Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
by: Keith Thompson
Anyone wanting to make an informed purchase of diamond jewelry needs at least a cursory understanding of the Four C's. These are the standards by which diamonds are graded, and ultimately determine their value. They are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight. What follows is a brief description to acquaint diamond shoppers with these essential benchmarks.
CARAT WEIGHT - Contrary to popular belief, a large stone alone does not a valuable diamond make! While bigger can be better, it's not the only factor. All the other C's carry as much weight in the end, and be sure to use the size as a factor, though not necessarily a determining one. A carat is actually a measurement of weight, not size, equal to 200 Milligrams.
COLOR - The less color the better. In other words, everything else being equal, a colorless diamond will be much more valuable. Diamonds range in color from colorless to brown, and are ranked by letter starting with "D",(colorless) to "Z", (brownish) This is determined under special lighting, and does not include the "fancy colored diamonds", as these are graded differently. In short, the clearer the better!
CLARITY - Another important characteristic of a diamond's value is it's clarity. This deals with the number and size of any inclusions; small clouds, crystals, feathers or cavities noticeable under 10X magnification. The clarity grades are F-Flawless (extremely rare); IF-Internally Flawless; VVS1, VVS2- Very, Very Slightly Included; VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Included; SI1, SI2- Slightly Included; and I1,I2,I3- Included. All you really need to know about this though, (other than your diamond's grade) is that you should not be able to see any inclusions with the naked eye.
CUT - Most people think that the cut of a diamond refers to it's shape. That's not so. It actually refers to the way a diamond is shaped to refract light, thus enabling it to sparkle. This is quite an art and requires that each facet of the stone be cut at precise angles to each other, in the correct shape and size, to bring about the desired effect. Each diamond shape has different measurements for it's particular dimensions. There are eight basic shapes popular today, and they are, in no particular order; heart, princess, pear, marquise, radiant, emerald, oval and round.
Understanding these characteristics can make a diamond jewelry purchase much less nerve-racking. You're spending a good deal of money; it's nice to know what you're spending it on!
Copyright 2005 Keith Thompson
About The Author
Keith Thompson is very fond of diamonds, and runs http://www.engagement-ring-deals.info which can help in your search for the perfect diamond engagement ring.
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Wedding Rings
Wedding Rings
by: Elsie Gilbert
Wedding rings don?t tend to get the public airing that they deserve, in your average wedding celebration. However, wedding rings are likely to be worn for the rest of the bride and grooms? living days, so they are, arguably, the most important element of the wedding accessories.
Wedding Rings ? The Basics
Wedding rings are exchanged as part of the ceremony, normally as vows are said by both parties. The guests do not normally see the wedding rings until after the ceremony is well and truly over, so it can be tempting to skimp on this element and save money.
Bear in mind that the bride will almost certainly wear her wedding ring alongside her engagement ring. It is essential, therefore, that they both rings work together well. This is particularly important if the engagement ring is of an atypical shape or with a particularly large stone.
Always consider your everyday jewelry. Although it is...
Wedding Rings
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Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!
Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!
by: Alexis Miller
He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement ring. Now it's time to plan the celebration, but where do you start?
Your engagement party is the perfect setting for the families and friends of the bride and groom to meet each other if they haven't already done so. Make yourself available at the start of the event to greet all your guests and introduce everyone. Mingle as much as possible so that your guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
You can celebrate in style with a swanky black-tie cocktail party, or a formal sit-down dinner, or maybe a casual serve-yourself buffet is more your style. Whatever you choose, remember that many of your guests may not know each other so you want them to be able to mingle comfortably.
Once upon a time, engagement parties were usually held at the home of the bride's parents, but nowadays most couples like to host their...
Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!
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Valentine Jewelry
Valentine Jewelry
by: Rachana Agarwal
Love is the most wonderful and beautiful emotion which is incomparable and endless. It needs no special day or moment of expression but people usually express their love on every 14 February that celebrates the true love of Saint Valentine. Keeping the preferences and tastes of their partners, people choose their kind of jewelry that says their heart clearly and perfectly.
Fulfilling this needs of all lover, several jewelry companies has come out with their special collection to cater the interest of all lovely ladies in love who wants to be exclusive and unique. You can find lots of jewelries designed keeping the occasion of Valentine?s Day in mind. Choose jewels that suit your beloved interest, personality and nature as women are really sensitive about their jewel. It makes them honorable and privileged.
A stunning crafted silver jewelry earrings and anklets are considered a hot favorite...
Valentine Jewelry
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Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
by: Karon Thackston
If you've been in the copywriting realm for very long at all, you've heard the phrase "features vs. benefits."
It's a fundamental copywriting principle and driving force behind much of what we, as copywriters, create.
But there's also another aspect to this equation.
What happens after customers buy your product or service?
Once they've used what you have to offer, what will be different in their lives?
What will the end results, of their buying decision, be?
Getting your customers to look at the end results of their actions can be an extremely powerful persuasion tool that you'll want to incorporate into your copy.
Let's look at features, benefits and end results and see how all three work individually and collectively to create a targeted push to the point of purchase.
Features - The Basic Outline of Your Product or...
Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
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History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
by: Martin Smith
Charms are also known as amulets and pendants. They are as popular today as they have been throughout recorded history. Ancient Egyptians wore bracelets
with charms or amulets. They were used to protect against bad luck and evil forces. They began with religious symbols and became a part of everyday dressing.
Charms/jewelry were made of almost any material of value to people in their time. Many were made of precious metal. Others were made with gemstones inlaid in them or mounted with precious metals in the form of necklaces, crowns, staffs, and bracelets. Queen Victoria gets the credit for popularizing jewelry charms throughout Europe by wearing lockets or charms on her royal bracelets
America became enchante with Charms around the time frame of World War II. Soldiers returning from duty station brought with them various types of charms or pendants. Today popular charms...
History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
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trucks Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs! Gold ring
When Buying A Used Car From Its Owner, Beware Of The Owner Bearing Offers!
When Buying A Used Car From Its Owner, Beware Of The Owner Bearing Offers!
by: Gregory Ashton
Getting started with used cars does not require a mortgage or a student loan, but it is not free either. Buying used cars costs money. That is why it is extremely important to know all the possible factors that might lead the buyer into buying a used car that is suspect.
In reality, it is easy for the buyer to get carried away by convincing sales pitches, special...
car loans
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How to put together a wardrobe using blue color to take you through work, play and romance
How to put together a wardrobe using blue color to take you through work, play and romance
by: Janice Wee
Imagine a wardrobe where everything you have goes with everything else.
Actually, if everything is black, you know, your bag is black, your dresses, tops, bottoms, shoes are all black, then everything would go with everything else. That is the trick some chic travellers use. All black wardrobe for a holiday in the city and an all white wardrobe for...
How to put together a wardrobe using blue color to take you through work, play and romance suits Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs! Gold ring
Gold ring > How to put together a wardrobe using blue color to take you through work, play and romance
Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags
Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags
by: Cathy Feldman
Handbags have become the most popular accessory on the market and there’s no reason to wonder why. There are so many styles and trends to choose from that it’s hard for a woman to choose just one handbag. Each outfit calls for a different type of handbag so it’s hard to distinguish which types are most popular. In order to help you determine which types of handbags are in style right now, I...
handbags Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs! Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags
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nursing courses Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs! Gold ring
Satellite TV Deals -- Who Has the Best ?
Satellite TV Deals -- Who Has the Best ?
by: Brian Stevens
Getting the best deal on satellite TV service can be confusing.
There are only two satellite TV providers in the USA -- DISH Network and DIRECTV -- but each one has numerous independent dealers who offer a variety of different deals on satellite TV systems and service.
So how do you know which satellite TV provider has the best satellite TV deal? And how do you tell which of their dealers...
Satellite TV Deals -- Who Has the Best ? dvr
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