Jewelry Portal

Choose Best Jewelry For Your Wedding Day

2008-07-12T09:13:00.000+07:00

Your wedding day is something very special, and even though the day itself may quickly happen, your memories of that particular day will hopefully stay in your mind forever.

You will want to remember this day as the perfect day, and you will obviously want to look your very best for it. Even if preparations often focus around the dress, the ring and the jewellery are equally or even more important.

Buying a wedding ring is certainly not a purchase to be done with rush. Remember that you will wear your wedding ring forever, so it has to be a choice done with a lot of care.

But what kind of jewellery should you wear on your special day?

If you are having a traditional wedding, then you can get away with jewellery like diamond rings and diamond earrings with a matching bracelets and pendants.

If your dress is the sort of elegant creation that you would get for a modern wedding, it is a bit trickier to get the balance right. You might want to choose traditional jewellery to contrast with and soften the contemporary look of your dress. You would need to go for jewellery like pearls or why not your gold engagement rings if you had one!

Not everyone goes for a traditional white wedding, and some people would go for more fantasy. Whether your unconventional wedding is planned around a medieval banquet style or a funky urban brunch, pearls and diamonds are unlikely to be used. It would be much better to go for genuine gems or simulated stones, with coloured jewellery a good idea that would simply look fabulous.

If your budget is a bit bigger, you could try to do like celebrities. A lot of actress, singer and other would get a dress from a fashion designer like John Galliano or any other.
Celebrities through the ages have always made their wedding days an occasion to make a style statement, so why not you!

Of course the most important pieces of jewellery on your wedding day are your gold engagement rings and wedding diamond rings. Most couples would tend to go for simple wedding bands that will look stylish forever and will perfectly complement the bride's diamond engagement rings. It is actually traditional to wear your diamond or gold engagement rings on the right hand throughout the ceremony of the wedding, to leave the third finger of your left hand free for your wedding ring.

Tips to Get Cheap Best Quality Wedding Ring

2008-07-12T09:09:00.002+07:00

Deciding to get married nowadays means having two things: money and love. You'll need money since there are a lot of things to spend on to prepare for a wedding no matter how big it is. And love, since you have to love that person enough to be willing to spend a considerable, if not hefty, amount of money.

When planning for a wedding, you always can either go all out in preparing the necessary paraphernalia and spending cash or go minimal. However, one of the few things that you are never allowed to skip on but can go scrimp on is the wedding rings. A wedding is not complete if you don't have them. It's just like being declared married without having taken any vows, right?

They are a symbol of never ending love and fidelity. Endless love since the rings are circular and are so designed that they have no beginning or end. Fidelity since through the rings, you will always be reminded that you are married to one person, and one person only. This is especially helpful in those times in the future that your hormones are raging and you really are in need of such reminder. I'm not saying that you are a potential infidel, it's just that every now and then, any person, married or not, will face temptation.

As I said, you are allowed to scrimp on wedding rings but not skip them. One way of doing this would be to make use of the hand-me-down rings; the family heirlooms; the ones whom your grandmother has told you that you'll soon be wearing. Now is the perfect time to look for them.

If you feel embarrassed on doing such or if there's no heirloom to look for, then you can go for discount wedding rings. Jewelry shops and internet websites offer them at discounted prices, but it takes a bit of time to look for such. As I told you, marriage does not come cheap. To make it easier on you, here are two tips that can be a great help in order for you to buy discount wedding rings.

1. Ask around - Discount wedding rings are not like the discounted travel tours. Remember that there's a wedding that's happening everyday and every hour, so it is not surprising that jewelry shops find it hard to let go of their rings at discounted prices all the time. If they do have rings that are discounted, they seldom show it first. In order to see those rings, ask for them right away from the salesperson the moment you step foot in their establishment.

2. Pay cash in full - Most of the time, jewelry shops give discounts to couples who pay their rings, or any item, in full. Do not go for installments and the like. Sure, they will let you pay the rings at a small price at first, but these have interests. Each month that you pay, an amount equivalent to the interest rate is added. In short, by the time you've completed the payment, you end up paying more than the asking price.

Tips to Buying an Engagement Ring

2008-07-12T09:08:00.000+07:00

So you realize that you love this woman more than anything else in the world. She's leaving you because it's been a year and you haven't proposed yet and she doesn't want to waste anymore time with you - especially since so many other suitable men want her hand in marriage! She's either been reading "The Rules" by Ellen Fein & Sherrie Schneider or she may have even gotten her hands on "He's Just Not That Into You" by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. It really doesn't matter which of those three books she's been reading in order to find the quickest way to dump you, all you know is that you'll do anything to keep her from leaving you with your sorry excuses for not being willing to commit. But you realize you cannot live without her because she is best thing that ever happened to you! She is a fantastic creature unlike any other. You're at your wits' end. So what do you do? Ok dude, you're taking too long, so I'll tell you. Seize the moment!

When she spends the night at your place (on those rare occasions because she is maddeningly elusive, thanks to Ellen Fein & Sherrie Schneider's dating philosophy), quietly slip a ring sizer on her -without waking her up dude. Once you know her ring size, the rest is a piece of cake (wedding cake that is). But first, you must understand the nature of diamonds so that you don't end up insulting your princess by buying her a diamond ring that looks like it came out of a Cracker Jack box and risk getting laughed at during your proposal! Here are some things to look for in a girl's best friend:

- Color - Cut - Clarity - Carat Weight

Color: The term color of a diamond actually refers to the absence of color. When a diamond is colorless, it acts like a prism, letting light pass through it effortlessly. Typically, the closer a diamond is to being colorless, the more valuable it becomes.

Cut: The cut of a diamond represents the proportions and finish. A diamond cut with the correct proportions and angles, also called "Well Cut", will refract the prism of light more efficiently, resulting in vibrant sparkle and brilliance. Less optimal cuts of diamonds result in less fire and sparkle.

Clarity: Because diamonds are created by nature with millions of years of intense heat and pressure, imperfections or "inclusions" are often formed in the process. A diamond that has no inclusions may be graded as FL or "Flawless" as it is of the highest clarity and quality.

Carat Weight: Diamond weight is expressed in "carats" and "points". One hundred points equal one carat, 50 points measure ½ carat, 25 points equal ¼ carat, etc. Although carat weight is the most obvious factor in the grading of a diamond, bigger is not always better. Now that you know the basics of what to look for in a diamond, you can take your princess on a casual stroll looking for beautiful engagement rings! Once you see the style she likes, you can presently surprise her. Until next time, remember, if you want your man (in this case, your woman) to be "Mad About You" not Mad at You, take good care of yourself, maintain your femininity (and masculinity in this case) at all costs, and look your best, if not all of the time, most of the time.

Choosing the Perfect Diamond

2008-07-12T09:07:00.000+07:00

Diamonds in this range offer an excellent cost-savings to customers who want to stay in a budget without sacrificing quality or beauty. Diamonds are often set in yellow gold to mask the yellow body color. Nitrogen is believed to be responsible for diamond's yellow color and blue diamonds are colored by boron.

You may have narrowed your choices down to a certain diamond shape or a particular style of setting, but to make a wise purchase, you need to know something about diamonds. The measure of a diamond's quality and value are determined by the 4Cs - color, clarity, cut and carat weight.

Diamonds are exotic, formed in Earth's interior and shot to the surface by extraordinary volcanoes. A diamond is likely the oldest thing you will ever own, probably 3 billion years in age, fully two thirds the age of the Earth.

Diamonds of all different colors are faceted into various cuts; the colorless variety is most in demand. The other colors are less commonly worn in jewelry. Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. Diamond is the ultimate abrasive, Graphite is a very good lubricant. Diamond certification is the written proof of a diamond's attributes . Without it, you have no assurance that the diamond you are buying is of the quality you're paying for.

Shopping for diamonds online is no different than shopping for any other product. In fact, shopping for diamonds online can be a far simpler and easier task than shopping for diamonds off-line. Shoppers can shop from the convenience of their home or work computer, look at the pictures of thousands of jewelry items online and place their order without ever talking to a human.

Which Pearls Would You Like For Your Jewelry?

2008-07-12T09:05:00.001+07:00

You must have seen different colors in pearls, in fact these lovely beads are very difficult to find bearing the same shape and size unless of course these have been manufactured in a factory and are made of plastic.

Real pearls come in different shapes, sizes and colors. Authentic pearls are beautiful and have a quite elegant shine of their own which is difficult to find in any artificial pearl. Pearls are beautiful but that these can combine with any metal and stone makes these more attractive. Even when pearls are combined with different colored precious stones and metals, you will find these do not loose their glamour and shine.

There are so many different types of pearls available in the market. However, the color of pearls depends on the oysters that these grow in. Different regions of the world have their own pearl specialties. You will find astounding ranges in pearls. You will find ones in the shade of golden yellow, white, silvery white, pink, grey or black, etc.

Pearls also come in two different varieties one is that are cultivated in the sea and the second ones are those cultivated or grown in fresh water. Fresh water pearls happen to be smaller than the sea pearls. Some of the earliest pearl finding regions were the Indian Ocean and the South Seas, today, natural pearls are rare. You will find people cultivating pearls quite successfully. Cultivated pearls are known as cultured pearls. However, this technique is complicated and requires a lot of primary investment.

One of most expensive variety of pearls is the conch pearl. This pearl is rare therefore extremely expensive. For durability it is the blister pearl which can withstand little bid of ruggedness. The abalone pearl is again very expensive. These pearls are attractive and have unique luster and shine. Mabe pearl cannot be found round, it is ideal to be used in necklaces or as buttons on expensive dresses. Pearly lining grown on mollusk, these are hard and known as mother of pearl.

Most of the times freshwater pearls are small and have very attractive colors whereas sea water pearls have more shine and luster. These are also larger in size. At times accidental pearl growth can be found on oyster lining but these cannot be guaranteed to have same value or durability.

Pearls can be used in any type of jewelry and for any occasion. Pearls are also known to be useful for people with aggressive and hot temperament. Wearing a pearl on constantly can cool such people down. This is claimed by those promoting usage of precious stones for making life of individuals better.

Personalized Nameplate Jewelry

2008-07-12T09:03:00.000+07:00

Personalized nameplate jewelry is unique handcrafted work of art using silver, gold (10kt, 14kt) and platinum plates, in many different fonts and styles to express your personality. Nameplate chain, bracelet, anklet, earring, body jewelry are all included in category of personalized nameplate jewelry. Plates used for personalized nameplate jewelry can be single plated, double plated and also can be made in special shapes like heart, rectangle, circles, as a matter of fact, any shape or style can be done in nameplate jewelry world.-this is where your personality come into play. Just be creative to express yourself. Be all you can be!

Nameplate necklaces have always been popular but Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) made them very popular from famous TV series "sex and the city". Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field, who first put the necklace on Carrie, says she was inspired by customers in her downtown Manhattan clothing shop. Nowadays, many rappers and hip hop artists played an important role in making nameplate jewelry so popular in creating their logo, not only using different sizes of diamonds and their birthstones, and also using two tone(yellow and white) gold.

Nameplate bracelets can be made as a set of name necklaces, but many fans of name jewelry seem to enjoy wearing only name bracelet by itself. It is quite similar to name necklace, but
the only thing is to pay close attention to sizing your wrist so that it stay fit perfectly comfortable.

Name earrings are other perfect option to let them notice you. No matter what kind of earrings you use hoops or shaped earrings or nameplate studs, it looks definitely stylish. Just remember in creating nameplate earrings, try to make them not so heavy. After all, you will look nice when you wear it nice and comfortable.

Personalized nameplate jewelry is perfect medium to express who you are, where you came from if you vitalize it in a unique and creative way as well as ideal form of gift for your special one. As long as people who adore creative work of art exist, nameplate jewelry will remain as a valuable method to show the rest of the world who you really are. Express yourself in style!

Amethyst Hur is a jewelry expert dedicated his time in creating and marketing jewelry for nearly 2 decades. He has a in-depth knowledge from silver to platinum, from cubic zirconia to top quality diamond, even fashion jewelry!

Choose Platinum Or White Gold Diamond Engage Ring?

2008-07-12T09:00:00.001+07:00

When considering the purchase of a diamond engagement ring, often the first question that couples ask is: should we opt for platinum or white gold? In my opinion, the question should rather be: platinum or gold? White metal or yellow metal?

To illustrate my point, let's first consider the diamond itself: What is the desired size, or carat weight, of the diamond you are looking for? This will in turn be influenced by the price you want to pay for your diamond, and which of the four Cs you attach most importance to: cut, carat weight, colour or clarity.

Many people think of a one carat diamond, measuring about 6.5 millimeters in diameter, as the ideal size for an engagement ring - not too big and not too small. Now, a one carat diamond, which has excellent grades in all four Cs, might cost around £10,000, a pretty hefty investment for most people, to say the least. So, as with all major purchases, compromises will likely have to be made.

So as not to stray too far from my original topic, let's consider a one carat loose diamond costing, say, £2,000. This will most likely have a good cut, and be colour J (slightly tinted yellow) and clarity SI2 (inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye). A suitable setting for such a diamond might well be yellow gold, because the whiteness of platinum might accentuate the yellow tint of the diamond, whereas the yellow gold setting is more likely to complement it.

On the other hand, your main priority might be a pure colourless diamond with an ideal cut and few if any inclusions, but your budget remains the same at £2,000. In this case, the carat weight of your loose diamond will fall to around 0.65 carats, but your diamond will be ideal cut, F colour (colourless) and VVS1 clarity (tiny inclusions just visible under a microscope). And here's the best bit: a 0.65 carat diamond still measures about 5.6 millimeters across, just 0.9 millimeters less than the one carat diamond.

I could write a book about the various options available for round brilliant cut diamonds alone, not to mention the various fancy shapes of diamond that are available, but to return the subject of what metal to choose for your diamond engagement ring, the choice really has to be between platinum or yellow gold.

Why not white gold? Well, for one thing, white is obviously not the natural colour of gold, so in order to obtain the white(ish) colour, yellow gold is alloyed with a white metal such as nickel or palladium. As these metals, especially nickel, can be a skin irritant for susceptible people, and also because the alloy still retains a slight yellowish tint, the alloy is then plated with another, hypoallergenic white metal, called rhodium. This coating is very thin and can start to wear off after a year or two, and your ring will need to be re-plated in order to preserve its whiteness and its hypoallergenic qualities.

Platinum, on the other hand is used in virtually its pure state. It is pure white, very strong, does not tarnish and is the perfect complement for your white diamond.

So, to recap, the choice is really between platinum and yellow gold. A platinum ring setting should cost around £350, and a gold setting around £200 (these are internet prices - you can double them for the high street!). The extra cost of platinum can easily be absorbed by compromising slightly on the diamond specifications, if indeed £150 is really an issue when you consider that a platinum diamond ring will last more than a lifetime.

It is important to remember that the prices for loose diamonds and settings that I have used in my examples are internet prices. Expect to pay at least double on the high street for the same products.

Choosing a Diamond Engagement Ring

2008-07-12T08:59:00.000+07:00

Engagement rings come in so many styles and metals that they can be confusing to buy say the least. Many couples will pick out an engagement ring together, but if you are planning a surprise engagement then taking your partner to the jewelers probably isn't very subtle.

One thing that is typical with most engagement rings is that they have a diamond in them; whether this is one or several is up to you and your budget. However, this is basically where the rules end and you are left to your own devices.

Cuts of diamonds can vary and there are so many different shapes to choose from: round, princess, pear, oval, emerald, heart, marquise to name just a few. What you want to think about is the style that you like and whether you want something very traditional (round) or something more individually suited to your future fiancée. Look at the styles of ring your partner has already to see which cut she favours, look at what her friends have got and see her opinion on these, look at her face when ring adverts are on. Ultimately you should be able to see what sort of cut she likes. If you know her friends well maybe take one of them along to help you?

Next, think about the style. Solitaire rings have always been the tradition and a favourite of women, but why not be more individual and go for a cluster or a three stone ring? Think about size too, a large diamond is always nice, but bear in mind it has to fit next to the wedding band. If you can then opt for a ring where matching wedding bands are available so you can buy this when you come to wed, this way they will look perfect on the finger.

If you can get into her jewelery box then you should be able to see whether yellow gold, white gold or platinum is her favourite. Try and take a ring with you to the jewelers so you can get the right size too. You want to buy something that she will be comfortable with and can also wear straight away.

To ensure you buy the best you can afford then use what we call the 4 C's. These are carat, clarity, colour and cut. Ask the jeweler about each of these aspects and you will be able to determine the rarity of the diamond. Go for the best you can afford. A typical engagement ring costs around 1 and a half to 3 months salary, but if this is too expensive or you have saved more then just go for the best you can get.

Ultimately, a woman wants an engagement ring which shows that you have considered them and their style. If in doubt, go for the one which you feel is most like her- if you want to marry her you should know enough about her to do this. At the end of the day, if you put a lot of consideration in to it then the ring should be fine.

And don't forget to put the ring you used for sizing back in her jewellery box before she notices!

Be Safely to Buy Diamond Rings Online

2008-07-12T08:57:00.000+07:00

Nowadays the internet is always advancing and, because it has been around for a significant time now, people are starting to trust it and believe it is safe to make large purchases involving a lot of cash online. But is this really safe? Could you potentially be made to pay too much or be forced to part with your money and not receive the item?

Jewelery, particularly diamond jewelery, is still a sticking point for some people as they want to make sure that they are buying the real thing and don't trust internet vendors not to trick them. But, if you are sensible about it, it is just as safe to buy diamond rings online as it is from the shops, and probably easier too.

When you want to make a purchase like this online then the first thing to do is make sure you take down all the information. Make a print off of the exact description of what you bought and if you are uncertain when it arrives, get it checked by a local jeweler who can tell you whether or not it matches up to the description. By wary if there are no clear or large pictures of the item- if you want to check what it looks like then feel free to ask the vendor for a better picture so you can be sure what you are getting.

Never be scared of asking questions if there is anything that you want to know. If the retailer seems reluctant or is not clear in the answer then ask again. If what they were selling is genuine then they would be only too happy to answer your questions to ensure you felt happy about their goods and services. By providing you with good feedback they will be giving good customer service which is important to any business- and you are more likely to recommend them to your friends.

Along the same lines, if you can then try to find reviews of the site: either online or through friends, and check that all past customers have been happy with their purchases. If not then why is this? If it was a problem with the description not matching the product then be wary of this and reconsider buying from that company.

If you are happy and decide to buy online then make sure that the site accepts credit or debit cards. If it does then this is the best way to pay as if something goes wrong then your bank will help to back you and you can get help with canceling the transaction and claiming the money back if the product is not satisfactory.

Finally, if you can then ask for a certificate of authentification with your purchase so you can be sure that it is genuine. It may be slightly more expensive to get a certificate confirming the grading, but don't you think it is worth it in the long run?

As long as you are careful then buying diamond rings online should be easy and safe. Always check the returns policy and never enter in to a sale unless you are completely satisfied.

Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry

2008-07-12T08:56:00.000+07:00

Where would we be with Sterling Silver Jewelry. It is one of the most versatile and beautiful forms of jewelry on the market. Sadly, it does come at price as the jewelry can tarnish very easily. The good news is this oxidation can be prevented by doing taking some planned steps of prevention and some occasional polishing. Here, are seven key steps to follow:

1. The sterling silver should be kept in a tarnish proof cloth in an airtight container. Ideally, you are looking for a way that keep the jewelry protected from gases, salts, and other substances in the air.

2. Do your best to keep the silver away from wood, light, or the sun for long lengths of time. These types of elements only expedite the oxidation process.

3. Chemicals should not come into contact with the sterling silver. Do not wear your jewelry while doing household chores or near the pool as exposure to chemicals like alcohol, bleach, chlorine and ammonia are more likely to occur.

4. Always put your jewelry on last. Make-up, perfume, cologne or other beauty aids should be put on before you put on the jewelry. The reason is that these too can speed up the oxidation process and in some cases, cause discoloration. o reduce chance of tarnishing, place the jewelry on after you have put on your make-up or perfume.

5. Since sterling silver jewelry can scratch easily, it is best to keep it separated from other jewelry, pins, or other items with sharp corners.

6. When it is time to polish your sterling silver use a cotton or silver cloth. These are great for taking off the natural oils from your skin that may be left on the jewelry. One other tip would be to use different cloths for silver and gold as gold can negatively impact sterling silver.

7. If you do find that your sterling silver has taken on some tarnish, there are a number of creams, dips and polishes that can take it off. A simple circular motion with one of these aids and a cotton cloth will work great for taking out tarnish.

These tips can help make your sterling silver jewelry shine as if it were new. With a little practice, you will become a pro at keeping your silver in tip top shape.

Tips to Avoid Diamond Scams When Shopping For Rings

2008-07-12T08:50:00.000+07:00

When you buy a diamond ring you have to be careful that you do not get taken in by one of the scams that are in frequent use today to try and trick you out of getting the most valuable diamonds for your money. A combination of lighting, sneaky tricks and lies is used in some places to try and scam you out of your money, but there are some easy things to look out for that will stop you being a victim.

One mistake that a lot of people make is to think diamonds are of a better quality than they actually are. This is in no way the fault of the customer but to avoid this happening to you then make sure that you check the ring carefully. Sometimes any marks that reduce the clarity are hidden under the setting so they are not easily visible- check all around the diamond and make sure this is not the case for you. Also, some flaws are disguised by the use of lighting in stores. Bright lighting makes the diamonds shine and so you cannot see any problems: look in darker, or even better natural, lighting to double check.

Fluorescence scams are also quite common when you are shopping for diamonds. If you are told a diamond is 'blue-white' or 'pink-white' then doesn't it sound more special? Well it is not, it is just a trick when in fact the diamond is less valuable as it is flawed. Don't fall for this- a classic diamond is always the best anyway, so even if there was such a thing you would be better going for a normal diamond as it is a classic.

One of the nastiest scams out there is when you take your own diamonds in, possibly to be set in a ring yourself, and the jeweller changes it for a different one. This can also happen if you need a ring resized after you have bought it. Be careful and get a thorough description of the qualities of the diamond you chose. That way you can have it examined elsewhere to ensure it matches up to the description you were given. Always use a jeweller you trust or have used in the past to ensure this does not happen to you.

Sometimes if a diamond is off colour then a dot of another colour may be painted on to it to counter this. It seems to be clearer this way and so you can be charged a higher price.
If your ring has multiple stones then you will often see that it has a carat rating on the description, but this is often for all of the diamonds on the ring and not just the main one. If you do not take this in to account you could think you have a better ring than you actually do. Ask for the rating of each stone separately.

Realising these things will mean you get the best value for money and avoid scams.

Diamond Hybrid Wedding Ring

2008-07-12T08:32:00.000+07:00

It's no secret - diamonds are forever - but who wants to spend the rest of their life paying for that diamond That's especially true with beautiful wedding rings. But what if you could create that same beauty and elegance with a diamond hybrid wedding ring? The secret of this item is waiting in the wings yet to be discovered by many.

This prodiuct is made from a hybrid diamond that is real diamond particles bonded together to form one of the most beautiful stones ever, with the color and clarity of the most expensive diamonds. That's why this would make a great choice for wedding rings.

Just think of what you can do with the money you save buying a diamond hybrid wedding ring It's really the perfect choice to ask for her hand in marriage, but it won't break the bank.
Even professional jewelers can't tell the difference between a traditional diamond and the diamond hybrid wedding ring diamond That's because it really is real diamond material. It's just the technical process of forming the jewelery that's man-made. That's one of the reasons that this item is so stunning - the quality exceeds what most of us can normally afford.

The diamond hybrid wedding ring is available in the same diamond cuts as you are familiar with. The princess cut still remains the most popular for this product. You can create an impression that will last an eternity without the loan to go with it. And instead of being able to afford only the tiniest of diamonds now, you can afford a much better diamond if that's what you want in your diamond hybrid wedding ring.

How will your ring compare to a traditional diamond ring? Neither you nor your jeweler will be able to tell the difference. What's the difference in quality between and a moissanite or cubic Zirconia? Plenty the ring is made from real diamond material so it's far superior to both these other options and it has the same hardness as a true diamond.

Your diamond hybrid wedding ring will stand up to the test of time wearing it every day. After all, aren't diamonds meant to be worn and shown off?. But what is different is that this is much more affordable.