You slip the ring on your finger, or hold the earring up to your ear, and you can’t believe the flashes of light shimmering off that diamond. “It’s stunning,” you think to yourself, “and I don’t ever want to take it off.”
A diamond is a treasure that should last a lifetime, and with the right care and maintenance, so can that incomparable sparkle. At Spence Diamonds, we want you to enjoy your diamond’s sparkling beauty for generations, so here’s a few “dos and don’ts” of caring for your new diamond:
It is okay to:
Clean your jewelry in warm, soapy water with a soft brush
Use a mild soap, such as dish soap
Use products designed specifically for cleaning diamonds (ask us in store for details)
It is not wise to:
Wear your jewelry when using abrasive cleaning products, or ones that contain bleach or chlorine
Wear your diamond during manual labour activities, while using heavy equipment, weightlifting or while playing sports (for your own safety as well as that of your jewelry)
The setting of your diamond and the metals used in bands, bracelets and necklaces should be taken into consideration, too. Especially in the case of gold, you want to be sure that the cleaning products you choose won’t tarnish the finish of your precious metals. By following the guidelines above, you should be able to keep your valuables in showroom shape, plus it gives you a perfect use for your old toothbrushes! On that note, its best if you stick to mild soap and water with your toothbrush. Today’s new toothpastes are great for getting your teeth whiter, but are usually much too abrasive for your jewels.
Everyday wear and tear, and even the perspiration and natural oils from your fingers can have an effect on your jewelry’s natural glow over time, so a regular cleaning will ensure that they always look their best.
If you have any questions about the proper care of your jewelry, you can visit any Spence Diamonds showroom. We’d be happy to offer plenty of tips on proper care and maintenance of your jewelry investment.
When you start to think about buying a diamond, you naturally will want the best diamond that you can afford and a beautiful stone you will treasure forever. Diamonds can be found in a range of shapes, sizes, qualities & colours. If you are about to buy a diamond for an engagement ring, you may want to consider spending the commonly accepted guideline of two months’ salary. However you should spend as much as you can comfortably afford. Buying a diamond is not like buying a car which will depreciate over time, they endure generations and are passed down in your family as an heirloom. Remember, diamonds ARE forever.
When buying diamonds, make sure you buy the best quality diamond that is within your budget. Do not buy a diamond just because it has been “discounted”or the diamond dealer is offering a “special price”. These “sale” prices and deals are nothing more than marketing hype and will not result in any real savings to the price of a diamond. The price of diamonds is controlled by international market conditions and the availability. Unlike other jewellery items, diamonds do not go on sale because they do not have huge profit margins or over inflated prices.
Do not confuse a diamonds carat weight with the size of a diamond. Two diamonds that have the same carat weight could have very different diameter measurements and appearance in actual size. A poorly cut 1.00ct diamond may look like a 0.75ct diamond from the top because they have the same diameter measurements even though their carat weights are different.
Diamonds are sold by their carat weight. A diamond cutter always tries to retain as much carat weight and as few inclusions when cutting a diamond. Sometimes the cut of a diamond might be sacrificed in order to produce a diamond with a higher carat weight. Diamonds that have a higher cut quality – excellent, ideal and very good cut diamonds – will sparkle with far more brilliance and fire than poorly cut diamonds which have a lower cut grade.
The value of a diamond is determined by its exact quality as defined by the 4C’s: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat-Weight. It is the sparkle or brilliance that gives a diamond its unique quality. Many people become overwhelmed when they start searching for a diamond. It seems that the fear of either buying a diamond that is not very good quality or paying too much can cause people to go on a quest to become a diamond expert overnight. Getting knowledge and educated about diamonds and the 4C’s – Cut, Colour, Clarity & Carat Weight – is a big first step towards buying the right diamond.
Before you start diamond shopping, it is best to have an understanding of what you are buying and the process behind buying a diamond. Today on the internet there is no shortage of information available, especially when it comes to learning about diamonds. Here are a few important steps when embarking on the purchase of a diamond –
Gain a basic understanding of the qualities of a fine diamond.
Learn about diamonds, do your homework before you start looking. There are many good websites that offer comprehensive Diamond Education sections where you are able to learn about diamonds and The 4C’s – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. These are the criteria that diamonds are graded and valued upon.
Set a personal budget.
This will dictate a lot of the parameters for the diamond you are searching for. Then obtain a realistic idea of what diamonds cost and the various diamond prices. Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are the most popular shape of diamond for engagement rings however they also are higher priced than a fancy shape diamond. Setting a personal budget will save you a lot of time and it will help you to not over extend yourself financially.
Decide on the diamond specifications.
What shape of Diamond do you prefer? Remember that diamonds are cut in many different shapes besides Round Brilliant and Princess Cuts. Fancy Shape diamonds such as Asscher, Cushion, Emerald, Oval, Pear, Marquise, Trilliant and Radiant Cut Diamonds all make unique engagement rings and create beautiful jewellery when set in individual designs. Once you have decided on the shape of the diamond you wish to buy then start deciding on your other preferences such as the carat size, the diamond colour, the diamond purity and the diamond cut quality.
Insist on a Diamond Certificate.
A diamond certificate or diamond grading report documents the complete quality and description of the diamond, it includes information on shape, carat weight, clarity, fluorescence, colour grade, measurements, proportions and finish grade. A diamond certificate also confirms that the diamond is natural and is not synthetic or man-made. Diamond Grading Laboratories such as GIA, AGS, HRD & DCLA are all internationally recognised and compliant grading laboratories.
View the diamond in person where possible.
Compare the quality of the diamond next to other diamonds before you purchase. Cut is the only factor that man can control. Cut refers not only to the shape and style of the diamond, but its proportions, symmetry, and finish or “make”. Cut determines the brilliance and fire of the diamond and is actually one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing your diamond.
We understand that when searching for the right diamond the task can at times be daunting and very confusing. Just comparing diamonds on price alone is not nearly good enough, you need to be able to compare the diamonds next to each other to see which diamond is the better quality and appeals to you the most.
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Copyright © 2008 Diamond Imports Pty Ltd
http://www.diamondimports.com.au
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
Consider either of these two scenarios. One, he’s finally popped the question, and presented you with his mother or grandmother’s engagement ring. Or two, you are about to pop the question to her, and you are expected to give her the engagement ring that has been in your family for generations. It’s a family tradition. It’s a family heirloom. Either way it’s ugly, tired, not your style, or worn through.
You may want to tread carefully before immediately absconding with said heirloom engagement ring to your favorite jeweller for a makeover.
Respecting everyone’s feelings. Mother-in-laws can make formidable enemies. If it’s her ring you want to alter and she is still alive, you may want to run the idea past her first. She may also have inherited the ring and may sympathise fully. On the other hand, she may have selected it. Do your homework first.
The state of the stone and the setting. At some stage all heirloom engagement rings need repair work. Check that the stone or stones are worth saving. A worn setting is not safe for keeping stones in place. Maybe this could be your excuse for a little work.
Your dream engagement ring may not look anything like the heirloom. Perhaps there could be a compromise? Perhaps you could have an eternity ring instead that meets your engagement ring dreams?
Your wedding ring expectations. Is this heirloom piece going to accommodate your wedding ring? Can it be adjusted slightly?
Solutions and Excuses.
Wrong color metal. Perhaps the setting is not the sort of metal you wear, or are allergic to?
Too frail to wear on a daily basis. Worn settings and prongs will lose stones eventually. If you have to have work done, maybe it could be subtle, or not so subtle. Explain to the family member that the engagement ring needs work before starting.
Too valuable to wear on a daily basis. This is a good excuse for never wearing the ring. Store it somewhere safe and only wear it to family events. Select a great wedding ring to wear instead.
Too valuable to accept. This may or may not be true. If you use this excuse be leery of turning up with a ring down the track bigger and more expensive than what you returned.
You would like to incorporate other family heirlooms. You have two families, perhaps there is something sentimental from the other side that should be melded in as well?
The engagement ring is not compatible with your lifestyle. This is an excellent excuse and shows respect for the heirloom piece.
The engagement ring is too big or small.
The Jeweler. If you should manage to get the heirloom to a jeweler, be sure to use one that you trust. The jeweller should be accustomed to working with estate and vintage pieces, or custom work. Be sure you have a clear idea as to what is being done and the cost before agreeing to the work.
Alternatively, there are jewelry companies who create engagement rings without the center stone, for example Tacori. Perhaps the family stone could be reset?
Heirloom engagement rings are a sign of tradition, respect, and regard. They should always be accepted in the spirit that they are given. Be gracious and sensitive, and remember that your engagement ring is not your marriage.
When you are considering diamond gifts for someone close, you may wonder whether to choose diamond necklaces or diamond rings. The choice that you make depends upon the statement that you want to make. While diamond necklaces say that you care, diamond rings are often used as a proposal of marriage. Being aware of the meaning behind diamonds has much to do with giving diamond gifts.
Diamond necklaces usually consist of pendants. They can be given to anyone on your gift list. Pendants contain diamonds and, in some cases, other gems. They are worn on a gold necklace. There are many different styles when it comes to diamond necklaces. Giving diamond necklaces to someone does not constitute a promise of marriage. These necklaces are usually treasured by the owners and are often handed down to descending generations. Diamonds are a valuable gemstone and retain their value, if not gain in value. Unlike other gifts that are worth less once they are used, diamonds can even be worth more over a period of time, than when first purchased. This is why it is important to get first quality diamonds from a first class jeweler.
While diamond necklaces can be a gift for anyone, the same is not true when it comes to diamond rings. Unless the couple is married, diamond rings are usually indicative of a marriage proposal. If a man gives a woman a diamond ring, it usually means that he wants to get married. The exception is if the couple is already married. If the couple is already married, diamond rings have the same significance as diamond necklaces.
Like diamond necklaces, diamond rings are set in precious metals. Good diamonds are set in 18 karat gold or platinum. White gold is often used today by fine jewelers as this gold is preferred over yellow gold today. White gold resembles platinum in appearance. It can be brushed or polished. Diamond rings also often have other precious gems set in with the setting.
Diamond rings can also be purchased for men. Men will wear diamond rings as wedding bands and as pinky finger rings. While you do not have to know a size to buy a diamond necklace, you do have to have a rough size estimate when you are buying a diamond ring. A good jeweler will be able to size the ring for you. It should slip comfortably on the hand of the wearer and should not be too loose so that it falls off. In some cases, the recipient can get the ring sized at a local jeweler so that it fits right. It is often helpful to have a ring size before you buy diamond rings.
Both diamond rings and diamond necklaces make excellent gifts for someone special in your life. You should be sure of the quality of the diamond and deal with a jeweler that has been in business for a while. Be sure that the diamond rings and diamond necklaces are top quality and make the statement that you want to make to the person to whom you are giving the gift.