Diamond is Forever and Eternity

Diamond is perceived as the most precious of all precious stones and is peerless.  It is a woman’s best friend and a symbol of love.  It shines and glitters and symbolizes purity and strength.

In ancient times, a diamond was considered to be a sign of magic, sanctity, healing, energy, happiness, beauty, and longevity when used, but the saying goes that a diamond is poison when consumed.  It was known for its goodness and power to remove all evil.  In today’s world, a diamond is regarded as a status symbol, an ornament of beauty worn by the rich and depicts a luxurious lifestyle.

A diamond is forever.  You would have heard this.  The reason for this saying is because it is the hardest natural material and very difficult to break.  It is also a good conductor of heat and a nonconductor of electricity.  It is another form of dark carbon.

Time was when diamond jewelry was only seen in royal portraits or in the beautifully designed catalogues and books.  Today, sales of diamonds have taken a dramatic upward turn with branded diamond jewelry being available to millions of women. This treasured stone of romance and power has become very popular over the centuries.

A diamond is available in all shapes and colors, in fact more so than other gems. The weight measurement of a diamond is the ‘carat’.  The larger the diamond, the more the carat.   Big sized diamonds are a rarity and the value increases as the size gets bigger.

Diamond jewelry is the most expensive types of jewelry.  Diamond pendants and rings are a craze, especially engagement rings.  Diamonds are usually set in gold, white gold, silver, or platinum, the latter being more expensive.  The combination of pearls and diamonds is a delight to the eyes.

“The rarest things in the world, next to a spirit of discernment, are diamonds and pearls.”
By ~Jean de la Bruyere

There are several innovative ways that diamonds are being used, which includes imbedding them in watches too.  These watches though expensive are a great gift for big occasions for loved ones when you are on the lookout for expensive gifts.

Grading of diamonds is something the one needs to know.  The colors are graded from D to Z, with the lesser color being higher in value.   Color D is the rarest and is colorless with a blue tinge.  Since colors filter light, the reflected light is less than a colorless diamond.

For the sake of some light hearted talk on diamonds, lets delve into some superstitions that were prevalent earlier on.  Diamonds that have a red or yellow hue were thought to be good for a king, because they were considered auspicious.  


The white hued diamond was said to be perfect for anything religious or spiritual. The yellow hued one was said to be the one for prosperity and success.  Black hue was thought to be suitable for those that are in smaller jobs.

Women who wanted to give birth to sons were asked to wear a white diamond with a small black hue.  It was also stressed that one should never wear a blemished diamond as it brings bad luck to the person wearing it.  

All these may sound like unbelievable superstitions to the nonbeliever, but these were followed quite strictly earlier.  But then if you go to see, even in the modern world, in some countries, many people will not wear a diamond unless they get it checked to see if it is the right one for them.

Interesting facts aren’t they.  A diamond has an indescribable aura surrounding it, and it is fascinating to learn about it.

Gold Rings Are Important Things

Gold is a precious metal that has been loved by women throughout the world.  It’s yellow color glitters brightly and is unparalleled in beauty.  Gold rings have been worn on the fingers for centuries.  Earlier, gold rings were simple hoops worn around the ring finger and thumb.

In Greece gold bands were worn.  In Rome, only people of military or civil rank were allowed to wear gold rings. Later, freeborn citizens were allowed to adorn gold rings.  The middle ages saw the advent of the gold engagement ring set with precious gemstones.   Gold rings marked a kings coronation and a gold seal ring with St. Peter in a fishing boat is given to every Pope and is destroyed after his death.

Gold rings made a complete transformation over time and now are found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and set with precious gemstones, which enhances their beauty.  Gold rings are now worn on every finger and are also decorated with enamel and stones.

Gold rings with intricate designs like netted and floral designs are more expensive than a plain one, as it involves a lot of time and workmanship to create such masterpieces.  The Victorian collection is said to one of the finest jewelry with detailed designing.

The gold engagement rings, wedding rings, memorial rings, mourning rings, and several others became the order of the day and fashionable.  The gold wedding rings that signify commitment were originally worn only by the woman, but now it has become common for both the bride and groom to wear them.

It helps to know a bit about gold before venturing to buy a gold ring.  As gold is considered to be a soft metal, it can lose shape easily.  For regular wear, a ring made from lower karat gold is advisable, and the rings that will be worn sparingly can be made with 24 karat gold, which is pure gold and is more expensive.   18 karat gold is made with 75% gold and 25% alloy, and this makes it stronger but less expensive.

For an engagement ring or a wedding ring, which need to be worn on a daily basis, it is practical to buy 14 karat gold rings, which are the most popular. Gold rings need to be washed with soap and warm water and dried properly before storing them in their original boxes.

Gold rings make perfect gifts for any occasion.  A single large sapphire set in gold brings a glint to the eye and so does a ring with three small diamonds set closely.  Most rich families hand down gold heirlooms on special occasions such as weddings.  There could be no better pleasure in life than slipping a beautiful gold ring on the finger of a beloved.

Gemstones And Our Affair With Them

Gemstones are precious or semiprecious stones that are used in jewelry for adorning the body.  They are highly valuable and beautiful crystalline rocks or minerals that are cut and polished for use in jewelry. They are valuable because of their beauty, rarity, and durability and are long lasting and can be passed on as heirlooms.

The types of gemstones available are amazing.  There are several that are widely used in jewelry, such as a diamond, garnet, beryl, emerald, sapphire, quartz, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, opal, peridot, ruby, spinal, tourmaline, topaz etc.  These are beautifully colored and are extremely attractive.

The shape of a gemstone is determined by the natural crystal structure and how it is developed. To be able to mount them into the precious metals such as Gold, silver etc., gem cutters shape them into various shapes, ensuring they reflect light and this adds brilliance to the cut and polished stone, making it highly attractive and valuable.  Gem cutters take a scientific approach to cutting a gem stone, depending on the original shape of a gemstone, going by the refractive index of each gemstone, to understand how light rays bend as they pass through the stone.

In ancient times, gemstones used to be identified only by color, but now the chemical properties of the gemstone are taken into consideration. The chemical formula, specific gravity, hardness, and refractive index are looked at for identification. For example, the green color of an emerald is caused by small amounts of chromium and vanadium. The darker the green color of the emerald, the rarer it is, and the more expensive.

Gemstones are considered as birthstones too and this superstition has its origin to ancient times.  There are many that follow and strongly believe the superstition of wearing the gemstone that is attributed to be their birthstone.  It is their strong belief that not all gemstones are suitable to every human.  Just as all types of water is not drunk and all types of air is not inhaled, similarly all types of gemstones are not considered to be good.  The nine gemstones, the ruby, pearl, emerald, yellow sapphire, coral, blue sapphire, diamond, cat’s eye, and hessonite are said to provide enlightenment and power.

A main factor for determining the value of the gemstones is water.  Water is used to refer to the color and transparency of a gemstone.  The value of a gemstone by and large is determined by the color, clarity of a stone, cut, and carat weight.  These are called the 4 Cs.  Apart from this, the rarity of a gemstone is taken into consideration too.

Gemstones are now set in various metals and sold as ornaments to adorn different parts of our body, like bracelets or bangles for the wrists, necklaces or chokes for the neck, rings for the fingers, and so on.  There are watches available for both men and women, that are studded with gems and which cost an arm and leg.  The cost is no deterrent when the look is aesthetically pleasing and exotic.

Bracelets - incredibly diverse

Unlike some other kinds of jewellery, bracelets are incredibly diverse. You can make a bracelet from almost any material you can think of, whether it’s metal, fabric, leather, glass, wire or plastic, or natural materials like shells and stones. Bracelets are both cheap to buy and easy to make, so it’s easy to personalise them to your taste and give them as gifts to your friends. Many people cherish bracelets that they have been given, especially little girls, who will collect friendship bracelets to represent each one of their friends.

If you want to make a bracelet yourself, the easiest way to do it is probably to get some beads and a piece of string. Threads woven together can also work well, as can shells if you make tiny holes in them to thread a string through. The best thing to do is to keep the bracelet as a flat string, and then tie it around the hand of the person you’re giving it to so that it fits well.

Another interesting use of bracelets, only invented quite recently, is the charity bracelet. These are usually made from silicone, and bear a slogan such as ‘make poverty history’ or ‘help the aged’. The idea is that if you see someone wearing one, you are likely to mention it, and then they will tell you a little about the cause and why it matters to them – a good way of getting people to talk about charities they care about.

In some parts of the world, bracelets have special meanings. In India, for example, they are often made from glass, and make a musical-sounding noise when the arm is moved. In Latin America, it is believed that bracelets made from gold and coral can scare away evil spirits, protecting the wearer from the jealousy of others.

Necklace -The Beauty Of

A necklace is a piece of jewelry that is worn around the neck for ornamental value.  Necklace gives beauty to the neck as it touches the throat. Women love jewelry and would love to be looked upon as being attractive to others and to this end, pieces of jewelry are their passion.

History looks at a necklace as a seductive piece of jewelry and in those days, women were said to have worn necklaces to attract attention to the cleavage. The Italians wore them with pendants that were hollow and filled with perfume.   Egyptians wore heavy gold necklaces on very low necklines, giving them a look par excellence.   Queen Alexandra was said to have worn real pearl necklaces for all formal events and state occasions.  Pearl necklaces were so expensive that it is said that an American skyscraper was exchanged for the price of a pearl necklace.

Necklaces are made from various metals and a locket or pendant can also be attached to them.  Pendants of cross are worn by the Christians while pendants of Gods and Goddesses are worn by Hindus.  They are also studded with precious stones, beads, shells, or wood to give them a grand look.

Necklaces that are worn high on the neck are known as chokers.  The necklace that ends on the cleavage is called the Matinée necklace. Opera necklaces are longer and end below the breasts.  Then there are the rope necklaces that are longer then the opera necklaces.

Necklaces that match the outfit are common and different colored gemstones are studded to create color.   Rubies are embedded for their red color, sapphires for the blue color, emeralds for green, and diamonds for their brightness and white color.  Swarovski crystal necklaces are more expensive than glass and are making a fashion statement because of the brilliance and dazzle of the crystals.  Multicolored necklaces are in vogue and these are fitted with several types of gems to give them the exclusive look to go with any heavy outfit on a special occasion.  A bride in a white wedding dress with diamonds studded in white gold looks ethereal and princess like.

Jewelers stock necklace sets, which have a necklace, matching earrings, and bracelet.  This makes it easier for people to buy everything at one place instead of running around to find something that matches their necklace.

Gift your mother with a beautiful traditional gold necklace with a matching set of ear studs on her birthday or anniversary and see the joy in her face.  No matter what the age is, this is one piece of jewelry that is loved and worn by all with the same eager enthusiasm and passion.

Cultured Pearls as a Gift

Almost every woman loves pearls.  They exude timeless elegance.  Pearl jewelry gives a woman the look of grandeur and the shimmering white of the pearls against the body feels awesome.  Purity is compared to a pearl, because of the flawless whiteness of the pearl.

You would have bought cultured pearls for yourself or for a family member or friends, but do you know what exactly a cultured pearl is?   There is also a wrong notion that a cultured pearl is an artificial pearl.

When something like a parasite or some organic matter gets implanted in an oyster or mollusk, a pearl is formed. These are called natural pearls as they are formed by nature.  A cultured pearl is something that has the intervention of humans.  A pearl farmer inserts a similar object into the oyster or mollusk and the pearl that is thus formed is called a cultured pearl.  The rest of the process remains the same.  The only difference being implanting the organic matter into the oyster.

The size of the pearl, either natural or cultured depends on the length of time it remains in the oyster.  The larger the size, the more valuable is the pearl.   All these cultured pearls are grown on pearl farms.

Cultured pearls are very valuable jewels in today’s world.  No jewelry box looks complete without cultured pearl jewelry.  Just like natural pearls, each cultured pearl is different from one another.

The value of the cultured pearl depends on the color, size, shape, and luster.  The brightness and luster of the cultured pearl speaks volumes about the quality.  A cultured pearl should be flawless without any marks on it.  It should be round without any dents.  The roundness of the cultured pearl determines the price.  

Cultured pearls are found in various colors, white, black, rose, cream, blue, yellow, green, mauve, gray, and lavender. The Indian rose-colored pearl is very famous and most-liked.   The color of the pearl is determined by the oyster or mollusk and their environment.   Think of the rainbow and you will find all those colors in cultured pearls.

Did you know that pearl is the birthstone of people born under the Gemini star sign.  Mystical powers and healing ability is associated with pearls.

There are several types of cultured pears, like Oriental pearls that are saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls that come from freshwater mollusks or oysters.  Freshwater cultured pearls are less expensive and are more affordable for people on a budget.


Cultured pearls are not as durable as gemstones.  They need to be handled and stored with a lot of care.  You should keep them away from humidity or dryness.  Do not spray perfumes or let your cultured pearls come in touch with your makeup.  That is the reason why they say, cultured pearls should be the last jewelry to be worn when dressing up.  After removing them, it would do them good to wipe clean with a clean and soft cloth before storing the cultured pearls in a soft velvet pouch.

Cultured pearls make perfect gifts for loved ones.  All sorts of jewelry is made with cultured pearls, from plain pearl strands to pearls set in gold or other precious metals, or in combination with other precious gemstones.  Cultured pearls give beauty to any jewelry they are set in.  Pearls look extremely elegant on elderly women too and give them a dignified and sophisticated look, more than any other metal can.  A plain strand of expensive pearls can be a lovely and thoughtful gift.

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 won’t 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.