Do you own gold-plated jewellery and have resisted cleaning it out of fear of ruining it? You’ve probably heard horror stories of people trying to clean their much-loved pieces only to destroy them and leave them unable to be worn. The problem is that jewellery takes a lot of wear and tear so regular cleanings are often necessary to keep them looking beautiful. Here’s a look at some tips you can use to clean your gold-plated jewellery without damaging it.

Use a Microfiber Cloth After Each Wear

The first tip is to get into the habit of using a microfiber cloth on the jewellery after each wear. Just give it a quick wipe with a dry cloth to remove any surface oils, dust and dirt. Then be sure to store it in a dust-free container to keep it looking good. Gold-plated jewellery can tarnish just like silver, so keeping it clean will help prevent that from happening.

Gentle Soap and Water Is All That’s Needed

If a cloth isn’t doing a good enough job of cleaning your jewellery, gentle soap and water is the next step. You’ll want to look for a soap that is free of dyes, fragrances and harsh chemicals so that it is gentle on your jewellery. Simply fill a bowl with warm water, put a little liquid soap in the water, stir it around and then let your items soak in it. Give it a few minutes to soak, take them out and rinse them carefully and then use a clean soft cloth to dry them off.

However, if the piece is intricate and soaking doesn’t do a good enough job of cleaning, this is when you can reach for a clean, soft-bristled brush, like a very soft toothbrush, to give it a light brushing. You may need to soak it again, and then rinse it again.

Keep Makeup, Lotions and Perfumes Away from Jewellery

Did you know that makeup, lotion, perfumes and oils can all damage your gold-plated jewellery over time? You may be able to cut down on the amount of cleaning simply by being more careful with what your jewellery touches. For example, never spray perfume on the parts of your body where you also wear jewellery, and don’t use a moisturiser on the skin where your jewellery is sitting either.

Gold Plated Jewellery Never Goes Out of Style

The great thing about gold-plated jewellery is that it never goes out of style. Gold has a certain elegance and sophistication to it that continues to trend year after year, season after season. Depending on the piece, the gemstones used, and the style, you can either dress it up or down. And now that you know how to clean it, you may be inspired to purchase some more pieces and expand your options. You can have a look at online shops like Chapter 79 for what’s trending right now.

Because you can spend a lot of money on your gold-plated jewellery, and it is likely pieces that you truly love, you want to do all you can to keep them in like-new condition. Using these cleaning tips will help you do just that.

The post How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewellery without Damaging It appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Would you like to buy a bracelet on the theme “Tree of Life”? What a wonderful idea! In this article, we will talk about the meaning of spiritual symbols and give some good advice on bracelets.

Jewelry can be a great way to express your thoughts, beliefs, and values. By choosing a symbol that represents your heart, you can take it with you wherever you go to be spiritually strong.

The Tree of Life Bracelet has remained the most widely used piece of jewelry for many years and has been adorned in one way or another for thousands of years with the iconic Tree of Life Bracelet.

What does the Tree of Life mean?

The Tree of Life has been symbolized in many different cultures and religions for centuries and is probably one of the most popular symbols for this reason. It is found in ancient paintings and texts from various religions including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and the Celts, commonly referred to as the Celtic Tree of Life. Excavations at ancient sites have found examples of Tree of Life bracelets on strings and other copper and stone objects.

In addition to their religious significance, the tree of life symbolizes a variety of family relationships and a sense of belonging to nature. You can read more about the meaning of Tree Life here. Today, wearing the tree of life bracelet is more commonly used to express belief in the strength of family.

These bracelets are a reminder that love grows in the family, even if your loved one is far away. The roots are firmly anchored and the branches towards the sky represent the cycle of life and good energy.

Some of the most popular are:

• Connection with everything, marked by tree roots
• For hundreds of years, the tree has grown strong and tall, so that indicates your growth and strength
• Regenerated and immortal when the tree falls all winter and seems dead, but in the spring it always comes back to life.
• From branches to family and ancestral ties, it is often used to symbolize family ties.
• Earth and natural relations which will represent this world and the next world
• Love of nature because of trees is an important and easily visible part of the natural world.

Wear this sterling silver bracelet on your wrist to keep your wife, girlfriend or best friend by your side for all the important moments.

The post Tree Of Life Bracelet Women Elegant Retro Style Jewellery appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Did you know that gemstones are not just jewelry? They have long been associated with months, signs of the zodiac, and personality traits. Rumor gives them special magical properties and attributes a healing effect on the body. It is said that the right gem can help solve everyday problems and bring success in business and personal life. Finally, they are beautiful, and it’s hard to take the eyes off them.

Precious stones have always fascinated people with their magical play of light and rich color. Today, the development of computer technology and automation of production enable gem mass-production. But did the buyer benefit from this? A large selection of cheap jewelry without uniqueness and a soul may delight someone, but true connoisseurs are looking for more. These enthusiasts can find something interesting on the GemRay online store.

Our Offer

In our store, we present only handmade jewelry designed by talented local artists. So, we kill two birds with one stone (not actual birds, of course), providing a platform for unknown jewelers and allowing them to present their masterpieces, and ensuring a wide assortment of unique custom jewelries for our customers.

In our catalog, the customers can find a perfect gift for their loved ones. The jewelry can reflect individuality and enhance style; they tell a story and highlight personal traits. Moreover, at GemRay, handmade jewelry pieces don’t cost a fortune; we keep our price tags more than reasonable. In our catalog, there are the following gemstones:

• garnets;
• amethyst;
• cat’s eyes;
• quartz;
• sardonyx and others.

Gemstones are the heart of our collections, the store concentrates on them, but you can find jewelry made from metal. We make sure that they don’t contain nickel and lead. The designs are always unusual but attractive. Buying gem jewelry in our store means purchasing a one-of-the-kind thing with no replicas and mass-product duplicates.

Our Assortment

We present different jewelry, and every item can be a topic for a long description. It’s hard to stop when it comes to beautiful bracelets from amethyst, agate, pearls. An amazing turquoise anklet with teardrop pendants will highlight the gracefulness of the ankle and create a delightful mood for a beach holiday. The gold cuff with multiple pearls can make you a queen of a party. “Make a wish” bracelets are an interesting option for both memorable and pleasant gifts. You can put a note on the backside of a card to make it more personal. We all have wishes, and the concept of them coming true brings the excitement element to the present.

Don’t forget about earrings to make your look complete. Small gorgeous snakes become a great shiny accessory, giving your face a touch of rebelliousness. If you prefer more calm and philosophical jewelry, look at a pair of earrings with moon phases or studs with the protective eye. The spirit of holiday or celebration requires respective accessories, for example, studs with Champaign glasses. Simple but charming studs with stones are versatile and suit for any outfit.

A beautiful necklace is a remarkable present for every woman. Fascinating designs and stunning gems make these designer pendants simply irresistible. We have selected jewelry for every taste and any occasion. Need a present for Valentine’s Day or want to express your love? Look at multiple heart-shaped necklaces from gemstones and metal. Prefer something more esoterically sophisticated with deep meaning? Choose from Evil Eye necklaces and symbols of Yin Yang. For a dreamy and creative person, a pendant in the form of a moon and a star is perfect. We also have a zodiac collection and the “Gem of the month” series. Each necklace comes with a card where all its symbolic meanings and properties are listed. It’s like a “manual” of using the stone for the best results.

In the next section of the catalog, you can find breathtaking rings. Check out the dainty ring with pearl or cat-eye stones for a more classical and chaste style. There is a perfect complement for the serpent earrings – a little snake dancing on your finger.

We can tell about these masterpieces for eternity, but а picture is worth a thousand words. Visit our website www.gemrayjewelry.com and see for yourself.

Our Goals

First, we want to make your shopping experience as smooth and comfortable as possible. You don’t need to go anywhere; just visit our online store and choose a perfect gift sitting in the armchair and drinking coffee. The choice itself is amazing. You can find custom jewelry for any taste and any circumstances. Moreover, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by our prices. We keep them at bay so that you can afford to buy your treasure.

For return customers, we offer a loyalty program. With each purchase, you receive a certain amount of “Gems.” Later, they transfer into a considerable discount next time you want to shop in our store. But our care for customers doesn’t end here. Free shipping in an amazingly short time and a return policy make a perfect combination for the best problem-free buying. Needless to say, that we confirm the product safety and absence of heavy metals in it.

Our second goal is to promote local jewelers and small brands with stunning designs and talented artists. They produce unbelievably beautiful and unique items but don’t have the recourses to show them to a primary audience. We provide a platform for such enthusiasts to sell their products and raise their popularity. We consider helping these unknown brands a valuable mission and are determined to continue this way.

We don’t forget about the social responsibilities of every successful project. GemRay transfers 2% of our earnings to the organizations researching breast cancer. Together we can help fight this terrible illness, and by purchasing in our store, you contribute too. We know that our customers support this initiative and want to help as much as we do.

If you have any questions, we’ll be glad to provide fast assistance in live chat. Contact us for explanations on terms of delivery or purchasing, for consultation on any product, and any other issue. Our consultants ensure the best possible service.

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Whether you are looking for a special gift for a loved one’s birthday present, or are browsing the internet for a piece of jewellery to treat yourself with, there is no more beautiful and truly eye-catching accessory than a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings with your birthstone proudly displayed within.

With that being said, continue reading for a comprehensive guide to the origin of birthstones and what they mean and represent.

The Three Different Types Of Birthstone Charts

There are generally three different accepted charts of birthstones corresponding to the twelve months of the year: traditional birthstones, modern birthstones, and ancient birthstones.

Ancient birthstones have their origin associated with the breastplate of ‘Aaron’ from the bible and contain twelve different gemstones that indicate the twelve separate tribes of Israel. From all the way back to ancient times right through to the present day, gemstones have been associated and strongly connected with calendars and astrology and have always been assigned in some way to different times and dates of the year.

Traditional birthstones have more of a worldly connection and have twelve different gemstones sourced from countries around the world. Modern birthstones were developed and compiled by the National Association of Jewellers in 1912. Essentially, the latter chart was developed to propel birthstones and corresponding months into more of a mainstream domain, with brighter and more fashionable colours than their traditional counterparts.

Modern Gemstones & Their Corresponding Birth Dates

Each month of the calendar year has a corresponding birthstone and purchasing an item of jewellery containing your birthstone from a reputable and ethical jeweller such as fullmoondesigns.co.uk will symbolise your spiritual and sensitive nature for yourself and to anyone that meets you.

The calendar months and corresponding birthstones of the modern gemstone chart are as follows:

• January: GARNET: Symbolises devotion, loyalty, business success & good fortune
• February: AMETHYST: Symbolises wisdom, creativity, sobriety & imagination
• March: AQUAMARINE: Symbolises courage, friendship, contentment & faithfulness
• April: DIAMOND: Symbolises longevity, purity, strength and commitment
• May: EMERALD: Symbolises passion, love, peace and growth
• June: PEARL: Symbolises happiness, wealth, success and good fortune
• July: RUBY: Symbolises love, friendship, romance and protection
• August: PERIDOT: Symbolises the fight against destructive emotions and growth
• September: SAPPHIRE: Symbolises communication, promise, contentment and peace
• October: OPAL: Symbolises faithfulness, empathy, hope and love
• November: CITRINE: Symbolises happiness, generosity, balance and fortune
• December: TURQUOISE: Symbolises affection, success, love and wealth

Benefits Of Wearing Your Birthstone

Birthstones are said to provide a myriad of benefits to the wearer, along with the individual characteristics of each gemstone.

Wearing your birthstone in a piece of jewellery is said to provide the bearer with protective natural and environmental connections to the earth and the healing nature of the planet, offer increased levels of good fortune and luck, and provide you with a link to the traditions, spiritual beliefs, and connection to people of the past gone-by.

The post A Comprehensive Guide to Birthstones & What They Mean appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

The cut of a diamond is important for the appearance of the finished diamond because it needs to have symmetry, polish and shape.

The ideal cut was designed to provide standard, mathematically accurate ratios of table size (the top, and largest facet of a stone), diameter (the diamond’s width at the girdle), crown (the diamond from the girdle up), pavilion (the diamond from the girdle down), culet (the bottom, and smallest, facet of a diamond), girdle (the belt at the widest portion of the diamond) and depth (the entire diamond height from table to culet or top to bottom).

Polish: The polish of a diamond is fairly self-explanatory, in that it is the finished polish on a diamond’s surfaces, or facets. The facets must have a good polish in order to most effectively reflect light that passes over the diamond. A poorly polished facet or facets can prevent a diamond from not only failing to properly reflect the light that is flashing over it, thus creating a dulled surface look, but poor polish can also cause a diamond to be diminished in its ability to allow light to pass into and through it, thus diminishing its fire and brilliance. In effect, a poor polish can ruin an otherwise spectacular diamond. A diamond’s polish should produce smooth, clean and flat surfaces, so that the diamond’s play of light is utilized to its greatest effect.

Symmetry: The term symmetry refers to the placement of a diamond’s facets. The facets themselves are the flat surfaces that we are familiar with when we think of a diamond. These surfaces must be aligned in just the right orientation to one another, and they must be sized in relation to one another. If a diamond has proper symmetry, this indicates that its facets are all the proper size in relation to one another, and that there are the proper number of facets, in relation to the size and desired effect of the diamond.

Weight: In the case of such diamonds, the rough diamond is cut to best accentuate the particular qualities of the diamond. For example, a diamond may be cut for greater depth, or greater width, so as to allow for a larger carat weight. While these diamonds may not have the brilliance or fire of an ideal cut diamond, their weight allows them to have greater value than they would otherwise have should they be cut down to an insignificant size for the sake of an ideal cut.

The desire for a particular carat weight also comes into play in the choice of cut for a diamond. While the ideal cut may seem to be what is desired above all, this is not actually the case. There are many rough diamonds that, due to various reasons such as cleavage points, and inclusions, would be diminished to insignificant carat weights should they be cut to ideal proportions.

Shape: When a diamond is cut, the diamond will have a particular shape. This shape is usually determined by the motivation of the cutter, to supply the largest and best quality diamond; which means he must follow the structure of the diamond’s original rough. There are numerous shapes for diamonds, with no particular shape being better than any other, although the current market demand is for round brilliant and princess cut diamonds. However, keep in mind the shape of a diamond that is right for one person may not be right for another.

Emerald Cut Diamond

The “emerald” cut of diamond is another square or rectangular shaped diamond. As opposed to the brilliant cut, however, with its triangular or four sided diamond cut facets, the “emerald” cut of diamond has step cut facets. The term “step cut” refers to the step-like look of the facet cuts.

This type of facet appears in long plate or plane-like facets, resulting in a more mirrored-type of effect, rather than the deep fire or shining brilliance of other diamond shapes. The emerald requires a diamond of higher quality of color and clarity than required with other shapes. This is due to the fact that scratches, inclusions and other impurities are more easily noticed with this bold type of cut. The emerald cut of diamond has an elegance and old world charm not found in brilliant styles.

It tends to have 50 to 58 facets, and a length to width ratio of 1.5-1.7 to 1. As with other square and rectangular shapes, the Emerald cut shape can be cut to be more square, to flatter the longer fingers, or more rectangular, thus flattering shorter fingers with the appearance of greater length. It tends to be 20% to 33% less expensive than round brilliants of the same weight, as is also the case with other square or rectangular shaped diamonds. The Emerald cut shape of diamond is linked to organized, resourceful, disciplined and decisive personalities.

The post Learn What Diamond Cut Actually Means and Emerald Cut Diamond appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Did you know that gold jewelry is one of the emerging fashion trends of 2021? This classic color has the unique advantage of being timeless, which means that it will look good with almost any outfit or look you put together.

Would you like to know what colors go best with gold jewelry? Here are some of the top hues and fashion tips that will complement gold jewelry in your next ensemble.

Silver

Pairing precious metals with other precious metals can actually create a fun fashion look. Mixing metals is a great way to show that you are bold when it comes to your style.

When wearing gold accessories, you can either pair them with accessories made of other metals, or clothing items in shiny hues. Try to stick to only a couple of metal colors at a time, so you will not overwhelm your outfit.

Emerald Green

Gold tends to complement darker and richer colors, so emerald green is a great option. A simple gold necklace can be the perfect accessory for an outfit focused on emerald green.

Emerald green is usually worn for casual or formal evening events, but you can dress it up for daytime as well. Some of the best gold jewelry can be used in many different ensembles.

Black

Black is one of the best colors to make gold jewelry really glitter and shine. The color makes a powerful statement on its own, but combining it with gold will elevate your look.

If your outfit is a simple shade of black, then you can make a statement by wearing more elaborate gold jewelry and accessories. A glimmer of gold will always complement a black outfit and offer a sleek and classic accessory.

Red

You may think red is too bright to pair with gold, but the two colors can go surprisingly well together. Red is a bold color, so you should try to wear simple gold accessories that do not overwhelm it.

Yellow gold jewelry and red have warm tones and go well together with any outfit. Try a pair of gold hoop earrings or a gold chain around your neck to bring your look to the next level.

Purple

Purple has been known for hundreds of years as the color of royalty, so naturally, it would go perfectly with gold jewelry. Your best gold jewelry will work well with deeper shades of purple.

For a regal look, try pairing a dazzling 4 qul necklace with a purple ensemble, such as an elegant dress. You are guaranteed to steal the show with this color palette.

Gold Jewelry Works With Every Outfit

You do not need to wear lots of different jewelry to make your outfit work. Wearing gold jewelry will give you a bit of class and elevate any fashion look.

Want to learn more about how to up your fashion game? Check out our site for all of the information you will need about style.

The post Which Colors Pair Best With Gold Jewelry? appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

The occasion of a lifetime means differently to all of us, yet, we all crave to make that special moment even better. And what could be better than offering a premium engagement rings to your beloved. This is the time when two souls commingle for lifetime and thus, a diamond engagement ring suits the occasion.

Things to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring

Obviously, the factors include personal taste, lifestyle, and possible family traditions, but the most important consideration may be price. Only a few lucky people can afford the role models of the rich and famous and declare that they have no money when buying an engagement ring.

For those lucky enough to own a family heirloom engagement ring or long-standing piece of family jewelry, choosing an engagement ring is a fairly simple process. You can choose to remake the ring, but many people choose to present the ring to the fiancee in its original form. In this way, they will continue a long tradition.

If you are looking for a historic engagement ring, but your family does not have a family heirloom, you may want to go for an antique engagement ring. We have a great article on tips and pitfalls to avoid when choosing an antique engagement ring. Women can dream of a 2-carat diamond and an emerald engagement ring, such as a 3.5-carat diamond, surrounded by 21 smaller diamonds, but in fact, most women will be satisfied with the ring they choose with love.

Choosing such a beautiful engagement ring is sure to please even the most demanding woman. David and sons jewelers (davidandsonsjewelers.com) is the best place to look for artisan-designed engagement rings. So how do you strike a balance between choosing the ring for your fiancee to get married?

Etiquette experts recommend spending two hours a day, dressing cheerfully, lovingly, and proudly, and overspending, which will put your budget in crisis. Overload your stress level.  Of course, if you can afford more, there won’t be too many women arguing with you!

We have provided a helpful article on how to find the perfect affordable engagement ring. We make sure that you can find what you are looking for at the right price, you probably have the same goals and values, or you do not plan to join your life, so it should not be too difficult to spend on the ring Money reached a consensus.

Some couples consider jewelry an investment and choose the best gemstones that they will appreciate. Others don’t care much about intrinsic value, but will choose bold ways to express their taste and fashion style.

Once you’ve determined the price range, where is the next buying decision? Local jewelry or the online jewelry? Personalized service or the convenience and variety offered online? It is up to you and your fiancee. Shopping online can be as simple or romantic as you like. You can make a quick decision before rushing to work, or you can order a delicious candlelight dinner at home, choose your ring online, and celebrate with champagne and red roses to mark the day.

We found an ideal place to start shopping for engagement rings online at David and Sons Jewelers. There are various styles, gems, and prices for you to choose from, so have fun! For other good places for engagement rings, we recommend that you visit the guide to the best online engagement ring stores. We conducted research and found a list of the best quality, best value jewelry online. Bend your knees and make a ring your girl has never seen before. It sounds like a romantic gesture, but usually, in reality, the wise man will let his future wife participate in the selection. Express respect and consideration for her opinions, so she will love you even more.

The post Things to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Every woman knows the importance of having a beautiful piece of jewelry which they can show off with the perfect outfit (even if its only a sweats during the lockdown). That is why exclusive handmade jewelry is a wonderful option to any wardrobe. There are so many possibilities available for a woman who wants a unique necklace around her neck.

Handmade jewelry is a great way to let the world know that you have something unique about your personality and there are variety of handmade jewelry brands available for women. The good thing about unique pieces is the fact that you can mix and match several of them together and they will still look fascinating with any outfit in your closet.

Selecting exclusive jewelry pieces that are unique from any other, is a perfect gift for any woman looking for bold pieces that will stand out.

You can usually plan on purchasing exclusive jewelry in several different types of materials. Bold styles are of course going to be the most special though. When you choose to purchase a collection of unique pieces, you will be letting the world know the things that you believe and also everything about your personality. This is a wonderful way to show off your feminine side but also to show the fun side of your personality.

If you are looking for unique handmade jewelry for a loved one or as a self gift for yourself then we suggest you check out  MIKA Instagram they are a brand house for exclusive jewellery, and each piece on their website is hand selected by the founders from jewelry makers worldwide. MIKA is female-led business based in Portugal.

The post The Most Versatile Handmade Jewelry appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

In today’s world, there are various brands of the jewelry products such as the gold brand, silver type, diamond brand, bronze type, rubber type and others. All these are very much available in various fashion boutiques and even online. The gold jewelry products when compared with other models stand out in various ramifications such in their quality, durability and prices.

The Quality

Gold jewelry products are ultimately the best in the world. The quality of the silver jewelry products is second best which is also very awesome. Gold jewelry glistering in appearance and many times white in their various forms. They are also very stiff and solid compared to other models of fashion jewelry products. The lustrous nature of the real gold jewelry products such as the necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets makes them to stand out.

The Durability

Gold jewelry products are known to be very durable. This is seen in the gold raw materials used in their production. This kind of jewelry products are known for their capability of remaining very glistering till the user is very tired of them. The gold jewelry have quality second hand values as they could be handed over form one generation to the next. Real gold jewelry gifts can be given on anniversaries and used as souvenir on memorable events.

Wholesale Prices

The market prices of the real gold jewelry wholesale are not all that too dear like the diamond or gemstones. This is mainly where the gold jewelry has an upper hand over the diamond jewelry. The affordability nature of the gold jewelry jewelry makes many people to be going for them.

For mere reasons of looking good and trendy, gold jewelry accessories are completely suitable because they are very charming and represent an ancient revamped look. In all, the real gold jewelry is best option for jewelry lovers and easily available on wholesale prices on playwithdiamonds.com.

The post Why Gold Jewelry is best as Compared to Others appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

You may start out looking at diamond jewelry at another traditional jewelry store, a pawn shop or online, but don’t forget to come to E.D. Marshall Jewelers.  You will be glad you did.  As you are shopping around we don’t want to you to make mistakes so we are going to cover the important ones in this article.

Color and clarity issues

Whenever possible you need to know what the clarity and color of a stone was prior to it being placed in a setting.  The setting can help hide flaws such as inclusions or nicks in the surface.  Technically speaking, the color and clarity of a diamond cannot be accurately judged once a diamond is set so don’t let yourself be fooled.

Color grading is difficult.  The GIA goes through much effort to create standardized environments in which to grade stones in their facilities and when training people.  Do not accept a jeweler’s opinion of what color grade a stone is even if they state they are GIA trained.  It is not the same as a GIA graded diamond.

If a jeweler is giving the color or clarity grade as a range of numbers or letters, e.g. the diamond is color grade F-G, you can be sure that the diamond has not been graded by GIA or any other reputable lab.  The jeweler is really telling you that he does not know much about the diamond he is trying to sell you when he gives ranges.  You won’t find any range grading at E.D. Marshall Jewelers.  We will gladly give you the GIA certifications of any stone we are selling.

If you doubt the color grade of a diamond, suggest to the diamond merchant making a comparison to his master color set.  A master color set is a standardized set of cubic zirconia stones that show the exact color grades.  You can compare the diamond in question with these cubic zirconia master stones to see where it stands on the GIA color spectrum.  If the merchant does not have a master color set be very careful about the stated color of the diamond.  A jeweler can use invalid comparisons to sell a customer a lower color stone masquerading as a better color grade.

Be extra careful about trying to make color comparisons on your own.  You may be shown 2 different stones described as grade G and grade H.  If you do not have a master color set to compare to or a GIA certification you do not really know if the grading is correct and could end up buying a lower grade diamond than you really wanted to.

When trying to compare two differently shaped diamonds you must remember that stone body color will show more readily in certain shapes.  This means that you cannot really compare diamond color visually when the shapes are different.  Cut quality also changes perceived color.  The quality of the cut affects the brightness of the stone which in turn changes the color you see.

Guidelines from the FTC state that any seller-stated clarity or color grade must be within 1 grade of what a qualified independent appraiser would state.  This provides some security for buyers but the sellers can still inflate color and clarity grades by one level.  This means that if you choose to have the stone appraised it may not come back with the exact same color and clarity you were told when you purchased it.

Jewelry store lighting is designed to make diamonds look great.  Specialized lighting that emits a spectrum that is shifted toward the blue end will make a yellow diamond appear much whiter than it really is.  Be sure to evaluate a stone in normal lighting, out from under the spotlights.  If possible, look at the diamond in natural light from a window or skylight away from indoor lights.  You may also want to look at the diamond in more normal office lighting since this is much closer to the usual conditions you will be in once you own the diamond.  At E.D. Marshall Jewelers we will try to accommodate you so that you can see the diamond in lighting as close to your normal lighting as possible.

Is a carat always a carat?

You may assume that whatever is stated as the diamond’s carat weight is absolutely correct, but you could be very wrong.  Many times the diamond carat weights are rounded up.  Look for stores and online websites that give you the exact carat weight.  As an example, a 0.69 carat diamond could be described as a 3/4 carat diamond.  You may still decide to say the diamond is a three-quarters carat diamond when asked, but you will know the real carat weight when needed.  A carat weight difference of less than 10% is very difficult, if not impossible, to detect visually so your friends will never know.

Stick with a quality cut

One of the main errors made by a diamond purchaser is to end up misled on the quality of the stone’s cut.  The definition of cut qualities is not as well regulated as clarity and color.  The actual definition of a specific cut grade is determined by the jeweler, not by an independent organization like the GIA.  This means that cut grade is not easily compared between different stores or stores versus online.  Overall diamond merchants tend to use the same terms to describe the cut, but there can still be small but important differences from one merchant to another.  Be sure to have a definition of what each cut grade means from each store, and try to find one on line as well at any websites you visit.  At E.D. Marshall Jewelers our staff will gladly help you understand exactly what cut quality you are looking at.

Many stores will not sell poor cut grade stones so be sure you know what the policy is at each store or online outlet.  It will help you to understand what you are looking at if you know what the lowest grade cut is that a store handles.

It is important that a stone looks good to you, but be sure to find out what the cut quality is.  Something that looks great may not have been cut so well.  This can bring down the value of the stone and jewelry, which is not in your best interest.

Keep in mind that all stores can only carry a limited amount of stock.  You will be shown two or three (or more) items in an effort to make a sale but these may not be the best available.  You can only look at what the store has in stock so you could be missing out in seeing the true best.  Because well cut diamonds are expensive to purchase and are harder to sell most stores will have a very limited number of them on hand.   To round out your investigation, and better understand cut quality, you may wish to look at online websites before going to stores such as E.D. Marshall Jewelers.

Jewelry store guarantees and warranties

You may be attracted to a specific jewelry store because of warranties or guarantees that store offers.  Look carefully.  Return and trade-in guarantees are valuable (but read the fine print to be sure).  Keep in mind that most warranties cannot replace true insurance because they do not cover theft, damage or loss.

If you plan on taking advantage of warranties or guarantees be sure you know the rules.  Many warranties are voided if another jeweler works on a piece, or even just cleans the piece.  And while those free cleanings and inspections are great, missing one may void the warranty.

Protecting your diamond

A diamond can be inscribed with a GIA or other laboratory certificate number.  Be sure you know where the inscription is located on your stone.  This fact can be a reassurance if you need to have a ring resized, repaired or cleaned.  Just let the jeweler know that the diamond is inscribed and they will know that you have ‘insurance’ against switching your diamond for one of lesser value.

Ask your jeweler to show you any inclusions in the diamond with a magnifier.  The staff at E.D. Marshall Jewelers will gladly help you.   If your certificate does not have a description of inclusions ask the jeweler to draw a sketch of the position of inclusions and make brief notes as to the types of inclusions.  This can be used to help reliably identify your diamond in the future.

Be sure to keep your GIA certificate and plot of inclusions in a safe place.  This information can be used to identify your diamond if it is stolen and recovered.  Without this type of information you cannot prove that a diamond is yours.

Many home owner’s or renter’s insurance policies provide coverage for jewelry.  Insurance purchased from a reputable company tends to be much more comprehensive and safer than coverage or a warranty offered by a retailer.  If you own a large amount of precious stones you may need to purchase a separate policy or rider to your current policy in order to have full coverage in case of theft or loss.  Be sure to investigate this shortly after purchasing your jewelry.

Hopefully you have found a few helpful hints about Diamond Buying Mistakes.  E.D. Marshall Jewelers will always offer the best jewelry available so stop in soon to see what we have.

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