Diamonds Are Forever

Diamond jewelry: diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond pendants and diamond bracelets are some of the most sought after gemstone creations. Your eyes tell you how beautiful a piece of diamond jewelry is, but how do you know you are getting your money's worth?

A little knowledge can go a long way to help you purchase a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry at a fair price.

Diamond Jewelry 101

A diamond's value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance. This filling may not be permanent and jewelers should tell you if the diamond you're considering has been fracture-filled.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or spots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That's because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable. Jewelers should tell you whether the diamond you're considering has been laser-drilled.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory-created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler if he has the current testing equipment to distinguish between diamonds and other lab-created stones.

When shopping for diamond jewelry online, apply these tips.

1. Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it.

2. Take advantage of information and referrals from an internet company you have come to trust.

3. Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant's refund and return policies, before you buy.

4. Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.

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

---

Five Must-Knows When Getting a Kanji Tattoo

Japanese tattoos are cool. But if a personal translator is... Read More

Step By Step Making Your Own Spring Fashion Tube Blouse And Matching Thong Sandals

Ladies,Spring has come for some of us and will happen... Read More

Turquoise Necklace Facts and Beliefs

'Pieces of sky.' That's how turquoise was called by some... Read More

Your Fashion Style is Important

Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement,... Read More

Colours of Contact Lenses

Colours of Contact Lenses - Get Lost in those Purple(?)... Read More

Womens Fashion Ponchos Get Sexy This Summer

Ponchos have come down from the high plains and back... Read More

How Body Piercing Works

An impressive number of people around the world have body... Read More

History of Charm Bracelets

The custom of wearing charm bracelets dates back thousands of... Read More

Dolphin or Not a Dolphin?

Dolphin or not a dolphin? That is the question! You... Read More

A Cigar Box Purse or Handbag is a Unique Fashion Accessory With a Touch of Old World Charm

There's an unmistakable charm about a cigar box purse or... Read More

Threader Earrings -- a Fashion Jewelry Success Story

New jewelry fashions need several factors going for them if... Read More

Travel With Style

Your heading out for that vacation you've been waiting sooo... Read More

Diamonds Are Forever

Diamond jewelry: diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond pendants and diamond... Read More

Which Type of Handbag Suits Your Body Type?

Over the past year, handbags have quickly become the most... Read More

Take Advantage of Hot Weather Before It Ends ? A Swimsuit For Your Body!

Instead of sitting indoors in the air conditioning, get outside... Read More

What Makes Leather Handbags So Special?

A leather handbag is the ideal type of handbag for... Read More

2005 Fashion Runway Hits are Fabulous

I was flipping through this months Elle. There's some terrific... Read More

How to Care For Your Designer Handbag

Whether your designer handbag is a Louis Vuitton, a Gucci,... Read More

Gemstone Treatments

Though not common knowledge to the public, most gemstones are... Read More

Black - Fashion Constant But Do It Correctly

Fashion is changing. But one thing is should be constant... Read More

Discovering the Amazing Secret Benefits of Womens Shoes

I love womens shoes and in my lifetime will never... Read More

All About Cameos

There is something about a cameo that it truly captivating.... Read More

Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags

Handbags have become the most popular accessory on the market... Read More

Handbag and Purse Trends 2005

Handbags are becoming the most popular fashion accessory on the... Read More

Finding The Fashion Youre Comfortable With

Fashion is not only what we wear, it is also... Read More

Belly Rings: Sexy is as Sexy Does

Body piercings have been the object of much controversy --... Read More

Denim is Big This Season - Dress It Up or Down

For all you denim lovers, like myself, this is the... Read More

Pretty in Pink Contact Lenses

Want a different eye color than the one you were... Read More

Pull Off a Blazer with These Five Steps

The key to this season is to mix it up.... Read More

Color Contact Lenses - Are They Safe?

Do you want to find out how you would look... Read More

Rubber Band Bracelets: Be In the Loop

Those colorful loops of rubber should be quite familiar to... Read More

Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses: Wild, and Practical Too

As a contact lens wearer, if you have searched the... Read More

Vintage Costume Jewellery Sparkles Again

Men and women have worn costume jewellery since the Romans... Read More