It is highly likely that many have heard the popular descriptions regarding diamonds such as diamonds are a girl’s best friend and diamonds are forever. Catch phrases such as these shed light on just how popular these beautiful gemstones truly are. In fact, many individuals own at least one piece of diamond jewelry whether it be an engagement ring or a necklace with a stone of this type included within it. When buying this type of jewelry, one may wonder what type of diamond they should get as they will ultimately be faced with a wide range of options. There are a few ways in which one can determine what type of diamond is right for them.

Type of Jewelry Which Will Include the Gemstone or Stones

One should first decide which type of jewelry the diamond will be included within. This will help the buyer to determine various factors surrounding the gem such as size, quality and shape. For example, one who is choosing a diamond for an engagement ring may care more about the quality of the stone than one who is going to have a bracelet with multiple stones sparkling on it. Therefore, once the purchaser determines what type of jewelry they will include the gemstones within, they will be well on their way to figuring out what type of stone is right for them.

Preferred Style With Regard to Jewelry

Prospective purchasers of these gemstones may also find that they have a certain style in mind when it comes to jewelry purchases. Some individuals prefer jewelry which is modest in nature whereas others like their accessories to stand out. When choosing a diamond to suit one’s taste, it is important to consider how one likes their accessories to appear. For those who want to purchase a ring which really stands out, they may find that selecting a high quality stone will make the item do just that. On the other hand, if the buyer has more modest tastes, then perhaps a delicate bracelet with smaller stones included within it might be the way to go.

Colorless or Colored Diamonds

Shoppers who are looking for these gems may also find themselves contemplating whether to get a colorless or colored stone. When trying to determine which one is right for you with regard to this factor, there are a few things to keep in mind. Colored diamonds tend to be more expensive than colorless ones so if one is hoping to stick to a modest budget then perhaps the latter type might be more advisable. In addition, colored stones are quite unique when compared to their colorless counterparts. Therefore, if one is looking for a diamond which will really stand out and be an original type of jewelry piece, then choosing a colored diamond for one’s jewelry item might be the best bet.

In the last several years, consumers have been turning away from natural diamonds and buying man-made diamond jewelry. There are several companies leading the diamond simulant industry: ASHA, CARAT, Russian Brilliants, and Diamond Nexus Labs. Each company has different policies for returns, exchanges, and guarantees. This article deciphers which companies offer the most thorough policies, as a reference for your next purchase of synthetic diamond jewelry.

How Much Time Do I Have? You scroll through the various sites and decide on a piece of lab-created diamond jewelry, order, and wait for it to arrive. Now that it’s here, decide quickly if you need to take any further action if you ordered from Russian Brilliants, because they have a seven day refund policy (minus shipping costs). You have more than a week if you ordered from ASHA, with their policy being 14 days from the day you receive your shipment. If you choose to go with CARAT you have 30 days to return the package but you must notify them within 7 days that you intend to return the shipment, however you will have to return your purchase to China, as that is where they are based. With Diamond Nexus Labs, you have a full 30 days to inspect and enjoy your lab-created diamond jewelry. Additionally, only with Diamond Nexus Labs is it acceptable to actually wear your jewelry; both CARAT and ASHA state in their policy that the items must be returned unworn.

Returns If you want the merchandise to be simply returned, each company will do their best to accommodate you. ASHA will charge a 10 percent restocking fee, as will CARAT. Keep in mind that with CARAT you will need to deal with customs for a return because they are based in China. This also means any phone inquiries must be handled during their business hours (the middle of the night in the United States). Russian Brilliants are vague about their return policy, while Diamond Nexus Labs extensive return policy details a no-hassle, no-questions-asked policy. Simply place a note with your request and your contact information in the package.

Exchanges Your diamond simulant selection may be beautiful, but not what you expected from a picture. If you should wish to purchase something else, each company has a different procedure, and will provide phone support if you should have any questions (with the exception of ASHA – they have no phone customer service department; questions must be submitted via email). ASHA allows 14 days to submit an exchange, and somewhat cheekily specifies that after 14 days the company would be serving as your ‘personal jewelry library’ if they still permitted exchanges. CARAT allows you to decide on an exchange within 7 days, minus a 10 percent restocking fee. Russian Brilliants will also exchange within 7 days. Diamond Nexus Labs has no qualms about processing your exchange free of charge, no hassle or re-stocking fee, for a full 30 days.

Ring Resizing When ordering a synthetic diamond ring, each company has a different policy regarding resizing the ring. This comes up quite frequently with weight loss or gain or simply an error in size selection. Russian Brilliants will resize your ring for a small fee. Carat does not indicate what their resizing policy is, and Diamond Nexus Labs will resize your ring, free of charge, within 30 days of your purchase. ASHA encourages you to take your ring to a local jeweler; however, if you find that you cannot find someone else to do it, they charge $35 to size white gold and $55 for platinum.

Lifetime Guarantees Russian Brilliants and CARAT each warranty their lab-created diamond products against color changes for a lifetime. ASHA has recently withdrawn their offer of a lifetime warranty. They claim that the stones that were returned to them were due to customer or jeweler negligence. Diamond Nexus guarantees that if any Diamond Nexus Labs gemstone ever fades, discolors, or becomes damaged, a free replacement will be granted. They additionally ensure a free replacement if the stone is ever lost from its setting!

Clearly not all companies offering lab-created diamonds are equal, and customer service policies run the gamut from excellent to sub-standard. Now that you are prepared to shop around for diamond simulant jewelry with the guarantee information at your fingertips, you can enjoy browsing and selecting all the gorgeous synthetic diamond jewelry you desire.

Renewed interest has spawned in the synthetic diamond debate, in part due to new color technology by the Gemesis Corporation. The company, located in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, has been creating cultured diamonds for over a decade.

Gemesis has always specialized in yellow diamonds simply because that is what the machines make, influenced somewhat by the nitrogen in the air. Recently though, the company has been experimenting with the creation of pink and blue diamonds—highly coveted and extremely rare, naturally occurring stones.

If this takes off, not only will Gemesis be able to provide an abundance of color, but it would also bring economy to the world of diamond buying, with greatly reduced prices.

It is no wonder De Beers is sweating bullets these days. They have a lot to lose if machine-grown gems become a standard in the industry. Typically these stones sell for about one-third of what their naturally produced counterparts would.

Though it hasn’t been the easiest ride for Gemesis and other synthetic diamond makers, there have been steady gains made. In January, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) started accepting laboratory-grown diamonds for commercial grading.

Gemesis Chief Executive Steven Lux is hopeful. “By the end of next year, Gemesis expects to be making enough pinks to bring them out commercially. By 2009, Gemesis will have commercial quantities of blues,” Lux said. There are also plans to create different colors in the future, including the traditional “white” or “colorless” diamond.

De Beers, by far has been the biggest defender in this cultured vs. natural diamonds debate. De Beers spokeswoman Lynette Gould appeared confident when discussing the future of the diamond industry, though. “If synthetics do enter the jewelry market we believe that over time, production costs will fall, and synthetics will probably occupy a similar position in the marketplace to Cubic Zirconia, Moissanite, and other such materials,” wrote Gould.

To counter this notion that Gemesis’ real diamonds are even remotely similar to cubics, Gemesis recently hired Joan Parker, a former De Beers spokeswoman and marketing executive. Gemesis does not even approve of the term “synthetic” because of the fact that its stones are physically, optically, and chemically real diamonds.

Jewelry is one of the most personal gifts you can give someone. Handmade jewelry chosen for that special person says you have given a lot of thought to your purchase. You may choose from many types of handcrafted artisan jewelry such as casual, classic, and contemporary, to jewelry worn with business attire or formal wear. Also keep in mind the variety and color of jewelry available from freshwater pearls, semi-precious gemstone, and crystals, to African trade beads. In addition to personal color preference, think about whether the person for whom you are purchasing this gift has a passion for earrings, bracelets or necklaces.

Consider personal style in choosing your gift. An appropriate gift for a very casual dresser, wearing jeans, t-shirts and flip flops may not be suitable for the business person who wears more formal apparel every day. A trendy necklace or bracelet in their favorite color looks great when dressing up a denim outfit. If your friend has a fondness for certain gemstones, a beautiful gemstone pendant may compliment a traditional business suit. A contemporary dresser may wear the most stylish jewelry while a formal dresser might prefer a classic jewelry ensemble, maybe freshwater pearls or crystals.

Because handmade artisan jewelry comes in many shapes and sizes, look for adjustable pieces if you are unsure of the size needed. Extender chains can add up to two inches on a bracelet, necklace or anklet. Stretch bracelets are very popular. Earrings come in many different lengths. Another option could be long necklaces which can be wrapped around two or three times adjusting the length as desired. Oftentimes stylish pendants can be purchased separately from sterling silver or gold-filled chains, so you can find the perfect sized chain later. These chains come in many lengths from sixteen inches to much longer. A custom handcrafted design can be created by contacting the artist. This could mean a perfect fit for a particular piece you have in mind.

To find the perfect piece of jewelry, keep in mind that the clasp on a necklace or bracelet may be important. Some closures, like those listed below are easier to handle than others. A bar and ring toggle is fairly easy to maneuver as is a lobster claw or springring, both traditional closures. A hook and eye or loop and button closure gives a custom look to handmade pieces. And many customers love the magnetic clasp or filigree clasps.

Choosing a wonderful gift of handmade jewelry tells recipients you have given much thought to their gift. It says they are special, and you genuinely care for them. Handcrafted artisan jewelry can be as much fun to select as to give.

While in WWII my father sent home a necklace. On the box it says "Handmade black pearl necklace, purchased while he was in Italy." It is black with orange beads between pearls shapes. It looks more like mother of pearl to me, but the black color throws me off. The pearls could be genuine, but to be sure you really need to get a professional evaluation either by an estate jewelry appraiser or gemologist.

Another way to tell if they are genuine is to rub a pearl against your teeth. If it is smooth, it is not genuine. Pearls will always have a roughness that you can't detect visually. The orange beads could be coral. If they are genuine black pearls, their value would depend on size, quality and color. Something only someone with a "hands-on" examination could determine.

I'm going to sell an antique strand of pearls and a potential buyer asked to know how the pearls were "signed". Generally in old items and even some new, signed simply means some means of identification of the maker or designer. On antique glassware for example, a signature mark may be pressed or cut into the glass. Some antique costume jewelry is "signed" with a makers mark and that does increase the value if the maker is among the popular ones at the time.

For pearls, a "sign" is difficult. The only place for a signature or makers mark is generally on the clasp area. This will be either on the clasp or the "tongue" that goes into the larger clasp body. Clasps can be changed when pearls are restrung and a signed clasp can always be suspect as to the real "maker" of the pearls. If these are genuine or cultured pearls, the value is likely more in the pearls than in the "signature".

If these are costume pearls, the value is partially in the signature and then in the condition of the strand. The condition of the pearls is more imprtant than the condition of the cord used for stringing.Stringing can be and should be done regularly for pearls worn often.

I have not seen pearls "signed" very often and as I said, that can be suspect as to accuracy. Look for some mark on the clasp parts to see if any names or "trademarks" are stamped there. That will be the only signature you will have.

Could be the potential buyer is looking for a particular make of costume pearl or then again might be asking and not really knowing what the buyer is asking for! The best thing is for the buyer to look at the pearls and to offer you a price. If not happy with the price, just refuse it. Some buyers are in the business to resell the items and only offer prices way below market values.

It is possible to take the strand to a qualified jeweler for an appraisal. If the pearls are costume, the jeweler should be able to tell right away and advise against a full appraisal. If they are real pearls, the jeweler can appraise the strand based on the pearls, not on the antique value. That is at least a starting place.

I cannot see your pearl brooch but assume the pearls radiate in some floral pattern, perhaps on individual "stems" or as part of "flowers." If this is the case, you have some space between the pearls which will make cleaning easier. If the pearls are closely grouped covering much of the gold, cleaning will be more tedious and difficult.

I will get into specific cleaning in a moment: First, consider care and cleaning of pearls in general. In a nutshell, cleaning the brooch yourself will come down to baking soda, a good jewelry polishing cloth and a mild detergent. You may opt for a jeweler to do the cleaning. I will get into the specifics later.

"Pearls." Composition of a pearl and why care must be exercised in cleaning and wear. Pearls form naturally in both fresh and saltwater mollusks. The most well-known pearls are saltwater pearls formed inside various forms of pearl oysters. While "oriental" or totally natural pearls were the gems in ages past, pearl farming has led to a supply of cultured pearls which would be impossible from free ranging oysters and the efforts of pearl divers.

Only chance will bring a free swimming oyster to produce a pearl and only fortunate environment will lead to a natural pearl being well-formed, smooth surfaced and beautiful. In pearl farms, many conditions are controlled to help insure a good crop but today pollution in the waters are damaging the growth and supply of fine cultured pearls.

The pearl forms around some type of foreign object inside the oyster shell. In cultured pearls, the object is a bead of mother of pearl (pearl shell) placed into the oyster by pearl farmers. Seeing the object as an irritation, the oyster covers the object with layer and layer of a material called nacre. This is essentially the same material making the shiny and lustrous lining of the shell.

Pearl nacre is made of aragonite, a type of calcium carbonate. A sort of "pearl glue" holds together microscopic plates of aragonite. As long as the oyster is healthy, the nacre forms and becomes thick over the core, developing the luster and shine we recognize as a pearl.

Why all of that information? There is one reason: aragonite or calcium carbonate. This is the substance of the pearl, the nacre. This material is soft compared to earth formed gemstones. This material is easily damaged by acids, certain chemicals and abrasive substances. The general cleaning methods used for mineral gemstones cannot be safely used to clean the tarnished metal and pearls at the same time. Where a simple gold item may be placed into a mild acid to remove tarnish and buffed to restore shine, that same mild acid will etch the pearl and can actually dissolve it.

"What to avoid when cleaning pearl jewelry?" As important as how to clean the jewelry is knowing what "NOT" to use as a cleanser. Commercial jewelry cleaning liquids are too strong for pearls. Most of these cleaners contain ammonia and ammonia can damage the pearl, reducing the luster. Jewelry cleaners are pretty much ineffective in removing tarnish and are designed to free up and remove dirt and grime more than remove tarnish.

Avoid any cleanser with ammonia, chlorine or abrasives added. Avoid jewelry or silver polishing cloths with a red rouge layer. The rouge is a polishing compound but the red material(iron oxide) can easily get lodged in unseen recesses of a pearl and make the pearl unsightly.

"What to use to clean pearls and remove tarnish from metal?" Oh my, now we get into basic elbow grease! At home cleaning in the safest form is done by taking a wet paste of baking soda and gently rubbing the metal. If the tarnish is not severe, the mild abrasive nature of the damp soda will remove it. Rub with your fingers on the metal only, using a soft brush or implement such as a wet toothpick or cotton ear swab for hard to reach areas. To restore shine to the metal, follow-up with a fine quality jewelry polishing cloth metal.

I recommend one of the chemically treated cloths such as "Sunshine Cloth" from a jewelry parts and tools supplier. Other similar cloths are available at jewelry stores. Frankly, many jewelry store employees don't know much about the cleaning supplies that sell. So be sure not to get the kind with a red rouge layer, even if recommended. Craft stores and jewelry stores often use RioGrande as a source and should be able to get a "Sunshine Cloth" for you. Like other similar cloths, light action quickly removes tarnish. With light tarnish, you may use the cloth alone and skip the baking soda. These cloths are used "as is" and are simply discarded when used up.

To follow-up this cleaning with a quick rinse in a mild dish detergent is a good idea. This will remove any residue. Simply take a mild solution of dish detergent like Joy (remember, no ammonia!),rub gently with the fingers, rinse in warm water and pat dry. That is it.

"Security of the pearls." While cleaning the brooch, gently grasp each pearl and see if it turns on the mounting stem or within the setting. If on a stem of metal, the pearl should be removed and re-cemented with a clear two part epoxy cement. This is likely a job for the jeweler to do. If loose in a claw or prong type setting, a jeweler can quickly and gently tighten the settings.

"Cleaning by a jewelry." You may decide to let a jeweler clean the brooch and secure any loose pearls. If pearls are removed and re-cemented, while the pearls are removed the brooch may be machine polished to an almost like new condition with no fear of damage to the pearls. If cleaned with the pearls intact, the jeweler will use fine rotary brushes to buff away the tarnish. Then, all is cleaned in a mild detergent solution generally using an ultrasonic cleaner.

Yellow sapphires are beautiful gems and price varies as with other gemstones according to color and clarity. A stone fairly free of internal flaws and of an attractive color and "saturation" (deepness) of that color will bring a higher price than a cloudy gem with a faded color. With colored gems of all sorts, it is difficult to specify a particular shade of color, yellow in your case.

As you likely know, the stone blue topaz is available in several shades of blue. The shades and intensity of yellow in sapphires is also quite variable. The best thing to do when getting two or more stones is to ask the jeweler or other supplier to "Match The Stones." You might also want to see a sample of the color.

Most vendors will send a jeweler a selection on "memo", meaning the goods are not invoiced or billed for a period of time. This method allows the customer to see the stones and accept or reject. Some jewelers will charge you shipping for this service but those anticipating a sale of a ring, a diamond or two and labor will often get the stones for you to see at no charge. When you go shopping for the yellow sapphires, it is worth asking if they will obtain stones for you to see before making your decision.

Natural or Treated.I am not opening a can of worms here, rest assured of that. Most colored gems are treated one way or the other to improve the color nature provided. The topaz I mentioned is naturally more the lighter blue color of aquamarine until treated by irradiation. Tanzanite is not the lovely electric blue until it is heat treated.

Most all rubies and sapphires are heat treated to improve the color. Heating to a certain temperature and carefully cooling the stones results in stronger and improved colors, while masking or driving away unwanted tones. Yellow sapphire is available either totally natural as from the earth or heat treated.

Do not consider heat treating a bad thing. This is the standard in the trade for many gems and is the least intrusive of stone treatments and the closest to what nature does. Natural stones of the intense color of heat treated stones do exist but command a higher price if sold as totally natural gems.

Then again, that price is affected by the availability of the treated stones. I doubt you could even start to sell a natural untreated blue topaz. The color is much too pale compared to the irradiated ones on the market today and the darker colors are the "accepted" color for blue topaz! Yellow sapphires are neither so common nor nearly so inexpensive as blue topaz. Yellow sapphire, whether heat treated or not is a wonderful gemstone and the fact that a stone was treated would not affect my purchase one bit. The bottom line is what color do you like and what is available in that color.

"Stone Size". Remember that I said carat is weight and not size. A carat is simply a weight measured on a scale like a gram, an ounce,or pound would be measured. A pound of feathers weights a pound, just like a pound of chocolate candies. But the pound of feathers takes up a lot more space. Feathers are not as dense as chocolates and simply take up more space for the same weight. The same is true with gemstones. A diamond has a specific gravity (a scale of density or compactness of the material) of around 3.52.

A Sapphire has a specific gravity of about 4.00. A Sapphire is heavier. Sapphires will take up less space for the same weight. This is what to keep in mind even if you skip the rest of this paragraph: A 1 carat sapphire will be a tad smaller than a 1 carat diamond of similar proportions. In fact a sapphire of 1 carat is close to the size of a 0.90 carat diamond. The sapphire will be slightly smaller across the top when cut to similar proportions.

Sometimes sapphires are cut deeper than diamonds. This means the stone will be even smaller looking from the top. The reason I mention this is to suggest you shop for a particular "Size" rather than a weight like 1 carat or .75 carats. For your information, a decently cut yellow sapphire of .75 carats is about 5.5 millimeter across the top (round stone). A one carat stone is about 6 mm. A diamond of .75 is about 5.8mm and a 1 carat diamond is right at 6.5mm. The difference is small in visual size but you need to be aware of this.

Price varies some with heat treated and totally natural yellow sapphires, however, the price differences are not great. Competition sees to that as does the fact that most totally natural gems are paler and sometimes carry a greenish tone with the yellow. Please keep in mind the price will vary with clarity, intensity of color and depth of cut. Ask for stones in sizes you want to see, look at the stones and go from there. That is the simple answer and you don't need to worry so much about carat weight but the look you want. What I show are nice gemstones at normal to high retail.

The price may be lower at some retailers: 0.75 carat very nice stone, dark to medium yellow, treated $400/carat 0.75 carat very nice stone, canary yellow to golden, natural 650/carat

0.33 carat to .28 carat, 4mm quality same as above, treated 350-400/carat 0.33 carat to .28 carat, 4mm natural, golden or canary 400-490/carat

These are not expensive gemstones compared to some others and offer the wonderful color and durability of sapphire. Again, please ask for stones of a particular size more than carat weight and get a good look at all of them!

"What Size Stones?" The answer here is totally dependant on the setting you choose. Three stone rings generally will have stones of the approximate proportions between center and sides. That means a three stone ring with a 5.5 mm(.75 carat sapphire) will need 4mm diamonds, or diamonds of about 1/4th carat each if you choose diamond side stones.

I suggest you go to a good jewelry store and ask to see catalogs of ring settings. You can find one, I am certain, suitable for a yellow sapphire of about 3/4 carat with free form shape and multiple side stones. The smaller diamonds and smaller side yellow sapphires will run less money overall compared to going with larger sapphires. A 5 stone ring with side stones might call for a center the size you like and side stones of perhaps 3mm, which is 0.10 carat diamonds and close 0.12 to 0.15 carat sapphires (depending on cut).

Mountings like this of good quality in 14k will run about $200, give or take some dollars for the three stone with 5.5 mm center stone. So many settings styles are out there I hesitate to try and mention other prices. But like I said go to other jewelry stores in your area and talk to them about prices, see if you get the price that you want or around the price that you would like for the kind of style of ring that you would like to have. Don't be scared to talk to them about it and get as much information on the stones, size, color, ect.

This may be a really lame question but I got to thinking. When you have a wedding ring or engagement ring do you wear it ALL the time? What about in the shower, doing dishes or doing yard work? I don't have a ring yet, but I'm already nervous about losing it or damaging it. I guess thats what insurance is for, but it still wouldnt be fun to have to go through the pain of losing a ring you love.

I never take mine off. I was in the hospital for 4 weeks and had to have some surgery and they had to tape my ring to my finger cause I would not take it off. I wear gloves when I do the dishes but with my luck if I took it off I would lose it.

I just take off my ring when I take a shower or when I am doing something messy like washing dishes because junk gets built up on your ring. But that it!

I wear it all the time except for when I shower. I get it cleaned once a month though. Plus I clean it myself everyday after I shower. My ring gets loose in the winter when the weather is cold, but it never slips past my knuckle. It spins a lot, but doesn't come off. If your scared it might fall off, they have these new plastic, flexible wraps that you can put around the bottom of your ring, kind of like a rubber grip to stop it from coming off. Then at least you don't have to have it sized. Make sure whoever your FH buys your ring from, sizes it right. It should feel a little tight going over your knuckle and should not be easy to come off. You should have to push your ring up to go over your knuckle.

I take it off before bed & put it back on after I take my shower in the morning. I forgot to put it on today because I was rushing out of the house this morning, and that's happened a few times since I got the ring. I also take it off if I'm cooking something that I have to stick my hands into. Also, if I'm not leaving the house (and therefore, putting myself together, etc.,) I may not even wear it.

It's a personal choice. For me, I'm clumsy and if I slept with it I'd probably be all scratched up by now. For that reason, too, I don't really want to wear it all the time. It's an heirloom and I know my Mom chipped the stone a little & I don't want to do that - or knock it out! Also, I don't want to have to have it professionally cleaned very often because, personally, I think it's a frivolous expense.

Estate jewelry is a beautifully crafted type of accessory which has a loyal following. This type of item goes by a few different names and some may know it more by another name such as antique jewelry. People purchase estate jewelry for many reasons such as for historical value, wonderful craftsmanship and overall aesthetic qualities. If one is hoping to start collecting items of the estate variety or has been doing so yet wishes to add more to the collection, there are a few factors which they should consider when buying this type of accessory.

Authenticity of the Item

Although not everyone is purchasing estate jewelry simply to have an authentic piece of the past in their collection, many wish for the jewelry which they do purchase to be authentic in nature. It is wise to read up on the subject of estate jewelry to become more well versed with this type of item if one is not already. In addition, it never hurts to have the item appraised prior to purchasing it. This will make the authenticity factor more concrete since it has been looked over by someone who is knowledgeable in that area of collections.

Cost of the Estate Jewelry Piece

The price for which the estate jewelry is listed is another important factor to consider. For some, money is no object and paying a large amount for an estate item may not seem like a big deal. However, for those who wish to carefully spend their funds on accessories of this type, ensuring that the price is comparable to the quality and authenticity of the item is important. This too can be gauged after having learned about the different values of estate jewelry and one who has a good grasp on costs of various century pieces will know how much is too much to spend on an item.

Condition of the Accessory

The condition of the estate jewelry piece is another important factor to keep in mind when browsing the selections. Although estate jewelry has an antique quality about it, this does not mean that it should look like it has been overused throughout the generations. This type of jewelry should be in a condition often referred to as gently used which means it has that antique flair to it yet will still stand the test of time in the years to come.

Uniqueness of Estate Jewelry

Consumers should also determine what they are looking for in an estate jewelry piece. Many like this type of jewelry for its unique qualities. Therefore, it might be desirable to browse around until one finds a piece that is extremely unique in nature. Not only will this present the best look for the purchaser to enjoy but it may also make it more valuable in the end if there are not many other pieces around which are similar to it.

Diamond engagement ring purchasers have quite a few options when it comes to choosing the perfect ring. Not only must they select a diamond with regard to size, quality and style but they also must choose a setting in which to place the diamond. Settings come in a wide array of choices and there are a few different options one has when it comes to diamond engagement ring settings. The following will highlight some of the various options one has when choosing their setting so that those shopping for this special type of ring will be well prepared when it comes time to make their final selection.

Type of Metal

There are a few different choices one has when selecting a metal type for their diamond engagement ring setting. Some of the top choices for settings include white gold, yellow gold and platinum. Another relatively new metal choice for engagement ring settings is titanium, which is a light and sturdy type of metal. For some individuals, choosing a metal type is an easy decision as one wears a certain type of jewelry and wishes to have their engagement ring coordinate with the jewelry already owned. However, others may start the shopping trip with an open mind and only determine what type of setting metal they would like to have on their ring after trying on a few different selections. Whatever the decision may be, it is important to know that various choices do exist when it comes to metal types for one's diamond engagement ring.

Setting Styles

Another choice which one will have to make when choosing a setting for their diamond engagement ring is what type of setting style they wish to go with. There are a couple different options which face shoppers with regard to the style of the setting. Some settings are prong style settings and one can choose a 4-prong setting or one consisting of other amounts of prongs. Another setting option is that of the bezel setting which consists of the metal entirely surrounding the diamond. This often results in an extremely elegant looking ring. Whatever style setting one chooses to go with, it is important to ensure that the setting more than adequately secures the diamond in place.

Setting with Baguettes

For those who are looking to purchase a diamond engagement ring with added flair, baguettes may be a good addition to consider. If this is the case, one needs to choose a setting which has the allotted room to fit baguettes within the ring. This is another type of setting choice which one might have to make if they desire some extra diamonds on their engagement ring. Although baguettes are a popular choice for many brides to be, choosing a setting which must have room for baguettes might narrow down the options just a little bit. However, by shopping around, one is sure to find an adequate selection of baguette style ring settings.

Diamonds are a gemstone which appears in many different pieces of jewelry. Perhaps it is due to their sheer brilliance or popularity in general which prompts many jewelry designers to use diamonds as the focal point of their products. Although one does not necessarily have to be an expert on gemstones such as diamonds in order to purchase a nice item, it certainly helps to take some tips into consideration when shopping for that perfect piece of diamond jewelry.

Know the 4 C's

Before embarking on your diamond shopping adventures, it might be wise to read up a little on something known as the 4 C's. The 4 C's stands for cut, color, clarity and carat with regard to the diamond gemstone. It is important to know what to look for within each category so that the diamond which is chosen is the best possible one for your needs. Each of these categories has a scale pertaining to them and it is a way to judge the overall quality of the diamond which one is purchasing.

Consider a Desired Price Range

Diamonds can range in price from relatively affordable to exorbitant in amount. Whether one can afford a certain stone depends on their current financial situation. It is important to have a budget in mind prior to starting the search for that perfect piece of diamond jewelry. Doing so will allow the buyer to determine what quality of stone they can obtain for the price they wish to pay for it. Having a set number in mind will help the purchaser to choose the perfect piece of diamond jewelry and still maintain a budget while doing so.

Keep An Open Mind With Regard to Style

One who is shopping for a diamond jewelry selection should keep an open mind with regard to style when doing so. There are many different shapes and styles of diamonds and diamond jewelry to choose from when making this type of purchase. It is also often the case that the buyer doesn't really know how the piece of diamond jewelry will look until they try it on. One style of diamond jewelry which may not appeal to an individual while in the case may look radiant on the prospective purchaser when they try it on. Therefore, if one is buying their diamond jewelry item in a store setting, trying on various pieces and keeping an open mind with regard to style will often equate with the best possible purchase.

Jewelry is something which like any other item has popular products which are in style at the moment. Whether it be casual jewelry or fine jewelry, there are certain items at times where everyone simply has to have them. Many jewelry wearers like to find out the various trends relating to this type of accessory and make sure that they are up to date with the latest accessory fashions. Not only should one know what is popular at the moment but also where they can obtain these desirable pieces of jewelry.

Popular Jewelry Trends

Each year new jewelry trends emerge where jewelry lovers express their need to have all that is new and modern at that time. There are a few trends which have come about recently and still seem to be going strong. The first is diamond pendants. Although these beautiful items can vary in style, size and even material, the diamond pendant is an item which many women need to purchase these days. Some of the more popular diamond pendants are circular in shape and comprised of either white gold or platinum metals. Other highly sought after diamond pendants feature three stones hanging vertically off of the chain.

Another popular jewelry trend is hoop earrings or dangling earrings. These too vary in size and style but earrings which come to the mid-neck region are quite popular today. With regard to the hoops, something of a medium size and gold or silver is often purchased. In addition, dangling earrings can be those made up of casual stones and beads or something more fancy with semi-precious stones and diamonds included within them. Depending on where they are worn, the exact type of earrings will vary but the popular ones are usually those which have some length to them.

Where to Purchase These Popular Jewelry Fashions

Popular jewelry products can be purchased in many different places. For those who wish to shop at a physical location and browse the selections of popular items, a local jewelry store is a nice place to choose to do so. By shopping at one of these stores, the buyer can browse the glass cases, try on different possibilities and perhaps even take advantage of special savings while they are there.

If one is Internet savvy and likes to make purchases online, then the World Wide Web is a great place to purchase popular jewelry pieces. When shopping online for this type of accessory, the purchaser can browse through a large number of online stores and products without ever having to leave their home. This is an extremely convenient way to add popular items to one's collection. In addition, the buyer may also be able to take advantage of special deals only available to online buyers which can save them some money in the end.

There are many different types of jewelry pieces available to accessory lovers these days. For those who wish to dress up a daytime outfit, casual jewelry might be the way to go. On the other hand, individuals who are going out for a fancy night on the town may wish to wear something with a little bit more flair and extravagance. Antique jewelry is one category of accessory which has a fan base all its own. Some jewelry connoisseurs find that antique jewelry holds the most attraction for them for a number of reasons.

Wonderful Historical Aspects to the Piece

Antique jewelry is desired in part for its wonderful historical past. This type of accessory has been passed down from generation to generation in many cases and would have a world to tell if it was able to put its past into words. Not only do some antique jewelry lovers want to wear the piece of history on their person but they also enjoy researching its origin and finding out more about its historical background.

Style of the Piece Suits the Individual

Others who purchase this type of item often like to do so for the sheer reason that it suits their individual style. Some people have an antique flair about them as they wish to dress and accessorize in a style concomitant with the past. Whether it be an antique pin or century-old necklace, the antique item might go perfectly with the attire which the individual chooses to wear on a daily basis. Finding a jewelry item which coincides with one’s overall appearance is another reason why antique jewelry is sought after.

Beautiful Craftsmanship of Antique Jewelry

It is often said that they simply do not make things these days in the same durable, exquisite fashion as they did in the past decades and centuries. This applies to many different things yet can be said to apply to antique jewelry as well. The way in which these types of pieces were crafted not only presents a beautiful finished product but it is often one which will stand the test of time.

Antique Jewelry as an Investment

Antique jewelry is also purchased by some as a type of investment. Since many pieces of this type of jewelry tend to appreciate in value as the years progress, some may buy antique jewelry not to wear but to display or resell at a later time. Investing in the historical value of antique jewelry may be a wise decision for certain people to make. Even if the jewelry is not going to be worn, it is still going to be appreciated one way or another. Investment purposes are another cited reason why jewelry shoppers buy this type of item.

Unlike other precious diamonds and metals that are cut, shaped, polished and crafted to display the brilliance and colors, pearls are natural gems that have natural lustrous appeal and have dazzled many Queens and Princesses for many years. One often finds celebrities, film starlets; young sexy models have graciously displayed pearl jewelry with their designer’s outfits. Pearl jewelry designed with quality lustrous pearls are indeed very eye-catching and look very pretty and awesome. In the ancient times, only Royal families and rich affluent people had the privileges to possess pearls and ordinary folks had no access to them. But now all women have the luxury to wear any type of pearl jewelry of her choice. Not only are so many types of pearls and pearl jewelry available to choose from but are much more affordable now.

There was time when only natural peals were used in pearl jewelry and often it was hard to find in the deep Sea water and the quantity was scarce. But thanks to the new culturing techniques, there has been tremendous growth in production of quality cultured pearls and all natural pearls are almost rarity now. Different types of pearls are grown in different regions depending upon the pearl type oysters. Proximately pearls are farmed in Japan, China, Australia, Indonesia and French Polynesian Island areas and it has become the billion dollars industry in the last few decades. There has been great surge in demand as women now have more access to their wealth and money and love to enjoy wearing the exciting and captivating natural shining pearl jewelry.

It has always been the great challenge for men to find a heartfelt and unique gift when shopping for a special woman and that'll let a woman know just how special she is to him that will leave a lifetime romantic experience. Jewelry has always been the most exciting gift item to choose and pearl jewelry has always been the perfect gift for all women. Bring a dazzle in someone’s’ life to whom you love most with the luminous pearl jewelry and she will be thrilled to know that you really love and care.