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Posts Tagged ‘carat’

Jewelry isn’t something we typically think of when making an online purchase, though there is no question that buying jewelry online is becoming more and more popular. The reasons for this are many, but often start with selection and price. Because online retailers are able to reach a wider audience, they more often than not offer a better selection of jewelry than local stores are able to. Because they aren’t dependent on expensive local advertising or paying for expensive retail space, online jewelers are usually able to offer more competitive pricing as well.

When buying jewelry online, there are a few things to look for that can help insure a purchase you’ll be satisfied with. First off, make sure the online jeweler you are considering is a member of the Better Business Bureau. The BBB keeps a watchful eye on the complaints attributed to its member retailers, and only those businesses who maintain the highest levels of customer satisfaction can maintain membership. You can check with the BBB for more information on any online jeweler you may be considering.

The second things to be aware of is how much information the retailer is willing to give regarding the procurement and or manufacturing of the jewelry they sell. Online jewelers who purchase raw materials and manufacture their own jewelry are more likely to offer a better guarantee, lower prices and of course, items that can’t be purchased elsewhere. Online retailers who only provide basic product information are likely to be resellers who purchase their products from other retailers or wholesalers. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this practice, many stock their online stores with goods that were either deemed poor quality or were simply unable to be sold at other locations.

Finally, always look for an online jeweler who deals exclusively with the specific products you are searching for. If you’re looking for an engagement ring, go to a site that specializes in loose diamonds and settings. If you’re looking for pearls, go to an online retailer that manufactures pearl jewelry. The quality of jewelry you receive is likely to be several times better than that of the jewelry available at online retailers who sell a little bit of everything.

To purchase Freshwater Pearls or Pearl Cufflinks visit our jewelry store for other pearls.

The birthstone attributed to November is citrine, which is said to increase creativity and feelings of happiness. Citrine is also given as the anniversary gem stone for the 13th year wedding anniversary. The name comes from a French word for lemon, “citrin”, and comes in a array of quartz.

Citrine is mined abundantly in Brazil but has been found in areas of Bolivia. The colors extend from a vivid yellow to deep oranges as well as a loved color such as the “Madeira red”. You can mine real citrine in the Ural Mountains of Russia, France, Madagascar, and Dauphine.

Citrine has been used for improving the function of the body’s organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and the digestive system. Many medical practitioners all over the world use Citrine to remove damaging toxins from the body and cure muscular disorders.

Like all other forms of quartz, citrine has been assumed to have magical powers. For centuries people have carried citrine with them as protection against the plague, and evil people. It has also been used as a form of charm that protects against snake and spider bites.

Giving citrine as a gift to someone special symbolizes your wishes for optimism and strength. Citrine is glowing with sunshine yellow brightness which makes it ideal to enhance someone’s life.

Mental health citrine has been thought to be extremely powerful for simulating someone’s mental capacities and enhancing their creativity. Some feel that wearing citrine will improve your ability to remember, give you more energy, and make you feel even more optimistic. The magnetic powers of citrine are said to relieve depression and fear.

There is a large quantity of citrine that is offered in the huge market today, and most of it is heat-treated amethyst. In fact real citrine is lighter than the heat treated gems which tend to be a darker orange-brown or a reddish-brown color.

Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a stunning selection of November / citrine birthstone jewellery. Find more about birthstones here.

What is Marcasite?

Marcasite is a natural mineral that is called iron sulfide and is often mined in South America although it is found naturally all around the world and marcasite is related to iron pyrite which is also called Fools Gold due to its likeness to gold but relative low value miners would mistake iron pyrite for gold when staking a claim and only realising their mistake later.

The color of marcasite ranges from dark grey to black often with sparks of yellow or gold throughout the stone. As with all natural stones, the color can differ between stones. Marcasite was considered to reduce damaging energy and enrich communication.

Marcasite Becoming Fashionable

Marcasite jewelry became fashionable in the Victorian era its black color was fashionable at the time especially at the end of the Queens reign when sombre clothing and adornment were the trend. Cameo pendants and brooches/pins were especially popular and there are many examples of the dark marcasite contrasting with ivory.

Marcasite Today

Current marcasite jewelry is now fashionable due to its links with the past. A whole niche has been created for what is often called vintage style where traditional materials are used to make new, fashionable pieces and are regularly seen being worn my a selection of celebrities who like the style.

Caring For and Cleaning Marcasite

Often, marcasite is secured in its setting with jewelers cement and because of this, it may need special cleaning.

Do

Wipe gently with a soft and clean slightly damp cloth.

Dry with a clean, soft and absorbent cloth.

Use a towel to ensure that the piece is entirely dry.

Dont

Use a steamer, hot water or sonic cleaner

Expose to chemicals or cleaning agents

Expose to extreme heat

Soak in water

As with all jewelry, a bit of tending and patience gives its own reward with longer lasting pieces.

Martin Mallett is the owner and webmaster of Milton Gems which serves customers with designer silver jewellery and has a good range of marcasite jewellery.

By far the most precious and desirable of the birthstones, diamonds are created deep within the earth where there is enough intense heat and pressure for carbon to crystallize. Diamonds are the number one choice for engagement rings. The diamond also symbolizes the 10th and 60th years of marriage.

Diamonds are so gorgeous that ancient Greeks thought they were splinters of the stars that had fallen down to earth. Some even said that there were tears of the Gods. The precise origin of diamonds is a mystery to scientists and geologists.

India is thought of as having the first large source of diamond mining. Ancient Hindus called the diamond Vajra, meaning lightening because of the sparks of light that it emits as well as its incredible strength. By far the most pleasing stone on the globe, it is also known as the hardest substance in the world.

Diamonds are found these days in Australia, Botswana, Russia, and South Africa.

For quite some time diamonds have been known for having certain curative properties. In the middle ages gemstones were thought to cure illness if the patient took the diamond in their bed with them.

It is said that Cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds so it makes sense that over the years this beautiful stone has gotten a reputation as being the gift of love.

Diamonds used to be reserved for only royalty and others who were allowed their symbolism of might and courage. In 1477 Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy and set a tradition of diamond engagement rings.

Interestingly enough early Egyptians assumed that the vena amoris also known as the vein of love ran directly from the heart to the third finger on the left hand.

Giving a diamond for any purpose is sure to be appreciated.

Published by MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a stunning selection of April / diamond birthstone jewellery. Find more about birthstones here.

Pearls can be purchased in both freshwater and saltwater form, and the differences between the two make them both unique. Freshwater pearls are formed in freshwater mussels found in bodies of fresh water. By contrast, as one might expect, saltwater pearls are formed in saltwater mussels found in bodies of saltwater.

At one time, saltwater pearls were the only real option on the market, as the number of freshwater pearls being cultivated with desired aesthetic properties were few and far between. Today, freshwater pearls are produced with the same proportionality and size as saltwater pearls, and most often in China.

The processing techniques used in the cultivation of freshwater pearls have been perfected to the point that quality pearls can be realized in a period of between three to six years. Freshwater pearls are cultivated through the use of finite irritants, which are normally smaller than the irritants used in saltwater cultivation. This results in a pearl with a thicker nacre and increased luster. At this time, Chinese pearl cultivators are able to produce upwards of twenty pearls in a single oyster. Many saltwater cultivators produce pearls faster by using irritants that are exceptionally large. This results in increased production but a substantially lower number of nacre layers. Some saltwater pearl farms, however, use irritants slightly larger than those used to aid in the making of freshwater pearls for better quality and higher market value.

Saltwater pearls are naturally less diverse in color than their freshwater counterparts. Usually available in a select few hues, many pearl wholesalers now dye the pearls after they are cultivated for increased coloration. Freshwater pearls offer more luminescence than saltwater pearls. The recent discovery that adding various metals to the water in which freshwater pearls are cultivated can produce wider ranges of colors has brought a renewed interest from pearl buyers worldwide.

Properly cultivated pearls of the highest quality in both the freshwater and saltwater varieties will hold their value provided they are well cared for. With the prices of both coming ever closer for the same size and shape of pearl, today’s consumers can simply choose which they find more aesthetically appealing.

To purchase Pearl Pendant or Tahitian Pearl Necklace visit our jewelry store for other pearls.

A diamond is one of the biggest purchases you will make – but don’t worry!

You are about to purchase a diamond. You have heard that buying a diamond can be a complicated and sometimes nerve-wracking experience. But you are determined to learn all that you need in order to ensure a successful purchase. As with all purchases, preparation and research are essential elements of the process. Remember to look for certain things in a diamond. The four most important things to look for in a diamond are its cut, clarity, color, and carat.

Why knowledge of the “Four C’s” is your best friend

Often referred to as the “Four C’s”, a diamond’s cut, clarity, color, and carat reveal to you the quality of the diamond, and hence, its appropriate value. This value should be reflected in the price. Be aware that many people who sell diamonds will try to take advantage of buyers who are not educated in the “Four C’s”. This is partly why you need to learn as much about them as you can.

The cut of a diamond is precisely what it sounds like – the way in which someone known as a master cutter cuts it. Remember that the attractive shape of a diamond is not the way it is originally found. It comes in a very rough form and is eventually shaped with the utmost care and precision.

A diamond’s clarity is the extent to which light can pass through it. An ideal diamond will allow plenty of light to pass through. The amount of light that gets through a diamond is based on the number of inclusions naturally found in it. These inclusions are essentially birthmarks that can come in all sizes. The fewer the inclusions, the higher the value of the diamond. The best way to discover these marks is by viewing a diamond under 10x magnification. It takes a highly trained eye to identify these marks. While you may not have the training necessary to accurately label a diamond’s clarity, you will benefit by studying up on the process and letting your diamond retailer know that you have a clue as to what is going on.

When it comes to a diamond’s color, you may be surprised to learn that the absence of color actually makes a diamond more valuable. The less color that a diamond has, the more likely white light is to pass through it, thus resulting in a highly desired rainbow of colors. While diamonds can come in a variety of colors – such as pink, brown, or blue – try to find one that is colorless. Be prepared to pay more for a diamond that features less color.

The weight of a diamond is known as its carat. A carat is divided into 100 points. Thus, a diamond with 65 points weighs .65 carats. For obvious reasons, a diamond’s carat (weight) is its most easily discovered characteristic.

Buying a diamond final thought: Don’t be intimidated and don’t give into any pressure to buy until you feel comfortable!

Buying a diamond can be a harrowing experience. It can be an very important personal decision and maybe, depending on the size of the diamond or diamonds, one of the more expensive purchases you will make. You want to be happy with your purchase. The experts who work in the diamond industry often intimidate people. You, however, no longer need to worry about the eventual purchase of a diamond. You understand the basics and are willing to research all of your options. Remember the “Four C’s” – cut, clarity, color, and carat – of a diamond. Be willing to ask questions of your diamond retailer and don’t hesitate to do more research. Most importantly, seek out an expert who has an excellent reputation in the field. Ask around to any friends or even, very politely, someone wearing a diamond similar to what you are looking for. Your ideal diamond is out there. Now take the time to find it.

For diamond and gemstone rings information and a wide selection visit www.jewelrytipsite.com. Donna is an independent writer with an interest in jewelry who lends her talents to our site.

Reed and Barton has been famous for silverware products since 1824 and they enjoy one of the finest reputations in the industry. Many consumers do not realize they also produce fine picture frames and jewelry boxes. Their reputation for fine quality and their good name make them ideal for any occasion. All the frames are elegantly gift-boxed and are engravable. Their sterling silver is also Tarnish-resistant. They have fine enamel picture frames, which bring a splash of color to any decor. Their silver plated picture frames feature rich, luxurious velvet backs and easels. The value and name recognition make these ideal corporate gifts either monogrammed or imprinted with a logo. To round out their gift line, there are exquisite clocks and pen chests. The high gloss piano-finish frames with matching high gloss wood slide-in backs are perfect in an office as well as home. There’s a collection of leathergoods with matching suede door-style backs.

The high gloss piano finish enhances the clean lines of the elegant 2-drawer Rosewood jewelry chest. You can even see the striking grain of the Brazilian Rosewood veneer. Other features include the piano-finished wood trim in the well and drawers and the full mirror in the lid. The case is lined in shadowed cream suede. The quadrant hinges and stylish draw pulls and cover lift are accented with gold. There’s a flocked bottom, which protects the furniture. The domed top, rich lipstick red high gloss check with piano finish is popular. It has a sliding red half tray for bracelets and pendants, and the well holds rings, earrings and more bracelets. There are silver quadrant hinges and a lock with a black-tasseled key. The High-gloss piano finished chests are also available in Burled camphor with Bird’s Eye Maple accents, and in Burled Camphor. There’s also Bird’s Eye Maple and thatch suede, and Burled Elm with claret suede. In the darker colors there’s the burled cherry with Ebony trim and black, and Walnut with Bird’s Eye Maple and thatch suede. The more traditional woods in the natural grains are also well represented. The Corinthian features a lid with pendant hooks and pouch, nine well compartments and ring bards, and two lined drawers for earring, bracelets and necklaces. It is a large 17 1/8″ x 9 1/2″ x 7 1/8″ and has solid brass pulls and brass-finished side handles. These traditional chests are available in larger or smaller sizes. The woods range from Mahogany to Cherry to White or Natural Oak with different colored rich crush resistant nylon velvet linings. There are even some versions that play music.

For those that love leather, there’s blue leather beautifully detailed with cream stitching and a padded top. It has a lift-out tray in blue leather and it is lined in rich cream suede. Silver quadrant hinges and stylish tray lifts add to the allure of this chest. Travelers enjoy the leather cases designed to take your jewelry along with your other travel accessories. These are small enough to fit inside the safes in your hotel room and can be tucked easily into your lightweight luggage. Some models have two drawers and a key lock. Zippered models are also available as well as the jewelry roll style. These have three zippered compartments and are lightweight to tuck into your discount luggage.

Not to exclude men, there is a huge array of jewelry or watch boxes available to please them. There is a five-section watch box with double coated walnut trim and a glass top. Plush padded partitions accommodate individual watch cushions. There is a flocked base pad on the bottom to protect the surface it is placed upon. Reed and Barton also has locking versions and valet style versions of the men’s cases. There’s an open valet try accented with Bubinga wood partitions and a lift-off compartment cover crafted of multiple exotic woods, bird’s eye maple, and bubinga and rosewood. The finish is double coated for durability and beauty. The interior is suede.

Maxine Greco has worked in the luggage and travel industry for over 35 years. She is currently employed at Village Luggage and Gifts.

Do you remember the Seinfeld episode with George Costanza’s wallet. He stuffs it with so much stuff, most of it useless, that he begins to have back problems. He has everything in there from all his major credit cards to receipts to dry cleaning tickets. While extremely funny, there is a lot of truth in that episode.

Wallets have become the male version of the pocket book. We have so many folds, slots and pullouts that we use our trusty wallets to carry the written record of every event in our life. 95% of the things in your wallet are useless. So before you develop a back problem too, here are 5 reasons to start using a money clip instead of a wallet today.

1. Consolidation. Most of the items in your wallet are useless. How about forcing yourself to get rid of them. You’ll have no room for such a waste of space with a money clip. The only things you’ll want to put in your money clip are a few bills and a couple of major credit cards.

2. Style. Money clips are quite simply the cool new way to carry your money. From Hollywood movie stars to corporate executives to pro athletes, money clips are at the forefront of men’s fashion. They are sleek, streamlined and very hip. This isn’t your grandfather’s wallet!

3. Versatility. With so many different styles of money clips on the market today, why settle for a boring wallet. Let’s be honest, every wallet looks the same. Maybe you change the color from brown to black or you add an extra fold but that’s about it. With money clips, you are only limited by your imagination when it comes to style.

4. Ease. How many times have you been fumbling at the checkout counter trying to remove some bills from your bulky wallet? Countless, I bet. Wallet’s are not very user friendly at all. A money clip on the other hand is so easy to use, you’ll have to watch yourself to make sure you don’t spend money too fast! A simple folding of the bills and your cash slides right in and out with a simple tug or push

5. Personalization. Many of today’s money clips can be engraved with your initials, your name, a date or even your company title. Try that with a wallet! Seriously, this is a great way to make a money clip truly yours. Its even better on a gift What better way to show you’ve put thought into a gift than by personalizing it to the recipient.

Still not convinced? Well, I can talk all day about the advantages of a money clip as opposed to a wallet but until you try it for yourself, you’ll never know. That leads me to the final, bonus sixth reason to purchase one. You can find them so inexpensively, that it wont’ cost you an arm and a leg to test one out. You can always upgrade later on but you can pick up a nice inexpensive money clip for under fifteen dollars to test the waters. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Simon Brady is the content writer for Executive Gift Shoppe. Executive Gift Shoppe is an online men’s gift store specializing in cufflinks, money clips, pocket watches and business card holders. Their products make for great groomsmen gifts, executive gifts or birthday gifts.

A certification is a diamond industry term for a diamond grading report, which documents the diamond’s credentials. The certification describes the physical characteristics of a diamond and is usually prepared by an independent grading laboratory. It is a valuable tool for wholesalers, retailers and consumers because it states the diamond’s shape, exact measurements and weight, cut parameters, color grade, clarity grade, level of fluorescence, and finish grades.

A diamond certification is only useful if it is reliable and accurate so needs to be issued by a reputable and independent grading laboratory. Not all grading laboratories are created equal so do not expect the grading reports from different laboratories to agree. Some grading laboratories are notorious for being generous in their grading so are very popular with jewelry stores because the reported quality of the diamonds is inflated.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) are recognized in the diamond industry as the most accurate and consistent of the grading laboratories.

A diamond grading report (certification) is very different from an appraisal or other document prepared by someone other than a reputable, independent grading laboratory. For example, there is a big difference between a Diamond Grading Report issued by the GIA and an appraisal or some other documentation signed by a GIA Graduate Gemologist. A GIA Graduate Gemologist is simply someone who has passed a series of diamond and colored gemstone grading courses prepared by the GIA. A GIA Diamond Grading Report is prepared in an unbiased environment, with highly trained GIA Laboratory graders following exacting procedures and using state of the art equipment.

Some unscrupulous jewelers print their own documentation and use names and formats that make them appear similar to GIA documents. These documents can be exaggerated by as much as three color or clarity grades and you can be sure they are off in favor of the jeweler, not the consumer. There is only one reason why a jeweler would use one of these “copy cat” documents and that is make undeserved profits at the consumer’s expense. Inaccurate documentation could affect the value of the diamond by hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars so it is important to have a diamond grading report from one of the top grading laboratories when making a diamond purchase decision.

Authentic diamond grading reports never have a value stated. If the document has a dollar value or a range of color or clarity grades (i.e. G-H color, or VS1-VS2 clarity), it is an appraisal not a diamond grading report. It is simply the opinion of the person preparing the document.

Diamond shoppers seeking to purchase a significant diamond, should be sure they have a diamond grading report from one of the major grading laboratories. That is the only way they can be sure of the characteristics of the diamond they are purchasing. It also becomes a valuable document if they ever have to file an insurance claim or sell the diamond in the future. The certification documents the quality of their diamond and provides a way to identify their diamond.

Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.DiamondSourceVA.com. You can also visit Denny’s blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com

Statistics indicate that on average, the price of round, brilliant cut diamonds sized at 3 or more carats has increased 5 percent to 8 percent in the past year. Likewise, in the past three years, prices for diamonds larger than 2 carats have climbed an astounding 23 percent to 35 percent.

The figures were lately published in The Rapaport Diamond Report, a monthly publication that informs the jewelry and diamond industry of market trends and sets consumer pricing. The study suggests that diamond prices will continue to rise despite recent decreases in consumer spending..

What’s causing the steep increase?

Big suppliers, like DeBeers, which sells about 45 percent of the world’s rough diamonds, drive the pricing for loose diamonds. According to Jeffrey Levin, recent price hikes can largely be attributed to these diamond business giants. For more than twenty years, Jeffrey Levin has operated Firenze Jewels, a family-owned jewelry boutique in New York City’s Diamond District.

What does this mean for the diamond market?

Mr. Levin has seen many price fluctuations in the past but he warns that the larger players in the current market have gotten in over their heads with this latest hike. Rapaport confirms this. Their 2006 Diamond Report stated: “The clear conclusion is that there isn’t any justification for the high prices of diamonds. Beneath the surface there is a real turbulence… We are inside an ever-growing bubble that is expanding and stretching to the point at which an explosion is imminent.”

Many larger investors have already reached their financial limits and won’t be able to offset future price increases. As prices are driven upward at a rate beyond consumer tolerance, these companies will inevitably suffer from the fall out.

What should consumers expect?

The more immediate consequence of this inflation will befall the consumer in the form of unreasonably elevated retail prices for sizable, quality diamonds. Customers may find some relief with smaller jewelry dealers, who invest mainly in finished pieces, not loose stones. These operators will not be as affected by the wholesale trends because they tend to pool resources with other brokers for high-end pieces, allowing them to calmly weather market fluctuations.

Shop for quality diamonds with affordable prices at Firenze Jewels. Firenze is making every effort to buffer customers from the sky rocketing costs associated with current fluctuations in the diamond market.