Jewelry Education
DIAMONDS 101
Do you really know what the four C's are? Learn the difference between a marquise and princess diamond. Discover how VVS differs from VS when it comes to clarity. Discover what cut means beyond shape and size. Find out everything you need to know about cut, colour, carat and clarity to help you buy the perfect diamond. See diamond introduction below.
INTRODUCTION TO DIAMONDS
Diamond studs are diamonds really a girl's best friend? You betcha! Sparkly and spectacular, they represent love and romance, and mark the most special of milestones. Like women themselves, they come in all sizes and shapes and truly flawless ones are extremely rare and the ones that cost the most match.
Believe it or not, bigger isn't always better when it comes to diamonds (just don't tell the Kardashians). The 4 C's, as they're known cut, clarity, carat and colour will tell you all you need to know about purchasing the right diamond for you.
CERTIFICATION: YOUR DIAMOND GUARANTEED
We throw in one more C and that's a Certificate from the Gemological Institute so you know what you're getting is the real deal. Apart from a diagram of your diamond's special quirks or inclusions (wouldn't it be great if boyfriends and girlfriends came with the same information?), the certificate details your diamond's measurements and grades colour, clarity and cut. With this certificate, you can feel confident that your diamond is bona fide.
Here are some of the most popular shapes of cut diamonds:
While there are other shapes, these are the most sought after. Round brilliant diamonds are by far the favorites, accounting for four of every five diamonds purchased.
CUT: THE SOURCE OF THE SPARKLE
Of the 4C's of diamond ratings, cut is considered the most critical. Really, the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond is all in how its cut which is an art as much as a science, and is not just about the shape.
Two things you need to know about the quality of the cut: Reflective Powers and Proportion.
The best-cut diamonds reflect the most light, making them the most bright and brilliant stones. The lower quality gems are cut in a way that makes it difficult for light to enter and reflect, making them appear less sparkly. And then better the proportion of the diamonds, the better the light reflection. The most spectacular, and costly, diamonds are the ones that are more perfectly proportioned. A shallow cut diamond, for example, where the bottom half lacks a certain depth, will not reflect light in the most optimal way.
COLOR: WHY A "D" (OR E OR F) GRADE IS GREAT
Light makes right, when it comes to diamond colour ratings. The purest of diamonds are actually the most colourless of them all. The presence of colours, like reds, blues or violets, clash with the gem's sparkle capabilities. The exception to this rule is rare fancy coloured diamonds, called "Fancies" (love that name), that are sought after for their deep hues -- and fetch a "fancy" price.
Some things you need to know about colour rating:
Gems are rated on a colour scale of D through Z. It's probably the one time in your life that you actually want a "D," or an "F" grade since D, E and F's are considered the highest quality diamonds. To the untrained eye it's almost impossible to distinguish the shade variations of diamonds. That's why it's important that your diamond come with a rating certificate.
CLARITY: ONE OF A KIND
Like all of us have flaws, so do most diamonds. The clarity rating refers to the size, number and placement of these flaws, or blemishes, usually referred to as "inclusions". These inclusions are what make each diamond utterly unique. Not surprisingly, the least flawed diamonds are the most valuable and the completely flawless ones are really rare, and really costly.
CARATS: WEIGHT FOR ME
Carat, probably the C that people are most familiar with, refers to the weight of the diamond and not the size, although the weight is generally indicative of the size of the gem. However, two diamonds of equal weight can appear very different depending on the cut and clarity.
Some things to keep in mind:
Larger diamonds, always rarer than smaller ones, are not simply priced proportionately more. Because of its rarity, a two-carat diamond, for example, will cost way more than two one-carat stones of equal quality. Diamonds also come in 1/4-carat increments. And for rings, or other pieces of jewelry, that have more than one diamond, the total weight of the gems is often given as Total Carat Weight (TCW).
Do you really know what the four C's are? Learn the difference between a marquise and princess diamond. Discover how VVS differs from VS when it comes to clarity. Discover what cut means beyond shape and size. Find out everything you need to know about cut, colour, carat and clarity to help you buy the perfect diamond. See diamond introduction below.
INTRODUCTION TO DIAMONDS
Diamond studs are diamonds really a girl's best friend? You betcha! Sparkly and spectacular, they represent love and romance, and mark the most special of milestones. Like women themselves, they come in all sizes and shapes and truly flawless ones are extremely rare and the ones that cost the most match.
Believe it or not, bigger isn't always better when it comes to diamonds (just don't tell the Kardashians). The 4 C's, as they're known cut, clarity, carat and colour will tell you all you need to know about purchasing the right diamond for you.
CERTIFICATION: YOUR DIAMOND GUARANTEED
We throw in one more C and that's a Certificate from the Gemological Institute so you know what you're getting is the real deal. Apart from a diagram of your diamond's special quirks or inclusions (wouldn't it be great if boyfriends and girlfriends came with the same information?), the certificate details your diamond's measurements and grades colour, clarity and cut. With this certificate, you can feel confident that your diamond is bona fide.
Here are some of the most popular shapes of cut diamonds:
While there are other shapes, these are the most sought after. Round brilliant diamonds are by far the favorites, accounting for four of every five diamonds purchased.
CUT: THE SOURCE OF THE SPARKLE
Of the 4C's of diamond ratings, cut is considered the most critical. Really, the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond is all in how its cut which is an art as much as a science, and is not just about the shape.
Two things you need to know about the quality of the cut: Reflective Powers and Proportion.
The best-cut diamonds reflect the most light, making them the most bright and brilliant stones. The lower quality gems are cut in a way that makes it difficult for light to enter and reflect, making them appear less sparkly. And then better the proportion of the diamonds, the better the light reflection. The most spectacular, and costly, diamonds are the ones that are more perfectly proportioned. A shallow cut diamond, for example, where the bottom half lacks a certain depth, will not reflect light in the most optimal way.
COLOR: WHY A "D" (OR E OR F) GRADE IS GREAT
Light makes right, when it comes to diamond colour ratings. The purest of diamonds are actually the most colourless of them all. The presence of colours, like reds, blues or violets, clash with the gem's sparkle capabilities. The exception to this rule is rare fancy coloured diamonds, called "Fancies" (love that name), that are sought after for their deep hues -- and fetch a "fancy" price.
Some things you need to know about colour rating:
Gems are rated on a colour scale of D through Z. It's probably the one time in your life that you actually want a "D," or an "F" grade since D, E and F's are considered the highest quality diamonds. To the untrained eye it's almost impossible to distinguish the shade variations of diamonds. That's why it's important that your diamond come with a rating certificate.
CLARITY: ONE OF A KIND
Like all of us have flaws, so do most diamonds. The clarity rating refers to the size, number and placement of these flaws, or blemishes, usually referred to as "inclusions". These inclusions are what make each diamond utterly unique. Not surprisingly, the least flawed diamonds are the most valuable and the completely flawless ones are really rare, and really costly.
CARATS: WEIGHT FOR ME
Carat, probably the C that people are most familiar with, refers to the weight of the diamond and not the size, although the weight is generally indicative of the size of the gem. However, two diamonds of equal weight can appear very different depending on the cut and clarity.
Some things to keep in mind:
Larger diamonds, always rarer than smaller ones, are not simply priced proportionately more. Because of its rarity, a two-carat diamond, for example, will cost way more than two one-carat stones of equal quality. Diamonds also come in 1/4-carat increments. And for rings, or other pieces of jewelry, that have more than one diamond, the total weight of the gems is often given as Total Carat Weight (TCW).
GOLD AND PLATINUM 101
Which metal is more rare - gold or platinum? Which one is heavier? Learn the difference between white gold and yellow gold and 14k vs. 18k. And get the answer to the age-old question: white gold or platinum wedding rings?
Get all you need to know to purchase the perfect gold or platinum jewelry, and how to care for it so it sparkles like new every time you wear it.
GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELRY: JUST THE FACTS
GOOD AS GOLD
Yellow Gold PendantGold is rare. Really rare. And really beautiful. Which is why it makes such fine and valuable jewelry. How rare? It's been said that it's rarer to find a one-ounce nugget of gold than a five-carat diamond. Personally, I'd be happy with either one. In fact, over 90 percent of the world's gold has been already been mined, which means there's not that much left. And all of the gold that has been mined in the past 6,000 years would fit into a cube 60 feet tall.
Aside from its scarcity and beauty, its value as a jewelry material is also because of its composition, and subsequent staying power. It resists tarnish and rust, and is immune to corrosion, oxidation and acids. A diamond might be forever, but gold, if cared for properly, will last an eternity.
THE GOLDEN RULES
Measurements Karats (with a "K") are actually a measure of the percentage of gold to alloy contained in gold jewelry. Pure gold, the 24-karat variety, is too soft to make quality jewelry out of. So it's mixed with other alloy metals such as copper and silver, for strength. Often you'll see a piece of jewelry stamped, 18K gold, which means it contains 75% pure gold. The most common type of gold jewelry is 14K gold. Anything under 10K cannot be labelled or sold as gold, but would make fine doggie jewelry.
Color Gold is available in Yellow, White or Rose GoldYou've got your yellow gold, the crowd favourite, which is usually mixed with copper and silver alloys. There's the newly popular white gold, which is becoming more fashionable with the trendsetters. And then for those that can't make up their mind, there are gorgeous accessories made of both.
Value The value of gold jewelry is based on several factors: fineness or karat count, weight in grams and the workmanship reflected in the piece.
GOING PLATINUM
Platinum is actually more rare than even gold! It ranks among the rarest of metals. Consider this: for every 15 to 20 ounces of gold extracted, only a single ounce of platinum is mined.
But unlike gold, which doesn't work well in its purest form, platinum is used in jewelry at 90-95% purity. Platinum of this fineness is stamped 900Pt, 950 Plat or just Plat. Like gold, it is tarnish and rust resistant and will last you a lifetime, and then some.
Platinum, which is white, differs from its white gold counterpart not only because it's more expensive but also because it's denser and therefore heavier.
MAKING SURE YOUR GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELRY HAS A LONG LIFE
If you want to be able to pass down your fine gold and platinum jewelry to the next generation, or just make sure it stays stunning for your lifetime, you need to follow the following care tips:
Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives. Don't wear rings, bracelets and other jewelry while working with power tools or playing certain sports. Store each piece separately in a soft cloth pouch or in the separate compartments of a jewelry case. Check regularly that gem settings are secure. If not, ask a professional jewelry to re-set them.
PEARLS: THE CLASSIC
Drop Pearl Black, pink, white and cream. Round, pear, oval and irregular. Earrings, necklaces, collars, pins and bracelet. Pearls come in many shapes, sizes and colours, and are used in all types of classic and trendy jewelry. One thing is for sure they make for gorgeous jewelry and never go out of style.
Which metal is more rare - gold or platinum? Which one is heavier? Learn the difference between white gold and yellow gold and 14k vs. 18k. And get the answer to the age-old question: white gold or platinum wedding rings?
Get all you need to know to purchase the perfect gold or platinum jewelry, and how to care for it so it sparkles like new every time you wear it.
GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELRY: JUST THE FACTS
GOOD AS GOLD
Yellow Gold PendantGold is rare. Really rare. And really beautiful. Which is why it makes such fine and valuable jewelry. How rare? It's been said that it's rarer to find a one-ounce nugget of gold than a five-carat diamond. Personally, I'd be happy with either one. In fact, over 90 percent of the world's gold has been already been mined, which means there's not that much left. And all of the gold that has been mined in the past 6,000 years would fit into a cube 60 feet tall.
Aside from its scarcity and beauty, its value as a jewelry material is also because of its composition, and subsequent staying power. It resists tarnish and rust, and is immune to corrosion, oxidation and acids. A diamond might be forever, but gold, if cared for properly, will last an eternity.
THE GOLDEN RULES
Measurements Karats (with a "K") are actually a measure of the percentage of gold to alloy contained in gold jewelry. Pure gold, the 24-karat variety, is too soft to make quality jewelry out of. So it's mixed with other alloy metals such as copper and silver, for strength. Often you'll see a piece of jewelry stamped, 18K gold, which means it contains 75% pure gold. The most common type of gold jewelry is 14K gold. Anything under 10K cannot be labelled or sold as gold, but would make fine doggie jewelry.
Color Gold is available in Yellow, White or Rose GoldYou've got your yellow gold, the crowd favourite, which is usually mixed with copper and silver alloys. There's the newly popular white gold, which is becoming more fashionable with the trendsetters. And then for those that can't make up their mind, there are gorgeous accessories made of both.
Value The value of gold jewelry is based on several factors: fineness or karat count, weight in grams and the workmanship reflected in the piece.
GOING PLATINUM
Platinum is actually more rare than even gold! It ranks among the rarest of metals. Consider this: for every 15 to 20 ounces of gold extracted, only a single ounce of platinum is mined.
But unlike gold, which doesn't work well in its purest form, platinum is used in jewelry at 90-95% purity. Platinum of this fineness is stamped 900Pt, 950 Plat or just Plat. Like gold, it is tarnish and rust resistant and will last you a lifetime, and then some.
Platinum, which is white, differs from its white gold counterpart not only because it's more expensive but also because it's denser and therefore heavier.
MAKING SURE YOUR GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELRY HAS A LONG LIFE
If you want to be able to pass down your fine gold and platinum jewelry to the next generation, or just make sure it stays stunning for your lifetime, you need to follow the following care tips:
Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives. Don't wear rings, bracelets and other jewelry while working with power tools or playing certain sports. Store each piece separately in a soft cloth pouch or in the separate compartments of a jewelry case. Check regularly that gem settings are secure. If not, ask a professional jewelry to re-set them.
PEARLS: THE CLASSIC
Drop Pearl Black, pink, white and cream. Round, pear, oval and irregular. Earrings, necklaces, collars, pins and bracelet. Pearls come in many shapes, sizes and colours, and are used in all types of classic and trendy jewelry. One thing is for sure they make for gorgeous jewelry and never go out of style.
PICK YOUR PEARL?
You might be surprised to find the varieties of pearls that come in all sizes, shapes and colours. Here's a run down of the most popular types:
Akoya - these pearls are named for the Japanese oyster cultivated to produce these classically round cultured gems.
Baroque - varieties, which come in both natural and cultured versions, are prized for their irregular shapes.
Biwa- refers to freshwater pearls grown in Lake Biwa in Japan. Rarely perfectly round, they may be oval-like or baroque.
Tahitian PearlBlister - these pearls are natural half pearls. Their flat sides make them ideal for mounting in a bezel.
Double pearls - are two or more pearls united by birth. Though joined, each pearl retains its distinctive shape.
Drop versions - are shaped like drawn-out water drops, globular at the bottom and tapering to a point at the opposite end.
Dust pearls - are tiny seed pearls, pierced and strung as necklaces.
Half pearl - owing to imperfections, begin life whole, but are sawed in two and mounted like Blister pearls.
Mabe - is often a South Sea pearl, cultivated for its large size and mounted with a bezel. Pronounced "mah-bee".
Oriental pearls - natural salt-water pearls so named before the advent of cultured pearls, come mainly from Oriental waters.
Paragon - or master, pearls are superior in shape, size, color and luster. They are exceptionally large and round.
You might be surprised to find the varieties of pearls that come in all sizes, shapes and colours. Here's a run down of the most popular types:
Akoya - these pearls are named for the Japanese oyster cultivated to produce these classically round cultured gems.
Baroque - varieties, which come in both natural and cultured versions, are prized for their irregular shapes.
Biwa- refers to freshwater pearls grown in Lake Biwa in Japan. Rarely perfectly round, they may be oval-like or baroque.
Tahitian PearlBlister - these pearls are natural half pearls. Their flat sides make them ideal for mounting in a bezel.
Double pearls - are two or more pearls united by birth. Though joined, each pearl retains its distinctive shape.
Drop versions - are shaped like drawn-out water drops, globular at the bottom and tapering to a point at the opposite end.
Dust pearls - are tiny seed pearls, pierced and strung as necklaces.
Half pearl - owing to imperfections, begin life whole, but are sawed in two and mounted like Blister pearls.
Mabe - is often a South Sea pearl, cultivated for its large size and mounted with a bezel. Pronounced "mah-bee".
Oriental pearls - natural salt-water pearls so named before the advent of cultured pearls, come mainly from Oriental waters.
Paragon - or master, pearls are superior in shape, size, color and luster. They are exceptionally large and round.
PEARL NECKLACES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Ok so you have decided you want a pearl necklace. Now what? Here are some tips that will help you choose the one that is right for your specific dress favored neckline and event.
Collar (12-13 inches): No, this type of necklace is not for your dog. It's comprised of three or more strands hugging the middle of your neck. Think formal, elegant impression, perfect for v-necks and off-the-shoulder styles.
Choker (14-16 inches): This is your basic classic single strand circling the base of your neck, just above the collarbone. It's perfect for, well, just about everything.
Princess (18 inches): This versatile accent highlights a variety of fashions. It can dress up a crew neck or turtleneck. Or provide a stunning distraction to a plunging neckline (not that a plunging neckline isn't distracting enough).
Matinee (20-24 inches): Falling just above your cleavage, this strand can also dress up a simple tee shirt or blouse, or provide just the right amount of elegance for business attire.
Opera (28-34 inches): Because of its length, this one can serve as a two-for-one style. Let it dangle long with a high neck, v-neck or tunic, or double it for an entirely different choker look.
Rope (45 inches or more): You can have a lot of fun with this style. Knot it up and let it dangle to your belly button or double it up for a layered look.
Ok so you have decided you want a pearl necklace. Now what? Here are some tips that will help you choose the one that is right for your specific dress favored neckline and event.
Collar (12-13 inches): No, this type of necklace is not for your dog. It's comprised of three or more strands hugging the middle of your neck. Think formal, elegant impression, perfect for v-necks and off-the-shoulder styles.
Choker (14-16 inches): This is your basic classic single strand circling the base of your neck, just above the collarbone. It's perfect for, well, just about everything.
Princess (18 inches): This versatile accent highlights a variety of fashions. It can dress up a crew neck or turtleneck. Or provide a stunning distraction to a plunging neckline (not that a plunging neckline isn't distracting enough).
Matinee (20-24 inches): Falling just above your cleavage, this strand can also dress up a simple tee shirt or blouse, or provide just the right amount of elegance for business attire.
Opera (28-34 inches): Because of its length, this one can serve as a two-for-one style. Let it dangle long with a high neck, v-neck or tunic, or double it for an entirely different choker look.
Rope (45 inches or more): You can have a lot of fun with this style. Knot it up and let it dangle to your belly button or double it up for a layered look.
THE PRICE OF PEARLS
1) Size: With pearls, the bigger the better when it comes to worthiness. Also, large natural pearls are worth more than similarly sized cultured pearls because of their rarity.
2) Shape: Since perfectly round pearls are the most sought after, they're the most valuable. Two other sought after variations are slightly off round and off round, since it's pretty hard to even notice their off-roundedness. Other popular shapes include the drop, pear, egg and button. More irregular shapes are also prized.
3) Surface: Depending on the kind of oyster, the surfaces of pearls may range from smooth to rough. Smoother pearls, not surprisingly, are worth more than grainy ones.
4) Luster: The better the nacre, the brighter the luster. Cultured pearls are graded very bright, bright, medium, slightly dull and dull. Akoya and Mabe pearls are notable standouts when it comes to luster brightness.
5) Color: This factor is more related to taste and style than value. Some things to consider: your skin tone, your hair color, and the clothing color you normally wear. Pearl colors can accent and complement and they vary widely. The pearl color palette includes such hues as rose rose, white rose, cream, white, blue white, yellowish white and hard yellow. You need to try them on and see which one fits best, just like a pair of jeans.
1) Size: With pearls, the bigger the better when it comes to worthiness. Also, large natural pearls are worth more than similarly sized cultured pearls because of their rarity.
2) Shape: Since perfectly round pearls are the most sought after, they're the most valuable. Two other sought after variations are slightly off round and off round, since it's pretty hard to even notice their off-roundedness. Other popular shapes include the drop, pear, egg and button. More irregular shapes are also prized.
3) Surface: Depending on the kind of oyster, the surfaces of pearls may range from smooth to rough. Smoother pearls, not surprisingly, are worth more than grainy ones.
4) Luster: The better the nacre, the brighter the luster. Cultured pearls are graded very bright, bright, medium, slightly dull and dull. Akoya and Mabe pearls are notable standouts when it comes to luster brightness.
5) Color: This factor is more related to taste and style than value. Some things to consider: your skin tone, your hair color, and the clothing color you normally wear. Pearl colors can accent and complement and they vary widely. The pearl color palette includes such hues as rose rose, white rose, cream, white, blue white, yellowish white and hard yellow. You need to try them on and see which one fits best, just like a pair of jeans.
KEEPING YOUR PEARLS LOOKING GOOD FOREVER
Like any jewelry of value, pearls require proper care to keep them looking good. Here are a few tips that will ensure that your pearls' luster never fades:
- Never use abrasives or solvents to clean pearls.
- Avoid cleaning products with ammonia.
- Steam cleaning or using an ultrasonic cleaner can damage pearls.
- Do not use anything that could scratch the surface, including toothbrushes.
- Use a mild liquid soap and water with a soft cloth to wash pearls.
- To dry spread them on a moist towel.
- Wait until fully dry since wearing a moist necklace can stretch the string.
You can clean your gold jewelry in a bowl of warm water with a bit of any mild liquid detergent. Brush the jewelry with a soft brush until you have created a lather around it. With the jewelry on a plastic or metal strainer rinse off with warm water. Pat your jewelry dry with a soft lint free cloth.
Like any jewelry of value, pearls require proper care to keep them looking good. Here are a few tips that will ensure that your pearls' luster never fades:
- Never use abrasives or solvents to clean pearls.
- Avoid cleaning products with ammonia.
- Steam cleaning or using an ultrasonic cleaner can damage pearls.
- Do not use anything that could scratch the surface, including toothbrushes.
- Use a mild liquid soap and water with a soft cloth to wash pearls.
- To dry spread them on a moist towel.
- Wait until fully dry since wearing a moist necklace can stretch the string.
You can clean your gold jewelry in a bowl of warm water with a bit of any mild liquid detergent. Brush the jewelry with a soft brush until you have created a lather around it. With the jewelry on a plastic or metal strainer rinse off with warm water. Pat your jewelry dry with a soft lint free cloth.