My Pink Diamonds

Learning how to choose the diamonds is essential so that you will get the superb diamond engagement ring for your money. People who are looking for diamond engagement rings should start with the Four C’s of diamonds since these are the benchmarks on how diamonds are graded and valued.The Four C’s of the diamond industry are the Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat of the diamond. When purchasing a diamond engagement ring, it is now a common practice to choose the diamond first before selecting the base and the settings for the engagement ring band. The Cut The first C that you need to consider when purchasing that important diamond for the engagement ring is the Cut. Many mistake cut for the shape of the diamond which comes in variations. Shapes of loose diamonds include marquise, pear, heart, emerald, princess, cushion, and round brilliant. Among these shapes, the common choices are the princess and the round brilliant. However, as mentioned earlier, the shape of the diamond is not the criteria for grading the cut. The Cut of the diamond refers to the expertise and skill involved in the actual cutting and polishing of the diamond. This also refers to the degree of symmetry the diamond has in relation to its table (the flat surface area of the diamond) and the depth (the length from table to the tip). Furthermore, a diamond’s cut is also valued on the number of angles and facets which can affect the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. A diamond with a excellent cut grading is one that will be able to show an excellent light performance. Light performance refers to the way light ‘dances’, refracts and reflects as it passes through all the facets of the diamond. Diamonds with symmetrical and well-angled facets will exhibit an excellent light performance. This performance of light will show the diamond’s brilliance, fire, and sparkle (collectively known as “bling” or “the gaga factor”). There are a number of scientific ways to measure a diamond’s ‘bling’ or light performance. Diamond traders are currently administering a wide variety of visual scopes to know the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. Substandard cut diamonds are usually unsymmetrical and can leak light which makes it appear duller than diamonds of high quality cut. If you are going for a diamond engagement ring with more “bling”, the round brilliant diamond is right for you.The ClarityA diamond’s clarity scoring is a measure of the number of blemishes and inclusions (also known as flaws) that a diamond has. Although, the clarity of the diamond does not greatly influence/affect its brilliance, the greater the blemishes or inclusions a diamond has, the poorer is its value. However, a diamond that has minimal inclusions is still a beautiful diamond if the inclusions cannot be seen by the unaided eye. Remember that there is no such thing as a perfect diamond and that most loose diamonds in the market nowadays possess inclusions or blemishes. As some jewelers point out, the inclusions of diamonds is one way of identifying a diamond because the patterns that these inclusions form act as the diamond’s fingerprint. When purchasing a diamond for an engagement ring, it is ok to choose one that has a few inclusions just as long as these are only visible under magnification. The ColorColorless diamonds are scored using a letter scale which starts from a D rating (truly colorless) to a Z rating (brownish). A top quality diamond is one that is close to being colorless as possible. This means that it is graded within the D-F color bracket.When you choose a diamond within the D-F color bracket, you should have it set on white gold or white platinum to further enhance its colorless quality. The CaratThe carat weight of the diamond is one of the critical considerations in how a diamond is priced. Most diamonds that are used for engagement rings average from .50 carat to 1.25 carat. However, there are people who desire their diamond engagement rings to stand out and therefore buy a stone with a higher carat weight. You must remember that a high quality diamond does not necessarily have to be a larger stone. The size of the diamond is not an assurance of its quality. The quality of the diamond for your engagement ring is rated by the combination of all the factors that were discussed in this article. It is up to you, as the buyer, to determine which of these grading criteria you are going to prioritize and base your buying decision. No matter what diamond you choose with, as long as you made an educated decision and used the diamond wisdom given you, you will still end up with an attractive diamond engagement ring.

 

What you need to know before buying a diamond

 

In the following pages you will learn about Diamonds, and the things you need to know if you are going to purchasing a diamond in the near future.

 

This short tutorial will tackle each of the “4 C’s”, give you a solid understanding of each, show you how they relate to the diamond’s actual physical beauty, and show how each of these characteristics affect the price and availability of diamonds.

 

Why do people buy diamonds?

 

When shopping for the perfect diamond, the stress of the experience can very often overwhelm the initial motivation and purpose for purchasing the diamond. Diamonds are the ultimate representation of love from one person to another. A diamond is an enduring symbol of commitment and devotion. Here at Emma Parker & Co., we see a diamond as “Love… Embodied…”!

 

What are the “4 C’s”?

 

The “4 C’s” are the four most prevalent characteristics about diamonds, which, coincidently, all begin with the letter “C”.

 

They are:

 

Cut

 

Color

 

Clarity

 

Carat Weight

 

The importance and effects of each of these will be discussed individually in the coming sections.

 

CUT

 

Anatomy of a Diamond

 

Before understanding cut, it is important to understand the different parts of a diamond. This will allow you to understand how each part of the diamond affects the visual beauty of the diamond to your naked eye.

 

Diamonds are divided into three main sections. These sections are called the CROWN (the top part of the diamond), the GIRDLE (The band which wraps around the diamond), and the PAVILION (the lower portion of the diamond). See Figure 1 below.

 

Figure 1

 

LIGHT GREEN is the CROWN of the diamond.

WHITE is the GIRDLE of the diamond.

DARK GREEN is the PAVILION of the diamond.

 

The Crown and Pavilion are made up of external surfaces called FACETS. These facets act like mirrors, reflecting light that hits them. It is the combination of these facets that will either cause the diamond to reflect light (LIGHT RETURN) or to allow light to pass through (LIGHT LEAKAGE). Each facet and each group of facets has a specific purpose and function in affecting the appearance of the diamond. See Figures 2 and 3 below:

 

Figure 2

 

This is the Crown of the diamond.

 

WHITE is the TABLE of the diamond.

BLACK is the STAR FACETS of the diamond.

LIGHT GREEN is the BEZEL FACETS of the diamond.

DARK GREEN is the UPPER GIRDLE FACETS of the diamond.

Figure 3

 

 

 

This is the PAVILION of the diamond.

 

DARK GREEN is the PAVILION MAIN FACETS of the diamond, also referred to as the LOWER HALVES.

 

LIGHT GREEN is the LOWER GIRDLE FACETS of the diamond.

 

The WHITE dot in the middle represents the CULET. If the diamond has one, that is where it will be.

 

Polish & Symmetry

 

Polish

 

Polish is the finish of each of the facets of the diamond. Once the cutting of a diamond is finished, the cutter will then polish the diamond using a polishing wheel with exceptionally fine abrasive diamond grit. This process is done to remove any roughness from the outside of the diamond, to make the facets totally clear, and to give the diamond luster.

 

Different certification companies give different top grades for Polish, some using the term Excellent, and some use the term Ideal. In truth, both are the same thing. Most slight issues with polish that would cause a stone to be downgraded from an Excellent grade to a Very Good grade, are completely invisible to the naked eye; totally imperceptible with out the aid of strong magnification such as a microscope.

 

Symmetry

 

Symmetry, as it is discussed here, is the EXTERNAL SYMMETRY of the diamond. It covers how symmetrical pattern of facets has been cut into the diamond, the shape of the facets, the symmetry of the pattern on the outside of the diamond, etc. Common causes for a diamond to not receive a top symmetry grade are issues like the Table being off center, misshapen facets, skewed patterns, extra facets, etc.

 

Once again, the slight differences in symmetry are totally imperceptible to the naked eye. The differences between a stone that receives Excellent Symmetry, and Very Good Symmetry, will only be visible under the magnification of a microscope.

 

Proportions

 

The PROPORTIONS of the diamond are critical to the diamonds optical beauty. They will determine the path light takes through the stone. They will also determine the amount of light that the diamond reflects as a whole. There are many measurements that affect PROPORTIONS. We are going to go over them one at a time, from the most basic, to the most complex.

 

Here are proportion graphs from American Gemological Society (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). See Figures 4 and 5 below.

 

GIA Graph

 

Figure 4

 

 

Courtesy of AGS

AGS Graph

 

Figure 5

 

 

Courtesy of AGS

For the purpose of this discussion we will use the AGS Graph, as it is slightly easier to read.

 

Diameter

 

The DIAMETER is simply the distance from one edge of the diamond to the opposing edge.

 

Depth

 

The measurement of depth is the distance between the TABLE of the diamond and the CULET of the diamond. (As seen in Figures 2 and 3 above) We see the DEPTH measurement graphed in Figure 5 as 62.8%. This percentage is the actual DEPTH measurement, as measured in millimeters, divided by the average DIAMETER of the diamond.

 

Depth can have several effects on the diamond. A diamond that is cut shallow will have a larger appearance, whereas a diamond that is cut deep will have a smaller appearance. This is referred to as SPREAD FACTOR. SPREAD is simply the diameter of the diamond. If two stones have the same weight, but one is significantly deeper (taller) than the other, it will hold more of its weight in the bottom of the diamond, and will have a smaller face-up appearance, i.e. less SPREAD.

 

Table

 

The TABLE facet is the main facet on the top of the diamond as shown in Figure 2. This measurement is the WIDTH of the TABLE facet. The TABLE has been graphed in Figure 5 as having a 55.9% measurement. This percentage is the actual TABLE measurement, as measured in millimeters, divided by the average DIAMETER of the diamond.

 

Girdle

 

The GIRDLE measurement is the measurement of the band going around the diamond, as seen in Figure 1. This measurement can be graphed several ways; average width measurement, smallest and largest width measurements, or with a word grade, such as, Thin, Medium, Thick.

 

The GIRDLE measurement affects two issues in general.

 

1. Durability

 

If the GIRDLE is too thin, this can affect the durability of the stone, making it more susceptible to damage or chipping during the setting process, or while being worn.

 

2. Hidden Weight

 

If the GIRDLE is too thick, this can be a sign of what is referred to as HIDDEN WEIGHT, or weight that does not contribute to the visual size of the diamond. The downside to this is that, since diamonds are priced according to weight, you are paying for weight that you don’t see. This is, however, very slight in most cases.

 

Culet

 

The CULET is the small point at the bottom of the diamond. This is shown as the small white dot in Figure 3. Culets come in all sizes…from LARGE to VERY SMALL, and can even be graded as POINTED or NONE. In Figure 5, we can see that this CULET is graded as POINTED. This means that there is no flat surface at the bottom of the diamond, but that the CULET comes to a point. If you look at Figure 4, which is the graph from the GIA certification, you will see that they grade the CULET as NONE, which is exactly the same as POINTED.

 

The CULET really has only one significant visual impact on the stone. It can create a “window” effect through the stone if it is big enough.

 

Round Diamond with a Pointed Culet

 

Figure 6

 

Round Diamond with a Large Culet

 

Figure 7

 

When you look at the images in Figures 6 and 7, you can see the effect that the culet has on the diamond. In Figure 7, you can clearly see a “hole” in the diamond, where as that is not visible in the diamond pictured in Figure 6. Certain shapes of diamonds do look very attractive with a large CULET, such as antique cuts, etc. This will be addressed further in the Diamond Shape sections of this tutorial.

 

Crown Height

 

CROWN HEIGHT refers to the “height” of the diamond above the GIRDLE. Figure 5 lists the CROWN HEIGHT for this diamond as 15.3%.

 

Pavilion Depth

 

PAVILION DEPTH refers to the “depth” of the diamond below the GIRDLE. Figure 5 lists the PAVILION DEPTH for this diamond as 43.4%.

 

Crown Angle

 

The CROWN ANGLE is the angle at which the BEZEL FACETS (as seen in Figure 2) are oriented in relation to the TABLE. For this diamond, we can see that the graph in Figure 5 shows a CROWN ANGLE of 34.7 degrees. This measurement, when considered in conjunction with the PAVILION ANGLE, can tell you a great deal about the diamonds LIGHT RETURN. These measurements will tell you how the diamond reflects the majority of the light that enters it.

 

Pavilion Angle

 

The PAVILION ANGLE is the angle at which the PAVILION MAIN FACETS (as seen in Figure 3) are oriented in relation to the TABLE. For this diamond, we can see that the graph in Figure 5 shows a PAVILION ANGLE of 41.0 degrees. This measurement, when considered in conjunction with the CROWN ANGLE, can tell you a great deal about the diamonds LIGHT RETURN. These measurements will tell you how the diamond reflects the majority of the light that enters it.

 

Minor Facets

 

The measurements on the graph also include certain measurements that deal with the MINOR FACETS of the stone. These are fully discussed in our Minor Facets tutorial.

 

AGS Ideal Cut Grade/GIA Excellent Cut Grade

 

In the world of diamonds today, there are two major cut grade systems for round diamonds. American Gemological Society’s (AGS) Cut Grade and Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Cut Grade. Both laboratories published their cut grade systems after extensive research and scientific testing. Both cut grades do overlap, however they approach the principle of cut grading from opposite sides of the spectrum.

 

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Conflicting vocabulary can be one of the most frustrating issues when trying to learn about diamonds. The two leading certification companies in the world, AGS and GIA, use very similar vocabulary in such a way that it confuses just about every person who is learning about diamond for the first time. See the table below to help keep the vocabulary straight and avoid confusion.

 

Characteristic

 

AGS Term

 

GIA Term

 

Cut, Polish, Symmetry

 

Ideal Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor

 

Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor

 

Fluorescence

 

Negligible

 

None

 

Culet

 

Pointed

 

None

 

The AGS Approach

 

AGS takes a very scientifically bound approach to the question of cut grade. Cut grades are assigned using a number system ranging from 0 – 10, with 0 being the best, or what is called IDEAL. AGS takes into consideration issues which are not visible to the human eye, and demands utter perfection from a diamond before bestowing upon it the highest cut grade AGS will give…Ideal Cut.

 

The key behind AGS’s cut grade system is a small piece of technology known as ASET (Angular Spectrum Evaluation Technology) pictured below.

 

Figure 8 – Courtesy of AGS

 

 

This technology is very simple. In order for a diamond to sparkle, its facets must reflect light (LIGHT RETURN). In essence, facets that function properly, are functioning as MIRRORS, hence they will reflect something that is put “in front” of them, or as the case may be… over them.

 

The three colors of the ASET simply tell us as the angle at which the facets are reflecting the light. The GREEN will show all light that is reflecting from a 0 – 45 degree angle, the RED will show all light that is reflecting from a 46 -75 degree angle, and the BLUE will show all light that is reflecting from a 76 – 90 degree angle. WHITE is the absence of LIGHT RETURN, or what is referred to as LIGHT LEAKAGE. Where you see WHITE, light is passing through the diamond without being reflected back to your eye.

 

Keep in mind that the higher the angle of LIGHT RETURN, the stronger the brilliance when viewed by the naked eye. RED and BLUE is what we want to see, with as little GREEN as possible. Pictured below are several examples of diamonds, all with different PROPORTIONS that show differences under the asset. Notice the sharp increase in GREEN and WHITE as the diamonds go down in their cut grade.

 

Figure 9 – AGS Ideal Cut

 

Figure 10 – AGS Cut Grade 4/Good

 

Figure 11 – AGS Cut Grade 7/ Fair

 

Figure 12 – AGS Cut Grade 10/Poor

 

One of the unique characteristics of the AGS cut grade system is that of Polish and Symmetry. For a diamond to be awarded AGS Ideal, this diamond must also have Ideal Polish and Ideal Symmetry. If either of these categories does not receive an Ideal grade, the diamond’s cut grade will be downgraded from Ideal to Excellent – irregardless of the light performance of the diamond.

 

It is important to understand that the difference between Ideal Polish and Symmetry, and Excellent Polish and Symmetry is extremely slight and completely invisible to the naked eye.

 

The GIA Approach

 

For cut grading, GIA approaches the issue much different than AGS. The GIA cut grade system is one that is based on HUMAN EYE OBSERVATION. Although taking the science of reflection into consideration, GIA chooses to view cut grading through the eye of the consumer.

 

GIA formed the basis for its cut grade system by surveying 70,000 individuals with 20 different diamonds, and asking each person to rank the stones by beauty. The characteristics of the diamonds were carefully selected, and the responses of those surveyed were recorded and tabulated. These real world results formed the basis for the GIA Cut Grading System.

 

Because GIA chose to base its cut grade on HUMAN EYE OBSEVATION, the tolerance of the cut grade is, naturally, more lenient than that of AGS. It is important to remember that the diamond is being purchased to be beautiful to the naked eye of the wearer, as well as those who view it. From the moment the diamond is worn, it is going to be under constant HUMAN EYE OBSERVATION. Seeing then, that this is the state of scrutiny that the diamond will be under for most of its lifetime, the basis of the cut grade on HUMAN EYE OBSERVATION makes common sense.

 

Here are some examples of how GIA Excellent stones could appear under REFLECTOR TECHNOLOGY. These images represent looking at the diamond through the Ideal-Scope. The Ideal-Scope is a single-color reflector, which shows light return and light leakage.

 

Figure 12 – Courtesy of Ideal Scope

 

 

Very simply, a diamond is placed in a clear tray over a light panel, with the ideal scope on top of it. All of the light that the diamond reflects, LIGHT RETURN, will be seen in two colors, red or black. The red is a reflection of the pink/red plastic while the black is a reflection of the shadow caused by the viewer’s eye through the hole in the top of the scope. The highest angle of light return is black, so this is the strongest, followed by the darker reds and then the lighter reds/pinks.

 

White, under the Ideal-Scope is a result of LIGHT LEAKAGE (light that exits the bottom of the diamond), and is actually the white, lighted background that the diamond is sitting over. Because the diamond is not reflecting light back in these areas, you are able to look through the stone and see the white background behind it. Not all LIGHT LEAKAGE is visible to the naked eye however, so it is important to take what is seen under the Ideal-Scope into consideration along with all of the other information pertaining to the diamond. A decision should never be made based solely on one piece of data.

 

Both of the diamonds below are GIA Excellent cuts.

 

Figure 13

 

Figure 14

 

You will notice that there is much more white in the center of the second diamond, Figure 14, than the first one, Figure 13. This is because the second diamond has more LIGHT LEAKAGE in the center of the stone. The reason that both stones receive a GIA Excellent grade is because the GIA Cut Grade system is based on human eye observation, focusing on brightness. Both of these stones are going to be beautiful and bright, even though the first diamond has superior LIGHT RETURN.

 

What each person can see with the naked eye is different, and indeed there are people who will be able to see a difference between these two stones with the naked eye. There will also be individuals who will not able to see a difference between these stones. GIA’s study concluded that amongst the observers polled the majority was not able to distinguish a significant difference between the two stones. Personal preference will determine where your preferences lie.

 

In addition, the GIA cut grade takes into consideration mostly factors that affect the diamonds beauty to the naked eye. For example, under the GIA cut grade system, diamond finish, i.e. Polish and Symmetry, are permitted to be Very Good, while still maintaining a cut grade of Excellent.

 

COLOR

 

Color Grades

 

Color grades are categorized by a letter grade. The scale of color begins with D color, which is the whitest, to Z color, which is the darkest.

 

Most diamonds purchased for engagement rings, solitaire pendants, and diamond studs, are purchased from the D – K range of color, whereas many of the smaller stones in jewelry are lower color ranges.

 

Figure 15 – Courtesy of GIA

 

 

Color is organized as follows

 

D,E,F

 

Colorless

 

G,H,I,J

 

Near Colorless

 

K – Z

 

Tinted

 

Diamond color is graded with the diamond upside down. The reason for this is that, since color is held within the body of the gem, it is important to observe the diamond from an angle at which the diamond’s sparkle will not interfere with the observer’s ability to look into the gem and see the color.

 

The key to color is that everyone sees color differently. Color sensitivity is something that is entirely unique to each person. This is where a “window shopping” trip to your local mall diamond store comes in handy. Before picking a diamond online, head down to the mall and ask to see several colors of diamonds laid out for you. This will give you a great feel for how much color you can see in a diamond.

 

Bring a white business card with you and ask to see several loose diamonds of varying color grades. Fold the white card in half and rest the diamonds, upside down, in the card. Really when doing this you should be under non-diffused fluorescent light, but the jewelry store lighting should be sufficient for this exercise. By placing the diamond upside down, and looking through the pavilion of the diamond, you should be able to see very slight color differences in the diamonds. Then flip the diamonds right side up, and observe them to see how much color you can see in the face up position.

 

Cut’s Affect on Color

 

The cut of the diamond has a major affect on the visible color of the diamond. The color of a diamond is kept within the gem; that is why color is best seen from the bottom of the diamond. The reason that cut can positively affect a diamond’s face up color, is because when observing a diamond with strong LIGHT RETURN (where the diamond is reflecting a large percentage of light), the reflected light blocks the viewer’s ability to see the actual body of the gem. Since color is held in the body of the gem, and the viewer is seeing more LIGHT RETURN than the actual gem itself, the diamond’s color is less visible when the diamond is in the face up position. When a diamond is said to face up white, this is what is being referred to.

 

Fluorescence

 

Fluorescence is a phenomenon that occurs in about 50% of all diamonds mined. It occurs when the element Boron is present during the formation of the diamond. The result is that the diamond will “fluoresce” or glow under a black light. While Fluorescence comes in many different colors, blue is the most common, and the least worrisome. Many consumers feel the need to stay away from any Fluorescence, however, this is due to the lack of proper information.

 

Fluorescence is graded in levels of None, Faint, Medium, Strong, and Very Strong.

 

Figure 16

 

 

In Figure 16, you can see the effect the fluorescence has on a stone under a black light. Since this glow can only be seen under black light, the wearer would have to be in a place where black lights are used, such as a nightclub, to ever see the diamond glow in a manner such as this.

 

Fluorescence can have two noticeable impacts on a diamond.

 

1. It can help the face up color of a diamond. In a lower color diamond, such as an I or J color, the presence of fluorescence can cause the diamond to appear whiter face up, than a diamond of the same color without fluorescence.

 

2. The fluorescence can cause the diamond to have an oily, milky, or hazy appearance under strong, direct light, such as sunlight or spotlight. However, this does not happen all the time. This really only becomes an issue with diamonds that have strong, or very strong fluorescence, and it does not happen to all of them. A simple way to avoid getting one of these is to ask the vender representing the diamond to take the diamond into a strong lighting source, and examine it for you. The vender should give you an honest opinion about any visible fluorescence, because it is something that you will see in the sunlight, and to be dishonest about this will just about guarantee an unhappy customer and a returned diamond for the vender.

 

In general, fluorescence is not a reason “not” to buy a diamond. It is more important to know what effect the fluorescence has on the stone. Some of the most beautiful diamonds in the world have strong fluorescence.

 

CLARITY

 

Clarity Grades

 

Clarity grading is intimidating, but really quite simple. Stones are graded in the following grades:

 

Flawless (FL)

 

Internally Flawless (IF)

 

Very, Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1)

 

Very, Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2)

 

Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)

 

Very Slightly Included 2 (VS2)

 

Slightly Included 1 (SI1)

 

Slightly Included 2 (SI2)

 

Slightly Included 3 (SI3) Grade not given by GIA or AGS

 

Imperfect 1 (I1)

 

Imperfect 2 (I2)

 

Imperfect 3 (I3)

As you can see, the clarity grades are really only acronyms for the grade they represent. This will make it much easier to remember, and much easier to understand when you start talking diamonds with a vender.

 

Types of Inclusions

 

There are many types of inclusions that you will find in a diamond. Each type of inclusion can affect the diamond in a different way. Knowing the types and understanding their effect on the stone will help you to feel more comfortable when viewing a diamond’s clarity.

 

Pinpoint

 

A pinpoint is a tiny crystal that forms inside the diamond. Pinpoints are tiny, and are almost never visible to the naked eye.

 

Feather

 

A feather is really a small “crack” in the diamond. In most cases, it is totally harmless. The diamond is not broken, or damaged, nor is it going to just break in half one day while it is being worn.

 

How much of an impact a feather will have on the diamond is greatly dependant on the placement of the feather within the diamond, and the size of the feather. Most feathers are not big enough, and not in a position in which they will affect the diamond’s structural integrity. The best way to make sure that a feather in a stone you are interested in, is safe, is to speak with your diamond vender about it. Also, you can have the stone appraised by a reputable, independent appraiser who will be able to give you an additional opinion.

 

Crystal

 

A crystal is just that – a smaller crystal that formed inside the larger crystal, which eventually became the diamond. Crystals can be white or black; they can be very visible or totally invisible, depending on size, color, and location. Crystals don’t pose any structural risks to the diamond and are one of the most common inclusions.

 

Needle

 

A needle is a type of crystal. When observed under magnification, it resembles a small needle. Most of these are small, faint, white inclusions, and should not be any cause for worry.

 

Clouds

 

Clouds are groupings of pinpoints, and pinpoints, as we know, are tiny crystals. So, in essence, Clouds are groupings of tiny crystals. A cloud is one of the best inclusions you can have because it is very difficult to see.

 

Many people think that because the diamond has a cloud, it will appear cloudy. In the majority of cases, this is just not true. Even large clouds can be virtually invisible, even under a 10x loupe. Since many clouds are so faint, they are translucent, allowing light to pass directly through them. They are also almost always invisible to the naked eye, and are a wonderful way to sacrifice on clarity without negatively affecting the diamond.

 

Natural

 

A natural is a portion of the diamond that was not cut or polished. This occurs when during the cutting of the stone, the cutter leaves a small piece of the rough uncut and unpolished. To the inexperience eye, it can appear that the diamond is chipped, but a close examination under a microscope will show otherwise. Common places for this are near the girdle.

Naturals can also be indented. When this is the case, they really resemble chips, but again, close inspection under magnification will show that they are not.

 

Knot

 

A knot is a crystal that reaches to the surface of the diamond after the diamond is cut. Knots are usually like a raised area on the surface of the diamond facet.

 

Cleavage

 

Diamond cleavage is a straight crack with no feathering. A cleavage has the potential to split the diamond apart along its length if it is hit at the correct angle.

 

Cavity

 

An open cavity in the diamond.

 

Chip

 

Where a piece of the original diamond has been chipped off.

 

Bearding

 

Bearding is when hair-like lines that can occur around the girdle during the cutting process. Minimal bearding is usually not a problem, but extensive fringing is often polished away or removed by re-cutting the diamond.

 

Internal Graining/Surface Graining

 

Graining is simply a characteristic structural irregularity in the diamond. It is the visible structure of the diamond at the molecular level. Graining usually appears as incredibly faint lines in the diamond, only visible under magnification. They pose no threat the diamond, and in fact, virtually every diamond has a certain amount of graining.

 

Graining is one of the best inclusions you can have because it is virtually impossible to see with the naked eye. These inclusions are extremely faint. It can be very difficult to find these imperfections under a 10x loupe, let alone with the naked eye.

 

Twinning Wisps

 

Twinning wisps are basically an inconsistency in the formation of the molecules that make up the crystal. This leads to slight inconsistencies in the gem, which can be viewed under very high magnification.

 

Similar inconsistencies can be viewed in the ice cubes that you make in your freezer by observing that the ice sometimes not perfectly clear all the way through, but that there are lines of white or haziness in the ice. These inconsistencies in the formation of the crystal of ice are what causes these. So it is with diamonds.

 

Twinning wisps are invisible most of the time, and are a great inclusion to have in lower clarity diamonds because the fact that they are so faint makes them next to impossible to see with the naked eye.

 

Clarity Enhance Diamonds

 

Clarity enhanced diamonds are diamonds that have been treated in some way to improve the visible clarity of the stone. The two most popular methods of enhancing the clarity of a diamond are by LASER DRILLING and FILLING the diamond.

 

In short, the diamond is drilled with a laser. Sometimes the laser can then be used to burn away or lighten an inclusion. If the inclusion is a cavity in the stone, the stone can be drilled and then a glass like substance is injected into the inclusion through the hole that has been made.

 

For more information on clarity enhanced diamonds, you can refer to the company that invented the process at their website, www.yehuda.com.

 

Clarity to the Naked Eye

 

It is important when looking at clarity to remember that when the diamond is being worn, the only grading tool being used on it for clarity is the human eye. In general, most diamonds that are graded by reputable laboratories as a VS2, or better, will be eye clean. There are also many eye clean SI1’s and SI2’s and these stones make a wonderful price point to purchase at. They might be harder to find, but if you are open to sacrificing a little clarity, you can get more for your money.

 

For individuals who are not concerned with what they may or may not see, but with what they know about the diamond, the higher clarity grades are there for you. If a diamond with little or no flaws is what you are interested in, the grades of IF – VVS2 are where you want to stay. Sometimes knowing is more important than seeing, and this is a personal decision, driven by personal preference.

 

Remember that there is no right or wrong decision. Whatever you decide, you want to be happy with the decision that you made.

 

CARAT WEIGHT

 

What is it?

 

Carat weight is simply the measurement unit for determining the weight of a gemstone. One carat equals one fifth of a gram. Diamonds are weighed in either hundredths of a carat, i.e. 1.25ct or thousandths of a carat, i.e. 1.254ct. How detailed the weight is, depends on the lab that is weighing the diamond.

 

How does it affect visual appearance?

 

Although carat weight is commonly referred to as the “size” of the diamond, this is a misnomer. The actual, visual size of the diamond is much more dependant on the diameter of the diamond than on the carat weight of the stone. It is not uncommon to have two stones of the same weight, look very different in size to the naked eye. It is important to keep this in mind when shopping for a diamond.

 

How does it affect price?

 

Diamonds primary pricing is determined by three factors; weight, color, and clarity.

 

For the weight factor of pricing, diamonds are priced on a “per carat” basis. Therefore, if the per carat price of a 1.50ct diamond is $1000, the price for the diamond itself would be $1500.

 

Per carat prices change as the stones’ weights reach different levels. Typically the price of diamonds changes at .50ct, .70ct, .90ct, 1.00ct, 1.50ct, 2.00ct, 3.00ct, 4.00ct, etc.

 

At each of these stages, the “per carat” price can change anywhere from 10% – 50%. These weights are sometimes referred to as the “magic numbers”, as purchasing a diamond just under the “magic numbers” can save the customer a great deal of money.

 

Although this works in theory, in reality it is much more difficult than this. Diamonds that fall just under the “magic numbers” are scarce and difficult to find. Although it would be nice to buy a diamond that is 1.99ct to try and avoid the price change at 2.00ct, it is virtually impossible to find such a diamond, especially one that is well cut.

 

Knowing where the “magic numbers” are and how they work can come in handy should you stumble upon the right stone. It can also show you when a compromise on some other aspect of the diamond might be a good idea to get into a “magic number” diamond that can save you a lot of money.

 

TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

 

Diamond Scanners

 

As technology has become more advanced, computers have made their way into our everyday lives – the diamond industry has been no exception. One of the most powerful tools that technology has brought to the world of diamonds is that of the “non-contact scanner”. Non-contact scanners are devices that use cameras and light, combined with powerful software to scan and measure diamonds.

 

They do this by taking “pictures” or frames, between 3,000 – 20,000 frames, of the diamond’s profile while the diamond is rotating on a stage. From these images, the software constructs a virtual model of the diamond, complete with measurements and proportions.

 

In addition, some of these scanners and software packages allow the user to manipulate the model of the stone and place it in different lighting conditions and situations. The program actually provides a photo-realistic view of the diamond right on the user’s computer screen. The technology is so accurate that diamond buyers can actually make purchasing decisions based entirely on the models generated by these scanners, without ever seeing the actual diamond.

 

The best part is that, through the advent of technology, venders are able to deliver these models direct to you, just like we do here at Emma Parker & Co. This allows you to get a very realistic view on how the diamond you are purchasing has been cut.

 

The three most popular are the Sarin, Megascope, and Helium Scanners.

 

Reflectors

 

The technology of reflectors has already been touched on in the Cut section of this tutorial. Reflectors are simply that. They are devices which show the user the reflective capabilities of the diamond. There are several reflective devices out on the market today, all of which do pretty much the same thing and have just about the same level of effectiveness. The most common are the Ideal-Scope, ASET, and Firescope.

 

The simple premise of how reflector technologies work is detailed in the Cut section of this tutorial.

GIA Diamond Dock

 

The GIA Diamond Dock is a lighting source that combines direct light with diffused light to create a true daylight appearance. It has proven to be, in our experience, the most accurate re-creation of “man made” daylight available.

 

The GIA Diamond Dock is the basis for the GIA cut grade. The 70,000 observations that GIA conducted to formulate the basis for the cut grade, were conducted under the lighting of the GIA diamond dock.

 

The diamond dock is also useful for photography and color grading. The focus on the diamond dock is to emphasize the brightness of the stone. It gives an excellent view of how the stone will perform out in the real world.

 

GEMEX Brilliance Scope

 

The GEMEX Brilliance Scope is a technology that exposes the diamond to strong, direct light at 5 specific different angles…it then takes a triple exposed image of the stone. The grading software then breaks these images down to a pixel basis, and measures the amount of White Light (Brilliance), Colored Light (Fire), and Scintillation (The movement of light within the diamond) being given off by the diamond. The software then grades the results based on a database of other diamonds that have already been scanned, and ascribes a grade to the diamond.

 

The technology is certainly valid, and is used in the industry, however the results are not always indicative of how the diamond will perform in real life. Generally this applies to stones that score low, but still have a great deal of sparkle and brilliance. A good score on the Brilliance Scope will usually mean a very beautiful diamond.

 

THE BUYING PROCESS

 

The buying process is an issue that is seldom talked about by jewelers until the customer is halfway through it. Here at Emma Parker & Co., full disclosure to the customer is just a piece of our “Honesty is First” policy, and making you, as the customer, feel comfortable with the whole process is very important to us.

 

Choosing Your Diamond

 

You will notice as you browse the inventory on the Emma Parker & Co. site that our diamonds are broken up into several categories. Each of these categories provides the customer with a different buying experience.

 

Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Diamonds

 

Hearts & Arrows Diamonds represent the pinnacle of cutting for a 57 facet round diamond. These stones give amazing sparkle and brilliance, and combine that with the perfect optical symmetry of Hearts & Arrows. Emma Parker & Co. will be happy to provide you with the following information for our Hearts & Arrows Diamonds at no cost to you.

 

GIA/AGS Certificate

 

Sarin Scan & Model

 

Gem Advisor 3D model

 

Reflector Image

 

Hearts and Arrows Images

 

Clarity Pictures

 

All of Emma Parker & Co.’s Hearts & Arrows Diamonds are fully backed with our Lifetime Trade-up, and Lifetime 75% Buy-back policies, as well as our 30-Day Return Policy.

 

AGS Ideal Cut/GIA Excellent Cut Private Stock

 

Emma Parker & Co. is proud to offer one of the largest “Private” inventories of AGS Ideal and GIA Excellent cut diamonds. A full compliment of information and analysis is also readily available for these diamonds. Emma Parker & Co. will be happy to provide you with the following information for these diamonds at no cost to you.

 

GIA/AGS Certificate

 

Sarin Scan & Model

 

Gem Advisor 3D model

 

Reflector Image

 

Clarity Pictures

 

These diamonds are also backed by our Lifetime Trade-Up Policy and Lifetime 75% Buy-back Policy, and can be inscribed with the certification number upon request. These diamonds are covered by a 30-Day Return Policy.

 

Traditional Rounds and Fancies

 

Emma Parker & Co. is proud to offer a full selection of traditional round stones and fancy shape stones. We will be happy to provide you with a copy of the Lab Grading Report at no cost to you.

 

If you would like additional analysis, we are also happy to provide the following analysis to you; all we ask is that you cover the cost of shipping to bring the diamond to our lab.

 

Sarin Scan & Model

 

Gem Advisor 3D model

 

Reflector Image

 

Clarity Pictures

 

If you purchase a diamond, the cost of the shipping to bring in the diamond being purchased will be absorbed into the purchase price of the stone. These diamonds are covered by our 10-Day Return Policy.

 

Choosing Your Ring

 

We know that choosing the right setting for a diamond can be more difficult than finding the right diamond. We have put together a selection of beautiful settings for you to choose from. Here at Emma Parker & Co., we are consumers too, and because of that, you will only find settings in our collection that meet our standards for quality and beauty. This will allow you to select with confidence.

 

We are always happy to help you with selecting the right ring. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or ideas. Settings are custom and are not returnable, so don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you want, so that you can be confident that you have made the right decision.

 

Now that you have completed our tutorial on the education of diamonds, we hope that you have a wonderful, knowledge-filled experience when purchasing the diamond that is just right for you!

 

- Emma Parker & Co.

 

www.emmaparkerdiamonds.com

Guys who are ready to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage will inevitably attempt to figure out how much money they should spend on a diamond engagement ring, what the diamond will cost them and whether they will be able to afford a diamond engagement ring for their fiance. Most people have heard the expression that diamond engagement rings cost two months’ salary.

Where did the two months of salary idea come from?

The origin of the two months’ salary began with DeBeers, the largest diamond producer and diamond marketer in the world. In 1947, DeBeers decided to promote diamonds following the depressed wartime market. DeBeers launched a marketing campaign with a New York advertising firm. A copywriter penned the famous slogan “A diamond is forever” that is now synonymous with Diamonds.

De Beers wanted to bring diamonds to the masses, make them seem more affordable, instead of the wealthy and select few only being able to buy them. Accordingly, the price of a diamond for an engagement ring was set at approximately two months of salary.

This was a concept that everyone could understand, it was aimed at the groom-to-be and therefore made buying a diamond for an engagement ring achievable no matter whatever his salary was. No longer did people think of diamonds as being something which they could never afford, they now had a figure to relate to in simple terms – two months salary.

Thus the two months salary became the norm and in the mind of the groom it was the predetermined and acceptable price for a diamond engagement ring. As a general guide grooms usually spend between 10 – 20% of their annual salary on a diamond engagement ring.

There is no right or wrong amount to spend on a diamond engagement ring and many men do spend more than two months’ salary on their fiances engagement ring. Lets face it when the wedding and honeymoon are over; What is left? What will she wear every day as a memory?

The Rings! – A symbol of Your Love and Comittment

At Diamond Imports – www.diamondimports.com.au – we have an exceptional range of certified loose diamonds that create stunning diamond engagement rings.

 

You may copy this article and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include this resource box including these live links to Diamond Imports http://www.diamondimports.com.au

Copyright © 2008 Diamond Imports Pty Ltd

http://www.diamondimports.com.au

Diamonds are big business across the globe and Australia in particular has a huge diamond industry operated by dependable traders who are part of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia. Not everyone who deals in diamonds is a member of the Diamond Dealers Club. There is a strict screening of applicants to the club to make sure that they are dependable, ethical, and financially secure. This means that only the leading diamond dealers and merchants qualify for membership.

Diamonds, they say, are a girl’s best friend, hardly surprising when you consider the amount of work that goes into mining them, and how much these diamonds are worth on the open market. However, it has not always been a simple matter to find a diamond engagement ring in a style that you want but, it is possible to buy a loose certified diamond and then have it set in a custom designed engagement ring for that special person.

Diamond Imports are a renowned founding member of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia and are well known for their expertise in the jewellery industry and for the quality of their diamonds. As one of Australia’s foremost dealers in diamonds the company is noted for the cut and quality of their diamonds – more importantly Diamond Imports make it their business to ensure that their clients have the knowledge to make an informed decision when choosing diamonds.

If you want value for money and a better quality diamond then you should buy a loose certified diamond and then have it made into a ring – this way you will enjoy the uniqueness of the engagement ring as well as the quality of the diamond.

It is a simple matter to have a beautiful diamond that you want made up in a ring design of your choice because Diamond Imports sells certified loose diamonds and also have their own team of master jewellers. The company only deals in quality diamonds which are independently guaranteed and certified by compliant, internationally recognized diamond grading laboratories. In the Australian diamond business the name Diamond Imports is associated with the best quality and finest cut diamonds.

Diamond Imports will provide knowledge and education about their quality stones for customers looking to buy diamonds. They deal in loose diamonds, certified diamonds, wholesale diamonds as well as custom made diamond engagement rings, wedding rings and other jewellery.

When you have your loose diamond made into the ring of your choice by a reputable dealer such as Diamond Imports you won’t have to just settle for a ready made ring or deal with a harried shop assistant who may not always be able to tell you very much about the diamond – when you buy your diamond from Diamond Imports you can rest assured that they will provide you with all the information you require concerning your diamond as well as a stunning hand made engagement ring.

Buying a diamond that is going to be made into an engagement ring is something that, hopefully, you only do once, so you want the best quality diamond you can afford. The cut of a diamond is extremely important and it is what gives a diamond its sparkle, fire and brilliance. The most popular cuts for engagement rings are round brilliant cut and princess cut diamonds. There are other fancy shape diamonds which are unique and very beautiful, these include the pear and oval cut, asscher and cushion cuts as well as radiant, trilliant, marquise and emerald cut diamonds.

The price of the loose diamond that you buy is determined by its clarity, cut, carat weight and color as well as the shape of the stone. When you buy loose diamonds that have been independently certified you can be assured of the quality and you don’t have to depend on the pre-set designs on offer in most jewellery stores. Even those jewellers that carry loose stones have only a very limited number to choose from, which means you are restricted to the carat weight, color and cut that they have on offer.

When you buy a diamond from a reputable diamond dealer like Diamond Imports you can be sure of the highest quality diamonds and a good selection of certified diamonds which you are able to compare and view before buying. This means that you always have a reliable investment and you buy diamonds with confidence.

Diamond Imports is Australia’s Leading Wholesaler of Excellent Cut Diamonds and Loose Certified Diamonds – http://www.diamondimports.com.au

You may copy this article about diamonds and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include this resource box and the live links.

It is well said that life without love is droughty and non-sparking. Love is an inevitable part of person’s life, and some day or the other he has to fall into it. And thus comes various romantic moments in life, where expressing love becomes the need of the hour. And it is then the lovers opt for different means of displaying love, one famous way amongst the many is through diamond rings, diamond solitaire rings, vintage engagement rings, designer engagement rings, cheap engagement rings and many more.We all know that gifting rings is a very important part of many cultures. But have we ever thought that why is it just rings, and why not earrings or pendants. There is a strong reason behind it. Ring is circular in shape. Being circular means it has no ending and no beginning. In other words we can say that if we gift rings, let it be diamond engagement ring or diamond solitaire rings to our lover, the ring will get similar energy i.e. it will make our love eternal, with no beginning and no ending. Thus, are gifted these rings. Thus, if you are in love and want to express in the most romantic manner, bend down on your knees, in front of your lover and open the secrete box studded with diamond engagement ring.To know more about these rings, you can visit an online jewelry store. Rather than going to a store nearby your place, this in itself is a time consuming process, log on to some reputed online jewelry stores. There you can search rings with a large number of designs, made out of different stones, for example, if you are bored with diamond engagement rings, you can get into the link which informs about diamond solitaire rings or vintage engagement rings. In case, after scrutinizing in detail all the rings, you do not get the one you are searching for, you can log on to some websites which provide designer engagement rings. Designer rings can be the one of the most beautiful and dear present for your lover. In case of designer engagement ring, you can add that personal touch to your ring. For example, you can discuss with designer and let him know your needs and demand. You can also discuss your budget as designer rings are generally very expensive. These days many online jewelry stores have come up with an option, where you can design your own ring. You choose the band of your choice, along with the stone it should be studded with. This can make your ring unique and classic.Diamond engagement ring increases tremendously, once when it reaches the hands of the right person, which is your lover. So what are you waiting for, it’s once in a lifetime investment, therefore gift her something tremendously classy and different. Many online jewelry stores are there to help you out with the task of choosing the right engagement ring. You just need to be aware of the taste and preference of your lover. Gift her one nice diamond ring, and see how your relationship reaches new height!

For centuries, diamond has been used as an epitome of true love. It reflects love, affection, security, trust and a life long commitment. When you gift a diamond to a woman, let it be in the form of diamond engagement ring, you need not say the rest. It will make others understand that how much serious you are for her. It will portray your love in the best possible manner.You can find a variety of diamond engagement rings at online jewelry stores. These diamond engagement rings come in many shapes and styles. It is apt to choose diamond as the stone for these engagement rings because diamond is considered beautiful and it is also the hardest of all substances present on the earth. This is primarily the reason why people consider it ominous and feel that wearing diamond can bring same kind of good luck in their lives. This has made diamond engagement ring, diamond solitaire ring, designer engagement ring, diamond engagement ring platinum, discount diamond engagement ring a pre determined gift for those involved in love.Out of all rings, a ring with solitaire is considered the most appropriate symbol which can depict your love. The attraction with the solitaire is incomparable. Diamond solitaire rings are set in a prong setting with 4 to 8 claws. Prongs can mostly be seen in platinum, yet another very beautiful and attractive metal. In most of the cases platinum is considered, as it is generally thin, and makes the diamond more visible.Then there is yet another form of diamond engagement rings, which is attractive as well as romantic. It is known as past, present future ring. These rings define love as eternal and something which was in the past will be in the present and will be there in the future. The ring actually consists of three stones of diamond. The design of the ring can be like a center piece of diamond with two pieces around, or the three pieces of diamond clustered together. Side stone diamond engagement rings are also one style of engagement rings, which is elegant. This type of engagement ring is basically attractive as well as elegant. They go well for working women. Then there are antique diamond rings. These are also called Victorian rings. The designs of these rings are just like what was prevalent in the past. These diamond rings also look well if they go with some other stones. And if you want to give something priceless and sentimental to your lover, then you can gift her ancestral ring. Ancestral ring is the ring of your family, coming down since past. This ring must have been worn by your mother and grandmother. These rings are high in sentimental value and thus are considered priceless. Bit if you do not have such a family ring, then there is nothing to be upset over. You can buy for your fiancé or your wife unique engagement rings; who knows, one day; this ring can becomes an ancestral ring for your family. So, what are you waiting for? If you are planning to walk the aisle with hand in hand with your lover, then begin the process by gifting her a diamond engagement ring. After all, diamonds are a woman’s best friend.

Diamond engagement rings profess a message of love and fidelity that no other form of ring ever could.  It is not that such rings are novel, since diamonds and gold have been the standard raw materials for engagement rings for many years, but there is now a much wider range of colors and designs available.The hip hop music scene, and the bling that has arisen from it, have given rise to a style that is unmistakenly brash, but also beautiful at the same time.  The style is typified by masses of diamonds which give rise to the term iced up’, which in turn gave rise to a brand new style of jewelry where, rather than solitaires set in classical settings, jewelry pieces are composed of masses of small round and princess cut diamonds, sometimes invisibly set, to give the appearance of the dazzling beauty of masses and masses of diamonds.  The round cut diamonds in particular offer more sparkle for the buck than most other diamond cuts, so that just a few diamonds intelligently set, can offer the sparkling appearance of many more, and are absolutely ideal for the bling style, whether used in rings or any other form of jewelry. Diamond engagement rings are also available in such bling styles, as well as in the more traditional form of engagement ring. A typical example of the latter is a solitaire diamond of just over a carat within a four-prong setting, with round cut diamonds and baguettes to another carat or so on either side, all set in a 14 carat gold ring.  You can also get engagement rings in 18 carat gold, but the higher the carats the purer and hence softer the gold.  Keep in mind that this ring should last a lifetime, so the harder wearing 14 carat is a good compromise between the cheaper 9 carat and the softer 18 carat.  In the alternative bling style you can have 1.5 carats of diamonds round cut and invisibly set in 14 K yellow gold.  This is serious sparkle, and it will out-glitter most other diamond engagement rings around.  Be careful that the guy’s ring doesn’t outshine his fiancée’s or he will be in deep trouble!Although people may claim that they buy a particular diamond engagement ring for a number of different reasons, effectively it comes down to just three basic ones.  The first of these is, of course, simply to give to their fiancée to signify the engagement. This is traditional in the Western world, and also now in most other countries in the world.   If this were the only reason, then one might presume that any ring would do, so the second reason is to buy the best that they can, particular of the man for the woman. The subconscious, and likely traditional, reason for that is likely that the value of the ring signifies the worth of the potential bridegroom and his ability to look after his wife. Some have suggested that the traditional diamond engagement ring is waning in popularity, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Diamond rings are every bit as popular as they have ever been, and in many ways they have grown in popularity.  It is perhaps largely due to the increased availability and range of styles that a diamond ring has to offer, and also to the revived status that diamond jewelry of any kind has been enjoying.   It could also be that young people have more money to spend than a decade or two ago.  Whatever the reason, an increasing number of couples are spending more and more money on diamond engagement rings of all kinds.  Some contain other stones, such as emeralds, sapphires or rubies, while others consist of white diamonds mixed with diamonds of other colors, some enhanced to make them more vivid. White gold, pink gold, yellow gold and platinum are among the more popular metal options available. Nothing expresses the impression of style and elegance of a diamond ring and a ring on that left hand’s third finger indicates more than just that the woman or man wearing it is spoken for.  It indicates the commitment to eternity that diamonds signify, and a signal of everlasting love. There will always be discussion over why a particular ring was chosen, but diamond and gold have become traditional materials for engagement rings, and so in the final analysis, there would likely be little choice:  the man either purchases the selected ring himself to present to his girl, and spends what he thinks necessary to impress her, or the girl chooses her own, and selects a ring that that she thinks looks good on her finger. The two choices of diamond engagement rings are unlikely to be the same!

Hollywood beauties showcased the timelessness of diamonds, accenting their signature evening frocks with diamond jewelry. The result was purely ethereal: elegantly dressed willowy maidens polished with the incessant sparkles of their expensive blings. A myriad of diamond encrusted earrings, a diamond necklace here and there, an occasional flash of a diamond ring, and the charm of diamond bracelets on the wrists all added up to another unforgettable event.Academy award winner for best actress Kate Winslet accepted her award donning a 28 carat diamond pear shaped earrings and a 117 carat multi-cut diamond bracelet and a diamond ring, all by elite diamond jewelry designer Chopard. Another Chopard loyalist was Penelope Cruz who accentuated her vintage Balmain ecru gown with a 69-carat cushion cut diamond necklace, a 21 carat diamond ring and an 11 carat diamond stud earrings.Best actress nominee Anne Hathaway opted for Cartier, glamorizing her Armani Prive with a diamond dragon brooch at the rear of her gown, a diamond watch bracelet, diamond rings and earrings, another diamond brooch on her hair amounting to $1 million worth of diamonds. The fashionable Natalie Portman showed up in a sorbet pink strapless evening gown by Rodarte and wore with it a pair of brilliant 6 carat diamond dangling earrings by Kwiat.Sex and the City darling Sarah Jessica Paker chose a dazzling Dior Haute Couture evening dress, accessorized by her all-time favorite Fred Leighton diamond jewelry: a gold diamond bangle, diamond flower earrings and a 9 carat cushion cut diamond ring. Even the eclectic but equally stunning Gwen Stefani walked the red carpet in a classic black Channel dress, Roger Vivier shoes and diamond stud earrings by Bulgari.Freida Pinto, star of “Slumdog Millionaire”, strut her stuff in an electric blue tulle gown with intricate beading and embroidery. With this, she wore diamond jewelry from Martin Katz. The significant highlight of her evening garb was an Indian diamond ring encrusted with a 150-year old diamond stone. Marisa Tomei was radiant in her white Versace dress, which she paired with vintage diamond jewelry from Van Cleef and Arpels.Angelina Jolie came dressed in a striking black Elie Saab frock in the company of her gem of a husband Brad Pitt. She chose to accessorize her all black gown with fabulous 115 carat emerald drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. Schwartz is currently the big name in diamond jewelry and has a staunch following of clientele including US First Lady Michelle Obama.Indeed diamonds exude beauty and elegance beyond the ordinary. Diamond jewelry can never be out of place on a woman’s body, Hollywood actress or not.

As a fresh dawn broke over and brightness of economic liberalization brushed aside the shadows of the past, a new generation of women and some from earlier generations as well awakened to a refreshingly different way of life. Skillfully fusing the rich traditions that formed a part of their heritage with a modern, more contemporary outlook and approach, they began to reorient their dress, their styles and their accessories especially their engagement rings.Engagement ring is your first gift to your soon-to-be-bride so it should be priceless. Therefore a diamond engagement ring is the timely and best gift for your soon-to-be-bride. By putting a diamond ring on her finger you can make your bond of love as strong as diamond and pure also as the diamond itself.But before purchasing diamond engagement ring it is good to fix your budget because diamond rings are very expensive. Purchasing diamond engagement rings means that you are spending your two to three months salary and especially when your income is low.If you have a low budget and you are looking for engagement ring for cheap prices then the best option for you is to purchase loose diamonds and set them in your design. You can purchase loose diamond from online jewelry stores at very reasonable prices as compare to local jewelry stores. By purchasing loose diamond you will get the opportunity of selecting metal, setting and cut of your own choice and according to your budget. And after that you can set the diamonds according to your choice. In loose diamond you will get the quality of the diamond better as compare to diamond engagement rings.But if you do not have the time of designing your own ring then there are few places from where you can buy diamond engagement rings for cheap price.You can buy cheap diamond engagement rings from antique shop which deals with old rings. But before purchasing old ring always remember that the diamond is still well secured on the ring.But the best option to buy the engagement ring for cheap is the internet. There are many online jewelry stores who offer you the different types of engagement rings at cheap prices as compare to other local stores. By purchasing from online stores you can easily buy your type of ring at affordable price without any hassle and there is no need to compromise with the quality of diamond. When you look for diamond ring of low budget then the deciding factor is the polish and cut of the diamond rather than the shape. Always buy a certified diamond engagement ring because it is obvious that you will want to give your lady love all the best things in the world. Giving a diamond ring is the best way to show that your heart is full of affection and love for her.

For more information visit – http://www.glimmerrocks.com

Like any other trend in the fashion world, the trend of diamond jewelry too is extremely vibrant and dynamic. And if it comes to choosing a diamond engagement ring, this ever-changing market trend sees its peak.

Definitely, some designs of such rings can’t escape unnoticed if the would-be grooms are constantly looking for the best choice available to impress ‘her’ in the most effective manner.

So if you are one of those who are going to get engaged this summer, you need to find out some amazingly exciting and attracting rings which will help to bring a pleasant and innocent smile on her face. Thus, lets see what are hottest in the block!

Solitaire Diamond Engagement Rings : Such things are found to be the most appealing diamond jewelry by the soon-to-be-engaged ladies. The timeless and simplistic shape and design of this solitaire version becomes a huge factor to make a special place in the hearts of almost 4 out of 5 women these days.

However, this all-time-hit fashion jewelry can be found with some innovations too in its design. Unlike the most popular versions of solitaire rings in which the diamonds are given an ‘elevated position,’ the modern solitaire rings are coming with diamonds with a ‘lowered placement’ too.

Pave Diamond Engagement Rings : This is another classic version which prove to be the first choice of many wives-to-be. This is more popular for the way the tiny diamonds are patterned in an artistic and decorative way on its surface.

Looking at the rows of closely-fixed’ diamonds, with their bases wrapped with costly metals such as gold, placed within the holes made on the surface of the ring is a treat to watch. Most importantly, these diamond jewelry can be found at cheaper rates despite being made of using a cluster of diamonds.

Colored Diamond Engagement Rings : This ‘colorful’ jewelry trend is here to last for long. Such rings look bold and are being considered as the next big thing in the market of summer marriage. Such rings are being bought by those who want to give their girls a hint of their bold and colorful nature.

So if you are planning to buy a ring this summer, look out for something made of diamonds in pink, yellow, purple etc and the make the engagement ceremony as colorful as possible. Definitely, the color of this diamond jewelry trend is not going to fade way easily, literally. Be sure.

All-diamond Engagement Rings : Probably, this is the only stuff in the market which you can call a pure ‘diamond’ ring in its most literal sense. You will find diamonds placed not only in the center, but this is a special ring stuff which has tiny diamonds placed all around the ring. Thus you will not able to see even a fraction of the metal which the ring is made of.

However, this can be costly at some extent. But the gentle smile on the face of your girl, which this sparkling stuff is capable of bringing will patch up the holes in your wallet too easily.

Triple-diamond Engagement Rings : This is the most unique and the latest one. The three diamonds placed on the ring have got a philosophic connotation as each of them manifests your days before engagement, your day of engagement and your day after engagement, respectively.

So if you want to tell her how committed you are to her, don’t wait to buy her this beautiful stuff made of three glittering diamonds. These diamonds can be placed on this diamond jewelry in various patterns. They can be slightly raised or placed on a ‘twisted top’ or placed evenly on the surface. Also the diamonds can come in various colors and shapes too such as oval or square etc.