By Paul J Easton
The diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man, produced by eons of high pressure and temperature extremes inside the earth.
What is a simple carbon atom is transformed a complex crystalline lattice structure which has a lot of top-notched qualities that include durability, being chemically resistant, its light dispersion and refraction properties, as well as its abilities to scratch metals.
That is why the diamond one of
the best known and most sought after precious gem.
What we mostly know about the diamond today is what we have learned through advertising and the movie industry. In the jewelry industry, diamonds are the most popular, making more money than all the other gemstones combined. Part of its popularity is because of its high luster qualities, a natural property of the diamond that is enhanced by the expertise of a diamond cutter.
Diamonds in the jewelry business are most popularly used in engagement or wedding rings, although it has been used in many other jewelry forms as well. Diamonds are usually set in metals that emphasize its natural beauty and sparkle, most common of which are white gold, yellow gold and platinum.
But diamonds have other practical uses as well. Actually, more of these gems are used in industrial applications, rather than in the jewelry making business, as not a lot of natural diamonds found in mines are suitable as gemstones.
Synthetic diamonds, or those that are man-made in a laboratory, are also produced to meet the demands of industrial use. These uses are mainly the following:
- cutting and grinding tools such as drill bits and saws
- abrasives that cut and polish other materials, including other gemstones
- fine engraving tools with detailed precision
- coatings for files
- semiconductor coatings and materials for microchips and computer processors.
- laser components for precise and durable optical equipment
- windows that are used to cover openings of lasers, x-rays and vacuum chambers
- speaker domes that enhance the performance of high quality speakers
- heat sinks to conduct heat away from sensitive parts of high performance microelectronics
- low friction micro-bearings placed in tiny mechanical devices like watches
The diamond is a versatile material that can be a thing of beauty or an object of practical application. As this industry is worth billions of dollars in economic trade, the diamond is also of big use to the global market. In addition to diamond miners, buyers, jewelers and designers, many other people base their livelihood on the state of the diamond industry.
It looks like the diamond is here to stay forever. And who knows what other uses it can be designed for in the future.
With increasing research and synthetic production, innovative companies might be able to further expand the use of the diamond in the fields of medical care, particularly that of prosthetics and surgery, in computer technology, acoustic and communication instrumentation, and others.
Given that it seems that the diamond will endure until the end of time, mankind has no choice but to take this brilliant and durable stone on its historic journey.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Fashion Jewellery - Ten Trends For 2009
By Nicholas Watson
Wondering what the top fashion jewellery trends are going to be for 2009? How will the credit crunch affect jewellery fashions this year?
This timely 10 point guide tells you what should you be looking out for if you're buying, designing or making jewellery in 2009.
1. Exotic and ethnic inspirations will remain a big feature for all accessories in 2009, particularly jewellery. Think tribal jewellery, think safari khakis as well as seed beads, chunky beads, wood, ceramics, plastic and leather. Especially if it's handcrafted jewellery.
2. Gold is becoming more expensive amid the global economic downturn, so many women are turning to other materials as an alternative. Silver is always popular, and brass is going to be big this year. Look out also for platinum, an affordable alternative to the more expensive metals.
3. Cool yellows, greens and turquoise will be the colours of the spring and summer. The economic gloom means you can also bank on classic black and white to capture a timeless elegance and discreet chic. After all, some fashion jewellery trends never go away.
4. On a related note, if you're feeling bold, experiment with clashing colours in your clothes and jewellery. Several influential trendspotters have identified mixing bold outfits with bold jewellery as one of the key fashion jewellery trends of the year. Maybe it's to banish all the financial doom and gloom.
5. Bold statement jewellery, which was popular in 2008, will remain a hit. Be it tribal jewellery, handcrafted jewellery or big geometric designs, big is beautiful.
6. As will big flowers and butterflies. Fashion loves a good motif, and in Spring and Summer 2009, it'll be the butterfly.
7. With earrings, dangles and chandeliers are going to remain popular choices.
8. Jewellery with a story: the trend of 2008 will grow as ethically-sourced jewellery continues to capture hearts and minds, as well as our eye. Fair trade jewellery and environmentally-friendly materials are set to take 2009 by storm.
9. Cuffs and chunky bracelets. Particularly, if it's a tribal jewelery look.
10. Handcrafted jewelery. As we question what went wrong to land us in this economic mess, it's time to go back to what's true and honest. The value and beauty of jewellery that's handmade will be a major trend in 2009 and beyond as we begin to appreciate the beauty of artisanal work over the mass-produced.
Bear these little pointers in mind and you'll be all set for a great 2009. Most of all, enjoy dressing up with accessories, and what's best, there's loads of fresh fashion jewellery out there to discover that's original and won't break the bank!
Wondering what the top fashion jewellery trends are going to be for 2009? How will the credit crunch affect jewellery fashions this year?
This timely 10 point guide tells you what should you be looking out for if you're buying, designing or making jewellery in 2009.
1. Exotic and ethnic inspirations will remain a big feature for all accessories in 2009, particularly jewellery. Think tribal jewellery, think safari khakis as well as seed beads, chunky beads, wood, ceramics, plastic and leather. Especially if it's handcrafted jewellery.
2. Gold is becoming more expensive amid the global economic downturn, so many women are turning to other materials as an alternative. Silver is always popular, and brass is going to be big this year. Look out also for platinum, an affordable alternative to the more expensive metals.
3. Cool yellows, greens and turquoise will be the colours of the spring and summer. The economic gloom means you can also bank on classic black and white to capture a timeless elegance and discreet chic. After all, some fashion jewellery trends never go away.
4. On a related note, if you're feeling bold, experiment with clashing colours in your clothes and jewellery. Several influential trendspotters have identified mixing bold outfits with bold jewellery as one of the key fashion jewellery trends of the year. Maybe it's to banish all the financial doom and gloom.
5. Bold statement jewellery, which was popular in 2008, will remain a hit. Be it tribal jewellery, handcrafted jewellery or big geometric designs, big is beautiful.
6. As will big flowers and butterflies. Fashion loves a good motif, and in Spring and Summer 2009, it'll be the butterfly.
7. With earrings, dangles and chandeliers are going to remain popular choices.
8. Jewellery with a story: the trend of 2008 will grow as ethically-sourced jewellery continues to capture hearts and minds, as well as our eye. Fair trade jewellery and environmentally-friendly materials are set to take 2009 by storm.
9. Cuffs and chunky bracelets. Particularly, if it's a tribal jewelery look.
10. Handcrafted jewelery. As we question what went wrong to land us in this economic mess, it's time to go back to what's true and honest. The value and beauty of jewellery that's handmade will be a major trend in 2009 and beyond as we begin to appreciate the beauty of artisanal work over the mass-produced.
Bear these little pointers in mind and you'll be all set for a great 2009. Most of all, enjoy dressing up with accessories, and what's best, there's loads of fresh fashion jewellery out there to discover that's original and won't break the bank!
Styles of Antique Engagement Rings
By Peter Gitundu
Antique engagement rings are unique and have an intrinsic charm beauty and uniqueness. They have a better craftsmanship and are cheaper. They are the best gift one can give to their beloved one. They are usually more than fifty years old.
Antique engagement rings are of different styles. There is the Victorian style. These had simple, delicate and elegant designs that included flowers, hearts birds and bows. They were mostly set in yellow or rose red gold. Some of them had diamonds especially those made during the period when the South African mines were discovered. This kind of jewelry is not recommended for daily use.
The Edwardian style dates back to the years between 1900 to 1920. This kind of jewelry was made using platinum. The designs were mainly soft and light. Lots of precious stones such as diamonds and sapphire were also used in making jewelery in this style. The mountings on this kind of jewelry were adorned by exotic laces, piercing shapes, and friligree amongst many others. The other style is the art deco style. This style came into being after the introduction of machinery. multicolored gemstones, platinum and diamond are used to create well lined and a sparkling look on the ornaments. They are very popular even in the present time.
Before one purchases any antique engagement rings, they should check them out for any cracks or splits that may occur on softer stones such as emerald and pearl. These ornaments are available from stores, jewelers, pawn shops, estate sale and online web site auctions.
Antique engagement rings are unique and have an intrinsic charm beauty and uniqueness. They have a better craftsmanship and are cheaper. They are the best gift one can give to their beloved one. They are usually more than fifty years old.
Antique engagement rings are of different styles. There is the Victorian style. These had simple, delicate and elegant designs that included flowers, hearts birds and bows. They were mostly set in yellow or rose red gold. Some of them had diamonds especially those made during the period when the South African mines were discovered. This kind of jewelry is not recommended for daily use.
The Edwardian style dates back to the years between 1900 to 1920. This kind of jewelry was made using platinum. The designs were mainly soft and light. Lots of precious stones such as diamonds and sapphire were also used in making jewelery in this style. The mountings on this kind of jewelry were adorned by exotic laces, piercing shapes, and friligree amongst many others. The other style is the art deco style. This style came into being after the introduction of machinery. multicolored gemstones, platinum and diamond are used to create well lined and a sparkling look on the ornaments. They are very popular even in the present time.
Before one purchases any antique engagement rings, they should check them out for any cracks or splits that may occur on softer stones such as emerald and pearl. These ornaments are available from stores, jewelers, pawn shops, estate sale and online web site auctions.
The Smart Way to Buy Gold Pendants
By Tariq Ansari
By Anyone who has ever worn a gold chain must have felt the itch to buy a pendant, at some time or the other. What makes gold pendants so irresistible is the fact that they are so diverse. Big, small, traditional, funky, plain, jewel encrusted, engraved or plain - the variety is enough to make your head turn.
Gold pendants make excellent gifts, particularly for women. So, whether it's a wedding anniversary, a birthday or Valentine's, you can find just the right pendant to gift someone you love. Why, you even find 'broken hearted' pendants which help you say 'au revoir' in style!
Whether you want to purchase a gold pendant for someone else or for yourself, it pays to have some idea about what you're going to buy. With gold becoming dearer by the day, it is quite easy to fall for scams and frauds. Here are a few tips that will help you buy gold pendants, the smart way!
The first thing you have to understand when you decide to buy gold pendants is that pendants are not the same as charms, though the terms are used interchangeably. A charm is smaller in size and is designed to hang from a bracelet or a chain. On the other hand, pendants are larger and are designed to hang from chains or necklaces. A more important difference is this: charms are generally used for luck; pendants do not really have any such significance.
Where to shop: You have two choices- your local store or the e-store. Both have their advantages. With the local store, you can be 100% sure of quality. When you shop online, the risks are more unless you choose very carefully. However, the great advantage of online shopping is the fantastic price discounts you can avail of. Online shops offer you the same quality at hefty discounts - sometimes up to 65% off. And you don't even have to step out of your house to make your purchase.
Get gold savvy: If you're buying gold, you need to know your karats. 24k (or marked as '999') is pure gold and you won't be buying 24k gold pendants because 24K gold is malleable and soft. 14k is the most popular variety of gold sold in the US. Gold that is designated as 14k contains approximately 59% gold. The rest is an added alloy, which helps to make the jewelry durable and strong.
White gold: Yes, gold comes in white color too! This is because manufacturers add palladium or nickel to it. White gold pendants are stunning and look wonderful when they are encrusted with diamonds or pearls.
Understand value: The price of gold pendants depends on two things: the rate of gold and the artistic value. On most websites, the total cost is listed per item. However, at times, you may also find the cost per gram. In that case, you will have to add the cost of the total weight of gold and the cost of design/cutting to get the total cost of the pendant. In this regard, please keep in mind that some finished items may have an artistic value that is greater than the cost of gold in it!
Understand compatibility: The weight of the pendant you choose must be in keeping with the chain or the necklace. So, a huge pendant will not sit well on a delicate chain. Besides, such a pendant will break the delicate chain in the course of time.
By Anyone who has ever worn a gold chain must have felt the itch to buy a pendant, at some time or the other. What makes gold pendants so irresistible is the fact that they are so diverse. Big, small, traditional, funky, plain, jewel encrusted, engraved or plain - the variety is enough to make your head turn.
Gold pendants make excellent gifts, particularly for women. So, whether it's a wedding anniversary, a birthday or Valentine's, you can find just the right pendant to gift someone you love. Why, you even find 'broken hearted' pendants which help you say 'au revoir' in style!
Whether you want to purchase a gold pendant for someone else or for yourself, it pays to have some idea about what you're going to buy. With gold becoming dearer by the day, it is quite easy to fall for scams and frauds. Here are a few tips that will help you buy gold pendants, the smart way!
The first thing you have to understand when you decide to buy gold pendants is that pendants are not the same as charms, though the terms are used interchangeably. A charm is smaller in size and is designed to hang from a bracelet or a chain. On the other hand, pendants are larger and are designed to hang from chains or necklaces. A more important difference is this: charms are generally used for luck; pendants do not really have any such significance.
Where to shop: You have two choices- your local store or the e-store. Both have their advantages. With the local store, you can be 100% sure of quality. When you shop online, the risks are more unless you choose very carefully. However, the great advantage of online shopping is the fantastic price discounts you can avail of. Online shops offer you the same quality at hefty discounts - sometimes up to 65% off. And you don't even have to step out of your house to make your purchase.
Get gold savvy: If you're buying gold, you need to know your karats. 24k (or marked as '999') is pure gold and you won't be buying 24k gold pendants because 24K gold is malleable and soft. 14k is the most popular variety of gold sold in the US. Gold that is designated as 14k contains approximately 59% gold. The rest is an added alloy, which helps to make the jewelry durable and strong.
White gold: Yes, gold comes in white color too! This is because manufacturers add palladium or nickel to it. White gold pendants are stunning and look wonderful when they are encrusted with diamonds or pearls.
Understand value: The price of gold pendants depends on two things: the rate of gold and the artistic value. On most websites, the total cost is listed per item. However, at times, you may also find the cost per gram. In that case, you will have to add the cost of the total weight of gold and the cost of design/cutting to get the total cost of the pendant. In this regard, please keep in mind that some finished items may have an artistic value that is greater than the cost of gold in it!
Understand compatibility: The weight of the pendant you choose must be in keeping with the chain or the necklace. So, a huge pendant will not sit well on a delicate chain. Besides, such a pendant will break the delicate chain in the course of time.
Diamond Hunting
Diamond hunting can be quite traumatic for the uninitiated. It is a big purchase and often one that has high emotional content. Simply knowing the facts before you start can ease the pressure. It also helps for the vendors to know you have some idea of what you are looking at.
There are a few things to know. Lets start with some diamond shapes to consider when you are doing your shopping: oval, pear-shaped, round, emerald, heart-shaped and marquise. Thew most important thing, however, is the quality and to determine quality you need to understand the 4 C's, which are as follows:
Carat weight: The weight or size of a diamond is measured in carats. A single carat is made up of one hundred segments called "points." One hundred and fifty points equals one and one half carats.
Clarity: This expresses how perfect the diamond is by identifying the flaws or inclusions. Where the inclusions are, how big they are, and their type determines the value of the stone. Inclusions are shown as follows:
FL = Flawless, IF = Internally Flawless - minor surface blemishes,
VVS1-VVS2 = Very, Very Small inclusions,
VS1-VS2 = Very Small Inclusions,
SI1-SI2 = Small Inclusions,
I1-I2-I3 = Imperfect - inclusions visible to the eye.
Slight inclusions; do not reduce the beauty of the stone although they do reduce the value.
Color: Colorless diamonds are extremely rare in nature. Color definitely helps determine the value of a stone. An unpracticed eye does not easily see different gradations from high white to the start of the yellows. Bright-colored diamonds are a bit different. Some examples are blue, amber, red, etc. Bright colored diamonds in larger sizes can command very high prices indeed. Collectors worldwide are eager to acquire them.
Cut: Precise formulas are to determine the appropriate cut for a diamond. A typical diamonds is cut with 58 facets. The stone's light-reflecting properties and its light dispersion are critical measurements in determining the stones quality and value.
These are just some of the things to look out for. Every diamond also has a identifying serial number which can be seen under a microscope and it never hurts to have a look for yourself. In the end the purchase of a diamond is a very personal thing so remember to pick one you actually like.
There are a few things to know. Lets start with some diamond shapes to consider when you are doing your shopping: oval, pear-shaped, round, emerald, heart-shaped and marquise. Thew most important thing, however, is the quality and to determine quality you need to understand the 4 C's, which are as follows:
Carat weight: The weight or size of a diamond is measured in carats. A single carat is made up of one hundred segments called "points." One hundred and fifty points equals one and one half carats.
Clarity: This expresses how perfect the diamond is by identifying the flaws or inclusions. Where the inclusions are, how big they are, and their type determines the value of the stone. Inclusions are shown as follows:
FL = Flawless, IF = Internally Flawless - minor surface blemishes,
VVS1-VVS2 = Very, Very Small inclusions,
VS1-VS2 = Very Small Inclusions,
SI1-SI2 = Small Inclusions,
I1-I2-I3 = Imperfect - inclusions visible to the eye.
Slight inclusions; do not reduce the beauty of the stone although they do reduce the value.
Color: Colorless diamonds are extremely rare in nature. Color definitely helps determine the value of a stone. An unpracticed eye does not easily see different gradations from high white to the start of the yellows. Bright-colored diamonds are a bit different. Some examples are blue, amber, red, etc. Bright colored diamonds in larger sizes can command very high prices indeed. Collectors worldwide are eager to acquire them.
Cut: Precise formulas are to determine the appropriate cut for a diamond. A typical diamonds is cut with 58 facets. The stone's light-reflecting properties and its light dispersion are critical measurements in determining the stones quality and value.
These are just some of the things to look out for. Every diamond also has a identifying serial number which can be seen under a microscope and it never hurts to have a look for yourself. In the end the purchase of a diamond is a very personal thing so remember to pick one you actually like.
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