Wedding rings have long been a part of the tradition of marriage. The highlight of every wedding ceremony, wedding rings represent a couple's promise of remaining faithful and loyal to each other all the time of their lives.
Today, conventional forms of wedding rings are those that consist of precious metals that are usually worn on the ring finger (the 4th finger) of the left hand. This practice stemmed out from the belief of the "hand-heart connection" - that a vein of blood from the 4th finger of the left hand goes directly to the heart.
Below are some factors to consider when buying wedding rings:
Establish your budget. Going into a jewelry store with the idea of how much you are willing to spend (and how much you can actually spend) for your wedding rings will save you a lot of time.
~ Choose the material. There are numerous wedding ring materials for you to choose from. Some of them are the following:~ Gold - considered as the most traditional wedding ring material, gold comes in a variety of color (yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, green gold) and quality (14k, 18k, and 24k).~ Platinum - considered as one of the finest, purest, and rarest precious metals. One of the strongest, heaviest, and the most enduring of all metals, wedding rings made of platinum is ideal to wear everyday because it is hypoallergenic, it resists tarnish, and it shows little wear. It is, however, more expensive than gold.
~ Diamonds - the hardest substance known to man, diamonds are considered as one of the most luxurious and sought-after gem and wedding ring material, with its beauty, purity and durability symbolizing long-lasting love. Note that the value of a diamond is determined by the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight.
Other materials that are used for wedding rings include metals such as titanium, tungsten carbide, and nickel silver; and precious gems such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, and topaz.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Basics of purchasing affordable engagement rings
Rings need not to be costly for expressing your deep love and emotion towards your bride-to-be. There are plenty of ways through which affordable engagement rings can be purchased with the quality parameters kept intact. Some preparations, however, go into buying a ring of your budget. You may be required to closely look at the settings, diamonds, colors and cuts etc to find the right ring.
A jewelry item like a ring may be costly for some people while others can purchase it without thinking twice. So, the affordability is a subjective term. However, there are certain basics which can be followed for achieving a reduction in prices when you are shopping for affordable engagement rings.
The budget itself should be the very first basic that you should never ignore. Though a ring is always associated with the sentiments still no one, not even your bride would like you to blow money.
Thus, make a budget. Some people fix a two months' salary as a rule for purchasing of affordable engagement ring but do not go by this strictly. See your own savings and salary to make the budget.
As a next step, make sure that you are comparing as many jewelers as you possibly can. The extensive comparison, however, is not possible by personally visiting the shops as it requires lots of time and money as well. better, sit at your home in front of a computer and log on to plenty of websites which are in the online business of affordable engagement rings.
Once you have arrived at the amount for spending on the ring, it becomes a lot easier to shop for the one. However, since she is the one to wear the ring, know about her liking of the diamond or gemstone colors, the cut and settings she prefers and know if she wants a traditional of modern look of the affordable engagement rings.
An instant access to the price lists of the rings is possible for the comparison. Online shopping is known for competitive prices since there are not many expenses to be made by such jewelers. In addition to this, prices of online rings are reduced to larger extent during seasonal days.
While comparing the costs, ensure that the comparison is being made for the same type of features in affordable engagement rings. Costs of the ring will vary with additional features. For instance, different settings like prong, bezel and channel demand varied levels of skills and labor which increases or decreases the cost. Similarly.
Know the entire features where you can reduce the costs.
To conclude, it can be said that there are many solutions available to the couples in choosing affordable engagement rings if they have per-planned the features on a ring and have compared the costs.
A jewelry item like a ring may be costly for some people while others can purchase it without thinking twice. So, the affordability is a subjective term. However, there are certain basics which can be followed for achieving a reduction in prices when you are shopping for affordable engagement rings.
The budget itself should be the very first basic that you should never ignore. Though a ring is always associated with the sentiments still no one, not even your bride would like you to blow money.
Thus, make a budget. Some people fix a two months' salary as a rule for purchasing of affordable engagement ring but do not go by this strictly. See your own savings and salary to make the budget.
As a next step, make sure that you are comparing as many jewelers as you possibly can. The extensive comparison, however, is not possible by personally visiting the shops as it requires lots of time and money as well. better, sit at your home in front of a computer and log on to plenty of websites which are in the online business of affordable engagement rings.
Once you have arrived at the amount for spending on the ring, it becomes a lot easier to shop for the one. However, since she is the one to wear the ring, know about her liking of the diamond or gemstone colors, the cut and settings she prefers and know if she wants a traditional of modern look of the affordable engagement rings.
An instant access to the price lists of the rings is possible for the comparison. Online shopping is known for competitive prices since there are not many expenses to be made by such jewelers. In addition to this, prices of online rings are reduced to larger extent during seasonal days.
While comparing the costs, ensure that the comparison is being made for the same type of features in affordable engagement rings. Costs of the ring will vary with additional features. For instance, different settings like prong, bezel and channel demand varied levels of skills and labor which increases or decreases the cost. Similarly.
Know the entire features where you can reduce the costs.
To conclude, it can be said that there are many solutions available to the couples in choosing affordable engagement rings if they have per-planned the features on a ring and have compared the costs.
Diamond Clarity - How Diamond Clarity is Graded
Diamond clarity is one of the four important features in valuing a diamond. The others are cut, caret, and color. This article will focus on how a diamond's clarity is graded.
There are two types of flaws. The first is an inclusion. The second is a blemish.
An inclusion is a type of flaw that occurs within the internal characteristics of a diamond. These include: internal graining, bearding, cleavage, cavities, knots, crystals or minerals, feathers and clouds.
A blemish is something that mars the surface and distracts from diamond clarity. This includes chips, pits, nicks, scratches, naturals, grain boundaries, and polish lines.
Diamonds are categorized as Flawless, Internally Flawless, Very Slightly Included, Slightly Included, and Included. Within these categories, there are grades.
When magnified under a 10x microscope, The Flawless diamond is, well, flawless. The Internally Flawless diamond cannot have any inclusion, but may have surface blemishes.
Only 20 percent of diamonds mined are good enough to be used as gemstones. The rest are relegated to industrial use. Most of the 20 percent that are gemstone quality still have significant flaws. The flaws may even be visible to the naked eye and are considered Included.
Diamonds with Slightly Included and better grading are progressively more expensive.
The clarity of the diamond is one of the primary determinants of price when it comes to rings, earrings, and other jewelry. You'll pay a pretty penny for superior diamond clarity.
There are two types of flaws. The first is an inclusion. The second is a blemish.
An inclusion is a type of flaw that occurs within the internal characteristics of a diamond. These include: internal graining, bearding, cleavage, cavities, knots, crystals or minerals, feathers and clouds.
A blemish is something that mars the surface and distracts from diamond clarity. This includes chips, pits, nicks, scratches, naturals, grain boundaries, and polish lines.
Diamonds are categorized as Flawless, Internally Flawless, Very Slightly Included, Slightly Included, and Included. Within these categories, there are grades.
When magnified under a 10x microscope, The Flawless diamond is, well, flawless. The Internally Flawless diamond cannot have any inclusion, but may have surface blemishes.
Only 20 percent of diamonds mined are good enough to be used as gemstones. The rest are relegated to industrial use. Most of the 20 percent that are gemstone quality still have significant flaws. The flaws may even be visible to the naked eye and are considered Included.
Diamonds with Slightly Included and better grading are progressively more expensive.
The clarity of the diamond is one of the primary determinants of price when it comes to rings, earrings, and other jewelry. You'll pay a pretty penny for superior diamond clarity.
Monday, December 22, 2008
How to Care For Jewelry
jewelry looks great, but many pieces need particular care taken of them so that you don't damage the piece as you clean it. The wrong cleaner can leave a film on your e jewelry or even damage it.
Good old soap and water, for example, really don't do that well on jewelry of any sort. Soap leaves a film that can become apparent after several washings with it. Even if you don't notice it the first time, it's there. If soap and water is all you have, use a very, very small amount of soap, and dry the piece thoroughly. Many pieces are subject to rust if left damp. Some stones may also be damaged by moisture remaining on them.
A polishing cloth, gently used, can be a much better choice. You can combine this with a soft, clean brush such as an unused makeup brush, to get into the crevices of the jewelry. It can be amazing how much dirt these simple tools can remove.
If your jewelry piece is not silver or gold, or is plated, use these with caution. A polishing cloth can be a bit abrasive for some materials. On the plus side, even when they look filthy they keep on cleaning.
If the polishing cloth and brush aren't enough, a bit of Windex on a very soft brush can work wonders. This is a trick I learned working in a jewelry store, and it works well on old and new pieces. If any of the stones are glued in, or if the piece has enamel, you do need to be particularly careful about how you do this. The moisture can loosen glued down stones.
Before trying any of these tips, however, you need to be sure that it will stand up to that kind of cleaning. Wonderful as Windex can be for some pieces, it can be damaging to others. Pearls, opals and rhinestones, for example, can be very sensitive.
The nice thing about jewelry is that a certain amount of dirt becomes the patina, and improves the overall look of the piece. Don't overdo your cleaning efforts if you want your jewelry to have that look. Even gentle cleaning can damage a piece.
And perhaps as important as cleaning your jewelry well is storing it carefully. Keep it neatly in your jewelry box, and not rubbing against other pieces of jewelry. Scratches are far harder to get rid of than dirt and can ruin a piece of jewelry.
Good old soap and water, for example, really don't do that well on jewelry of any sort. Soap leaves a film that can become apparent after several washings with it. Even if you don't notice it the first time, it's there. If soap and water is all you have, use a very, very small amount of soap, and dry the piece thoroughly. Many pieces are subject to rust if left damp. Some stones may also be damaged by moisture remaining on them.
A polishing cloth, gently used, can be a much better choice. You can combine this with a soft, clean brush such as an unused makeup brush, to get into the crevices of the jewelry. It can be amazing how much dirt these simple tools can remove.
If your jewelry piece is not silver or gold, or is plated, use these with caution. A polishing cloth can be a bit abrasive for some materials. On the plus side, even when they look filthy they keep on cleaning.
If the polishing cloth and brush aren't enough, a bit of Windex on a very soft brush can work wonders. This is a trick I learned working in a jewelry store, and it works well on old and new pieces. If any of the stones are glued in, or if the piece has enamel, you do need to be particularly careful about how you do this. The moisture can loosen glued down stones.
Before trying any of these tips, however, you need to be sure that it will stand up to that kind of cleaning. Wonderful as Windex can be for some pieces, it can be damaging to others. Pearls, opals and rhinestones, for example, can be very sensitive.
The nice thing about jewelry is that a certain amount of dirt becomes the patina, and improves the overall look of the piece. Don't overdo your cleaning efforts if you want your jewelry to have that look. Even gentle cleaning can damage a piece.
And perhaps as important as cleaning your jewelry well is storing it carefully. Keep it neatly in your jewelry box, and not rubbing against other pieces of jewelry. Scratches are far harder to get rid of than dirt and can ruin a piece of jewelry.
Diamond Jewelry - How Does This Differ From Modern Jewelry?
When one is shopping for diamond jewelry, they will come across many different styles and eras of jewelry. is one category of which many people are after these days. The look is unique and this is just one reason why it is such a highly coveted style. This type of jewelry varies in a few different ways from modern jewelry. The following will describe some of the differences between diamond pieces and modern.
The Age of the Jewelry Piece One of the main differences between and modern is the age of the item. Jewelry with the classification of is usually 20 years old or more. With that said, there are various eras of jewelry and one will be able to see the differences between each item depending on the era which it is from. On the other hand, modern diamond jewelry is a piece which was manufactured in the last few years.
The Style of the Jewelry Item Another difference which one will see between pieces and modern is with the style of the piece. usually has an antique look and feel to it whereas most modern items are akin with today's style of jewelry. Therefore, by looking at a piece you can often tell if it is or modern in style.
The Craftsmanship of the Jewelry Also, when comparing with modern, all one really needs to do in order to tell the difference is to take a look at the overall craftsmanship with each item. One who looks at the piece will see that it has been put together using older varieties of clasps and connectors whereas the newer pieces may have a more modern craftsmanship technique to them.
Where These Items Can Be Purchased Another great way to tell the difference between and modern style of jewelry is where these items can be purchased. For example, jewelry is often purchased at antique stores or estate sales whereas modern items are usually found at retail stores or department store jewelry sections. By shopping at one type of store or another you will often narrow down the selections with regard to the era of the jewelry. This is just one other way to tell the difference between and jewelry which is more modern.
The Age of the Jewelry Piece One of the main differences between and modern is the age of the item. Jewelry with the classification of is usually 20 years old or more. With that said, there are various eras of jewelry and one will be able to see the differences between each item depending on the era which it is from. On the other hand, modern diamond jewelry is a piece which was manufactured in the last few years.
The Style of the Jewelry Item Another difference which one will see between pieces and modern is with the style of the piece. usually has an antique look and feel to it whereas most modern items are akin with today's style of jewelry. Therefore, by looking at a piece you can often tell if it is or modern in style.
The Craftsmanship of the Jewelry Also, when comparing with modern, all one really needs to do in order to tell the difference is to take a look at the overall craftsmanship with each item. One who looks at the piece will see that it has been put together using older varieties of clasps and connectors whereas the newer pieces may have a more modern craftsmanship technique to them.
Where These Items Can Be Purchased Another great way to tell the difference between and modern style of jewelry is where these items can be purchased. For example, jewelry is often purchased at antique stores or estate sales whereas modern items are usually found at retail stores or department store jewelry sections. By shopping at one type of store or another you will often narrow down the selections with regard to the era of the jewelry. This is just one other way to tell the difference between and jewelry which is more modern.
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