Fortunate Contest

A promise is made between two people and is typically meant to be kept for some time. So to signify this promise, a promise ring can be exchanged between two people. There are many types of promise rings available: diamond, titanium, gold, white gold and silver promise rings, to name a few. There are also many reasons to exchange promise rings: to signify the sealing of a long relationship between two people, to promise not to have sex until marriage, or perhaps to signify being a member of a cult or religious group.

Silver, used for both practical and ornamental purposes, is a metal that has a staying power. It is the most plentiful and least expensive of the earth’s more precious metals like gold and palladium. Silver is a metal that has been used since the time of ancient civilizations to make everything from dishes to armor and crafted jewelry like silver promise rings. As such, a person with a small budget for a promise ring could ideally opt for a silver promise ring. As silver is a malleable and ductile metal, the silver promise ring could be inscribed with lovely, private wordings to seal the relationship.

However, one of the disadvantages of exchanging silver promise rings is that since silver is susceptible to tarnishing and scratching, the silver promise ring might become tarnished and scratched in the long run. To maintain the life of the silver ring, it should be stored in a cool, dry place and regularly rubbed with a polish and polishing cloth.

Promise Rings provides detailed information on Promise Rings, Diamond Promise Rings, Meaning Of Promise Rings, Titanium Promise Rings and more. Promise Rings is affiliated with Best Prom Dress.

For decades, jewelers have had enjoyed the position of being the “keepers” of the knowledge about diamonds and gemstones. They stood behind jewelry counters and shared little tidbits of information about jewels to shoppers. The jeweler seemed to be talking down to the shopper, making them feel as if they should be grateful to even be in the store or touch the precious gems in the display case.

This monopoly of knowledge went hand in hand with the monopoly of supply. The only way you could purchase a diamond or precious gemstone was to buy in a jewelry store. The prices were artificially high with markups of 100% to 300% of wholesale costs. The factors that differentiated stores included the ornate decorations, the fancy display cases, and elaborate storefronts. Life was simple and very profitable for the jeweler. The shopper came in, the jeweler said this is what you should buy, and the shopper paid the price because they had no other options. Can you recall any poor jewelers before the millennium change in the year 2000?

It was about this time that the most feared word in the jeweler’s vocabulary began to change the industry forever. That word was Internet. Suddenly there were competitors springing up who could supply diamonds and jewelry delivered to your door, often at prices lower than could support the high overhead of the jewelry store. However, the greatest fear was that the hidden knowledge of diamonds and precious gemstones was available to any shopper who wanted to spend a little time researching online.

The jeweler of the past said here is what I have and which one do you want to buy? Then came the knowledgeable shopper armed with printouts of online diamond advice. Instead of simply asking for a one-carat diamond, the shopper now has a detailed list of requirements that all but guarantees that nothing in the store will meet their requirements, regardless of the price.

It is common for a diamond shopper today to say, “Here is what I want and I expect the lowest price in the country.” Then they present their list of requirements for their round diamond:
1) Carat weight exactly 1.27 because our first date was January 27th
2) At least G color
3) VS2 clarity but I do not want to be able to see anything under the microscope
4) Must have a GIA grading report dated in 2006 with Excellent cut grade
5) No fluorescence
6) At least Very Good for polish and symmetry
7) Girdle has to be Medium (nothing more or less will do) and faceted
Laser inscribed with the GIA number
9) Must be able to take to an independent appraiser who agrees with all grading
10) I need it in two days

Their parting remark is that they are shopping these same requirements with twenty other retailers and are going to buy from the one with the lowest price.

This is the jeweler’s nightmare because this is not how their business works. Their jewelry store caters to the impulse buyer who will come in, see something beautiful and buy with only a few encouraging words from the sales clerk. Spending hours of work to find the specific diamond the shopper wants and then paying the shipping and insurance to get it shipped next day is just more work than they want to do for a sale. Instead, they complain and wish for the return of the good old days, when Ma Bell controlled the telephones, gas was 59 cents a gallon and the secrets of the diamond industry were safely behind the jewelry counter.

Fortunately, for diamond and gemstone shoppers there are a new breed of diamond retailers available who not only encourage diamond education; they enjoy working with shoppers who know exactly what they want. These diamond brokers have access to the diamonds on the wholesale market and know how to find diamonds that meet the shopper’s requirement. Best of all, the diamond brokers have much lower overhead than a jewelry store so can find the exceptional diamonds at very low prices.

The competitive marketplace always seems to produce sources for services and goods that consumers demand. The online diamond broker is well suited to serve today’s well-knowledgeable and demanding diamond shopper.

Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at http://www.DiamondSourceVA.com You can also visit Denny’s blog at http://www.diamonds.blogs.com.

Words fail where jewelries are concerned. Beautiful, lively and glittering stones when binds together in a row leaves an unimaginable impression. It is not only an accessory but a reflection to the personality of a person. It depicts the preferences, nature and style of an individual. Make sure you wear jewels and metals which suits your personality.

Derived from a French word called “jouel” in 13th century, the word “jewelry” resembles a Latin called “jocale” means plaything. Evidences of early civilization show the fashion of wearing jewelry. Earlier mainly beads, shells and beetles were used, because of unavailability of other metals. But with the discoveries of other metals, preferences were highly influenced. As a status symbol, gold was preferred during that era when they were worn by Kings and Queens. This heavy and lustrous metal also possesses a value that can be kept forever without loosing its original worth. This property makes it a proud and loved possession of all times. Different ornaments like bracelets, armlets, necklace, rings, crowns and others were made mainly in gold at that time.

On the contrary, silver has been a popular metal since the ancient period. It is exquisite and classic. Its inexpensiveness and tendency to take any shape has made this metal popular among middle class of the society. Diamonds era followed after that, the glitteriest and most beautiful in look which can be easily worn with any other metals easily. It has a priceless and endless beauty, that’s why it has a never ending demand. Nowadays, platinum, a new metal on the block, is also getting popularity because of its shining and lightness in weight. This trendy metal can be easily mixed with gold and diamonds to give a breathtaking experience of beauty refinement. But, it is scare as it has no resell value, which makes its popularity linger around.

It is not that only women wear jewels but it is also gaining popularity among males as they like to wear jewels like rings, chains and pendants. In west, it is fashion to wear crucifix in a chain. So, it is always desirable and valuable. Jewels are also kept as a property. Many people store their money in the form of various ornaments. That’s why, it is not only fashion or taste to wear jewels but as a convenient means of investment also.

For more information on buy jewelry online visit http://www.1a-jewelry.com

Author is an experienced jewelry business expert.

Today, loose diamonds are also becoming more popular. Loose diamonds are those that have not been place into a piece of jewelry. Loose diamonds were first mined in India thousands of years ago. However, most diamonds are found in Africa today.

The main advantage of loose diamond is that it can be set in any kind of metal with the kind of design a person wants. While buying loose diamonds or other diamonds, a buyer must know about the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat. These Cs will help a person to determine its quality.

While shopping around for a loose diamond at any jewelry store or online diamond dealer be sure to ask each dealer for a 10X loupe. It is a clarity grade assigned to diamonds so that you may properly examine the core of the diamond under magnification. There are also such microscopes manufactured specifically for observing diamonds and gemstones. It is also essential to know about the nature and location of the inclusions present in the diamond.

Loose diamonds can also be purchased online, but it is always better to see the actual stone before buying. A picture cannot help a buyer to decide its quality. Seeing the gem closely is also the only sure way to determine things like its fire and brilliance.

Diamonds come in more shapes than any other gem. Diamond jewelry with pectacular center pieces are available in round, emerald cut, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion. Diamonds as accents are usually found in small round shapes and baguettes. Popular earrings are usually round or princess cut, though some may come in fancier shapes.

As with all other jewelry, diamond jewelry needs to be cared for properly to ensure long lasting wear and enchantment.

The author presents the website on loose diamonds. It covers advantages of loose diamonds, important steps followed while buying loose diamonds. You can visit his site on wholesale loose diamonds

Take the time to learn anniversary gemstone color, cuts and ideas when looking into jewelry to give your partner on that special day.

Gemstones are often initially identified by their color and markings. Visual cues being our primary way of dealing with the world, this is usually an accurate way of identifying the different types of gemstones. In the past a gemstones color and type has correlated it with magic and methods of healing. Blue is often see as the color of truth, so blue stones such as the blue sapphire were worn to help encourage the wearer to receive the truth and be open to it. Gemstones are highly valued for having lots of color. The more intense the color of a stone the more expensive it can be.

There is a wide range of gemstone cuts. In fact cutting gemstones is a very exact science and gemstones are cut for optimum fire, brilliance and sparkle. The oldest known cut is the cabochon which creates a shape which is flat on the bottom and round on top. This is also the most common cut. There is also the round brilliant cut, the oval cut, emerald cut, rose cut, pear cut, fancy cut, cushion top cut and radiant cut. The round brilliant cut is the most common type of faceted cut because it creates a lot of sparkle even for small stones and leaves as much of the stone as possible. The oval cut is similar to the round brilliant except that its oval. The emerald cut is typically used for emeralds but it can also be used for other types of stones. It isn’t as sparkly as other cuts but creates an interesting rectangle shape. There are still lots of other types of cuts to talk about but there simply isn’t enough room here.

When coming up with ideas for types of gemstones to get think about the coloring and style tastes of your partner. Your partner may prefer a simple pear cut diamond in a necklace. Or they could really like color in their clothing and you could mimic this by getting a ring with multiple small stones of varying intense colors.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Anniversary Rock has a huge selection of Anniversary Jewelry.

Though it is impossible to produce a perfectly white moissanite stone, the fact that its dispersive power is 2.5 times greater than that of diamond makes moissanite jewelry quite spectacular. The fact that it is also quite expensive (moissanite sells at something like $520 per carat) makes it both precious and fashionable.

There is a lot of controversy about moissanite as a jewelry medium, most of it related to its high rate of fluorescence (which makes it appear gray or green under natural light). Nevertheless, because it is extremely exclusive has made it a focal point for the jewelry industry.

It took some doing to bring it to that point. Moissanite was not commercially exploitable till the company Cree Inc. (manufacturers of semiconductors) invented a viable process for synthesizing it into large individual crystals. Tipped off to the potential of moissanite in jewelry by an experienced diamond craftsman in 1995, Charles & Colvard, Ltd. tied up with Cree Inc. and launched a massive multimedia drive to popularize it.

The collaboration still holds a complete monopoly on synthetic moissanite production. Essentially, the production process it employs to make jewelry-grade moissanite stones includes cutting adequately sized ‘preforms’, having them hand-crafted and polished by experts and then shaping them by precision finishing tools that employ diamond chips for the abrading process. The process is repeated till a gem-grade stone is produced.

Moissanite is now regularly featured in national and international jewelry exhibitions and receives extensive coverage. For those who are in doubt about the exclusivity of moissanite jewelry - moissanite is usually set only in fine precious metals like gold, platinum and silver. Moreover, only selected authorized outlets sell moissanite jewelry, and a certificate of authenticity and lifetime warranty given by Charles & Colvard, Ltd. themselves.

Moissanite provides detailed information about moissanite, moissanite bracelets and more. Moissanite is affiliated with Mens Diamond Wedding Bands.

Is it just me, or is shopping for Valentine’s day jewelry the hardest job in the world for any man? I just seem to struggle every year. I try to plan in advance, I try to be creative, I even speak to my wife’s girlfriends for their thoughts and suggestions. Instead of inspiration, I’m left even more confused.

Is this task beyond us men? I really hope not, I pride myself on being a man of the 21st century. I share in all house hold responsibilities, I buy my wife flowers when she’s not expecting them, so even though I dare to say it myself, I’m a perfectly romantic husband. Yet, when it comes to buying Valentine’s day jewelry, I turn into Jack, from Jack in The Beanstalk. Instead of a pearl necklace so delightful in style, I end up with a necklace made from beans. Sadly, I’m convinced that my bean necklace is the most attractive necklace in the world.

So this year, I’m determined to be different. Not only am I going to be different, I’m also going to help all of the other men out there with the same issues as me. This is my contribution to the men of the 21st century, how to buy Valentine’s day jewelry for your wives or girlfriends.

Top tips for men buying Valentine’s day jewelry

Why not consider buying a jewelry display case instead of jewelry. There’s little room for error and it also provides a practical requirement. The good thing is that you can buy many different types of jewelry display cases, from wooden ones to jewel encrusted ones.

Consider something a little different, perhaps a toe ring. It may sound a little crazy as a Valentine’s day jewelry gift, however it could be quirky enough for your loved one to fall in love with it. If they don’t like it, they can always wear socks or spurn the open toed sandals.

Remember, it is not about spending lots of money. It is about demonstrating that you love and care for them. A really expensive gift could be embarrassing for the recipient, especially if they’re not that keen on it.
Speak to the nice person in the jewelry store. It’s surprising how helpful they can be, they are also used to us men wondering around their stores with a clueless expression on our faces. They have lots of experience and could make some very good suggestions.

Remember, the number one rule when buying Valentine’s day jewelry is not to go too overboard. Take the time to have a look at what other types of jewelry she wears on a regular basis. Then compare this to her “Special Jewelry”, this is where you should be aiming for.

Also, be committed to the cause. Don’t give up, you’re a man of the 21st century, you can buy your wife or girlfriend jewelry. It is not mission impossible. I have a lot to prove this year, I’m still not convinced that my gift of a Fondue Set went down too well last year. This is why I am desperate to make my wife’s day and treat her to some wonderful Valentine’s day jewelry.

For 14 years Titanium Rings Studios has been making the finest quality handmade titanium rings and www.tirings.com carries a full line of Weddding Rings, Engagement Rings, Celtic Rings, Tension Rings, Friendship rings.

Engagement rings encompass in them the sense of love, commitment and fidelity, they are given at a special moment in the lives of two people, promising an eternal love and honor between the two.

So you are now faced with the first decision of your new life, it is clear that making a proposal is far more important than anything material, your marriage proposal is going to be remembered for a long time, and will be told over and over again to all of the closest and dearest people in your life. A marriage proposal is something to consider and reflect about.

While most people know that the intention of inviting someone to share your life with forever is the most precious thing a men can offer, many disregard the importance of symbolism in the act itself and the gift that comes with it. An engagement ring is a sign that a promise has been made and that a time of significant change will arrive in the life of the person wearing it. Do not forget that most woman keep their engagement ring on their hands long after the marriage, sometimes on the same finger as the wedding ring.

Most people choose a diamond ring as an engagement ring, this means that you need to learn a thing or two about diamonds before actually going to the shop to choose one. Understanding diamonds requires knowledge of the basic four elements, the color, cut, clarity and carat.

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it can not be changed, meaning that a diamond does not change or can not be changed into any other color . When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

The common thing to think about when thinking of a diamond, is the way they shine and the different facets they have (turning a diamond in light produces this affect which indicates the cut), the cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality. This is very important when shopping for an engagement ring.

Carat is the diamond industry standard, it is a unit of weight to measure diamonds. When speaking of one carat you are in fact speaking of 200 milligrams of weight. The carat itself is made of one hundred particular parts called points. These points in the carat are the ones you refer to when talking about points, for example 150 points in would be one and a half carats.

Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats. The clarity is the factor of the inner quality of the diamond, since during the formation process some inclusions occur in most diamonds you will have to compromise for some kind of decreased clarity. Engagement rings are not expected to be perfect rings, with perfect diamonds, it is normal that a diamond on a engagement ring would not be flawless.

Now that you know the basics of diamonds you can start shopping for the engagement ring, traditional engagement rings have a huge rock (”look at the size of this rock!”) on them, it is not necessarily the best way to go, try to think of the woman you are buying it for, what is her favorite color, does she have any sensitivity to any kind of metal, what is her opinion of diamonds and how flashy would she like her hand to be.

Do not be afraid to ask the jeweler questions, it is not every day that you will be shopping for an engagement ring, and speak your mind.

Good luck buying your engagement ring, and I wish you a life full of happiness and glitter, just like a brilliant diamond engagement rings has…

Roy Dietelzieg has worked in the jewelry industry for 10 years, serving costumers from every background and writing about his reflections on jewelry philosophy. Roy currently writes articles with tips and advice for buying diamond engagement rings for http://www.ZupaTips.com

It may come as a shock to those of us with more traditional tastes, but the elusive ideal of “class” can be achieved through unusual ensembles - such as those which combine diamonds and denim. In fact, you don’t have to wear purely expensive stuff to look classy. You can be creative and quirky and at the same time show sophistication.

Diamonds and denim? Seriously? Yes, indeed! It may seem a little far-fetched for the more conventional of us, but this unique combination of high society and working class fashion brings out a grand mix of glamour and grit. As a diamond symbolizes the woman’s finesse and nobler aspirations, denim represents the everyday woman’s readiness to get “down and dirty,” and to get her dainty yet strong hands soiled, should the need arise.

The dark colors of most articles of clothing made of denim are accentuated by the light caught in the facets of diamond jewelry. And even if denim items are washed into lighter colors, the stark bright flashes of diamond only serve to enhance the lightly feminine colors upon the rough fabric. In fact you can mix and match diamonds with basically any other fabric - diamonds and silk, diamonds and lace, diamonds and satin. Just as the diamond looks good with any metal base, when it is used on jewelry, the clarity inherent in the diamond ensures that it will look good with any sort of apparel.

But the diamonds and denim combination comes with a unique appeal. It brings out the dual nature of the woman: strength and delicacy, roughness and gentleness. This combination works for intense, down-to-earth women who won’t compromise their style, and yet are open to displaying their more sensitive sides.

Another thing represented by denim is recumbence, the utterly casual, relaxed look. Denim, after all, is barred from most coat-and-tie establishments, and other gatherings that require tight dresses and un-flashy attire - in other words, events and places that require you to be uptight. On the other hand, diamonds are not frequently spotted in rough-and-tumble places and events, such as monster truck rallies, outdoor picnics and mosh pits. But why deny yourself the opportunity to create a pleasing blend of these two contrasting atmospheres? It is when a woman deviates from the norm that she is best able to express her individuality and creativity.

And if you don’t believe me, you can always ask exquisitely fashionable creatures like Sela Ward, Alexis Bledel and Sports Illustrated model Melissa Keller. They both once attended the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2004, hosted by Judith Ripka and Cotton Incorporated, wearing their favorite jeans and accessorized by elegant diamond jewelry. If you wish to bring out your more unconventional “classy” side, go for diamonds and denim!

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician, and writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com Also includes informative articles, comparison shopping, rare book excerpts, & link directory.

The next time you go out shopping for a nice piece of jewelry you may wish to consult a jewelry guide. This article will list some quick and simple things to keep in mind when purchasing jewelry but its best to thoroughly do your research on a specific kind of jewelry you intend to purchase.

Precious metals are commonly sold in jewelry. You’ve got gold, silver, platinum, copper and even titanium. When purchasing gold or silver be sure to ask what carat it is. Gold is a soft metal and mixed with other types of metals like copper and silver to make it harder. The usual carat amounts for gold are, 10, 14, 16, 18 and 20kt. Ten carat gold is cheaper than twenty carat, but the higher carats will be softer and your jewelry can be easily damaged. Some gold chains are only gold plated and you’ll want to clarify what you are getting before you buy.

When out buying precious or semi precious stones take your time to find out if you are getting the right thing for the right price. Diamonds are priced based on a system of grades involving, color, cut, clarity, and carat. You may be getting a really large carat diamond for a good price, but it may not have good clarity. Clarity is determined based on how many flaws can be seen in the diamond. A diamond with more flaws is less valuable and can even break easily.

There are other important guidelines you should look up for each type of jewelry and the materials it is made of before you buy. For example, it can be very important to make sure your ring can be altered in sized down the road because you may gain or lose weight.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Anniversary Rock has a huge selection of Jewelry for Anniversaries and “just because.”