In Greco Roman times, the stone symbolized the protection of an individual against addictions. In other cultures, it was considered to be a symbol of purity or spirituality. In Asian cultures, the stone is considered to have many healing physical characteristics. It is also the birth stone for the month of February.

Amethyst engagement rings were highly popular during the Victorian period in England. Their popularity experienced resurgence in the United States in the 1920’s during the Art Deco movement. In more recent times, it is commonly featured as the center stone in an engagement ring or promise ring. It may be encircled or complemented by the use of diamonds or other gemstones. The most common cuts for this type of stone include ovals and heart shapes; however, an amethyst engagement ring may be cut in the same forms that a diamond is available in. Although the popularity of this stone in engagement rings has increased within the last decade, many retailers offer a limited selection of amethyst jewelry. In order to ensure that a couple obtains what they are looking for, they may wish to purchase a loose stone and have it cut and placed in a setting of their choosing.

The expense of an amethyst rings will be based upon the size of the gemstone, the setting it is placed in, and other gemstones that are used in its design. Although the engagement ring will be more expensive if it is custom ordered, the cost of this type of ring generally does not exceed $1,000.00. An amethyst engagement ring is an affordable and durable investment for a couple who is looking for an alternative to the traditional diamond engagement ring. Its symbolism and vibrant coloring may be the perfect alternative for a couple that is looking for something slightly out of the ordinary.

Product Spotlight:

Up for sale is this unique amethyst ring. The ring is set with a natural AAA vivid-purple amethyst and accented with fine white diamonds. The ring is made of solid 14k white gold. The ring is available in all sizes including 1/2 and 1/4 sizes.
Price: $479.00

Despite an individual or couple’s reasoning behind their decision, there are numerous reasons why other gemstones should be considered for engagement rings, promise rings, and other forms of fine jewelry. The first, and most obvious reason, is the expense. Diamonds are expensive. This is an undisputed fact. The size of the diamond, the setting it is placed in, and the use of other diamonds or gemstones in a ring can often drive the ring’s price into the thousands of dollars.

Secondly, as the green lifestyle becomes the lifestyle choice of increasing amounts of people, the monetary value of a diamond is seen as less and less important. More individuals begin to view the use of diamonds as a depletion of a natural resource and as source for the destruction of natural habitats. Concern for the environment also gives way, for many people, for the methods in which diamonds are mined. Unfortunately, in many unstable countries, controls of diamond mines are used as a means of funding illicit terrorist activities. Similarly, there are couples who view the purchase of diamond jewelry, engagement or otherwise, as more of a societal expectation, rather than a personal choice.

Engagement and wedding rings are most commonly made of a gemstone set in a precious metal. However, they can be constructed from a variety of different natural materials, such as jade, coral, or even wood. If a couple decides that they would like to have a traditional ring though, they may wish to purchase an antique ring or to purchase a secondhand ring from a pawn shop or estate sale. Popular alternatives for traditional wedding rings include the use of rings that have are significant of a cultural heritage. For example, the use of Celtic jewelry is a popular alternative for those who have Irish ancestry. There are even couples who choose to get tattoos around their ring fingers in lieu of a wedding ring. Regardless of the type of engagement or wedding ring that a couple chooses, it is meant to be a symbol of their lifelong commitment to one another.

Product Spotlight:

The 2.5 carat Asscher Petite solitaire features a 2.5 carat asscher inspired center stone with a single row of pave` set rounds accenting the slopes of the shank. The shank measures 3mm at the widest point. The total carat weight is approximately 3 carats.

Price: $450.00

Synthetic diamonds are generally constructed from one of three different types of materials. The most popular material in the construction of synthetic diamonds is cubic zirconia. These types of synthetic diamonds are distinguishable from the genuine item by its considerably heavier weight and a noticeable lack of flaws in the diamond. Cubic zirconia diamonds are available in a wide range of colors, and they are well known for their durability. The second commonly used type of synthetic diamond is constructed from moissanite. Although it does occur naturally in the wild, the substance is rather hard to obtain. Therefore, the vast majority of moissanite diamonds are manufactured. Its appearance resembles that of a colorless diamond.

The third type of substance commonly used to create synthetic diamonds is rose quartz. This material can be treated through heat processes in order to more closely resemble a true diamond. Quartz rings most closely resemble pink and yellow colored diamonds.  Although its appearance will never resemble a colorless diamond, it is the most economical and affordable option for a synthetic diamond.

In order to ensure that one’s synthetic diamond closely resembles an authentic diamond, it is important to have the synthetic diamond set in a high quality band. Although there are couples who opt to have the synthetic diamond placed in a cheap setting, this can actually undermine the appearance of the stone. Synthetic diamonds can also be placed in setting where they are accentuated by authentic diamonds or other gemstones. Synthetic diamonds are more affordable than true diamonds; however, if a couple wishes to upgrade to authentic diamonds at a later date, they can always do so. The upgrade could be performed on a significant date in their history, like a fifth or tenth wedding anniversary.

Product Spotlight:

The Ziamond Suspended Princess Solitaire. A 1 carat princess cut stone is suspended and hovers above a river of channel set princess cut stones. It has a total carat weight of 2 carats.

Price: $325.00

The company often sets the stones they produce in settings of 18K gold, platinum, and even titanium, in order to enhance the natural beauty of these stones. Additionally, the company offers over 1,500 different types of jewelry featuring cubic zirconia. This extensive list includes earrings, rings, necklaces, brooches, and watches. Furthermore, the company offers a lifetime warranty on all purchases to guard against defects and potential damage.

The company strives to model its jewelry after the latest trends in designer jewelry. The company also offers a wide selection of other imitation stones, including yellow diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. The plethora of options ensures that an individual or couple will be able to find the piece of jewelry that they will most enjoy. With the costs of diamonds continually rising into the thousands of dollars, Ziamond cubic zirconia jewelry offers a more affordable alternative. The price of a ring or other piece of jewelry featuring this stone will be determined by the size of the stone used and the intricacy of the ring’s design. However, the cost of a piece of Ziamond jewelry will generally not exceed $1,000.00 in price. The company also offers affordable replicas of pieces of jewelry worn by celebrities.

Ziamond jewelry has been worn by many celebrities, including Kelly Clarkson and Jamie Foxx. However, it is primarily designed for the average individual. There are a variety of reasons as to why a person or a couple would choose cubic zirconia as an alternative to an authentic diamond. Individuals who embrace a “green” lifestyle view the mining of diamonds as an unnecessary means of disturbing animals’ natural habitats. Others express concern over how the profits from diamond mines in Africa fund illegal terrorist activities. In order to alleviate their concerns for humanity and the environment, the individual or couple can choose to purchase a Ziamond jewelry piece.

Product Spotlight:

The Gisella Ring© will take her breath away with a 1 carat prong set round center stone floating amongst a circle of brilliant rounds. A split shank is created by two rows of pave set rounds, half way down the band, which adds an incredible sparkle. The total carat weight is over approximately 2 carats. The shank measures approximately 4.25mm. Larger and smaller ring sizes available via special order.

Price: $595.00

Dating couples can use promise rings to represent their permanent commitment to one another. Promise rings are also commonly used as a symbol of abstinence.

In a more platonic sense, promise rings can symbolize committed friendship, especially when friends are separated by distance. Despite the reason for which a promise ring is given, they come in many shapes and forms. It can be a simple plain band with a single pearl, incorporate diamonds or semi-precious stones as accents, or come in a band constructed from precious metals. Essentially, a promise ring can be whatever the individual desires it to be.

The pearl promise ring is a unique twist on a classic piece of jewelry. Pearls can range in color from white to black. Different colors of pearls have different symbolic meanings. For example, black pearls were often given to the recently bereaved to symbol comfort. In more modern times, the color white symbolizes purity or abstinence, while the color black symbolizes wisdom or perfection.

Other common color choices for pearls include pink, gold, ivory, and silver. Bands for promise rings can be made of any type of metal. Traditional promise ring bands are generally made of silver, gold, white gold, or platinum. The options of different metals combined with different colors of pearls can create some highly unique and interesting jewelry.

There are generally two types of categories for pearls: saltwater and freshwater. Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels that reside in freshwater. They are typically smaller than saltwater pearls, and they may contain more imperfections. The techniques used to create these pearls can often create up to twenty pearls from one mussel. Saltwater pearls are grown in oysters, and they occur naturally in nature.

Burma, Indonesia, and the Philippines are the leading producers of saltwater pearls, where they command premium prices for their natural beauty. Pearl promise rings can be items of beautiful creation, and it can be an ideal gift for a person’s beloved.

Product Spotlight:
Product Attributes
Gender: Women
Jewelry Material: Gold
Finish: Polished
Stone: Pearl
Birthstone: June
Synthetic: False
Gold Purity (ct): 14
Gem Weight (ct): 0.01
Shape: Round
Gem Length (mm): 4.5

Price: $212.00

Tsavorite is a very modern gemstone, and it has two things in common with tanzanite: it too was found for the first time in East Africa in 1967, and was marketed by the Tiffany jewellery company of New York. Unlike tanzanite, tsavorite is a stunning green in colour, and is a member of the garnet family of gemstones, whereas tanzanite is blue and belongs to the zoisite family.

Why Tsavorite? The name is derived from the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, near the Tanzanian border, and the Tsavo River which flows through it. The gemstone was actually first found in Tanzania, but exploitation was not possible at that time. In 1971 it was found again, this time in Kenya, and mining could begin.

Tsavorite is prized by gemologists for its brilliant green colour, and its lack of inclusions. It has a similar hardness to emerald, being about 7.5 on the Mohs scale, and greater brilliance. It is a lot less expensive than emerald, but this is due largely to the greater rarity of emerald, and the lore of it’s long history. Indeed, tsavorite is a brilliant natural-green gemstone which has no need of enhancement as is the case with many other gemstones.

Tsavorite’s robustness makes it particularly hard-wearing when set in jewellery, and along with demantoid it is one of the most sought-after members of the garnet family. Sapphires and rubies may be harder then tsavorite according to the Mohs scale, but tsavorite, like all garnets, is extremely resistant to cracking, and in terms of a lack of inclusions is one of the most stable of gemstones. Like all garnets, it has a very high refractive index, and its sparkle surpasses the majority of gemstones, with the obvious exception of diamonds.

Unlike its geographical neighbour tanzanite, which often yields crystals in excess of five carats, tsavorite crystals tend to be smaller, and hence any tsavorite above two carats is likely to command a premium price. But whereas tanzanite is prized more for its colour than its brilliance, tsavorite has both beautiful colour and exceptional brilliance, and therefore is more desirable in the smaller sizes yielded by the rough tsavorite crystals.

Taking into consideration all of tsavorite’s qualities, such as its beautiful green colour, exceptional brilliance, excellent wearing qualities and relatively reasonable price, it is little wonder that it has become one of the most popular gemstones available today.

Tourmaline is known the world over as one of the most colorful gemstones available. Tourmaline jewelry is found in a number of colors depending on where the gemstone is mined. Also, it is very popular because of its hardness rating. The clarity of Tourmaline also makes this gemstone a big seller. Because of these reasons, Tourmaline has become a very popular gemstone in recent years.

The price of Tourmaline gemstones can vary just about as much as the gemstone itself. Like most gemstones, the price depends mainly on the rarity of the color. The rarer the color the higher the price one can expect to pay. Here again, the price swing can be vary greatly. Some Tourmaline can fetch astronomical prices, while others can be nearly worthless.

The Tourmaline that is the cheapest is black tourmaline. It is relatively common and easy to obtain; however, it is still a beautiful gemstone that makes wonderful jewelry. Other varieties of tourmaline that are quite inexpensive include orange, brown, and yellow. Like the black, these still are beautiful gemstones that make excellent pieces of jewelry. These colors can be considered a great buy since you are still getting a beautiful stone with a great hardness factor.

The mid-priced tourmaline includes watermelon and pink. Pink tourmaline is very popular jewelry and can be found in a number of different settings. Also, watermelon tourmaline which contains traces of green and red is one of the most popular tourmaline gemstones for jewelry. Watermelon tourmaline is a fantastic stone that looks great in all pieces of jewelry, from necklaces to earrings. In addition, there are many other varieties of tourmaline that contain several different hues. These multicolored gemstones are also very popular. Basically, the more complex the colors the higher the value.

The most expensive gemstones of the tourmaline family include the Paraiba and the chrome. Paraiba was discovered quite recently in Brazil. This gemstone is influenced by manganese and copper. These influences give the gemstone a greenish blue tint. The chrome tourmaline is found in Tanzania and is a very dark green.

So, as you can see there are many different types of tourmaline gemstones to choose from. No matter your price range there is sure to be one to fit your taste. Tourmaline has become one of the most popular gemstones in jewelry today. The sheer variety of this stone should guarantee its popularity well into the future.

Pink tourmaline is a fantastic gemstone that is vary versatile. Information on pink tourmaline jewelry can be found at this link.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Rather

In the 1980’s, Princess Diana sparked a massive trend for sapphire engagement rings after Prince Charles went down on bended knee and proposed to her with a sapphire ring. However, their popularity gradually waned and the diamond solitaires retained their position. During this recent credit crunch period though as budgets have become tighter, couples have strived to find other options and diamond and sapphire white gold rings have provided an answer. This is such an important, once-in-a-lifetime purchase that even if a prospective buyer has to tighten their purse strings, they still want a gorgeous ring that captures the romance and majesty of the moment.

Fortunately, white gold sapphire and diamond rings can offer it all. With the sapphire’s undeniable beauty and as the most durable gemstone after the diamond, this gemstone provides fantastic value for money. Not only do they create rings that look spectacular but that will withstand a lifetime of wear. While white gold offers the splendour of platinum but costs less.

One of the other main factors for their burgeoning popularity has to do with women becoming increasingly more involved in the selection process. It is now more common these days for women to choose the ring for herself and a sapphire diamond ring may more accurately reflect her personality and style then a simple solitaire. As it is a ring that will be worn continually it is essential that it truly reflects who she is and is a ring she can be proud of for life.

Amethyst: Introduction

The Amethyst color is unique as it is seductive. Its transparent, coarse grained, purple color makes it suitable for most jewelry. The Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The amethyst is part of the Quartz family. Though a gemstone must be purple quartz in order for it to be an amethyst, it comes in a wide range of purple shades and colors. It ranges from light lilac or lavender to a deep, rich, dark purple and violet. In the Mohs scale it rates a 7, which makes it hard enough to be suitably made for jewelry. At a point in time it was revered as a precious stone, today its abundance has made it inexpensive and commonplace but it still revered as a beautiful and powerful gemstone.

Amethyst: History and Mythology

The name Amethyst comes for the Greek words meaning a for “not” and methustos for “drunken” (not drunken). This was reference that the Greeks believe that the stone was an antidote against drunkenness. Wine goblets were carved out of the stones and the it still symbolizes sobriety until this day. The story behind this is that the Greek god Dionysus (god of intoxication) was angered one day by an insult of a mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that he encounters. Dionysus came across the mortal Amethyst, a beautiful maiden who worshipped the goddess Diana. Dionysus created tigers to attack the maiden but Diana turned the maiden into pure crystalline quartz to protect her. At the sight of the crystal, Dionysus cried tears of wine which gave the crystal a purple color and creating the amethyst.

Purple is the color of royalty and amethyst has been used to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. Fine amethysts were featured in the British Crown Jewels and were also a favorite stone of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty. Amethyst is mentioned in the Bible as one of the 12 stones adorning the breastplate of the high priests of Yahweh. Because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, it was an important ornament of Catholic and other churches of the Middle Ages. It was considered to be the stone of bishops, who still often wear amethyst rings. In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it.

Amethyst: How are they formed?

Amethysts are formed in silica-rich liquids deposited in gas cavity geodes in lava that occur in crystalline masses. These cavities are formed in the earth’s crust by gas bubbling in circular cavities or filling of veins. When conditions permit, it forms hexagonal crystals that are usually grown from a base. These crystals are most often not well developed, and so are generally found as clusters of crystal points and are called Amethyst druze. Although most commonly found in geodes, Amethyst is sometimes found as a stalactite.

Amethyst: What is made of?

Amethyst is of the Quartz family, which is in the Silicates group where silicon and oxygen (SiO2) form tetrahedral silica that combines with various metals or semi-metals. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster.

Amethyst: Color

The color of amethyst can come in any shade of purple from light to dark. A paler, lavender shade of purple called “rose de france” was popular and valuable a few decades ago. The most prized color grade however is the “Siberian”, which derives in several locations in Siberia, notably Uruguay and Zambia. The Siberian contain hues of mostly purple, blue and some secondary hues or red. In amethyst, color often occurs in bands or waves. This is very characteristic and can be used to identify amethyst out of other purple stones. In the 20th century, the color of amethyst was thought to be attributed from the presence of the chemical element manganese. But since the color can be altered by the presence of heat, the color was believed to be organic from Ferric thiocyanate and sulfur which is detected from the material. Further study has proved that iron and aluminum is responsible for the color.

As stated in previous paragraph, when heated the amethyst can fade and lose some of its color. It is best to keep these stones away from extended exposure from the heat and sun. If heated intensely the color can lose its color completely and change to a yellow color thus making it a Citrine. Since amethyst is more widespread, this is how commercial Citrine is created. When Citrine and Amethyst are grown together naturally and in the same crystal they create alternating bands of yellow and purple creating what is called Amertine.

Amethyst: Synthetic

As I stated previously, amethyst is so widespread and abundant, that it makes it very inexpensive and cheap. What makes it worse is that technology has advanced so far to make synthetic amethyst that it even imitates even the highest quality amethyst and makes it hard to distinguish between them. Manufacturers of synthetic amethyst have even learned how duplicate the natural growing process, also correcting twinning of the axes, making the growth pattern more identical to natural and making detection even more difficult. Laboratories can test each stone to detect synthetic amethyst but the process of testing is even more expensive than what the stone is worth.

Introduction

To continue our feature on gemstones, we will now discuss one of the most fascinating of gemstones – the emerald. It exudes a greenish color that makes it beautiful and intense. In some cases, fine emeralds are even more valuable than some diamonds. If you are fortunate enough to possess an emerald that can fit the palm of your hand, it could be valued well at over a million dollars, of course depending on its color and quality. Emeralds are in the beryl crystal family. They are formed from a combination of the common elements aluminium and silicon with the rare element beryllium. Small amounts of trace elements, either chromium or vanadium, gives its distinctive green tint.

History

The word emerald derives its name from the Old French word “esmerlde” or the Greek word “smaragdos”, both plain and simply meaning green stone. It is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May as well as the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus, Cancer, and Gemini. The first known discovery of emeralds was made near the Red Sea of Egypt, some 440 miles southeast of Cairo. Between 3000 – 1500 B.C., these mines, later to be known as the Cleopatra mines, were exploited by Egyptian pharaohs. Working long hours under the blistering heat of the Sun, and the darkness, heat and dust of the underground mines must have been a real ordeal for those ancient laborers. These mines were rediscovered during the 19th century but were found to have already been exhausted. One of the largest and most famous emeralds is the “Mogul Emerald”. It was discovered in 1695 during the Mogul Dynasty, and weighed about 217.8 carats. This emerald was auctioned off in the Christie’s London auction for close to $2.3 million dollars. Another famous emerald which is displayed in the New York National Museums is the “Patricia” and is stated to weigh 632 carats. This emerald belonged to Mughal Indian Emperor Jehangir.

The 4C’s of Emerald

Similar to the diamond, you must consider the 4 C’s of the emerald: color, cut, clarity, and carat. Unlike diamonds that are primary characteristic is the clarity and brilliance, emeralds are more primarily concerned with color.

Color

As stated, the color of the emerald is the most important of all characteristics when considering emeralds. This is created from small amounts of chromium and vanadium. There are 4 distinct colors of an emerald. See below for details: Too Dark: This color of emerald comes in a very dark green color. These emeralds are inexpensive and the least valuable of all emeralds. Too Blue: These types emeralds are not considered ‘real emeralds’ due to the lack of green and pale color. Too Yellow: These emeralds have a tint of yellow and might come close to the true emerald green. Emerald Green: This color green has the perfect amount combination of blue and yellow hue. This color emerald is the most valuable of all emeralds.

Clarity

As stated before unlike the diamond the emerald is no so dependent on its clarity. Inclusions are so common in the emerald that it does not affect its beauty. Natural inclusions which are also called “garden inclusions” are what give emeralds the natural emerald green color. Since emeralds are so highly included, a high percentage of rough emeralds must be cut in order to create a gemstone. Also, unlike the diamond, you do not need a loupe to grade its clarity. Emerald can be graded by sight and if it has no inclusions, it is stated that the emerald is flawless.

Cut

A well cut emerald will gives the emerald a greater sparkle and glow to its greatest ability. The cut is not as important to the emerald, since as stated before the color is what makes the emerald more valuable. The shape, width and depth of the emerald make up the cut.

The ideal cut emerald will be symmetrical and have uniform facets that provide for maximum color and brilliance. If the cut is too shallow, light will be lost at the bottom of the stone and the emerald will not have maximum brilliance. If the cut is too deep, the light will escape out of the sides and the emerald will appear dark.

Remember, because emeralds are expensive and sold by weight, the cutter is pre-disposed to try to save as much weight as possible. Also, the shape of the rough will most likely pre-determine the final shape of the cut emerald. Round emeralds are least common because you must waste more material to cut a round and the rectangular step cut known as the “emerald” cut is generally thought to compliment the end result for emeralds.

Carat

For emeralds the carat size and weight is the least determining factor when finding the value of an emerald. Just because a certain emerald is large does not mean it is expensive and just because the emerald is small does not make the emerald least expensive. Of course a 10 carat emerald would be valued more than a 2 carat emerald, if assuming they both had the same quality (color, cut, and clarity). Thus, the color, cut and clarity are characteristics that are taken more into consideration prior than carat weight.

Enhancement

For the last hundred years gemstone enthusiasts have discovered and pioneered techniques to enhance gemstones. This process is known as oil treatment process. This was done to cover the presence of fissures, flaws, and impurities. This process requires the emerald to be cleaned, usually washed out by acid and afterwards treated with cedar oil or any other synthetic oil and polymers. The US Federal Trade Commission requires the disclosure of treated emeralds when sold. This use of oil is well accepted in the gem trade but practices such as using green tinted oil is not acceptable.

Emeralds treated with oil may be prone to cracking and breaking after a couple of years. This is due to the oil wearing off making the emerald more brittle. Local jewelers are well informed in a retreatment process required to keep the emerald intact.

Synthetic Emeralds

Since emeralds are such a high value and rare gemstones, there has been much incentive by people to develop synthetic gemstones. There are two ways create synthetic emeralds, these are flux growth and hydrothermal processes. Flux growth is a process that synthesizes compounds with high melting points by using a flux and speed up the natural crystallization process at lower pressure and temperature. The hydrothermal process is a process of synthesis of single crystals using hot water under high pressure.

It is hard to differentiate between real emeralds and synthetic ones. Normal thermal and electronic gem testers would not be able to distinguish between these. One way to distinguish this is by using the Chelsea color filter.

Chelsea Filter

Other than using the Chelsea Dichromatic Filter there are significant differences that gemologists can distinguish between synthetic and real emerald. These differences are:

- Specific gravity of synthetic emerald is 2.66 and natural emerald is 2.70-2.78.
- Refractive Index of synthetic emerald is 1.565 and for natural emerald is 1.576-1.582
- Synthetic Emeralds shines off in a reddish color in ultraviolet light, which you do not get in a natural emerald.
- Natural Emeralds gives off a natural green light, which is due to impurities. This shine cannot be done by synthetic emeralds.

The topaz, also known as the November and the gemstone for 4th, 19th, and 23rd years of marriage, comes in a wide range of colors but usually is yellow and can also be colorless. The topaz is also the state gemstone for United States state of Utah. The topaz derives its name from the Sanskrit word tapas meaning “fire” or the Greek word topazios meaning “to seek”. On the Mohs scale, the topaz rates an 8. Only diamonds and corundum are harder than Topaz.

Color: Colorless, yellow, orange, red, red-brown, light to dark blue, pink-red, violet, light green
Color of Streak: White
Moh’s hardness: 8
Density or Specific Gravity: 3.49-3.57
Cleavage: Perfect
Chemical composition: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
Refractive Index: 1.609-1.643
Reflective Index: 29-32
Dispersion: 0.0014(0.008)
Transparency: transparent to translucent

Topaz: History
The exact discovery of the name of topaz was never really verified. As stated in the introduction it either came from the Greek or Sanskrit. The Greek philosopher, Pliny derived the name topazios after the island of Topazos (now known as the Island of St John), which is a small island off the Red Sea, where it is first stated that he discovery of topaz was made. Historians believe that the topaz discovered at the island was not in fact topaz but the gemstone, peridot.

The topaz has been known for its metaphysical properties. The Indians believe that the topaz can be used as a talisman for health, caution, sagacity, and prevention of death. The Egyptians believe that the yellow topaz was filled with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. They also used these stones as a talisman against harm. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who is also the god of the sun, wore topaz as a talisman from diseases, also to protect its wearer against perils and dangers in travelling, injuries from burns and scalds, and to avert pain of the chest and bowels. Topaz was one of the stones in the ‘Breastplate of Judgment’ of Aaron, who was the brother of Moses and leader of an old Israeli tribe, described in the bible (Exodus: xxviii, 15-30). Historically, topaz has been thought to give long life, good looks and intelligence. It is also thought to given protection from poison, disease and sorcery. In 1740, the “Braganza” diamond (1,640 carats) was found in Ouro Preto, Brazil. It was set in the Portuguese crown, and was thought to be the largest diamond ever found. The fact that it was a diamond was never confirmed, and it is now believed to have been a colorless topaz.

Topaz: How is it formed?
Topaz is formed from gas and volatiles trapped in freezing granite. When found topaz crystals are isolated in pockets and are often very large. This mostly occurs in cavities in lava and gigantic rocks. Topaz is formed inside igneous rocks such as pegmatites and alluvial deposits. This can be found in fluorite and cassiterite areas such as the mountains of Russia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Pakistan, Italy, etc.

Compared to other minerals, topaz is relatively resistant to weathering and stream abrasion. These characteristics enable it to be found in the stream sediments derived from the weathering of topaz-bearing rocks. It is sometimes produced by placer mining.

Topaz: Color
Most topaz that is colorless is white topaz. The next most plentiful color is blue and green. The stones that are most seen in jewelry are yellow, brown or pink. The most sought after color of topaz was known as the “imperial topaz”. These colors included pink and red.

Blue topaz is a very popular gemstone and is rarely formed in nature. Most of the blue topaz on the market is treated. Unfortunately there is no way yet to determine which stones have been treated and which are natural. Although blue topaz has not been manufactured synthetically on a commercial scale, a completely natural looking blue coloration has been produced in colorless topaz by means of irradiation with gamma rays. This practice is regarded as legitimate in the trade, and is becoming increasingly widespread. It is one of the reasons for the present abundance of blue topaz in the trade.

Topaz: Treatment and Synthetic
As stated, blue topaz is a very popular gemstone but since it is very rarely found many treatments have been used. This is the reason of the decline in recent years of blue topaz. The following are ways people have treated or enhanced the quality of topaz.

Heat: This is a common method used in most gemstones. Topaz has been heat treated to improve color for decades, maybe even centuries. This method has been used mostly to create blue, pink and red topaz, which are the most popular.

Irradiation: Irradiating topaz was a technique that was established many years ago to produce blue topaz. Nearly all of the blue topaz on the market today has been irradiated in this way. In Europe this treatment is controversial and on its way to being banned because of the possible residual radioactivity of the gemstones.

Diffusion: Another method of improving the color of topaz involved coating the colorless topaz with a specific chemical and then heating it at very high temperatures. Only the surface layer of the gemstone is affected while the center remains colorless (you would not be able to tell unless you cut it in half). This is a relatively durable treatment.

Coating: Some topaz gemstones are treated with an extremely thin film of mineral or metallic materials and then placed in a vacuum. This process creates topaz that is a wide variety of iridescent, eye catching colors. They are called “Mystic Topaz”, and new terms are coined every week.

Synthetics: Synthetic topaz is not very prevalent on the market because natural topaz is so available. In fact, synthetic topaz can be found at the same price if not more expensive than natural topaz. Most jewelers will specify whether it is synthetic.

Imitation: Topaz is imitated by quartz (citrine) and glass. It can be distinguished from these by a scratch test, since topaz is harder than both of these materials. If you rub a piece of quartz against a topaz, the quartz will scratch but the topaz will not.

Opal: Introduction

Also known as the October Birthstone and the 14th and 18th anniversary stone, the opal is one of nature’s greatest splendors. The colors can vary in any color of the rainbow. The most striking quality of opal is its ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The interplay of different wavelengths of light gives opal its unique visual appeal, and makes it one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. It is definitely one of the world’s most beautiful and precious gemstone. The word opal derives from various languages: in Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone”, in Latin, the opalus and Greek opallios, both meaning “to see color change”.

Opal: History

The earliest known opal artifacts was discovered back from 4000 BC in Ethiopia. These artifacts were discovered later in a cave in Kenya by famous archeologist, Louis Leakey. Opal was stated to have magical qualities and also to aid its wearer in seeing unlimited possibilities. It was also thought to loosen inhibitions and promote impulsiveness. Opal has been said in medieval times to be a cure for diseases of the eye. Opal is also stated to be cure for blood disorders, depression, apathy, helpful with reproductive organs, filter red and white corpuscles, and brain disorders.

Opals: How are they formed?

Opal is formed from silica-bearing waters and can be found inside any type of rock. Opal is formed from a solution of silicon dioxide and water (SiO2 + nH2O). As water runs down through the earth, it picks up silica from sandstone, and carries this silica-rich solution into cracks and voids, caused by natural faults or decomposing fossils. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind a silica deposit. This cycle repeats over very long periods of time, and eventually opal is formed. Though the water evaporates, the opal gemstone still contains 13% water.

Opal: Color

The Opal can come in many different colors. In its fundamental form the opal is colorless, but this is rarely found. The difference in color comes from the formation process of the water forming tiny spheres, all of which are usually uniform in size and order diffracting light within the stone thus creating various colors of the rainbow. The more uniform the size of the spheres, the more intense, brilliant, and defined the color will be. If the spheres are random in shape and arrangement, common or colorless opal is formed.

The color of the opal depends solely on the uniformity of the tiny spheres. In smaller spheres, the spectrum of blues and violets would show. In larger spheres the colors of orange and red will show more on stone. These stones are highly valued since they show more “play of color” or spectral colors when rotated.

Opal: Different types

The opal can be found in many varieties and types. Fine quality opal surprisingly, is more rare to find than that of rare rubies and emeralds. Below are different types of Opal that can be found:

Black Opal – These types of opal are the most rare and most valuable of all opals. These opals usually come in bar form. Despite the name, these types of opals have the complete colors of the rainbow but the body is of dark colors of black, brown, blue or gray.

Boulder Opal – These types of opals are usually found in the mining fields of Queensland, Australia. This type of opal is often cut with the ironstone left on the back, as the opal seam is usually quite thin. They can be found in many different forms and colors: its surface can be smooth or uneven, with the opal occurring as a solid piece on top of the ironstone or showing as flashing flecks of color throughout the ironstone.

Common Opal – These types of Opal does not display any “play of color” and are classified as non-gem quality Opal. These types of opals are inexpensive and hold very little value.

Synthetic Opal

Synthetic opals are created in laboratories and are hard to tell apart from natural ones without use of laboratory. The first synthetic opals were created by Pierre Gilson in 1974. He used a synthesizing method which is called flocculation method. This method involves producing colloidal silica and separating and eliminating spheres using sedimentation process. This process takes the course of some months to produce.

There are also man-made stones such as doublets and triplets. Doublet Opal is made of thin slices which are glued onto silica material, glass or iron stone. The dark blackening gives the opal a more enhanced color. Triplet opal are made from three pieces, which consist firstly of a flat thin slice of precious opal, secondly a layer of common opal, glass or porcelain that has been darkened and thirdly a layer of quartz. Triplet opals are usually cheaper than doublet opals due to the fact that doublet carries a higher content of precious opal.

Peridot
Color: green, lime, yellowish green, olive green or medium dark green hues
Color of Streak: White
Moh’s hardness: 6.5 – 7
Density or Specific Gravity: 3.28-3.48
Cleavage: Indistinct
Chemical composition: (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
Refractive Index: 1.650 -1.703
Reflective Index: 31-37
Dispersion: 0.020 (0.012-.0.013)
Transparency: Transparent

Peridot: Introduction
The peridot is known as the official birthstone of August and the stone for the Zodiac sign of Libra. It is also the stone that is given on the 16th wedding anniversary. The color of the peridot comes in many shades of green, with just a hint of gold. Hence it’s Greek name ‘chrysolite’ meaning “golden stone” or the French word ‘peritot’ meaning “gold”. The peridot is one of the few gemstones that come in one color. It is also sometimes mistaken with emeralds and other green gemstones. This is why the peridot is often referred to as the “poor man’s emerald”.
For this newsletter we will be discussing more about the peridot.

Peridot: History
There were many instances in history where peridots were mistaken for other gemstones. As previously mentioned on the last newsletter on topaz, the peridot, which was mistaken to be topaz was mined on the island of Topazo off the Egyptian Red Sea. The peridots mined from the island were used to carve talismans and jewelry for Pharoah’s treasury. Egyptians worked tirelessly during the day as well as the night, when the gems could better be found due to the radiance which shines at night. This is why some call the peridot the “Evening emerald”. Another case of peridot being mistaken for another gemstone is Cleopatra whose favorite gemstone was the emerald but legends state that these so called emeralds were actually indeed peridot. One famous large peridot gem adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the cathedral at Cologne was for centuries, believed to be an emerald, and only recently to be identified as peridot late in the last century.

In ancient times the peridot was named the chrysolite. This name, chrysolite was also given to some colors of the topaz until further research was made in order to identify the difference between the two. In the middle ages, Europeans brought peridot stones back from the Crusades to decorate church plates and robes. Peridot was also known to ancient Hebrews and is listed both as one of the stones used by Aaron as the second gemstone used on his breastplate.

Peridot: How are they formed?
The peridot is formed from a form of magma from the upper mantle (20 – 55 miles deep), and are brought to the service by tectonic or volcanic activity where they are in extrusive igneous rocks. These rocks turn into olivine, which is a silicate mineral rich in magnesium and iron. Once the olivine crystallizes, it turns into gemstone form and forms peridot. This process usually takes long periods of time (usually millions of years) through high temperature and pressure within the rocks.

Peridot: Color
The peridot is one of the few stones that come in one color: green. Though it has only one color it can come in many different hues such as lime, yellow green, olive green, and medium dark green. The intensity and tint of the green however depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow-green through olive green to brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color. The color of the peridot is the most important factor in determining its quality. Where emeralds have their own special green, which has perfect combination of yellow and blue hues, the peridot has its own special lime green color which makes it bright, lively and fresh.

Peridot: Cut
Most peridot cuts today are cut in a way that the stone is usually round or in an “emerald” cut. These cuts are usually made in the same region or area they were mined, usually in the south of Asia. A good cut of a peridot will be very noticeable to the eye because all facets are even and there are no windows in the stone where you can see through it.

Peridot: Clarity
Like all gemstones the peridot includes inclusions or internal “imperfections” which include either cracks or substances inside the gemstone which were made during the process of the gemstone’s formation. The most typical inclusion for the peridot is the “lillypad” inclusion, which are presence of biotite grains. The fewer the inclusions the higher the cost of the peridot will be. This is due to the fact that the less inclusions the more the peridot can “sparkle”.

Peridot: Carat
Peridots are not too rare and therefore are not that expensive. Small stones can be sold at about $5 per carat but if they do not have any inclusions they can be up to or under $50 per carat. Size does not play a big role in the cost compared to the previous C’s of the peridot but carat sizes of 8 carats or over depending on cut, clarity and color, can be worthy to display on a museum.

Ruby: Introduction

Red is the color of love, passion, vivacity, exuberance, and power. It is also the color of one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world -the ruby. The ruby is known to be the July birthstone and is the stone given on the 15th and 40th marriage anniversaries to provide happy couples a long prosperous marriage. In ancient times the ruby is known as the “king of gems”. The ruby has everything a precious stone would need- magnificent color, excellent hardness, and outstanding brilliance. The color of a ruby can range from fiery orange red to a deep purple red. Large rubies are hard to find, which make them rare, in some cases could be more valuable than a diamond of the same size.

Ruby: History

The ruby derives its name from the Latin word ruber which is a name that is based on its red color. Like many other gemstones the ruby has been used as a talisman to cure and protect. People in ancient times believed that rubies, if grounded into fine powder placed on the tip of the tongue were thought to have healing abilities for the blood as well as the heart. Many ancient cultures thought that wearing a ruby jewelry or under their skin will protect the user in battle. This is because of the ruby’s blood-like color. The Hindus and Greeks believed that the ruby’s color came from fire being trapped in the stone. They tried using rubies to boil water and even melt wax.

Famous Rubies

It is stated that flawless rubies mined from Burma are valued at millions of dollars. Although these mines generate outstanding rubies, it rarely generates rubies more than a few carats in weight. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington carries the largest Burmese ruby known to date. The 23.1 carat, Burmese ruby called the Carmen Lucia ruby is set inside a platinum ring with diamonds, was donated by a businessman and philanthropist in memory of his wife.

The largest said ruby in the world is owned by the Beijing Fugui Tianshi Jewelry Co. Ltd. This ruby weighed in at 8184g (over 18 pounds) and measures in at 5.11 X 5.43 X 5.70 inches in size. Other notable rubies are the Edwardes ruby (167ct), which resides in the British Museum of Natural History, the Rosser Reeves star ruby (138.7ct), which resides in the Smithsonian Institution, and the De Long star ruby (100 ct) in the American Museum of Natural History.

Ruby: What is it made of?

Ruby is of the corundum species which consists of the ruby and sapphire. The corundum next to the diamond is one of the hardest substances on Earth. On the Moh’s scale it registers as a 9, which comes second to diamond. Pure corundum is colorless and only red corundum can be considered as a ruby. All other color of corundum is considered a sapphire. Corundum is formed in igneous rocks that are relatively high in aluminum, but very low in silicon and in metamorphic environments with similar chemistry. In order for corundum to become a ruby, there must be certain minerals present in the rocks. Slight traces of elements such as chrome, iron, titanium or vanadium are responsible for the reddish color.

Ruby: Color

Just like emeralds, the ruby’s color is the most dominant feature. The color of a ruby can range from fiery orange red to a deep purple red. As previously mentioned the ruby is of the corundum class and only red corundum can be classified as a ruby. All other colors are sapphire.

There are three components that a ruby is measured by. These are tone, hue, and saturation. The tone is a measure of the deepness of the red color. It describes whether the red is dark, medium, or light. Medium to medium-dark are considered the best tone of red. The hue describes the slight presence or hue of other colors. The basic hues of the ruby are: red, slight orange, strong orange, slight purple, and strong purple. And the saturation (also called the purity or intensity) describes how well the gem has been saturated with the red colors and how free it is from any brown or grey colors. Unlike diamonds which has different color-grading systems, rubies lack a convenient method to characterize their color. This is due to the extreme range of tone, hue, and saturation in rubies. Judging the best color is based on the “eye of the beholder”. Most people believe that the rubies from the mines of Burma hold the greatest color of rubies. These rubies are called the Burmese Ruby or “Pigeons Blood” ruby.

Ruby: Cut

The best ruby cuts offer a depth/width ratio higher than comparable diamond cuts. These cuts are 65% – 80% for good quality rubies. If the ruby is cut too deep, it will make the stones look smaller than it is but it will show off more color than cut in normal proportions. These deep cut stones also preserve weight, increasing the cost of the stone. Stones that are too shallow will look bigger in weight will look larger than it is and will appear lighter in color.

It is hard find a perfectly cut ruby anywhere. This is because of two reasons. One reason that it is hard to find a perfect cut ruby is hard to find is that since rubies are so precious and rare; there is tentativeness to cut the necessary amount, during faceting process. Another reason why a perfect cut ruby is hard to find is that natural rubies when formed from the Earth’s crust are shaped in an octahedral shape, which is usually wide and flat. This is why most ruby jewelry very shallow.

Ruby: Enhancements

Improving the quality of gemstones is common practice in the industry. The most common practice of ruby enhancement is heat treatment. Most, if not all rubies in the lower end markets are heat treated in order to enhance the color and remove the blue patches on it. Heat treatment used to be done with simple tools such as a blow-pipe and charcoal burner. Today heat treatment is done using chemicals such as beryllium, borax, lead and tantalum. The temperature for heat treatment reaches temperatures over 1800 degrees Celsius (3300 Fahrenheit). Occasionally, the stress from heat treatment used to enhance the color will create fractures over time and may need to be repaired.

Another process for enhancing rubies, which is a less acceptable method, is glass filling. This process is done by filling the fractures inside the ruby with lead glass, which will dramatically improve the transparency of the stone. If color needs to be added, glass powder with copper or other elements such as sodium, calcium, potassium, etc are treated with the ruby. Glassing filling, if done correctly can actually make the ruby more durable.

Ruby: Synthetic/Imitation

Because the ruby was so sought after, it was the first gemstone to be made artificially. The first ever documented attempt of synthetic ruby was made by French chemist Marc A. Gaudin. He created synthetic rubies by fusing aluminum at high temperatures and using chromium as a pigment. The first ever synthetic ruby was created in 1902 by another French chemist, Auguste Victor Louis Verneuil using the flame fusion process. The process was done by melting the ruby into fine powder using an oxygen-hydrogen flame and then crystallizing it into what is called a boule. This process is considered to be the founding step in modern crystal growth technology and is still widely used today. Rubies created using flame fusion are commonly used in bearings or mundane jewelry like high school class rings. Other processes of creating synthetic rubies are done by pulling process, flux process, and hydrothermal process. Flame fusion is more widely used compared to the other processes because of the low cost involved in processing.

For a long time, the general public was not really aware that pink sapphires really existed. This is because the pink sapphire was considered so special by jewelers that pink sapphire jewelry was only really traded by insiders. As far as the general public knew, a sapphire did not really come in any other color but blue.

The truth is that the sapphire comes in many colors including yellow, green, pink, purple orange and of course blue. A sapphire that is any other color but blue is called a Fancy Sapphire. Some of these sapphires also have their own names. For instance, the orange sapphire, which hails from India, is called Padparadsha. Red sapphires are classified as rubies.

Pink sapphires are also sometimes called the girly sapphires. They become very popular after Paris Hilton was spotted wearing an enormous pink sapphire ring and pendant framed by two yellow canary diamonds. This led to a flurry of interest in pink sapphires, especially on the Home Shopping Network which had companies specializing in both natural and lab created pink sapphire jewellery. Currently the trend seems to be towards the large brass knuckle type ring that is paved with scores of tiny pink sapphire stones.

There is something very cheery, youthful and optimistic about pink sapphire jewelry. It is a feminine stone but it is also one of the strongest and hardest stones in the world registering at a MOH scale hardness of 9. In this sense you could say it is a symbol of “the velvet glove” – feminine strength.

It is the ideal precious stone to give to a younger woman perhaps as a present for a birthday or for graduating from college. Pink sapphire jewelry is hip these days because the off color sapphires (ones that are not the usual dark blue) epitomize the eclectic taste. They are also the ideal gift for any individual that collects rare, but precious gemstones especially if you can find a pink sapphire ring or pendant that boasts a particularly odd or bright shade of pink.

The pink sapphire is just as valuable and sometimes even more expensive than a high quality blue one. It is a durable stone that lasts for years. Like all sapphires it belongs to the corundum group of minerals, which are second only to diamonds in terms of their hardness. As they don’t scratch or chip easily, pink sapphires are also the ideal stone for the busy working woman as it is highly unlikely she will damage the stone. The pronged settings of a pink sapphire ring are more likely to wear out than the gemstone itself.

Its beauty, magnificent colors, its transparency but also its resistance and permanence are characteristics which gemstone lovers and experts assign to this gemstone – however, this does not only apply to blue Sapphire as will be pointed out later on. Sapphire belongs to the corundum group, which is set apart from other gemstones by their very good hardness (Grade 9 on the Mohs’ scale). They are second in hardness to diamonds only, and diamonds represent the hardest mineral on Earth! Because of their good harness, sapphires are easy to care for as gemstones and demand from their wearers only the usual and normal care.

The corundum group consists of pure aluminum oxide and other elements that make the stones different colors. The more chrome a gemstone in this family contains the redder it will be. Rubies, also known as red sapphires have a great deal of chrome and that is what gives them their blood red color. Pink sapphires have less chrome, but just enough to give them their gorgeous blush. Iron is the element that gives common sapphires that true blue color.

Sapphires and especially pink sapphires can be considered to be a “cut above” other gemstones. This is because they are mined from very deep within in the earth. Cutters of sapphires must be the best as it is a stone that can contain several hues in one rock. In order the stone to really sparkle and for the depth of its color to be brilliant and consistent, a real expert must handle it. Otherwise the stone will be dull.

Like rubies and sapphires, pink sapphires can be heat treated in order to get rid of a dark core or an uneven color. The least expensive pink sapphire ring and pendants tend to be set with these heat-treated gemstones.

The fact that natural pink sapphires do vary so much in color from stone to stone makes them truly individual. The pink sapphire can range in hue from an almost purplish pink, to rosy pink to pink with a yellowish cast to baby pink. Even if you don’t like pink that much, there is a pink sapphire gemstone out there in a hue to suit you.

Sapphires can be a bit odd in the way that they reflect light. Before you buy a pink sapphire ring, see if it sparkles as much in daylight as it does in artificial light. A peculiar feature of this family of gemstones is that some only really glitter in sunlight and others only glitter in artificial light. Look for a gemstone that is satiated in pink and even in color it will be most likely to reflect both types of light.

The oldest Sapphire mines are situated in Sri Lanka, which used to be known as Ceylon. These mines are being rapidly depleted so the next best three natural sources of pink sapphires are from Burma, India Thailand, Australia and Brazil.

Like all precious gemstones, the value of a pink sapphire depends on size, color and transparency. It also depends where the pink sapphire is from. Those mined in Kashmir are considered to be the most precious followed by ones from Burma and Sri Lanka. Heat treated gemstones are much less expensive as they are not as “natural.” The absolutely cheapest pink sapphire jewelry usually contains lab created pink sapphires, which are absolutely perfect. These are the types of stones you are most likely to find in discount pink sapphire jewelry.

Sapphire: Within the gem trade, sapphire – as we refer to it is known as the blue variety of the corundum mineral (Rubies are the red variety of the corundum mineral). The darkest blue sapphire, known as Kashmir or cornflower blue is the most valuable of all blue sapphires. I like the gemstone because it is tough and durable. Synthetic sapphires were first synthesized in 1902, and to the untrained eye – it is nearly impossible to distinguish the difference between a natural sapphire and synthetic man made sapphire. If you question the realness of your gem, take it to a jeweler.

Aquamarine: Aquamarine is a fairly common gemstone, which in turn makes it very affordable as well. it gets it name from the Latin phrase “water of the sea”, it is the blue-green variety of the mineral Beryl. One little known fact is that the light color of the stone may actually fade over time. Keep that in mind if you purchase a cheap one, it is best to buy from a reputable dealer.Aquamarine gems are usually flawless, finding one with visible flaws is rare and for this reason, synthetic aquamarine stones aren’t typically available and cost more to manufacture than the real stone itself.

Spinel: Spinel isn’t often talked about amongst “lay people”, but is certainly popular within the gemstone trade. In its pure form, spinel is colorless or white, however when impurities are added – it can become any desired color. Blue spinel is often confused for the blue sapphire.

Blue Topaz: The topaz gemstone comes in several colors including blue. Natural dark hue blue topaz is uncommon, so white or lighter colored natural topaz stones are heat treated to create the dark-ish blue that we often associate with the stone. Comparatively speaking, topaz is less durable than other gems – making it easier to chip and more difficult to cut.

How is a Keshi Pearl formed?
There is a unique way that a keshi pearl can form inside the shell. It is stimulated to grow by planting a bead nucleus into the oyster. A bead nucleus is usually taken from the outer shell of clams and formed to a regular round shape. This bead will then be implanted into the soft tissue of the mollusk. When this irritant is placed inside the mollusk, the production of nacre begins.

Nacre production is the defense mechanism of the shell in order to protect itself from any foreign matter. Nacre is made to wrap the foreign bodies that have entered the shell.

However, there are instances that the shell spits out the bead nucleus even before it becomes a good pearl. Even without the foreign object, the shell continues to produce nacre because it has already gotten irritated. What happens is that the nacre clumps together without a nucleus, and the result is a distinct pearl. The rejection process Forms a secondary product called the keshi pearl.

Keshi pearl is a by-product of actual pearl culture
As outlined, keshi pearls are accidental growths inside the mother oyster. The primary product that is actually planned for is the symmetrical, proportionately shaped pearl or the cultured round pearl. The rounded and regular pearl always sell for a higher price due to its good symmetry. Even though the irregular shape of keshi pearls gives them a distinct appeal, they are still priced lower than the round ones.

How does a keshi pearl look like?
If you want to go shopping for keshi jewelry, you have to know what it should look like. Keshi has a solid nacre component and because of that, each pearl has unusually bright luster.

Keshi pearls can be found in many shapes but generally are irregular. Each one is definitely different than the others. Layer upon layer of pure nacre makes the keshi produce a rainbow of colors, and this contributes even more to their appeal. Because they’re exotic and unique, keshi pearls are a fashion accessory that makes the wearer stand out.

This kind of pearl can be seen in a variety of colors and shades. Pearl farmers have discovered the technology of applying dyes according to the preferences of the market. Different cultures have distinct color preferences, depending on the shade of their skin. The possibility of color matching has provided pearl culture a good way to attract more and more clients for these precious pearls. To be clear, keshis are real pearls although they are cultured.

Pearls are timeless pieces of gems. You can never go wrong wearing pearls such as keshis. Aside from its trendy colors and designs that can be made to match any outfit, it can be used in any occasion. It can be worn whether you are out for some late afternoon shopping or for a night out.

Looking for more information about keshi pearls, freshwater pearls, pearl necklace, pearl earrings and other pearl jewelry, visit YouPearl Jewelry at http://www.youpearl.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Ko
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By Tina Ko

Popular and common pearls are usually spherical in shape. They are formed by mollusks, which attempts to get rid of irritants that enter their shells as foreign objects or minute worms. A study conducted by scientists showed that the larva of a tapeworm is responsible for the irritation, causing the mollusk to secrete nacre coating to the irritant and forming the pearl. In freshwater mussels, flukes also act as irritants. But in general, sand is the most common culprit that forms the nucleus. The mollusk surrounds the irritant and excretes nacre, which solidifies into a thin layer. After which, more and more concentric layers re formed until a spherical pearl is formed.

Baroque pearls, on the other hand are solid but not so well-shaped. They are irregularly shaped and can come from freshwater pearls to saltwater pearls. They can be oval shaped or teardrop-shaped. Some Akoya pearls or the Japanese saltwater cultured pearls are also considered baroque. Mollusks or mussel shells are inserted with a foreign object that makes the animal react by secreting nacre to coat the irritant. The Japanese have pioneered in this type of industry, culturing pearls as early as the 1920s. They use a mother-of-pearl bead inserted into the mollusk or mussel, usually three-quarters to nine-tenths of the diameter of the desired size or shape of the pearl.

Cultured pearls usually form spherical shapes but baroque pearls are produced through the culturing process. In the past, they have been considered failed attempts but they are now highly valued for their color and their distinct shapes.

Natural baroque pearls however, are more treasured because of their beautiful colors and luster. Tahitian baroque pearls are among the best. Jeremy Shepherd, CEO of a pearl-trading company describes them as having “turquoise and peacock overtones”. They have a quality in them that can be attributed to the waters as well as the types of mollusks and mussels found in the islands.

They can be made into stunning pieces of jewelry. Diana Holden, a jeweler says that baroque pearls are very flexible pieces of gemstones because of their shapes. She likes using them for her avant-garde designs that younger people like to wear. Although spherical pearls occupy the top position, their perfection can be monotonous. Holden says she likes the naturally made baroque pearls versus the cultured ones because their colors can be unexpected. However, for pieces that require uniformity, she relies on freshwater cultured baroque pearls.

You can make practically any type of jewelry with baroque pearls. Necklaces are common items. The teardrop-shapes can rest as the pendant while smaller ones can complete the strand. Just a few years ago, pearls hit the market in a big way. Women started wearing pearl strands as well as chandelier pearl earrings in many different lengths and sizes.

The very modern take on a very classy piece of pearl jewelry gave way to baroque pearls as becoming a fashion statement. It also became fashionable to file strands of pearls as bracelets, earrings and rings. Baroque pearls were much preferred for their flexibility, color, size and shape. They are also much more inexpensive compared to spherical ones. Ironically, it is their imperfection that has made them a commercial success.

For more types and shapes of baroque pearls, freshwater pearls, pearl necklace, pearl earrings and other pearl jewelry, visit YouPearl Jewelry at http://www.youpearl.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Ko
http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-a-Fashion-Statement-With-Baroque-Pearl&id=1265778

By Laura Firenze

Summer is a great time to get married. You have such beautiful warm weather, the sunshine, blue skies, and long relaxed days. Capture this feeling perfectly by choosing summery coin pearl jewelry for your wedding.

Coin pearls are different than typical pearls because they are shaped like large flat discs instead of being the more common spherical shape. Often seen in white, silvery-white, or silver, coin pearls have the same gorgeous luster as freshwater or akoya pearls, but they also feel more unique. Coin pearl wedding jewelry is perfect for summer because it can make a statement without being as formal as a traditional strand of pearls.

There are many beautiful styles of coin pearl jewelry that you can choose for your wedding. One of the prettiest looks is a double strand of coin pearls on a light silver chain. You can mix in a few dainty Swarovski crystals for that touch of sparkle that every bride loves. The open design of this type of necklace has a breezy feeling that is ideal for summer. This necklace is one that has a strong presence, but is also airy enough to be worn for a less formal wedding. It is also a great style to enjoy after the wedding, with everything from dresses to blouses to a simple scoopneck t-shirt.

The enduring popularity of strapless gowns for brides and their bridesmaids means that finding the perfect necklace is key. Strapless dresses have such an open expanse of skin at the top that they really need a bold necklace to help fill up the space. (Not to mention that if you do not wear a necklace you can end up looking naked in close up shots!) If you do not think that your bridesmaids will have the right jewelry to wear with their gowns, you can give them a special set of wedding jewelry as your bridesmaid gift to them.

A great necklace for brides and bridesmaids alike is a short strand of coin pearls that are strung close together. You can either have the stand handcrafted from just the coin pearls or you can alternate the pearls with small crystals to make it dressier for evening. One thing that every bride loves about coin pearls is that their large size (10-12mm) does not come with an equally large price tag, so you can get a lot of look for your money.

Brides who have more classic taste will adore bridal jewelry that is made with a combination of coin pearls and regular round pearls. They make a beautiful pairing when strung together, especially as a multi-strand necklace. The nice size of the coin pearls will make a bolder statement than a basic strand of pearls. In addition, the more unique flavor of the coin pearls lends the necklace a more relaxed feeling that is ideal for a warm weather wedding, whether it is in your hometown or at a more exotic tropical destination.

The dramatic style of coin pearls is one of the top looks for summer weddings. These fun and interesting pearls make for wedding jewelry that will set you apart from the crowd. If you are looking for the perfect finishing touch for your summer wedding, take a look at coin pearl jewelry – you will be glad you did!



Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Coin pearl wedding jewelry looks fresh and pretty for a summer wedding.

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You’ll sparkle with beauty in these 10k gold amethyst drop earrings.

* Cushion-cut amethyst stones celebrate your February birthday.
* Diamond accents exude dazzling style.
* Gold construction promises lasting shine.
* Post backings ensure a reliable fit.
* Details:
o Online exclusive
o 6-mm length
o Pierced
o 10k gold

Shine on. You’ll stand out wearing this 10k gold amethyst bracelet.

* Emerald-cut amethyst stones celebrate your February birthday.
* Gold construction promises lasting brilliance.
* Safety clasp ensures a reliable fit.
* Details:
o Online exclusive
o 7-in. length
o 10k gold

A touch of grace. Make any look extra special with this breathtaking Tahitian pearl pendant.

Iridescent pearl adds amazing color from every angle.
Delicate perfectina chain completes this elegant necklace.
Gold construction offers brilliant shine.
Spring-ring clasp ensures a reliable fit.
Details:
1/2-in. pendant
18-in. chain
14k gold

This beautiful ring is sure to make a statement. A 4.5 carat cushion cut green amethyst is set in crisp 14 karat white gold and flanked on both sides by ten sparkling diamonds. A matching pendant and earrings are also available at checkout to complete the set.

Gender: Female
Birthstone: February
Metal Weight (g): 4.0
Gem Weight (ct): 4.45
Diamond Certification: No
Age Segment: Adult

Soar to new style heights in this luxurious necklace. Featuring oval-cut amethysts set in the wings of a butterfly pendant. With a diamond accent to add sparkle to the sweet design. And a spring-ring clasp that keeps the 10k gold chain securely around your neck. Plus, it comes in a white leatherette box for easy gift giving and storage. A unique accessory that will attract lots of attention.

Online exclusive
3/8-in. pendant
18-in. chain
10k gold

Stunning solitaire. You’ll be the center of attention in this lovely white gold Tahitian pearl necklace. Comes in a white leatherette box for convenient storage and gift giving.

Lustrous Tahitian pearl offers iridescent appeal.
Fine rope chain adds a soft touch.
White gold construction promises unending shine.
Lobster-claw clasp guarantees a secure fit.
Details:
Online exclusive
10-mm pearl
18-in. length
14k white gold

When you think of topaz, you more than likely imagine the beautiful blue colored stone that has become sort of like a trademark for this particular semi-precious gemstone. What most people don’t know is that blue topaz is a rare occurrence in the natural. Pure topaz is in fact colorless, which is why many people looking for an alternative to diamonds often go for the colorless or white topaz. The stone comes in many different shades though – lets take a look at those now.

Mystic topaz: If you’ve ever seen a mystic topaz, also known as mystic fire topaz, chances are – you had no clue it was a topaz. It is known for its rainbow effect coloring. Similar to the blue topaz, this coloring does not happen naturally. The mystic topaz is an enhanced version of the white topaz that is brushed with a think layer of titanium or other metal. The coating is applied very very thinly, and when done properly, it changes the white topaz’s natural refraction – with the end result being a beautiful rainbow colored stone. Blues, greens and yellows are the primary colors refracted, and it often has an iridescent effect as well. Although the gemstone has grown in popularity, the mystic topaz is actually quite affordable. The mystic topaz has become a popular unique engagement ring for a variety of reasons including it’s inexpensive price point, and the fact that it is a great alternative to the diamond industry.

White (Colorless) Topaz: In its natural, untreated state – topaz is in fact colorless. Because of its fire and brilliance, the white topaz can often be confused for a diamond to the untrained or unaware eye. Because it is a semi-precious stone, available in the abundance on the retail market, it is very affordable. If you are thinking of purchasing a white topaz engagement ring, please note that the stone has a tendency to scratch and get cloudy – which means that you will likely need to have it polished on a regular basis. There are better alternatives to white stone diamond alternatives for engagement rings including white sapphire and zicron.

Blue topaz: Also the birthstone for the month of December, the blue topaz is made in three distinct shades of blue. It’s important to note that the blue hue is a very rare natural occurrence. To achieve the various shades, the stone is heated, be it by a natural heat source or engineered heating source. The three shades of blue are the sky blue, Swiss blue and London blue topaz. The London blue topaz is a very deep blue and often mistaken for the blue sapphire.

Like many other precious and semi-precious stones, topaz comes in a multitude of other colors as well including orange, yellow and brown.It is a generally affordable stone that makes for beautiful engagement rings, birthday and holiday gift ideas.

A real crowd pleaser. A beautiful emerald cut 5.4 carat green amethyst is laid in crisp 14 karat white gold. 10 sparkling diamonds are laid in 2 sleek strips of white gold on top of this beautiful gem. A matching pendant is also available.

Gender: Female
Finish: Polished
Birthstone: February
Metal Weight (g): 5.4
Gem Weight (ct): 5.4
Diamond Certification: No
Age Segment: Adult

Enchant onlookers with this mesmerizing Rose de France amethyst and diamond necklace.

Sparkling diamond accents surround an oval-cut Rose de France amethyst stone, offering dazzling elegance.
Gold construction promises enduring shine.
Spring-ring clasp guarantees a stay-in-place fit.
Details:
Online exclusive
1-in. pendant
18-in. chain
10k gold

Lustrous luxury. You deserve this magnificent pearl necklace.

Delicate filigree pendant with diamond accents gives you a lovely look.
Dyed chocolate drop Tahitian pearl dangles and delights.
Dainty box chain shimmers around your neck.
Gold construction glows, year after year.
Spring-ring clasp keeps your necklace in place.
Details:
Online exclusive
8-9-mm pearl
19-in. chain
14k gold

Nothing short of perfection. You’ll fall head over heels in love with the soft color and elegant look of this ring. Coordinate it with a beautiful dress or pants and a stylish top. Plus, it comes in a white leatherette box for convenient storage and gift giving.

Iridescent, blue mother-of-pearl shell rests in a teardrop shape, surrounded by channel-set blue topaz and diamond accents.
14k gold band has a captivating design and brilliant glow to create a breathtaking appearance.
Details:
Online exclusive
13-mm x 19-mm center shell
Size 7
                                                                              14k gold

Green amethyst is from the same quartz family as the traditional purple amethyst, but its glorious mint green hue gives it a special radiant glow.

Jewelry Material: White Gold
Finish: Polished
Hallmark: 14kt
Stone: Diamond / Amethyst
Gold Purity (ct): 14
Weight (g): 1.9
Gem Weight (ct): 4.5
Shape: Oval
Cut: Round
Diamond Clarity: I1
Diamond Color: H

Incite awe in this gold Tahitian black pearl necklace. The perfect addition to your jewelry collection.

• Dangling iridescent black pearl dazzles with its unique beauty.
• Gold box chain promises endless shine.
• Spring-ring clasp ensures a secure fit.
• Details:
  • Online exclusive
  • 11-12-mm pearl pendant
  • 18-in. chain
  • 14k gold

You’ll outshine the stars wearing this 10k gold Cassiopeia topaz pendant.

Oval-cut Cassiopeia topaz stone emits stellar sparkle.
Diamond accents glitter and glow.
Rope chain adds an elegant touch.
Gold construction promises lasting brilliance.
Spring-ring clasp ensures a secure fit.
Details:
9/10-in. pendant
18-in. necklace
10k gold

Buy Now: 10k Gold Cassiopeia Topaz Pendant

- 14k gold wings with diamond accents are attached to two Tahitian pearls to make up the butterfly.
- Delicate 14k gold chain adds an elegant touch.
- Lobster-claw clasp ensures a comfortable fit.
Details:
Online exclusive (You can only purchase this online!! Get yours today!)
1/2″ x 1″ pendant
18-in. chain
                                                                               14k gold

Variety is a spice of life! Add some spice to your collection with these earrings. These earrings set in 14k white gold with diamonds and black colored Tahitian pearl gives a gorgeous look for any occasion. Pair with a black tahitian pearl necklace
Jewelry Material: White Gold
Finish: Polished
Stone: Diamond / Pearl
Pearl Color: Black
Pearl Origin: Tahitian Cultured
Birthstone: April
Synthetic: No
Gold Purity (ct): 14
Gem Weight (ct): 0.43
Occasion: Anniversary / Promise / Wedding / Engagement
Earring Type: Diamond Accented
Age Segment: Adult / Teen

 
Tahitian Black Cultured Pearl with 0.10 Ct.T.W. Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds in White Gold Ring. The powerful beauty of pearl and diamond combines with this amazing Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring purely crafted in 14K White Gold. An 8.00 mm dark round pearl boldly takes center stage amidst the ring’s sleek shoulders peppered with eight brilliantly shimmering 0.10 Ct.T.W. round diamonds in channel setting. The slender shank is perfect for comfortable wear. Metal 14K White Gold Approx Wgt 3.34 gms. Finish Satin Diamonds Round Brilliant Cut Color Avg. H Clarity Avg. SI Approx Carat 0.10 Ct.T.W. # Of Pcs. 8 Gemstones Tahitian Black Cultured Pearl Quality AA Size 8 mm # Of Pcs. 1 Setting Channel
Jewelry Material: White Gold
Finish: Polished
Stone: Diamond
Birthstone: April
Gold Purity (ct): 14
Weight (g): 3.34
Metal Weight (g): 3.34
Gem Weight (ct): 0.1
Shape: Round
Diamond Clarity: SI2
Diamond Color: I
Setting: Channel
Occasion: Anniversary / Promise / Wedding / Engagement
Ring Size: 6.5
Age Segment: Adult

Thought to activate the laws of attraction and bring about manifestation of your desires, blue topaz is the beautiful birthstone for the month of December. Although pure topaz is colorless (or more popuarly referred to as white topaz, a great diamond alternative) you will find topaz in a wide range of colors. It is not uncommon to have yellow, gold, pink, red and even green topaz stones. The blue color that most envision when they think of a topaz stone is actually created when the gem is heated, be it natural heat or man-made engineered heat. A blue topaz comes in three distincly different “shades” of blue; sky, swiss and london blue.

The London blue topaz is a beautiful deep blue that is often mistaken or substituted for a Sapphire. The sky blue topaz
is the traditional topaz that most of us think about when considering the December birth stone. A symbolic sign of
love and fidelity – this holiday season is the perfect time to give the gift of topaz!

Blue Topaz as an Engagement ring: Although the diamond solitaire will always have it’s place as the traditional
enagement ring, gemstone engagement rings and birthstone engagement rings are increasing in popularity. As many in generation y begin to reject the notion that you have to spend three months salary on the ring, unique alternatives
to the traditional diamond are highly sought. A topaz ring is a perfect option if your love celebrates her birthday
in December or if she just loves the stone in general. You can add to the natural splendor of the blue topaz with a
diamond setting around the band of the ring. Not only is this a truly unique option but it is also affordable.

Blue Topaz as a Holiday Gift: Whether you’re celebrating the Holiday season or a December birthday, topaz is a
perfect gift for the winter season. The great thing about jewelry is that it is really a perfect gift for all ages and both genders. If you’re shopping for a young girl, a pretty topaz earring, necklace and bracelet set is certain to bring a smile to her face. Jewelry may not be your first choise when shopping for a man, so look for other things that may incorporate a topaz stone such as a personalized money clip, watch, flask or pocket watch.

If you’re anything like me, you really want to avoid the holiday crowds – fortunately you can find a ton of great deals from reputable retailers right on the internet!

The mokume gane rings can be made from a variety of different metals, the most popular combinations are usually a white on white, or an 18 karat palladium white gold fused with platinum enhanced silver or a gold mix of 18 karat yellow gold with 14 karat rose gold. These rings can truly be as unique as you want them to be. You are not limited to those metal combinations as the various mokume gane ring designers all have different materials that they like to work with.

Now the mokume gane process obviously applies to the band of your ring – as more people become familiar with this, and opt to wear one as a bridal set – the addition of diamonds and other gemstones is growing in popularity. Making these types of rings is truly an art form, so expect the price point to be a tad bit higher than a traditional engagement ring.

Although these types of bands are growing in trend, some women may not favor the detailing of the bands. Adding diamond settings into the band will soften the look

Regardless of how much money you have, the cost of an engagement ring is always an issue. No matter how deeply you love someone, it doesn’t make engagement rings any less expensive. Taking that in mind here is a guide to finding an inexpensive but meaningful ring to promise forever with.

The best place to begin your search for inexpensive rings is, of course, the internet. Ring shopping online allows you to see rings, prices, and stone selection, without ever having to set food in a store. You local jeweler is also sometimes a really good resource for finding the ultimate inexpensive rock. If you have to go really inexpensive, try looking through the fine jeweler displays at Wal-Mart or Kohl’s. Even eBay has some really nice rings starting as low as 46 dollars to over 900 thousand dollars.

If you find the ring of your dreams, but can’t afford it, try to work on payment plans with the jewelry dealer. If you have good credit, you will see better results for this that someone who was trying to get an engagement ring with a low or average credit score.

More inexpensive planning for big moment

• think outside of the box
• propose at her job or in front of her family
• propose at the location of your very first date
• Go dancing, ask the DJ to play her favorite song and allow you to propose in front of the crowd
• Go on a moonlit walk, have a friend prepare an evening picnic and propose over a glass of wine

All that’s left now is for you to sweep her off her feet and take her into a world that she had previously thought to be a figment of her fantastic imagination. Take her breath away. She doesn’t ever need to know that her ring didn’t break the bank, and if she’s a smart girl, she wouldn’t care even if she did know. Find the ring, take it to her, get down on your one knee and ask her to promise she’ll love you for the rest of your days.

Women in modern America all seem to have this fascination for designer rings. The rings are getting bigger and more extravagant by the day. It’s like a regular social competition for women of significant social status to show off their outrageous rocks and see how highly they rank amongst their friends. Designer rings are even more unique, as they are sometimes made specifically for you or your loved one. Some designers even work hard to re create the jewelry that is famous because celebrities wore or purchased them.

Designer rings are so popular for the same reason that designer gowns are popular. One reason is the ability to design a custom ring, and two for the sheer status that comes with the price tag and the designer’s names.

A few places you can find designer engagement rings:

Anat Schocher
Brynn Capella
Ayanna Betha
Chic Gems
Aaron Barak

Costs of Modern Designer Engagement Rings:

Designer rings cost anywhere between $$3,400-15,600, and sometimes more, but they are special because they speak of confidence and security. They are priceless, and they say that you will do anything to keep your loved one happy. They also speak largely to status and wealth.

Arguments against Designer Rings:

Expensive doesn’t always mean better.
They are too expensive for the average American.
Some may consider this type of expense a needless splurge.

Whether you think it’s within your price range or not, you should check out some designer diamond engagement rings. It will allow you a good chance to see what kinds of rings that are available and at what price. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you can afford, and remember that financing options are usually available at your local retailers, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be paid for at once. That’s all I’ve got for you, so drop the mouse and go find her ring. It’s going to be perfect.

*photo courtesy of Verragio.com Insignia collection

Proposals have become one of the biggest occasions in a woman’s life in our society. Most women want to brag about how wonderful it was to their friends. It’s not about the right restaurant or the perfect string quartet while you ask. They expect those things. Do something unique that will really show her you care. Here are a few fun ideas to keep it interesting.

Compliant Captive

If money is of no concern to you, here is something that will capture her heart for sure.

Call into her work and either tell her boss what your planning or tell them you fiancé to be is going to be taking her vacation and sick days on a set date. Plan a romantic getaway to an island, cabin, or mountain filled with adventure and spoil her, but don’t tell her yet that you will propose. On the day of, whisk her away answering only what you have to and then ask for her hand in marriage. 

Clue

This only takes a night
Get home before she does and set up, leave her a text message telling her when to come home. While you are waiting make a trail of petals to little love notes placed around your home, these love notes should have loving comments and instructions on what should be done next. Include a warm bath and a meal cooked by you, complete with massages and candles. Once she is properly relaxed, lovingly propose, and watch her say yes.

As you can see, proposals can be inexpensive and still romantic. After all it’s the thought that counts. It really is all about how much you genuinely care.

What NOT to do!:

• Putting engagement rings in food can be catastrophic if not really well planned.
• Never bring up past relationships or troubles during the proposal.
• Don’t be unsure of yourself. Confidence is sexy.
• Don’t propose out of obligation. Make sure you ask because you love her.

I know you are a little nervous, but try what works for you, and what you know shell like. If she loves baseball, put it on the scoreboard. The beach, ask her while you’re standing together with the waves at your ankles. There are simply tons of memorable and unique ways to ask for forever.

If your ring is going to be different, don’t just let it be strange, let it mean something. You have to choose a ring that actually says something without saying anything. You should be able to get down on one knee, open that box, and see her nodding her head before you even get the words out. Her quick reply won’t be because she’s in love with the jewelry, but because she’s in love with a person who knows her enough to get a ring that is absolutely perfect.

You can’t send that message any better than you can with the enviable green majesty of an emerald engagement ring. Known for being the sacred stone of the Greek goddess Venus, emeralds have also been long associated with bringing reason and wisdom to those who wear it.

Beautiful by itself or accented by diamonds, an emerald will complement any skin tone. It does look especially nice though, against caramel skin or for anyone with olive colored undertones. Extremely refractive, emeralds will shine in any light, and it’s guaranteed to be a beauty she’ll be proud to show off to her friends. The only difference between an emerald and an aquamarine is that the emerald has less air bubbles in the stone itself, which produces the much darker green color.

You can find emerald engagement rings at almost any of your local jewelers. If you are hunting for something more than extraordinary, you may need to go online or search in your phone book for jewelers that do custom emerald engagement rings. That way, you can choose every facet of the most important ring she’ll ever wear.

At www.israeldiamonds.com, you can design your own emerald engagement ring right online. They have selections for bands, settings, metal, and type of gemstone. You can select the color, cut, and clarity of the stone as well. Good luck in your search for the emerald that matches her eyes.

Every day, engagement rings are becoming more and more extravagant. There are entire magazines devoted to them, websites that will help you design them, and jewelers that will help you find one that’s morally conscious. Beautiful and elegant rings are being crafted using colored diamonds or gemstones as well. One really nice alternative to a diamond engagement ring is one that features a mineral called Moissanite.

Moissanite is a mineral that was first discovered on the inside of a meteor in the year 1893. Because there were very limited amounts of the substance on earth, it has since been recreated as a gemstone in laboratories. It has some carbon properties, much like a diamond, but they are not the same. This stone is better at reflecting light than a diamond is. It has also been proven to be much more durable. Are you ready for the best part yet? Moissanite engagement rings are much less expensive than diamonds and they look so much like the coveted gemstone that many professionals cannot easily distinguish between the two!

You do have to remember to be careful to check the color of your Moissanite very well, under a few different lightings if possible. This is because with the mineral makeup differences between a diamond and Moissanite, the latter stone may tend to have gray or green hues, especially in dim lights. Moissanite is not a fake diamond. It does look like a diamond, but they are, in fact, two separate stones, each one beautiful in its own way.

A good place to get a Moissanite engagement ring is JC Penny. They almost always have some in stock. Many other local retailers also have a nice selection of Moissanite jewelry but if you still have trouble finding a place close enough to you, you can visit www.moissanite.com. It has a feature that will actually pull up your location on a map, and show you what Moissanite retailers are in your area. Take a look, and discover the beauty of Moissanite.

If you are looking for a more delicate ring with intricate detail, look into purchasing a filigree diamond or gemstone engagement ring. They are set with specific attention to ornamentation and unique style. There are many retailers that sell filigree engagement rings, and some even specialize in only filigree style bands and settings.

One such store that sells beautiful examples of the filigree setting is Whitehouse Brothers. They have been specializing in these types of rings for more than a century, and have an excellent reputation for quality

customer service. Their rings are known for their beautiful lace-like metal designs and the unique band detail that can sometimes also resemble flowers or abstract geometric patterns. Search for a retailer near you at www.whitehousebros.com. If they are too far away, call them and they can help you with your ring design over the phone or online.

Another special and individual style of ring setting is the pave engagement ring. This style is so highly ornamental, that typically, the stone itself is a simple round diamond that is set up high, almost away from the band, so as not to detract from the handiwork of the metal itself. Look online to get an idea of what these beauties look like, to decide if it’s the right choice for you. At

www.jamesallen.com/engagementrings, you can find a delightful pave ring, starting as low as just 499 dollars. They do get more expensive as the weight of the stone itself increases. Remember that you can choose to have another type of gemstone with a pave setting, so there are ways to make sure you find a beautiful ring at an affordable price.

When the day comes, and you are on one knee asking for her hand, you want to be confident that her ring will be everything she hoped for. Filigree and Pave rings are both excellent props for taking her breath away.

Everyone knows that an engagement ring is one of the most significant pieces of jewelry a person will buy or receive in their lifetime. The most traditional style of engagement ring is a round brilliant cut diamond set on a single, solid band. This is a beautiful way to demonstrate your love for someone, but sometimes, a traditional and classic ring simply isn’t what you are looking for.

A great way to make your ring a little bit more special for that wonderful someone is to add a little color to the diamond itself. Your local jeweler should be able to show you some beautiful colored diamonds which are often rare and highly sought after. Colored diamonds most often are found in yellow, pink, blue, and green shades and are a beautiful way to show that you mean forever.

Birthstone rings are also a nice alternative to the traditional diamond ring. Birthstone engagement rings usually have the birthstone as the focal point of the ring, but accented by small diamonds for sparkle. This is very personal and elegant method of making it all about who she really is.

Cubic Zirconium (cz) rings have stones as their focal point that look like diamonds but they are much more easily affordable. These stones still have an incredible shine and can handle all of the same cuts as a diamond can. Look for some Cubic zirconium jewelry and engagement rings online so that you can get an idea of what it looks like and whether or not it’s for you. Don’t try to convince her it’s a diamond though! That might be a mess.

When purchasing a non-traditional engagement ring, you have to be sure to keep your partner’s preferences in mind. This will ensure that they are not disappointed in the ring that you do choose, making that extraordinary day as close as it can possibly get to perfection.

You love him dearly. He loves you deeply. Both of you know that you plan to spend the rest of your lives together, but he still hasn’t popped the question. Maybe he is a little shy or he can’t afford to buy the ring just yet. It is also possible that he is just afraid you might say no. Whatever the reason is that the two of you have yet to make it official, sometimes it is necessary to take a little action to get the wedding ball rolling. So, the proverbial million dollar question is “Should a Woman Propose Marriage?”

According to an article found at www.lovetripper.com, a survey on proposals that was by Korbel Champagne found that almost one in three (31 percent) Americans were friends with or had met a woman who has asked a man to marry her, rather than the other way around.. It is becoming more and more accepted every day for a woman to be the one who’s getting down on one knee and asking someone to promise they’ll love her forever.

From choosing the venue for the proposal to figuring out how to ask for forever, asking for someone’s hand in marriage can be an overwhelming process no matter who is doing the asking. Be sure that you are ready, that you have prepared well in advance, and if your partner doesn’t want to wear a ring, find a creative solution for a substitute so you are not at a loss for what to do rather than presenting a ring. (A watch or masculine bracelet could work.)

Jason R. Rich, author of “Will You Marry Me? Popping the Question with Romance and Style” (The Career Press, 2003) says that regardless of who proposes, “understanding the expectations and dreams of the person you’re proposing to — and taking them into consideration during the planning process — is the first step in bringing a perfect proposal to life.”

With the economy becoming worse every day, and everyone thus short on extra cash, making a large purchase such as an engagement ring is difficult for some people. For others, it is impossible. Many men have wanted to propose to their girlfriend and hesitated because of the lack of funds for an engagement ring they could be proud to present. Other times, women are proposing to their boyfriends, and the boyfriends don’t want to wear an engagement ring. Sometimes, Couples are having their ring special ordered and it won’t be ready for a long time.

Often times, couples have even elected to forego the engagement ring so they could save more money for the wedding itself. Regardless of the reason for the ring’s absence at the proposal, there are a few key things to remember when popping the question with no shiny rock to mark the occasion.

One of the most prominent issues with proposing without a ring is deciding what you will do instead. What do you do with your hands? Do you still get down on one knee? Remember that the proposal without a ring is all about the question. How and where you ask are critically important details. What time you ask and whether or not the person is in a good mood are also crucial.

Because a marriage proposal is a formal way of saying “I want to be with you forever”, the ring really isn’t everything. Make sure you are ready and have already decided what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. If you are going to use a public venue, (such as a billboard) you need to plan each detail meticulously to ensure that she sees or hears your announcement when it happens. She needs to have already eaten, gotten something to drink, and made a visit to the ladies’ room. (It sounds silly, but if she’s got to go while your billboard lights up, you’ll be sorry.) It’s nerve wracking trying to find the perfect way to do this, and more so without the ring, but you can make it. Be confident, charismatic, and genuine, gentlemen. Ring or no ring, she won’t be able to say no.

It might be very challenging to know which discount diamond engagement rings to buy at first glance. While some of us think this is a clear-cut process, you will learn that there may be a number of challenges involved in finding diamond rings that are worth the value of your money. You got to have a little bit of knowledge to enable you to buy the right diamond for your specific needs. Most of us know about the four Cs but are not aware of the fifth, which is equally important.

Cut: When looking at discount diamond engagement rings, you should always ask about the cut. This is an important thing to know when buying a diamond ring because it will affect the brilliance of the diamond. There are different cuts, which you need to look at so that you pick on one that impresses you the most. Some of the cuts that are commonly found are princess, baguette, marquise, and round cuts. Once you have looked at the cut of the diamond, you are faced with another task of looking at the other Cs of diamond. A combination of these Cs will make you to pick the best diamond available.

Clarity: Inclusions, or otherwise known as flaws, are what is contained in all naturally occurring diamonds. When a diamond has fewer flaws, its clarity will definitely be higher. Therefore, when you need to buy discount diamond engagement rings, you have to look at the clarity ratings. Those with fewer flaws or inclusions are more valuable and thus are more brilliant in appearance as they are known to be brighter. This is why it is important to look at the clarity of the diamond in order to pick the best diamond available.

Color: When you want to buy discount diamond engagement rings, it is crucial to look at the color and if it is possible, you compare them. A diamond that is colorless is considered the best perfection so picking a one that is less yellowing or is off white, the better for you. Color is very important in determining the quality of diamond so when shopping for one you always look at the color to determine its quality.

Carat Weight: This is how the size of a diamond is measured and so carat weight is very important in determining the quality. The weight and size of diamond will determine its price so the bigger the diamond the higher the price. Large diamonds are more expensive for the main reason that they are bigger and because they are rarer as compared to the smaller ones.

Certificates: This is very important when buying discount engagement rings. What’s contained in the certificate is the grading report that will enable you to examine at the complete guide for your specific diamond. Diamond experts and professionals are the people who issue the certificate as they use industry standards when grading each diamond by the use of gemological instruments. Many people when buying diamonds have neglected the certificate not knowing that it is equally important like the other Cs.

Guide to Buying Discount Engagement Rings

Buying an engagement ring is always a little bit of a process, but it becomes an entire project when you are attempting to buy the ring on a strict budget. For those of you who can’t afford to spend three month’s salary on a ring, here are some things you can do the save your wallet, and still watch her eyes light up as she agrees to make you the luckiest man in the world.

One of the most popular ways to save money on the perfect ring is to buy a ring online at a site that lets you bid for your ring. That way you can set the amount you want to pay, and it eliminates the need for financing and the possibility of over spending. www.Overstock.com is a very good place to find inexpensive rings as well, although there is no bidding there.

You should also have a general idea of the ring you are looking for before you go, so you do not get caught up in the cyclone of shiny things and sales pitches. Know what cut you are seeking, approximately how many carats you want, and KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO SPEND! Stick as closely as possible to that number, as it will also help keep you from making a purchase you will not be able to afford in the long run.

When it comes down to it, this ring probably means everything. You have undoubtedly thought long and hard about how and when you were going to do it, and now, you understand how to get that perfect rock at a price that won’t ruin your credit score. Get ready, look over some rings online and in catalogs before you go and look in the stores, set your budget, and go after the rock of her dreams.

Choosing the shape of your diamond jewelry is one of the key elements in determining the overall appearance of your ring or other diamond jewelry. There are many shapes and variations from which to choose, but first off do not
confuse “shape” with “cut”. A diamond’s shape is just that: the outward appearance of the stone, whether it is round,
oval etc.; while the cut refers to how the diamond itself is fashioned, how many facets and so on. Below I’ll examine the
various diamond shapes and tell a little about each of them, in order to help you make that all-important choice.

Round Brilliant Diamonds – By far the most popular, accounting for more than 75% of diamonds purchased today,
they are also the most expensive. Most coveted as an engagement ring, they also find their way into earrings and
pendants. Round Brilliant Diamonds are noted for their fire and brilliance.

Oval Diamonds – A perfectly symmetrical design yields a large surface area that gives the impression of a much larger diamond, oval diamonds are favored by women with smaller hands or shorter fingers, it’s shape giving an elongated look to the hand.

Princess Cut Diamonds – Though in appearance the smallest of diamonds, a Princess Cut Diamond is basically an inverted pyramid which puts most of the carat weight near the bottom. Princess cut diamonds are most often sought as solitaires, and are a relatively recent shape.

Marquise Diamonds – Another diamond shape that looks larger than it actually is, the Marquise diamond is elongated with points on each end, though sometimes altered to a “French tip” where the end point is excised. A great choice for a solitaire.

Emerald Cut – Rectangular with corner cuts, this diamond is also called a step cut, because of the shape that resembles
stair steps. Large, open facets on this diamond make it imperative to choose a stone of greater clarity and higher
color, as inclusions and weak color are more noticeable in this cut.

Pear Shape Diamond – Exactly as it says, this diamond is pear-shaped, or sometimes reminding one of a teardrop. Most
often found on pendants and earrings.

Heart Shaped Diamonds – A brilliant cut, the heart shaped diamond is a romantic choice that varies from jeweler to
jeweler as it’s shape can be greatly influenced by the skill of whimsy of the gem cutter, as well as variable facet configurations. Seek out a perfectly symmetrical stone.

Trillion Cut Diamonds – A newcomer, born in the late seventies, this diamond is a triangle stone with equal
sides. These can make stunning earrings.

Baguette Cut Diamonds – Another step cut diamond shape that is most frequently employed as side stones. Because it has few facets, quality and color come into play more here as imperfections become more visible in these uncomplicated, though elegant diamonds.

Radiant Diamonds – A square or rectangularly shaped diamond, the Radiant resembles the emerald shape but has 70 facets, making it much more brilliant and dazzling than the Emerald shape.

Asscher Cut Diamonds – A rectangular shaped diamond with high crown step facets, this shape was patented in 1902 and is know for it’s fire and ability to return light.

Cushion Cut Diamonds – Sometimes referred to as “pillow cut”, this shape was popular in the 1800’s. Cut with candle
light in mind, (nothing else available at the time!) the cushion cut is a rectangular/squarish shape, with more than
a touch of old world elegance about it.

Kite, Trapezoid & Half-Moon diamonds – Lesser know shapes used mainly for side stones.

Choosing the right diamond shape can be more easily accomplished with a little information and the help of a
professional jeweler. Here’s hoping you find that perfect diamond!

Are you looking to buy the perfect ring? When searching for a ring, whether it is for a special gift or a marriage proposal, there are a few things you must pay attention to in order to ensure that your ring is flawless. One of the most important elements when purchasing a ring is what cut to choose. The cut of a stone affects the way the ring feels, the way it shines, and of course, how effective it will be at taking her breath away. So, how does one select the right cut? If you’re not interested in going the direct route and asking your mate to pick their rock, look to these tips for a little direction in your search.

Any style of diamond cutting other than the round brilliant is called a fancy cut or fancy shape. The top three cuts for diamonds and gemstones are the Asscher cut, Princess cut and Cushion cut.

Resembling an octagon, the Asscher cuts hit its peak in popularity in the early 1920’s and disappeared only to make its comeback in 2001 when significant amounts of research showcased additional facets and new specifications for a more enticing luster. Asscher is a very modern and chic cut that will look beautiful on longer fingers.

The Princess cut is equally breath taking, but hugely different. Because of the square shape, a ring with a princess cut stone will have maximum sparkle. Beautiful to look at, the princess cut is a little fragile because its sharp corners make it more likely to chip. If it’s going to be this beauty, you just have to make sure that the setting is prepared to protect all four corners of the stone.

The cushion cut resembles the Old Mine cut with larger facets that similar to those from the late 19th and early 20th century cuts married with today’s oval cut. Cushions can vary a little in their shape. Some may be a longer rectangular, have squarer corners with varying sized tables.

Every ring is different, but somewhere out there, is the one to make her speechless.

The next time you find yourself looking for a piece of diamond jewelry, make sure you are purchasing a conflict-free diamond, also known as a non-conflict diamond or a worry-free diamond.

Conflict diamonds, also called blood diamonds, are diamonds that are traded illegally to provide funds for conflict and military action in areas such as western and central Africa. These blood diamonds have been a source of corruption, violence and crimes against humanity. Diamonds that have been mined through some form of child labor, violence or human rights abuses have also been termed conflict diamonds.

Your purchase of non-conflict diamonds can help put an end to this problem. By making sure your jewelry, or the jewelry that you buy for loved ones, is legal and worry-free you are helping to support the burgeoning safe diamond markets all over the continent of Africa.

In order to buy non-conflict diamonds, you’re going to have to do some legwork. First, research your potential retailer and see if they make it a point to emphasize that their diamonds are conflict free. Jewelers who sell worry-free diamonds often make it a part of their advertising, since this is becoming an important issue for consumers.

If they don’t advertise it, you can visit one of several consumer sites online to research your retailer. You can use these sources to evaluate retailers and make sure that they are doing business legally. Make sure to check out their sources of supply if you can.

When all else fails, ask your retailer point blank where the diamonds came from and if they are non-conflict. Reputable retailers will be comfortable asking these questions. They will also be familiar with new laws and regulations that have been passed recently on the sale of blood diamonds. If they give you a blank stare when you mention the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council’s Chain of Warranties, that’s a bad sign.

Reputable retailers will also be comfortable giving you a written guarantee that the diamonds were purchased legally. Under the Kimberley Process, this is part of your rights as a consumer. Make sure you demand this if they provide no other guarantee of the authenticity of the diamonds.

You can also ask to see the receipts that the retailer has from the purchase of the diamonds. The new laws have conflict free guarantees that reputable retailers and suppliers will use on all of their documentation.

Although this may seem like a lot of fuss over some jewelry, your purchase can help change practices around the world. Once you find a retailer who guarantees that your purchase is conflict free you can take comfort in enjoying your worry free diamond jewelry.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares promotions and discounts from jewelry stores with policies regarding conflict-free diamonds and worry free diamonds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson

Conflict-free diamonds are diamonds of certified origin which are guaranteed not to be obtained through the use of violence, human rights abuse, child labor, or environmental destruction. These diamonds are individually tracked through their full chain of custody to ensure that ethical practices are used in mining, cutting and polishing.

Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, have funded many civil wars in Africa have and have been the cause for the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. People who wish to be conscious of these sorts of practices can feel good about owning a conflict-free diamond, and not have to sacrifice cut, carats or clarity when choosing the perfect ring. Today, nearly all conflict-free diamonds come from Canada, and can be verified through an independent auditing system. The companies that sell conflict free diamonds have gone to great lengths to minimize the impact of mining of the earth and the societies that live with the mines in their communities. To find a good conflict free retailer, the internet is most certainly one of your best tools. Some sites will even allow you to design your conflict free ring all the way down to the color of the stone. When you are searching for an engagement ring, it is nice to have one less worry amidst all of the confusion. Beautiful, ethical conflict free diamonds are the way to cover all of your bases.

For all of you tree hugging, super green types, some retailers even offer rings that have bands made with 100 percent recycled gold. The precious metal is buffed and polished before you ever see it, so you don’t have to worry about it looking like it was recycled. No matter what your concern, whether it is ethical or environmental, conflict-free rings could be the solution to your problem.

You’ve waited so long. He’s asked you to meet him at that place where you first met. Will he ask? He will. He reaches down into his pocket and then he pulls out the little box. He opens it and you stare at your huge, flawless, sparkling… pearl?

One of the largest growing trends in engagement rings is substituting that huge diamond for a beautiful pearl. Sometimes, the pearl is surrounded by a ring of tiny diamonds or other gemstone but the pearl itself is quickly becoming the “it” rock a little more unforgettable.

Although pearls are less expensive than diamonds, pearl engagement rings can actually be more expensive than traditional diamond rings. A pearl ring can be more difficult to set than a more durable mineral gem, and the pearl rings that come with accent stones such as diamonds are more expensive still.

Pearls were a classic jewelry accent in the past, thought to be the most feminine of all gemstones because they are produced by a living, breathing organism. They come in two forms: fresh water and salt water Now that people are embracing them again, you must be wondering where to find these rare pieces of elegance. The internet is always a good place to start when you are searching for any piece of jewelry. It allows you to preview the items and their cost before you go into an actual store. If you are lucky, you can get the piece completely online and not have to make the trip to the store at all.

Known as the “stone of sincerity,” pearls are thought to promote faith, charity, innocence, integrity, truth and loyalty. Everyone expects a diamond, but these days, more and more people are opting for the unexpected. Maybe you’ll select a beautiful yellow fresh water pearl, or an over sized black one. Whatever your choice may be, the pearl is a beautiful and popular way of saying, “Ordinary was too ordinary for you.”

A ring is used to witness a special moment or event. It symbolizes love and commitment. That is why it is given as a token of loyalty to that special someone during engagements or weddings.

A common engagement ring is a diamond set in gold. Why not be different from the rest of the crowd? Make your engagement special by surprising your sweetheart with a gorgeous pearl ring. It would truly make your day very memorable.

Color of Pearls

If you think white pearls are boring, think again. There are a variety of colors and designs available in the market today. Look and find black, rose, green, blue, cream, and gold. If you want to steer away from the conventional white-colored ones, you can choose any of these other colors and be creative!

Whether your skin is colored black or white, your hand can still look good with a pearl ring. Gold and cream pearls are flattering on black skin while it is best to choose rose, silver, and white pearls for people with white skin.

Precious Ring

Aside from the color, you should also consider the size, type, and origin of the pearl in the ring. Obviously, the bigger sizes are more expensive than the smaller ones. The price would also depend on the place where the pearls originated.

Pearls are classified as natural, cultured, or imitation. Natural pearls are purely formed by nature, mollusks and oysters produce a “nacre” substance to cover a foreign object that has entered their shell. It is the most expensive kind of pearl. Cultured pearls are also created in the same way. However, man already initiated the process by inserting an irritant inside their shell. This would allow faster production of pearls.

Never buy a fake or imitation pearl ring because it has no value. These are purely made by man and their beauty will only be short-lived. The best way to spot a fake pearl is through an x-ray machine. If there is none available for you to use, you can just rub the pearl on the enamel of your tooth. If it is a bit rough, then it is natural or cultured, but if it is slippery smooth then you are holding an imitation pearl.

It would be truly wonderful if you can buy your jewelry as a set. Earrings and necklaces are everywhere, but your pearl jewelry collection will not be complete without a pearl ring.

Pearls are in, Diamonds are out

It has been a tradition to give diamond rings for engagement. Well a diamond is definitely stunning, but they are such a cliche. Not to mention the fact that they are so overrated and overpriced.

On the other hand, if you get a pearl ring as an engagement gift it will be such a pleasant surprise. It is just as precious and elegant as a diamond ring. In fact, you will be sure that she will take good care of it because she knows that pearls need extra attention to preserve its luster. Nevertheless, you can still choose a ring design with a pearl and a diamond in it.

Origin of the design

There are a couple of stories surrounding the origin of Claddagh Irish jewelry design, but both agree that the Joyce family of Galway is a key component. In one story, the original ring falls from the clutches of an eagle into the hands of Margaret Joyce. She was a widow of considerable wealth who got married again and to the mayor of Galway. She used her money and influence to accomplish good works in the town and the ring was said to be a gift for her generosity.

Celtic Jewelry

The more likely story, as it doesn’t have any magical elements, is that Robert Joyce designed a Claddagh ring for his betrothed upon his return from slavery. On fishing expedition, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Algeria. There he learned the craft of metalwork and brought this talent back to Galway. How romantic to think that she waited for over a decade for him to return and as a token of his love and devotion, Joyce designs a ring just for her? Of course, after that Claddagh Irish jewelry really took off.

Celtic Jewelry

Symbolism

The basis of this design is the clasping hands which were taken from the fede or faith rings that were very popular during the Roman Era. Joyce added a heart to the center and then a crown above the heart. By themselves, the clasping hands symbolize love and friendship. Along with the heart and crown, the jewelry also represents fidelity, loyalty and faith.

How to wear it

Single people would wear the ring on their right hand with the crown facing inward. If they are dating and thinking of making a commitment, the ring is still worn on the right hand but with the crown facing outward. If they are completely spoken for either with a promise or a proposal and then marriage, gold or silver Claddagh jewelry ring is worn on the left hand with the crown facing outwards.

Celtic Jewelry

Occasions to give Claddagh jewelry

The romantic history of this design makes it a fitting token to give a girlfriend or boyfriend to commemorate some milestone of the relationship. It also makes a unique engagement or wedding band as it signifies love and fidelity for the giver and the receiver.

This symbolic design is often passed down as a family heirloom. A mother may give it to her daughter on her wedding day or to her son when he is ready to propose. Antique Claddagh Irish jewelry make for touching and sentimental gifts for these special occasions.

Celtic Jewelry

Of course, these pieces can be worn by anyone-men, women, single and attached individuals. They can be enjoyed simply for their beauty, their symbolism or both. While sterling silver is the most common metal used for these pieces, gold is also used. Black antiquing is sometimes used to give a new piece an aged rustic look.

Irish Claddagh jewelry can be found as rings, pendants, earrings, brooches and pins. However it is worn, this ancient design is as romantic as it is beautiful.

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If you like sapphires, you’re not alone. Sapphires continue to be the best selling gem in the U.S. When people think about sapphires, they usually think of blue sapphires. However, natural sapphire comes in a variety of colors. Sapphires that are not blue are referred to collectively as fancy sapphires. Purple sapphires as well as other colored sapphires can be found in Madagascar, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Australia to name a few regions. Heating sapphires may add to their value by enhancing color and clarity. It is estimated that over 90-95% of the sapphires in the market today are heat-treated.

Purple sapphires are a good choice for engagement rings because sapphires as a whole, are extremely durable gems. In fact, sapphires are the hardest gemstone except for diamonds. Thus, your ring can withstand all the elements and rigors of daily wearing, without you having to think twice.

In addition, purple sapphires are a good deal, often costing less than blue sapphires. As with diamonds, sapphires increase disproportionately in cost as their carat weight increases. i.e. A three carat sapphire might cost a lot more than three separate sapphires adding up to three carats in weight. This is due in part to the fact that large carat sapphires are relatively rare. The kind of sapphire cut also impacts cost, with round sapphires costing slightly more than marquis or pear cuts.

Blue sapphire engagement rings have been known to be preferred by royalty because the blue sapphire stone is even more rare than a diamond and is almost as hard. This is a nice factoid to share with your number one queen as you slip a blue sapphire engagement ring on her ring finger.

Blue sapphires come in a range of shades from a light to deep blue. The blue color is due to the level of titanium in the stone: the more titanium, the richer the color. However, too much color can actually create a dull black effect, reducing the price of the stone.

Most blue sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Madagascar. Burmese sapphires tend to cost more than those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar due to their brilliant color. Kashmir blue sapphires are the most rare and expensive of all as the supply found in a remote region of India was exhausted around a 100 years ago, thus escalating price and demand. Prices for blue sapphires depend on whether or not they’ve been treated (with untreated costing much more) as well as color, cut, tone (lightness or darkness of stone), saturation (degree to which hue is hidden by other shades), and clarity. One carat blue sapphires can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Rainbow sapphire engagement rings seem to be increasing in popularity these days. There are a number of websites devoted soley to selling rainbow sapphire jewelry. Quite a few websites also offer rainbow sapphire wedding lines. Check out these websites offering a variety of rainbow sapphire engagement rings

www.rainbowsapphire.com

This website is pretty awesome if you love rainbow sapphire jewelry! It has two separate collections for rainbow sapphires with intense hues and those with medium color saturation. Unfortunately, they don’t sell directly to customers. However, you can send them an email to find out where an authorized retailer is located nearby to you

www.titanium-jewelry.com

This website offers several really cool looking syles for rainbow sapphire rings. The rings are solid titanium with rainbow sapphire chips. Very stylish and unique without looking gawdy.

www.amazon.com

Go to this power-house and type in “rainbow sapphire rings” and a bevy of colorful results will appear.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

If you are interested in having an engagement ring or wedding band that is truly unique consider mokume gane. So what the heck is Mokume gane? Mokume translates from Japanese as wood eye, which refers to burl wood grain, and gane means metal. During the samurai era, mokume gane was utilized to construct the handle for the samurai’s sword and often symbolized wealth and status. Mokume was invented by Denbei Shoami, a 17th century master metalsmith. Currently, mokume refers to designs made in this Japanese lamination technique and is typically used to create jewelery.

Mokume gane is created by complex processes involving forging, twisting, rolling and bonding metal alloys together so that they are intimately and intricately entwined. Many layers (most often somewhere between 10-30 layers) of selected metals such as platinum, golds, palladium, silver and/or iron, are clamped together between steel blocks and are then heated in a kiln, which allow the layers to fuse but not melt. The resulting fused stack of metal is called a billet which is rolled to reduce its thickness.

The unique patterns of the Mokume gane are created by hand carving down through the layers in the laminated stack and then rolling and flattenning it out. The process of carving and rolling is performed repeatedly to create the finished pattern. The patterns formed in this manner are almost like a topographic map, showing the depth of the carving into the original laminate
Mokume gane rings are available in a variety of patterns, metals, widths, and embellishments. The mokume gane technique creates a distinctive pattern whereby several general styles can be created depending on how the initial sheets of metal are fused. For example, a “river” design has wavy stripes, while an “island” design has unique loops and swirls. Patterns can also be created to run horizontally or vertically along the ring. The types of metals used will contribute to the color of the rings. Typically two or three types of metals are used in the creation of Mokume Gane, with yellow and white gold being commonly used. Yellow gold creates a yellowish hue whereas white gold creates a grayish hue. The width of the ring is dependent on personal taste, although wider rings better accentuate mokume patterns. Concerning gemstones, you can choose to have a gemstone inserted in the band for an elaborate engagement ring or let the sheer beauty of the mokume gane stand on its own, sans precious stones.

You most likely won’t find Mokume Gane engagement rings at your local mall. Try googling “mokume gane and engagement rings” and you will come up with a number of small businesses specializing in this art-form. As with all online purchases, be sure the business has a solid reputation: ask for references, contact the Better Business Bureau, etc.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Diamond nexus labs offer you all the look, luxury and glamor of a diamond but without the fancy price tag. Let me put it in layman’s terms….they sell you perfectly simulated diamonds… The naked eye can’t tell the difference between these gems and the ones that cost 10 times as much. Diamond simulants actually cut glass and have massive fire and brilliance as well as perfect clarity and color. In other words, you wont get any yellowish, mishaped stones. Nexus labs claims that in almost all measurable tests, their diamond simulants match or are superior to natural diamonds. Most gemologists require scientific testing equipment to tell the difference between diamonds and diamond simulants.

Diamond Nexus Labs jewels are ensconced in 14k white and yellow gold….which means your jewelery isn’t going to turn green and leave black marks on your engagement ring finger or worse, make your finger itchy and leave a bright red rash. If you don’t see what you like in their vast selection of choices, not too worry…they will custom make the piece that you desire. You can also buy loose stones if you like in every possible shape and size. They have both one and thee ring diamond engagement rings as well as simple and more ornate settings. The engagement rings range in price from $100-$2,000. They also sell bracelets, pendants, earrings, watches, and men’s jewelery

Diamond nexus lab sells jewelery that looks very tasteful and classy. You know how sometimes when you spot a faux handbag or faux jewelry, you can tell right off the bat because it looks incredibly gaudy? This concern won’t even enter you mind when you see what Diamond nexus is offering. The jewelry looks like you will have spent thousands when you’ve actually have only spent hundreds. You can then take you massive savings and put it into something that you really need as a couple, like a down payment for a house. This year, I have actually decided to stop paying insurance on my engagement ring ($150 a year). I figure if anything happens to the ring (and knock on wood that nothing will), I’ll replace it with a diamond simulant and no one will be the wiser. In the long run, it will help me save a bundle on the expense of engagement ring insurance. They sell an ascher cut sem-bezel ring that looks very similar to mine with the exception of the price-tag ($545) for theirs (over $5,000) for mine.

I have never purchased anything from Diamond Nexus Lab but they give off the appearance of a company that’s got its act together. The detailed website offers and information and education center where you can learn all about how their diamonds are created. They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and offer a secure website for making purchases. They offer an awesome guarantee…..you have thirty days to test out your purchase and decide if you want to keep it for good. There is a lifetime guarantee that if anything should happen to your diamond (fading, discoloration, chipping) they will replace it free of charge. If you lose your diamond because it falls out of the setting, they will replace it for a minimal remounting fee.

We all know that packaging and presentation is important. Diamond Nexus Labs hits the mark with their beautiful cherry wood and royal blue gift boxes and big wrapping bows. The boxes merely say 14k on them and don’t have the lab’s imprint…making them beautiful to display. Their marketing catalog is just as impressive, with thick pages and tasteful photographs.

If your the kind of person whose conscious keeps you up at night….diamond nexus labs may be right for you. You don’t have to worry that your gem came to fruition via child/slave labor or human bloodshed. With simulant diamonds, you don’t have to worry that any harm came to anyone involved in the making of your jewelry. No conflict here.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

I didn’t know this but not all cubic zirconias are created alike. There is such a thing as an upscale cubic zirconia. Ziamond is an upscale cubic zirconia retailer. Apparently, there are many different grades of cubic zirconias. Who knew? The different grades are based on the temperature and pressure in which the elements are combined, how pure the various ingredients are, as well as the secret cz formula. How well the different stages are executed in creating a cz, determines the ultimate outcome. Ziamond claims to utilize the finest quality man made gems, in all of their jewelry designs. The use only hand cut and hand polished gems, all cut to exact diamond specifications.

Ziamond states that they use only the best grade cubic zirconias, which are created with their original Russian formula. The special formula that they use was originally concocted by the Russians for their space program. Apparently, the formula was developed as an alternative to diamonds and the end product was utilized as part of their lasers. The resulting stones are very hard (approximately 8.9 in hardness.) They have most of the same physical and optical characteristics of a diamond.

You cannot see the difference between Ziamonds and diamonds with the naked eye and neither can your local jeweler. In order to differentiate between the two, you must subject them to either a heat conductivity test (diamonds conduct more heat than cubic zirconias) or a weigh-in (cubic zirconias weigh 1.8 times more than diamonds).

The Ziamond collection is extensive and offers many choices and options. They have a traditional wedding collection featuring tons of different shaped stones set in 14k, 18k, or platinum. They’ve got designer replica rings, including powerhouses such as Tiffanys and Cartier. They’ve got celebrity inspired jewelry like copies of TomKat and Britney’s ring. You can buy loose stones and have them mounted at your local jewelry store. They even do special orders…if you give them a design that you would like to replicate, they will do it for you.

In addition to simulating diamonds, Ziamond also simulates emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Their rubies and sapphires are chemically, physically and optically the same as natural rubies or sapphires. They are also just as hard, a 9.0 on the Mohs hardness scale. Their emerald simulants are harder than natural emeralds and are of course, much less expensive.

Ziamond gems come with a lifetime guarantee that they will maintain their original brilliance and luster. They are also guaranteed against cracking or chipping under normal wear. Should your gemstone display signs of damage, they will provide a replacement gem at no charge.

My diamond engagement ring is real…but if god forbid, something ever happened to it, buying a ziamond replacement would be awfully tempting.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

With so many engagement rings to look at and choose from, why not be different and choose an amethyst for the stone in your finance’s engagement ring? Amethysts are the birth stone for February and if her birthday is in February it will be doubly special to present her with an amethyst engagement ring. Greek mythology gives an account of how this beautiful stone came into existence and how it came by its rich purple color.

Amethysts also have deeply religious associations and many faiths use it as a symbol of spirituality, sincerity, and purity, everything that is important to a couple that is about to wed. Purple is also considered to represent royalty, so present the queen of your heart with an amethyst ring.

Most amethysts are some shade of purple, from light lilac to deep rich purple. However, amethysts can also come in shades of green. They are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Africa, and Australia. Amethysts rate a seven on the hardness scale, so they are a very good choice for jewelry worn on a daily basis (Opals are a one and Diamonds are a ten). Amethysts can be cut into any shape just like a diamond and can be placed into any type of setting.

Aside from being the birthstone for February, the amethyst is also the gemstone that represents the sixth year anniversary of your marriage. Although the amethyst is not nearly as expensive as the diamond, the price can vary due to the size and color of the gemstone you choose for the engagement ring.

Taking care of the amethyst stone is very easy, simply soap and water. Do not place in an ultrasonic cleaner, avoid rapid temperature changes, and avoid contact with household cleaners to ensure that your amethyst remains intact for many, many years.

Many of the big named jewelers will carry amethyst engagement rings, but if you have difficulty locating one that says “pick me”, take a look at the following websites:

• http://www.myjewelrysource.com/amethyst-engagement-aquamarine-engagement.htm

• http://www.jewelsforme.com/itemlist-main.asp?

• http://www.mysolitaire.com/gemstonerings/

• http://www.ampalian.com/jewellery/search/amethyst/?page=1&s=amethyst

• http://www.belljewels.com/Gemstone_Rings-Amethyst.html

Picking a ring a ring that says “I cherish you” is hard to do because there are so many choices out there. Hopefully this has helped you to narrow your search for an engagement ring to the beauty of the amethyst.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Tanzanite engagement rings: So you are asking the love of your life to marry you, but you are in a quandary about the type of engagement ring to propose with. Why not show her what a rare and special gem she is to you by presenting her with a tanzanite engagement ring. Is her birthday in December, are you proposing in December, or is there a special date in December that you want to commemorate? Then tanzanite is the way to go as it was added in 2003 by the American Gem Trade Association as a birthstone for the month of December, the first gemstone added to the list in nearly one hundred years. Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, Africa and so far this is the only place that tanzanite is found and mined. Tiffany’s was the first to be presented with the gem after its discovery and they quickly realized its value. Through their promotion and advertising tanzanite became one of the most desirable and well-liked gemstones in the world.

When looking at a tanzanite in different lighting, you will see a stone that consists of dark blue, green-yellow, and reddish-purple coloring. The most sought after color of tanzanite is the one that is deep blue with hues of purple at the edges. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable jeweler because some will substitute a different less expensive stone for tanzanite. Tanzanite may not be easy to find, but below are some websites that may offer you some help:

• http://www.myjewelrysource.com/tanzanite-rings.htm

• http://www.jewelsforme.com/itemlist-main.asp?

• http://www.ampalian.com/jewellery/search/tanzanite/

• http://www.ross-simons.com/Tanzanite/Rings.html

• http://www.angara.com/shop.do?cID=1941

Most, if not all, of the tanzanite that you view will have been heat treated to bring out the blue coloring. Tanzanite in its natural form is typically gray or brownish in color. If at all possible, it is best to look at loose stones and purchase one to place into a setting of your choice. The reasoning behind this is that you get a much better look at the stone and can inspect it for cracks or blemishes. Tanzanite is a softer stone that can damage easily and if the stone that you select already has a crack in it, the possibility that stone is going break increases. As with most gemstones, a tanzanite can be in whatever shape you desire. The trillion cut is the most expensive cut, being triangular with fifty-eight facets to reflect light creating sparkle or fire. Due to the fact that tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania, it is probably going to be one of the more expensive stones to consider for an engagement ring.

As mentioned earlier, tanzanite is a softer stone than most so it needs to be given a little extra consideration when taking care of it. Do not place tanzanite jewelry in an ultrasonic cleanser because the tanzanite will become damaged beyond repair. It is best to remove a tanzanite ring prior to washing dishes, using everyday household cleaners, or showering to prevent the stone from becoming damaged. To avoid damage when not being worn, place separately from other jewelry to prevent accidentally damaging the tanzanite stone. You should consider insuring your tanzanite against loss or theft because it is such a rare and valuable stone.What better way is there of saying “you are precious” than to present your bride to be with a precious and rare tanzanite engagement ring.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

The history of turquoise dates as far back as 3,000 B.C. The beauty of this gemstone has adorned many historical artifacts from all over the world from Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Persia and the United States. The turquoise is a copper aluminum phosphate that occurs naturally in all shades of blue. You can find it in shades from sky-blue, robin’s egg blue, blue-green, grayish green, or green. The more copper that the stone is composed of makes the stone bluer, while the more iron or chromium makes the stone greener. Rarely if ever, will you find a turquoise that has been faceted because faceting brings out the reflective properties of clearer gemstones, and turquoise is not clear. However, you can find many popular shapes such as marquise, oval or heart.

Due to the softness of turquoise, usually only a six, many stones are given a hardening treatment to make them more durable, as well as waxing or polishing to promote their color. Some stones may be dipped in a coloring agent before being sealed; according to rules of the ICA this must be indicated. Due to the softness of the stone, gentle care and cleaning are required. It is recommended that one should remove the turquoise before sun tanning as the UV rays can change the color of the stone. Also, when washing dishes, using household cleaners, or bathing the turquoise engagement ring should be removed to prevent damage. When storing, it should be stored away from other jewelry to prevent damage to the stone. If you have any doubts about the care or cleaning of your engagement ring, contact a reputable jeweler that has knowledge about this gemstone’s care.

Due to the uniqueness of using turquoise as an engagement stone, it may be very hard to find one unless you live in the Southwestern United States. Below we have listed a few links to help you get started.

http://www.silver-rings-direct.com/turquoise.html.

http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Turquoise_Engagement_Rings

http://www.purple-label.com/search/web/colour/aqua-or-turquoise

http://www.daysjewelers.com/category/rings/gemstone+rings/other+gemstone+rings.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=3

If you really want to impress your bride to be, consider custom designing her engagement ring. This will show her that a lot of love and thought went into the creation of her ring. One such designer that specializes in unique gemstone ring design is:

http://www.joannarepton.co.uk/jewellery_engagement_rings.asp

Show her that the sky is the limit when it comes to your love for her with a beautifully designed engagement ring that has “a piece of the sky” as the gemstone.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Onyx is actually a form of agate that is composed of microcrystalline quartz. In its natural state, onyx is usually banded and is intriguingly unclear. Most often onyx is tinted black to minimize the variations of coloring. Onyx is most often found where there is volcanic activity.

The onyx only has a moderate hardness compared to diamonds or other gemstones. One must exercise caution when wearing onyx jewelry to avoid sharp contrast in temperatures, ultrasonic cleaners, and common household cleansers. It is recommended to remove an onyx engagement ring when washing dishes or performing other household cleaning.

There is a multitude of ways that one can design an engagement ring with an onyx. Settings made of white gold, platinum, silver, or yellow gold. The blackness of the stone lends to creativity and versatility. No matter what your beloved wears, an onyx engagement ring will compliment her clothing choice from dressy to casual. The most elegant settings for onyx are often antique in style.

Most jewelers carry a variety of onyx rings in a variety of settings, but if you need a little help choosing the engagement ring that stands out, we have a few sites that may aid you in your search.

http://www.ross-simons.com/Onyx/Rings.html

http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/onyxrings.html

http://www.jmauerjewelry.com/ondienri.html

http://www.the-way-we-were.com/onyxrings.html

If you wish to present your intended bride with a ring that is stylish, simplistic, and unique, you cannot go wrong with an engagement ring that is designed with an onyx gemstone.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

The aquamarine is aptly named because of the wide spectrum of blue colors that it comes in; from a pale blue to a deep sea blue-green. The deeper colors are more sought after, therefore more expensive. No matter what shade that you decide on for the stone for an engagement ring, the ring will is bound to be commented on.
Most aquamarine stones have been heat-treated to enhance the blue coloring. This treatment has no effect on the quality or the hardness of the stone. The aquamarine rates a 7.5 on the hardness scale, making it a perfect choice for daily wear.

The aquamarine is a virtually flawless stone, rarely if ever having inclusions that are sometimes common in other gemstones. This gemstone is great for being cut into any shape and faceting enhances the sparkle and beauty of the stone. Due to the beautiful blue coloring of the aquamarine, the most common settings are either platinum or white gold. However, the blue is equally as beautiful in yellow gold settings.

Caring for the aquamarine gemstone is simple. Simple cleaning with soap and water brings back the beauty of the stone. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners, rapid temperature changes, and contact with most household cleaners to prevent damaging the gemstone.

Finding aquamarine gemstone rings for engagement purposes should not be hard as most jewelers carry a variety of styles. But if you do have difficulties or cannot find a design that strikes you as the one you must have, you should look online and you will find many reputable jewelers. So if you are planning a wedding by the seaside or just want a ring that is special and unique, consider the distinctive aquamarine gemstone for the engagement ring you present to your beloved.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Chances are the love of your life adores pink and has been surrounded with the color in her bedroom, dreaming of you and a fairytale wedding. Wow, that can be a lot of pressure! Do not feel you have to make this decision alone, and enlist advice from your girlfriend’s family and friends. They are certain to be tickled pink being included!

The traditional cost of an engagement ring is said to equal to two-month’ salary. There has been a trend in colorful pink and green theme weddings. This is a perfect blend of classic feminine and masculine colors. It is only natural for a pretty girl to ‘be in the pink’.

The sapphire is linked most often to qualities of loyalty, faithfulness and honesty. This is why it is a chosen favorite for engagement rings. The sapphire received immense popularity when Prince Charles presented Lady Diana with an oval sapphire surrounded by fourteen diamonds for their engagement. There is a legend that the Ten Commandments are believed to have been made of sapphire.

Pink Sapphires are offered in round, or oval shapes; rectangular and square cuts are also available. Sapphires are quite hard, measuring 9 on the Mohs scale, with the diamond being the only gem that is harder. Synthetic sapphires were first created in 1902, and it is hard to tell them from natural sapphires except by the trained eye. Sapphire is the birthstone for September, and in the same gem family as the ruby.

The popular star sapphire, called so because of the appearance of a sparkle in its center, has historically been thought of as a love charm throughout many cultures. Helen of Troy attributed her battle conquests to a star sapphire she owned. The bands of light across the stone that created the star like appearance are said to represent destiny and hope. The rare pink sapphires are most found in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

Sapphires are said to have given wisdom and afforded protection to generations of Kings. In ancient times, priests often used the sapphire in order to help them to predict the future. In the Bible, the sapphire was one of twelve stones given to Moses to place in the breastplate of Aaron. Sapphires were also placed in the foundation of the walls of Jerusalem.

Sapphires are a durable gem, and easy to care for, which do not scratch or crack easily. Their value depends on color, transparency, and size. Sapphires have with a rich history and unusually long life expectancy.

Sapphire is given for the 5th, 23rd, and 45th wedding anniversaries. The Star Sapphire is often gifted on the 65th anniversary. Your new wife will cherish her ring, and pass it down for many generations to come! Congratulations, Prince Charming, your captivating Princess awaits you, and that stunning pink sapphire engagement ring!

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

You are about to ask the woman of your dreams to marry you and you want to select a stone that epitomizes all of the qualities that your beloved possesses. A Yellow Sapphire represents wisdom, virtue, future, devotion, truthfulness, and children just to name a few things among many. The color yellow brings to mind happiness and warmth. Isn’t that exactly what your future wife brings into your life?

With the rising costs of gasoline today, which in turn raises costs in just about every other market, one probably does not have a large budget with which to purchase an engagement ring. The good news is that Yellow Sapphires are very affordable. It is easy to select a larger carat stone in a beautiful setting for a lot less money than a smaller diamond ring would cost. As far as what types of cuts are available for Yellow Sapphires, the sky is the limit. This gemstone looks beautiful in emerald cuts, marquise cuts, oval cuts, pear cuts, or other traditional cuts.

Sapphires of all colors are found in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar and Australia. Some are even found right here in the U.S. in Montana. Yellow Sapphires come in shades of pale lemon to very rich golden hues. A Yellow Sapphire looks absolutely stunning when placed into settings of white gold, platinum, or silver.

When it comes to durability, a sapphire is a perfect choice. According to the Mohs scale, sapphires rate at a 9 for hardness, the only gemstone that rates higher is the diamond which rates a 10. A Yellow Sapphire is a great choice for woman who wears her ring daily, not wanting to keep it in the jewelry box most of the time. As with most gemstones, caution should be used when using household cleaners.

A Yellow Sapphire engagement ring is sure to please your lady-love, and be a real conversation piece. Show her just how special she is with an engagement ring that shows how much thought and consideration went into the selection of her ring.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry stone on the market, moissanite is fashionable. Moissanite stones are manufactured to exacting standards, and so produce fine quality jewelry. And loose moissanite stones, being cheaper, can offer a choice of much larger stone sizes than diamonds.

Just witness the number of “stars” who have been seen recently wearing stunning moissanite jewelry. Moissanite jewelry is the new jewelry for the discriminating buyer.

Not only does moissanite look as good as diamonds, it’s much cheaper.

However before you decide to rush out and buy some moissanite jewelry, think about the range of options available to you for your jewelry purchase. And think about buying loose moissanite stones.

Lets say you want to buy a stunning moissanite engagement ring.
Firstly, shop on the net. Moissanite is more easily sourced on the net than at your regular stores, and you usually get a bigger range. Online stores can be much cheaper when buying moissanite than your normal offline store. There are several reasons for this, but it generally boils down to overheads.

Regular stores need to bring their customers to the store. So the store needs to be near the customers. So there need to be lots of stores to be near lots of customers. So high overheads.

However on the net the customers come to the store. So there is only one location needed, and it can be located on cheaper real estate.

So, lower overheads equals lower prices.

When shopping on the net there are usually a range of settings to
choose from. And whilst women love their moissanite jewelry, they
usually have exact ideas about the setting they want. Sometimes the merchants offer the setting they want, sometimes they don’t.

There is, however, the perfect solution. Loose moissanite stones. The stone is usually the more expensive part of the ring. The setting is usually cheaper than the stone.

It is perfectly possible to buy loose moissanite stones on the net. Why would you buy loose moissanite stones? One reason.

If you buy the stone on the net you take advantage of the prices and availability. If you then take your moissanite stone to your local store you can browse at your leisure and pick out the exact setting that suits you and get your jeweller to set the stone for you.

It’s the best of both worlds. The low price of buying a moissanite stone on the net, and the range of choice and the enjoyment of browsing in your local store for the perfect setting. And the option of getting your favourite jeweller to set it for you.

So for those who are looking for that perfect moissanite engagement ring, look for moissanite stones on the net. You will get a stone that compares very favourably to a diamond at a much cheaper price.

And select your favourite setting from your favourite jeweller.

A loose moissanite stone plus your favourite ring setting makes for the perfect moissanite engagement ring!

Find out more about Moissanite stones as well as Moissanite Engagement Rings at Peter’s website, The Magic of Moissanite

Sporting a moissanite jewelry set on a bride’s wedding day is just about one of the most profound statements she can make. The effect that this set will have puts even diamonds to shame. On this day, a bride loves to show off – and nothing can showcase her better than the exuberant sparkle of a complete moissanite ensemble.

Moissanite can be cut to perfect specifications. The extreme refractive properties of the stone allow an experienced jeweler to design wedding jewelry sets with stone alignments that literally radiate fire in all directions. Such wedding sets are usually crafted in either 14 or 22 carat white gold or platinum, since these perfectly complement the moissanite and lend it a dramatic backdrop.

Moissanite wedding sets are eminently adaptable to individual budgets. Most of them are half the cost of a comparable diamond ensemble. A bride can flaunt an extravagant set on her wedding trousseau for a comparatively modest price.

The appeal of moissanite on the most significant day of a couple’s life is not just limited to women’s jewelry. Men’s wedding rings, tie pins and cufflinks sporting the moissanite are becoming increasingly popular. This is not surprising – moissanite is being cleverly marketed as the stone that most reflects a man’s most desirable qualities in relationships. It is among the hardest substances known, is literally “forever”, shines forth uninhibitedly, is economical, and can be molded according to desire. What woman could ask for more?

Men’s moissanite wedding rings are usually made with two tone white gold/yellow gold, said to be the perfect “male” blend. The wedding ring is invariably the only piece of jewelry a man can wear during his wedding; considering this limitation, it is only proper that it features a brilliant moissanite for maximum effect.

Moissanite provides detailed information about moissanite, moissanite bracelets and more. Moissanite is affiliated with Mens Diamond Wedding Bands.

The durability and hardness of the white sapphire comes second only to the diamond,and at a price point that is significantly less – the popularity of this stone as an alternative to the diamond is no surprise to us.

Unlike man made synthetic diamonds, the ceylon white sapphire is an all natural gemstone. Primarily mined in Sri Lanka, Sapphires are one of the biggest industries on the island. Most people associate the September birthstone with the color blue, but you can also find the gemstone in shades of pink, yellow, purple and “white”. Non-blue sapphires are also referred to as fancy sapphires.

When in it’s colorless form, the white sapphire makes for the perfect alternative to a traditional diamond ring. To save on money, some couples will choose a colorless sapphire as their center stone and real diamonds as side stones in their bridal ring sets. Though white sapphires are a naturally brilliant gemstone – it does not have the same dispersion (fire) as a diamond, or the stimulant moissanite stone. For this reason the white sapphire will dull more easily than a diamond.

If you’re going to purchase a white sapphire there are a few things to consider, most obviously is the color. White sapphires have a tendency to gray – so when purchasing yours it should literally be as colorless as possible. White sapphires are often heat treated to get that absolutely clear color that many go far. A 100% naturally colorless sapphire is rare. It has also been noted that an emerald cut diminishes the brilliance of the stone.

Silicon carbide is the mineral used in the production of the synthetic diamond more widely known as Moissanite. After being misidentified as a diamond in 1998, the Moissanite became a popular alternative to the diamond. In comparison to it’s sometimes gaudy cubic zirconia, the Moissanite is considered one of the top man made alternatives to a real diamond. It is virtually undetectable to the naked eye, and even some well trained jewelers have trouble identifying the differences between a moissanite and a real diamond.

The moissanite price point is very desirable, with a cost at roughly an eight of the price of a natural diamond. However if you’re considering a moissanite, keep in mind that because of it’s high quality, it will be more expensive than other lab created diamonds like the Cubic Zirconia. Visually, the moissanite is so similar to the diamond – that once again, that even those with a trained eye will be fooled. But it is worth noting that with larger carat sizes the color does change to a slightly yellowish tint. Moissanite stones are the equivalent to the H-J grades in the white Diamond Color scale which further adds to it’s believability. Known for their hardness, natural diamonds measure a 10.0 on Mohs scale. Moissanite stones measure a 9.5, harder than most natural gemstones and other man made diamonds, like the Diamonique for example.

Moissanite also has a higher index of refraction (brilliance) and a greater dispersion (fire) than the diamond. Depending on your preference, this can be seen as either a pro or a con. Due to its greater dispersion, the moissanite is able to maintain its fire even when it gets dirty. Surprisingly, some people regard that trait as a sign of being fake or cheap looking.  But once again, that’s really a personal preference.

If you are thinking about purchasing a Moissanite stone engagement ring, it is important to note that the stone holds no long term value like the diamond. Do not allow that to take away from it’s beauty and sentimental value. For couples looking to stay within a certain budget, the moissanite allows for the elegance, beauty, and grace of a diamond but at a fraction of the cost.

If you are looking to expand your current jewelry collection but have the valid concern of  blood diamonds, once again – moissanite is an excellent option for you as well.

Blue sapphire engagement rings have been known to be preferred by royalty because the blue sapphire stone is even more rare than a diamond and is almost as hard. This is a nice factoid to share with your number one queen as you slip a blue sapphire engagement ring on her ring finger. Blue sapphires come in a range of shades from a light to deep blue. The blue color is due to the level of titanium in the stone: the more titanium, the richer the color. However, too much color can actually create a dull black effect, reducing the price of the stone.

Most blue sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Madagascar. Burmese sapphires tend to cost more than those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar due to their brilliant color. Kashmir blue sapphires are the most rare and expensive of all as the supply found in a remote region of India was exhausted around a 100 years ago, thus escalating price and demand.

Prices for blue sapphires depend on whether or not they’ve been treated (with untreated costing much more) as well as color, cut, tone (lightness or darkness of stone), saturation (degree to which hue is hidden by other shades), and clarity. One carat blue sapphires can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Buy your ruby engagement rings with pride! Don’t let anyone tell you that diamonds are better as engagement rings. Only you and your potential spouse should decide what fits in with your style, taste, and budget……..not popular opinion…. or your future mother-in-law. Besides, you can always tell the nay-sayers that large rubies are even more rare than diamonds. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire. Rubies are almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds are considered a “10″ on the hardness scale while rubies come in at a 9. Rubies have somewhat less clarity than other gemstones and tend to have at least some small inclusions. Most rubies are heat-treated to improve their color, but stones in their natural form do exist. Cushion cut and oval rubies are the most common shape. Burmese rubies are considered to be the most desirable.

You may be able to save money by purchasing a ruby with a slightly off-shade i.e. a little bit lighter or darker than what is considered ideal… a vivid red color. You can also save some dough by purchasing synthetic versus natural rubies. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire.

Rest assured that buying opal engagement rings for your partner will not bring them bad luck but perhaps even the opposite. Concerning the opal gemstone superstition, some still feel that it is bad luck to purchase an opal for oneself, but good luck if someone else gives one to you. Throughout history there have been negative connotations associated with opals. Interestingly enough, it is said that the diamond dealers became nervous in the 18th and 19th century about the beatiful gemstone stealing away diamond customers and further perpepuated stereotypes of the opal to prevent this from happening. The powers that be tried hard to defeat this bad luck urban legend when huge amounts of opals were found in Australia.

I personally love opal engagement rings. With their rainbow hues, I just think opals are some of the prettiest stones around. The rainbow shades are oftened referred to as a “play of color.” Most of the opal supply come from our Aussie friends in Southern Australia.

Here’s the science behind the opals. Opals are a noncrystalline form of the mineral silica which are formed from amorphous “balls” or “lumps” of silica. In other words, water in the ground carrying dissolved silica seeps through sand and dirt, where the silica particles are deposited in cracks. As the water evaporates, the silica particles cement together to form the opal. The color is caused by the diffraction of light. Where the tiny spheres of silica are of a similar size and arrangement, the light reflecting from them is divided into its spectral colors, and the stone appears to contain all the colors of the rainbow. Where the spheres are larger and less uniform, the range of color is more limited.

One of the major downfalls of opal engagement rings compared to diamonds is that opals are a much softer stone. While the diamond is considered to be a 10 on the Mohs hardness sclae, the opal rates between a 5 and a 6. This means that over time, it is possible for the opal to break and you must be careful to treat it with care and look for a ring setting that best preserves its integrity (i.e. semi-bezel is a good choice).

Opals exhibit an impressive color range. They can be white, pink, green and blue, gray, or black. Australian boulder opals are the most durable of opals as well as the most robust in color. As a result, they are considered to be valuable and are pretty pricey Black opals are actually the most rare and expensive. They have a dark backdrop with a rainbow colors or deep blue-green hues. Fire opals, which have any color backdrop but exhibit an unusual amount of red color play are also fairly rare

There are a thousand legends and stories related to the opal gemstone.

The Ancient Greeks believed opals fell from heaven during flashes of lightning and provided individuals with the ability to see into the future.

The Romans thought that wearing opals made one more lucid in thought and spontaneous in action.

Can you believe this? In his play “Tweltfh Night,” Shakespeare made use of the gemstone to make an analogy between the opal’s changing colors and the ever-changing moods of a woman. Hmmmmmmmm…….not sure if I like the comparison.

The author just recently celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut diamond on her ring finger. She and her husband put together http://ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect engagement ring.

Diamonds may be a woman’s best friend, but modern man made diamonds are so good as to be indistinguishable from real diamonds. And when you look at the huge savings on price, man made diamonds may be a woman’s best decision.

Increasingly, engaged couples are considering the cost of some wedding jewelry. In today’s high pressure high cost lifestyle couples are really wondering whether or not it is appropriate to spend big on, say, a diamond engagement ring.

The more spent on wedding jewelry the less available later for the important things in the marriage, like a house. Or the kids when they arrive. Is it responsible to spend so much to buy a diamond engagement ring when these more important things may need to be compromised later?

Especially when you consider that good quality man made diamonds cannot be distinguished from real diamonds, even by jewellers.

Faux diamonds are big business. The pearl jewelry industry was revolutionised by the advent of cultured pearls. Synthetic diamonds are doing the same thing to the wedding jewelry business.

There are a range of ways to produce synthetic diamonds. Modern technology is very adept at making any product which will sell well and faux diamonds are no exception. And the quality is so good that many of the alternatives to diamonds perform exceedingly well when compared to diamond using the common diamond quality tests.

In such tests as hardness, refractive index, fire, brilliance, luster and others the man made diamonds perform admirably. Sometimes even better.

Brilliance is a test of the amount of light which enters the stone and gets reflected back. It is affected by the quality of the cut of the stone.

Fire is the ability of the stone to break light down into it’s component colors and is also affected by the cut. “Fire” can
be seen as color coming out of the stone.

Luster is the amount of light reflected back from the surface of the stone.

Moissanite, for example, outperforms diamond in brilliance, fire and luster and is only very slightly lower on the hardness scale. In fact a special piece of testing equipment had to be designed so that jewellers could tell moissanite from diamond as so many were unable to.

And, of course, moissanite is much cheaper than diamonds. And if most jewellers cannot tell it apart from diamonds, could you?

There are a range of different processes used to produce a stone which is a good diamond alternative. Most produce fine quality stones which produce stunning quality jewelry which any woman would be proud to wear.

Moissanite is not strictly a man made diamond though, as it is, in fact, naturally occurring. Unfortunately it doesn’t occur in sufficient quantities to be commercially viable for mining. But technology has come to the rescue by devising a method of producing high quality crystals.

Our preference for the best alternative to diamonds? Moissanite. A fine jewelry stone which will make a stunning engagement ring, or other jewelry piece. And you can buy moissanite wedding jewelry at a fraction of the price of diamond wedding jewelry.

And when the kids come along, buy them something extra from us from the money you’ve saved.

Find out more about Moissanite as well as Moissanite Engagement Rings at Peter’s website, The Magic of Moissanite.

© 2005 Peter Crump

The decision to purchase an engagement ring is as a major investment, similar to purchasing a new home. Costs aside, it also indicates that you are ready to take the next step towards a major change in your lifestyle. This time should be a celebratory moment in a couples life together, but due to societal pressures, many men feel stressed with regards to how much they have to spend and the type of stone they must buy. As the country is in the middle of an economic crisis, couples are deciding to put aside such silly guidelines. Synthetic diamonds are becoming more popular, and most of them find the QVC trademarked Diamonique to be the best option available.. Not only are Diamonique rings virtually undetectable by the naked eye, but they are also very inexpensive – costing thousands of dollars less than their counterparts.

This artificial diamond is branded (and owned) by the QVC shopping channel. You won’t find the Diamonique brand sold in your local mall, it is sold exclusively through QVC.

There are many unique traits that make the Diamonique brand stand out amongst other diamond alternatives. Science tells us that a real diamond is the hardest natural mineral known to man. A diamond measures at a 10 on Moh’s scale, the Diamonique brand stone measures 8.5 which is very similar to sapphires and rubies.

Diamonique rings are for sale in gold, white gold, silver and platinum clad silver. Platinum cladding is the same as plating, therefore these rings are silver with a platinum plate. The rings are available in a wide range of sizes, and as with other jewelry, they can be re-sized by a reputable jeweler. . When it comes to personal flair and preference, you won’t be limited by Diamonique stones. they are available in all the traditional diamond cuts and shapes.

Diamonique offers a variety of styles from colored stones, classic rings and even the more modern and glitzy styles. If you’re looking for a band to match your engagement ring – Diamonique by QVC also has eternity bands which make for a pretty bridal set..

QVC sells Diamonique rings and other jewelry with a 30 day money back guarantee, giving customers peace of mind. When buying Diamonique jewelry QVC refer to the 6 Cs. Diamond buyers will be familiar with the 4 Cs of diamond quality which are clarity, color, cut and carat. In addition to this QVC has included cost and confidence.

While Diamonique can be a good low cost alternative to diamonds, it must be remembered that they are artificial and do not hold the long term value of real diamonds. If a simulated diamond sounds like the perfect alternative for you – let Diamonique be at the top of that list. You will save a ton of money without sacrificing style or sophistication.