Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Value Of Fine Jewelry Pieces For Women

Fine jewelry has played important roles that has been well document in the pages of history. Since the ancient periods, humans have been documented to have worn articles of jewelry to enhance their appearance. Beginning in the old stone age about 25,000 years ago, both men and women took different objects they found, drilled holes in them and wore them in different areas around their bodies. However, compared to men, women are perhaps more inclined to use jewelry pieces in order to befit differing purposes.

In a recent survey done by a lifestyle magazine, it has been found out that 95 out of 100 surveyed women spends more time shopping for fine jewelry pieces than any other items. Such result significantly shows how important jewelry is for many women. Probably by now you are asking: "what is it with jewelry that women really love?- Accordingly, there's a whole range of reasons why women love jewelry.

To begin with, jewelry of all sorts is an important additive that enhances the entire context of dressing and artistic display. They are regarded as essential components of fashion and style due to their ability to improve the appearance of wardrobes that women often wear. Hair dresses that are accentuated with loose diamonds and other gemstones could make the hair appear more glamorous; brooches and pins could instantly transform a dull looking uniform into a more fashion-forward outfit. Bracelets, rings, earring, necklaces and other articles worn on different parts of the body surely define those parts where they are placed.

Aside from the purpose of accessorizing, articles of jewelry also serve the purpose of defining a female's social status within the society. During the ancient times, many cultures used jewelry pieces as determinants of the positions that women hold in their communities--the slaves wore beaded articles of jewelry, while elite women made use of metallic jewelry pieces embellished with precious stones like loose diamonds. Though this purpose may not be as extensive today as that from the past, it cannot be denied that jewelry pieces are benchmarks for the rich and famous.

Many women also love fine jewelry pieces because of their associated symbolism as well as the spiritual and health value they hold. Women from India uses the so-called "tika- which appears like a chandelier earring though it is hooked at the end of the hair with the pendant dangling at the exact center of the forehead to symbolize spiritual preservation. Nose rings are commonly used to enhance sexual reflexes, while necklaces are said to help emotions, attract or strengthen love as they often sit close to the heart. Charm bracelets are utilized to harness luck, while bangles are signs of creativity and the sun's potent energy. Gemstones of all kind are also revered for their healthy benefits especially in the field of Feng Shui, with diamonds to enhance clarity and jade to achieve relaxation just to name a few.

Of course, jewelry pieces tell volumes of stories that is why women love them so much. They tell stories of love, friendship, celebration, welcoming or personal epiphany. They speak of relationships with spouses as seen from the popularity of wedding and engagement rings adorned with round brilliant cut gemstones, friendship in the form of friendship bands, and family which could be seen from the bequeathal of heirloom from one family member to another. Generally, jewelry of all sorts tells a whole lot about women that not even words would be able to express.

Fine jewelry pieces have long been adored by women because of the many purposes they hold. Loose diamonds for instance that have round brilliant cut are often used to accentuate wedding and engagement rings used to encompass undying love and devotion. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are worn for artistic display as well as to improve the appearance of clothes, improve health and define social status among others.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Where To Buy Fine Diamond Jewelry That Would Give You A Run For Your Money

In buying fine diamond jewelry, not only do you have to consider the four C's but also the place where you intend to make your purchase. Diamonds whether loose or embedded in jewelry are truly expensive. This fact is one of the primary reasons why purchasing diamonds is probably one of the biggest decisions you have to make. By taking these things into consideration, you should be vigilant about the store where you will buy these items so that you could enjoy them for the years to come.

There are various ways in order for you to acquire diamonds. The first step that you could actually do is to go online and look for online jewelry stores that sell fine diamond jewelry pieces. Doing your purchases online is a practical way to land on articles of diamond jewelry without tiring yourself, as online jewelry stores are the key to finding diamonds that are both competitively priced and high in quality. Most if not all online jewelry shops have wide selections of diamond jewelry pieces in terms of design and finishes, which in turn gives you more opportunity to choose what you think would complement your set purpose for the jewelry.

The primary benefit of purchasing jewelry online is the comfort it provides and the time and energy you could save--with just a click, you could instantly choose from a wide array of jewelry selections, and it is also possible to engage in online jewelry auctions without your physical presence. Parallel to this, online jewelry stores offer more inexpensive diamond jewelry pieces, regardless if they are round brilliant or oval in cut, as they do not apply markups on their products, which usually cover overhead expenses, since they do not have physical stores that demand extra fees like electricity and employee salaries among others. The main issue with online purchasing however could be found on the copiousness of jewelry selections that often undermine the ability of consumers to appropriately appraise the value and quality of their jewelry choices. Nonetheless, as the internet equates to anonymity, there are myriads of jewelry scammers that could victimize naive jewelry buyers.

If you wish to be sure about your diamond jewelry purchase you could always visit the local jewelry stores in your area. The primary advantage of this option is that you have the power to personally check the quality and value of the round brilliant diamonds that you are interested to buy. Professional jewelers could also assist you if you have questions, which would help you in making your purchasing decisions. The major problems affiliated with this option could be found on product pricing; frequently, physical jewelry stores incur additional costs or markups on their products in order to cover their overhead expenses that are often acquired from electricity bills and employee salaries, and there are limited jewelry selections which could be an issue if you're looking for a specific kind of jewelry.

Meanwhile, if your are searching for inexpensive pieces, rare jewelry like oval diamonds from specific periods, or used diamonds, you may try your hands on specialty stores, thrift shops as well as pawnshops. If you intend to follow this option, it is essential that you are knowledgeable about diamond jewelry to make appropriate purchases. It would also be necessary to have patience because at most times you might leave these stores empty handed. But, if you're truly lucky, you can purchase rare finds that you could include in your collections, though this instance rarely occurs.

If you're in the market to buy fine diamond jewelry for yourself or somebody special, it is advisable to shop around and make comparisons before you make your purchase. If your primary option is purchase online, be sure to do an intensive background check on your prospective online jewelry stores to make sure if they are legitimate or not and also consider looking at their return and refund policies to ensure that your interests are protected. As for physical jewelry stores, always consider comparing prices, services and the quality of their products. If you have idea about the jewelry stores within your area, you could take some recommendations from your friends or family so that you can be assured that the jewelry you will purchase will definitely give you a run for your money.

Fine diamond jewelry is perhaps one of the most important purchases you could make in. To make sure that you won't go wrong with your decision, it is advisable to check the store options you have at hand. You could buy your round brilliant diamonds online to save money and time. However, if you want to make sure about the quality of your oval diamonds personal visit with your local jewelry store would permit you to appraise them.

-Lorraine Jacobs

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Why Choose Round Brilliant Cut Diamond For Your Fine Jewelry

Of all the C's of diamonds, cut is perhaps the least understood though it has profound impact on the aesthetics and value of these fine jewelry pieces. It should be noted that well cut diamonds could cost as much as 40 to 50 percent more than poorly cut sparklers. Hence, it is essential for a prospective buyer to understand the value of cut when it comes to diamonds. In reference to diamonds, cut or make refers to the overall symmetry, proportioning and finish of the stones that directly affect how these gems produce their fire and brilliance.

Basically, there are three general cutting techniques employed for fine jewelry diamonds: brilliant cut, step cut and mixed cut. A brilliant cut makes use of many facets and are usually triangular and kite in shape arranged in defined ways to achieve maximum brilliance. A step cut uses lesser facets than the brilliant cut, usually in trapezoid or rectangular shape, arranged in a well-defined linear pattern. On the other hand, a mixed cut uses combined elements from the step cut and brilliant cut techniques.

From the above alluded techniques though, the brilliant cut is probably the most famous due to its ability to reveal the maximum fire and brilliance of diamonds. But, if integrated with the right shape, a brilliant cut sparkler will not only show the most brilliance and fire, it would also show incomparable appeal and value. Even though there's a whole range of shapes that suit with brilliant cutting, it is probably the round shape that best complements it. In fact, round brilliant cut is the most popular shape that befits well with the said cutting technique.

A round brilliant cut sparkler has 58 facets, 33 of which are located on the crown, 24 on the bottom, and one on the culet or point. Smaller round brilliant sparklers are referred to as "full cut" in order to differentiate them from "single cut" gems that only contain 17 facets, and from "Swiss cut" gems that only have 33 facets. Probably by now you're asking, what is so special about these round brilliant diamonds? The answer lies on their capability to emit the most brilliance, fire and liveliness which could all be credited from their ability to reflect the most light.

Round brilliant cut is also acknowledged as the most favorite and "ideal" combination of cut and shape because of its versatile nature that could befit all sorts of jewelry pieces. Diamonds cut this way are commonly incorporated on engagement and wedding rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings since they could be arranged easily regardless of the shape and form of the jewelry. Nevertheless, they also go well with all known settings such as pave, prong, and bezel among others. Basically, this cut warrants functionality and versatility that other cutting styles could not produce.

Of course, as stated earlier there are different cutting techniques that could be employed for diamonds. What might look strange to some, might be ideal for others. If you have the intent to purchase diamonds, regardless if they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds, always consider the cut that you like and not the cut that your friend likes; remember proportionally cut diamonds does not always warrant the highest cut grades from GIA, there are actually diamonds that aren't cut ideally but they are far more valuable than the ones that have an ideal cut. The most important action that you could take is to compare diamonds of differing qualities and prices, as this is an efficient means to train your eyes to properly identify their differences when it comes to fire and brilliance as well as lifelessness and dullness.

The cutting techniques used for diamonds, whether they are loose or clarity enhanced diamonds; significantly affect their appeal and value. Among the cutting styles in use, the round brilliant cut is perhaps the most ideal due to its perfect proportions that allow diamonds cut this way to emit the most brilliance and fire. Round brilliant diamonds are also revered for their versatility which is apparent from their ability to suit all forms of fine jewelry setting.

-Lorraine Jacobs