Loose diamonds are a very popular option. They come in all shapes and sizes. Many soon to be couples are choosing to select their diamonds, and then choose a setting to put them in. This is a great way for them to create the perfect rings. Loose diamonds are also a great way to replace old diamonds in a setting you love or that is a family heirloom.

There is a lot of choices out there for loose diamonds. Not only do you get to select from several shapes including tear drop, oval, triangle, and round; you also get to choose the carat weight, color, and amount of money you want to spend. Generally, you will save money buying loose diamonds over purchasing a whole ring. For many, this is a great way to create the ring they always wanted at a price they can afford.

Many jewelry stores offer you the option of purchasing loose diamonds rather than a ring. For men wanting to buy their girlfriend or wife loose diamonds, they can help you with the selection. It is important to ask questions when purchasing loose diamonds so you can be sure you are getting a great product for your investment.

Knowing the four C’s of loose diamonds can help you in your selection. The cut is the most important aspect. This is also the most challenging for loose diamond buyers. Clarity is also important. Many people don’t realize that almost all diamonds have flaws in them. You want to search for loose diamonds who don’t show flaws on the surface where they will be seen once they are placed in a setting.

The color of the diamond is important. While the fact that they are white is a given, they come in many shades of white. The less color, the better because diamonds reflect light. The lighter color will sparkle more. Carat weight is the last thing to consider. The larger the loose diamond, the more you can expect to pay for it.

Sterling silver jewelry is very much in style and is a great seller at retail stores, online gift sites, festivals, craft fairs, and trade shows. There are more than a few wholesale sterling silver sites online that sell everything you may need, from .925 sterling silver jewelry, to sterling silver jewelry making supplies like French wires, fasteners, and findings. A state issued sales tax identification number is necessary to make wholesale purchases, plus registration of your business for account set up. All this can be done online in a matter of a few minutes relatively easily. If you wish, you may also ask for to be placed on a mailing list for catalogues as well as the email special promotions. There are some wholesale sterling silver vendors who only sell to distributors and other wholesalers, while others only sell to resellers and retailers. Whichever you are, you should have no problem finding a wholesale sterling silver dealer to meet your specific needs.

One of the most popular metals, sterling silver has a wide range of uses, jewelry being one of the most popular. Besides silver is also used for silverware, silver dining services, and at one time was used in the making of coins. Artisans bought wholesale sterling silver to use in their original jewelry creations, or to make other fine pieces of art. Wholesale sterling silver can be used to make earrings, rings, pendants, body jewelry, bracelets, necklaces, chains, and watches. Semi-precious and precious stones are often utilized in the making of sterling silver jewelry as well, and truly complement the finished piece.

The making of sterling silver jewelry goes back several centuries, and is an art that has been passed on to others by teaching to successive family members, and through jewelry making apprenticeships.

As there are quite a few wholesale sterling silver vendors, be sure to shop comparatively before you settle on making a buy. There are diverse grades of wholesale sterling silver available, and purity may differ, or may be combined with other metals, such as nickel. Always remember, shop around, and teach yourself so that you understand exactly what you are getting. Sterling silver jewelry is a top seller, and you want to select the best quality that there is to keep your customers coming back for more. Irrespective if you are a wholesaler, distributor, or retailer looking to buy wholesale sterling silver jewelry, jewelry making supplies, or other pieces made from sterling silver, the internet is your best bet to find exactly what you are looking for!

Gift the women of your life a dazzling white diamond and see the gleam on her face. Worth it. Isn't it? A diamond is rightly said a woman's best friend. They are the most immortal thing present on the earth. Thus they become an ideal gift especially if you are celebrating a marked occasion.

Diamonds are discovered to be the most hardest substance in nature. It is only a diamond that can cut another diamond. But choosing a good piece for the diamond of your life is not easy. There are certain aspects that you should keep in mind before purchasing and gifting a diamond. A diamond is generally measured through the 3-C formula. These three Cs are Clarity and Color, Cut and Carat. The price of a diamond varies depending on the above mentioned factors.

Let us discuss these 3Cs in detail to give you the complete information:

1. Clarity and Color: The most expensive diamonds are colorless stones. But there still exist some amounts of color in almost all the diamonds, which is not visible through the naked eye. There are six groups in total under which they are graded. They are the D group that carries the most best type of diamonds and are rarely available. In the E category of diamonds only a small trace of color can be seen. The other categories are F, G-H, which possess a less of color, I-J, K-J is the least expensive of all the diamonds as they have a hazy look on it.

2. Cut: In a diamond, a cut is a very important thing as it is responsible for its brilliance. Diamonds are available in raw form, they are cut accurately and then polished to bring them in a state of brilliance. Cutting of diamonds is a science. Only people equipped with this technology can do it. The value of a diamond is brought out in its cuts. Proper cut manifolds the value of a diamond whereas a very brilliant diamond can also be doomed with a bad cut.

Cutting can be performed with deep, shallow or with perfect length. These different types of cuts have significance attached to it. In a deep cut the light escapes from all the sides. Because of this the diamond looks dull and darker. And if the cut is too shallow the light is reflected generally in the lower parts of the diamond, making it to loose its luster.

3. Carat: While buying a diamond this is the most important thing that you should keep in mind. A carat in simple terms is the mass of a diamond. One carat can be comparable to 200 milligrams. The biggest diamond carries a carat size of 5 and the smallest of of 0.25.

Thus gifting a diamond jewelery is beyond the comparison of any other gift. You can gift diamonds in the form of various jeweleries like neck pieces, rings, bangles, bracelets, ear rings. Diamonds can be clubbed together or can be gifted as a solitaire, depending on your budget.

Many people get engaged over the holidays, which means that the time is drawing near for you to figure out a creative way to propose with a dazzling cubic zirconia engagement ring in sterling silver. These rings are extremely popular among the young couple on a budget or the thrifty shoppers who would rather put thousands of dollars toward their down payment on a home rather than on a genuine diamond ring. If you have chosen to give her a cubic zirconia engagement ring set in sterling silver over the holidays, below are a few creative ways to present it with a unique touch.

The classic bended knee is always popular for a marriage proposal but, for those who are a little less traditional, there are plenty of options. One of the sweetest ways to propose is to tie a piece of thread or ribbon around the cubic zirconia engagement ring and dangle it from a Christmas tree branch as though it were an ornament. If this sounds like your style, be sure to place the cubic zirconia engagement ring on the tree while she is out of the room. Let her find it and then be ready to make your plea on a moment’s notice. There is nothing better than the element of surprise when it comes to a proposal.

If you would prefer to giftwrap the cubic zirconia engagement ring and place it underneath the tree, purchase a Christmas card that allows you to record a voice message. These are commonly available at retail stores or anywhere holiday cards are sold. You will need to get close to the card when you record a message and you can replay it simply by opening and closing the card. When the time has come, ask her to open the card first. As she opens it, she will hear your voice and your proposal. When she looks up, have the gift-wrapped ring box in hand with a smile.

For the truly romantic at heart, consider hiring a horse drawn carriage to take both you and she on a romantic ride through town or the countryside. When the time is right, ask her to hold out her hand (palms up) and close her eyes. Place the ring box inside of her hand and say, “If you will let me, I want to share a lifetime of memories just like this one - with you.” As she opens her eyes and sees the box containing a dazzling cubic zirconia engagement ring set in sterling silver, a big smile is sure to follow.

If you prefer to propose on Christmas day, consider purchasing a very small stocking and placing the cubic zirconia engagement ring inside. When all of the gifts have been opened and everyone is sitting around the tree, politely tell her that “there is one more gift.” Excuse yourself from the room and return with a small stocking, which you would then present to her along with your proposal.

The holidays are a wonderful time to spend with family, friends and loved ones that mean so very much to us all throughout the year. The wintery season is filled with snow that makes anything appear possible and seems to restore a beauty that is reminiscent of a postcard image. With so much magic filling the air and lightly fallen snow that makes everything seem new again, why not start a new beginning with that special someone. By purchasing a cubic zirconia engagement ring set in sterling silver, you can give her the look of a genuine diamond that she can feel good about wearing every day. Just make sure to let her know that it is a cubic zirconia engagement ring and not a genuine diamond. You can always purchase a real diamond later and start your new life together with financial security.

If you are searching for the perfect gift idea in cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry, take a look at 10 of the most popular choices for gift-giving this holiday season:

3-Stone jewelry. One of the most popular, and yet classic, styles in cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry is that of the 3-stone design. Said to symbolize the past, present and future, these designs are no stranger to the holidays as they have remained one of the most popular Christmas gift ideas for several years and will continue the tradition as a popular choice this holiday season.

Pave designs. When you buy a jewelry design featuring pave cubic zirconia, you are getting an even larger look for your money. Pave designs give the illusion of more stones by the way that they are set which, in turn, leads to greater sparkle and a bolder presence.

Matching sets. The most popular types of cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry sets are those that feature a perfectly matched pendant and complimentary earrings. It’s one thing to purchase a pendant and then search for a pair of earrings that will work back nicely to complete the set, but it’s a whole other experience to own a perfectly-matched set of cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry.

Butterfly motif jewelry. Whether you want an accent design or a bold butterfly featuring cubic zirconia and sterling silver, these colorful winged creatures are fluttering their way into the hearts of many jewelry wearers. A butterfly can symbolize many things, including a significant change in one’s life, a new look, happiness or just the perfect fashion statement from one of the most popular trends in jewelry.

Circle jewelry. For several years, circle jewelry has been one of the most popular Christmas gift ideas. A circle features a line that is never broken, a consistent ring that has no beginning and no end. Circle jewelry, including earrings and pendants, are popular for much the same reason as wedding bands are. They imply a bond that is eternal and, with no end or beginning, are perfect gifts for the loved one in your life who wants to add some sparkle to her jewelry wardrobe.

Engagement rings. Christmas is a very popular time of year for engagements. As such, cubic zirconia and sterling silver engagement rings are a very popular gift idea. Available in the same cuts as a genuine diamond, including round, marquise, emerald and oval, cubic zirconia engagement rings are especially affordable when set in sterling silver.

Dangle earrings. The look of a dangle earring in cubic zirconia and sterling silver is the perfect compliment to any wardrobe. Whether you are dressing up in your favorite holiday attire or are decked out in your favorite jeans, dangle earrings featuring cubic zirconia will easily reflect the light as they dance freely just below the earlobe.

Chandelier necklace. Nothing says style better than a chandelier necklace featuring cubic zirconia and sterling silver. These designs have been popular for some time and show absolutely no signs of slowing down. Classic style meets modern design with chandelier jewelry and they are ideal for gift giving.

Vintage/antique designs. In the style of old-Hollywood glamour, many of the hottest designs in cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry centers around classic charm and a bold look. Although they are brand new and very modern, vintage cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry is made to look as though it came directly from an estate sale.

Celebrity inspired jewelry. Speaking of Hollywood, everyone would like to be able to afford all of the beautiful designs that appear annually on the red carpet or even randomly on a photo of our favorite celebrity, but either budget matters or our conscience will almost always prevent us from spending a fortune on the real thing. What we can afford, and feel good about, are recreated designs that are made to look exactly like those we see on the big screen, the red carpet and on the pages of popular celebrity magazines. Their popularity and affordability make celebrity inspired jewelry pieces a must-have for the holiday season.

Beyond the “round pearl,” nature nurtures a variety of abstract and artistic shapes. Of those, the “Keshi Cultured Pearls” (Keshi); used by many jewelry designers to create jewelry art, embodies elegance and is undoubtedly the alternative for those who want all nacre (non-nucleated) pearls. The free-formed flair of Keshi appeals to the astute confident collector with an artistic predilection for the “natural.” Larger sizes are rare pearls which can attain and exceed the value of some fine cultured pearls. In fact, many pearl farmers keep these Keshis for themselves as nature's true gifts.

At The Center Of It All...

Keshi is perhaps one of the most misunderstood pearl on the market today. Truly ‘real’ Keshis are increasingly rare non-nucleated accidental by-products of the freshwater and saltwater pearl culturing process, and are composed entirely of pearl nacre. These pearls form in cultivated mollusks and mussels, which would under normal circumstances (the mollusk being found outside the protected lagoons for example), be called a natural pearl.

Recently, however, the market has seen an influx of free forms tissue-nucleated cultured Freshwater pearls, produced intentionally, by seeding immature mussels with small sections of mantle tissue, so that, like Keshis, they have no discernible nucleus. And, large petals and reborns, both of which are thin and concave in appearance, are being incorrectly labeled as Keshis. To complicate the matter further, nucleated half-pearls of up to 25mm -- termed Keshis, are now being produced in the South Sea. A pearl retrieved from an oyster or mussel that was seeded intentionally to grow a Keshi is not considered a ‘real’ Keshi.

Those issues have led to an ongoing international debate on whether Keshis should be classified as natural or cultured pearls. This issue is still pending because although ‘real’ Keshis form spontaneously and without the guidance of nuclei, they only form in cultivated oysters and mussels.

‘Real’ Keshi vs. Natural Pearls

Naturals are pearls, formed by wild oysters or mussels, which have no nuclei (in the case of spontaneously formed pearls), or nuclei created by infinitesimal foreign intruders (such as miniscule parasites entering the oysters’ mantle tissue). All this must take place in oysters or mussels existing in the wild.

Keshis are non-nucleated pearls, formed accidentally by cultivated oysters or mussels, which have nuclei of 1) organic matter secreted by the oysters or mussels themselves, or 2) miniscule loose membranous tissue cells which end up inside the host during the pearl nucleation process, or 3) remains of mantle tissue implant… occur when a) the polished shells or beads separate from the tissue implant which often result in two pearls, and when b) the mollusks reject the beads, however, continues to secrete nacre to the implant area, or when c) following harvest, the mollusks are returned to the farm without being re-nucleated resulting in the original pearl sac being filled with nacre.

Food for thought: While often impossible to tell apart, a natural is a coincident in the wild and a 'real' Keshi is a farm accident caused by human’s interaction with the oysters and mussels.

Know your Keshi Pearls

Real Keshis are rare as a result of pearl farmers x-raying their oysters and re-nucleating when it is found that the mollusks have expelled the nucleus. Further more, in the rare chance that a Keshi develop, the recent change in the manner which cultured pearls are harvested has resulted in the small Keshis being washed away.

Keshi occurs in ever type of cultured pearls, and whether small or large, they are fuller in appearance as oppose to being thin and concave. Large Keshis offer wide variance in shape, as oppose to being symmetrical. The largest are most suitable for use in Jewelry Art -- created to complete an individual’s view of self: unique, individual, exceptional… and beautiful.

Nothing completes a look and adds glamour like jewelry. Pearl jewelry is considered essential for both bride and bridesmaids because it symbolizes love, purity and is believed to bring happiness and prosperity to marriage. It is something you will continue to love and enjoy for years to come.

Pearl jewelry is versatile. You can always find one suiting the style of your dress by following the neckline of your gown with the shape of your necklace. A correctly chosen pearl jewelry should harmonize the entire wedding attire and enhance your natural beauty. This article will show you how to choose the right pearl necklace for your wedding gown.

1. Strapless Dress

Strapless neckline includes Off the Shoulder, Sweetheart, and Portrait. It highlights shoulder and neck region. The right pearl wedding jewelry helps compliment the top line of the dress and draws attention to you. Many necklace styles will work with the strapless dress:

* Pearl choker & pearl princess. Pearl choker is 14-16 inches long and rests at the collarbone. Pearl princess is 17-19 inches long. Both pearl choker and pearl princess bring a symmetrical and parallel line to match the dress neckline.
* Multi-strand necklaces are also a great choice for the strapless wedding gown as long as you keep the necklace length at least one inch above the dress%u2019 neckline so as to look uncrowded.
* Y-drop necklace or pendant necklace works especially well for sweetheart neckline as it follows the top line of the wedding gown and brings focus to the bride. It also works for other strapless dresses.

2. Jewel

Jewel style dress has a high round neckline at the base of the neck. For this type of gown, choose short necklaces that fit close to your throat. Top Choices are:

* Pearl collar. Pearl collar is 12 to 13 inches long, usually made up of three or more strands. It lies snugly on the middle of the neck, luxurious and eye-catching.
* Pearl choker

3. Halter

A dress with a halter top neckline features straps that wrap around the back of the neck, creating an upside down V. Different halter top dresses call for different jewelry choices:

* If halter top rises close to your throat, go without necklace. Any necklace will crowd the overall look; use fabulous dangly earrings, and glamorous bracelets to touch up instead.
* If the halter is low and wide, consider the following suggestions: pendant necklace, Y-drop necklace or front tied lariat.

4. Bateau

Bateau has wide, high, and relatively straight neckline. It sweeps across collarbone to the edge of the shoulders. This classic dress style calls for a simple necklace worn close to the throat. Both pearl collar and pearl choker will fit this dress style well

5. One Shoulder Dress or Asymmetric Dress

The one shoulder dress is a bold style. A necklace generally is not a good idea. Because the necklace%u2019s symmetric lines may clash with the dress%u2019 asymmetric neckline, looking unbalanced and unnatural. Of course, this doesn%u2019t mean that you can%u2019t wear other beautiful accessories. You can really sparkle with a pair of earrings and a bracelet!

6. Square

The square neckline has a straight horizontal bodice that meets with straps in a 90-degree angle. This neckline calls for a simple, single strand or double strand necklaces to soften the lines. The most popular choices are pearl choker and pearl princess

7. V-Neck

When wearing a V-neck dress, choose a necklace that imitates the lines of the dress, such as:

* Y-drop necklaces. The Y-drop necklace takes the same angles as the v neck dress line.
* Chokers. The choker gives a clean line and does not distract from the v neck dress style.

8. Scoop

Scoop necked gown is a versatile neckline and most necklace styles will frame out the top of this gown perfectly. Top Choices are pearl choker, pearl princess, and multi-strand pearl necklace.

Choosing the right diamond jewelry store can be a difficult task. Between chain stores, local shops, kiosks, booths, and many other places that sell jewelry, you have to be able to decide where to go. The challenge is finding a store that is reputable and offers affordable products. Here are some tips to help you avoid bad jewelry stores.

Where to Go

When deciding where to go for purchasing diamonds, there are a few factors to consider.

First, what is the quality of the merchandise on display? If the jeweler sells silver pieces for the same price as gold pieces, then you should avoid doing business with them. Additionally, if the jeweler specializes in handling cubic zirconium and other knock-offs of real diamond products, then chances are you should look elsewhere.

Next, consider the location of the store. If the jewelers you are dealing with do not have a permanent shop, then they are probably not people you should be buying diamonds from. After all, if they can pack up and move to a different town at a moments notice, then nothing will stop them from deceiving you with low quality products at a high price.

Finally, think about the size of the store. The larger the store, the more buying the store has to do for inventory. Because suppliers give the best deals to jewelers who purchase the most products, larger dealers can generally offer the lowest price on jewelry.

Other Diamond Buying Tips

If you are purchasing a diamond for someone you truly care about, you should buy designer diamond jewelry. Designer jewelry has the highest fashion standards, making them the most attractive for people to wear. Their designs for pendants, rings, or anything else always look better than non-designer jewelry.

Another thing you should be on the lookout for is a diamond jewelry shop that's having a sale. When companies have sales, sometimes it is because nobody wants the products they are trying to sell. However, more often than not, sales take place simply because they have old stock that they want to get rid of to make room for a new shipment. Take advantage of a jeweler’s desire to move old merchandise and save yourself a lot of money.

Finally, shop around. Look into multiple locations that sell jewelry. Diamond jewelry can be very expensive, so you should be cautious when purchasing. If you are buying a gift, make sure that the piece you have truly symbolizes your love for that person. You don’t want your loved one to receive an expensive gift and not be absolutely floored.

By following the tips listed here, you will certainly be able to find the perfect diamond jewelry you have been looking for. Remember that not all diamond sellers are trustworthy, so always be cautious. Additionally, use common sense when shopping for diamonds. Do not let a salesman swindle you into purchasing something that you feel uneasy about.

Turquoise is the birthstone of December and also it is traditionally considered the anniversary gemstone for the 11th year of marriage.

Chemically, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, turquoise is formed when meteoric material or groundwater percolates through aluminous rock in the presence of copper. For this reason, it is often associated with copper deposits as a secondary mineral, most often in copper deposits in arid, semiarid, or desert environments. It consists of a phosphate of aluminum, colored by copper and traces of iron. Some gemologists believe that the beautiful blue color is produced by a complex ion formed by copper and ammonium. The finest colored material is mined and worked in Iran; its colors range from the highly desirable sky blue to a bluish green.

History

Turquoise, also known as the robin's egg blue gemstone worn by Pharaohs and Aztec Kings, is probably one of the oldest gemstones known. Its blue color is so distinctive that the name is used to describe any color that resembles it. That is why it is used as a gemstone.

Since about 200 B.C., Turquoise has been extensively used by both southwestern U.S Native Americans and by many of the Indian tribes in Mexico. The Native American Jewelry or "Indian style" jewelry with turquoise mounted in or with silver is relatively new. Some believe this style of jewelry was unknown prior to about 1880, when a white trader persuaded a Navajo craftsman to make turquoise and silver jewelry using coin silver. Prior to this time, the Native Americans had made solid turquoise beads, carvings, and inlaid mosaics.

Today, turquoise has found wide acceptance among people of all walks of life and from many different ethnic groups. The name turquoise may have come from the word Turquie, French for Turkey, because of the early belief that the mineral came from that country (the turquoise most likely came from the Alimersai Mountain region in Persia, now Iran or the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, two of the world's oldest known turquoise mining areas.). Another possibility could be the name came from the French description of the gemstone, "pierre turquin" meaning dark blue stone.

For thousands of years the finest intense blue turquoise in the world was found in Persia, and the term "Persian Turquoise" became synonymous with the finest quality. This changed during the late 1800's and early 1900's when modern miners discovered or rediscovered significant deposits of high-quality turquoise in the western and Southwestern United States. Material from many of these deposits was just as fine as the finest "Persian. “Today, the term "Persian Turquoise" is more often a definition of quality than a statement of origin, and the majority of the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from the United States, the largest producer of turquoise.

Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise jewelry is high in fashion now for its natural colors and elegance. It's also highly collectible and grows in value over time. One can find a brilliant selection of Turquoise jewelry in both traditional and contemporary styles to match every taste. There is everything Turquoise Concho Belts, Turquoise Earrings, Turquoise Bracelets, Turquoise Rings, Hair Jewelry, Turquoise Necklaces, Turquoise Watches, including Turquoise Belt Buckles and Bolo Ties. You can't go wrong with a one of a kind hand made piece of Turquoise jewelry.