Diamond Blog: Diamonds & Engagement Rings News

Did you know?

Diamonds are the hardest know substance on earth.

Diamonds are as unique as snow flakes

More than 250 tons of ore have to be blasted and crushed in order to produce just one carat of diamond.

Not all diamonds are white; colored diamonds, known as “fancies”, are available in every color of the rainbow.

Source: Diamond Information Center

Do you understand the 4C’s ?>>

Cut: Diamonds Are cut to an exact mathematical formula in order to yield the maximum brilliance to be reflected to the viewer.

Color: diamonds come in every color of the spectrum, but the ones that are most valued are those with the least color.

Clarity: Generally the fewer the inclusions, the more valuable the stone. To be graded “Flawless”, a diamond can have no inclusions visible to the trained eye, using a ten power magnification in good light.

Carat Weight: The measurement of a diamonds weight, carats are usually divided into points, a one-carat stone equaling 100 points.

Source: Diamond Information Center

The tradition of the Diamond engagement Ring

The tradition of giving a diamond engagement rind was created in the 15th century by an Austrion by the name of Archduke Maximilian.

The engagement ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left-hand because that finger was believed by the ancient Egyptians to contain the vein of love that passed directly to the heart. Diamond dealer and importer Blog Wholesale loose diamond three stone engagement rings emerald cut priness asscher round brilliant hearts and arrows excellent ideal cut signature zales signature diamond wholesale engagement rings in new yorks diamond district for fancy jewelry Diamond importer gia certified diamonds

Today about 75% of all first - time brides receive a diamond engagement ring.

Source: Diamond Information Center

Caring for your Diamond

Don’t wear your diamonds while doing rough work ( no pun intended ) A Diamond is strong, but it can be chipped by a hard blow.

Don’t let your diamond come in contact with chlorine, bleach or other chemicals; they can damage the mounting.

Do keep your diamond jewelry in a fabric lined jewelry case or box with compartments or dividers. Diamonds can scratch other jewelry and or each other.

Do see your jeweler at least once a year to check for loose prongs and wear. Ask him/her to give them a special cleaning at the same time.

Source: Jewelers of America

Diamonds are forever

The diamonds in your engagement and wedding rings are at least 100,000,000 years old.

The romans thought diamonds were splinters from fallen stars that tipped the arrow of Eros, The god of love, or other wise known as Cupid.

While most gemstones are valued for their depth of color; a diamond is valued for its lack of color. (note to Bruce; these people are idiots that wrote this and cupid was my idea what do you think)

The ancient Greeks regarded diamonds as tears of the Gods; the word diamond is a derivation of the Greek word “Adamas”, meaning unconquerable.

Source: Diamond Information Center

The Egyptians, largest producers of gold in the ancient world, equated gold with the sun , the giver of life, and reserved its use for Pharaohs only. The ancient Etruscans created meticulously hand wrought objects using fine granules and treads of gold, a technique still practiced today.

To this day, Indian and Chinese brides wear jewelry of no less than 24-karat gold on their wedding day to ensure a lifetime of good luck and happiness.

And, a gift of gold jewelry says love and permanence as eloquently today as in all ages past.

How to Buy Karat Gold Jewelry

Look for the quality mark. Pure gold, or 24-karat, is generally considered too soft for use in jewelry, so its alloyed with other metals to increase its strength.

Eighteen-Karat gold is 18/24ths , or three quarters pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked “18kt” or “750”, the European designation meaning 75 percent gold.

In the United States, 14-karat gold is used most commonly for Jewelry. Fourteen-Karat gold is 14/24ths or slightly more then one half pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked “14kt” or “585” the European designation meaning 58.5 percent gold.

Nothing less than 10-karat gold can be legally marked or sold as gold jewelry in the U.S. these pieces are marked “10kt” or “417” the European designation meaning 41.7 percent gold. Diamond dealer and importer Blog Wholesale loose diamond three stone engagement rings emerald cut priness asscher round brilliant hearts and arrows excellent ideal cut signature zales signature diamond wholesale engagement rings in new yorks diamond district for fancy jewelry Diamond importer gia certified diamonds

Karat Marks 10K 14K 18K 24K

European Markings 417 585 750 999

Percent Pure Gold 41.7 58.5 75.0 99.9

Look for trademarks accompanying the quality mark. When a piece of jewelry is stamped with a quality mark, the law requires that it should be stamped with a hallmark or a trademark as well. Sometimes the jewelry is also marked with it’s country of origin. Theses designations are designed to assure you that you are buying genuine gold jewelry or the karatage marked.

Gold comes in a Variety of colors. Because gold is alloyed with other metals to increase it’s strength, it can also be made of colors. For example, yellow gold is created by alloying the metal with copper and silver; using copper only creates pink gold; white gold contains platinum or palladium, zinc and copper; green gold contains copper, silver and zinc.

Metals Color of Gold

Gold, Copper and Silver Yellow Gold

Gold, Platinum or Palladium

Zinc and copper White Gold

Gold, Silver, Copper and Zinc Green Gold

Gold, Copper and Silver Rose or “Pink” Gold

Pricing is based on four factors: karatage , gram weight design and craftsmanship. The karatage and Gram weight tell you how much gold is in one piece, but the other crucial factors determining price are the piece’s construction and design. A price based solely on gram weight does not reflect the work that went into the piece. Its important to remember that each piece of gold is unique and if cared for properly, will last a lifetime. Diamond dealer and importer Blog Wholesale loose diamond three stone engagement rings emerald cut priness asscher round brilliant hearts and arrows excellent ideal cut signature zales signature diamond wholesale engagement rings in new yorks diamond district for fancy jewelry Diamond importer gia certified diamonds Look for quality construction. When buying a piece of gold jewelry, be sure to inspect it carefully . Pay attention to fasteners and clasps, making sure catches work easily but are secure at the same time. Likewise, the backs of pins and earring posts should be strong and firmly attached to the piece with no soldering marks visible. With gold chain lay it flat and make sure the links don’t kink or bend.