Posts Tagged ‘diamonds’

Simple Tips on How to Appraise Jewelry

Friday, March 12th, 2010

From emerald cut engagement ring. If you have a collection of Jewelry, it is important that you possess the skill in appraising your Jewelry. It is important to estimate or determine the value of your accessories because that would gauge the extent of the investment you are putting into your Jewelry. Jewellery are valuable accessories that are generally considered as prized possessions. They can be collected and can be readily purchased at premium prices anytime.

Appraising your own Jewellery is not an easy task to do. The activity would need a significant amount of time, effort skills. To do the appraisal action more accurately, you will need a professional Jewelry appraiser. But if you want to try determining or estimating the value of your Jewelry, then the following simple guidelines will be of great help to you. 

- Retrieve any purchase receipt that would indicate the purchase price of the Jewellery. Doing this would be of great help for simple appraisal. You could infer the current value of the Jewellery based on its actual pricing on the time of its purchase. 

- Look around and find a similar Jewellery. You can judge by the price tag. This way, you are determining the actual and standing value of any Jewelry you are holding.

- Determine the history of the Jewelry. This is especially applicable if the Jewelry is old and has been passed on to many generations and numerous other owners before you.

- Determine the general and main composition of the material used. Gold and silver Jewelry are almost always highly priced. Gems also drive prices up or down. Gems as Gemstones always boost the price tag of the Jewellery as well as other precious stones.

- Pearls are almost always precious and highly priced. However, you should make sure the pearl is genuine. Perfect round and smooth pearls are fakes. Genuine pearls are not smooth but not rough, and they aren't perfectly round.

- The size and total mass of the Jewellery will increase its value. The heavier the Jewellery is, the higher its appraisal.

If all else fails, you simply should give up the effort and hire a professional appraiser to do the job for you. Such professionals are scattered across the market. You could easily and conveniently contact and get connected to one. Your Jewelry needs to be appraised at least every two years to keep you updated on how the accessories are priced on the market.

For more see cheap cushion cut diamond rings and brilliant round diamond engagement rings.

Handmade Jewelry As A Hobby and Business

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

From affordable princess cut engagement rings. What is handmade Jewellery and why is it becoming so popular? 

Handmade Jewellery is made by individuals with the aid of simple tools. To be truly handmade, nothing should be machine made and as such, it is truly unique. The uniqueness is what makes handmade Jewelry valuable and popular in this age of mass production and computer aided designs. Handmade Jewellery is a work of art. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of handmade Jewellery? 

Advantages
1. It is unique, no one else has the same item. No two items are alike and there are people who are willing to pay for the uniqueness of handmade Jewelry. 
2. Generally, more durable than the machine made Jewelry.  Many who are in the handmade Jewelry business are there not just to make money but also to practice something they love doing. Since they love Jewelry making, their creations are usually made with the utmost care and dedication. 
3. Makes for an interesting conversation piece because there is usually a story behind most handmade Jewellery. 
4. An expression of one's individualism. There are handmade Jewellery pieces that the majority wouldn't care to wear but there are those who see them as an expression of who they are. And since no one else has that item, then the wearer is truly unique. 
5. Could be a valuable item in time particularly if the creator becomes a popular artist. This has happened in other art forms where the value of the items go up with their creator's rise to fame. It sometimes pays to invest in really good pieces of art.  

Disadvantages
1. More expensive than a mass produced item of almost the same model. This is understandable since everything in a handmade Jewellery is really handmade. You can't buy machine-made parts, assemble  them manually and consider the finished item as handmade. 
2. Requires more time, skill and concentration. Yes, the process is slow and requires the skills of a crafter.
3. The Jewellery looks just like the hundreds or thousands that have been mass-produced. 
4. Loses its value with time. 

Handmade Jewelry as a Business

With the growing popularity of handmade Jewelry, there is also a growing demand for it. Since not everyone has the knack for actually making handmade Jewelry, this is the time for the hobbyists to become entrepreneurs.  Going into business is also a chance to earn doing something you truly enjoy.

For more see antique cushion cut rings and radiant cut solitaire engagement rings.

How to Sell Diamonds

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

From discount diamond engagement rings. If you are aiming to get a lucrative source of income through commission, why not try selling Gemstones? If you are familiar with the basic marketing strategies and the know-hows of Diamonds and Jewellery, then, don't hesitate to get into action and earn from convincing people to buy Gemstones. 

There is not much added skills needed when trying to sell Gems. Aside from the basic marketing skills, a knack and genuine interest of Diamonds will truly be important. As you talk potential buyers and customers into purchasing an item, you should exude confidence and should create an impression that you are genuinely interested and well versed about the items you are selling. Otherwise, you wouldn't be successful and you would eventually fail.

Here are some practical tips that would be helpful as you aim to sell precious Diamonds.

- If you are aiming to sell your own Gemstones, make sure to sell the items at premiums over your purchase investments. Gems' values don't decline over time. On the contrary, they almost always rise. 

- Make use of the basic marketing skills. Talk about the Gemstones you are selling, its history and some other basic information and trivia about the items. If you succeed in getting and arousing the interest of the prospective client, there is a greater chance that you will close a sales deal.

- Be able to appear authoritative and firm. Create an impression that you won't give in to any demand to lower or bargain your asking price for any Diamond.

- If carrying Diamonds isn't safe, bring brochures with you all the time. No matter where you go, you would find that there will always be opportunities to sell your item. Be alert.

- Advertise to promote the effort. You can run ads at local classifieds or promote your products at different online sites. If you can establish a Website to facilitate the selling transaction online, do so to secure convenience and reliability.

With the usually higher valuation of Gems, you would eventually have a hard time selling any item. Be patient and scheming in marketing and selling the products you are aiming to dispose. If you exhibit genuine interest and expertise about Diamonds, your selling endeavor will be improved. If potential buyers sense your expertise, you will be able to sell items at higher rates. That would mean higher income on commissions for you.

For more see vintage antique diamond solitaire engagement rings and vintage diamond solitaire engagement rings.

The Anatomy Of Your Diamond Jewellery

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

From: emerald cut engagement ring. Diamond jewelry had always been regarded to be on top of the list as the world's most-desired gem, although a few would like to dispute it. Nevertheless, the diamond mystique still works its charms on people for them to want to own a piece, or at least to know more about it. 

After centuries of fascinating stories and myths, here are the bare facts all about the world's most wanted gem.

The bare essentials

Most people would certainly have heard about diamonds. They may have heard how precious they are as jewels. Some may have heard, too, random bits and pieces about the qualities that make them fascinating and attractive to people. 

Let us take you to a short guided tour and introduce you to the essential parts (and other aspects) of a gem stone for your information. It is then up to you to discover what make them special as gems.

Table 

This is the first surface (surfaces in gems are called facets) that you will see. It is on top of the gem stone, and is the largest area in the whole stone's body.

Crown

This is the upper part of the gem stone just above the girdle that includes the table and the bezel facets around. (The girdle is the outer edge of the gem stone forming the stone's total width around it.) 

The crown slopes down to the girdle and this is called the crown angle. It passes and intersects the stone's bezel facets. (The bezel is the metal holding the stone around the girdle.)

This crown angle helps in the dispersion of light, called fire, in a diamond. It also helps to enhance the gem stone's brilliance. 

Girdle 

As pointed out, this is the narrow band encircling the widest part of the diamond. This part of the stone is sometimes faceted (tiny polished surfaces) and some are not. Some jewelers have the diamond's certificate number inscribed in laser on the girdle.

Pavilion

This is the bottom part of the diamond, essentially the facets just below the girdle, all leading to the culet. This is where lights come in and is reflected out of the stone's table.

Culet

This is the pointed end at the bottom of the stone which may be faceted (a tiny polished surface at the endpoint) to protect from chipping. 

In the early days, large faceted culets were common in diamonds, especially the Old European or Old Mine cuts. Modern diamonds have very small culets or none at all.

Other essentials 

The above are only the basic physical parts of the diamond. But there are other considerations that make it the most-coveted stone today. This is where the other aspects of the stone would make it stand out and differ from the others.

Depth

This is the stone's measurement from the culet to the table. The stone's depth is responsible for the correct angling and height for light to enter and be reflected back to the viewer in a most fascinating manner.

These flashes of reflected light are commonly referred to as sparkle.  The intensity of this reflected bunch of light beams to the top of the gem is called brilliance. When a gem moves, there are flashes of color reflected from within, and it is called fire. 

Symmetry

This is another important gauge in a gem stone's desirability because this is an indicator of the stone's quality. Misalignments (facet angles, polish, lengths, etc) can diminish some of the diamond jewelry's other near-perfect qualities.

For more see unique emerald cut diamond engagement ring and vintage emerald cut engagement ring.

It Is Important To Remember That Insurance Agents Are Not Qualified Jewelers And Jewelers Are Not Qualified Insurance Agents

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Insuring a lozenge takes a bit of thought, planning, and shopping around. Diamond insurance isn’t like purchasing car insurance. It is quite diverse. Depending on the state that you live in, there are fundamentally three unusual types of policies that will cover equilaterals, and all insurance policies that
cover equilaterals be considered Marine type policies.

The original type of insurance policies for
lozenges is an Actual Cash Value policy. If the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company will replace the diamond at today’s market value, no matter how much you paid for the lozenge to begin with. This type of insurance policy
for diamonds actually is not that common.

The most common type of insurance for
equilaterals is Replacement Value insurance. The insurance company will only pay up to a fixed amount to replace the equilateral that was lost or damaged beyond repair. This does not mean that they will pay that amount – it means that they will pay up to that amount. In the largest part cases, the diamond can be replaced at a lower cost.

The third type of coverage offered for equilaterals is Agreed Value. This is sometimes called ‘Valued At.’ This type of coverage is very rare. In the event that the lozenge is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company simply pays you the
amount that you and the company agreed upon. This is the best type of insurance to have, excluding it is rarely offered. If you can’t get Agreed Value coverage, Actual Cash Value coverage should be your next choice.

Your rates will be determined by the value of the equilateral, the type of coverage that you select, and the area that you live in. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you can expect to pay more for your equilateral
insurance coverage. It is essential to remember that insurance agents are not qualified jewelers, and jewelers be not
qualified insurance agents. It is best to get a certificate for your equilateral, and to provide the insurance company with a copy of that certificate. This leaves the insurance
company less room for arguments over the actual value of the lozenge.

Don’t rely on separate coverage to cover your lozenge. For instance, if you equilateral is stolen from your home, it is probably covered on your home owner’s insurance policy – nevertheless the lozenge probably won’t always be in your home, and once it leaves your home, in attendance is no coverage.

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Diamond Watches: How to Keep Your Bling Blinging

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Bling is the new catch phrase. Or as my daughters would put it, "it's not the new phrase, but newer...maybe." Diamond watches are definitely luxury items that can be worn out and about and definitely command attention. A functional diamond watch is even better and that's what we are shooting for.

Watch upkeep and maintenance is important when you look at how many people simply do not keep up with the mechanics behind their watch faces. There are some unique issues with diamond watches that should be addressed as well. A few simple steps to keep you on time and avoid being late to your appointments are recommended.

Cleaning of the diamonds should be done by qualified watch makers. I know you'd think it should be done by a jeweler and if you have a family jeweler you really love, go for it. Taking your diamond watch to a franchise jeweler is not always a good idea. They do not always understand how delicate your time piece is and quite honestly could damage it.

Count your diamonds before you go out. Better than that make sure your diamonds are all secure. Facets can loosen over time and with wear. Lost diamonds from diamond watches are a sad thing. No one wants to see a diamond get orphaned. Use a magnifying glass to take a look and poke around some to check that the diamonds are all secure before you go out.

Winding your diamond watches is not something people think about. It is important to do so as part of your daily ritual. Mechanical watches run on tension and oiled gears keep them moving right along. Storing your watch is not the same as storing other jewelry. The gears can become stuck over time and you're right back to having a thick bracelet if you fail to wind your watch to coat the gears.

Some diamond watches are not all diamond either. If you happen to have one of these (god help your husband if he told you differently) make sure to replace any cracked crystals that might develop in the course of your wearing them. A cracked crystal can let in moisture and moisture is bad. Really, it's as simple as that.

Make sure that you schedule time in annually with a watch smith. This id for maintenance and repair as well as a deep down cleaning. They will be able to replace gears and clean the mechanisms inside of your watch as well as look over the outside to reaffirm that everything is properly secure. Really, it's just part of owning one of these treasures.

Diamond watches are beautiful and everyone loves to look at them. Taking care of your diamond watch will ensure that everyone will keep on looking and that when YOU look, you will have the right time. Have a good time and warm wishes to you and yours.

Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Mens Diamond Watches which provides reviews on top Brands Like Bulova, Akribos, Invicta, Citizen & more.

Gem Jewelry Within Your Reach

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

From: cheaper emerald cut rings. Diamond jewelries are one of the most prized pieces.  But it comes with a price, and usually a heavy one.  diamonds are ideal engagement gifts but it could be very expensive especially if you are after a larger carat.  Fortunately, there are tips that could help you pick a good gem jewelry without paying too much.  

Start by identifying how much you are willing to spend on the jewellery.  Start shopping around.  Do not immediately settle for the first store that you have seen. Buying second-hand jewelries can also be an option.  Compare their price offers.  You could also look at different internet sites selling brand-new and second-hand jewelry.  But there is some caution that needs to be exercised when buying jewelry online. When shopping online, always read the fine print. There are some websites that offer gems in lower prices along with different schemes and gifts.  

Whenever you are looking for a diamond jewelry or any other jewelry, timing is important. Most of retailers would give discounts during holiday season, however, whenever you are buying diamond jewelries check if the item you are buying can be returned.  Some retailers or companies would offer jewelries in reasonable prices but with a fine print that it cannot be returned.  

Before you go ahead and visit any kind of jewelry store, do your homework first.  diamond jewelries on display could be overwhelming.  Jewellers would often refer to the 4 Cs: cut, carat, clarity and color.   Getting familiar with these 4 Cs would help you get a good deal.  Let's take the cut of the gem stone.  Cuts could affect the cost of a diamond jewelry.  An emerald cut gem could be less expensive by as much as 30% compared with princess cut diamonds.   Buying lower quality cuts could actually cost less. 

Color could also help you in getting a better deal. When buying diamond earrings or jewelries, those that are colorless are more expensive.  gems would mostly have a touch of yellow and this tint tends to be more affordable, especially on earrings. Although we want clear gems, since clarity gives the diamond a different look, small marks would not hurt.  diamonds that have small and few marks tend to be inexpensive.  Don't worry, those marks are difficult to see by the naked eye. 

To stay within your budget you could go for less than one carat gems.  Highlighting or enlarging a small cut diamond depends on the setting.  There are ways to make a small diamond appear larger, for example, nestling it on a prong.  Another kind of setting that will make the diamond appear larger would be using bezel settings.  

If you are after an engagement ring, you could also look at the metal of the ring. There are rings that have white and yellow gold and platinum metal bands.  Rings with white gold bands cost less than those with platinum bands.  There are also some jewellers who offer discount prices if you will be buying the engagement and wedding rings together. 

But if all of these fail to get you within your spending limit, then you could always consider other stones.  There are other kinds of stones not as expensive as gem stone jewelry but also as beautiful like sapphires, topaz and even rubies or any kind of gemstone.  After all, the diamond jewelry is only the expression of what you feel, it still what you feel which matters.

For more see asscher diamond solitaire engagement rings and princess engagement ring with 3 stones.

Is Your Gemstone Genuine?

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

From solitaire engagement ring. Jewelry is big business and the real value of any Jewelry is dependent on the Gem that is part of it. With this in mind, how do buyers know or make sure that they are paying for the real thing? What are the qualities or characteristics to check or watch for to be sure that the Diamond is genuine?   

It takes training and the right equipment to determine if a Gemstone is genuine.  The term "genuine " means that the Gemstone doesn't only look as expected, it should also meet the physical and chemical characteristics unique to that Gemstone.  It takes training and the right equipment to determine if a Gem is genuine or not and there are testing laboratories to do this job. 

Before going any further, are treated Gems still genuine? A treated Gemstone, as long as its molecular structure isn't altered, can still be the real thing but it is no longer natural. Some Gemstones are treated to enhance their appearance and decorative value.  

What to Check

Yes, there are professionals to perform the tests that determine if a Gemstone is genuine or not but it is a valuable asset to any Diamond buyer to know the attributes to be tested. 
The following are the characteristics to check: 
1.0 Chemical composition and atomic structure
The atomic structure is what differentiates Diamond from other carbon based matter like graphite. The stone's hardness, and light reflection is dependent on the atomic structure. Gemstones usually have crystalline structures. 
2.0  Hardness and durability
Hardness is reported in a scale of 1 to 10, a method developed by Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist. The hardest are Gemstones at (10) and the softest is talc at (1). A Gem should have a hardness of no less than 7.
3.0 Other physical properties like the refractive index, dispersion and specific gravity.

Testing Laboratories

The following organizations provide certifications on the results of testing conducted. They also provide training and research services to their members. 

Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
American Gemological Society (AGS) 
American Gem Trade Laboratory  of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA). AGTA  the largest trade organization of  Gemstone traders
American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) 
European  Gemological Laboratory

The true value of any Gemstone shouldn't be determined by just the physical appearance. Advancements in science have produced synthetic "Gems" which cost just a fraction of the genuine Diamonds. Knowledge is the best protection  against paying for the price of the genuine item and getting a "fake".

For more please see unique emerald engagement rings and Solitaire Princess Cut Engagement Rings.

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