Diamond And Gold Education

LOOSE DIAMONDS & DIAMOND JEWELRY MAINTENANCE

Become an expert in the field of jewelry and educate yourself from our library below:

Diamonds are the hardest known substances on earth. With the proper care, they can last a lifetime and can even be handed down as heirlooms to future generations without losing any of their luster. But they can still be scratched, chipped or dulled if not handled correctly. So here are some tips that will help preserve the life and beauty of your diamond:

A diamond can scratch another diamond, as well as other jewelry pieces, so store diamond items separately. If you need to store diamond items together, make sure they aren’t tangled together so they won’t scratch one another. Diamond jewelry pieces are best stored in a fabric-lined jewel case or in a box with compartments or dividers.

Never wear diamond jewelry while doing heavy work. Even though a diamond is extremely durable, it can be chipped by a hard blow, and even everyday activity can loosen a setting.

Don’t let your diamonds come in contact with chlorine bleach or other chemicals because they can pit or discolor the mounting.

Clean your diamonds regularly. If using a commercial jewelry cleaner, use a brand name and follow the instructions on the label. You can also soak your diamond jewelry in a small bowl of warm, soapy water made with any mild liquid detergent. Gently brush the piece with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds to dislodge any dust or dirt from under the setting. Then, rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. And remember to always put a stopper in your sink! Another cleaning option would be a half-and-half solution of household ammonia and cold water. Place your jewelry in a small bowl of the mix for 30 minutes. Lift out and gently tap around the front and back of the mounting with a small soft toothbrush. Swish in the solution a second time, then rinse and drain on tissue paper. Finally, you can clean your diamonds by soaking them in a glass of vodka.

If your diamond has been treated or altered in any way, it may need special attention and care. Diamonds can be colored, tinted, coated, irradiated or heated to improve their appearance. Inclusions are sometimes removed with lasers, while fractures are filled with a glasslike compound. Some of these procedures are not permanent - for instance, the epoxies used in fracture-filled diamonds can melt away if the stone is heated. Ask a jeweler you trust to let you know if your diamond’s natural appearance has been altered and to advise you of any special care procedures.

Take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler every six months to have it professionally cleaned and to have it checked for loose or bent prongs and wear.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DIAMOND

After a lifetime of searching, you have finally found the person that you want to be with forever, and now it's time to choose the diamond that will represent your promise of "eternal love," but where do you begin? First things first. No matter how much research you do, and no matter how much time you spend on the process, remember one key element: Enjoy the Experience! This is supposed to be a fun time for both of you, so do your research, but don't become overwhelmed in the process.

Every book on diamond education and every web site dedicated to diamond buying will tell you the same thing: you can't start the diamond buying process without first learning about the 4 C's. Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight are the four C's that will determine the diamond's 5th C... its Cost. Deciding on your budget is an important first step. Another thing to keep in mind is that even though you are the person making the purchase, your significant other will be the one that it adorns for the rest of their life. So remember to snoop around, and find out what style, shape or size diamond will make them happy.

A Diamond Grading Certificate or Grading Report should also accompany the diamond that you plan to buy. Consider this to be the diamond's "birth certificate." All of its characteristics, including the Shape, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight are posted on it, along with specifications such as Polish, Symmetry, Girdle Culet Size, and Fluorescence. The goal in buying a diamond is to get the highest grade in all of these traits that your budget will allow. There may be sacrificing involved if your wish is to get a higher grade on a specific characteristic when working with a fixed price. This is where you will have to determine what is most important to you or your special someone. Is color most important? Is getting the largest diamond that fits within your budget the most important? Establishing this up front will help guide you through the entire process, and for the most part, make it easier and more enjoyable.

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DIAMOND ANATOMY

Table: The flat facet on the top of the diamond.

Girdle: The sweetly narrow rim that coincides with the "fattest" section of the diamond.

Crown: The titillating top section of the diamond -- everything above the girdle.

Pavilion: The bountiful bottom section of the diamond -- everything below the girdle.

Culet: The pointy tip of the diamond -- which may or may not be faceted.

Measurements Depth: The full height of the diamond, from the culet to the table. Diameter: The full width of the diamond (measured through the girdle).

Round Brilliant Cut The "Round Brilliant Cut" is the most popular for diamond engagement rings. The round brilliant has fifty-seven or fifty-eight facets (dependent on if the pointy tip ("culet") of the diamond is faceted or left in a point -- both options are acceptable).

Remember the first rule of buying a diamond ...ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!

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GOLD JEWELRY MAINTENANCE

Become an expert in the field of jewelry and educate yourself from our library below:

If treated carefully, the gold jewelry item you have purchased could last a lifetime and might even be handed down to future generations. So here are some tips that will help preserve the beauty of your gold jewelry.

First of all, gold is lasting and durable but can get scratched or dented if treated roughly. This is particularly true of items worn on the hands like rings and bracelets that are prone to a lot of knocks. So remove these pieces before any type of strenuous activity.

Second, beware of chemicals. Gold’s worst enemy is chlorine. Repeated exposure can weaken gold’s structure, eventually leading to breakage. So keep your gold jewelry away from chlorinated cleaning products and out of swimming pools and jacuzzis.

On a related note, acids, abrasives and other harsh chemicals found in some common household cleaning solutions can weaken your jewelry or damage its finish. So it’s best to cover up rings and bracelets with rubber gloves while doing heavy-duty cleaning. Or better yet, take them off altogether.

Gold can lose its luster over time if repeatedly exposed to dust, moisture, perspiration and makeup. So make sure to clean your jewelry regularly. You can use a cleaning solution of sudsy, lukewarm water, or bring it to your local jeweler and have it professionally steam-cleaned. After cleaning and rinsing, always dry and polish jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid scratches and bring out its shine.

Proper storage is as important as cleaning. Protect your gold jewelry by storing it safely in a jewelry box or keeping it wrapped in a soft cloth when not being worn. Furthermore, keeping pieces stored separately will prevent them from getting tangled or scratching one another.

Finally, always inspect your gold jewelry for weakness or damage and bring it to a professional jeweler you trust for immediate repair. Pay particular attention to clasps (to ensure they catch easily but are still secure); prongs (to ensure they haven’t cracked, bent or loosened, which could cause the stone to fall out); bracelet and neck chain links (to ensure they don’t kink or bend); pin backs and earring posts (to see if they are bent or loose); and wedding bands, pendants and charms (dangling pieces and items worn every day for a long period of time) are subject to wear and can thin out and eventually break. We will be able to handle these and many other repair jobs and ultimately restore your gold jewelry for you.

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