Womens Watches

Facts About Champagne Diamonds
The majority of the Champagne color diamonds are found in the Ragged Ranges in the Kimberley region of Australia. In this remote corner of north west Australia is the largest diamond mine in the world the called Argyle Diamond Mine. Diamonds were discovered here in October of 1979.



Since Argyle Diamond Mine was officially opened in 1985 it has produced over 600 million carats of diamonds. By volume this mine is the largest producing diamond mine in the world but only about 5 percent of the stones produced are considered gem-quality. Other diamond mines usually have about 20 percent considered gem-quality.



There are three primary causes of color variations in diamonds. The first is some type of foreign element was trapped inside the diamond. Nitrogen is the most common element and is responsible for yellow or orange coloration. If boron is responsible then the diamond will be a blue color. The second cause of color variations in diamonds is Natural Radiation and it will cause a green color. These are all considered type I diamonds.



Type II diamonds have very few if any nitrogen impurities in them. They get there coleration due to structural andomalies caused by Plastic Deformation durring the crystal growth. The entense pressure changes the lattice structure of diamonds and has led to the formation of Red, Pink, Brown, and Champagne colored diamonds.



The Type II diamonds are rare and constitute less than 2 percent of the gem-quality diamonds available. Most of Australians production of diamonds are of the Type II verity and are usually a steely blue or grey due to scattered boron within the crystal matrix.



Argyle Diamond Mine produces over 95 percent of the Champagne colored diamonds and they have developed a color grading scale that is used by the majority of the gemologists today. Champagne diamonds range from light straw color to deep rich cognac color.



Argyle color grading scale for Champagne Diamonds:



C1 - C2 = Light Champagne

C3 - C4 = Medium champagne

C5 - C6 = Dark Champagne

C7 = Fancy Cognac



The Earth Star



First found in the Jagersfontein Mine in May 1967 and the rough gem was 248.9 carats. It was cut into a pear-shaped and weighted 111.59 carats and is considered one of the largest pear shape cognac colored diamonds in the world. It was purchased by Stephen Zbova, of Naples, Florida in 1983 for $900,00.



The Golden Jubilee



This diamond is currently considered as the largest faceted diamond in the whole world. Also known as the fire rose cut diamond, this diamond has a unique fancy yellow-brown color that made it one of the most beautiful pieces of stone ever unearthed.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit http://www.diamonds-team.com

Unique Engagement Rings
Did you know that you can have customized unique engagement rings created especially for you and your sweetheart? If you are looking to deviate from the standard trend, than you will be glad to know that you can design and create your very own unique engagement rings. It's true, and it is easy to do. Why spend a fortune on platinum when titanium looks extremely similar, with unmatched durability and resilience? Many people aren't anymore, and they are looking at titanium rings as the answer to the cost issue. You can create unique titanium engagement rings that look spectacular, feel great on, and will not succumb to the scratching and bending that is generally associated with gold or platinum, through every day wear and tear. You can even opt for unique gold engagement rings at affordable prices. They are affordable without sacrificing beauty. There are others which use only the finest precious metals such as 18 karat gold, platinum, white gold and mokume gane, each ring is substantial in weight while maintaining a very comfortable fit. Your diamond will be hand selected to fit your taste and budget. Each design is original, and every ring a work of art. Is your sweetheart a free spirit who does not like to stick to conformity? Unique engagement rings at discount, wholesale prices are available on the Internet. You can find great sites on the Internet that provide photographs of actual unique engagement rings. You can browse through these photos and see if a particular style makes you go back to it every time. Inquire about getting a unique engagement ring designed, as there are excellent jewelers who can create a work of art, just from your verbal or written description on how you want your engagement rings to look. They can often help you with your decision-making process, as well as show you examples of other unique engagement rings that have been created for other people. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Engagement ring is to be worn for the entire lifetime. So, why not build your own ring with some unique designs? It will not only look beautiful but also will enhance your personality. Whenever you look at your engagement ring you will be reminded that you were the designer of the ring. Always consider the wedding band when you build your engagement ring. It is rather time-consuming and also expensive to build your engagement ring. However couples should make preliminary decisions about metals, stones, and basic designs before consulting with the jeweler. An engagement ring is a symbol of a man's love and promise to his sweetheart. Why not get her something she will cherish? Shop for unique engagement rings today and express your love with unique engagement rings. For information about Live Love Laugh Jewelry or your wish to Blue Topaz Jewelry visit here http://buyjewelryonline.rediffblogs.com

Author is an experienced online jewelry business expert.

Custom Jewelry And Enhancer Bails Work For Your Pendant
Enhancer Bails Work. Generally, an enhancer is a bail which opens to allow the necklace, pearls, for instance, to be inserted and the enhancer is closed to secure it to the necklace. The types of closures are an important consideration. Some only "snap" shut. Others only have a small "figure 8" shaped safety that folds from one side over a small bead on the other to make the closure.



The "figure 8" safety is one commonly seen on bangle bracelets, gold necklaces with box or cylindrical clasps and on bracelets. The most secure type of enhancer both "snaps" shut and has the "figure 8" safety for added assurance the enhancer will not come open while being worn on the necklace.



Generally, a 14k gold enhancer bail will run from about $50 to $90 in the most common sizes. Fancier ones and added stones will certainly increase the price. If the pendant you have will need a loop soldered on to fit the enhancer, or if the enhancer must be soldered to the pendant, the cost will rise a little. A simple loop soldered on will be about $14 to $18 in my neck of the woods. Solder directly to the enhancer will run from $10 to perhaps $15, including soldering and refinishing. This is added to the cost of the enhancer.



Prices certainly may vary from location to location. Keep in mind, in the usa most jewelers can get the findings, parts, like enhancer bails, for essentially the same prices, regardless of location. For any pendant, and enhancer of the right size is needed to maintain balance in the look of the jewelry. The enancer should fit the necklace and not overpower or look too small for the pendant.



Then again, a necklace of pearls should also balance in size with the pendant. I have seen some enhancers which are much too large for the pendant part of the jewelry and detract from the beauty. If the necklace requires a larger opening, you might choose a longer and more "slim" enhancer which can accommodate a larger necklace but is narrow enough to look in balance with the pendant.



The best thing I can suggest is to go to a jewelry shop and ask to see enhancers. Generally, not many are kept in stock since it is very difficult to predict what a particular customer may need. You can generally see life sized images in catalogs from suppliers. At this time, the store should be able to tell you what labor or modifications to your pendant are needed to fit the enhancer.



There is alot of people that are looking for a some custom jewelery like a gold jerusalem cross pendant with small diamonds or cz at the center of each cross. This unusual form of cross is not likely to be found in stock in jewelry stores. Sometimes these stores will have cross jewelry but most will not be made in gold.



My suggsent is, you will likely have to go to jewelry stores and ask if they can special order the cross for you. At this time of the year, the sooner you can do this the better. Once you get the cross, any competent jeweler should be able to add a stone to the cross.



I did find one jewelry supplier who has a Jerusalem Cross in their religious jewelry catalog. This company is Stuller Findings. The company sells only to businesses but so many jewelry stores use Stuller for supplies and various jewelry items it should not be too difficult to find a store with a Stuller account. The cross could then be ordered. The order would need to specify white gold.



Alternative suggestion. There are many of these crosses listed on Internet sellers sites along with other jewelry that you might like. I do not know if white gold is available or not and that will take a search and perhaps an inquiry to the seller. If you can get the cross that way, still, a local jeweler should have little problem setting a stone in the cross. Whether stones may be set in the side crosses will depend on how the cross is made in the first place. Center should be no problem in the larger cross.



Custom Work: A jewelry store who advertises "custom work" should be able to make the cross if you cannot find one. This approach will be more expensive and it might be pushing to get this custom work done by the time that you need it at. If you try the custom direction, please download and print or otherwise get pictures of the cross for the jeweler to see. This will be needed to get the cross done properly and initially to work up and estimate of cost.



There are certainly some other suppliers that jewelry stores use who will have a Jerusalem cross available. When checking stores, I recommend local stores first and not mall chain stores. Local stores often have a lot more flexibility for special ordered items such as the cross. Local stores are often more eager to place a special order than some chain stores appear to be.

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Everything you need to know about diamonds
Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat. However, in the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains, or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat. Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight, it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ All About the Clarity of Diamonds Clarity is an important aspect of a diamond, and it is important to know how to grade the clarity of a diamond before you buy one. It is actually quite easy to learn how to grade the clarity of a diamond. There are basically two things that you must understand: Diamonds with visual inclusions and blemishes, and those that are «eye clean» meaning that there are no inclusions or blemishes that can be seen with the naked eye. From there, the clarity of a diamond is further broken down into subcategories. Many people mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is. This isnТt so. Clarity actually refers to the internal and external imperfections of the diamond. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF, Flawless or Internally Flawless, meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst. Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which means that the diamond is very, very slightly imperfect; VS1 and VS2, meaning the diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and SI-2, which means that the diamond is slightly imperfect. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _______________ Are Diamonds Really Rare? When you walk into a jewelry store and see all the diamonds in all of the various settings that are for sale, it is difficult to realize that diamonds are indeed rare. Most people don't even stop to consider how that diamond came to be sitting in that jeweler's case! There is quite a bit of work that is done before a diamond is ready to sell to the general public! For every one million diamonds that are mined, only one will be found that is a quality one caret diamond. In order to find a two caret diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than two hundred tons of ore must be mined to find one small diamond, and even then, more than 80% of the diamonds that are mined are only good for industrial use, such as diamond drill bits. So, the next time you visit your local jewelry store, ask to see the one carat diamonds. You should look at this diamond with new Appreciation, knowing that it truly is one in a million! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ________________ Bonded Diamonds Before you start shopping for diamonds, consider dealing with a bonded jeweler. Bonded jewelers sell bonded diamonds, and there are very few bonded jewelers in the world. In fact, out of all of the jeweler's in the world, only about 5% of them are bonded. Buying a bonded diamond will cost more than buying a non-bonded diamond, but when you look at what you get with the bonded option, you will see that it is well worth the extra expense. First, bonded diamonds have a buy back policy for the life of the diamond. No matter how long you have had the diamond, you can take it back to the bonded jeweler and sell it back to him or her, for a 100% refund. If a jeweler does not offer a 100% buy back guarantee, for the life of the diamond, then you should take a closer look at the diamond to see what is wrong with it. Bonded diamonds also have a breakage policy. If the stone breaks or chips, the bonded jeweler will replace it with a new one, one time. No jeweler would ever offer such a policy on any stone that was not 100% natural, so just the offer of such a policy should give you piece of mind concerning the quality of the diamond. Bonded diamonds are natural and untreated. Bonded diamonds increase in value, with a fixed appreciation rate that is designed to keep up with inflation. This means that a diamond that is worth a certain amount of money today will be worth more in the future, as the price of diamonds continues to rise. This generally does not apply to buy backs, however. It typically applies to trade-ins. Alternately, by purchasing a bonded diamond, you are protected against the possibility of a market crash. If a market crash occurs, the value of diamonds will drop. However, the bonded jeweler guarantees to refund you the difference between what the diamond is now worth and what you paid for it before the market crash. It may be difficult to find a bonded jeweler in your area, but if you can, this is who you want to deal with, as opposed to dealing with an un-bonded jeweler. Specifically tell the jeweler that you are only interested in bonded diamonds. You can find a bonded jeweler in your area by using various online resources, or by calling the local jewelry stores. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _______________ Buying Diamonds Online With all of the potential for scams concerning diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems, as long as you are careful. First, think about your reasons for wanting to purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making a purchase from a local jewelry store. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful, sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam. One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you must use a great deal of care and consideration before handing your money over to someone that you cannot see and have never met! Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds, especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping. Take your time. Don't purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about diamonds, youТve found a diamond that you love, and youТve found the lowest price, but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond! Ask about the seller's credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the sellerТs return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints. Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds, preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself again, make sure that you use a reputable escrow service! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ Choosing The Cut of A Diamond There are many different cuts of diamonds to choose from. The cut essentially refers to the shape that the diamond is cut into, unless you are in the diamond or jewelry business, but this shape has a great impact on the much the diamond sparkles. The most popular cuts are heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on how much the diamond sparkles, but the actual cutting itself, when the diamond cutter actually cuts the diamond into a particular shape, also matters a great deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose its sparkle. However, in the diamond industry, the cut of a diamond doesn't refer to its shape at all. Instead, this is a reference to the stone's depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and other aspects of the diamond. Common cutting problems include a missing or off center culet, misalignment, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken culets. When shopping for a diamond, you should of course choose the shape that you like the best, but then look at several different diamonds of that shape to find the one with the best cut, the one that sparkles the most, in all types of lighting. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _____________________ Colored Diamonds Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage these days. Gemologists have developed new ways to create versions that are affordable for the average person - by treating less desirable diamonds. These less desirable diamonds are treated with irradiation followed by intense heat. This turns brown and yellowish diamonds into beautifully colored diamonds that you can afford. This produces stunning greens, blues, yellows, reds, purples and other colors. These colors are considered permanent, but there is a possibility they could change during repairs if a high heat is used. Treatments like irradiation make it possible for more people to own these vividly colored diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds are rare and also extremely expensive. When shopping for colored diamonds you need to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated. Ask about the stones origin and request to view a lab certificate to verify authenticity. Synthetic colored diamonds are another option if owning a colored diamond is something you desire but cannot quite afford. They are real diamonds, but they are created in a lab. Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring from different trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can be colored by exposure to radiation during its creation. An example of a diamond affected by radiation is a Green diamond. Another way that a natural colored diamond gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond, inclusions give unique tones and brilliant flashes of color in a fancy color diamond. Remember that Natural fancy colored diamonds are very expensive, any colored diamond labeled to be sold as natural should be accompanied by a certificate from a respected grading lab. A "fancy" diamond is a natural diamond that has color. These colors vary from red, green, purple, violet, orange, blue and pink, and most shades between. Fancy color shades vary from faint to intense. The most famous diamonds in the world are Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond, which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which is blue are colored diamonds. Color diamonds have an amazing financial track record. The value has never decreased on wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue and pink diamonds have doubled every 5 years of a strong economy. In the 1970's you could have bought a very high quality blue diamond for about 50K and today the very same stone would be worth between 2 and 3 million. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com --------------------------------- Diamond Brands and What They Mean Diamonds are one of the few products that simply cannot be «branded.» Even though there are different cuts, different grades, and different values placed on each and every diamond in existence, no diamond is any specific brand, just as gold is not a specific brand. Branding is actually based on who owns the diamond. For instance, if DeBeers owns the diamond, it is a DeBeers Diamond, but it is still just a diamond. If the diamond was cut by a specific well known cutter, then it might be branded in that way as well, but it usually isn't. It is still branded based on who owns it at the time. So basically, when it comes down to it, diamond brands mean absolutely nothing at all. Do not allow a jeweler to try to talk you into paying an exorbitant price on a diamond because it is a specific brand. This is a bit of trickery used by unscrupulous jewelers when they know that they are dealing with people who don;t know much about diamonds. Remember that diamonds are not actually branded, unless mother nature has her own brand! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com -------------------------- Diamond Certificates A diamond certificate is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. This report comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and you should require this report when you are purchasing a diamond. With a diamond certificate, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don't have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the certificate comes from the GIA, not the dealer. You may be required to pay for the certificate, but the cost is usually low, and in many cases, it will help you negotiate a better price on the diamond, or keep you from purchasing a lower quality diamond altogether. If you buy a high quality diamond, and then later decide to sell the diamond, you will need to have the certificate, or you will have a hard time selling it to someone else. Furthermore, you can use the Diamond Grading Report to look up the wholesale value of the diamond in question. Use the guide that is used by the diamond cutting industry. With the Certificate, or Diamond Grading Report, there wonТt be any doubts when you are trying to purchase a diamond. You can easily find out what the diamond is worth. This will prevent you from overpaying, and it can prevent a seller from under-charging as well. A copy of the Diamond Grading Report should be given to your insurance company as well, when you insure the diamond. This provides absolute, unquestionable proof of the value of the diamond should it be stolen in the future. Insurance companies cannot argue with the report. Avoid diamond dealers who seem reluctant to provide a certificate! Also avoid sellers who tell you that a certificate diamond will cost you more, the only additional cost should be the cost of the certificate, which is low. If the dealer doesn't want to provide a certificate, then you don't want to do business with that dealer. Don't accept certificates from Gemological Laboratories other than GIA. There are many fly-by-night Gemological labs these days, but in the end, GIA has been established as the most respectable and trustworthy, not to mention oldest, of the lot. So avoid dealers who don't want to use GIA for certification purposes as well. Don't buy an expensive diamond without paying the extra cost of the certificate. If a dealer tries to convince you to make the purchase without the certificate, or if they want to use a company other than GIA, you can be sure that the dealer has probably greatly inflated the price of the diamond, they have something that they are hiding from you. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ Diamond Grading Reports You've been told that having a certificate or a diamond grading report is important, and as a responsible consumer, you get one, unfortunately, you probably won't understand a word of what is on that diamond grading report, unless you are a jeweler. On the color grading scale, D, E, and F mean that the diamond has no color. G, H, and I means that it has very little color. J, K, and L means that the diamond has a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and X means that the diamond is a darker shade of yellow. Z means that the diamond has a fancy color, other than white or yellow. On the color grading scale, D is the most valuable, and X is the least valuable, however diamonds that get a Z rating are the rarest and most expensive diamonds in the world. There are many aspects to a grading report. Figuring it all out can be very confusing. You should talk to a jeweler you trust, and have them explain everything on the diamond grading report to you. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com __________________ Diamond Scams When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds, for whatever reasons, don't know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled. A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a 14 carat diamond, it is probably between 4 and 14 carat, but closer to 14. Jewelry stores often run «fluorescence» scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality, even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well. Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth, and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action. Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past. There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ________________ Famous Diamonds Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky110-carat rough. The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless. The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII. The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world. The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light ) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah JehanСs famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes. The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats. The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa. The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange. The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the "Taylor-Burton». In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ How Diamonds Are Cut In their most natural form, diamonds are, well, quite ugly. They have no luster or shine, and in fact, look like nothing more than broken glass. A diamond must be cut, and then polished before it actually becomes a thing of beauty. Diamonds are cut with saws, into round shapes. From the rounded shape, other shapes may be cut, such as heart shapes, but the shape is less important than the quality of the cutting that is being done. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose light, and it will not sparkle and shine very well. Each facet of the diamond must be carefully cut into the geometrical shapes that allow the diamond to sparkle and shine, then the entire diamond is cut into a specific shape, such as an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond. Once the cut is done, the diamond is put into a dop, which resembles a cup with another diamond, only a diamond is strong enough to smooth the edges of another diamond. Once the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges smoothed in the dop, it is polished on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com --------------------- How Diamonds Are Mined We seldom think about how the diamonds we wear came to us. Natural diamonds, as opposed to synthetic diamonds or fake diamonds, are mined from the earth. There are currently two methods of mining diamonds: Pipe Mining and Alluvial Mining. When pipe mining is used, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. These are not man-made pipes. These are natural pipes in the ground. Shanks are put into the ground next to the pipes, and tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. The diamonds are not sorted out at the mine. Instead, huge rocks that are full of diamonds are brought out of the mine and moved to a screening plant for separation. The Alluvial mining method is done in riverbeds and on beaches. Walls are built to hold back the water and the sand on the bank or beach is moved with a bulldozer until the level of earth that diamonds can be found in is reached. Again, the diamonds are not sorted here. Instead, the sand that contains the diamonds is bulldozed into trucks, and taken to screening plants. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com --------------------- How Diamond Prices Are Determined Pricing most products is quite easy. Determine how much it costs to make the item, how much it costs to market that item, and then mark it up by 15, 30% or more. Simple, right? Well, pricing diamonds isn't quite that simple. There are many factors that are considered when diamonds are priced. Diamond prices are determined first by adding the cost of the rough diamond, the cost of cutting the diamond, and all other costs necessary to turn the rough diamond into a marketable diamond. Depending on the importance of the diamond, an independent company may be called in to certify the grade of the diamond based on color, cut, clarity, and weight. At this point, the diamond becomes more expensive each time it changes hands, until it finally reaches a retailer, where the price is raised a bit more. Before reaching the retailer, however, the diamond must travel from the mine, to the cutter and polisher, to the independent grading company, and then to the Primary market. Once it has reached the primary market, it will be purchased by diamond dealers and wholesalers, and from there it will be sold to retailers. As you can see, the earlier you can purchase a diamond in the process, the lower the cost of the diamond will be, but not the value. The value is based on what the diamond will sell for in the market place, through a retailer. If you own a diamond, and you have no idea how much it is worth, you can have it appraised, but the appraisal may not be accurate. You will be better off obtaining a certificate through GIA, Gemological Institute of America. With the information on this certificate, you can use a cutterТs guide to accurately determine what your diamond is worth. There are also many diamond price calculators available. These can be found on the Internet, and many diamond dealers use these as well. You must realize, however, that before you can accurately price a diamond, without a Diamond Grade Report, you need to know quite a bit about diamonds, such as different cuts, clarity, color, and weight, and how each of those aspects adds to the value of a diamond, or decreases the value of the diamond as the case may be. Again, you will be better off if you get a Diamond Grading Report on the diamond, and use that information to look up the price in one of the guides that the diamond cutting industry uses. This will give you the most accurate value of the diamond in your possession, or of the diamond you are considering purchasing. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ How to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond, especially diamond engagement rings! The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal! First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the Сtwo months salary' rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required. Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn't happy with it! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ How to Care for Your Diamond Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. By learning how to properly care for your diamond, you will ensure that your diamond is indeed forever. First, you should take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler once a year. Have him check the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place. Have him make any needed repairs. This will prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost. Diamond jewelry that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewelry box where it can be kept separate from other jewelry. Each piece should have its own compartment. This will keep diamonds from becoming scratched, and it will also keep your diamond from scratching other jewelry as well. Remove your diamond jewelry when doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansers, this can damage or change the color of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the color of the diamond! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _______________ How to Clean your Diamonds Through our day to day movements our diamonds get smudged and soiled. Even when we are not wearing them, they collect dust. Lotions, soaps, our natural skin oils, can cause film and grime on diamonds and inhibit their brilliance. Want to keep that Brilliance and Shine? Diamonds require cleaning so that maximum amounts of light can refract fiery brilliance. Remember that all it takes is a few minutes and a little care to keep that diamond as fiery as the day you first saw it. You can use an small soft brush such as an eyebrow or lip stick brush and soap and water to clean your jewelry. Simply make a bowl of warm sudsy water with a mild detergent and place your pieces in the mixture. Then brush the diamonds with the soft bristles of the brush while they are in the suds. You will need to make certain that you rinse them clear of the suds after cleaning them. You can use a small kitchen strainer such as a tea strainer to contain them while rinsing under warm water. Use a lint free cloth, or a jewelry polish cloth to pat them dry. If your diamonds are in need of a stronger cleansing, you may want to soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of half and half water and ammonia. Once they have soaked for 30 minutes, remove them and gently brush the mountings with a small brush. Then replace the pieces to the solution and swish them around in the mixture before removing them to rinse and pat dry. If you find your self too busy to be mixing soaps and ammonias, many department stores sell liquid jewelry cleaners. Most are kits, with everything you need included. You need to read the labels to determine the one that is right for your diamonds and other jewelry. Read the complete directions and follow all the precautions. And if you find yourself more the «high-tech type», even in your diamond cleaning routine, there are multiple ultrasonic cleansers on the market. These machines use high-frequency to create a cleaning motion. All machines are not the same, so please read the instructions before using. Only you can choose the cleaning method right for you. But, it is essential to keep your jewelry clean to keep it brilliant and sparkling. Between cleaning, try not to touch your clean diamonds with your fingers or handle your jewelry by its edges. This will help maintain its shine and brilliance for longer periods. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ______________________ How to Sell A Diamond There are many reasons why you may want to sell a diamond that you own. Perhaps you've gotten divorced, or you are strapped for cash. The reasons why don't really matter, getting the best possible price is what counts! The way to obtain the best price for the diamond is to not be in a rush. Slow down, and carefully consider all of your options, there are many. First, have the diamond appraised. In fact, have it appraised by two or three jewelers to get an accurate idea of the diamonds value. Tell the appraiser that you want the Rapaport Value. This is the wholesale value of the diamond, and it basically tells you the highest price that you can sell your diamond for. If your diamond has no certificate, you should consider getting a certificate from GIA. This may help you get a better price for the diamond as well. First, try to sell the diamond yourself, to people you know. Friends and family members may be interested. If you don't have any luck with friends or family members, you should turn to outside sources. Absolutely avoid pawn shops! A pawn shop will only offer you about 10% of what the diamond is worth! Also avoid offers of selling the ring on consignment. There are many things that can go wrong, and there is no shortage of diamond scams, even in well known jewelry stores. If the diamond is important, you should strongly consider auctioning it off through one of the famous auction houses, such as Christie's or Sotheby's. If it isn't what is considered an «important» diamond or a high-end diamond, you should try to sell it to an individual using classified ads, or even eBay. However, selling to an individual that you do not know could put you in danger, especially if the diamond is worth a lot of money. Your final option should be a jewelry store. It is vital that you not let your diamond out of your sight while in the jewelry store, you might find that the diamond you walked in with is not the same diamond that you walk out with! The jeweler will try to tell you that your diamond is of poor quality or low weight. Inevitably, there will be some problem with the diamond. This is where your appraisal and/or certificate will come in handy. If the jeweler is fair, they will offer you between 60% and 80% of the value of the Rapaport Value. Do not accept anything less than this. Again, do not let the diamond out of your sight until you have been paid for it. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ___________________ How to Spot A Fake Diamond In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not, especially if you don't know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however. First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away. Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable, natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks. After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com ______________ Insuring Your Diamonds Insuring a diamond takes a bit of thought, planning, and shopping around. Diamond insurance isn't like purchasing car insurance. It is quite different. Depending on the state that you live in, there are basically three different types of policies that will cover diamonds, and all insurance policies that cover diamonds are considered Marine type policies. The first type of insurance policies for diamonds is an Actual Cash Value policy. If the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company will replace the diamond at today's market value, no matter how much you paid for the diamond to begin with. This type of insurance policy for diamonds actually is not that common. The most common type of insurance for diamonds is Replacement Value insurance. The insurance company will only pay up to a fixed amount to replace the diamond that was lost or damaged beyond repair. This does not mean that they will pay that amount, it means that they will pay up to that amount. In most cases, the diamond can be replaced at a lower cost. The third type of coverage offered for diamonds is Agreed Value. This is sometimes called СValued At.Т This type of coverage is very rare. In the event that the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company simply pays you the amount that you and the company agreed upon. This is the best type of insurance to have, but it is rarely offered. If you can't get Agreed Value coverage, Actual Cash Value coverage should be your next choice. Your rates will be determined by the value of the diamond, the type of coverage that you select, and the area that you live in. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you can expect to pay more for your diamond insurance coverage. It is important to remember that insurance agents are not qualified jewelers, and jewelers are not qualified insurance agents. It is best to get a certificate for your diamond, and to provide the insurance company with a copy of that certificate. This leaves the insurance company less room for arguments over the actual value of the diamond. Don't rely on separate coverage to cover your diamond. For instance, if you diamond is stolen from your home, it is probably covered on your home owner's insurance policy, but the diamond probably won't always be in your home, and once it leaves your home, there is no coverage. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _____________________ Selecting Diamonds Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the «Four CТs» these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat. Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle. Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire. Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty. Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C's. During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered «flawless», a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using10 power magnifications. Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats. When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the «four CТs» allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _________________ Synthetic Diamonds The first synthetic diamonds were produced by General Electric in 1954. A synthetic diamond is basically a rock that has the durability, refractive index and hardness of a natural diamond, but it is made by man. A synthetic diamond should not be confused with stimulant diamonds, such as glass, cubic zirconia, or moissanite. Although the technology for synthetic diamonds came into play in 1954, no synthetic diamonds were ever seen on the market until the 1990's. This was due to the fact that it took many years for General Electric to produce a synthetic diamond that could compare with the quality of a natural Diamond, and when they figured out how to do it, they found that it cost more to produce a synthetic diamond than it did to mine and cut natural diamonds. Finally, a small company by the name of Gemesis Corporation figured out a way to produce synthetic diamonds that were of the same quality as natural diamonds, at a cheaper price. Today, Gemesis produces synthetic white diamonds, and colored diamonds as well. These diamonds sell for about 1/3 of the cost of a natural diamond, but there is a shortage of them, and they are hard to find. In fact, it seems that synthetic diamonds are rarer than natural diamonds! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com _______________ What Are Dirty Diamonds? A dirty diamond is one of two things: a rough diamond, or a diamond that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Rough diamonds are uncut and unpolished, hence, they are dirty. But that type of dirty diamond will soon be cut and polished and sitting in a beautiful jewel box in a display case. Then someone will purchase it, and before long, it will become a dirty diamond once again. Diamonds become dirty. When you wash your hands with a diamond ring on, soap scum clings to it. When you put on hand lotion, it gets grease on it. Shower with your diamond earrings or necklace, and again, you get soap scum. In one short day, your brand new diamond could be dirty! Purchase an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner the same day that you purchase your diamond jewelry, and use it every single day, without fail. The clarity of the diamond changes when the diamond is dirty, it loses its sparkle. By taking one minute each day to clean your diamond jewelry, you can avoid this, and your diamonds will never be dirty! For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com __________ Where Diamonds are Mined Argye mine located in the Kimberley region in the far north east of Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine is the world's largest single producer of volume of diamonds. However, due to low proportion of gem quality diamonds it is not the value leader. It does produce 90-95% of the world's supply of pink diamonds. Diavik is also owned by Rio Tinto, located in Canada it is a very large mine. It is located north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle on an island. The island is connected by an ice road. It is also an important part of the regions economy employing more than 700 people and producing more than 8 million carats annually. Ekati diamond mine is owned by BHP Billiton and located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The Ekati is CanadaТs first operational diamond mine. Diamonds mined here are sold under the Aurias trade name Authenticity is verified through Canada Mark service. CanadaMark service is also owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds, Inc. Baken diamond mine is located along the lower Orange River in South Africa. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US) as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars. Merlin is the second of only two diamond mines in Australia. No longer operating it was owned by Rio Tinto and sold to Striker Resources, who has explored the possibilities of reopening the mine. Orapa is the world's largest diamond mine. It us located 240 Km west of Francistown. The mine is owned by «debswana» which is a partnership between DeBeers and the government of Botswana. This mine operates 7 days a week. It maintains pre primary and primary schools for its employeeТs children. There is also a 100 bed hospital and game park. This mine began production in 1971 and is the oldest mine owned by the Debswana Company. The Premier mine located in Cullinan, South Africa produced the largest gem diamond ever in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. This mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed 545.67 carats. This mine is owned by the De Beers Company and was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine in 2003 in celebration of its centennial. For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

<a href="http://www.Amazing-wedding-jewelry.com/">Amazing-wedding-jewelry.com</a>Complete guide to Wedding jewelry. How to select a Wedding jewelry.

Why Are Some Diamonds Colored
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Society (AGS), and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are the three most widely known and respected diamond grading laboratories in the world. Each of the grading laboratories have developed a very similar nomenclature for identifying the 4 C's of diamonds.



Color grading scales used by the internationally recognized laboratories (GIA & IGI for example), ranges from totally colorless (D) to pale yellow or brown color (Z). Brown diamonds darker than K color are usually described using their letter grade, and a descriptive phrase, for example M Faint Brown. Diamonds with more depth of color than Z color fall into the fancy color diamond range.



The coloration of diamonds can be caused by several factors. Impurities trapped in the diamond during its formation, the crystal lattice structure of the diamond, and the exposure to radiation can all lead to the wide verity of colors available in diamonds.



Yellow Diamonds



Yellow diamonds are colored because of the impurities that are trapped inside diamonds when they are created. If a few of the millions of carbon atoms have been replaced by nitrogen atoms, then structure of the diamond will not be significantly altered but the clarity will be changed. The amount of color displayed is dependent on the amount of nitrogen involved.



When we see color it is because the object we are looking at reflected a specific wavelength of the light spectrum. A good example of this is a yellow flower. The flower absorbs all of the light except the yellow light, which is reflected by the yellow flower.



Blue Diamonds



In the case of a blue colored diamond some of the nitrogen has been replaced by Boron. Boron will reflect the blue wavelength of the light spectrum. The higher the concentration of boron the more color will be showed. At a level of one or a few boron atoms for every million-carbon atom, an attractive blue color results.



Pink Diamonds



The pink diamonds comes in shades ranging from a pastel rose, such as the Pink Orchid to intense purple-reds of the Moussaieff Red, and the price is determined by the intensity of the color. Pink diamonds have sold for up to $1,000,000 a carat. Unlike the Type I diamonds that derived their color from impurities imbedded in the diamond, Pink diamonds are considered a Type II and get their color from a process known as Plastic Deformation.



Type II diamonds have very few if any nitrogen impurities in them. They get their coloration due to structural anomalies caused by Plastic Deformation during the crystal growth. The intense pressure changes the lattice structure of diamonds and has led to the formation of Pink, and Red colored diamonds.



Green Diamonds



A natural diamond coming into contact with a radioactive source at some point during its lifetime causes some diamonds to develop a green coloration. The time required may be as much as a million years or longer. Green diamonds of this nature are very unique.



The most common form of irradiation diamonds comes from alpha particles found in uranium compounds or from percolating groundwater. Green spots on the surface of the diamonds or a thin green film may develop on the skin of the diamond after long exposure to these particles. Many times this green coloration will be removed during the cutting or faceting process.



Bombardment by beta and gamma rays will color the diamond to a greater depth and in some rare case turn the entire stone green. Heating to temperature to just below 600 degrees Celsius can sometimes also cause a diamond to develop a green ting. Higher temperature may turn the stone to a less desirable yellow or brown color.



Black Diamonds



Black diamonds are found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic. Approximately 600 tons of conventional diamonds have been mined, traded, polished since 1900. But not a single black diamond has been discovered in the world's mining fields. The geological settings where diamonds are found or mined are virtually identical with the one exception, the Black Diamond.



Black diamonds have been found to contain trace elements of nitrogen and hydrogen. The study published in 2006 analyzed the hydrogen in black diamond samples using infrared-detection instruments and found that the quantity indicated that the mineral formed in a supernova explosion prior to the formation of the Solar System. These diamonds were formed by carbon-rich cosmic dust in an environment near carbon stars. The diamonds were incorporated into solid bodies that subsequently fell to Earth as meteorites.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit http://www.diamonds-team.com

World Famous Diamonds 2
World Famous Diamonds 2. This is a multi part article and is strictly for educational purposes.



The Beau Sancy



Also called The Little Sancy is a rounded pear shaped and weights about 34 carats and has been confused with its counter part called The Sancy which is 54 carats. This diamond was bought by Prince Frederick Henry of Orange the grandfather of King Fredrick I of Prussia, who died in the year 1647. The Beau Sancy is now in the possession of the head of the house of Hohenzollern, Prince Louis-Ferdinand of Prussia, grandson of William II, the last Emperor of Germany



The Beluga



The Beluga diamond weighs over 103 carats and is the largest standard oval brilliant cut diamond in the world. This diamond was featured in an article about Blood Diamonds in the March 2002 issue of National geographic magazine.



The Black Orlov



The Blace Orlov is said to have derived its name from the Russian Princess Nadia Vyegin-Orlov who owned it during the mid 1800s. It is a cushion cut stone weighing 76.50 carats and is a very dark gun metal color. It has also been rumored to have been cut from a 195 carat stone that belonged to a shrine near Pondicherry, India in the 1900s. There is no evidence of a Russian princess by that name nor has India ever produced any large black diamonds of note. In 1969, the stone was sold for $300,000.



The Blue Empress



The Blue Empress is a rare blue pear shaped diamond that weights about 14 carats and is part of a necklace valued at around $16,000,000. The necklace is made from 18K white gold with smaller white diamonds surrounding the blue empress.



The Blue Heart



This diamond weights 30.82 carats and is of a rare deep blue color. In 1910 Cartier purchased the diamond and sold it to an Argentinean woman named Mrs. Unzue. Van Cleef & Arpels bought the stone in 1953 for an estimated $300,000. The Blue Empress is on exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Along with the Hope diamond and the Heart of Eternity, it is one of the world most famous blue diamonds.



The Blue Magic



Blue diamonds are among the rarest of colored diamond and they obtain their color from the small amounts of boron that was trapped during its crystallization process. The Blue Magic is pear shaped and weights 12.02 carats. It is estimated to be work between $5,000,000 and $6,000,000.



The Briolette of India



The Briolette of India is 90.38 carats and if the legends hold up it may be the oldest diamond on record. Richard the Lionhearted believed to have taken it on the Third Crusade. The gem is very unique and remains the most famous briolette-cut diamond in the world.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit http://www.diamonds-team.com

What Are Conflict Diamonds
Because of the successful advertising campaigns in the United States, diamonds symbolize Eternal Love, A Diamond Is Forever, Continuing Affection, A Successful Relationship, Independence, and Wealth. Diamonds also stand for The Africa's Killing Fields, Bloodshed, Anarchy, and Genocide.



Diamonds known as conflict diamonds originate from the war zones of Africa. On December 1, 2000 the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution defining the role of conflict diamonds with the intent of cutting off the sources of funding for rebel forces and to help shorten the wars and prevent their recurrence.



Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.



Among the countries most affected by the terror inflicted by traders in conflict diamonds are Liberia, Sierra Leone and also Angola. Prominent among the military groups involved in such trade are the UNITA in Angola, Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone and even the government of Liberia that funds rebel activities in Sierra Leone without paying any heed to the international condemnation such activities are eliciting.



It has been estimated that in 1990 as much as 15 percent of the total production of diamonds were conflict diamonds. In 2004 it was reported that this percentage had fallen to approximately 1 percent. The first step in stopping the trade in conflict diamonds was to stop purchasing raw diamonds from those countries that are involved in selling such diamonds and thus choking the funding channels for arms and ammunition.



To get around the United Nations General Assembly resolution, these diamonds were sold through contacts in neighboring countries and after the stones are polished, ascertaining their origins becomes next to impossible.



The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).



In May of 2000, the diamond producing countries of South Africa first met in Kimberley to develop a plan that could halt the trade of conflict diamonds by establishing a way that diamond origin could be certified. During the next several years the World Diamond Congress, World Federation of Diamond Bourses, World Diamond Council and other originations became involved with trying to halt the flow of conflict diamonds. After 2 years of negotiation between Governments, Diamond Producers and Non-Government organizations the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was created.



The benefits to countries that put an end to trading in conflict diamonds is immense and it could mean better economic development and prosperity. With the institution of curbs in conflict diamonds such as the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme, there has been a dramatic improvement noticeable in its trade.



Resourceful and unscrupulous groups still manage to elude the legal barriers and still find ways of infiltrating the diamond centers of the world. It may not be feasible to stop the trading in conflict diamonds by 100 percent but with marked drop reported in 2004, there is hope for the world that the strife and genocide taking place in Africa will soon come to an end.



Please do not support the war effort. Insist on a certification before purchasing a diamond. It will tell you the stone's carat weight, its color and clarity, flaws, and its origins.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit http://www.diamonds-team.com

10 Fashion Must-Haves for Fall & Winter 2007
1. Mini Dress �" Given the influence of the sixties’ style and mod shapes this season, it isn’t a surprise that the mini dress makes a comeback. Where to get: http://www.shopbop.com http://www.shopbop.com/shop/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806471&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302023685&fm=browse-brand&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181057 2. Shirt Dress/Sweater Dress �" Dressing to the hilt seems to be the trend this season so the long-sleeve shirt dress or sweater dress is a cool cover up that will do the trick. Where to get: http://www.clubmonaco.com http://www.clubmonaco.com/092007/w5.asp 3. Slouch boots �" Over pants or skinny jeans, or with a shirt dress or a mini skirt, slouch boots are mandatory must-haves. Where to get: http://www.aldoshoes.com http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/style/productDetails.cfm&itemID=66593144&&var=d&ckey=CA&colorid=37 4. Big, bold and playful jewelry �" This is the time to throw caution to the wind and try bold styles in jewelry �" look for large gold or silver linked chain intermixed with gemstones, pearls or crystals. Where to get: http://www.tilajewelry.com http://store.tilajewelry.com/do/ppa/67/3/3/Trixie.html 5. Pumped pumps �" No doubt about it, thick and chunky heels aren’t for the dainties but get used to it because they’re hot this season. Where to get: http://www.aldoshoes.com http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/style/productDetails.cfm&itemID=67118193&&var=d&ckey=CA&colorid=22 6. Flared pants �" The wide-leg trousers and jeans reaffirm the cyclical nature of fashion styles. This seventies inspired must-have resurfaces (yet again) as a welcomed alternative to skinny pants. Where to get: http://www.jbandme.com http://jbandme.com/store/products/705-level-99-typhoon-twisted-wide-leg 7. 40’s inspired hat �" So we’ve got a little bit of 60’s, a dash of 70’s and now we’ve got a little somethin’ somethin’ from the 40’s insfluencing this fall and winter’s fashion trend. The 40’s inspired cap is a sophisticated alternative to hats of past seasons. Where to get: http://www.bigitup.com http://www.bigitup.com/product.php?productid=286&cat=10&page=1 8. Supersize tote �" Finally a practical bag that can haul everything that we ever wanted to carry. The extra-large tote is a welcome relief to those who need to lug more than just their wallet and iPod. Where to get: http://www.roots.com http://canada.roots.com/Product_Detail.aspx?styleID=18019082&dptid=7&catid=125&subcatid=&stylecolor=18019082_0100&saleGroup=&WT.svl=18019082 9. Patent Belt �" The waist-cincher must-have for this season is patent in material �" again, a trend recycled from past eras. Where to get: http://www.forever21.com http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=belts&product%5Fid=1034276858&Page=1 10. Tie Neck Top �" Feminine and pretty, the tie neck blouse adds pure sophistication to any wardrobe. Where to get: http://www.bananarepublic.com http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?pid=517435012&cid=30284&tid=BRAF103&ap=2&siteID=1332426

For more information, visit the website at www.tilajewelry.com.

Selecting Your Wedding Photographer
Wedding photography is one of the most demanding areas of professional photography, we recommend you thoroughly investigate the photographers style, their personality and their packages before you trust your wedding day to anyone. Never, ever get a friend to do them. Ensure you meet your wedding photographer before making your final decision, as you don't want to get to your big day and be worrying about a personality clash between your wedding party and your wedding photographer. Every wedding photographer has a unique style, and you should also closely examine different styles and decide on photography styles you like and ones you don't. The best place to start is the internet. Take a look at their web site and make a short list of no more than 5 to consider. The photos on their web site should be their best work, so if you are not impressed, move on. Are they up front about their prices? Is the site more flash than substance? A web site speak volumes about the business. A good photographer should cost at least $1500 and up to $5000. Outside this range you are probably getting either a beginner or someone who has too much tied up in their studio decor and needs you to help pay for it. Some good questions to ask your photographer are: Are we looking at photos that you personally took How many weddings have you photographed Do we get to keep the hi-resolution images on CD Wedding Planning: The excitement of getting engaged is often replaced by panic and confusion when the time comes to actually plan and co-ordinate the wedding. There is so much to do. Decide up front whether you have time to do it yourself or whether you should seek help from a professional wedding coordinator. Many reception venues will also help you a lot with arranging many other parts of your wedding. The cost of a professional coordinator is not expensive compared to your overall wedding costs and in many ways they can save you money because they know who are the best suppliers around. If you do decide to do it yourself, then make yourself a list of everything you need to do and when to do it. You are welcome to download the free wedding planner from www.poshphotos.com.au . Getting the best wedding shot: Wedding photography is not like other photography. The subject is almost always moving, there are other people buzzing in and around your subject and a very important event is unfolding as you work. Its a mix of portrait, journalistic and action photography, with a generous amount of people management thrown in. How then does Posh Photography get the best wedding shot time after time? I guess experience is a key factor. We can anticipate what is going to happen next. When its a candid photo we usually saw something special about to happen and captured the image at the right time. When its a set up photo, we know where to have people stand for the best light and how to make them feel relaxed. If you are not relaxed, it shows in the photo. When you have a really good photographer directing the day, the photos always look natural and fun. Good equipment is important, but to be honest its better to have an average camera that you know well then the biggest and best that you haven't figured out. Understanding light and how a camera reacts to light is very important. A camera is much less sophisticated than the human eye so what might look great to people, can turn out bad when photographed. Dealing with harsh sun, random shadows, low light and human emotions all require real skill.

We are providing all types of Wedding Photography Author can be reached at :http://www.poshphotos.com.au

The Basics of Buying Pearls
Pearls can be purchased as natural or cultured, with the latter having several distinct advantages. Cultured pearls come from pearl farms, where mollusks are implanted with a foreign object which can vary in size depending on the desired outcome of the pearl dimensions. Both natural and cultured pearls are products of nature, though cutured pearls are subject to far fewer environmental factors that can produce a less than ideal pearl. Cultured pearls are therefore often more round and contain less flaws that natural pearls.



The size of the pearl is most responsible for the price attached to it, though other factors apply as well. The larger the pearl, the higher it will be, in most cases. Pearls can and should also be judged on the thickness of the nacre, which is the coating applied to the foreign body by the mollusk, the layering of the nacre and the surface blemishes of the pearl. For round pearls, the roundness of the pearl is also a major determining factor of price. Finally, the pearls should have a high luster as well as a considerable “orient”, or iridescence, which determines the reflection of light from the pearl and is part of it’s natural beauty and value.



Buyers need to be aware of the different types of settings available for pearls and how they can affect the price of the finished piece of jewelry. Necklaces, for instance, are available in single and double strand, with larger and smaller pearls respectively. Though single strand necklaces are more expensive as a rule (because of the larger pearls they contain), many find double strand necklaces to be more appropriate with certain fashions.




The best value in pearls typically comes from jewelers expressly devoted to dealing with pearls, as places such as these often manufacture their own settings and purchase the pears directly from cultivation farms. Stores who do not manufacture their own pearl jewelry must pay a jeweler to do so, after which they will add a mark up to cover the cost of the third party.



One final note on buying pearls concerns the number of fake, or costume perals available on the market. While there are several ways to determine a real pearl from a fake, the best way to avoid getting a fake is by always purchasing from an online jewelry retailer or jewelry store which is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Never buy pearls or any type of jewelry from street vendors or secondhand stores.

To purchase Freshwater Pearls http://www.purepearls.com/pure-pearls-freshwater-pearls.htm or Pearl Cufflinks http://www.purepearls.com/pure-pearls-cufflinks.htm visit our jewelry store http://www.purepearls.com for other pearls.