Archive

Author Archive

How To Prolong The Lifespan Of Your Diamond Ring

June 23rd, 2011 Mark Walters Comments off

It is hard to beat diamond rings in terms of beauty and luster. They are radiant even without the aid of bright light and attract attention wherever you go. Diamond rings are not only beautiful, but they are symbolic as well. Some are representative of a lifelong union between two people, and others are family heirlooms. The stone is not the only valuable piece of the ring because the band is usually just as prestigious. With all of the precious parts of one, it is important to know how to clean and care for a diamond ring.

Diamonds are not fragile stones by any means, but they can still become damaged with carelessness. Preventing the damage before it even happens is usually the best policy; therefore, they should not be worn whenever doing something that can harm the settings. Activities such as gardening, doing the dishes, or any other intensive hand work should be done without wearing the diamond ring. The action of arduous activity and exercise is not enough to hurt the ring by itself, but sweat can cause corrosion. It is important to remove the ring before performing these activities as well.

When storing a diamond ring, it should be kept separate from other pieces of jewelry. Again, diamond is sturdy, but it can chip if jostled hard enough. The band can easily become scratched if placed in a box or drawer with other pieces of jewelry, especially if the container is handled often. If possible, the original box is an ideal container in which to place the ring for safekeeping. Even with the best care, the prongs in the setting may occasionally need to be re-tipped with gold by a professional jeweler.

Even with normal wear, a diamond ring will still become slightly dirty from time to time. In warm water, dilute plain alcohol and let the ring soak. Then, using a soft bristle brush, lightly scrub the ring. When drying the ring, use a cloth free of lint. Some people opt to allow the ring to air dry on the cloth. If the ring must be dried right away, dab it dry without rubbing.

Cleaning and caring for diamond rings is not all that difficult. Do not expose them to activities that might damage them and store them in a place in which they will not be jostled around. Cleaning them with gentle solutions is essential, and they need to be brushed softly. Taking basic care of diamond rings will keep them looking brilliant for years to come.

Continue : Diamond Rings

Categories: Diamonds Tags: , , ,

Assessing Diamond Rings : The Carat System Explained

May 17th, 2011 Mark Walters Comments off

Most people that are considering getting engaged have thought about getting a diamond ring. Some people who have an anniversary coming up will also have a diamond ring in mind. No matter the case, you may find yourself looking for more information about diamonds. There are a lot of things that need to be considered- including the cut, color, clarity and carat. Make sure that you are able to make her say WOW when you pull out her new diamond ring.

You will first want to consider the cut of the ring. This is the actual shape that the diamond has. One of the most popular cuts is a princess cut. It has the appearance of being square. Other common cuts are brilliant and emerald cuts. There are other cuts out there, but they are not as common. If you really want to make sure that the diamond has a great sparkle to it, then you will want to get an excellent cut.

The next things to consider are color and clarity. These are important because they make up the quality of the diamond. You will want to find one that is nearly colorless, as they are the most valuable. Diamonds that have visible yellow or brownish tints are not worth nearly as much. Inclusions should also be invisible to the naked eye. This is important when it comes to the clarity of the diamond. This is measured anywhere from I3 to F.

The carat of the diamond is the actual weight, or size of the diamond. For some, this is the most important part of the diamond. Most people want something lavish and big, even if they have to sacrifice quality to get it. You will find that the larger the carat, the more expensive the diamond ring is. This is because larger diamonds are much harder to find than smaller diamonds. This is especially true when it comes to high quality diamonds.

As you are shopping, be sure that you remember the importance of the 4 "C"s of choosing a diamond. The color, cut, clarity and carat of the diamond are very important and they are also going to make a big difference in the price of the diamond. You will want to discuss these properties of diamonds with your jeweler before you purchase a stone. It is very important that you do this so that you make sure that you are spending your money wisely.

Continue : 1 Carat Diamond Rings

Diamond Rings – Do You Know Quality When You See It?

March 26th, 2011 Mark Walters Comments off

Diamond rings are some of the loveliest pieces of jewelry you can find. From the brilliant stone to the stylish band, they are the epitome of class. Whether an engagement ring, a part of a wedding ring, or an eternity ring, diamond rings symbolize love and unity and indicate a taste for the finer things in life. No one wants this important piece of jewelry to appear shoddy, so how do you assess the quality of a diamond ring?

One of the first things to consider is the diamond itself. An Ideal cut marks the finest craftsmanship money can buy. Good and Excellent cuts are also fine cuts that provide a fair amount of quality at a reasonable price. Completely colorless diamonds are given a grade of D, and as yellow begins to add a tint to the stone, E and F grades are assigned. These diamonds are still colorless to most eyes and are not as expensive. Clarity is another important attribute of diamonds. Grades of Flawless and Internally Flawless are given to stones that truly have no imperfections in them.

Do not forget the band when assessing the quality of a diamond ring. The metal used in its creation is essential. We often think of 14 carat as the gold standard, and it is a fine choice, but platinum is one of the sturdiest metals and light in color. It is also one of the priciest. 18 carat white gold has a similar coloration and is another sign of quality in a diamond ring. It is not as expensive as platinum, but that does not detract from its excellence.

Assessing the quality of a diamond ring also involves evaluating its band. The shared prong design is a favorite and holds diamonds in place via two, three, or four prongs. Rings that contain multiple gems sometimes use a channel setting. It is a favorite because diamonds are set nestled against each other with no overlap and channels of unbroken metal secure them. One of the most excellent settings is Pav. This process is completed by hand, arranging beads of metal so that they keep the stones in place. It is an expensive process, but one of great distinction.

When assessing the quality of a diamond ring, each individual aspect of it must be considered. The diamond itself is just one piece of the puzzle. Combined with the band and the settings, the overall quality may be analyzed.

Further Reading : Diamond Engagement Rings Or White Gold Rings