Low Jeremy asked:




Buying an antique diamond ring-whether as an engagement ring, a wedding ring, or for personal satisfaction-is always an investment. Considered as “nature’s perfect gemstones,” these rings can be priceless and rare especially if they contain high-quality and high-grade diamonds.

If you are looking forward to buying one, the first thing to consider is the 4Cs of a diamond. Knowing the elements that reveal the true value and rarity of a diamond is the first step to know if you’re likely to possess an antique diamond ring for keeps.

The 4Cs comprise of Carat, which refers to a diamond’s weight; Clarity, which measures the purity of a diamond; Cut, which determines the diamond’s brilliance and Color, which gauges a diamond’s whiteness.

For wedding

Since it signifies romance, innocence, and reverence, such rings are becoming one of the most popular choices in wedding rings today.

For a ring to be antique, it should be over than 100 years and originates from the Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Art Deco. Typically ornate and detailed, they are usually authentic pieces or a reproductions inlaid in gold, platinum, titanium and silver.

Remember that antique diamond ring personifies character and history, which sets it apart from other modern designs. Before you purchase it as a wedding or engagement ring, here are some of things you might want to consider:

1. Make sure that it is professionally appraised before your pay for it. By doing this, you can be sure that all of its gems are authentic. You can also determine if the ring has been repaired or if it need repairs in case there are stone chips or cracks.

2. Look for a photograph with a hallmark or written and signed interpretation to know when was the ring authenticated.

3. In case the ring needs a repair, get an estimated cost of before proceeding.

4. Be open-minded. There are gemstones and designs other people consider as unlucky. If you’re not into these myths, you might want to consider them because they might be less expensive than others.

5. Make sure that you inspect and examine closely the condition of the antique engagement ring. Take note of the prongs holding the center diamond and the shank of the ring.

6. Do some research on 10X jeweler’s loupe.

7. Buy from a reputable jeweler or jewelry store.

8. Make sure that everything about the antique wedding ring is written on receipts, appraisals, and certifications.

9. Know if the stone is a genuine diamond or if it is a cubic zirconia, moissanite or other synthetic substance.

10. If possible, get a certificate from Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to ensure the authenticity of your antique diamond ring.

Diane Ayers asked:




Yellow Diamonds: Growing in Popularity

The wild popularity of fancy colored diamonds continues to grow. Yellow diamonds are extremely popular, driven in part by celebrity couples choosing these beautiful gems for their engagement rings.

Stars are making headlines with their colored diamond jewelry. In fact, it’s not just Hollywood stars who are driving this trend. A former first lady chose these popular jewels to wear to her husband’s Inaugural Ball.

Descriptive names like saffron and canary evoke images of light and happiness. What could create a more light-hearted image than a sparkling yellow diamond on the hand of your bride-to-be?

History

Tiffany’s purchased their trademark canary yellow diamond in 1879 and exhibited it in the Audrey Hepburn movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. Marilyn Monroe used a 24 carat diamond known as the ‘Moon of Borada” to promote her movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”.

With the recent popularity of colored diamonds, yellow diamonds are in the forefront of the trend to choose color for engagement rings.

Prices and Availability

As with all precious gems, the price varies with popularity. Right now, these diamonds are popular so the prices have gone up. However, if you would like to have an engagement ring that is out of the ordinary yet still affordable, this is a good choice for you. Less rare than pink or blue, the prices are still reasonable. There are relatively few jewelers selling fancy colored diamonds, but you will find yellow at quite a few jewelers whose primary lines are white diamonds.

Another nice option is the opportunity to purchase the diamond and have it set into the ring design of your choice. In our research, we found gems from $495 to $260,000. Several online jewelers have the capability to allow you to choose the diamond and the setting you like right on their web sites.

Robert A Hull asked:




Ever tried buying a diamond ring? You will soon realize that this task is actually a lot more harder than it seems. Therefore, it is important to equip yourself with proper knowledge on what are the essential guidelines to take note of when buying.

Take note of the five basic rules to bear in mind when shopping for a diamond ring.

#1 Avoid Buying From Jeweler Mega Marts

Most people think it is fine to go to their local jewelry branch to purchase a diamond ring for themselves or to give as a gift. But experts believe this is not the best idea. Jewelry chains and shops usually mass produce their diamonds and most do not have proof of certification as to the authenticity of the diamonds they are selling. Diamond swapping is quite common, so you need to guard yourself against these.

It is best to go for manufacturers that are well reputed so you can be assured of the authenticity and quality of the diamond ring you purchased. Since manufacturers want to continue to stay in business, they’d be more than willing to provide what you pay for.

#2 Look For Certification

This is something that most buyers fail to consider. A certification is the only proof that the diamond you are purchasing from a jewelry shop is worth the price you are paying for. If not, then it would be a complete waste of time and money on your part. So, would you be willing to spend lots of money for a fake diamond? Most likely not. So you better seek for a certification next time you think of buying one.

#3 Use Actual Light

When you examine a diamond ring upon buying, it is important to look at them using natural light. Jewelry shops usually employ a tactical lighting system that enables the object to sparkle. This is a marketing strategy they employ to impress clienteles but when you use actual light, it does not really produce the same effect.

#4 Use Magnifying Glass

If you have no access to natural light, you can ask for a magnifying glass instead. Diamond experts believe it is one of the best ways to truly examine a diamond ring. The expansion of details of the image behind the magnifying glass will enable them to spot imperfections, true color, and clarity that is not visible to the naked eye.

#5 Think Of The 4 C’s

Carat is often used by people to determine the value of a diamond ring. But this does not solely guarantee that you have a good one. In addition to carat, you must also consider three more factors: clarity, cut, and color.

Yoga Priyakara asked:




Finally planning to pop the question to your fiance? Good idea but is the ring ready yet. And how do you plan to go about getting the best ring, which will win her heart? Do you have a budget in mind? How would you like the design? Would she like white gold or yellow gold?

Confused already? You didn’t really know there were so many variables involved in buying something so tiny, did you?

Well you have to consider that she’ll be wearing that ring for the rest of her life as well as proudly showing it of to all and sundry! No need to panic! Here are a few quick tips on how to choose the ideal diamond engagement ring for your beloved.

Has she given you an idea of the type of ring she would like?

All diamonds are graded according to four important points: color, carat, cut and clarity. You have to have a good idea of the type of diamond ring your fianc?e would like before going ahead on this. One good idea is to take a look at her existing jewelry. Does she like big bling-blings or does she prefer being chic and elegant with the bare minimum?

What type of ring would look good on her fingers?

An elongated diamond with a marquise or oval cut will make short fingers look more elegant and slim. While a rounder cut usually suits everyone. Most brides prefer a traditional round cut with a prong setting. But it’s better to check your future brides’ preferences before going ahead.

Consider her profession.

Will she be able to wear a big rock on her finger? What if she is a doctor and has to keep pulling on gloves day in and day out? A diamond on a prong setting may rip gloves causing annoyance and even endangering her safety. Save that type of diamond ring for special occasions and get her something in a broad band with pave-set diamonds.

Surprise her!

Just because most brides prefer a round diamond does not mean you have to follow tradition. Give her a colored stone set in metal like titanium or platinum. You can also choose a special engraving done on the inside of the ring like, “Forever” or your name and wedding date.

I’ll really be frank, if you really want to surprise your fianc?e, or you don’t want her to know how much you’ve spent on the ring, then you can think about going shopping alone. But the best alternative is to take her along, to choose a diamond engagement ring which she’ll adore forever.

Lawrence Reaves asked:




This is a question asked of diamond ring owners all of the time and you may be surprised to find you do not need to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to bring your diamond to life. ?Even the most perfectly flawless diamond will lose its brilliance and fire as the detritus of everyday life accumulates on the ring. Aside from the obvious culprits such as soap and make-up, products such as hairspray and perfume will contribute to the deterioration of the diamond’s appearance over time and diminishing your enjoyment.? Fortunately, you can easily clean your jewelry with a little effort and even less money.

A recommended cleaning method is to buy an ammonia solution or take neat ammonia and dilute one-third of a cup ammonia to two-thirds of hot water from the tap.? Soak the ring in this solution for 10 minutes which will loosen accumulated dirt and grime as well as matter such as bread dough.? After you have soaked the ring for 10 minutes, take a soft toothbrush and gently scrub the ring but do NOT use toothpaste as it contains scouring agents (a principal ingredient in toothpaste is sand!) and for this reason do not use an old toothbrush as this will still have toothpaste residue and it only takes one scratch to ruin the appearance of your ring.

Here are Ultrasonic cleaning services available if you wish to use these but they are really not necessary and can be very expensive even when you buy them yourself for use at home.? Not only can the alcohol cleaning fluid they use be expensive to buy and replenish, the violent spinning and shaking process which is applied may actually loosen your diamond setting and result in the loss of your diamond when you least expect it!

Another method you can try is to buy some rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) which is very cheap (less than a couple of dollars) and use a shaving brush with medium to hard bristles.? Soak the ring for a couple of minutes and then apply the brush and pay special attention to the underside of the basket and around and between the prongs.? Soak the ring for a further two minutes and dry it off with a tissue.? Your ring will look as fresh and sparkling as it did when the craftsman finished it.

We have already mentioned how your ring should not be subjected to shock or shaking however, everyday life being what it is, it is inevitable your jewelry will be knocked and suffer the odd knock no matter how careful you are with it.? You should routinely check your ring to make sure it is tight and the diamond is in no danger of falling loose; diamonds being what they are, it is more than likely you will not notice your diamond has fallen from the setting until it is far too late and you will have lost I for good!

Check your diamond ring by taking your thumb and forefinger and putting them on opposite ends of the girdle while you VERY gently try to move the diamond.? If you experience even the slightest “give” in the diamond you should take this as a sign the prongs need some attention and tightening.? Another good test is to hold your ring to your ear and shake it gently; if you hear any rattling this will be the diamond hitting the prongs and therefore it must be loose so get them tightened as soon as possible and refrain from wearing your ring until you do.