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.

For the love of jewelry

Do you love jewelry? Who doesn't? Who can resist the urge stop into the local jewelry stores and see what's new? Maybe filling up your jewelry box while there! Jewelry to some is a way of showing _expression and style. The latest trends also are reflective in jewelry. Things like nipple jewelry are probably part of the local trend or fad. Or, jewelry can be a way of showing financial status as well. But, whether buying jewelry pleasure or financial gain, jewelry can be a great hobby for just about anyone.
Many people enjoy collecting jewelry in all its forms. And there are many. You may enjoy costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is jewelry that is made of less expensive materials. Its styles usually fit with current fashions. Or, some collect the expensive, large jewels and gold items. These items are very valuable and often times need to be insured against theft or loss. Getting an appraisal for your precious stones and gold is key. There are many reputable places to get them appraised.
If you are in the market for precious stones and pure gold, you may wish to check your local jewelry store. But, they may not carry what you are looking for. In this case, look for specialists who will help you locate the item of your choice.

Many times you can choose gems from those available and design your own piece. Then, the jeweler will put it together for you. This may cost extra, but if you are looking for a specific look, this may be the way to go. Also, old, damaged, and worn pieces can be cleaned and repaired by these stores as well. They can also remove gems or stones from their original piece and put them into something new. Perhaps you are inheriting your grandmother’s ring and would like to put the diamond into a new band that will fit you. All these services are widely available and easy to find.

Other options for jewelry collecting include wholesale jewelry. Yes, it is possible to find precious stones at wholesale. While this is a great way to start a collection, and fill empty jewelry boxes quickly, you need to have a basic knowledge about the quality and cost of different types. Having this knowledge will prevent you from being taken advantage of and possibly being overcharged. You can do some basic research about this online or at a local library. Also, getting to know and trust a local jeweler is probably the best way to know what to look for and what to stay away from.

Enhancing the glitter of your jewelry

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 mixture 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 jewelry 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 detergent. Avoid exposing pearls to vinegar and other acids, as they will dissolve. To clean pearls, simply wipe them with a soft damp cloth.

Ultrasonic 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 dissolved, 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.

The more affordable colored diamonds

Fancy colored diamonds are very in these days. Gemologists have developed new ways to create a version of diamonds that are affordable for the average person which is by treating less desirable diamonds. These diamonds are treated with irradiation followed by intense heat. It turns brown and yellowish diamonds into beautifully colored diamonds that you can afford. As a result, they produce stunning greens, blues, yellows, reds, purples and other colors. These colors are considered permanent, but there is a possibility that they could change during repairs if a high heat is used.

Treatments like irradiation make it possible for more people to own these vividly colored diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds are rare and also extremely expensive. When shopping for colored diamonds you need to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated. Ask about the stones origin and request to view a lab certificate to verify authenticity.

Synthetic colored diamonds are another option if owning a colored diamond is something you desire but cannot quite afford. They are real diamonds, but they are created in a lab.

Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring from different trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can be colored by exposure to radiation during its creation. An example of a diamond affected by radiation is a Green diamond.

Another way that a natural colored diamond gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond, inclusions give unique tones and brilliant flashes of color in a fancy colored diamond. Remember that natural fancy colored diamonds are very expensive, any colored diamond labeled to be sold as natural should be accompanied by a certificate from a respected grading lab.

A "fancy" diamond is a natural diamond that has color. These colors vary from red, green, purple, violet, orange, blue and pink, and most shades between. Fancy color shades vary from faint to intense.

The most famous diamonds in the world are colored diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond for instance, which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which is blue, they are both colored diamonds. Colored diamonds have an amazing financial track record. The value has never decreased on wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue and pink diamonds have doubled every 5 years of a strong economy. In the 1970’s you could have bought a very high quality blue diamond for about 50K and today the very same stone would be worth between 2 and 3 million.

Having fun with costume jewelry

Costume jewelry is often created with non-precious metals, usually gold or silver plated, and with or without beads and stones. Costume jewelry has been extremely popular around the world for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians are known to have worn decorative beaded necklaces and Cleopatra is probably one of the original wearers of what we now call costume jewelry. In more recent times the people of the Germanic and Slovak regions became highly skilled at developing intricate patterns in glass beads. However, beadwork used in costume jewelry is not only limited to glass.

A large variety of materials are traditionally used to make beads such as jet, wood, amber, gemstones, pottery, ceramic, metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and pearls. Some modern materials such as plastics, nylon and even polycarbonate variants are also used to make beads. Costume jewelry can be antique, period, or contemporary and there are many collectors of every style of costume jewelry. Venetian glass pieces of costume jewelry are particularly collectable as well as being extremely popular for people to wear.

Cleaning costume jewelry is extremely simple but needs to be done on a regular basis to prevent tarnishing. Simply use a mild detergent mixed in water to keep your costume jewelry in good condition. It is important not to soak the jewelry and to make sure that you dry it thoroughly before storing it. You can buy anti-tarnish paper for wrapping your costume jewelry in before you put it away for long periods of time but regular cleaning is the best defense against tarnishing. The tarnishing of costume jewelry is typically caused by the metal reacting with the atmosphere and oxidizing.

Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who are unable to wear costume jewelry next to their skin. This is because of their sensitivity to the metals used. It is important to make sure that anyone that you are buying the jewelry for is not allergic to nickel or copper, especially with pierced earrings. Costume jewelry may look beautiful and, especially in the case of contemporary pieces, be reasonably priced but it is not suitable for everyone to wear. For many people a piece of costume jewelry may be the first jewelry that they have worn and it is important to look out for signs of a reaction, especially after extended periods of wear. Often people will not show a reaction if they wear the jewelry for a short amount of time and this can be an ideal way to avoid any possible discomfort. You can also buy a special coating that you apply to the back of the costume jewelry to protect the skin from having direct contact with the metal.

Benefits of Bonded Diamonds

Before you start shopping for diamonds, consider dealing with a bonded jeweler. Bonded jewelers sell bonded diamonds, and there are very few bonded jewelers in the world. In fact, out of all of the jeweler’s in the world, only about 5% of them are bonded. Buying a bonded diamond will cost more than buying a non-bonded diamond, but when you look at what you get with the bonded option, you will see that it is well worth the extra expense.

First, bonded diamonds have a buy back policy for the life of the diamond. No matter how long you have had the diamond, you can take it back to the bonded jeweler and sell it back to him or her, for a 100% refund. If a jeweler does not offer a 100% buy back guarantee, for the life of the diamond, then you should take a closer look at the diamond to see what is wrong with it.

Bonded diamonds also have a breakage policy. If the stone breaks or chips, the bonded jeweler will replace it with a new one – one time. No jeweler would ever offer such a policy on any stone that was not 100% natural, so just the offer of such a policy should give you piece of mind concerning the quality of the diamond. Bonded diamonds are natural and untreated.

Bonded diamonds increase in value, with a fixed appreciation rate that is designed to keep up with inflation. This means that a diamond that is worth a certain amount of money today will be worth more in the future, as the price of diamonds continues to rise. This generally does not apply to buy backs, however. It typically applies to trade-ins.

Alternately, by purchasing a bonded diamond, you are protected against the possibility of a market crash. If a market crash occurs, the value of diamonds will drop. However, the bonded jeweler guarantees to refund you the difference between what the diamond is now worth and what you paid for it before the market crash.

It may be difficult to find a bonded jeweler in your area, but if you can, this is who you want to deal with, as opposed to dealing with an un-bonded jeweler. Specifically tell the jeweler that you are only interested in bonded diamonds. You can find a bonded jeweler in your area by using various online resources, or by calling the local jewelry stores.

How Special a Diamond is..

When we walk into a jewelry store and see all the diamond on the display, it’s easy to forget the fact that diamonds are a truly rare stone. Not to mention that, most people don’t even know or even wonder about how long the journey is for a diamond before it settles in the jeweler’s case!

For every one million diamonds that were mined, only one will be found that is a quality of one carat diamond. In order to find a two carat diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than two hundred tons of ore must be mined to find one small diamond, and even then, more than 80% of the diamonds that are mined are only good for industrial use, such as diamond drill bits.

So, the next time you visit the jewelry store, don’t hesitate to ask to see the one carat diamonds. You should look at this diamond with new appreciation, now that you know that it truly is one in a million!

Diamonds immortalized in history

Hope Diamond

Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough.

The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless.

The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.

Tiffany Yellow Diamond

The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.

The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light ) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan‘s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.

The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.

The Transvaal Blue Diamond

The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa.

The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the "Taylor-Burton”. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.

Choosing and caring for your precious jewelry

People have enjoyed jewelry throughout history. It has been given as gifts and as a symbol of relationships. It is not only a beautiful accessory, it helps identify a person. Jewelry can be a very expensive investment so making a wise decision on your jewelry purchase is important to make sure the jewelry is of a good quality and (most importantly) that the recipient is happy.

How to select diamonds

When you're selecting diamonds there are four things that diamonds are measured on. These are called the 4 C's of diamonds:

Cut
This refers to the shape of the diamond, which will determine how much it sparkles when the light hits it.

Carat
This is how big the diamond is.

Clarity
This measures how clear the diamond is. That is, if it has flaws (called inclusions) or not.

Color
This is the measurement of how white or yellow a diamond is.


Caring for your jewelry

Taking care of your jewelry is just as important as the decisions you made when you went to purchase it. For example, be sure to keep it clean as dirt will gouge the jewelry. Clean it very carefully with a soft cloth, or get it professionally cleaned at a jewelry store. Having clean jewelry is very important for its longevity but also, since jewelry is often worn on some of the most sensitive parts of the body, dirty jewelry can cause irritation.


Keeping your jewelry safe

Store your jewelry in a safe place. For example, you may want to buy a safe, or utilize a hidden safe which looks like a household product (like a soda can or a jar of cleaner) but has a secret compartment which thieves might not be likely to look in. Or, if you are jewelry is highly valued, you may want to even keep it in a security box at a bank.

Jewelry is an important investment in style and in your relationship! Buying jewelry wisely and keeping it clean and well maintained will help it hold its beauty and value for your lifetime and allow it to be a legacy to your children.

Buying jewelry wholesale and setting up your own online jewelry store... Sounds fun!

Opening your own jewelry store has never been easier than it is now. In fact, you can use the Internet to open your own online jewelry store and never stock a single piece of jewelry! In fact, your jewelry store could be open for business in less than a day – and the only thing you would need to do is market it! This is pretty much an instant business.

First, find jewelry wholesale suppliers. If you want a truly ‘hands-off’ business, find a wholesaler who will drop ship to your customers. This way, you never have to handle any of the stock. Here is how it works. You get your website set up, with an online catalog of all of the jewelry that you offer. You market that site to the public. Customers start visiting your site, and they place orders. You forward those orders to the drop shipper, and the drop shipper handles the rest!

Most wholesalers will require you to pay for the merchandise before it is shipped. This shouldn’t be a problem because you will require your customers to pay for their orders at the time the order is placed. Of course, you charge more for the jewelry than the wholesaler charges you.

In most cases, you will be allowed to set your own prices. Look to see what the wholesaler charges you, including shipping, then add 15% to 30% to that price. This is what you should charge your customers.

If you aren’t sure how to go about setting up a website, you can probably find a wholesaler who will provide you with a website. Most of these wholesalers charge a fee for the site, and your site will usually look like all of their other distributors. This should be your last option.

You may consider opening an eBay store. There is a fee for this as well, but at least your store will be unique. You can also bypass the eBay store and simply set up eBay auctions, which are very affordable for everyone. Make sure that you set a minimum reserve price for the jewelry that you are selling so that you don’t lose money, and make sure that the buyer pays all shipping costs and insurance.

Again, setting up an online jewelry store with jewelry wholesale is one of the easiest ways to start a business today. You can literally be up and running in a few short hours, and making money within twenty-four hours of ‘opening your doors!’

Timeless beauty in antique jewelry

Antique jewelry is a timeless classic adornment which can never go out of fashion. It is the epitome of ethereal charm, delicate grace and a gentle reminder of a bygone era. It is that jewelry which has been made during and before the early 1900's.

The jewelry has its own unique character which cannot be copied or imitated. In most cases antique jewelry is handcrafted. It has exquisite craftsmanship and a very special whimsical aura surrounding it, which sets it apart from all other jewelry, however beautiful or expensive they maybe. There is an understated classic elegance inherent in the design and styling. Though widely looked upon as being something worn by only those who are older; perceptions are gradually changing. It is now also seen as a very fashionable ornament which is quite in vogue and is worn by almost anyone, irrespective of their age group.

This kind of jewelry is not available in just any departmental store or some other normal jewelry shop, it can most often be found in niche show rooms, exclusive boutiques, and big auction houses and in antique dealer stores. These are the more reliable places from where you can acquire antique jewelry. Though there are many websites online and other shops which sell this kind of jewelry; it is best to be cautious. The reason being that in many cases the antique jewelry being sold is not actually an original . Also you could charged an exorbitant price for a piece which is not actually that expensive. Unless you have a trained eye and know the difference, it is easy to be fooled.

In many cases antique jewelry has also been handed down from one generation to another and is a part of the family heirlooms. Some antique jewelry can actually be quite expensive and a real collectors item.

Just a simple piece of antique jewelry can greatly enhance your over all appearance, add to your appeal and lend a sophisticated charm to your entire persona. Being the beautiful pieces that they are, this jewelry can easily attract attention and can become the focal point of any conversation. However not every one can carry off antique jewelry, you have to have a certain inner beauty and dignity to wear it.

One of the best things about antique jewelry is that its value only appreciates with time. In fact some of the pieces are valuable collector's item and can fetch huge sums of money. They can in the long run, actually prove to be good investments.

Antique jewelry is a wonderful thing to buy for yourself, a delightful possession and also a great thing to gift to some one special in your life. Whether it is your daughter, mother, wife, girlfriend or sister; antique jewelry is that gift which lets the other person know how much they mean to you. Also this jewelry is not just restricted to women; there are beautiful intricate pieces which are there for men too.

Pricing strategies for selling jewelry

Pricing is an issue that many people in the jewelry business often worry about. However, there is a method that you can easily use, whether you purchase jewelry wholesale or make your own jewelry. Pricing is very important. You don’t want to charge too much, because you won’t sell anything. On the other hand, you want to make sure that you charge enough to make a profit.

If you purchase your jewelry at wholesale prices, a markup of 15% to 30% is usual, and people will pay these prices. In the grand scheme of things, apply the 30% markup, and make that the ‘regular’ price. When you need to move merchandise hold a sale, and use the 15% markup price as the sale price.

If you make your own jewelry, determine the total cost of the piece, including the cost of supplies, shipping, warehousing and packaging, then apply a 15% markup. With the 15% markup, your jewelry will be priced at the wholesale price. If you sell the jewelry to the general public yourself, as opposed to selling it to retailers, apply the retail price, which in this case would be about 45% above your costs.

Buying sterling silver jewelry wholesale

Silver jewelry is not only beautiful, it is very much in style these days. Silver jewelry compliments anything you wear, and it is usually less expensive than gold jewelry. There are many sources from which you can buy silver jewelry wholesale, but the Internet will offer you the biggest selection possible. After all – you will have the whole world at your feet – or fingertips.

As with any other jewelry, begin your search online. There are countless jewelry wholesalers online, and many of them specialize in silver jewelry. When you buy your jewelry from jewelry wholesale sources, you will pay a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a retailer’s place of business, such as a jewelry store.

When you purchase silver jewelry wholesale, make sure that you are purchasing sterling silver jewelry. Sterling silver is almost always marked with the numbers ‘925.’ This is the highest quality of silver that you can buy – wholesale or retail. Note that there is no such thing as ‘high quality sterling silver’ and ‘lower quality sterling silver.’ Sterling silver comes in one quality – sterling silver. The weight of the sterling silver used in the piece should be the determining factor in the cost, unless the item was hand-made, in which case it will cost considerably more than similar pieces that were not hand made.

Silver jewelry tarnishes – whether it is sterling silver or not. You must clean and polish your silver jewelry on a regular basis to help it keep its shine. There are many different brands of silver polish on the market that can be used to accomplish this. You should plan to clean your silver jewelry on a weekly basis.

Buying silver jewelry wholesale is the best way to go. Silver is already relatively inexpensive – even at wholesale prices. When purchasing such jewelry, the silver or quality of the silver is not what you need to concern yourself with – again, silver is silver, just make sure it is sterling silver. The settings and stones that are used in the piece should be your concern.

You need to insure that the piece is solidly constructed, and you need to make sure that the gems used are not simulated gems – unless that is what you want. Of course, when real gems are used, such as diamonds, the cost of the jewelry will rise considerably. But as long as you are buying jewelry wholesale, the price will still be the lowest price you will find.

Some tips on starting your own home-based jewelry business

If you make your own jewelry or buy wholesale jewelry that is not in a box, you will need a source for jewelry boxes! Your customers will want their jewelry to arrive in nice display boxes that can be wrapped or presented to the person they bought the jewelry for.

Boxes for jewelry can be found at wholesale prices all over the internet. Simply do a search in any search engine for ‘boxes for jewelry’ and you will be surprised at the results. You can even have your business name or logo printed on the boxes as well, for an additional cost.

When you shop for boxes to package your jewelry wholesale in, make sure that you buy in bulk for the best prices. Also make sure that you can return the boxes for an exchange in the event that the boxes are the wrong size, or for a refund if the boxes arrive damaged.

Don’t make the mistake of not shipping your jewelry wholesale to your customers in jewel boxes. This will make you appear to be unprofessional, or like a small time operation.

Keeping your jewelry in pristine condition

Sterling Silver & 14kt Gold:
Both will tend to tarnish over time.
-Store all precious metal jewelry in a zip lock bag to protect it. This does not stop the discoloration, but will drastically slow the process.
-Use a polishing cloth as needed for cleaning your jewelry.

Jewelry with semi-precious stones and crystals:
-Store all jewelry with semi-precious stones and crystals in a zip lock bag to protect it.
-Check the instructions on your jewelry cleaning solution prior to placing any items with stones in it to be cleaned. Some stones, such as turquoise, and freshwater pearls cannot be placed in most jewelry cleaning solutions.
-Do not wear your jewelry when you are showering or washing dishes.
-Use caution when wearing lotions and perfumes, for they will discolor gems such as turquoise.

Pearls: Special care should be taken with pearls. They are much more fragile than most gemstones.
-Use caution when using hairspray and perfumes. Let dry completely before donning your pearls.

Body jewelry - The unconventional way of accentuating your beauty

Since ancient times body jewelry has been a part of the culture and heritage of different religions. It has been known to be an essential part of the clothing and appearance of the people in many regions of the world. At different parts of time through the centuries it was also used to signify the class demarcations prevalent in society at that point of time.

How ever in recent times it has acquired a new dimension. Body jewelry has never been in such high demand. The human body is not merely a body, it is a piece of art which has its own innate beauty and body jewelry is the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your body. Not only can you decorate your body with it, but you can also use it to bring into focus certain parts of your body or to enhance the beauty of certain parts.

Body jewelry items are usually for particular places on the human body. These more common places for body jewelry include the nose, eyebrow, nipple, ear lobes and naval, along with ear plugs (both curved and straight barbells). As fashion trends keep changing, the various parts where you can use body jewelry and the manner in which you can use it also keeps changing.

Nose body jewelry comes either in the classic captive circular barbell, or in the form of a nose screw. The nose screw can either be jeweled or plain, depending upon your preference. Eyebrow body jewelry is similar to that of the nose, in the sense that the eyebrow body jewelry also has the small captive barbell. This is now being made with a dangling, sparkling charm to hang from the upper most part of your eyebrow barbell. The eyebrow body jewelry can be either curved or straight with a charm of any style or color dangling from the top.

Nipple and naval body jewelry is one of the more popular types of body jewelry, it sis especially popular amongst the youth or the more adventurous in spirit. Nipple body jewelry includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. Naval body jewelry designs are also endless.

Whatever kind of body jewelry you use or wear it is important to keep some pointers in mind. Such as what kind of material is that specific body jewelry made off, is your skin allergic to it and is the piercing for the body jewelry done in a sterile and antiseptic environment.

This kind of jewelry is available for almost every conceivable part of your body. There are endless styles, designs, colors and textures in which body jewelry is made. What ever your budget, whether it is low end or high end; body jewelry is available in every range to suit your pocket as well as your tastes.

Body jewelry is not merely a decorative fixture; it is also a personal style statement. You can use it to bring attention or to take away attention from a specific part of your body. It is quite in vogue these days and has been in existence since time immemorial. If you have the attitude and the panache you can carry of any kind of body jewelry.

It doesn't have to cost a bomb to get beautiful jewelry

When it comes to estate jewelry there is always much discussion about what is and what is not estate jewelry. The definition is really quite simple. Estate jewelry is jewelry acquired from the estate of another person, who can be living or deceased. The simple definition of estate jewelry is jewelry that is previously owned.

Contrary to what many believe looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune – just buy estate jewelry! And save plenty!!

There is often much confusion with both dealers and consumer. There is some false myths floating around that estate jewelry is antique jewelry. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Although many pieces of estate jewelry are antique, many pieces are also vintage, retro, or fairly modern. That’s why searching for estate jewelry can result in some terrific buys!

Estate jewelry also does not mean fine jewelry. Estate jewelry can be costume or fine and is found both ways.

Throughout the ages and even today a perfect gift for a woman was a piece of jewelry. There is also a distinction made of women who wear jewelry. It seems to set them a class above other women. Why has never been determined. It’s simply been a cultural norm for centuries.

We often take our clues as to jewelry popularity by watching what the celebrities are wearing. Next time you are watching television take note of how many pieces of jewelry the stars are wearing that are from another era. Celebrities are very fond of estate jewelry!

Antique jewelry is normally classed as jewelry that is pre 1920, while art deco, vintage, and retro are often grouped together and denote the era from the 1920s to the 1950s. Estate jewelry can be from any of these eras.

If you are looking for classic jewelry like your grandmother may have worn consider searching jewelry sites that sell antique and estate jewelry. If you are collecting jewelry you should pay special attention to the estate jewelry sites who have a wide range of designer marked pieces. Collecting can be expensive so make sure to set a budget.

If you are looking to complete your wardrobe and hate looking like everyone else, estate jewelry is an excellent choice. Here you will find variety and beautiful pieces from many different time periods. The chances of finding another wearing the exact same jewelry piece as you are drastically reduced.

You can look unique and stand out from the crowd with estate jewelry. You also can choose between fine jewelry and costume jewelry. The prices are very reasonable and the costume jewelry of past eras has a much higher quality than modern costume jewelry.

The designs and styles were more highly refined and much classier. Costume jewelry of past eras was designed not only for the general population but also for the rich and famous. Many design ideas were inspired from fine jewelry pieces of the era.

So the next time you are looking to add glamour and sophistication to your wardrobe remember to have a quick search on line for estate jewelry. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with your options!

See I told you looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Fun trends in costume jewelry

Color Trends in Costume Jewelry

The fall fashion trends are ushering in another excellent season for costume jewelry and accessories. Rich colors and bold looks dominate the trend. Teal, amber and amethyst are the important colors with olivine and green used as neutrals. Topaz and peacock are also important and all indications are that rich color will continue into the spring season. Metals are seeing a return to gold, but silver is still stronger.

Bold Designs Dominate Fashion Jewelry

Fashion jewelry thrives when bold designs are in vogue and that is very much the case this season. The high fashion look is popular in necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with natural components contributing to the designs. Wood is continuing its second season of popularity with shell important even in the fall line. But the rising star in natural materials is gemstone, which provides the beauty of natural semiprecious stones to the costume jewelry designs. This will definitely continue and accelerate in the spring line. Also popular in neckwear are 48 inch and 60 inch ropes that are worn extended or doubled. Jet is strong in holiday jewelry and estate looks (antique designs) are becoming fashionable in bridal jewelry.

Traditional Costume Jewelry and Accessories

While costume jewelry in bold designs and rich colors forge the way for leading fashion, there is a larger market that shouldn’t be ignored in more traditional and classic looks. Theme jewelry in pendants, earrings, and charm bracelets has an appeal that goes beyond fashion alone because it identifies with what the wearer cares about. In addition, traditional rhinestone, bridal jewelry, evening bags, and formal gloves have a classic look with timeless appeal. There is a major market for these items that will always be present even as fashion changes.

Accessory Trends

Sequins and buttons are very big in all accessories, especially in handbags and evening bags. Beyond these, the looks of the larger bags introduced by leading designers are the trendy styles of the season. These are the bags the stars are carrying, which goes a long ways towards popularizing the styles. In evening bags, large sequins and buttons are very much in vogue, but traditional looks seem to be carrying the day.

Sunglasses are definitely big and bold with aviators the runaway favorite. Retro looks are also excellent and colored frames with matching lenses are very popular.

Hats and Headwear

In millinery, dress hats are an important part of the market, with ladies hats the dominant player. The looks are very traditional with a new element of pre-made bands allowing for the versatility of custom designs. Casual hats, however, account for the major share of the market and no design in 2005 is more important than the rollup cowboy hat. While the design is not popular in every region of the country, the sheer number of sales makes it the number one hat of the year. This rugged look that is typically American has risen to such popularity that it becomes an important fashion statement. After cowboy hats, the three most fashionable designs are wide brim floppy hats, ladies fedoras, and newsboys. The entertainment field has played a major roll in popularizing these designs and the fashion looks continue into the fall season with felt, leather, wool, and leatherette used as the material for the fall versions.