My Pink Diamonds

Choosing just the right jewelry for you goes beyond how good it looks on you, or how good it makes you feel. Some people have allergies to certain metals, so it helps to understand what to look out for if your skin is extra-sensitive, or you are prone to allergies. In our Spence Diamonds showrooms, we’re always ready to answer your questions about how metal allergies can affect you, but in the meantime here’s a bit of Metal Allergy 101:
Most often, rashes and infections on your skin caused by jewelry are a result of nickel allergy. Ever had an itchy red spot under a jean stud or watch buckle? Maybe when you had your ears pierced you developed an unusually uncomfortable reaction?
Nickel is the metal that causes the most rashes. And it is also quite commonly used in almost anything metal, for e.g.: jewelry, kitchen utensils, scissors, paper clips, keys and of course the coin by the same name. Nickel has a more whitish appearance, so such metals as white gold, silver and all kinds of silver-coloured metals (other than sterling silver) can and likely do contain some amount of nickel. 18 or 24 carat yellow gold do not contain nickel, but 10-carat yellow gold may have traces of nickel, too.
How Do You Know if You Have an Allergy to Nickel?
The first sign of nickel allergy is red and itchy skin, in the areas that have come in contact with metal, such as under a ring or necklace. Later on, tiny water blisters appear, making the skin moist and even oozy, and can even cause it to peel off. At this point, you probably want to be searching for jewelry that cooperates with your skin a little better. If the condition carries on for a long time, your skin may become red, scaly and cracked, and the rash can spread to other areas of your skin that have never even been in contact with nickel! So it’s worth doing your homework on how to avoid such a reaction.
Some Good News, Some Bad News
The bad news first: Once you’ve become sensitive to nickel, you’re likely to stay that way for the rest of your life. The good news is that over time, you may become less sensitive to nickel allergy. But there is hope as there are still plenty of metals that you can safely wear, including 18 and 14 carat gold, sterling silver, and a number of other hypo-allergenic metals. In addition, if you discover an allergy to nickel with an existing piece of your jewelry, Spence Dimaonds offers an electrochemical process called rhodium plating that coats the ring and protects your finger from exposure to nickel. It is a very easy and very common process that will not harm your ring in any way. If you’d like to know more, we’d be happy to answer your questions about rhodium plating in one of our showrooms.
If you think that you might have an allergy to nickel, ask a member of our staff in one of our Spence Diamonds showrooms to help you select an item that will not only add a bit of sparkle to your life, but will also be safe and comfortable next to your skin.

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 buy something as significant and timeless as a diamond, for any occasion, it makes sense that you would like to know the history of that valuable memento.
In the late 1990’s, the world became aware of the existence of “conflict diamonds,” jewels that have been used to fund insurgent or invading army’s war efforts.
Today, over 99% of the world’s diamond supply has been verified to be completely conflict free, and reputable retailers and suppliers of diamonds the world over have embraced a policy never to support the countries involved in the diamond trade that still engage in these practices. Still, retailers such as Spence Diamonds see the value in educating their customers and staff on the issue of conflict diamonds, to better understand the importance and the process of diamonds that are procured through fair trade.
In 2000, a joint initiative supported by the United Nations General Assembly created the Kimberly Process, an international certification regimen that aims to put an end to illegally traded diamonds. Today, 69 countries are legally bound by the rules of this strict and thorough process.
Any trade of diamonds between these 69 countries (which includes Canada, the U.S., Belgium and many of the African countries involved in the trade of diamonds) must adhere to these guidelines:
Each participating country must have laws in place that mandate the Kimberly Process
Any shipment of diamonds must be inspected to ensure that each shipment adheres to the guidelines
They must then be shipped in tamper-proof containers
They must be accompanied by a uniquely numbered, Government validated Kimberly Process certificate
Shipments must only be made to participating countries in the Kimberly Process
Each diamond, when sold by a retailer must be accompanied by the following warranty statement:
“The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.”
In a very short time, the Kimberly Process has had a profound effect. In the six years since its creation, the Kimberly Process has reduced the trade of conflict diamonds, from 4% to less than 1% of the entire diamond industry.
Retailers like Spence Diamonds have always maintained a strict policy about the origin of their diamonds. The diamonds in Spence stores come from large, reputable diamond suppliers who ensure that the diamonds originated from Kimberly Process compliant countries such as Belgium and Canada. As a major centre for the trade of diamonds, Belgium has always had a system for diamond verification, even previous to the creation of the Kimberly Process. Today, Belgian diamond wholesalers employ one of the strictest levels of security when it comes to the trade of diamonds, according to the U.N.
All of the diamonds purchased for Spence Diamonds have been certified as conflict free.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “Four C’s” of diamond quality. Each and every unique diamond in the world has its own defining characteristics, and understanding each of them will help you make an informed decision when you come into a Spence Diamonds showroom.
Cut
Nothing is more important to the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond than its cut, as it is responsible for around 40% of a diamond’s price. A well cut diamond will reflect light from one facet to another and back through the top, creating a dramatic sparkling effect that only a diamond can emit. Only the most skilled diamond cutters can shape a diamond with exacting precision, to release its full brilliance, taking into account such factors as proportions, finish, and of course symmetry.
Colour
When examining a diamond, be sure to view it “loose” (unmounted) under a neutral light source, to get the best view of its colour. In the “normal colour” range, the colour of a diamond is rated on a scale that goes from D to Z, with D being the whitest diamond available, and Z being a tinted, light yellow colour. For most jewelry, a colour grade from G to J is usually best.
Why “D to Z?” Before this rating system was invented, diamond professionals used many other symbols (including liberal uses of “A” and “AA”) to rate colour, so the creators of the new system started at D, to avoid any confusion with the outdated ratings systems.
There are also various coloured diamond choices available today, but when you are looking specifically at a white diamond, you should understand how this scale works, and where your diamond of choice is rated on the spectrum. Also, the mounting of a diamond can impact its appearance. A more yellowish diamond will appear whiter next to a gold setting, whereas a white gold setting will make the diamond look less pure if you compare the two side-by-side.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to the number and nature of inclusions or blemishes that are visible when you view it under a microscope. Some diamond professionals refer to clarity as “purity” or “quality,” but neither of those start with “C,” so we’ll stick with clarity.
A blemish is an imperfection on the surface of a diamond, and an inclusion is a small spot contained within it. Diamonds with little or no imperfections such as these are rarer, and much more valuable. Five factors determine a diamond’s clarity: the size, number, position, nature and “relief” of the inclusions. Relief describes the level of visibility of these imperfections. The clarity scale of a diamond is the easiest to understand: It varies from Flawless, to Internally Flawless, and from there goes to VVS, VS, SI and I. These are easy to understand and remember, because they stand for: Very Very Slightly included, Very Slightly included, Slightly Included, and Included. Each of these designations has varying levels as well, but getting a handle on these will help you understand the importance of clarity in a diamond’s grading.
An “I” rated diamond will have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye, whereas even a skilled diamond expert would need a microscope to see the inclusions in an “SI” diamond. Because of this, diamonds rated “SI” usually represent the best value for your investment.
Important Note: Skilled jewelry makers often mount a diamond so as to mask an inclusion from sight, helping it appear more flawless. Before buying a diamond, be sure to examine it loose under a microscope to get a better idea of its clarity.
Carat
The last and most obvious characteristic that a diamond is measured by is its Carat (abbreviated “ct.”). A carat is a measure of weight, and it takes 142 of them to make an ounce.
Interesting bits of trivia:
You can mail 142 one-carat diamonds with just a single postage stamp (Not that you would want to)!
The majority of diamonds used in jewelry weigh less than one carat.
Obviously, a diamond’s carat weight can have a big effect on its value. When written, carat weights are expressed as decimal numbers: 1.00 ct., 0.48 ct., 1.57 cts., and so on. In a piece which has more than one diamond, often times you will see the total carat weight of the diamonds shown.
At Spence Diamonds, each and every diamond comes with an official Diamond Certificate, which will give you a detailed blueprint of your diamond. Now that you understand the “Four C’s” of diamond grading, you’ll have a better understanding of these certificates, which give you detailed info on all of the factors discussed above, including a “plotting” that shows the exact location of inclusions and blemishes.

When a girl accepts a man’s proposal of marrying her, the first thought that comes is of making the moment ever memorable. So, you buy her an engagement ring. However, today’s girls should not be taken for granted when it comes to satisfying them with any ordinary and out of fashion ring. You better know about the newest trends of engagement rings to please her even more.This year, according to the trend observers, engagement rings are being liked with different features. Most of the trend watchers agree that symbolizing past, present and future of a couple, the three-stone engagement ring has gained popularity due to its romantic symbolism associated with it. The three stones were previously used for anniversary ring. Because of the three diamonds on the top of the ring, its overall visual impact spectacular and spells brilliance. Or you can present eternity engagement ring, which studded with endless gems. The sublime round shape of the ring and numbers of gems symbolize a love that has no end. White diamonds are the trend for these rings. And, the preferred band metal is platinum. Another noticeable change in choice of people for engagement rings is for colored gemstones. While classic diamond solitaires have always been popular, the new trend is emerging for colored stones, which are quite affordable as well. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds and even garnet and topaz are providing colors to the engagement rings today. Apart from these rings, if she may also take interest in some vintage engagement rings to symbolize eternity of romance. To echo the romantic era of yesteryears and for creating strong feelings of love, vintage engagement rings are gaining popularity. An intricate handiwork of floral and filigree patterns and lattice work on these engagement rings gives them very special look  classic and antique aesthetic cuts of cushion, round , pillow and other cuts of stones only add to the sophistication of these rings for the occasion. And a word of caution now for the buyers of engagement rings. Never rush to a jeweler if it has little or no reputation. The ring is costly and it should be bought with utmost care. So, compare the jewelers and the rings extensively. Better scan websites for buying engagement rings of your choice at competitive rates after a good comparison of what is being offered and what price. A glittering engagement ring that matches with the latest trends also reflects your awareness of the world of your bride-to-be. Keep her choice of ring in mind while shopping for it.

So, you’ve purchased your diamond engagement ring, made your proposal and are enjoying a happy engagement period.  Naturally, your thoughts turn to your special day.

The purchase of wedding rings is quite straightforward, primarily due to the fact that it is a purchase often made together rather than in secret!

Profiles of wedding rings are constantly coming onto the market.  Traditional shapes are ‘D-shaped’ wedding rings, called D-shaped due to their domed outer surface, or ‘court’ shaped which also have an inner comfort-fit surface.  New profiles such as flat wedding rings (with squared edges) and millgrain edged wedding rings are becoming increasinglly popular, as more and more people seek to buy something out of the ordinary.

The prices of plain wedding rings is a simple equation based on four factors.  The profile you want, the metal you want, the finger size you want and the width you want.  The four factors determine the overall gram weight of the metal in the ring and, as a result, its corresponding price.

White gold and yellow gold remain popular choices for wedding ring metals, although platinum is still experiencing huge popularity due to its desirable properties.

All precious metal jewellery sold in the UK – whether it be diamond engagement rings, eternity rings or wedding rings, for example – has to be hallmarked as a legal requirement.  This hallmarking process is one of the oldest forms of consumer protection and guarantees the purity of the precious metal in the item. 

Having a personalised message engraved on the inside of wedding rings is a common request, and these messages can range from having nicknames through to simply the date of the wedding in roman numerals for example.  Pretty much anything and everything is possible.

Finally, although many couples like to get matching wedding rings, there is no real reason for having this, especially as many ladies will prefer to have a custom made wedding ring to specifically sit alongside their engagement ring, whilst gents will typically wear nothing on their fourth finger until their wedding day.

Not all diamond rings are used as diamond engagement rings. Diamond engagement rings are special rings because they signify the promise to marry. Men will traditionally present women with a diamond engagement ring after the proposal. While some women get diamond engagement rings as a surprise, others help choose them. It is helpful for a man to have an inclination as to what his girlfriend likes when it comes to diamond rings as well as a good idea of her ring size before he buys her an engagement ring.  While the charm of being surprised with diamond engagement rings is something that every woman dreams about, this does not work if she ends up hating the ring. 

Some diamond rings consist of clusters of diamonds and other precious stones. Diamond engagement rings usually consist of one large diamond and a symmetrical pattern, often of other diamonds or precious gems.  In some cases, diamond engagement rings are only one diamond. These are very traditional types of engagement rings and are usually a safe option, especially if the woman in mind tends to prefer simple and more understated jewelry. 

A man who is choosing diamond rings for a woman is usually choosing them for his wife or soon to be wife. Diamond engagement rings are not the only rings that men choose for women. There are also anniversary bands that feature diamonds as well as those diamond rings that commemorate the birth of children. Years ago, women often wore diamond cocktail rings that consisted of a cluster of diamonds. For many women, diamond engagement rings are the only diamond rings that they have. Others have several different settings that they wear on occasion. 

Diamond rings are most often chosen as gifts. While they can be worn by both men and women, rings for women greatly dominate the diamond ring industry. For men, these rings are usually smaller and consist of a single stone, although some men like to wear diamond wedding bands. 

When choosing diamond engagement rings, it is important to also consider the wedding band. While some people buy the wedding bands at the same time they buy the engagement rings, others wait until it is closer to the date to choose the bands. 

Anyone who wants to present a woman with an engagement ring as a surprise should have an idea of what she likes in a ring. Many of the diamond engagement rings today are white gold as this is the current trend.  This is not a new trend as white gold and platinum were both considered to be the standard when it came to diamond rings from the 1930s to the 1960s.  The 1960s saw yellow gold coming into style, although now the trend is back to white gold and platinum when it comes to the ring setting. The ring setting can be simple or elaborate. The metal can be brushed or it can be polished. Having a good idea of what your girlfriend likes when it comes to rings makes choosing diamond engagement rings that you give her as a surprise all the easier. 

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.