Jewelry Guide

Best gemstones & designers jewelry tips

4 Rules to Invest in Jewelry

Written By: Melissa MC - Mar• 21•12

While you are wondering when is the best time to buy a pair of earrings or that pretty necklace with a sale tag on the store window front, there is more than meets the eye when you want to splurge on a jewelry. First of all, you need to remember that diamond, gold, and silver tend to retain their value. You can read how to choose diamond to get you started. These materials have retained their value over the past 6,000 years and there is no apparent good reason why they wouldn’t for the next few centuries or so.

freshwaterpearls

Hence, the investment you make on a good piece of jewelry tend to last, compared to if you spend your money on shoes or clothes. A $200 gold bracelet may seem quite expensive today, but ten years from now, the same jewelry may be worth $300 or even more if it is a one-of-its-kind limited edition and is in high demand. The basic rules for investing in good pieces of jewelry are: Material (remember the DGS rule: choose jewelry that is made of diamond, gold, or silver), Style, Store (where you buy the jewelry), and Price (can you get a good deal?).

So as to balance my apparent excitement to encourage you to buy the best deal jewelry in store right now, I would proceed by saying that not all trends deserve to be followed. Of course, there are people who successfully create a statement by wearing ten different rings on their fingers, or celebrities who wear more jewelries than what they ought to. You know when you are following Elvis in the fashionably wrong direction when you plan to buy and wear several different diamond rings with multicolored gemstones in one occasion.

Trend is there to be followed, not to flush you away from the crowd. For example, you can always rely on a basic string of freshwater pearls to go with a black little dress. Both suits for a variety of occasion, from a romantic dinner to a semi-formal business event, a wedding celebration in the evening, or even a funeral! You can wear them today, tomorrow, or even the next five years without looking outdated. Hence, purchasing a string of good quality freshwater pearls can be considered as a good investment.

Subsequently, the place where you buy your jewelry often counts. For example, a gold Cartier love bracelet is adorable. It is made of gold (so you meets the DGS rule), the style is almost everlasting and you can wear the bracelet on a variety of occasions. It is designed by a well-respected jewelry store in the country (the reputation of Cartier counts, and there are people who hunt Cartier jewelry that is no longer sold by the store), and the price is quite reasonable (well, quite expensive but you donate some of the money to charity, so since people’s lives cannot be measured by money, I count the jewelry as meeting the Price rule).

On the other hand, when you see an advertisement or an offer of a silver necklace, from a store that is unheard of, at a price of $400 and you just love the jewelry because of the cute shape, you might want to reconsider your options. Does $400 really worth the piece? Does the shape can really last, I mean, would you wear it the year after next year? If it is quite fragile, you may have to spend extra money in the long term to fix the clasp or parts of the jewelry. There is a real difference between a well-cared vintage jewelry and one that is neglected by the owner (usually the first sign is missing stones or tarnished color).

Sometimes, you can buy a nice set of jewelry from an online store that sells overstock or clearance sale. You can even buy good jewelry that will not break your bank by searching for affordable jewelry store such as Helzberg Diamonds. I am in no way associated with Helzberg, but I have heard about couples who succesfully buy engagement and wedding rings at highly affordable price there. If it saves people’s money, and it gives reasonable price for reasonably good items, then I think it is good. There is a chronic financial pain that one can feel when one has to borrow a loan just to buy a silver or gold ring for one’s loved one during the person’s special day. You can even buy a jewelry at an auction for the best price. But of course, you need to have the skills to determine the real value of a vintage or antique jewelry from faux jewelry.

Posted in Diamonds, Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry , , , , , | No Comments »

Pearl Grading Systems

Written By: Melissa MC - Jan• 15•12

As you may have read about how to choose pearl jewelry, it is also important to find out how to grade pearl in the first place. Pearl grading is perhaps one of the most challenging and time-consuming task that any pearl buyer, especially the first-time buyer, has to do. However, the learning curve and the time spent to learn about various pearl grading systems will be worth the time as it will help you buy the right quality pearl at the right price. In general, there are two popular pearl grading systems available today. The first one is the AAA to A (AAA-A) system, and the second one is the A to D (A-D) system that is often called as the Tahitian system.

Actually, there is no definite industry standard for pearl grading system. However, the two systems mentioned above are the most popular ones among pearl sellers and buyers so that we can simply follow the systems to help us determine the value of a pearl. Nonetheless, first-time buyer may fall victim to pearl seller that claims he sells AAA+ or AAAA grade pearl, which is of course, an attempt to make his pearl seems more valuable than it actually is, in the mind of the buyer. Hence, one will have to get used to various pearl types and characteristics to determine a good value of a pearl. Here are the two pearl grading systems unveiled.

1. The AAA-A system values AAA pearls as the most valuable ones, followed by AA and A pearls. The grading system applies to freshwater and akoya pearls but can also be used for Tahitian and South Sea pearls too. According to the pearl-guide.com, the AAA pearls have high luster and only have maximum 5 percent of stain or defect. Meanwhile, the AA pearls have high luster and a maximum of 25 percent of stain/ defect. The A pearls have lower luster and can be more than 75 percent stain/ defect. Therefore, the A pearls are often mounted on jewelry to hide the stains/ defects to create stunning jewelry at reasonable price.

2. The Tahitian system is created to grade Tahitian and South Sea pearls by the French Polynesia government, with the A becomes the most beautiful pearl with high luster and minimum defects (less than 10 percent). The B ones have medium luster with a maximum of 30 percent of visible stains/ defects. The C pearls have medium luster with a maximum of 60 percent deep defects or more than 60 percent of blemishes, and the D pearls are not good for jewelry.

Lastly, the one should check on the nacre of the pearl, as the nacre determines the durability of the pearl over time. In general, the acceptable standard for nacre thickness is 0.8 millimeters according to the French Polynesia government. However, some pearls may naturally be larger than others may, such as Tahitian pearls tend to be larger than Akoyas, so one should consider applying the rule when shopping for the right pearl.

 

Posted in Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

How to Choose Pearl Jewelry

Written By: Melissa MC - Jan• 14•12

For millennia, people have hunted pearls for making jewelry and lavish clothes. People in mainland China, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf have hunted natural pearls manually for more than 1,000 years. Before the beginning of 20th century, typically out of 3 to 4 tons of clams, only 3-4 clams produce beautiful pearls. Due to the difficulties in retrieving the piece of jewelry, along with the rarity of natural pearl, tradesmen over the centuries put high price on their natural pearls and gave pearls as jewelry or clothing accessory to the wealthy and powerful men in the country. In general, the larger the natural pearl and the more difficult to hunt, the more valuable it is. If you are interested in purchasing pearl jewelry, you need to consider several factors that will help you choose the right pearl jewelry.

1. Choose between natural or cultured pearls. Typically, cultured pearls are more widely available and more affordable than natural pearl jewelry. If you go to a jewelry store and find pearl jewelry such as pearl necklace, you are likely to be looking at cultured pearl jewelry. Natural pearl is highly rare due to centuries of pearl hunting and so once a person buys a natural pearl, he/ she is likely to order jewelry that matches the pearl.

2. Set a specific budget. Since pearls, natural or cultured, are available in various colors, styles, shapes, and sizes, it is easy to get distracted by the variety and buy the largest, most beautiful pearl available in the spur of the moment without realizing your available budget. Therefore, before you go out to see a jeweler, pearl dealer, or go to a jewelry store, you should calculate the amount of money that you are willing to spend for the piece of pearl jewelry or natural pearl.

3. Learn more about pearls. By doing your homework, you will be able to differentiate the color between Akoya pearls and Cortez, Mabe, or South Sea, and Tahitian pearls. You will also understand a pearl is measured by Momme weight (1 momme weight for cultured pearl equals to 3.75 grams). Pearls are sized using millimeter size range but the momme weight determines whether a pearl jewelry is well proportioned. You will also note that a pearl value is also determined by its surface, shape, and lustre. The more transparent a pearl and the fewer blemishes it has, the more valuable it is.

Buy pearl or pearl jewelry from a trusted pearl jewelry/ pearl dealer around and compare prices between stores to see if you can get best value for money.

 

Posted in Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Liz Taylor Diamond and Jewelry

Written By: Melissa MC - Sep• 17•11

Following the last article about Liz Taylor jewelry goes to auction, Christie’s has begun to exhibit several of Taylor’s collection of diamond and jewelry, starting in Moscow, followed by other six cities before the real auction in New York this December.

When asked about whether the last market crisis might affect the result of the auction, the head of jewelry for Christie’s Americas, Rahul Kadakia said that expectations were still high. Kadakia further explained that even in the darkest days of December 2008, the Wittelsbach diamond (35-carat blue diamond) was sold for more than $24 million, setting the world record for the most expensive jewel to be sold at auction.

Among the collections, Kadakia estimated that the jewelry that might attract collectors most is probably the 33-carat white diamond jewelry, which was given to Taylor by her late ex-husband Richard Burton. The auction house estimated that the jewelry might fetch more than $2.5 million during the event.

Other jewelry that were given to Taylor by his late ex-husband Burton are the La Peregrina, Taj Mahal Diamond, and Ping-Pong Diamond Rings. What is so special about each of this jewelry? The La Peregrina features giant pear-shaped pearl that was discovered in 16th century and owned by King Philip II of Spain. To get the pearl, Burton had to outbid a member of Spain’s royal family.

Meanwhile, the Mughal Dynasty emperor was the owner of the Taj Mahal diamond. He gave the jewelry to his son Shah Jahan, who gave it to his wife Mumtaz-i-Mahal. Shah Jahan is the one who built Taj Mahal in memory of his late wife. The ping-pong diamond rings were given by Burton after he lost a table tennis game to her. Burton told Taylor that he would give her a diamond if she won 10 points against him. Well, she finally did.

However, many says, that despite of the jewelry history, the pieces do more than just being outer adornment. The pieces also evoke memories about time that is long gone. Kadakia, interviewed by Fox Business, said, “The way Miss Taylor and Mr. Burton lived… this way of life is gone.” If you are interested in buying diamond jewelry, you can read tips and advices on buying diamond jewelry, and selecting diamond jewelry for men.

Source: Fox Business

Posted in Antique jewelry, Diamonds, Gold Jewelry , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Learn Before Buying Diamond

Written By: Melissa MC - Aug• 22•11

With the various diamond cuts, styles, and shapes today, selecting the best diamond for you can be quite challenging. However, with due diligence and patience, you will eventually find the diamond that you are looking for, at the best price possible.

1. Set a specific budget for the diamond purchase. Although the adage that says where your money is there your heart is comes to sense when it comes to selecting the best diamond, you should not break the bank for a diamond purchase. Diamond is stunningly beautiful, and especially mined diamonds are meant to be masterpieces. Hence, it is all the more reason why you need to set a budget prior to your shopping spree.

2. Learn how to assess a diamond using the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat weight. The color and clarity of diamond are in the hands of Mother Nature, and we can do pretty much nothing about it. The carat weight is the end weight of a diamond after the diamond has been cut. Hence, the one that lies in the hands of man is the cut. Furthermore, the cut determines the appearance of a diamond.

3. Consider choosing a well-cut diamond. An expert diamond cutter understands the natural state of each rough diamond that he receives, and he would cut the diamond into its proper proportions that the facets reflect fire light, white light, and sparkle. In general, the carat affects the price of a diamond most, followed by clarity, color, and then the cut. A poorly cut diamond, even if it has large carat weight, tends to appear less attractive because it generally lacks brilliance, scintillation, and appeal. Hence, although it depends on your decision which factor is more important among the 4Cs when you buy a diamond, you need to take into consideration the cut of the diamond.

4. Check the carat weight. Several jewelers would advise you to purchase a 0.99 carat diamond that costs you less than 1.00 carat because it tends to have well-cut facets than the latter. If you decide to buy a bigger size, a 1.10 carat is a better option than the 1.00 one. Therefore, it is about getting a balance between the 4Cs, and selecting the one that suits your budget most.

5. Select the diamond shape and color that you like. Some people prefer fancy shapes such as heart while others prefer the more traditional square or oval shape. The most popular shape however, is the round brilliant cut diamond with 58 facets including the culet, which Marcel Tolkowsky developed in early 20th century. Some people might also love diamond with a certain color, while others do not care what color their diamond is as long as it is bright.

6. Mined and cut diamonds are expensive, and several diamonds tend to have diminutive blemishes or spots that one is only able to see using jewelers loupe. Jewelers usually sell those diamonds at much lower prices and well if you cannot see the spots with your eyes, why bother?

7. Ask if the jeweler offers Conflict Free Diamonds to make sure that the diamond you wish to buy is certified Conflict Free. Ask the jeweler politely to give you the Conflict Free certification.

To give you further protection against forgery or conflict diamonds, you could search for retailer/ jeweler that is listed as a member of Jewelers of America or the American Gem Society, to make sure that you are buying your precious gemstone from a reputable merchant that stands behind its products. Select your diamond carefully and compare prices between jewelers to make sure you get the right precious stone that suits your personal preferences, at the right price.

Posted in Diamonds, Gemstones , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Choosing Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring

Written By: Melissa MC - Aug• 20•11

Brilliant cut diamond is probably the most popular cut of diamond, used for engagement and wedding rings today, thanks to the intricate facets that produce exceptional brilliance, and the high price tag that accompanies delicate brilliant cut diamond gold jewelry. The old adage that says where your money is there your heart is comes to a sense when a groom proposes the woman of his choice with a brilliant cut diamond ring.

What is a brilliant cut diamond? What are the differences from other diamond cut styles? Brilliant cut diamond consists of 58 facets including the culet, with 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. Brilliant cut diamond is typically quite more expensive than other styles of diamond cut because diamond cutters throw away much carat weight during the process. If they fail to cut a perfect facet on one side, they would have to restart the process, throwing away more carat weight.

Due to the cutting difficulties, many jewelers impose a higher price tag for brilliant cut diamond than other styles of diamond cut. Who invented brilliant cut diamond? An engineer and diamond cutter named Marcel Tolkowsky invented the technique. Tolkowsky, the father of the modern brilliant diamond cut, developed round brilliant cut diamond technique during his time learning and practicing about diamonds.

Born in a Belgian family whose main occupation was to cut diamonds, Tolkowsky successfully followed the path of his ancestors, giving further contribution to the jewelry industry by writing the American Standard cut in 1919, which is still considered as the most valuable diamond-cutting benchmark in this good old country.

During his professional years as diamond cutter, Tolkowsky found out that if diamonds were cut according to specific mathematic calculations, they would reflect white, fire, and sparkle lights, resulting in a perfectly round and brilliant precious stone. Today, there are groups of jewelers who set up diamond cut grading standards with different proportions, each believe that certain proportion or table ratios produce the best/ most brilliant diamond cut.

For you who are considering giving your loved one a brilliant-cut diamond ring or buy one for yourself, you need not to be puzzled with the various options available out there. A diamond ring should be an extension of a person’s personal preferences and personality. Thus, it is entirely up to you to decide which brilliant cut diamond ring is right for the receiver, according to her personal style. Choose one that you think is best, and give personal touch to the presentation box. After all, other than the diamond ring, it is your heart that matters.

Posted in Diamonds, Gemstones, Gold Jewelry , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »
12345>>

Fontsforweb.com - free web fonts download. See this Wordpress fonts plugin