this means is you can sell it almost anywhere in the world and you won't have to worry about it's value decreasing.
Another reason that diamond jewelry is always going to be a solid investment is that it does not require any upkeep and you do not have to worry about continually being taxed on it. Real estate is often considered the wiser investment, but if you look at the reality that real estate involves a lot of high-cost maintenance and yearly taxes, you can see why investing in diamonds might make more sense.
If you are going to invest in diamonds, you do need to be careful, though. The first thing that you will need to do is have it appraised by a gemologist or a professional jeweler. They will be able to determine the value by its weight, size, and shape. Before doing this, you will need to get your diamond certified.
A certificate for diamond jewelry is something completely different from an appraisal and can be done by a gemologist. The appraisal simply states its worth, while the certificate is going to actually grade the diamond based on several things, including the color, characteristics, and its dimensions. This certificate is actually used to help the jeweler or another gemologist determine its actual value.
No matter what state the economy is in, diamond jewelry is always going to be a good investment for you to make. The value of the diamond is rarely affected by what things are going on in the world. This type of investment is not going to require any further monetary upkeep, beyond insuring it. And, diamonds are generally not affected by wear and tear and will be around for a very long time. The truth is that all walks of life loves and wear diamonds. If you're looking to invest your money into something that not only is elegant but a stable commodity as well, you don't need to look any further than diamond jewelry.

Tips On What Diamond Jewellery To Wear For Different Occasions

A rose-cut synthetic diamond created by Apollo...
A rose-cut synthetic diamond created by Apollo Diamond using a patented chemical vapour deposition process. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but it's important to remember that sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to wearing your diamond jewellery. However, choosing what to wear and when can seem confusing when all those gorgeous sparkling pieces are calling out to you. Below is a guide to get you started on your journey to becoming a fashionista.
Everyday Wear
A pair of jeans, a crisp white shirt, your favourite blazer, teamed with a pair of boots and a great handbag is perfect for shopping, catching up with friends for a late lunch, or even a casual date, everything is understated and classic. The perfect jewellery would be a pair of diamond stud earrings and a co-ordinating pendant, in either silver or gold, depending on your preference. A cute little puffed heart necklace would work perfectly with this look. Team it up with a matching timepiece and you are set for a great day.
Weekend Away
If you are heading away for the weekend, chances are you are wanting a bit of rest and relaxation so having several different sets of jewellery, half a dozen outfits, and even more shoes is probably not the best start, so choosing pieces that will work easily for day and night is a must. A diamond solitaire pendant is perfect, it dresses down for casual day wear and shines for the evening, you can switch out your daytime watch with a stylish cuff for the evening, small metal hoop earrings easily transition from casual to classy, and if you want to wear a ring - a mono tone wide band is perfect for daywear which easily suits evening too, or pop on your favourite cocktail ring.
Cocktail Function
This is where you can have a little bit of fun with your pieces and really make a statement. If you have chosen a simple classic dress that will be the backdrop of your jewellery, then you can add a pair of drop earrings, matching necklace and bracelet without it competing with your outfit, however if you dress is overstated and attention grabbing then your jewellery will need to take a back seat and complement the look - not compete. Generally strapless allows for a larger necklace and a longer drop earring elongates the neck.
We Recommend
Make sure you try the entire outfit on at least once before venturing out, especially if it is for a special occasion, to ensure that it work well together. Take a photo of yourself so you can check it from another perspective, or seek a second opinion from a friend.


Bracelets: Classic Style That All Women Can Love

bracelets
bracelets (Photo credit: briannaknt)

A bracelet is a beautiful piece of jewellery that can be worn by both men and women. They have changed dramatically through the years. In addition they have been worn by different sorts of cultures for thousands of years. Just like other pieces of jewellery, you will basically see that they come in many different shapes and sizes. This is very apparent from the huge selections that are available in jewellery online stores. In addition, they are made from various materials. However, it literally boils down to your individual preference. A bracelet is that piece of jewellery that can make or break the look of an outfit.
For the woman who is looking for a little bit of luxury, diamonds are truly a girl's best friend. The tennis bracelet is a good bet. These are normally worn at night to formal events. However, it was only a few years ago that they were worn during the daytime as well. Women were even wearing them to work. Amazingly, society dictates fashion. Then, it was okay to wear a tennis bracelet to work. However, these days, it is mostly saved for special occasions or formal events.
For anyone who is looking for a great casual bracelet, your best bet would be to choose either a gold or sterling silver one.These are durable materials that can be worn over and over again. In addition, many are pretty reasonably priced. When it comes to style, it is easy to find gold and silver bracelets that are both affordable and stylish.
Not only is it important to pay attention to a bracelet's material, you should also note that they are very stylish indeed. You can get designs that are thin and barely noticeable and the ones that are clunky and extremely noisy. However, the clunky option would not be a good option if you worked in a small, quiet office. You want a bracelet that is age appropriate and fun, but you also need to remember that just because it is stylish does not mean that it cannot be worn for every occasion.
Bracelets can be worn individually or as a part of a set. When they come in a set, the other pieces of jewellery that come with it will be a necklace and pair of earrings. These are pretty pairings that make it much easier for you to be stylish and pull your look together. On the flip side, some women would consider this kind of jewellery set stifling because it takes away her ability to be creative and mix and match. For this type of women, she would prefer to pick out her own necklace, earrings and bracelet. Chances are none of the pieces will match. They might have the same colour in common. There might even be some commonality in the design. You never know how a woman might choose to wear her jewellery.
Jewellery gives a woman many different options to be creative and express herself. Bracelets fit into this plan perfectly. Because sometimes after getting dressed, a woman needs just a little something that will tie everything that she is wearing all together. A bracelet will do wonders to make it all come together and look totally marvellous.


Article Source: Bracelets: Classic Style That All Women Can Love


Things To Look Out For When Buying Pave Diamond Rings

ZIVA Jewelry Micro Pavé Diamond Engagement Rin...
ZIVA Jewelry Micro Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring for 1 Carat Round Center Stone (Photo credit: ZIVA Jewels)

When you shop for one of these, you may want to be aware of some of the problems and misinformation that you might receive from the sales associate involved. We would like to clarify some of those:
- Sizing is not an issue
Really? Please understand that moving the metal, which is what sizing means, is not only an issue, but a real problem. The diamonds are set either pressed into the gold with some gold covering the diamonds, or held in place with prongs. The moment you mess with the structure of the ring by sizing the ring up or down, you risk the stones falling out at some point. Let me clarify that...you may leave the jewelry store with a perfect pave diamond ring, but several weeks after the purchase stones might start falling out. There really isn't anything quite as frustrating, than having to send your ring back to the jeweler time after time, because of loose diamonds.
The solution to this is very simple. Sizing, up or down, of one number is not a problem, after that any decent jeweler will offer to make the specific ring in you exact size, therefore avoiding any potential problems. The draw back to this is that you will not have your ring the moment you want it, but trust me, in the long term you will be much happier, if you show some patience.
Clarity doesn't matter
Well, it does! While you can not see inclusions easily with small diamonds (simply because of the size of the stones), you will be able to see the difference in performance, if you pay attention. We suggest, as a rule, that you stay away from any diamonds that are I1 in clarity or below. While it is difficult to see the difference in those stones, the performance (fire and brilliance) will suffer greatly and after all, you are buying a pave diamond ring for its fire and brilliance. Our suggestion is stones in the SI1 to SI3 range (SI3 being a EGL grade). This way, you are getting diamonds, that are clean to the naked eye (simply because they are so small) and perform the way you want.
- Color doesn't matter
We do agree with this statement to a certain degree. The only time the color of the diamonds in pave diamond rings is important, is when you choose the color of gold these stones should be set in. The general rule is that any diamonds set in white gold, should be color J or above. The reason for this is simple, since any color below J will show a yellow tint against a white gold setting.
Cut doesn't matter
This has got to be the worst, misleading statement a sales associate could ever make in our opinion. Cut is the most important of all the Cs, since it will have an effect on all the other characteristics of the diamonds set in your pave diamond ring. Look at it this way. A diamond that is cut correctly will show maximum fire and brilliance. There will be so much going on, that it will be difficult to see any inclusions, or color for that matter. In other words, the better the cut, the more forgiving you can be on color and clarity!
The carat weight of each stone doesn't matter
This is true! After all, you are buying a pave diamond ring, because it is composed of a multitude of small diamonds, each with 57 facets (cuts). The whole beauty lies in the fact that you have a huge amount of individually cut diamonds spread all over your pave diamond ring.
All pave diamond rings are created equal
Nothing could be further from the truth. If you read this far, you will understand why this statement would make no sense at all. A diamond with a better cut, better clarity and better color will always have a better performance.
We hope, that with this information, you will be better equipped to make the choices you will need to make, when buying your pave diamond ring.


Online Shopping for Diamond Jewelry


As shopping online has gained in popularity in this "brave" new world, the majority of people would rather buy items online - fine jewelry included. Is it safe to buy fine jewelry online?
The major advantage of buying fine jewelry online is the convenience it brings to the buyer. By shopping online, anyone may check out sites and shop at your own leisure in the comfort of your own home or anytime it is convenient. But there are a few things to consider when shopping for fine jewelry especially like a diamond engagement ring and these same tips go for all items that will be purchased on the internet.
Finding an Online Jeweler
Along with the reliable fine jewelry stores online there are also many fakes. So, it is vital to conduct a really thorough research project to verify the website's authenticity. To make certain that you are working on a secure site and to guarantee greatest protection, look for the 128 bit SSL security. This is vital since you will be giving them details of your credit card or bank account.
Customer Service
Prior to deciding on a fine online jeweler, make a point to contact the stores customer service by email or phone and ask questions. This is a gauge of how they deal with their customers, if they are professional and helpful to your needs. Avoid those who keep trying to rush you into only purchasing their products.
Terms and Conditions, and Store Policy
In fact asked customer service about these is a good test for them. What are your rights as a customer? Ask about charges for shipping. Some stores also offer discounts for customers who are returning - so ask about this too.
Diamond Advice
One of the best types of ring right for any occasion is of course the diamond ring. It not only increases in value, it is a very stylish piece of jewelry and it is a must have for those who are getting married and who are interested in owning a valuable item. Diamonds are expensive but if of good quality they are worth the cost. They keep their texture and original quality from one generation to another. But makes certain you are getting what you are paying for.
If you intend to buy a certain diamond ring, the store online needs to be able to give a diamond certificate. This is where you will see all the details that have the diamond's quality and characteristics.
If you are looking for is a distinctive piece of jewelry, in that case a diamond is the only jewelry that you should settle for. It carries a superior significance than any other jewelry particularly when offered to a loved one. Besides the individuality that comes with this type of jewelry it is also more expensive than other jewelry. This is a unique way to show the value that you attach to the person who will be receiving your gift. It does not matter the age of the person who is receiving the gift since it can be given to anyone regardless of their age. But - if you are spending this much money by online shopping you need to make sure the jewelry website is a reliable source for this type of jewelry.

Things You Should Know About Diamond Jewelry: Diamond Clarity

A scattering of "brilliant" cut diam...
A scattering of "brilliant" cut diamonds shows off the many reflecting facets. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


Many people buy diamonds just by the way they look. However, since we talk about a precious purchase, we advise you to learn the basics. One of the important things to know about diamonds is related to their clarity.
Diamond clarity refers to the existence or non- existence of flaws in a diamond, whether it be inside or on the surface. A perfectly clear diamond is almost rare and thus, very expensive. But most flaws that do exist in a diamond are almost not invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen by an expert grader with the help of a magnifying loupe.
Flaws are of two kinds: inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are those flaws that can be found inside a diamond such as air bubbles, cracks, tiny spots, and non-diamond minerals inside a diamond. Blemishes refer to the flaws found on the surface of a diamond, such as pits, scratches, and pits. Diamonds incur some blemishes in the cutting and polishing processes. Because it is quite rare to find diamonds without or with very few inclusions and blemishes, they are usually more expensive than the rest.
When you buy diamonds you should know that the stones are graded. Diamond clarity grade is determined using 10x magnification, and it may range from flawless to included:
1. Fl, Flawless (no internal or external flaws)-these are extremely rare.
2. IF, Internally Flawless (no internal flaws but has slight external blemishes)-these are very rare diamonds.
3. VVS1 & VVS2 (Very, very slightly included)-these diamonds have very minute inclusions that make it difficult even for an experienced grader to detect.
4. VS1 & VS2 (Very slightly included)-these are stones with minute inclusions that can only be seen by an experienced grader under 10x magnification.
5. SI1 & SI2 (Slightly included)-these are diamonds with minute inclusions that are more easily seen under 10x magnification.
6. I1 & I2 & I3 (Included)-these are stones that have inclusions that are obvious not only to an expert grader but even to an untrained eye.
These diamond clarity categories show that most flaws in a stone can hardly be detected, even by an expert grader. Because they are just minute imperfections, they do not influence the beauty and brilliance of a diamond. In fact, not until you drop to the "I" grade that flaws become a distraction to a precious stone's beauty. So it shouldn't bother you too much if you're diamond's clarity grade is not near the top scale. Your diamond doesn't have to perfectly flawless for it to be gorgeous as you can well see in many Diamond Jewelry accessories.
Rather, you should pay more attention to where your diamond flaws are located in relation to its cut. The reason for this is that some flaws can be easily detected when placed in particular spots. You should consult your jeweler as to which positions are undesirable.
It is a fact that the presence of inclusions and blemishes reduce the clarity grade of a diamond. However, these imperfections can also be considered as an evidence of your diamond's identity. In every diamond certificate you can find the plot of a stone's inclusions. Because every diamond is unique, you can make sure that you're getting the exact diamond that you're paying for by comparing your diamond's exclusive clarity features with the plot indicated in the diamond certificate.
We strongly suggest that before you actually buy the diamond, to make sure that you understand what the four Cs of diamonds mean.
Odelya is a content editor of several web sites and specializes in Judaica, luck charms and jewelry.