How to Custom Create Pieces of Jewelry

 

If you have a passion for jewelry that is unique, then you will love these creative ways to create your own jewelry in a way that will represent and reflect your personal style.

Creating custom jewelry offers even more opportunities because you can choose exactly what kind of jewelry piece you want, the exact style, the shape, the color, and the theme is all in your control. Buying jewelry as is restricts you because you get what you see, and though that can be elegant and stylish, creating your own allows you even greater freedoms and allows you to make pieces that are even more affordable and fashionable. Custom made jewelry will allow you to make just the right piece that you need to match with your favorite dress or outfit and will give you ample room for creative liberties.

Many craft stores provide basic tools and bases for jewelry making. So, for instance, you can get plain chains, earring hooks, clasps, and undecorated rings, all simple and basic and usually highly cost efficient. These base pieces will provide the platform for all the creative jewelry making that you can begin to do. Also, if you are not sure what kind of jewelry you want to make, looking through the craft store aisles is a great way to figure that out.

There are an expansive selection of beads, pearls, stones, and other accents that you can use to make jewelry that looks like it was store bought. For instance, you can buy beads that come in transparent and shiny colors and string them together to make a nice necklace, custom selecting the combination of colors you want and the pattern and size of the various beads. Then, you can make matching earrings and a ring, as well. This will allow you to create an entire set that can reflect and be a perfect match for any dress or outfit that you have. Doing this yourself will guarantee that you spend far less on the entire set than you would if you purchased one like it at the store, and plus, you get to have fun as you make your own jewelry.

Now, if you are interested in unique and creative pieces, you can try other pieces with which to make jewelry instead of beads and stones. As beads and stones provide a sort of elegant and sophisticated look, there are other items that will provide your jewelry with a creative and artsy flair. For example, using bottle caps, like the ones that come on old fashioned soda bottles or beer bottles, you can make a necklace that is fashioned with all the caps clustered thick till it forms a chunky necklace. Or, you can take the pieces off a hair band or accessory, as many of them have nice objects like sculpted roses or big jewels and decorations and turn them into fashion costume rings that sparkle and shine in your hand and make an explosive statement.

Finally, jewelry that is made with false flowers can also make a lovely and elegant statement, as well. You can take false carnations, roses, and daisies and string them together to make a floral necklace that will look lovely with spring dresses or with your beach outfit. Also, flower rings or bracelets are nice additions to any jewelry collection.

 

 

 

Sapphire Engagement Rings

In 1981, Princess Dianna purchased a £28,000 sapphire stone for her engagement ring. Twenty years later, Kate Middleton wore the same ring, whose value had now catapulted to £300,000. In the meantime, the ring has spawned a growing trend for getting engaged with sapphire. If you are considering purchasing a sapphire ring, keep several things in mind. While sapphires are traditionally blue, they do come in other colors as well including yellow, green, purple, red, and white. Nevertheless, blue sapphires are the most popular choice. The sapphire blue is best described as a type of velvety blue hue, not too dark and not too light. When evaluating a sapphire consider the following qualities: 1) Its hue may be described as strong purple, slight purple, strong green, slight green, or blue. The most prized sapphires are velvety blue to violet blue. 2) The stone's saturation describes its purity of color. Saturation ranges from weak, medium, fair, strong to vivid. Sapphires that command the highest prices have strong saturation without being so dark as to compromise brightness. 3) The sapphire's tone ranges from very light to dark with intermediate grades described as very light, light, medium dark, or very dark. Most people prefer a sapphire with medium tone. Unlike diamonds, sapphires don't have a standard cut. Jewelers shape the stone so as to enhance its characteristics. A dark stone may be cut shallower and a lighter blue stone may be cut deeper with the intent of adding to its saturation. Round sapphires require removing more of the raw stone and are therefore more expensive than other cuts. The unique qualities of a sapphire can be enhanced by the setting. If you're designing your own ring, you can work with the jeweler to figure out how you want the stone to appear. Do you want your stone to stand alone? Or would you prefer surrounding it with smaller diamonds or other cut stones? Your choice.

Jewelry Combing Sapphires and Diamonds

Clear sparkling diamonds contrast beautifully with colored gemstones. One of the most popular combinations is diamond and sapphire. Sapphires feature a blue color that may be described as a vivid medium dark violet to purplish blue. The Sapphires and clear crystal diamonds make stunning jewelry combinations. A dark blue sapphire surrounded by sparkling diamonds sends the viewer into the celestial realms of the deep blue night sky. There are two schools of thought about how to best combine these stones. You may combine them in one piece or wear them as two separate pieces, one featuring sapphires and the other diamonds. There are myriads of ways to arrange sapphires and diamonds in one piece. A dark blue sapphire may appear as the ring's central stone. Smaller diamonds can then enhance it. Two smaller diamonds may appear as side stones just next to the central sapphire. Or smaller diamonds may surround the sapphire as a pave halo or even double halo. Pave diamonds can also adorn the rest of the ring. Multiple deep blue sapphires set in a trellised like arrangements of supporting pave diamonds make a beautiful bracelet. A beautiful silver, white gold, or platinum ring can be adorned by alternating sapphires and diamonds held in silver settings. An engagement ring may also feature a large central diamond set off on each side by attractive sapphire stones. If you are planning to arrange both sapphires and diamonds in the same ring, keep in mind that many people find the combination is set off best with a white gold or silvery platinum setting. Whichever combination you decide on, don't forget to enhance your diamond's look with clothes that complement the jewelry's color. And if you will be wearing other jewels, be sure to select pieces of equally high quality. Never mix a valuable stone with plastic, wooden, or imitation jewelry. And if you are wearing earrings or a necklace, consider putting your hair up and adding a trace of blue to your eye shadow, as this color will complement the sapphire.

Clothes that Complement Emerald Jewelry

Looking for clothing that goes well with emerald jewelry?    Experts suggest you take the following three steps: 1) Figure out the main color of the outfit you want to wear. For example if you're planning to wear a yellow top with grey pants, then yellow is the main color. 2) Next look at a circular color wheel (one that places complementary colors opposite each other). 3) Find your main outfit color on the wheel and look across the circle to see its complement (the color you can add on as an accessory). When determining what color combinations go well with jewelry, look at the jewel color on the color wheel and find its complement. For example, the complementary color of green (color of an emerald) is red. Therefore, outfits that feature red as their main color look good with emerald jewelry. The shade of red you choose to wear needn't be the standard red color. Other shades of red, such as maroon, also complement emeralds. Purple, which is a combination of red and blue also makes a nice backdrop. So keep that in mind when selecting your outfit. Other color combinations are also worn with emeralds and are popular with non-experts. In general, for example, black and white outfits (plus shades of grey) go well with everything. While not complementary to a green emerald, some people prefer a blue outfit. Blues and greens make attractive color combinations suggesting a marine environment. And while a deep maroon is liable to make the emerald stand out more, some people would go with color consistency and select a green outfit when wearing emeralds. If your emerald is surrounded by a gold setting or chain, you might want to avoid wearing gold or silver. While gold and green are lovely spring combinations, adding a gold dress to gold in the jewelry piece might be a bit of an overkill. A silver outfit might also clash with the gold jewelry setting. ************************************************************************************* • Purple outfits: go with citrine, gold tone jewelry & even green emeralds • Red outfits: go with emerald jewelry 1. Figure out the main color of your outfit, if you are wearing a yellow top with grey pants, yellow is your main color. 2. Look at your main color on the wheel 3. Look across from the main color of your outfit and see the complimentary colors of what you should add as an accessory. black or white go well with everything. if you wanted to be a little more spiced up, a deep dark blue would go nicely. I DO NOT ADVISE TO WEAR GOLD OR SILVER, the necklace is already gold you don’t want to over kill, you want to highlight the necklace Answers Relevance • black or white go well with everything. if you wanted to be a little more spiced up, a deep dark blue would go nicely. I DO NOT ADVISE TO WEAR GOLD OR SILVER, the necklace is already gold you don’t want to over kill, you want to highlight the necklace https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bnmXMUFJZXr5b3bihWsTUdsDqTjXE4FakmsiupbxHWaSwPuef5Xp5bLYVdb9DTw2RBobUP1HPxqqS08dh4JA-8Ty8b8Ria8R9P4h1TlhEco2FVva1d6ZukNOBeUGcGzQWmFjdyVXfmA/s1600/Necklace Jacket Close Up.jpg here’s a picture of emerald and dark blue so you can see how it would look. I would wear it with a maroon or a deep red because it will make the green pop, making the necklace more noticeable. Gold also looks really nice with maroon. DO NOT WEAR A GREEN DRESS BECAUSE THE NECKLACE WILL GET WASHED OUT. well the best advice wear something like green formal dress

Examining a Diamond with an Ideal-scope Image

Examining a Diamond with an Ideal-scope Image

You're shopping for a diamond engagement ring. You've narrowed the search down to GIA approved, triple excellent diamonds (excellent polish, excellent symmetry, and excellent cut), and a carat (weight) range that is of interest to you. Where do you go from here? One way to evaluate the diamonds you've selected is to view them via an Ideal scope image. An Ideal scope image will show you just how much light the diamond is reflecting. When examining the image pay special attention to areas of red, black, and white. Dark red areas are parts of the diamond's face that reflect lots of light; that's good. You should also look at light red areas. These are areas that reflect less light than dark red areas. All things being equal, a diamond with less light red areas than another is more desirable. Black areas are parts of the diamond that reflect no light. That can also be good if the black areas are arranged in patterns that indicate the diamond has attractive contrasts. Attractive dark areas may include, for example, narrow, symmetrical star patterns. You should ascertain that the borders of the dark areas are precise and not blotchy. Precise dark area borders mean more attractive contrast on the face of the diamond. Remember, areas of contrast on the diamond's face make its brilliance stand out more than if the diamond had little or no contrast at all. White areas on the Ideal scope image are parts of the diamond that do not reflect light (light leakage). White areas are not good because they signify that the diamond has less brilliance. These are the basics, about using an Ideal scope. Many but not all diamond shops will have the ability to show you an Idealscope image of a diamond you're interested in purchasing. Be sure to ask about it, because this view will give you valuable information about the appearance and brilliance of the diamond.

Examining a Diamond with an Ideal-scope Image

How to Tell the Difference between a Diamond and a Cubic Zirconia

Today there are a number of manmade stones that come close to matching the appearance and characteristics of diamonds. Cubic Zirconia (CZs) are less expensive and look more like diamonds than any other man made jewel. In fact, when looking at a stone with the naked eye, many gemologists have trouble telling diamonds and CZs apart. However, CZs are not as heat resistant as diamonds and can crack and burn at high temperatures. Also CZs scratch more easily, and with time they start to look worn. So how can a couple shopping for an engagement ring tell if the jewel they want to buy is a genuine diamond? 1. To start with shop at a reputable jewelry store. 2. Make sure that the stone you wish to purchase is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (rated for color, cut, carat, and clarity). 3. Look at the stone's setting. CZs are much cheaper than diamonds and usually affixed to an inexpensive setting. If the stone's support appears loose, crooked, or unattractively placed, that maybe an indication it's a CZ and not a diamond. 4. Use the fog test. Diamonds are rapid conductors of heat, so if you breathe on one, the fog should dissipate immediately. Not so with CZs and other fake diamonds that may stay fogged for a couple of seconds. 5. Now use a loupe (10x magnifier) to check for damage and imperfections in the stone. CZs, which are made by manufacturers, appear flawless, whereas most diamonds will have tiny imperfections. A diamond with no imperfections will sell for many thousands of dollars (ten to one hundred thousand dollars or more). So if the store is trying to sell you a flawless stone for two hundred dollars, for example, you can be sure it's a CZ. 6. While examining the stone under a loupe, look at the facet edges. If it's a diamond, you will see that the facets have sharp edges. If it's a CZ, on the other hand, the facets will have rounded edges. 7. Next do the ultraviolet test. Most diamonds (except the most expensive) will glow a shade of blue under ultraviolet light. CZs, on the other hand, will glow no color or many colors. 8. Now look at how the stone refracts light. Diamonds refract light into contrasting shades of grey, whereas CZs refract light into multi-colored rays. Many diamonds do display some colored reflections, due to inclusions (the diamond's fire); however, if the stone you are examining has all the colors of the rainbow, it's likely a CZ. 9. Because of the many ways in which a diamond refracts and internally reflects light, it should not be transparent. If you turn a diamond upside down and hold it over print, you shouldn't be able to read the letters. Not so with a CZ. If you're really stumped about a stone, get a second opinion from a jeweler whom you trust. CZ comes closer than any other gem material to matching the characteristics of a diamond Most people, even trained gemologists, cannot tell the difference between diamond and CZ, with the naked eye. CZ appears to have slightly less brilliance (or sparkle) than a diamond, and more fire, or flashes of color. In addition, cubic zirconia is not as resistant to heat as diamonds and can easily crack and burn under high temperature. Since cubic zirconia scratches more easily, with time, it starts to look worn. You should also keep in mind that this stone is more brittle than diamond and i CZ and diamonds can both be colorless, or they can be tinted with yellow, pink, blue, or another tone f you take a close look at a diamond’s facets, you will notice that their edges are very sharp. In contrast, the facets of a cubic zirconia stone have smoother and rounder edges. Since cubic zirconia is cheap, it is also often set in cheap mountings. Jewelers usually have diamond testers, which are small electronic devices that can detect diamond, and if you ask to have your stone tested, you can find out the truth immediately, for a small fee. • Understand Diamond Quality: Couples who know how to judge diamond quality by the four Cs -- color, cut, carat, and clarity as defined by the Gemological Institute of America -- are less likely to be fooled by false gems because they can immediately discern poor quality imitations. • Work with Reputable Jewelers: A well-respected jeweler who can answer detailed questions is less likely to be involved with fake diamonds and shady deals. • Check Setting Quality: Diamonds are expensive gems, and true diamonds are rarely set into inferior metals with poor security or placement. If an engagement ring's setting is crooked, loose, or poorly crafted, the stone may be less valuable than advertised. • Fog Test: Diamonds disperse heat rapidly and a light huff of breath on the stone should fog it up but that fog will vanish almost instantly. Fake diamonds may stay fogged for 2 seconds or longer according to National Jeweler's Supply. • Check for Damage: Diamonds are very durable gems, and while they are not impervious to surface damage, a stone that shows a lot of nicks, scuffs, scratches, or other damage is less likely to be a real diamond. • Reflection Color: Because of the refraction index of diamond, the reflection and sparkles within the stone should be in shades of gray. According to GoldSmart.com, stones that have rainbow reflections are likely not genuine diamonds. • Transparency Test: Diamonds should not be truly transparent. Diamond Cutters International recommends turning loose diamonds upside down over a newspaper or other piece of paper with typed words printed on it. If you are looking at a real diamond, you will typically not be able to read the text through the stone. If you can read the text, the stone you are looking at does not have the proper light dispersion properties a real diamond possesses. • Ultraviolet Light: The majority of diamonds will glow blue under ultraviolet lights such as black light. Fake diamonds, on the other hand, will glow other colors or not at all. While an extremely high quality gem will also not glow under UV light, this can be a good test for questionable stones. • Perfection: Any natural stone will have some minute flaws and inclusions, and a gem that is perfectly flawless should be examined with great care to be sure it is real rather than being lab-created. While real flawless diamonds are available, if the stone in question is offered at an unforgettably affordable price, it may not be a real gem. • Loupe Examinations: Use a jeweler's loupe to examine the diamond closely. A real stone should have sharply defined facets with precise geometry, while fake stones may be less well crafted. On a real diamond, the stone's thin girdle will also be faceted, and some designer diamond shapes such as the Hearts on Fire diamond will have identification numbers inscribed along the girdle. Being that CZ has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417, diamonds are therefore said to be brighter than CZ. Contemporary production of CZ is virtually flawless, whereas diamond usually contains impurities and inclusions, or have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or perhaps a remnant of an original crystal face (e.g. trigons). In regards to color-more precisely, the lack of color-only the rarest of diamonds are truly colorless, as most have a tinge of yellow or brown to some extent. By comparison, CZ in most cases can be made entirely colorless, equivalent to a perfect "D" on diamond's color grading scale. With a dispersive power greater than diamond (0.060 vs. 0.044), the more prismatic fire of CZ can be seen by even an untrained eye. While one is obviously naturally formed and the other is a man-made impostor, telling the difference between the two can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The most conclusive way to tell the difference is with an electronic device that reads the stone’s electrical and thermal conductivity, but you can also look at the surface of the stone for any tell-tale scratches (diamonds shouldn’t have any), the color of the stone’s refraction (the light of a diamond will refract gray), and for flaws that will suggest a naturally made stone. Other tests include breathing on the stone, putting it under a black light, and trying to scratch glass with it. One of the most time-honored tests used by gemologists is still one of the most effective. Place the stone on a newspaper. Because a real diamond refracts light—a lot—it’s impossible to read letters through it. Many cubic zirconia you’ll be able to make out letters through. Another easy test is to breathe on the stone. Diamonds don’t retain heat, so they’ll become almost instantly clear again. Cubic zirconia tends to retain heat longer than a diamond and will stay cloudy. A cubic zirconia is about 50 percent heavier than a real diamond. a CZ will weigh approximately 1.75 times more than a diamond of equivalent size.

Flawless Diamond

Table Proportions that Make the Most Beautiful Diamonds

The table is an eight-sided central flat facet on the upper part (crown) of the diamond. Experts in light refraction have determined that diamonds whose table's width is between 53%-58% of the stone's entire width have the most attractive appearance. The wider the table, the more brilliant the diamond because the larger table will admit more reflected light. A larger table also results in a shallower diamond with decreased depth percentage (depth percentage = depth/width). The lower the depth percentage, the larger (wider) the diamond appears to the viewer. On the other hand, as the table expands it causes the facets on its sides to decrease in size; this results in less scintillation and less fire. Scintillation occurs when you look at the diamond through one of the crown's side facets. The sloping facet bends your line of vision, allowing you to see deep into the diamond. As the stone rotates, the angles of reflected light change and you see flashes of light from within. Smaller upper facets also mean less fire because the upper facets help to break reflected light into beautiful rays of color that give the stone its fire. Not only table size but crown angle -- the angle formed between the table and the surrounding bezel facets -- affects the jewel's appearance. A crown angle between 34 degrees and 34.9 degrees bests reflects incoming light, making it exit through the table, which adds to the stone's brilliance. Although the diamond's width and depth percentages are important contributors to its overall beauty, its "cut grade" is the best indicator of quality. The cut grade is a measurement determined by multiple factors beyond width and depth percentage, such as pavilion height (one of the key factors contributing to a stone's brilliance). When buying a diamond ring, first ask about cut grade. Once you have chosen a selection of stones at a particular cut grade, go on to compare their widths and depths to further refine your selection process. Best of luck in your diamond selection experience!

What Makes a Diamond Have Appealing Contrast?

A diamond with positive contrast has a distribution of bright and dark facets that change as the stone is rocked from side to side. The diamond's dark faces highlight its neighboring light faces and contribute to the stone's overall brilliance. Very large diamonds may actually have less attractive contrast than medium sized diamonds because large diamonds' facets are large and separated one from another. Tiny diamonds, on the other hand, may have great contrast but it will be difficult to appreciate it because the faces are so small. Three additional factors contribute to a diamond's contrast, its depth, head interference, and symmetry. Diamonds that have a deep pavilion leak light from the bottom and so most of the facets will appear dark. Diamonds that are shallow leak light from the sides, so the stone will have less contrast. Diamonds with the perfect (Tolkalsky) cut also have dark facets, but they are fewer in number, triangular, and contributory to the diamond's appealing contrasts. Head interference also influences diamonds' contrast. If the stones are cut so that light going in comes right back out to the viewer, than the viewer's head, which blocks the light source, will make the diamonds appear dark. In well cut diamonds, light coming in from the sides will be reflected back into the eyes of the viewer giving the diamonds a shiny appearance. Symmetry also plays an important role in creating beautiful diamond contrast. A well proportioned diamond creates the most beautiful contrasts.

What Makes a Diamond Shine?

Diamonds shine because their special cut creates a state called "total internal reflection." That means that the light entering from the top will reflect off two facets before returning back out the top. This special effect is created by skillful diamond cutting and is based on diamond's high refractive index. This high refractive index means that the direction of light bends a lot as it travels from air to diamond or from diamond to air. Because of this bend, when light travelling through the crystal lattice meets a face at an oblique angle, it will bounce off rather than penetrate through it to the outside. Generally light that enters a properly cut diamond from the top will bounce off two faces before returning to exit out the top. At this point the light is heading straight into a top facet (head on) and will emerge rather than bounce off of it as it did when it met the earlier facets. The process is so delicate because if the diamond's pavilion is cut too deep, the light will leave through one of the lower facets. If the pavilion is cut too shallow, the light will exit through a side facet. Light can enter and leave the crystal in so many ways and bounce around in so many different directions that getting the best effect is a special art. For this reason, only the most experienced diamond cutters are called upon to cut the largest and most expensive stones. ********************************************************** The refractive index of diamond is pretty high (2.417) and is also dispersive (coefficient is 0.044). Due to this fact, diamond is an important application in optics. Consider an ideal cut diamond. I explain according to the figure below. When the light is incident at an angle 1, it refracts inside and travels through the lattice. At the surface which separates air & diamond media, the incident angle 2 is very well above the critical angle (ca) and simultaneously (3 & 4) the reflection takes place at different surfaces of the diamond. Finally, the light refracts out. But diamond on the other hand has a really high refractive index (≈2.4) and because of that the critical angle for total internal reflection to occur is much smaller. So a greater percentage of the incident light gets internally reflected several times before it emerges from the diamond, making the diamond look really shiny.

Avoiding Diamond Switching Scams

Most jewelers are trustworthy and would never cheat their customers. In fact people usually fall prey to diamond switching scams because they made a poor jeweler selection. That said, diamonds can be switched (usually for a cubic zirconium) anytime the jewel is left unattended with an unscrupulous jeweler. This may include the gap between purchase and mounting, the times when a diamond ring is brought in for cleaning, repairing, remounting, etc. You can prevent diamond switching by having your jeweler plot out your diamond on your receipt. This will basically include making marks signifying the location and size of your stone's inclusions. Many inclusions are so tiny they are invisible to the naked eye. However, you should ask to see your diamond through a loupe (a small magnifying glass used by jewelers). You can also identify your stone by the grading report and or any laser engravings. If your jeweler refuses to cooperate with your request, you should take your business elsewhere. Let your jeweler know you are keeping track of your diamond's unique appearance. Come to a common agreement about the unique marks on your precious stone before leaving it at the shop. Check it when you go to pick it up. If there are any discrepancies, bring this to the jeweler's attention immediately. These steps should discourage any dishonest shop owner from trying to switch your diamond.

What Makes a Diamond Shine

Diamonds shine because their special cut creates a state called "total internal reflection." That means that the light entering from the top will reflect off two facets before returning back out the top. This special effect is created by skillful diamond cutting and is based on diamond's high refractive index. This high refractive index means that the direction of light bends a lot as it travels from air to diamond or from diamond to air. Because of this bend, when light travelling through the crystal lattice meets a face at an oblique angle, it will bounce off rather than penetrate through it to the outside. Generally light that enters a properly cut diamond from the top will bounce off two faces before returning to exit out the top. At this point the light is heading straight into a top facet (head on) and will emerge rather than bounce off of it as it did when it met the earlier facets. The process is so delicate because if the diamond's pavilion is cut too deep, the light will leave through one of the lower facets. If the pavilion is cut too shallow, the light will exit through a side facet. Light can enter and leave the crystal in so many ways and bounce around in so many different directions that getting the best effect is a special art. For this reason, only the most experienced diamond cutters are called upon to cut the largest and most expensive stones. ********************************************************** The refractive index of diamond is pretty high (2.417) and is also dispersive (coefficient is 0.044). Due to this fact, diamond is an important application in optics. Consider an ideal cut diamond. I explain according to the figure below. When the light is incident at an angle 1, it refracts inside and travels through the lattice. At the surface which separates air & diamond media, the incident angle 2 is very well above the critical angle (ca) and simultaneously (3 & 4) the reflection takes place at different surfaces of the diamond. Finally, the light refracts out. But diamond on the other hand has a really high refractive index (≈2.4) and because of that the critical angle for total internal reflection to occur is much smaller. So a greater percentage of the incident light gets internally reflected several times before it emerges from the diamond, making the diamond look really shiny

Popular Engagement Ring Trends

While round brilliant cut solitary diamonds sitting on a gold ring are still the most popular choice for an engagement ring, newer styles are gaining in popularity. Here are some of the most popular new trends. Rose gold - Many couples are opting for a stunning rose gold color for their band. Floral hued diamonds – Some of the most valuable diamonds in the word are naturally colored and many couples are choosing a romantic pink, yellow, or other colored diamond for their central stone. Split band (also called split shanks). More and more couples are abandoning the single band in favor of one that splits in two as it approaches the central stone from each side. The double segments may be plain, woven, one metal and one pave, or woven and decorated with accent diamonds so as to resemble natural themes including vines, leaves, and buds. Changing trends in diamond shape – While most couples still favor the circular, brilliant cut diamond, increasingly brides and grooms are going for other distinctive shapes such as oval, pear shaped, square cushion, marquise, or emerald. Vintage look – A number of modern couples are selecting an engagement ring with a vintage look. Popular trends include Art deco, Victorian, and Edwardian. Claw prongs – Claw prongs narrow to a point. They use less metal to secure the central stone and consequently show off more of the diamond's luster. Double prongs are another popular choice for many couples. Halos – Modern engagement rings often enhance the central diamond with one or more halos, circular arrangements of accent diamonds that surround the central stone. Other – Other popular trends include accent diamonds set in a scalloped instead of channel or rail setting, bands made of mixed metal gold, and accent diamonds with a baguette shape (rectangular shaped with large rectangular facets).

How to Care for your Diamond Ring

A diamond engagement ring is an irreplaceable possession, so be sure to care for it properly. Follow the suggestions listed below for best diamond ring care. 1. Get the ring insured. While you could never replace the sentimental value of the original one, getting it insured will facilitate purchasing a replacement.

Furthermore, many policies offer add on benefits such as prong and clasp repair, stone tightening, and more. 2. Remove the ring when engaging in activities that might harm it. These include playing sports, lifting weights, swimming, washing dishes, doing laundry or other household tasks, cooking certain foods (making meatballs, rolling dough, marinating meat, etc.). In general you should remove the ring whenever undertaking a task that might expose it to excessive stress or abrasive chemicals. 3. Clean and inspect the ring periodically. You can clean it yourself with a liquid soap such as Dawn detergent; however, most jewelers will clean and inspect it free of charge. 4. Never use your ring finger hand to punch something or engage in an activity that will place sudden stress on the diamond and its settings. 5. Store the ring in a clean dry place such as a fabric lined jewelry case. 6. Do not resize the ring more than once in its lifetime. During pregnancy your fingers will swell making it impossible to fit the band on your finger; however, your fingers will return to their normal size after the pregnancy. ************************************** Have It Insured This is your number one must-do item. While nothing can replace the sentimental value of your engagement ring, if you have it properly appraised and insured for its full replacement value, you'll at least be covered if it's ever lost, stolen or damaged. Some insurance companies offer more than others, so it's worth doing a little homework. For example, Jewelers Mutual's repair or replacement policy includes coverage for several preventive repairs. "That includes repair of broken prongs, clasp replacement, stone tightening and more," says Tyler Krowiorz, consumer Cleaning and inspection twice a year, most jewelers will clean for free Take it off sometimes: Working out at the gym, play sports, lift weights, or go swimming, washing dishes, cooking (making meatballs, rolling cookie dough, or marinating meat )laundry and other household tasks will put stress on your ring, from stretching the band to loosening the delicate settings to exposure to abrasive chemicals. carrying heavy luggage is a surefire way to break or bend prongs." Don’t let ring get dirty, but also don’t hold it over sink while cleaning Never use your ring hand for punching or activities that will expose the ring to sudden stress using a mixture of a few drops of Dawn dish detergent in warm—not hot—water. Let your ring soak in the solution for a few minutes, then gently scrub with a new, soft baby toothbrush. To rinse, place it in a new dish of lukewarm water and then dry it with a soft cloth, being careful not to snag the prongs. "Keep it in a clean, dry place such as a fabric-lined jewelry case, or in a box with compartments and dividers to prevent pieces from scratching each other," Krowiorz says Fingers will swell during pregnancy but resist the temptation to resize the ring. All together don't resize more than once.

Where do Diamonds Come From?

Almost all commercial diamonds are formed deep in the Earth's mantle in a slow process stretching over nearly 1 to 3.3 billion years. 87 to 118 miles under the Earth's continental crust, temperatures of 1,650 and 2,370 °F combine with pressures forty-five thousand to sixty thousand times atmospheric pressure to create zones that are just right for turning carbon into diamonds. Most diamonds are formed from carbon that was trapped in the planet's interior at the time of its formation. Some, however, are formed from organic material that was naturally pushed down from the Earth's surface to the depths suitable for diamond formation. Diamonds that are formed at this great depth exist within rocks called xenoliths. But something else must happen to bring the xenoliths to the surface where they can be mined. Deep volcanic eruptions, more than three times deeper than average, bring the xenoliths to the surface. In doing so, they create deep but thin craters called volcanic pipes. The diamonds containing xenoliths are then trapped in the volcanoes' ignaceous rock as it cools. Natural processes such as wind and erosion scatter some of the surface diamond containing rocks to surrounding areas. Not all volcanic pipes contain diamonds and not all that do have enough precious stone to be profitable for mining. Prospectors look for pipes that have a large supply of marketable diamonds that will make their work profitable. ********************************************************* The formation of natural diamonds requires very high temperatures and pressures. These conditions occur in limited zones of Earth's mantle about 90 miles (150 kilometers) below the surface where temperatures are at least 2000 degrees Fahrenheit (1050 degrees Celsius) primarily in the mantle beneath the stable interiors of continental plates Diamonds formed and stored in these "diamond stability zones" are delivered to Earth's surface during deep-source volcanic eruptions. These eruptions tear out pieces of the mantle and carry them rapidly to the surface The carbon source for these mantle diamonds is most likely carbon trapped in Earth's interior at the time of the planet's formation. chunks of diamond-containing rocks called xenoliths. These eruptions create pipes in the upper layers of Earth’s crust called kimberlite pipes. diamond has to be created in a “diamond stability zone”, located in the upper mantle of Earth. In order for diamonds to form, a temperature of over 1000 degrees Celsius and very high pressure is required. In the natural environment, these conditions are only found deep beneath the surface (est~ 150km below the Earth’s crust). Most natural diamonds are formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 118 mi) in the Earth's mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the Earth). Diamonds are brought close to the Earth's surface through deep volcanic eruptions by magma, which cools into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites. conditions for diamond formation to happen in the lithospheric mantle occur at considerable depth The correct combination of temperature and pressure is only found in the thick, ancient, and stable parts of continental plates where regions of lithosphere known as cratons exist Some diamonds, known as harzburgitic, are formed from inorganic carbon originally found deep in the Earth's mantle. In contrast, eclogitic diamonds contain organic carbon from organic detritus that has been pushed down from the surface of the Earth's crust through subduction Diamonds that have come to the Earth's surface are generally quite old, ranging from under 1 billion to 3.3 billion years old. Diamond-bearing rock is carried from the mantle to the Earth's surface by deep-origin volcanic eruptions. The magma for such a volcano must originate at a depth where diamonds can be formed[13]—150 km (93 mi) or more (three times or more the depth of source magma for most volcanoes). This is a relatively rare occurrence. These typically small surface volcanic craters extend downward in formations known as volcanic pipes.[13] The pipes contain material that was transported toward the surface by volcanic action, but was not ejected before the volcanic activity ceased. During eruption these pipes are open to the surface, resulting in open circulation; many xenoliths of surface rock and even wood and fossils are found in volcanic pipes. Diamond-bearing volcanic pipes are closely related to the oldest, coolest regions of continental crust (cratons). This is because cratons are very thick, and their lithospheric mantle extends to great enough depth that diamonds are stable

How Much Should I Spend on an Engagement Ring?

According to a report in Brides magazine, the proper groom should spend three months salary when purchasing an engagement ring. A one month salary guideline was established nearly 100 years ago by De Beers. If three months seems like a stretch but one month seems skimpy, you can choose a figure somewhere in between. Another approach is to spend the average amount most grooms spent on purchasing their engagement ring. According to a report by Jewelers of America, in 2013 the average couple spent $4,000 on their engagement ring. A report authored by the Department of Economics at Emory University in Atlanta determined that the average amount a couple is currently spending for an engagement ring is around $2,500. A third approach is to determine a price you can pay but which will not crimp your essential spending. Would paying a particular sum for a ring force you to change your day to day spending habits? Obviously you don't want to start your marriage short on cash because that could make day to day life for your new bride unpleasant. No matter how much you spend, be sure that the diamond you ultimately buy is GIA certified. And consider the four diamond characteristics, clarity, cut, color, and caret. If your fiancé wants a diamond with stunning fire, you can invest your money in a smaller diamond that has the color she loves. Or if she is most desirous of a diamond with clarity and brilliance, you can likewise find a smaller diamond that was cut well and has brilliance. Finally, don't rush into the purchase. Take your time shopping and visit more than one diamond store. If you find a diamond you love, but it's over your budget, talk with the owners. They might have another diamond with the same dimensions and sparkle but at a slightly lower caret weight.

Naturally Colored Diamonds

 

Naturally colored diamonds are both rare and expensive. While brides often prize colorless brilliant stones, many of the world's most famous diamonds are colored. For example the Tiffany diamond is yellow and the Hope diamond is blue. Diamonds pick up color during their formation deep in the Earth's crust or shortly thereafter. Brown, pink, and red diamonds absorb green light because of a distortion in their lattice, which takes place when they are still buried deep in the Earth's mantle layer and subjected to great pressure and heat. Grey and blue diamonds contain boron that binds to their lattice and subsequently absorbs yellow, red, and green light. Green diamonds have absorbed intense radiation just before exiting the Earth's crust. Yellow and orange diamonds contain nitrogen that has assembled in a way that absorbs blue light. Purple and violet diamonds have lattice distortion and also may have hydrogen within their structure, which gives the stone a violet or purplish hue. Nowadays, scientists have developed artificial ways of creating colored diamonds by exposing them to intense radiation followed by intense heat. The coloration process is considered permanent; however, may revert when the stones are exposed to high heat during the repair process. Since naturally as opposed to artificially colored diamonds are so expensive (the price of a natural blue diamond has risen from $5,000 – 2 million dollars in the last forty years), you should request to see a certificate from a trusted grading lab before buying one. ****************************************************************************************** TREAT LESS DESIRABLE DIAMONDS WITH IRRDIATION THEN INTENSE HEAT. BORWN YELLOWISH DIAMONDS INTO GREENS, BKLUES, YELLOWS, REDS, PURPLES, AND OTHER COLORS considered permanent but possibly could change if exposed to high het during repairs, Most naturally colored diamonds are rare natural colored diamonds get color from trace elements such as nitrogen which creates a yellowish stone, also if stones were exposed to radiation during creation, green diamonds were affected by radiation, inclusions give diamonds unique tones and brilliant flashes of color, Stones being sold as natural colored need a certificate from a trusted grading lab, Fancy - naturally colored red, green, purple, violet, orange, blue and pink faint to intense Most famous diamonds are colored Tiffany diamond – yellow Hope diamond – blue, colored diamonds raise in value blue and pink diamonds double every year in a strong economy, Grey and Blue – boron which binds to the lattice and absords yellow red and green, Brown pink, red – distortion of lattice due to intense heat and pressure when still embedded deep in earth’s crust, causing it to absorb a particular band of green, green – just before exiting the earth's last layer of crust they absorb intense radiation yellow-orange – nitrogen within the diamond assembled in a way that absorbs blue light purple violet – lattice distortion and some absorption of hydrogen

Diamond Brilliance

Cut in a cone shape with many facets that results in maximal light return through the top. Rarely less than 50% of the diamond is removed. The Source of the Diamond's Brilliance Modern diamonds has 58 facets (faces) and are shaped like two pyramids sitting base to base with a thin "girdle" separating them. The top pyramid (crown) has a large inner table surrounded by three circles of facets, an inner circle of 8 (star) facets, a middle circle of 16 (kite) facets and an outer circle of 16 (upper girdle) facets. The lower pyramid (pavilion) consists of one cutlet (a small central circle located at the apex) surrounded by a circle of 8 (pavilion) facets that are surrounded by a circle of 16 (lower girdle) facets. In recent years diamond cutters have begun adding as many as 96 facets or more to the surrounding girdle, but these are not counted as official facets. The brilliance of the diamond depends on the polish and alignment of the facets, the crown angle, pavilion angle, table size, and length of the lower facets. Absorbed light can reflect off any facet, so the path light follows within the diamond is complex. The understanding of how best to arrange the facets so as to maximize light return has grown more and more complex. Several groups have developed grading standards that best describe the gem cutters success at maximizing light return when the distance to the viewer's eye is anywhere from 10 – 16 inches. All experts agree that optimal face placement is the key to brilliance.

What Makes a Quality Diamond

What Makes a Diamond Valuable ? When describing the quality of a diamond, professionals use the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grading system. The GIA establishes the diamond's character based on four factors. Rarity of a diamond's characteristic often influences how graders rate it. Color: Colorless diamonds are hard to find; most diamonds have yellow or brown tints. So the closer a diamond gets to colorless, the more it is worth. The DIA color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z. Because colorless diamonds are so uncommon, there is a rapid rise in price as a diamond approaches colorless. Clarity: A diamond's clarity is based on the relative absence of inclusions or blemishes (clarity characteristics). Blemishes are external scratches or nicks, whereas inclusions are flaws on the inside of the diamond, although they may break the surface. Diamonds are graded by a skilled examiner who looks at it under 10X magnification. A flawless diamond has no internal or external imperfections when examined under magnification. These diamonds are so rare that a diamond professional may never see even one in his whole career. Cut: Cut refers to the way a diamond cutter created facets on the diamonds surface. A superior cut will affect the amount of light returned to the viewer's eye (the face-up appearance). A well polished diamond will be bright (lots of white light reflected back to the observer), colorful (containing flashes of color called fire), and scintillating (exhibiting attractive contrast of light and dark areas). Size: Diamonds are carefully weighed in carats. One metric carat is two-tenths (0.2) of a gram. As the diamond's size increases so does its value relative to other diamonds of similar color, clarity, and cut. But because larger diamonds are much rarer, a larger diamond costs more per carat than a smaller one.

10 Popular Diamond Cuts

10 Popular Diamond Cuts The diamond shape varies in its length to width ratio and the type of cut. Below is a description of the 10 most popular diamond cuts. 1. Round is the most popular diamond cut. It offers flexibility in balancing cut, color, and clarity without sacrificing fire and brilliance. 2. The princess cut features a square cut with pointed corners. Its brilliance and beautiful cut makes it a favorite for engagement rings. 3. An oval cut creates brilliance similar to a round cut. Its exact shape is characterized by the length to width ratio. 4. The radiant cut features trimmed corners and is a popular choice for jewelry. The overall shape varies from square to rectangular depending on the length to width ratio. 5. The pear or teardrop cut is a popular choice for many types of jewelry. When worn as part of a ring, the elongated diamond enhances the contour of wearer's finger. 6. The cushion cut or "pillow cut" has rounded corners and larger facets, which enhances its clarity. Its shape varies from square to rectangular depending on the length to width ratio. 7. The emerald cut features a pavilion cut with rectangular facets and a large open table giving it a hall of mirrors effect. Its shape varies greatly depending on its length to width ratio. 8. An asscher cut is similar to an emerald cut except that its shape is square. Like the emerald cut, this cut shows off the diamond's clarity. 9. The marquise cut is oblong with curved borders that come to a point at each end. This cut stands out as it features the diamond's size and appears larger than other cuts of the same caret weight. 10. The heart cut, as its name suggests, makes the diamond heart shaped. It expresses love and is a popular choice for romantic jewelry.

Kruckemeyer & Cohn: Style is coming back to town!

When the 120 year old family-owned Kruckemeyer & Cohn closed last fall due to the owner retiring, it was feared the tradition of quality jewelry and extraordinary customer service in the Tri-State would be lost. Fortunately, long-time employee Brent Beaman was given the opportunity to purchase Kruckemeyer &Cohn several weeks later, and it re-opened November 2015 with several of the prior employees. 

Although the name and location remain unchanged, there were several updates which make this store a “must see”! The new, younger owner is working to bridge generational gaps by having well-made bridal and fashion jewelry in several styles and price points. His staff will ensure anyone who walks in can have a piece of Kruckemeyer & Cohn jewelry as unique as they are. Several new lines are being brought in this year to embody the new spirit of the store.

Kruckemeyer & Cohn also has a direct link to some of the world’s most renowned diamond cutters. They can provide the highest quality diamonds at the best values in town. “Our prices would be competitive in the diamond district of New York. That’s no small feat for a store in the Midwest,” states Brent. Diamond upgrades, repairs, and appraisals are offered even if the item was purchased elsewhere. Kruckemeyer and Cohn recognizes the loyalty of prior clientele by continuing to honor the warranty program offered by the previous owners.

The new diamond program is one of many positive changes. “We are excited to provide our customers with the Wish-List program.” Office Manager Lauren Beaman stated. “People can choose the pieces they want and the gift-giver can come in later and select something from the list. It allows for the person who picked out the items to still be surprised by what’s in the little blue box. There is no drama or stress for the gift-giver. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

When you shop at Kruckemeyer & Cohn, you are supporting a locally owned business which understands the importance of giving back to the community. Its staff volunteers for non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and makes donations to local organizations including everything from high schools to hospitals.

Style is back in town thanks to the new Kruckemeyer & Cohn! Their hours are 10-6 Monday - Thursday,  10-7 on Fridays, and 10-5 on Saturdays with extended holiday hours.  Kruckemeyer & Cohn is located at 944 N Burkhardt Rd in Evansville, IN. For more information, call 812-476-5122 or visit www.kandcjewelers.com. YOU are the top priority at the new Kruckemeyer & Cohn!