Ways To Repair Your Gem Stone

This is one that lots of people have to deal with. I want to say first that I am glad you have an aquamarine! This makes me smile in a sentimental and special way. Why? Well, with so much blue topaz on the market today, the wonderful aquamarine has almost faded in the public eyes. Unfortunately, many do not even know about this much more valuable and beautiful gemstone. In years past, the aqua WAS the stone of choice for those special shades of blue nature makes. Aquamarine is a superior stone in all aspects to the irradiated blue topaz, a stone not naturally the rich blues in nature.

First of all, most jewelry shops do not have the capability to recut chipped gemstones. Some of this depends on the cut of the stone to start with, whether a cabochon(round top, like an opal or onyx might be cut) or faceted as with diamonds, rubies and other stones with little faces (the facets) on the surface. The person who cuts gemstones does the work called 'lapidary' or stone cutting. This work requires the cutting and polishing equipment needed for gemstones. Almost all stones must be worked with tools the jeweler simply does not use for working metals.
Stones are much harder than metals and require special and sometimes very specialized machines to work the gem, whether in cutting a gem from a piece of rough material from the earth or in repairing a chip in a stone already cut. While many folks do cut and polish cabochons(rounded tops without facets), the number greatly lessens when looking for those who do facet cutting. The equipment is very different since each individual facet is cut one at a time, through different grades of cutting from rough abrasives to the final polish.

What do most jewelers do? When a chipped stone needs repair, the jeweler generally sends the stone to a lapidary craftsperson. This usually means sending the stone to a company where the work may be done. Sometimes, the jeweler might have a local connection to either a professional or amateur(some are the best going!) for the repair work. The cabochon work is easy and more locals can do this work. For faceted gems, having a local cutter is not common and most stones are shipped to a factory offering the service.

What work is needed? Some companies offer to cut the gem stone for you. On some websites they show you what kind of cuts that they can do. When you see line drawings of the 'diamond' they want to sell. Using the line drawings, you can get an idea of how difficult it might be to repair the chip in your aquamarine. It all depends on the location of the chip! The middle of the stone, between the top(crown) and the bottom(pavilion) is called the girdle of the gem. If the chip is here, repair is relatively simple for a small chip and will not affect the rest of the stone in a noticeable way.

If the chip is higher on the stone, say on or between a couple of the facets on the crown, the repair is more difficult. Why? Look at the drawing(or at your aquamarine) and you will see the faces line up and meet each other. To repair a chip on one of the higher facets will mean cutting and polishing the stone down deep enough to remove the chip. This will change the face where the cutting is done and the facets will not line up as before.

To do the job properly, often the entire top(crown) of the stone will need to be re-cut. This means all facets are re-cut and polished so they all line up as before. This is done to prevent one large repaired face from messing up the arrangement and standing out easily to the eye.
How the repair is done depends on the location of the chip and whether the stone is faceted or a cabochon cut. Then, where and how well the work is done depends on the contacts the jeweler has. To find a jeweler with in-house lapidary service is a rare find, indeed. Be sure to ask if the work is done in-house or sent to a cutter. Ask for an estimate before having the work done. Ask if the repair will change the over dimensions (width and length) of the stone since that will affect how it fits back into your jewelry mounting.

Ask if the cutter can give you at least an idea of how much stone must be cut away to do the repair. Asking these questions can kind of give you an understanding of how the stone might look when they are done with it. But sometimes it is good to ask these questions that way you can find out if taking your stone to this one person is a good thing. You can always go around to all of the jewelry stores and ask them the same questions and when you get home find out which one is the best for you.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.DiamondGems.info. DiamondGems.info carries the best selection of loose diamonds, diamond rings, and diamond jewelry on the market. Browse through our selection of loose diamonds by size, cut, shape, type, and other features here: http://www.DiamondGems.info/subcategory/loose-diamond.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand

Loose Emerald Cut Diamonds

Diamond jewelry has always been one of the most popular types of jewelry among consumers. This is because apart from the fact that diamond jewelry are very beautiful, this kind of jewelry is also very expensive and valuable- given that it is very difficult to mine diamonds. However, in recent years, the interest of people in diamonds has not only been on diamond jewelry. People have also become very interested in loose diamonds. One of the reasons why loose diamonds are also becoming very popular is that they allow people to choose the unique stones they want in their jewelry and have more control over the process. Usually, people can buy loose cut diamonds in a variety of cuts. Some of these include round, emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion cuts. Among these, one of the most popular is the emerald cut, which is already considered a classic jewel cut.

Emerald cut

One of the main reasons why emerald cut diamonds are very popular is because of the unique characteristics of the cut. One of these includes emerald cut diamonds, which are cut with rectangular facets to create a unique brilliance for the diamond. In addition to this, the rectangular shape of the emerald cut diamond also highlights the clarity of the diamond, which is one of the most important factors that determine the value of diamonds. Not all emerald cut diamonds are the same, as they vary in how rectangular their shapes are, which depends on the length to width ratio of the diamond. However, among the different length to width ratios of emerald cut diamonds, the length to width ratio that is considered to be the classic cut is a ratio between 1.30 to 1.40.

In recent years, loose diamonds have also become very popular among consumers, as they allow people to personalize their diamond jewelry. Among the different cuts of loose diamonds, one of the most popular is the emerald cut, which highlights one of the most important factors that make diamonds very valuable, which is the clarity of the diamond. As a result, emerald cut diamonds are now considered one of the most classic cuts of loose diamonds in the market.

Loose Diamonds provides detailed information on Loose Diamonds, Wholesale Loose Diamonds, Certified Loose Diamonds, Loose Diamonds For Sale and more. Loose Diamonds is affiliated with Diamond Engagement Rings.

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

Certified Loose Diamonds

A certificate is actually the ""blueprint"" of a loose diamond. It is also called the diamond grading report or diamond dossier. It tells you the diamond's exact measurements and weight, as well as the details of its cut and quality. The certificate points out precisely all the individual characteristics and facets of the stone. The certificates also serve as proof of the diamond's identity and value.

A certificate, however, is not the same thing as an appraisal. A certificate describes the quality of a diamond, but it does not place monetary value on the gem. The certificate may help determine the diamond’s market value, but does not give the appraisal. There are many diamond grading labs that issue certificates such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS), the two most widely regarded and recognized diamond grading labs in the world.

There are many diamond grading labs in operation, many of which produce their own grading reports. Different labs have different grading standards, and some labs will be more lenient with their standards compared to others.

Shopping around for graded loose diamonds allows you to make an informed choice about your selections. You can compare one diamond with a particular weight and quality with other loose diamonds of similar weight and quality to determine which has the better value.

When purchasing loose diamonds, it is always safe to do so in stores that give out a report for every loose diamond purchased. This way, one can make sure that the diamond is genuine. Some diamond stores actually boast of selling diamonds that are accompanied by a lab report from GIA or AGSL, labs that have consistently demonstrated their commitment to high standards. Some lab reports are also ready for online viewing for the virtual shoppers.

Loose Diamonds provides detailed information on Loose Diamonds, Wholesale Loose Diamonds, Certified Loose Diamonds, Loose Diamonds For Sale and more. Loose Diamonds is affiliated with Diamond Engagement Rings.

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

Tips On Purchasing Loose Cut Diamonds

Purchasing loose diamonds can be an effective diamond buying strategy for both cost and quality. Loose cut diamonds refer to diamonds that have already been cut and polished, but have not been placed in any particular type of setting yet, such as a ring. If you are buy loose cut diamonds, you will then have the ability to place the diamonds in a variety of settings after your purchase. By focusing first on the diamond, you will be able to get the best quality diamond for your money.

A diamond will usually be characterized by the four c's: carat weight, clarity, color, and cut. While caret weight is a consideration, don't make the mistake of focusing solely on size. Shopping for loose cut diamonds based strictly based on carat weight would be similar to purchasing an appliance based just on capacity, without considering the features and styling that would work best to fit your needs. The other diamond characteristics can greatly impact the look of your diamond even more than the carat weight.

Another important consideration is clarity, which refers to the number and type of flaws that are found in the diamond. Unfortunately, clarity is very difficult to judge accurately, as most flaws are only visible under a microscope. You can ask a variety of jewelers to point out the flaws in a variety of stones, using a microscope, until you can judge for yourself. However, since most people will be admiring your diamond with their naked eye, you can usually rule out loose cut diamonds with flaws that are clearly visible, and not worry too much about microscopic flaws.

Diamonds come in a variety of colors, but for a traditional, non-colored diamond, the clearer the better. Although you will be purchasing loose cut diamonds, it is good to have an idea about what type of setting you will have your diamonds in. If you plan on mounting the stones in white-gold or platinum, the whiter diamonds will be much more effective. Yellow metals, like gold, will be much more forgiving to more of yellow-colored diamonds.

The cut of your loose diamonds is perhaps the most important consideration. The cut will determine, to a large extent, the brilliance of your diamonds, and also suggest the best diamond setting. A brilliant cut usually has triangular facets that surround the stone, leading to what is a flat top, or often called a table. These differ from the more traditional emerald or step cuts, but provide the shiniest diamonds available.

Purchasing loose cut diamonds can be a jewelry investment that lasts a lifetime. By spending some time familiarizing yourself with the many choices before your purchase, you be a much more informed consumer. Your diamonds will then be available for a variety of creative settings.

Amy Wells is a diamond lover and aficionado. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Wells

Loose Baguette Diamonds

Diamonds are found in certain shapes such as baguette, emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, round and trillion. The most popular ones are round diamonds and baguette diamonds. The baguette is a diamond cut in the form of a narrow rectangle.

Loose baguette diamonds are a sophisticated choice, which radiates style and class. There is hundreds of baguette cut, loose diamonds to choose from at wholesale prices. People can either buy a loose stone by itself or combine it with a fabulous diamond ring setting in platinum, white gold, or yellow gold.

Since there are only a few people who can afford these loose diamonds, there is a market for replicas of these, one of a kind diamond. It is always advisable to not go for the cheap loose diamonds, as there is always a possibility of them wearing out fast.

Diamonds are considered the hardest substance on earth, however, because they have grain, they can be chipped if struck. Research has indicated that 80% of the world's diamonds are not suitable for jewelry. Loose baguette diamonds are created deep under the earth, 75 miles or deeper. They are carried to the surface by kimberlitic shafts, which form in certain types of volcanoes.

There are regulars who have exact needs, when buying diamonds and they do not want to buy them at retail prices, which are slightly towards the expensive side. There are wholesale loose baguette diamonds, offered to the public at liquidation prices. The target is simply to carry the largest variety of loose diamonds and colored gemstones including rings, pendants, and earrings. These diamonds that are sold are of top quality, and can make the perfect gift or resale item for people. Wholesale loose heart diamond websites carry approximately hundred's of shapes and styles, in stock for people accessing these sites.

There are many online sites that are available, and provide complete information about loose baguette diamonds as well. It is always advisable to be familiar about diamonds, and then go about buying them. This will help save time and a large amount of money.

Loose Diamonds provides detailed information on Loose Diamonds, Wholesale Loose Diamonds, Certified Loose Diamonds, Loose Diamonds For Sale and more. Loose Diamonds is affiliated with Diamond Engagement Rings.

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

Loose Heart Diamonds

Loose diamonds can be cut into a variety of shapes. The most popular are round brilliant cut, princess cut, oval cut, cushion cut, emerald cut, radiant cut, marquise cut, pear cut, trillion cut and heart cut. The most admired shape available in every possible quality and size is the brilliant heart cut diamonds. There is no denying that every diamond is beautiful in its own shape and cut, but some seem to glitter more than others. Customer's education is important when buying a loose diamond, as it usually can be a once in a lifetime experience. It is advisable to do a complete research for loose heart diamonds, because the more people know, the better diamonds they can get for their money. Each diamond approximately takes several hours to several months of cutting and polishing, to reveal its fiery brilliance. Loose heart diamonds can be set into amazing pieces of jewelry. However, not every diamond is equivalent, so people need to recognize a variety of elements that make each of them valuable than another. When it comes to loose diamonds, quality is what matters more then quantity.

When considering buying loose heart diamonds what matters is the cut, and shape that people prefer. The carat weight, clarity, and color are the factors that make each stone completely unique. The 4Cs help interested people to determine the value and the beauty of a Loose Diamond and also help search the perfect loose heart diamond.

It is advisable for everyone to know the standards behind diamond certification, in order to buy the best. Certified loose diamonds are an opportunity to hand select a unique gem. People generally buy diamonds on certain occasions. The sentiment behind each diamond purchase is seen in the radiance of the stone. Certified diamonds are considered to hold a strong advantage over other varieties.

Loose heart diamonds are always treasured, whether they are set in engagement ring or a solitaire pendant.

Loose Diamonds provides detailed information on Loose Diamonds, Wholesale Loose Diamonds, Certified Loose Diamonds, Loose Diamonds For Sale and more. Loose Diamonds is affiliated with Diamond Engagement Rings.

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

Make Unique Diamond Jewelry

There are few more beautiful ways to declare love than with the gift of a diamond ring. But is it really such a fine gesture if that ring is one of numerous copies of the same design? Some people commission individually designed rings from expert jewelers, but this can cost a small fortune. If you want to make a unique statement at an affordable price, and in a way which is ultimately much more personal, why not buy loose diamonds and set them yourself?

Setting loose diamonds is not as complicated as you might imagine. Many jewelry traders sell a range of ring fittings in different sizes and designs which are already molded to receive your choice of stones - loose diamonds, emeralds, and so forth. Because you choose what sort of loose diamonds to use and how to arrange the stones, you have the potential to create something truly unique, exactly what you know your beloved would like best. After all, wealth is not all that matters - a ring like this will illustrate the personal nature of your affection.

Buying loose diamonds might seem like a risky business, but it does not have to be. Reputable sellers will accompany loose diamonds with certificates confirming their quality and making it easier for you to assess their qualities. Loose diamonds generally cost less than those which have already been set, but that does not mean you should expect a reduction in quality. On the contrary, exploring the world of loose diamonds should give you a real appreciation for these beautiful stones.

Buying jewelry is always a big investment, much like declaring love. It's important to get it right, but it's also important to do it in your own way. Creating your own unique jewelry using loose diamonds is the perfect way to express your own unique feelings. It's the best way to say what you really mean.

Loose Diamonds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Baron

Small Loose Diamonds

To buy small loose diamonds is probably the best way to buy diamonds. When people are shopping for small loose diamonds at a jewelry store, it is always advisable to ask the dealer for a 10X eye loupe with which it is possible to closely examine the diamond. And, if people intend to buy small loose diamonds, it would be better if they bought a 10X eye loupe directly from a jewelry house. The best way to verify a diamond for clarity is with a stereoscopic binocular microscope, which comes with dark field lighting.

The most common shapes for small loose diamonds are baguette, emerald, heart, marquise, oval, radiant, round, brilliant, and princess. Manufactures or artisans who make diamond jewelry generally buy small diamonds. They normally buy this diamond in bulk, and make different types of diamond jewelry and some might also use it to make diamond watches or embellish shoes and purses. When loose diamonds are set in any article it becomes an exclusive piece and is always expensive.

There is a search engine designed online specifically for loose diamonds, where people could search by shape, weight, cut, color, clarity and price. There are Retailers who get the lists of available diamonds from wholesalers around the country. Those wholesalers give the retailers a cost price and the retailers decide how high to mark up each diamond. The difference in price between retailers could be around $10,000 for a large diamond. This is basically how the search engine for loose diamonds work.

These retailers will then post that diamond to their online inventory, but the price people pay will be different at each site. When they decide to purchase diamonds, the retailer notifies the wholesaler and that diamond is removed from inventory and is no longer available to any other online retailer.

Loose Diamonds provides detailed information on Loose Diamonds, Wholesale Loose Diamonds, Certified Loose Diamonds, Loose Diamonds For Sale and more. Loose Diamonds is affiliated with Diamond Engagement Rings.

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

Diamond Jewelry - The Ultimate Classic Adornment

Diamond jewelry is the ultimate adornment for a woman or even a man. It is something which takes us beyond the realm of time. Diamond jewelry is a timeless classic adornment, which can never go out of style and will always be looked up amongst all kinds of jewelry.
In buying diamond jewelry it is important to keep some factors in mind. The diamond history, diamond shape (Diamonds come in more shapes than any other gem. Diamond jewelry with spectacular center pieces are available in round, emerald cut, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion. Diamonds as accents are usually found in small round shapes and baguettes. Popular earrings are usually round or princess cut, though some may come in fancier shapes),
Diamond settings (such as bar, bezel, channel, chevron, invisible, pave, and prongs), diamond carats (The unit used to measure the size and weight of loose diamonds), diamond clarity (Clarity is the clearness of a diamond. The most valued diamonds are the clearest. When shopping for a diamond, look for diamonds with grades from FL to SI2. Stones from VS1 to S2 are the best value because they are lower in price without too many inclusions.)
Diamond color (Diamonds that are colorless or near colorless are the most prized.) And diamond cut (The diamond cut determines the brilliance of the diamonds. If a diamond is poorly cut, the light is lost through the sides and bottom of the diamond and there will be no radiance)
Diamonds are more commonly found in certain shapes
About The Author
Angela S Davis Looking for information about Diamonds? Go to: http://www.diamondtrack.com 'Diamond Track' is published by Angela Davis - The Complete A to Z Of Diamond Resources Check out more Diamond articles at: http://www.diamondtrack.com/articles admin@whatcruises.com

Buying Diamonds: Selecting the Best Company

Diamond shoppers today have more choices than ever on where to buy their diamond engagement ring, diamond earrings and other diamond jewelry items. However, with greater selections come bigger potential risks and rewards. You need to do your homework and understand how to select the best company for your diamond purchase.
The retail diamond market is comprised of three broad categories of diamond sources; jewelry stores, ecommerce diamond companies and diamond brokers.
Jewelry Stores
Until recent years, jewelry stores were the only option for most diamond shoppers. This was especially true for smaller towns and rural areas. These stores had a monopoly, much like Ma Bell with the phone systems during most of the 20th century. Jewelry stores were the only game in town and could set their prices at whatever markup they wanted.
Jewelry stores depend on impulse buying so they focus on having a selection to pick from, name recognition through extensive advertising, and being convenient so shoppers can walk in and make a purchase with no education or knowledge of the product. If it looks nice to an impulse buyer, they will pull out the credit card and have it gift-wrapped. To attract the impulse buyer, jewelers built elaborate stores with polished marble floors, expensive display cases, and lighting that makes everything in the store sparkle.
To pay for the stores, the decorations and all the expensive advertising, jewelry stores must maintain high markups on the items they sell. The more expensive stores have bigger inventory, higher rent and more advertising, which dictates the higher markup necessary to pay for all that overhead.
E-Commerce Diamond Retailers
The online shopping cart of hundreds of jewelry retailers has been one of the big growth areas for e-commerce. Shoppers can shop from the convenience of their home or work computer, look at the pictures of thousands of jewelry items online and place their order without ever talking to a human. E-commerce diamond retailers provide a list of diamonds owned by groups of wholesalers and let the shopper pick the diamond they want based on the specifications in the list. The shopper pays for the diamond in advance and then the wholesaler or the retailer ships the diamond to the consumer.
The online jewelry retailers offer the advantage of much greater selection than you can find in a jewelry store and the ability to ship the items all over the country, which provides greater options for shoppers in small towns and rural areas. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers can provide lower prices than most jewelry stores. The disadvantage of the online jeweler is that there are few safeguards in place to keep the consumer from making a mistake. Picking the least expensive diamond from a list of options often means there is something less desirable about the diamond. Without an expert adviser to help, the consumer is mostly on their own to make their selection.
Diamond Brokers
There is a third type of diamond retailer, the diamond broker, that differs from the jewelry store or e-commerce retailer. Like most e-commerce retailers, brokers do not own inventory and have low overhead, but they differ in that they work as diamond consultants for the shopper to find the best diamonds meeting the consumer’s requirements.
To attract new clients, diamond brokers rely on word of mouth advertising. They typically have a website focused on online education and shopping advice instead of a list of inventory and the online shopping cart. Diamond brokers work with their client to find the best diamond on the wholesale market and present it to the client in the broker’s office or ship the diamond to the client to examine before they purchase. The result of the lower overhead and personal consultant service is that clients usually get a better diamond at a lower price than with jewelry stores or online retailers.
To determine which company is going to be the best supplier for your diamonds, know what retailer characteristics are most important to you then ask many questions. Be sure the company you select is going to be able to provide the personalized service, expert advice, high quality diamonds and low prices you deserve.
About The Author
Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.diamondsourceva.com. You can also visit Denny’s blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com. Article for reprint as long as author bio remains intact including links

Loose Baguette Diamonds

Diamonds are found in certain shapes such as baguette, emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, round and trillion. The most popular ones are round diamonds and baguette diamonds. The baguette is a diamond cut in the form of a narrow rectangle.

Loose baguette diamonds are a sophisticated choice, which radiates style and class. There is hundreds of baguette cut, loose diamonds to choose from at wholesale prices. People can either buy a loose stone by itself or combine it with a fabulous diamond ring setting in platinum, white gold, or yellow gold.

Since there are only a few people who can afford these loose diamonds, there is a market for replicas of these, one of a kind diamond. It is always advisable to not go for the cheap loose diamonds, as there is always a possibility of them wearing out fast.

Diamonds are considered the hardest substance on earth, however, because they have grain, they can be chipped if struck. Research has indicated that 80% of the world's diamonds are not suitable for jewelry. Loose baguette diamonds are created deep under the earth, 75 miles or deeper. They are carried to the surface by kimberlitic shafts, which form in certain types of volcanoes.

There are regulars who have exact needs, when buying diamonds and they do not want to buy them at retail prices, which are slightly towards the expensive side. There are wholesale loose baguette diamonds, offered to the public at liquidation prices. The target is simply to carry the largest variety of loose diamonds and colored gemstones including rings, pendants, and earrings. These diamonds that are sold are of top quality, and can make the perfect gift or resale item for people. Wholesale loose heart diamond websites carry approximately hundred's of shapes and styles, in stock for people accessing these sites.

There are many online sites that are available, and provide complete information about loose baguette diamonds as well. It is always advisable to be familiar about diamonds, and then go about buying them. This will help save time and a large amount of money.

Loose Diamonds provides detailed information on Loose Diamonds, Wholesale Loose Diamonds, Certified Loose Diamonds, Loose Diamonds For Sale and more. Loose Diamonds is affiliated with Diamond Engagement Rings.

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

Tips On Purchasing Loose Cut Diamonds

Purchasing loose diamonds can be an effective diamond buying strategy for both cost and quality. Loose cut diamonds refer to diamonds that have already been cut and polished, but have not been placed in any particular type of setting yet, such as a ring. If you are buy loose cut diamonds, you will then have the ability to place the diamonds in a variety of settings after your purchase. By focusing first on the diamond, you will be able to get the best quality diamond for your money.

A diamond will usually be characterized by the four c's: carat weight, clarity, color, and cut. While caret weight is a consideration, don't make the mistake of focusing solely on size. Shopping for loose cut diamonds based strictly based on carat weight would be similar to purchasing an appliance based just on capacity, without considering the features and styling that would work best to fit your needs. The other diamond characteristics can greatly impact the look of your diamond even more than the carat weight.

Another important consideration is clarity, which refers to the number and type of flaws that are found in the diamond. Unfortunately, clarity is very difficult to judge accurately, as most flaws are only visible under a microscope. You can ask a variety of jewelers to point out the flaws in a variety of stones, using a microscope, until you can judge for yourself. However, since most people will be admiring your diamond with their naked eye, you can usually rule out loose cut diamonds with flaws that are clearly visible, and not worry too much about microscopic flaws.

Diamonds come in a variety of colors, but for a traditional, non-colored diamond, the clearer the better. Although you will be purchasing loose cut diamonds, it is good to have an idea about what type of setting you will have your diamonds in. If you plan on mounting the stones in white-gold or platinum, the whiter diamonds will be much more effective. Yellow metals, like gold, will be much more forgiving to more of yellow-colored diamonds.

The cut of your loose diamonds is perhaps the most important consideration. The cut will determine, to a large extent, the brilliance of your diamonds, and also suggest the best diamond setting. A brilliant cut usually has triangular facets that surround the stone, leading to what is a flat top, or often called a table. These differ from the more traditional emerald or step cuts, but provide the shiniest diamonds available.

Purchasing loose cut diamonds can be a jewelry investment that lasts a lifetime. By spending some time familiarizing yourself with the many choices before your purchase, you be a much more informed consumer. Your diamonds will then be available for a variety of creative settings.

Amy Wells is a diamond lover and aficionado. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Wells

Wholesale Loose Diamond Chips

Wholesale loose diamond chips are obtainable if one cares to spend some time searching and browsing.

There are a few pointers to keep in mind however. It is pretty much buyer beware and this applies particularly if buying online.

You are unable to really see and judge a diamond when it is bought online either through a dealer or auction. You get a picture that may show the diamond of in its best colors but you do need to know something about diamonds and how they are graded to pick out those that seem the best for the price.

If you are buying online examine the diamonds in natural light, preferable with a white background and you can see any visible to the naked eye flaws. Check the diamond against the certificate to ensure they match. You might even like to take it to a local jeweler to be examined in your presence. (it is wise not to let a diamond go out of your sight when being examined. The exception being a GIA laboratory)

wholesale loose diamond chips are really very small diamonds that can be suitable to make up a ring or broach say and could surround a good sized diamond centerpiece. In a platinum ring they can really provide some extra enhancement to make the ring look very beautiful and exquisite.

All diamonds, small or large and even wholesale loose diamond chips should come with a GIA certificate indicating the grade and quality of the diamonds. make sure the dealer has a money back guarantee also.

On the Price of Diamonds website, http://priceofdiamonds.org there is extensive information about diamonds and how they are graded, how to select a good diamond from a bad and how to ensure that you are getting a good quality diamond and not a dud.

Permission to use this article is granted provided the link is included Michael Price of Diamonds Comprehensive News & Information about Diamonds Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J_Moore

Do You Have Enough Jewelry Insurance?

Jewelry insurance comes in many forms and varieties and only an insurance agent can provide accurate and specific advice. However, it helps to know enough about jewelry insurance to ask your agent the right questions and to be aware of how the process works. The time to ask your insurance agent the questions is before you insure an item, not when you need to file a claim. Read the fine print in your insurance contract to be sure it provides the coverage you expect.

Understanding jewelry insurance begins with recognizing the difference between scheduled and unscheduled property.

Unscheduled property (jewelry not specifically listed) is typically included in basic homeowner or renter’s policies under blanket coverage. There is a usually a deductible (typically $500) and a maximum amount of coverage (typically $1500) although these amounts can vary with the specific policy. This type of coverage does not require an appraisal but sales receipts, written descriptions or photos are beneficial in proving the items existed and estimating their replacement value.

Scheduled property (jewelry specifically listed) is included in a floater, rider or endorsement to homeowner or renter’s policies. Jewelry insurance is also available with a separate policy, from a company specializing in jewelry insurance. For scheduled property, the insurance appraisal is vital because it describes the jewelry item and provides the “insured value” that is used in determining the premium you will pay to insure the item each year. Most scheduled property policies do not have an automatic appreciation adjustment as is common for the house and other unscheduled property. Therefore, even if it might cost 50% more to replace an item in five years, the “insured value” is still only that stated in the appraisal.

If you file an insurance claim, the settlement process and amount paid will depend on the policy and in particular, if the policy allows replacement or agreed value settlement. For agreed value policies, the settlement amount is stated in the policy whereas replacement value allows the insurance company to replace your jewelry or make a cash settlement based on the insurance company’s cost to replace your item. The insurance company’s liability ceiling is set at the “insured value” on the appraisal.

Do you have enough jewelry insurance? The answer depends on what kind of policy you have, the “insured value” is on the appraisal, the settlement procedure is for your particular policy, and the accuracy of the information on your appraisal. If you have a jewelry item valued at more than the $1500, you should definitely consider scheduled as opposed to unscheduled coverage.

The critical issue for scheduled property coverage is the how accurate is the information on the appraisal.

1) If the information on the appraisal is vague and general, the insurance company can replace the item with an item that satisfies the description but perhaps is not the quality and true value of the lost item. Be sure your jewelry appraisal has a detailed and accurate description of the jewelry item.

2) If the appraisal value is artificially high, the insurance company can replace the item at their cost even though the client paid premiums for years on a value twice as much. This is often the case for purchases from a jewelry store with prices double other retailers and the store provides an insurance appraisal even higher than the purchase price. You do not need an appraised value more than 150% of the price you would pay at low priced online retailer.

3) If the appraisal value is too low, the insurance company can make cash settlement that might not cover the current replacement cost of the item. This could be the case for items purchased three or four years ago from a low price online retailer and the appraised value was at or below the purchase price. With diamond prices increasing about 10% a year recently, it does not take long for appraisal values to be out of date if too close to online retail purchase prices. Be sure to have your jewelry insurance appraisal updated every four or five years so you do not end up underinsured.

About The Author

Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.diamondsourceva.com. You can also visit Denny’s blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com. Article for reprint as long as author bio remains intact including links.

Jewelry Loose Diamonds

When designing jewelry loose diamonds are the best way to start off. Loose diamonds have a number of advantages over set diamonds.

They can be easily checked for flaws. A diamond laboratory can easily check the quality of the diamond as all sides and the bottom are readily available for inspection and analysis. When a diamond is set then the bottom is often hidden and the prongs or claws can hide flaws.

One can design the type and style of jewelry to suit you around the loose diamonds that you have. One does not have to be satisfied with a setting that is not really suitable.

First one has to get the loose diamonds. This will depend upon your budget and the type and size of diamonds you want. Then deciding on the precious metal to be used for the jewelry. Usually gold or platinum. Platinum is harder than gold but is also twice the price. Gold can come in varying degrees of hardness. 24 karat gold is pure gold and rather soft. Not really suitable for jewelry. 14 and 18 Karat is considered better for jewelry. The gold has been mixed or alloyed with other harder metals such as silver, zinc and sometimes nickel. This makes it more suitable for jewelry. Rings wear out more than other jewelry so this should be taken into consideration.

So having established the quality and amount of diamonds and the precious metal to be used then comes the design. This can be sketched out and then given to a jeweler to make up. Ensure you find a really good quality and honest jewelery, preferably one who is a member of the GIA. Ensure that your diamonds have GIA certificates (or equivalent) and that the diamonds match the certificates. Branded diamonds, although cost more, are better as they have the certificate number etched into the diamond.

Ensure it is very clear with the jeweler exactly what you want and how you want it. Check several times with them until you are completely satisfied.

Further vital information is available at http://priceofdiamonds.org. And lastly, with jewelry loose diamonds and making up the piece you desire, common sense and some due diligence are always a good idea.

Permission to use this article is granted provided the link to Price of Diamonds is included.

Michael Moore
http://priceofdiamonds.org

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

Wholesale Loose Diamonds in Australia

Wholesale loose diamonds are prevalent in Australia and Australia, in fact, is actually one of the biggest producers of diamonds producing around 40 million carats annually.

Most of the diamonds are produced in the western state of Australia. This covers almost half of the massive continent and has vast regions relatively unexplored.

You can purchase wholesale loose diamonds in Australia but only if you are a diamond trader. Technically speaking wholesale diamonds should only be sold to diamond traders and jewelers but you can buy loose diamonds ‘at wholesale prices’ which is quite a different thing.

If a dealers offers you wholesale diamonds you know he is not telling the truth unless you are a trader or jeweler of course. He can offer you retails diamonds, “at a wholesale price”. That is different of course.

In any transaction involving diamonds you need to ensure that you know as much about diamonds as possible. You don’t need to know all about diamonds but you certainly need to know the basics.

You also need to ensure you get a gemological assessment of the qualities of the or a diamond so you can get the price of the diamonds through an appraisal.

One just does not take the word of a trader or dealer on the value or qualities of a diamond or diamonds.

Any dealer worth his salt with have a certificate from a laboratory showing the qualities of any reasonable sized diamond.

Even if you buy from a friend or relation, you still need to know the true condition and qualities of the diamond and its value.

In Australia there are large chains of jewelry stores where you can buy diamonds, sometimes ‘reduced’ to sell. These are usually not the best quality around and have been purchased in bulk and would not interest someone serious enough to want to buy a good quality diamond.

Mostly they employ salespeople and these are there to sell jewelery. The lights in such places are bright and set of anything sparkly to their best effect. Take the diamond out into the natural light and check for inclusions and you will likely be amazed at what you see. Better still take a jewelers loupe in with you and inspect the diamonds. It is rare however that they will have any loose diamonds, only diamonds in settings and it is difficult to assess the quality of a diamond when it is in a setting.

Your best bet is to go to a top quality jeweler and not a chain as you are more likely to actually talk to a diamond jeweler who can assist and will be willing to show you some loose diamonds. More information is available at http://priceofdiamonds.org.

They will not be wholesale loose diamonds in Australia however. And unlikely to be offered at wholesales prices also!

Permission to use this article is granted provided the link to price of Diamonds is included.

Michael Moore
http://priceofdiamonds.org

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

JEWELRY LOOSE DIAMOND

When designing jewelry loose diamonds are the best way to start off. Loose diamonds have a number of advantages over set diamonds.

They can be easily checked for flaws. A diamond laboratory can easily check the quality of the diamond as all sides and the bottom are readily available for inspection and analysis. When a diamond is set then the bottom is often hidden and the prongs or claws can hide flaws.

One can design the type and style of jewelry to suit you around the loose diamonds that you have. One does not have to be satisfied with a setting that is not really suitable.

First one has to get the loose diamonds. This will depend upon your budget and the type and size of diamonds you want. Then deciding on the precious metal to be used for the jewelry. Usually gold or platinum. Platinum is harder than gold but is also twice the price. Gold can come in varying degrees of hardness. 24 karat gold is pure gold and rather soft. Not really suitable for jewelry. 14 and 18 Karat is considered better for jewelry. The gold has been mixed or alloyed with other harder metals such as silver, zinc and sometimes nickel. This makes it more suitable for jewelry. Rings wear out more than other jewelry so this should be taken into consideration.

So having established the quality and amount of diamonds and the precious metal to be used then comes the design. This can be sketched out and then given to a jeweler to make up. Ensure you find a really good quality and honest jewelery, preferably one who is a member of the GIA. Ensure that your diamonds have GIA certificates (or equivalent) and that the diamonds match the certificates. Branded diamonds, although cost more, are better as they have the certificate number etched into the diamond.

Ensure it is very clear with the jeweler exactly what you want and how you want it. Check several times with them until you are completely satisfied.

Further vital information is available at http://priceofdiamonds.org. And lastly, with jewelry loose diamonds and making up the piece you desire, common sense and some due diligence are always a good idea.

Permission to use this article is granted provided the link to Price of Diamonds is included.

Michael Moore
http://priceofdiamonds.org

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

BUYING A LOOSE DIAMOND

I suggest buying a loose stone, presenting the diamond loose, finding a reliable jeweler in your area, pick out a setting you both like, and have the jeweler set your diamond. My main reason for this approach is price. In almost every case, you will save a lot of money buying a diamond from one of the major Web dealers (as opposed to buying from a local brick-and-mortar store). On a find quality 1 carat diamond you might save enough to pay for a romantic weekend away with your sweetheart to make your proposal in style. For ideas about this, you can go to our article on proposal ideas

Here's how (and why you should do it this way):

1 ) Read the article on our site entitled: "Loose Diamonds are Better"
This will tell you why we feel you will achieve a much better result for less money with a loose diamond rather than buying a ring that is already finished in a jewelry display. It also tells you how to present the diamond loose, so you can involve your sweetheart when most women prefer to be involved -- selecting the setting. The fun is creating the ring together!

2 ) Read the article on site called: "How to Choose a Diamond Dealer." This will tell you how to find a dealer that you can trust. Also, read our article on how to avoid the major scams that are still used in find stores across the country.

Use our free Five Easy Steps to guide you through the 4 Cs and beyond.

Ask the Experts if you have any remaining questions. It's free.

Sometimes there can be some value to having everything done in one place. Many of the best dealers (like the ones in our Dealer Ratings) offer excellent prices on settings as well as loose diamonds. The only problem with this is seeing the setting before you buy, since online photos are not enough. The best online dealers will send you the settings in the mail before setting them, but this adds shipping costs. So I recommend using a local jeweler for the setting. This gives the two of you a little time together creating a very special ring with your sweetheart.

You should also decide on your wedding rings options at this time also, since the wedding ring will need to match or work well with her engagement ring.

Hope this helps. If you have any further questions, use our Ask the Experts form to include your own question and add to our growing database of knowledge for future visitors!

Robert Hensley
President
Diamond Helpers

Keywords: loose diamond, setting, how to buy, settings, rings, buying online, web dealers, internet dealers, internet jewelers, web jewelers

JUDGING A DIAMOND’S QUALITY

Only high-quality diamonds are suitable for use as gems. In judging the quality (and therefore the value) of a cut diamond, a buyer must take into account four criteria, known as the “four C’s”: color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. Colorless stones are extremely valuable, while yellow or brown-tinged stones are regarded as imperfect. Fancy, colored diamonds, or fancies, exhibit clear, strong colors such as blue, green, red, and orange. Fancies are quite rare and highly prized. The presence or absence of internal blemishes and flaws determines clarity. Weight reflects a diamond’s size. The unit of weight usually employed for diamonds and other gems is the metric carat, which is equal to 0.2 g (about 0.007 oz). Another unit used to express the weight of diamonds is the point, equal to 0.01 carat. A stone of 82 points would therefore weigh 0.82 carat. A 5-carat stone is worth more than five 1-carat stones that are otherwise of the same quality. The final criteria buyers use in determining the quality of a diamond is its cut. The cut is the shape and proportion of the stone, as determined during the diamond-cutting procedure.

DIAMOND CUTTING

Rough diamonds are not brilliant and can appear greasy. Diamond cutting encompasses a number of processes that bring out the beauty of gem diamonds. These processes include cleaving, sawing or laser cutting, and polishing. A diamond cutter seeks to enhance the brilliance and fire of each stone and to eliminate imperfections, such as cracks and cloudiness. The cutter develops a plan that will accomplish these goals while still producing a gem of the greatest size and hence maximum value. About half of a natural diamond’s size is lost in diamond cutting.

Examining the stone is the first step in diamond cutting. The cutter determines where cleavage planes lie and decides how the stone can best be divided by cleaving and sawing. Ink marks on the rough diamond serve as a guide for the shaping to follow.

The cutter next places the diamond firmly in a holder for cleaving. A light blow of a hammer on the cleaving iron, which is held against the diamond parallel to the cleavage plane, cleaves the stone. In present-day practice cutters more often saw diamonds or cut them with a laser rather than cleave them. The saw is a thin metal disk, the edge of which is impregnated with a mixture of diamond dust and oil.

Polishing, the final step in the cutting of a diamond, consists of forming the facets of the finished stone. Cutters most often choose the “brilliant” form, which has 58 facets. During the polishing process a mount called a dop firmly holds the gem. A flat, horizontally revolving cast-iron wheel coated with a mixture of diamond dust and oil forms the facets. The cutter holds the stone in its dop against the surface of the wheel until the facet forms. In the course of polishing, the cutter moves the stone many times in its dop to present new surfaces for polishing.

USE DIAMOND IN JEWELRY

Jewelry of later periods falls into two main groups: diamond jewelry, which was usually conservative in design, and jewelry that reflected changing fashions in clothes and the arts. With the introduction in the 17th century of new methods of faceting gems to give them greater brilliance, the diamond became the preferred stone for precious jewelry, a reference that remains. At the same time, in the 18th and 19th centuries, industrial development brought mass production of more popular jewelry in cheaper materials. In addition to diamond tiaras, rings, and brooches of naturalistic design, there was less costly jewelry in the neoclassical style inspired by originals excavated at Pompeii, and in revivals of Gothic, Renaissance, and Egyptian styles. The materials utilized, in addition to gold and semiprecious stones, included base-metal alloys, paste (for imitation gemstones), steel, and cast iron. Techniques included mechanical processes for stamping and cutting out patterns and settings.

In the case of both luxury jewelry and popular jewelry, a characteristic arrangement was a matched set, or parure. A woman's parure often included a tiara or ring in addition to the basic combination of necklace, earrings, and brooch. A man's parure, in the 18th century, consisted of buttons, shoe buckles, sword hilt, and the insignia of knightly orders. Many magnificent parures and other jewels were created for the royal houses of Europe, which for several hundred years have accumulated permanent collections of coronation regalia, state and personal jewelry, and important single stones like the Koh-i-noor and Hope diamonds. Many of the brilliant crowns have been reset, broken up, or lost, but a variety of impressive collections remain in the Tower of London, the Vienna Treasury, and the Kremlin. Jeweled accessories were also fashionable. These included watchcases, snuffboxes, seals, and thimble cases.

The jewelry worn in colonial America was mostly imported from Europe. Although records exist of simple jewels made in the colonies at the time, almost none has survived.

The most opulent jewelry was made during the Second Empire in France, when a demand for costly gems set the style for the lavish use of diamonds and pearls. With the emphasis on extravagant display and the intrinsic appeal of precious stones, the workmanship of the metal settings was neglected and became inferior. Only at the end of the 19th century did Peter Carl Fabergé reintroduce exacting craftsmanship in jewelry and in such accessories as boxes, cane handles, fans, and picture frames. Like the goldsmith-jewelers of the Renaissance, Fabergé specialized in the contrast of colors and materials, and his most original designs are those that combine gold, enamel, and various gems

HISTORY OF DIAMOND

Diamond, mineral form of the element carbon, valued as a precious stone. Diamond is the hardest natural mineral and has many other exceptional properties that collectively make it an important industrial and scientific material. Unique geologically, diamonds form at great depths within Earth and are typically billions of years old.

Diamond is the hardest known natural material (third-hardest known material after aggregated diamond nanorods and ultrahard fullerite), whose hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelery. Diamonds are specifically renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities — they make excellent abrasives because they can be scratched only by other diamonds, Borazon, ultrahard fullerite, or aggregated diamond nanorods, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain luster. About 130 million carats (26,000 kg) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion.About 100,000 kg are synthesized annually.

The name “diamond” derives from the ancient Greek adamas (αδάμας; “invincible”). They have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in India at least 2,500 years ago— and usage in drill bits and engraving tools also dates to early human history.

Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns. They are commonly judged by the “four Cs”: carat, clarity, color, and cut.

Roughly 49% of diamonds originate from central and southern Africa, although significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil, and Australia. They are mined from kimberlite and lamproite volcanic pipes, which brought to the surface the diamond crystals from deep in the Earth where the high pressure and temperature enables the formation of the crystals. The mining and distribution of natural diamonds are subjects of frequent controversy such as with concerns over the sale of conflict diamonds by African paramilitary groups. There are also allegations that the De Beers Group misuses its dominance in the industry to control supply and manipulate price via monopolistic practices, although in recent years the company's market share has dropped to below 50%.

Diamonds are crystals composed of pure carbon. In nature, diamond crystallizes from hot carbon-rich fluids. This crystallization requires tremendous heat and pressure—1000 to 1200°C (1800 to 2200°F) of heat and 50 kilobars of pressure. (One bar is based on the pressure the atmosphere exerts at sea level, about 1.02 kg per sq cm, or 14.7 lb per sq in; 50 kilobars is 50,000 bars.) The pressures and temperatures at which natural diamond forms only occur deep underground. Scientists believe that diamonds form at depths greater than 150 km (93 mi), and there is evidence that some diamonds formed as deep as 670 km (420 mi) beneath Earth’s surface.

Concentrations of diamonds great enough to be economically feasible for mining are usually found in Earth’s oldest continental regions, called cratons. Cratons form the cores of most continents and consist of inactive geological areas more than 2 billion years old with thick crust and deep roots extending into the mantle beneath. Craton conditions are ideal for diamond formation and preservation. Scientists have determined the ages of some diamonds by dating mineral impurities trapped within the diamonds. These data reveal that most cratonic diamonds are ancient, some older than 3 billion years.

Much younger volcanic rocks—kimberlites and lamproites—pass through the cratonic rocks in a liquid form called magma during their rapid ascent to Earth’s surface. These flowing veins of rock act as carriers of diamonds and other rock fragments. After eruption they solidify, forming funnel-shaped kimberlite “pipes.” These pipes are primary diamond deposits. Many diamonds are recovered at a distance from their primary deposits in secondary alluvial deposits, which are loose eroded materials left behind by flowing water. In some instances diamonds are also found in sandstones, conglomerates, and other sedimentary rocks that presumably solidified from former alluvial deposits. Wind and glaciers can also transport diamonds from their point of origin at Earth’s surface.

Small, generally low quality diamonds form in rocks at shallower depths under pressure conditions that are higher than usual for those depths. Tectonic movement, rather than magma, transports these diamonds to Earth’s surface. Deposits of this type occur in areas such as Kazakhstan and typically involve the collision of a continental and an oceanic plate followed by rapid uplift of deeply buried rocks. Diamond deposits brought to the surface by tectonic movement are generally younger than kimberlitic diamonds, and typically consist of microdiamonds (less than 1 mm across) or graphite relics of larger diamonds.

Diamonds are also found in meteorites and near meteorite craters on Earth’s surface. Extremely small diamonds (nanodiamonds) occur in many types of meteorites and have a lower density than other diamonds. Meteorites can also produce pressure and heat at the moment of impact sufficient to transform carbon into diamond. Diamond found in a type of meteorite called ureilite is thought to form directly from graphite contained in the meteorites upon impact. Impact-crater diamonds are opaque and range from very small to around a centimeter in diameter.