How To Choose A Quality Diamond Ring and Diamond Jewelry

You are about to make a very important decision. You are going to buy a diamond. Whether it is an engagement ring to start a new life with someone special or a pair of earrings to signify twenty five years together, a diamond is something special. You want make sure you are getting the best quality diamond for the money you are spending. So, how do you know you are not wasting your money? Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for that diamond ring.
The very first thing you are going to want to look at is your budget. In years past, the rule of thumb was that you spend two months salary on a diamond ring. However, that rule generally no longer applies. Today, with people living together before the question is asked, it is much more a question of how much your budget will handle.
After you know the price range you are looking for and can afford, you can then move on to the four “Cs” of diamonds. Color, cut, clarity and carat weight. Let’s take a look at the first one.
Color is the overall color of the stone. Traditionally, diamonds will rage from colorless to yellow. The less color in the stone, the more desirable it is. This typically has a relationship to the purity of the gem, although some people prefer the yellowish tint to a diamond stone. I personally think the yellowish tint makes it look old and not as clean as it should be.
Cut is very important to how the diamond will shine. If it is well cut, it will capture all available light and reflect it back to the height of its potential. If the diamond is cut too shallow, it will not gather light. If it is cut too deep, it will take light and not reflect it back. There are various different kinds of cuts, and a knowledgeable jeweler should be able to explain this to you as well as show you the same piece in different cuts so you can see the difference for yourself.
Clarity refers to how flawless the stone is. Diamonds that are flawless are going to be very rare and, therefore, very expensive. Usually, you can get more bang for your buck if you go down a couple of points on this category and get either a near flawless stone or one that has no visible incursions to the naked eye. Of course, the more visible the flaws, the less expensive the diamond. When you exmaine the gem with the naked eye, you should not be able to see "scars" or blemishes within the stone. If you can see scars but only when wearing a jeweler's "loop" (the magnifying monacle microscope that any quality jeweler has on hand, which you can ask to borrow to examine a stone), then it is probably worthy of your consideration.
The last of the four Cs is carat. This is how big the diamond is. It is worth mentioning that the larger stones are more rare and are more expensive. Because of this, you can get the same amount of total carat weight for less money. As an example, two half-carat stones are less expensive than a single full carat ring.
When shopping for the perfect diamond ring, the setting will also come into play, as well as what type of metal the ring is made of. Gold is traditionally the metal of engagement and wedding rings, but silver; white gold and platinum have started to become more popular in recent years as well. This is more a matter of personal taste than anything else, although you want a quality setting.
One more thing to look for when shopping for a quality diamond ring - a quality jeweler. They will help you decide what your budget should be and show you a wide range of what you can afford. They will be able to tell you more on the four Cs, show you a variety of settings and help you through the buying process so you are comfortable with your purchase. Don't be afraid to ask the jeweler to borrow his "loop" for a minute so you can get a close view of the diamond you are considering.
Jon is a computer engineer and long-term world traveler who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about diamond rings and diamond jewelry at his web site at http://www.diamond-jewelry-ring.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Arnold

Affordable Rings Create Precious Memories

There's a profound truth to the saying, "It's not the cost of the gift, but the thought behind it." Gifts of jewelry create precious memories, yet all too often the person giving the gift feels as though he must spend more than he can afford in order to demonstrate his feelings to the woman he loves. Unfortunately, the jewelry industry often reinforces this belief, going so far as to offer guidelines about what a man should spend on an engagement ring, for example. (The "guideline" is two months' salary.) For most men, it's not realistic to go deeply into debt in order to buy jewelry. Indeed, extravagant jewelry often is locked in a vault or a safe, rather than being worn and enjoyed by the recipient. There are many affordable rings available that can express feelings of love and appreciation, and which will be worn with pride by the recipient. Discount rings can be unique and elegant, with a style that mimics the most costly designer jewelry. In contrast to guidelines provided by the jewelry industry, you can buy affordable rings that your recipient will treasure. When selecting a ring, think about the setting. A 10k gold ring is as beautiful as a 14k gold ring, but is a more affordable purchase. A 10k gold ring setting can be found in both yellow gold and white gold, and will set off the stones just as beautifully as a 14k setting. The next element to consider is the gem stone. A natural gem stone will come to life in a 10k gold ring setting. Peridot, blue topaz, citrine, amethyst, ruby, garnet, emerald, and sapphire would each make for the perfect natural gem stone to coordinate with a 10k gold ring setting. Finally, when considering buying affordable rings, think about the size and cut of the natural gem stone. Although the jewelry industry would lead you to believe that bigger is better, a number of small stones in an elegant and unique designer setting can be even more striking than a single large natural gem stone. For example, imagine ten small round cut diamonds on either side of five small rubies in a 10k gold ring setting. Or consider the glitter and sparkle of six marquise cut blue topaz stones set as flower petals surrounded by thirteen small round cut diamonds. Nine small round cut diamonds in a heart shaped setting with an elegant band can be breathtaking. Whether you're looking for a promise ring, an engagement ring, or a gift for that special anniversary, birthday, or Valentine's Day present, you don't have to spend a fortune. Affordable rings will convey your feelings and be worn with appreciation by the woman you love.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Jewelry Website and Majon's Jewelry directory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Do You Want To Build Your Own Engagement Ring?

If you answered "yes" to this question or are interested about diamond jewelry, then you might want to read on. It is very easy to build your own engagement ring online. Basically, what you do is choosing a ring and add a diamond to it. Then of course you will have to propose and show the unique gift you created for her.
Concerning the ring many styles are available, from a Solitaire ring to a Pave setting full of little diamonds around the center one, this will be your decision. Plus, some online stores give you the possibility to see how it will look like when the diamond will be mounted on the ring, and even how it looks on a finger.
The three metals you can choose from to design your own engagement ring are Platinum, Yellow Gold and White Gold. White metals became more popular as they reflect more light as Yellow Gold. This, of course, enhance the brilliance and sparkling of the diamond.
The diamond, let's talk about that, this is the most important piece of the engagement ring. Well Important here means the most expensive. But a beautiful diamonds is not necessarily perfect. A perfect diamond, would be ideally cut, colorless and flawless. These diamonds are very rare, so you need to find a compromise between these criteria.
Don't worry, the imperfections of a diamond are only visible by an experienced eye, and under magnification. Nobody could notice slight flaws if they are not experts. So are you ready to engage? Then why not design a unique jewel and build your own engagement ring.
If you want to build your own engagement ring online, learn to build your own ring at BuildEngagementRing.net You will also find more about diamonds and precious metals. The best stores are also listed so you can shop for certified diamonds with confidence.
You will also find more about diamonds and precious metals. The best stores are also listed so you can shop for certified diamonds with confidence.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tobias_Rieper