Repairing Jewelries

If you're into jewelry making business, then you definitely need to know how maintain and repair these jewelries in case something goes wrong. If you can offer your clients free or discounted repair service, you will find that you have better customer relations. Even better if you could offer guarantee your pieces and offer free repairs for a specified period of time after the sale. This is a good business strategy and it will set you apart from many of your competitors.

Repairing jewelries may not be as hard since you're the one who made them on the first place. The repair that is needed is probably the simple replacement of a piece on the jewelry, such as a clasp or replacing a stone that has come lose. This type of work can usually be done quickly, and at very little expense. However, in order to offer a business with good service, you may need to repair jewelries that weren't made by you. In this case, you need to learn some jewelry repairing skill, and you need to purchase some jewelry making or jewelry repair tools. These tools are very small, and they were specifically designed to make or repair jewelry. For the most part, these tools are very inexpensive.

One piece of equipment that you will need is a magnifying glass that stands on its own, allowing you to use both of your hands. You also need very good lighting that can be pointed directly onto the jewelry that you are repairing. Both of these are essential if you want to do a good job, and avoid eye strain at the same time.

You will need some jewelry supplies as well, such as extra clasps, chains, and possibly even gemstones. Of course, you don’t want to keep too much of this on hand, as you may never use any of it…so use your best judgment here.

If you're selling jewelries that aren't made by you, instead you get them from a wholesale jewelry company, find out if they offers guarantee services. If they do, then it will be good news for you. If not, things could get a little tricky since factory manufactured jewelries need more sophisticated tools to repair. Try to find someone that offers repairing services for these kind of jewelries and you could calculate the repair fees before you decide on a price for a piece of jewelry.

Be creative. And most importantly, think about what you could do in order to provide good wholesome services to satisfy your clients.

Birthstones and the Month They Represent

You may have heard about birthstones before. They are gemstones that represent the month of one’s birthday. For example, if you were born in April your birthstone would be the diamond. And if you were born in August, that would be a peridot. It is believed that by wearing it could bring good luck and health.

It’s a nice tradition. Birthstone jewelry always made a beautiful gift. If your love one was born in June, you could get her a pearl necklace. Pearl represents June.

Here, let me list down all the month for your guidance.

January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Aquamarine
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl or Elexandrite
July: Ruby
August: Peridot
September: Sapphire
October: Opal
November: Yellow Topaz
December: Turquoise or Blue Zircon

Jewelry for All Occasions

Nowadays it seems everyone is getting body piercing. Belly chains, belly rings, nose rings, ear rings, and other rings are common today. If you like sexy and stylish the online shopping market offers a variety of body jewelry including the “Double Thong Sterling Silver Bali and Hematite Barefoot Sandals” anklets. If you have multiple body-piercing then you may enjoy a “Swarovski Crystal and Faux Pearl Bali Choker/Nipple Chain.” The chain starts as a necklace and crosses down between your breasts, over to nipples, and centers down to the pit of your belly.

Toe rings are also common pieces of jewelry today that provides an exotic sex appeal. Sterling silver toe rings, with special designs can give a sex appeal, and a stylish affect. If you are looking for body chains, belly chains, anklets, toe rings, rings, earrings, and other types of jewelry for all occasions, it makes sense to shop online. Some of the best prices for jewelry are available online. Even if you are looking for Tongue Rings, you can get a good deal at most stores online. If you are looking for great deals, sexy or casual jewelry, shopping online can make your adventure a rewarding event.

The World Wide Web has a wide variety of jewelry to choose from, and offers the best prices on the web. Regardless of the occasion or the need for jewelry, online shopping is easier for selecting the right piece. Everyday a couple is married. If you are searching for that wedding band in the “traditional metal bands,” (also known as the gold bands), or if you prefer diamonds, shopping online is the choice for you. If you prefer the shiny look the “1/10” Carrot “Diamond Chevron Band in 14K White Gold” the ring is available for less than $300. The elegant piece of jewelry is shiny, and has diamonds that circle half way around the ring. Other rings are available for less, while others cost more; it depends on your tastes, style and budget.

The advantage of buying jewelry online is that some of the online stores offer payment plans, making it more convenient for your jewelry need. Jewelry adds style to your everyday or occasional events. Classical jewelry, streamlined, or comprehensive jewelry can make the most of a wonderful or dull moment. Having the right necklace with a perky outfit can set an opinion off right when going for a job interview. Bracelets, rings, and other jewels can also add a charm to your appearance. If you are searching for that special gift, you might want to take a look at the variety of engravings available. Many online shopping stores sell engrave able bracelets, rings, watches, and more, and you get choices between sterling silver, gold, and diamonds. White Gold is also available at many of the online jewelry stores offer an added appeal to all occasions. Whether you are searching for sexy, casual, stylish, or traditional, shopping online is where it is at.

Starting Out on Custom Jewelry Business

If you have a great sense of style and creativity, you should consider constructing quality custom jewelry for individual clients. If you are good at it, you will find that you have customers calling you over and over again to construct special pieces for them, or as gifts for others.

Making custom jewelry is not so hard. Again, you need a sense of style and creativity but the skills and knowledge needed to make jewelry are very easy to master. The object is to make your pieces unique and exclusive. When a client wears your jewelry, they should wear it knowing that there is none other like it in the whole world!

Working with clients is actually the hardest part. You need to get a picture in your mind that matches the picture that is in their minds. Never construct the piece while they are watching because this is in effect teaching them how to do it themselves, and you will probably lose a customer. Never let them know just how easy it is!

Talk at length with the client. This way you will know what they like and dislike and their personality which could help you to design a piece that suits them. If the piece is to be a gift for someone else, ask lots of questions about that person, and if possible, meet them in person yourself. Remember that uniqueness and exclusivity are the key to making this type of business successful. However, great communication with the clients is equally important as well.

Many clients will want you to make custom jewelry using stones or gems that they already have. They may even want you to just enhance a piece that they already have. Before you start doing this, make sure that you have the skill and qualifications necessary to do this work. You do not want to destroy a client’s beloved jewelry! Make sure that you ask about the history of the piece, and find out what special meaning that piece holds for your client as well.

Of course, you will purchase the pieces that you need to make the custom jewelry from wholesale resources. Just make sure that you are buying quality parts and look for sources for unique jewelry making supplies as well. Usually imported pieces are great sources for uniqueness. You will have to quote your client a price before you start, so be careful here. You don’t want to lose money. Once you’ve quoted a price, deduct 15% to 30% from it. Think of the remainder as your ‘budget’ when buying supplies to make the custom jewelry.

Starting Your Own Wholesale Jewelry Business

Making jewelry is not only fun, it is actually very easy. It just takes a lot of creativity, and a little skill. In fact, you could easily start your own wholesale jewelry company by making jewelry yourself.

There are countless books available with instructions and ideas for jewelry making. There are also numerous websites where you can learn how to make your own jewelry and get ideas. In the beginning, you will probably want to follow a few instructions or patterns until you get the feel for it – but eventually, you should let your creativity shine through and design your own jewelry.

You can easily purchase all of the supplies that you need for making your jewelries through wholesale sources online. Buying in bulk will get you the best prices. You can buy cheap gems, and high quality gems as well. Everything that you could possibly need can be located through the Internet!

After you’ve made several unique pieces, you should show them to friends, family members, and colleagues. You will be surprised at how many of these people want you to make pieces for them as well! Just be sure to charge, and soon enough, you will have your very own thriving wholesale jewelry business – simply because you learned how to make your own jewelries.

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

Hello my fellow blog readers! I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday. May this Christmas brings all of you many joys and smiles. During this happy and festive day, let us not forget the unfortunate ones out there and give them our pray. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Finding a Wholesale Jewelry Source

If you are in the jewelry business or thinking about getting into the jewelry business, you need to find jewelry wholesale sources. Finding these sources isn’t as difficult as you might think since now that they are everywhere, and if you have access to the Internet, you literally have the world of jewelry wholesale at your fingertips.

There are many wholesale company directories available online, but you really don’t have to purchase these to find the jewelry wholesale companies. Instead, use the search engine and type ‘jewelry wholesale companies’ or ‘jewelry wholesale suppliers’ in the search box. This is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to find jewelry wholesale sources.

Start making a list of sources. You can do this on notepad or in a spreadsheet. Keep up with which company has the best prices on certain items, shipping costs, contact information, and any other information you may need in the course of doing business.

Don’t forget the online auctions, and remember that eBay isn’t the only online auction available out there! Keep your eyes open for great deals on jewelry, and make bulk purchases when you can.

Buying Beads for Jewelry Making

When purchasing beads, you must be very careful. You don’t want to end up with beads that are not worth a thing to you. Selecting beads takes a lot of thought and I'm not talking about plastic beads that children use to make jewelry. I mean the higher quality ones used to make grown up jewelries.

Avoid cheap plastic beads. This may be suitable for some pieces, but it isn’t very durable or very flattering, for that matter. Instead, buy glass beads or Lucite beads. These beads are very sparkly and pretty. They do not have that ‘cloudy’ look of plastic beads.

Inspect the beads for imperfections if possible. Beads that are ‘lopsided’ simply won’t do. Beads that are chipped, broken, or scratched are useless. Don’t purchase these beads no matter how cheap they are. You wouldn't want your jewelry to turn out looking like a broken pieces, right?

Most beads are sold in bulk. In this case, you probably won’t have the opportunity to inspect each beads. So ask about the exchange policy. Will you be able to exchange the beads that are less than perfect? Some company may not have this kind of policy. In that case, make sure you buy from a trustworthy seller or one that has a good reputation.

More Christmas Jewelry Gift Ideas

I love browsing around looking for gift ideas. And here are some more jewelries that I found and reminds me of Christmas.

A heart-shaped angel pendant necklace just screams Christmas, isn't it? This one is a 24K gold plated with a single solitaire diamond. A symbolic of a praying angel watching over the recipient of this lovely gift.

A heart-shaped pendant necklace sparkles with Swarovski Crystal is a sentimental jewelry for you to give your love ones. Be it your daughter or your sister. The flower is a symbol of how those who receive this gift from you brings you colors and joys. And you love toward them simply blossoms each day.

A sparkling silver star diamond necklace is another gift that will earn you a smile and a big hug! It'll bring a sparkle on your Christmas.

Making and Distributing Your Jewelry Catalog

So you want to sell your jewelry? Well, selling jewelries is a big business, and you definitely need a catalog of your offerings! Making a catalog isn’t as difficult as you might think. First, you have two options: an online catalog or a printed catalog. The choice is yours.

Overall, an online catalog is the least expensive way to advertise your jewelry company – but with all of the online jewelry stores and online wholesalers, it may not be the most effective way to make sales. A printed catalog should strongly be considered for a direct mailing.

If you make your own jewelry, you will need to get good pictures of the jewelry, preferably laid on a velvet setting. Black or blue velvet will bring out the jewelry the most. You can take these pictures yourself with a digital camera, or have a professional take the photographs. It is cheaper to do it yourself, of course.

Load the pictures up onto your computer, and use publishing software, such as Microsoft Publisher to design and layout your catalog. This may take a little time and patience, but it is much cheaper than having someone else do it.

Since you will need hundreds, if not thousands of copies of your catalog, your best bet will be to save the catalog on a CD and take it to a print shop that can handle the job. This will cost money – especially since the pages need to be glossy and in color, and the catalog will need to be bound – but this expense will be well worth it if you will be doing a mass direct mailing.

In order to do a mass direct mailing, you simply find a reputable company who either sells mailing lists or does the mailing for you. You can actually request lists of mailing addresses where the person has expressed an interest in purchasing your jewelries or any other criteria that you set for that matters. In most cases, it is best to have the company handle the mailing for you. They will get the best rates on the mailing because they can use the bulk mail rate.Make sure that you use a reputable printer, and a reputable direct mail company! This is an investment in the future of your business, and your jewelry wholesale catalog needs to be perfect in every way – and the mailing needs to go off without a hitch!

Finding a Birthstone Wholesale Supplier

Many of the jewelry wholesale pieces that you make will include birthstones, and purchasing birthstones is not always cheap. Therefore, you will need to find jewelry wholesale sources for birthstones that you can afford.

Everyone loves jewelry with their birthstones in it. This type of jewelry makes perfect birthday gifts, as well as Christmas gifts. Some birthstones, such as opals, are quite inexpensive, while others, such as emeralds, rubies, and diamonds are very expensive.

One option is to purchase simulated stones. These stones are not real, and it is important that your customer be made aware of this. However, some customers will want the real deal! Again, you need a source for real birthstones.

The Internet is the perfect place to find birthstones. There are numerous jewelry wholesale outlets that do business online. Because there are so many, prices are usually rock bottom. Make sure that you make sure any company that you do business with is legitimate, and that the gems you buy are quality birthstones!

Also make sure that you know exactly which stone is required in the piece that you are making. Each month actually has different gems that represent it, depending on which tradition you are following. Verify the exact stone that is wished for with the client before making a purchase!

Christmas Gift Ideas

When I think of Christmas, I'll think of the color red and white. White for all the snow and red for the Santa's costume. So, when I saw this white gold necklace complete with a red colored diamond, I thought this is a perfect gift idea.


And then there's snowflake design that caught my eyes. These snowflakes earrings are just lovely. Another perfect Christmas gift!

Caring for Your Silver Bracelet

A silver bracelet is an elegant piece of jewelry that can be worn with almost anything at any occasion. However, silver is exposed to elements everyday that cause it to tarnish or to oxidize. The catalysts for tarnish include many elements such as oxygen, sulfur, or even the salt residue from your hands. There is some proper care and cleaning that one must know to keep silver looking its best. Here are some helpful tips to keep your silver bracelet looking beautiful.


Preventing Tarnish

There are certain chemicals and products that can cause your silver bracelet to tarnish that should be avoided. Do not apply any sort of sun tan oil, hair spray, hair color, perfume, rubber, and body lotions while wearing your silver jewelry. These all contain chemicals that can potentially cause your jewelry to tarnish. Always remove any silver jewelry when working with chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, alcohol, finger nail polish removers with acetone, and turpentine. Also the acids in tape, cardboard, and newspaper can be harmful to your silver bracelet. Avoid contact with wool and felt (these materials contain sulfur that can cause the silver to oxidize) and do not shower with your silver bracelet on. Keep away from these things to also avoid potential tarnish of your sliver bracelet.


Cleaning

You should clean your silver bracelet regularly to remove tarnish. When cleaning, do not use any materials that are too abrasive and that will scratch the material. Never use a toothbrush, no matter how soft the bristles are suppose to be. Instead, clean your silver bracelet with a soft lint-free cotton cloth. Also, wear plastic gloves instead of rubber gloves since the rubber can possibly cause the silver to tarnish.

With your soft cloth and plastic gloves you are ready to begin cleaning your silver bracelet. To begin, remove any dust or debris that could possibly scratch the item. Next, rinse the bracelet with warm water and mild soap (avoid scented soaps) and pat dry. The bracelet is now ready to be polished. Many polishes are available in different forms (i.e. pastes, liquids, and foams). My recommendation would be to use a polish that gives a wax-like finish; this creates a barrier for future tarnish. No matter what you use, be sure to remove all the polish from your jewelry. To finish, rinse in warm water (do not soak) and pat dry.


General Care and Storage

When you are not wearing your silver bracelet, you should always store it in a place that is airtight to avoid oxidization. Do not store jewelry in cardboard boxes or tissue paper. The chemicals from these materials will cause more harm than good. The best way to store your silver bracelet is by placing it in an airtight cabinet or drawer along with anti-tarnishing strips. There are also special silver cloths that can be purchased to wrap your jewelry in for storage. It is best to keep them jewelry pieces separate in order to avoid possible scratching. Remember, one of the best ways to keep you silver bracelet looking good is to wear it! Your body oils act as a shield for many of the catalysts for tarnish.

If you keep good care of your silver bracelet in its cleaning, storage and general care of it, you will be able to wear it for years to come. Just remember to keep it away from harmful chemicals, keep up with cleaning it, and to store it properly. It is important to take care of your jewelry so that it may remain beautiful every time you wear it.

Buying Jewelry as Christmas Gift for Your Girlfriend

Christmas is around the corner and it's that time of the year when you men got to go out there, face your fear, and do some shopping! There are tons affordable jewelry gift ideas any of which could be a good Christmas gift for girlfriend or lucky girl out there. The trick in buying jewelry for your special girl is in finding something that she likes. Do know that it's easier than it sounds. But with the right tips you may find it enjoyable and rather satisfying.

This may sound incredibly obvious to you, yet it needs to be said... Pay attention to the jewelries that she wears. Some of you might have the illusion to be spontaneous and tried to pick jewelry to your own liking. Although it is a sweet thing to do, it may not be a perfect gift for her. You don’t want that, don’t you?

If she wears gold, buy gold. If she wears silver, buy silver. I promise you that she's not wearing anything that she doesn't like, unless it's something you bought for her last Christmas. Figure out if she prefers jewelry that is very fancy and ornate, or simple and understated. Is there a pendant or earrings that she wears everyday, or saves for special occasions? These may seems petty but it’s the best clue there is out there to help you pick out that perfect gift.

One more piece of advice: Don't buy a ring as a Christmas gift for girlfriend unless you’re planning to propose. Now, that would be a nice move isn’t it? One ring for 2 special occasions, Christmas and getting engage!

Tips to Sell A Diamond

There are many reasons why you may want to sell a diamond that you own. Perhaps you’ve gotten divorced, or you are strapped for cash. The reasons why don’t really matter – getting the best possible price is what counts! The way to obtain the best price for the diamond is to not be in a rush. Slow down, and carefully consider all of your options – there are many.

First, have the diamond appraised. In fact, have it appraised by two or three jewelers to get an accurate idea of the diamonds value. Tell the appraiser that you want the Rapaport Value. This is the wholesale value of the diamond, and it basically tells you the highest price that you can sell your diamond for. If your diamond has no certificate, you should consider getting a certificate from GIA. This may help you get a better price for the diamond as well.

First, try to sell the diamond yourself, to people you know. Friends and family members may be interested. If you don’t have any luck with friends or family members, you should turn to outside sources. Absolutely avoid pawn shops! A pawn shop will only offer you about 10% of what the diamond is worth! Also avoid offers of selling the ring on consignment. There are many things that can go wrong, and there is no shortage of diamond scams – even in well known jewelry stores.

If the diamond is important, you should strongly consider auctioning it off through one of the famous auction houses, such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s. If it isn’t what is considered an ‘important’ diamond or a high-end diamond, you should try to sell it to an individual using classified ads, or even eBay. However, selling to an individual that you do not know could put you in danger – especially if the diamond is worth a lot of money.

Your final option should be a jewelry store. It is vital that you not let your diamond out of your sight while in the jewelry store – you might find that the diamond you walked in with is not the same diamond that you walk out with! The jeweler will try to tell you that your diamond is of poor quality or low weight. Inevitably, there will be some problem with the diamond. This is where your appraisal and/or certificate will come in handy.

If the jeweler is fair, they will offer you between 60% and 80% of the value of the Rapaport Value. Do not accept anything less than this. Again, do not let the diamond out ofyour sight until you have been paid for it.

Taking Care of Your Diamond

Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. By learning how to properly care for your diamond, you will ensure that your diamond is indeed forever.

First, you should take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler once a year. Have him check the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place. Have him make any needed repairs. This will prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost.

Diamond jewelry that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewelry box where it can be kept separate from other jewelry. Each piece should have its own compartment. This will keep diamonds from becoming scratched, and it will also keep your diamond from scratching other jewelry as well.

Remove your diamond jewelry when doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansers – this can damage or change the color of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the color of the diamond!

The New Look For Pearl Jewelries

When diamonds, crystals, and other different kinds of colored-gemstones are popular, designers and jewelry fans never abandon pearls due to their enormous range of shape, color, size, and the variety of other jewelry they easily mix with. Not only this, but they are more affordable than ever. Nowadays, pearl jewelry design is becoming more and more diverse, rather than staying simple.

With the rapid development of production technology and fast change of consumer's interests, now you can find pearls in any colors. Other than traditional black and white, colors such as yellow, gold, pink, violet, green, blue, purple are available. Also many shapes besides round, such as stick, teardrop, square, heart, star, diamond and asymmetrical can be found.

Modern pearl jewelry style is not limited to the pearl strands any more. Designers mix pearls with other stones, such as crystals, diamonds, and other various colored-gemstones. Even simple creations with just pearl and metal, such as gold, platinum or silver, designers can still think of numerous new ideas to make the piece of jewelry in many different stunning styles. Stones or metals add more life to pearls. On the other hand, small pearls sometimes can be used as decoration for other stones. For example, medium size grey silver oval pearls, each of which is half surrounded by a few small size green and white crystals, are connected by a thin platinum chain together with another pair of same style earrings, is a perfect set for bridals. A string of three-layer small size bright pink pearls decorating nine or ten big size light pink quartz, which radially display at the lower part of the whole piece, is a good choice to wear in your birthday party.

The various designs of pearl jewelry make it suitable for all occasions. For a formal business banquet, stylish you can wear a bright black or gold pearl strand. In your office, you can just wear a simple chain with a pearl pendant. A strand of multicolor pearls connected by sterling silver set off casual jeans. When you go to visit friends or eat out, a necklace of pearl with multiple stones, such as crystals, beads, agate, or even corals is suitable.

Pearls are not old-fashioned, only old designs are old fashioned. Anytime and anywhere in the world, when you step into a jewelry shop or open a jewelry magazine, there are always some pearls to catch your eyes.

How Diamond Prices Are Set?

Pricing most products is quite easy. Determine how much it costs to make the item, how much it costs to market that item, and then mark it up by 15 – 30% or more. Simple, right? Well, pricing diamonds isn’t quite that simple. There are many factors that are considered when diamonds are priced.

Diamond prices are determined first by adding the cost of the rough diamond, the cost of cutting the diamond, and all other costs necessary to turn the rough diamond into a marketable diamond. Depending on the importance of the diamond, an independent company may be called in to certify the grade of the diamond based on color, cut, clarity, and weight.

At this point, the diamond becomes more expensive each time it changes hands, until it finally reaches a retailer, where the price is raised a bit more. Before reaching the retailer, however, the diamond must travel from the mine, to the cutter and polisher, to the independent grading company, and then to the Primary market. Once it has reached the primary market, it will be purchased by diamond dealers and wholesalers, and from there it will be sold to retailers.

As you can see, the earlier you can purchase a diamond in the process, the lower the cost of the diamond will be – but not the value. The value is based on what the diamond will sell for in the market place – through a retailer.

If you own a diamond, and you have no idea how much it is worth, you can have it appraised, but the appraisal may not be accurate. You will be better off obtaining a certificate through GIA – Gemological Institute of America. With the information on this certificate, you can use a cutter’s guide to accurately determine what your diamond is worth.

There are also many diamond price calculators available. These can be found on the Internet, and many diamond dealers use these as well. You must realize, however, that before you can accurately price a diamond, without a Diamond Grade Report, you need to know quite a bit about diamonds, such as different cuts, clarity, color, and weight – and how each of those aspects adds to the value of a diamond, or decreases the value of the diamond as the case may be.

Again, you will be better off if you get a Diamond Grading Report on the diamond, and use that information to look up the price in one of the guides that the diamond cutting industry uses. This will give you the most accurate value of the diamond in your possession, or of the diamond you are considering purchasing.

Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond – especially diamond engagement rings! Do you know that the tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477? It was when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy – and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the ‘two months salary’ rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required.

Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn’t happy with it!

How to Select a Good Diamond for Yourself

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the “Four C’s” these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat.

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire. Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty. Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C’s.

During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered“flawless”, a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using 10 power magnifications.

Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the “four C’s” allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

Simple Tips for Men Buying Pearl Jewelry for Women

Lately pearl jewelries seem to be making a come back resulting it to be a must-have jewelry in each woman's wardrobe. Why don’t you surprise her by giving her a piece of pearl jewelry on that special day of yours… anniversary, birthday, you name it.

However, I do understand how hard it is for some men to pick out that perfect piece of jewelry that will make your woman happy. Yeah, they do say that it’s the thought that counts. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother trying. So, here are some basic tips for men out there to buy pearl jewelry.

For the quality, there are five factors to remember: nacre, surface, luster, shape and size. A good quality pearl is always thick in nacre (nacre thickness higher than 0.4mm is highly recommended), smooth in surface, high in luster (mirror like luster is best), round in shape and big in size. Shape, size and color on the other hand are up to personal preference.

If you are looking for a strand, you also need to pay attention to its matching. Lay the strand into a straight line. Compare the size, color, surface, shape and luster of each pearl. A good match in these aspects results in a good strand. Also, you can compare a few strands with each other, to find out the best one.

When you are deciding on the style, there are so many aspects to consider, such as color, pearl size and shape, pearl strand or designed pearl necklace, etc.

You should pay attention to the clothes and jewelry she often wears, perhaps by sneakily looking into her jewelry collection could give you some ideas.

Take her to shop around. Take note regarding kind of shops that she prefers or better still the kind of jewelry design that catches her eyes.

So gentlemen, go out there and get her that pearl!

Diamond Grading Reports Crash Course

As I mentioned in my previous post, having a certificate or a diamond grading report is very important, and for your own good, you want to get one. Unfortunately, you probably won’t understand a word of what is on that diamond grading report, unless you are in fact, a jeweler.

On the color grading scale, D, E, and F mean that the diamond has no color. G, H, and I means that it has very little color. J, K, and L means that the diamond has a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and X means that the diamond is a darker shade of yellow. Z means that the diamond has a fancy color which by all means, other than white or yellow. On the color grading scale, D would be the most valuable, and X is the least valuable one. However a diamond that gets a Z rating would be the rarest and most expensive diamond in the world.

There are many aspects to a grading report. Figuring it all out can be very confusing. The best way is to talk to a jeweler you trust, and have them explain everything on the diamond grading report to you.

How Do You Insure Your Diamond?

Insuring a diamond takes a bit of thought, planning, and shopping around. Diamond insurance isn’t like purchasing car insurance. It is quite different. Depending on the state that you live in, there are basically three different types of policies that will cover diamonds, and all insurance policies that cover diamonds are considered Marine type policies.

The first type of insurance policies for diamonds is an Actual Cash Value policy. If the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company will replace the diamond at today’s market value, no matter how much you paid for the diamond to begin with. This type of insurance policy for diamonds actually is not that common.

The most common type of insurance for diamonds is Replacement Value insurance. The insurance company will only pay up to a fixed amount to replace the diamond that was lost or damaged beyond repair. This does not mean that they will pay that amount – it means that they will pay up to that amount. In most cases, the diamond can be replaced at a lower cost.

The third type of coverage offered for diamonds is Agreed Value. This is sometimes called ‘Valued At.’ This type of coverage is very rare. In the event that the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company simply pays you the amount that you and the company agreed upon. This is the best type of insurance to have, but it is rarely offered. If you can’t get Agreed Value coverage, Actual Cash Valuecoverage should be your next choice.

Your rates will be determined by the value of the diamond, the type of coverage that youselect, and the area that you live in. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you can expect to pay more for your diamond insurance coverage. It is important to remember that insurance agents are not qualified jewelers, and jewelers are not qualified insurance agents. It is best to get a certificate for your diamond, and to provide the insurance company with a copy of that certificate. This leaves the insurance company less room for arguments over the actual value of the diamond.

Don’t rely on separate coverage to cover your diamond. For instance, if you diamond is stolen from your home, it is probably covered on your home owner’s insurance policy. However, the diamond probably won’t always be in your home, and once it leaves your home, there is no coverage.

The History of Synthetic Diamonds

The first synthetic diamonds were produced by General Electric in 1954. A synthetic diamond is basically a rock that has the durability, refractive index and hardness of a natural diamond – but it is made by man. A synthetic diamond should not be confused with stimulant diamonds, such as glass, cubic zirconia, or moissanite.

Although the technology for synthetic diamonds came into play in 1954, no synthetic diamonds were ever seen on the market until the 1990’s. This was due to the fact that it took many years for General Electric to produce a synthetic diamond that could compare with the quality of a natural diamond – and when they figured out how to do it, they found that it cost more to produce a synthetic diamond than it did to mine and cut natural diamonds.

Finally, a small company by the name of Gemesis Corporation figured out a way to produce synthetic diamonds that were of the same quality as natural diamonds, at a cheaper price. Today, Gemesis produces synthetic white diamonds, and colored diamonds as well. These diamonds sell for about 1/3 of the cost of a natural diamond, but there is a shortage of them, and they are hard to find. In fact, it seems that synthetic diamonds are rarer than natural diamonds!

What is a Diamond Certificate?

A diamond certificate is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. This report comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and you should require this report when you are purchasing a diamond.

With a diamond certificate, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don’t have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the certificate comes from the GIA – not the dealer. You may be required to pay for the certificate, but the cost is usually low, and in many cases, it will help you negotiate a better price on the diamond or keep you from purchasing a lower quality diamond altogether.

If you buy a high quality diamond, and then later decide to sell the diamond, you will need to have the certificate. Without it you will have a hard time selling it to someone else. Plus, you can use the Diamond Grading Report to look up the wholesale value of the diamond in question. Use the guide that is used by the diamond cutting industry.

I must remind you that you should give a copy of the Diamond Grading Report to your insurance company should you want to insure the diamond. This provides absolute, unquestionable proof of the value of the diamond should it be stolen in the future. Insurance companies cannot argue with the report.

Avoid diamond dealers who seem reluctant to provide a certificate! Also avoid sellers who tell you that a certificate diamond will cost you more – the only additional cost should be the cost of the certificate, which is low. If the dealer doesn’t want to provide a certificate, then you don’t want to do business with that dealer.

Don’t accept certificates from Gemological Laboratories other than the GIA. There are many fly-by-night Gemological labs these days, but in the end, GIA has been established as the most respectable and trustworthy and not to mention oldest among the lot. So avoid dealers who don’t want to use GIA for certification purposes as well.

What does Diamond Brands Means?

Diamonds are one of the few products that simply cannot be ‘branded.’ Even though there are different cuts, different grades, and different values placed on each and every diamond in existence, no diamond is any specific brand – just as gold is not a specific brand.

DeBeers Diamond

Branding is actually based on who owns the diamond. For instance, if DeBeers owns the diamond, it is a DeBeers Diamond – but it is still just a diamond. If the diamond was cut by a specific well known cutter, then it might be branded in that way as well – but it usually isn’t. It is still branded based on who owns it at the time. So basically, when it comes down to it – diamond brands mean absolutely nothing at all.

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

Choosing the Right Cut For You

There are many different cuts of diamonds to choose from. The cut essentially refers to the shape that the diamond is cut into, and other than just shapes, it also has a great impact on how much the diamond sparkles.

Marquise Cut Diamond

The most popular cuts are heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. A diamond shape, like I mentioned before has an impact on how much the diamond sparkles. Not to mention that the process of cutting the diamond itself into a particular shape matters a great deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose its sparkle.

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

Princess Cut Diamond

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

Beware of the Diamond Scams

When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds – for whatever reasons – don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled.

A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and ¾ carat – but closer to ¾.

Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well.

Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth – and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action.

Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.

There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.

Diamond Cuts

Diamonds that we see in the jewelry stores are diamonds that has been carefully cut. Often times, we see diamonds being labeled with it cut design names such as princess cut, marquise cut or heart shape cut. Some of us may not know how does these cuts look like, and believe me, there are a lot of cuts out there. But here are the most common ones:

Round cut

Princess cut

Emerald cut

Cushion cut


Asscher cut

Heart shape cut

Marquise cut

Oval cut

Pear cut

Radiant cut

Straight Baguette cut

Tapered Baguette cut

How do they cut diamonds?

In their most natural form, diamonds are... well, quite ugly. They have no luster or shine, and in fact, look like nothing more than broken glass. A diamond must be cut, and then polished before it actually becomes athing of beauty.

Diamonds are cut with saws, into round shapes. From the rounded shape, other shapes may be cut, such as heart shapes – but the shape is less important than the quality of the cutting that is being done. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose light, and it will not sparkle and shine very well. Each facet of the diamond must be carefully cut into the geometrical shapes that allow the diamond to sparkle and shine, then the entire diamond is cut into a specific shape, such as an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond.

Once the cut is done, the diamond is put into a dop, which resembles a cup with another diamond – only a diamond is strong enough to smooth the edges of another diamond. Once the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges smoothed in the dop, it is polished on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel.

Guides for Buying Diamond Online

With all of the potential for scams concerning diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems – as long as you are careful.

First, think about your reasons for wanting to purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making a purchase from a local jewelry store. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful – sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam.

One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you must use a great deal of care and consideration before handing your money over to someone that you cannot see and have never met!

Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. Once you have found thelowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that you love, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!

Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the seller’s return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Alsocheck with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.

Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself…again, make sure that you use a reputable escrow service!

Which one is the real diamond?

Here is a simple test that you could do in order to determine which one is the real diamond and which one is fake or in this case, a cubic zirconia.


First, take a blank piece of paper and make a dot on it with a pen.


And then, take the stone in question and turn it upside down on the paper. We will be positioning the diamond, table down and centered on the dot.


Finally, you place the gemstone on the dot .

In a CZ you will see a circular reflection of that dot clearly through the pavilion. The stone on the left is the CZ. The stone on the right is a real diaimond.

A diamond will break up that reflection to the point where it is almost imperceptible. In a CZ it will be very easy to see.

Thank you diamond.info

Real Diamond vs Fake Diamond

In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not – especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond,however.

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away.

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable – natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks.

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike.

What Are Dirty Diamonds?

A dirty diamond is one of two things: a rough diamond, or a diamond that hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Rough diamonds are uncut and unpolished – hence, they are dirty. But that type of dirty diamond will soon be cut and polished and sitting in a beautiful jewel box in a display case. Then someone will purchase it, and before long, it will become a dirty diamond once again.

Diamonds become dirty. When you wash your hands with a diamond ring on, soap scum clings to it. When you put on hand lotion, it gets grease on it. Shower with your diamond earrings or necklace, and again, you get soap scum. In one short day, your brand new diamond could be dirty!

Purchase an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner the same day that you purchase your diamond jewelry, and use it every single day, without fail. The clarity of the diamond changes when the diamond is dirty – it loses its sparkle. By taking one minute each day to clean your diamond jewelry, you can avoid this, and your diamonds will never be dirty!

Diamond Mines Around the World

The Argyle Mine

Argyle mine is owned by Rio Tinto and located in the Kimberley region in the far north east of Western Australia. This mine is the world’s largest single producer of volume of diamonds. However, due to low proportion of gem quality diamonds it is not the value leader. It does produce 90-95% of the world’s supply of pink diamonds.

Merlin is the second of only two diamond mines in Australia. No longer operating it was owned by Rio Tinto and sold to Striker Resources, who has explored the possibilities of reopening the mine.

The Diavik Mine

Another mine, also owned by Rio Tinto is located in Canada, called Diavik. It is a very large mine. It is located north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle on an island. The island is connected by an ice road and have it own airport with runway that could accomodate the boeing 737 plane. It is also an important part of the regions economy employing more than 700 people and producing more than 8 million carats annually. The Diavik is also known as one of the world's amazing hole. It looks so cool when the water around the island is frozen.

The Diavik Mine when the water around it is frozen

Ekati diamond mine is owned by BHP Billiton and located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The Ekati is Canada’s first operational diamond mine. Diamonds mined here are sold under the Aurias trade name. Authenticity is verified through CanadaMark service. CanadaMark service is also owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds, Inc.

Baken diamond mine is located along the lower Orange River in South Africa. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US), as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars.

The Mirny Mine

The Mirny Diamond Mine is situated in Siberia holds the title of the largest open diamond mine in the world. At 525 metres deep with a top diameter of 1200 metres. This mine even have a no-fly zone above the hole due to a few helicopters being sucked in. Creepy, huh?

Orapa is the world’s largest diamond mine. It is located 240 Km west of Francistown. The mine is owned by “Debswana” which is a partnership between DeBeers and the government of Botswana. This mine operates 7 days a week. It maintains pre primary and primary schools for its employee’s children. There is also a 100 bed hospital and game park. This mine began production in 1971 and is the oldest mine owned by the Debswana Company.

The Premier mine located in Cullinan, South Africa produced the largest gem diamond ever in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. This mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed 545.67 carats. This mine is owned by the De Beers Company and was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine in 2003 in celebration of its centennial.

Bling without blowing the bank

A nice piece of jewelry can brighten up your entire day. It can bring together an outfit and make you feel great. Paying a lot for that piece of jewelry however, doesn't make you feel very good. There is a lot of variation in the jewelry industry, and prices can fluctuate greatly between vendors. Your job as a bargain shopper is to find the best quality pieces at the lowest prices. Here you'll find a few tips to get you started in your bargain jewelry hunting journey.

When looking for a good piece of jewelry, you need to understand what you are looking at. Read up on the 4 C's of diamond grading, as well as the terminology for gold and silver rating. This knowledge will help you find the best jewelry deal possible. Don't get hung up on brand names. Often times, you are paying more for the name itself not the piece of jewelry. Pay special attention to the picture of the piece of jewelry. It should have adequate lighting and give you a good idea of what the piece looks like in person. Ask about the companies return policy, in case you find that the piece is not what you thought it would be.

Whenever possible, try to shop at a discount jewelry store. The quality is often the same as a name brand store, but the prices are significantly lower. Look online for a list of discount jewelry vendors, or try your hand at a closeout site. If a company is going out of business, they will sell their inventory to a closeout site, in order to make some of their money back. The closeout site then offers the products at very deep discounts. You can try overstock.com or ebay for deals on just about anything that you can think of. For an even better deal try going to an online coupon website. You can find coupon codes for a variety of different stores and items. You may be surprised at what you find! Be weary of auction sites when buying jewelry. Many of the sellers are unfamiliar with jewelry terms, and can mislead you into buying something that isn't right. Ask plenty of questions before committing.

Buying jewelry on a budget has never been easier. With a huge assortment of discount websites, you can find anything and everything at less than the retail price. Imagine how much more your budget will allow, since you are saving so much money!

The companion of all your jewelry collection - The jewelry box

A jewelry box is the perfect companion to all your beautiful jewelry pieces. You can use it not only for keeping your ornaments but also for storing those precious trinkets and items which you care for very deeply.

There are some things which cannot be evaluated in terms of money, these are small fragile things which in some way have touched your life and are of immense significance. A jewelry box is a safe haven for all those little things. A place where you can keep those small treasures which cannot be bought with money.

A good jewelry box is most often a beautiful handcrafted piece. It is available in various finishes and textures. Starting from warm mahogany wood, rose wood, to matt silver, there is a jewelry box in almost every conceivable material and color. Some of these materials used for the creation of your jewelry box include wood, glass, metal, and porcelain. The one that most are accustomed to is the wooden flip top lids with the musical song that lightly plays in the background. However, there have been changes and improvements in the making of a jewelry box, and there are now very beautifully made wooden jewelry boxes made from dark cherry wood, and there is now also style of jewelry box that is being made from carved and polished marble.

You can choose from a very wide range and pick one which suits your taste and pocket at the same time. The jewelry box has a soft lining of velvet inside, such that the precious things you store in it are not damaged in any way. Some are antique pieces, which have been crafted by master craftsmen and are collector's items. Others are made by established firms who specialize only in making these. Still others can be found at local stores made by individual craftsmen or by bulk manufacturers.

If you are to purchase a jewelry box for yourself, or as a gift for some body else, it is important to know what kind you want and what kind is out there on the market, and which one suits you the best to fulfill your needs.

A jewelry box is a wonderful possession to have and to hold your valuable items. It is a wonderful way to hold your jewelry and each box has the potential to be your own, personal piece in which not only can you store valuable items but also the memories associated with it. It is not just a place to house your treasured valuables; it is also a beautiful piece which can be passed on from one generation to another as a precious heirloom.

A jewelry box is available in various price ranges starting from those that are commonly available in stores to unique pieces which can be bought only in renowned auction houses. Whatever your choice, the jewelry box is a beautiful object to have and to give as a gift.

It is one of those unique pieces which bring to mind an old world charm. There is an intriguing sense of timelessness and a very rich heritage associated with a jewelry box. In a way it is the caretaker of our individual legacy. A place cherished and suffused with the warm glow of memories.

Cleaning your diamond

Through our everyday busy schedules, our diamonds will be exposed to the elements and get smudged or soiled. Even when we are not wearing them, they’re exposed to dust. Lotions, soaps, our natural skin oils, can cause film and grime on diamonds and inhibit their magnificence look and shine.

So, how to keep that shine? Diamonds require cleaning so that maximum amounts of light can refract their fiery brilliance. Don’t worry, all it takes is a few minutes and a little care to keep that diamond as lovely as the day you laid eyes on it.

You can use a small soft brush such as an eyebrow or lip stick brush, soap and water to clean your jewelry. Simply make a bowl of warm sudsy water with a mild detergent and place your pieces in the mixture. Then brush the diamonds with the soft bristles of the brush while they are in the suds. You will need to make certain that you rinse them clear of the suds after cleaning them. You can use a small kitchen strainer such as a tea strainer to contain them while rinsing under warm water. Use a lint free cloth, or a jewelry polish cloth to pat them dry.

If your diamonds are in need of a stronger cleansing, you may want to soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of half and half water and ammonia. After 30 minutes, remove them and gently brush the mountings with a small brush. Then replace the pieces to the solution and swish them around in the mixture before removing them to rinse and pat dry.

If you find your self too busy to be mixing soaps and ammonias, many department stores sell liquid jewelry cleaners. Most sells kits, with everything you need in it. You need to read the labels to determine the one that is right for your diamonds and other jewelry. Read the complete directions and follow all the precautions.

And if you find yourself more the “high-tech type”, even in your diamond cleaning routine, there are multiple ultrasonic cleansers on the market. These machines use high-frequency to create a cleaning motion. All machines are not the same, so please read the instructions before using.

Only you can choose the cleaning method right for you. But, it is essential to keep your jewelry clean to keep it brilliant and sparkling. Between cleaning, try not to touch your clean diamonds with your fingers or handle your jewelry by its edges. This will help maintain its shine and brilliance for longer periods.

How are diamonds mined?

Alluvial Mining

I don’t know about you, but I seldom think about how the diamonds that I wear came to me. After learning a little bit about it, I shall share it with you. Natural diamonds, as opposed to synthetic diamonds or fake diamonds, are mined from the earth. Currently, there are two methods of mining diamonds: Pipe Mining and Alluvial Mining.

When pipe mining is used, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. Mind you, these aren’t man-made pipes. These are natural pipes in the ground. Shanks are put into the ground next to the pipes, and tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. The diamonds however are not sorted out at the mine. Instead, huge rocks that are full of diamonds are brought out of the mine and moved to a screening plant for separation.

The Alluvial mining method is done in riverbeds and on beaches. Walls are built to hold back the water and the sand on the bank or beach is moved with a bulldozer until the level of earth that diamonds can be found in is reached. Again, the diamonds are not sorted here. Instead, the sand that contains the diamonds is bulldozed into trucks, and taken to screening plants.

A glimpse at the history of pearl

Human probably discovered pearl while looking for food at the seashore. The existence of pearls was first documented on 2200 B.C. Enchantment and immaculate shape made them a cherished symbol of elegance for ancient and modern cultures. There are countless of references regarding pearls that can be found in the religions and mythology of cultures from the earliest times. The ancient Egyptians treasured pearls so much that they were buried with them. Cleopatra was reportedly dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine and drank it in order to win a wager with Mark Antony that she could consume the wealth of an entire nation in just one meal.

Meanwhile in ancient Rome, pearls were considered as the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing. The Greeks held the pearl in high esteem for both its unrivaled beauty and its association with love and marriage. During the Dark Ages, while fair maidens of nobility cherished delicate pearl necklaces, gallant knights often wore them to battle. They believed the magic of these lustrous gems would protect them from harm. The Renaissance saw the royal courts of Europe awash in pearls. Pearls had such an outstanding reputation therefore numerous European countries actually made a law to forbid commoners to wear them.

Queen Elisabeth I used to wear heavy strands of pearls constantly. She was the vain owner of magnificent gowns embroidered with a treasure of 3000 pearls!

Until the early 1900's, natural pearls were only accessible to the rich and famous. And in 1916, a famous French jeweler Jacques Cartier bought his landmark store on New York's famous Fifth Avenue by trading two pearl necklaces! Imagine that!

Today, however, pearls are available and affordable for all of us to enjoy.