Bling Time!

How to Buy an Engagement Ring?

2008-01-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

You have found the one. And you feel fairly confident that, if asked, the one will happily promise to spend the rest of her life with you. As if getting to this point wasn't hard enough, now you must find an appropriate symbol to represent that promise to enter into marriage. Buying an engagement ring may appear challenging, but it doesn't have to be. With our straightforward guide, you'll learn all the facets of ring shopping and will soon be bragging to friends about your knowledge of words like "inclusion," or your ability to differentiate between a princess cut and an emerald cut. And the best part? Finding the ring your significant other will swoon over now and cherish for years to come.

Selecting an Engagement ring is not an easy task, so I decided to go step by step. All the steps included in this precious decision are:

Step 1: What is Your Budget?
Step 2: Type of Stone
Step 3: Looking for 4 C's of Diamonds
Step 4: What Ring Style?
Step 5: Start Shopping
Step 6: Buying on a Budget
Step 7: Consider Insurance

Let's start with the Critical First step:

Step 1: What is your budget

Your budget will determine the type and size of ring you can buy, so it is a critical first step. This is an emotional event, and a purchase that will last a lifetime. The two-months salary convention is a common starting point, but we believe that regardless of the amount you budget, your most important considerations should be quality and value.

1. On average you can expect to spend $3,500 to $4,000 on a diamond engagement ring (though you can find rings with smaller stones for less money, and, of course, you can always spend more).

2. You may have heard that you should spend two months' salary on an engagement ring. Truth is, this standard has no real roots outside of the diamond industry and its influential marketing gurus. Debt, just like diamonds, can be forever.

3. If you still want to use the two months' salary as a general guideline, calculate that amount.

4. Once you start thinking about buying a ring, it's best to start saving! Even putting away a little bit of money every week will make a huge difference over time.

5. The ring you buy should fit into your budget, plain and simple. You should spend what you are comfortable spending, and take into account all the other financial factors in your life: are you saving for a house, do you have significant debt?

6. As emotional as the engagement ring buying process can be, it's important to stick to your budget as this will be the first of many financial decisions you'll make that could affect your relationship in the future.

Step 2: Type of Stone

Approximately 83% of brides receive a diamond engagement ring. But alternatives are growing more popular.

1. Naturally colored stones, or other gemstones are often substituted for the traditional diamond.

2. If your significant other is a long-time human rights activist, your choice of stone could very well influence her answer! Even if you stick with a traditional diamond, you may want it to be conflict-free.

3. Buying a colored gemstone will allow you to buy a bigger center stone because it is less expensive than a diamond.

4. Some couples get even more creative, choosing engagement gifts that aren't rings at all.

See Engagement ring Trends

Emerald

Sapphire

Pink Sapphire

Garnet

Citrine

Peridot

Opal

Aquamarine

Blue Topaz

Amethyst

Pink Tourmaline

Ruby

Step 3: Researching Diamonds

If you're going the traditional route, you'll need to buckle down. You thought your senior thesis involved a lot of research? Welcome to diamond shopping.

The 4 Cs:

You've probably heard about cut, clarity, color and carat when discussing diamonds. To become a true expert, however, you'll have to go beyond the shiny surface.

A) Color:

The more clear, or colorless, the diamond, the better its color grade and its value.

1. Diamonds are graded by color, and grades range from D (perfectly colorless) to Z (light yellow).

2. The naked eye can rarely detect the difference between several color grades.

3. The less color detected in a diamond, the more valuable it is. But more valuable does not necessarily mean more beautiful.

4. In rare cases, color can be a good thing. "Fancy color" diamonds (usually pink, yellow, or blue) are highly prized and even more expensive than their colorless counterparts.

B) Clarity:

Clarity tells you how "perfect" your diamond is; that is, does it have any blemishes?

1. An "inclusion" is an imperfection in your diamond, often a "crystal" (a tiny mineral trapped inside the diamond) or a "feather" (a break in the diamond). There are additional types of inclusions to look for, as well.

2. Most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye. You must use a jeweler's loupe to see them at 10x magnification. Experts recommend buying a diamond that is "eye clean," meaning no inclusions are visible without magnification.

3. Clarity is graded two different ways: on a scale of 0 (no blemishes; perfect) to 10, and using the following groupings (note VS1 is of higher quality than VS2, and so on):

a) Flawless (FL): Perfect inside and out.

b) Internally Flawless (IF): Perfect internally with slight blemishes on the surface that are difficult to see under magnification.

c) Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. Excellent quality diamonds.

d) Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): It is nearly impossible to see inclusions with the naked eye, but you can find them using 10x magnification.

e) Slightly Included (SI1, SI2, and SI3): These diamonds have inclusions that are easily found using 10x magnification. With these diamonds, where the inclusions are in the diamond make a difference.

f) Included (I1, I2, and I3): These diamonds have inclusions which can be seen easily with the naked eye. These diamonds' blemishes may affect the brilliance of the stone.

4. Some experts say you can drop 7 grades of clarity without noticing if you have a well-cut diamond.

C) Cut:

There are many different options for how your "raw" (uncut) diamond is cut, and all of them will try to optimize how your diamond reflects light. When you choose how your diamond will be cut, you are hoping for excellent craftsmanship.

1. The cut of your diamond consists of two things: shape and symmetry. Shapes include:

i) Round

ii) Princess

iii) Emerald

iv) Asscher

v) Marquise

vi) Oval

vii) Radiant

viii) Pear

ix) Heart

x) Cushion

2. See Amazon's sketches of different cuts (as well as illustrations of how a diamond's cut reflects light).

3. Some say cut is the most important of the 4 Cs.

4. Oval, pear, and marquise diamonds often look bigger than their weight would suggest.

5. Princess and radiant cuts can look smaller than their weight would suggest.

6. When evaluating cut, you are looking for overall symmetry, polish, and ability to reflect and manipulate light.

7. A good cut can make a diamond look bigger and brighter, so it is imperative that cut is geometrically precise.

D) Carat:

The key point when understanding carat is that your price will grow geometrically as the diamond gets bigger. This is also the most objective of your diamond's characteristics.

1. "Carat weight" is how diamonds are measured. One carat equals 1/5 of a gram, or 1/142 of an ounce.

2. One carat equals 100 "points," so a diamond that is 3/4 carat is 75 points. When you are looking at the tag and it reads 1.03, your diamond consists of 103 points.

3. There is usually a price jump at the 1 carat mark. You could save significantly by purchasing an excellent quality diamond that weighs in at .98 carat and likely not be able to tell the difference between it and a 1 carat stone.

4. In general, for $500 or less, you could buy a ring with a quarter carat diamond.

5. For closer to $1,000, you could buy a ring with a .3 to .5 carat diamond that may be certified.

6. Expect to spend between $3,500 and $5,000 for quality 1 carat stones.

In Addition to all the 4 C's the fifth C would be

E) Care:

Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth. They are uniquely resistant to damage by heat or scratching, and can be cut or polished only by another diamond — but an extremely hard blow to the girdle can cause a diamond to chip. By having your diamond set in a relatively protective setting, and remaining conscious of it on your finger, you can keep your diamond intact for a lifetime. Exposure during ordinary wear to perspiration and household chemicals, like chlorine and hairspray, can cause buildup that dulls the surface of a diamond. We suggest periodic cleanings to keep the diamond brilliant and refractive.

Cleaning Your Diamonds

A solution of one part ammonia and six parts water can be used to clean diamond jewelry at home. If cleaning by hand, gentle scrubbing with a soft brush should loosen most dirt and greatly increase the brilliance of the diamond, but be careful not to scratch the metal of your setting. Once a year, it is a good idea to have your diamond cleaned and have the security of the setting checked.

Storing Your diamond Jewelry

We recommend that all diamond jewelry is stored individually in soft cloth pouches when not being worn to prevent the diamond or diamonds from scratching or dulling other jewelry.

Things to Consider

1. If possible, try to find out which is more important to her: size or quality. These two factors can be inversely proportional, as the bigger the rock, the easier it is to find flaws.

2. You can usually find good-sized diamonds with flaws that are not visible to the naked eye.

3. You may also care deeply about the provenance of your diamond: is your diamond conflict-free?

4. It may be important to ease your guilt about the diamond you are purchasing, or learn more about your alternatives.

To do further research, consider buying a book that will explain the process of purchasing a diamond.

Image source : Bluenile.com

How to Clean and Care for your Jewelry

2008-01-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

Costume and real jewelry may be kept for years to come if taken care of. Here is how to clean and care for your jewelry...

The trick to keeping jewelry at its best is keeping it clean. If jewelry is left for years or even months without a good cleaning or brushing, it can look dull and uninviting. Keep it looking brand new with these simple steps:

For Starters

Separate your good (real) jewelry from your costume jewelry. If you have two jewelry boxes use both of them for this purpose. Make sure your jewelry is organized by kind. Keep bracelets with bracelets and rings with rings, etc. Be sure to check your necklace collection from time to time. Necklaces tend to get entwined with other necklaces. It can be a very frustrating task to untangle them if they get entwined. If you have the type of jewelry box that allows you to “hang” necklaces, this is probably the most sensible way to deal with necklaces and beads.

Types of Jewelry Cleaners

There are generally four to five “types” of jewelry cleaners: chemical (from jewelry store), cloth, natural/store bought, and good old-fashioned toothpaste. Out of all of these types of cleaners, toothpaste is the most inexpensive and effective. Plus, toothpaste will not harm any type of jewelry in any way. If it’s good enough for your pearly whites, then it’s good enough for your gems. It has also been recommended on home shopping clubs that sell jewelry and as a “jewelry tip.”

Caring for Rings
Rings are very noticeable and precious. Sometimes, you will see that your gem or stone is getting “cloudy” and unnoticeable. This is the result of hand creams, dirt, lint and soap buildup. It happens to almost all rings and can be easily reversed. If you have a pearl, mother of pearl, or opal stone do not immerse it in the chemical cleansers; natural stones should not be immersed this way. A good jewelry cloth bought from your jewelers is probably the best bet. All other rings, diamonds, or faux gems may be put into cleaners or scrubbed with a small brush covered in toothpaste. Rinse well with cold water. Also, if using a jewelry cleaner, make sure you rinse well with water when you’re through. Any cleaner residue will definitely “yellow” your stones.

Caring for Necklaces

Necklaces probably take the most work to clean and make bright again. It’s because they tend to be intricate in design or just plain delicate. The best bet for necklaces is a cloth or jewelry cleaner. A jewerly cleaner makes it easier to clean all the parts you want to. But, it doesn’t allow you to buff up the necklace and make it shine again. This is where the cloth comes in. Either way, this takes some work and a small set of fingers. The smaller the better. It is a detailed job that offers some nice rewards if done right. Use both the cloth and cleaner if needed.

Caring for Bracelets

Bracelets tend not to get very dirty or discolored. The problem with bracelets is that they typically tend to get scratched, dented, or bent. Just be careful with your bracelets. If you tend to be hard on your jewelry, try looking into purchasing the “flexible” types of bracelets that move with you.

Click here for the Best Jewelry Deals online

December Sale Offers and Coupons!

2007-12-14T07:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of some sites with ongoing Sale Offers and Coupon promotions for Great Jewelry Deals and also Watch Deals.

JewelryTelevision.com
Enjoy 10% off your next purchase. Use code DISCAF10OC at checkout.
Fine jewelry up to 70% OFF retail prices

Validity/Status: Ongoing

Category/Products:Rings, Earrings, Bracelets, Diamonds, Gemstones, Gold, Pearls, Sterling silver, Watches
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Netaya.com
1. Holiday SALE – 15% OFF All orders & All orders receive FREE Shipping. Enter Coupon Code: HOLIDAY2007
2. SAVE 60% - 80% on Italian 18K Gold.
3. SAVE 50% - 80% on Designer Showcase.
4. SAVE 60% - 70% on Diamond Stud Earrings.

Validity/Status: Ongoing

Category/Products:Ring, Earrings, Bracelets, Diamonds, Gemstones, Gold, Pearls, Sterling silver, Men’s Jewelry, Children’s Jewelry, Watches
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Stauer.com
1. SAVE 20% - 90% on Specials.
2. Express Saver delivery upgrade at no additional cost.

Validity/Status: Ongoing

Category/Products:Watches, Jewelry, Eyewear, Home Accessories, Leather Goods,
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Ross-Simons.com
Extended Offer! – SAVE 20% Plus FREE Express 2-Day Shipping thru 16 Dec. Use code SAPPHIRES at checkout

Validity/Status: Ends 12/16/07

Category/Products:Rings, Earrings, Bracelets, Diamonds, Children’s Jewelry, Pins & Brooches, Pendants, Watches
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Diamondharmony.com
1)FREE SHIPPING on all orders. Use Coupon Code: FREESHIP07
2)Get 10% OFF. Use Coupon Code: ICYHOT2007
3)65% OFF on ½ Carat Diamond Stud

Validity/Status: Ends 12/31/07

Category/Products:Rings, Earrings, Diamonds, Gold, Pearls, Sterling silver, Men’s Jewelry, Children’s Jewelry, Birthstones, Necklaces
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Loveandpride.com
FREE SHIPPING – WORLDWIDE on all orders over $99
5% OFF On all Jewelry

Validity/Status: Ends 12/31/07

Category/Products:Ring, Earrings, Necklaces, Jewelry, Pendants, Watches, Accessories & Clothes.
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Fossil.com
FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING

Validity/Status: Ends 12/21/07

Category/Products:Watches, Handbags, Wallets, Jewelry, Belts, Apparel, Sunglasses
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Ultradiamonds.com
1. ALWAYS up to 75% OFF
2. 10% off all bridesmaid's gifts, gifts for the groomsmen, bridal pearls, wedding bands and more at UltraDiamonds.com (coupon code: BRIDEAFF)

Validity/Status: Ongoing

Category/Products:Diamond Ring, Earrings, Bracelets, Gold, Pearls, Men’s Jewelry, Diamond Fashion rings, Watches
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Diamond.com
1) Gifts for all Holiday Gift Boutique under $200, $500, $1000 & over $1000.
2) Save 20% + FREE Overnight Shipping

Validity/Status: Ongoing

Category/Products:Ring, Earrings, Bracelets, Diamonds, Gemstones, Gold, Pearls, Sterling silver, Watches
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Purepearls.com
10% Off Site Wide & Guaranteed Christmas Delivery & Free Priority Shipping!

Validity/Status: Ongoing

Category/Products: PEARL Ring, Earrings, Bracelets, Pearl Jewelry sets, Men’s collection, Pure Hearts collection
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Click Here For the Best Jewelry Deals Online

For the Geek Girl Who Has Everything: Swarovski Philips Heart Beat Flash Drive

2007-12-12T10:25:00.000-08:00

What do you think of this piece of Fashion technology?? Philips and Swarovski came up with this interesting piece of jewelry that actually functions as a USB memory Drive!

USB memory key disguised as a heart pendant on a silver silk cord.

Polished stainless steel heart combined with Silver Shade crystals set in Ceralun™.

The two halves are held together with a pin.

For 1 GB of data (about 250 songs or 1,000 photos) with password protection and high-speed USB 2.0 interface.
1-11/16" x 1-3/4" x 3/4".

Price:$178!

The Truth About Water Resistant Watches

2007-12-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

Your watch says 30 meters, does that mean you can go swimming or diving with it?? Almost all watches now-a-days say water resistant and state a depth, but, that doesn't mean it will withstand rain, swimming, water sports or diving! Here's the truth about that water resistant feature in your watch and recommendation for it's usage.

Definition of Water Resistance in a Watch

The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water if both watch and the water are perfectly motionless. These conditions, of course, are never met in the real swimmer's or diver's world. In real life, the movement of the wearer's arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can't be worn to the depths indicated by lab testing machines.

Usage Recommendations

The following usage recommendations are suggested by most watch manufacturers.

Water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet). Will withstand splashes of water or rain but should not be worn while swimming or diving.

Water-tested to 50 meters (165 feet). Suitable for showering or swimming in shallow water.

Water-tested to 100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

Water-tested to 150 meters (500 feet). Suitable for snorkeling.

Water-tested to 200 meters (660 feet). Suitable for skin diving.

Diver's 150 meters (500 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

Diver's 200 meters (660 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

What to consider when buying a Diamond Ring Online!

2007-12-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

For anyone looking to purchase jewelry, online shopping can be a great way to find the right piece at the right price. One major advantage of buying jewelry online is convenience - you need travel no further than your computer to choose your jewelry and make your purchase. You can also look at the products of a no of merchants in one sitting without having to travel. But, there are things you need to consider in order to make your jewelry purchase a positive experience.

The purity of gold is shown as 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k and so on .‘K’ stands for Karats and symbolizes the amount of gold mixed in with other metals. The number indicates purity. 18k gold is comprised of 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of other metals. 12K gold contains 12 parts of gold out of 24. The purest form of gold is 24k, but it is too soft to make jewelry from 24k gold so other metals are alloyed with gold to harden it, such as copper, iron, nickel, platinum, steel, silver, and zinc. Alloying gold with different metals makes it easier to work with as well as more affordable. Different alloys can also be used to give gold a different color. For example, nickel or platinum can be used to create white gold and copper is used to create a golden rosy tone.

It’s important to research what makes a quality diamond. Deciding to purchase a ring solely on price isn’t the way to go, and the price of a diamond ring means very little unless you understand the 4 “C’s” of diamond quality- The four “C’s” consist of color, cut, clarity, and carat size. Clarity: This signifies the presence or absence of irregularities or imperfections in the stone. Imperfections may appear as bubbles, spots, or lines. The clarity is often determined by the passing of light through the diamond. The fewer imperfections the diamond jewelry has, the more valuable it will be. Cut: The cut is what gives a diamond its brilliance and determines the number of facets in the diamond. The "round brilliant" cut is the most popular diamond cut, especially for an engagement ring.Princess cut, Baguette cut and Oval cut are some of the other popular choices. Color: Diamond color also determines the value. Colorless diamonds are the most valuable; however, diamonds with color are popular for non-proposal gifts. Carats: A diamond's carat is the actual weight of the diamond, not the size. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. One ounce contains 142 carats. Larger diamonds usually have a greater value for each carat.

The ‘Setting’ is very important while picking out a diamond ring. Diamonds can be set in different ways. Setting is just a way to hold the diamond in place within the jewelry piece. The most common are prong, bezel, and flush type setting. Prong settings are usually used for diamond solitaire rings. Thin wires of either gold or platinum are employed to hold the gem. For a bezel type of setting, the metal is wrapped around the diamond. For flush setting or burnished setting, the diamond is sunk into the gold or platinum metal until it is in flush with the surface.

Another point to consider is the‘Shape’ of the diamond. Diamonds do come in various shapes and forms, contrary to the famous belief that they all come in a circular shape, although round diamonds are very common, as it comprises around 75 percent of diamonds out in the market today. But aside from the round-shaped diamonds, there are also oval, pear-shaped, and heart-shaped diamonds. Right now, the most popular shape is the Princess cut diamond, which is rectangular in shape but it has many sparkling facets.

When buying diamond jewelry online, be sure the jeweler offers a Jewelry Certificate of Authenticity. Check with Better Business Bureau Online to be sure the retailer is trustworthy. The BBB Online will show if there have been any complaints or reports of fraud against the company. This will give you peace of mind while shopping. Use search features at jewelry sites to find just the right diamond jewelry. Look for the four Cs mentioned above and ask about the diamond's weight if it's not provided at the website. Also, check to be sure the shipping and handling will keep your diamond safe. Find out if shipping insurance is available and what types of packaging is used. Also, ask for assistance if you have questions, a dependable online jeweler will be available to help.