Setting a diamond - What to know.

When it comes to placing your new diamond in a setting there are a couple of things to take into consideration.

Number of Prongs ? How many prongs you get is up to you. The more prongs, the more secure the diamond will be. At the same time I don't feel that having only four prongs makes your diamond more likely to fall out. It is a matter of taste.

Material of Prongs ? What the prongs are made of does make a big difference. Your choices are usually gold or platinum. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold. Gold prongs can get bent and over time wear down. Platinum prongs will stay as new as the day you bought it and are less likely to bend.

Ring material ? This is a matter of taste and budget. Where most people are concerned is white gold verses platinum. Let's take a look at both:

White gold ?

White gold is made by mixing gold and other white metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum. This mixing causes the gold to change colors into a white or silver look. The color is not exactly as white as jewelers and customers would like it so they electroplate the white gold with rhodium making it look much whiter. The only problem with this method is that the electroplating only attaches a thin layer of rhodium that wears off in about a year and needs to be redone in order to get the original shine back. This will cost about $35 dollars if it is an all white gold item that can be plated all at once.

Since white gold is not an element but an alloy of a number of different metals the mixture can be change to suit the application. If a hard metal is needed it can be mixed with nickel or if a softer metal is needed for setting stones it can be mixed with palladium. So remember not all white gold is the same.

Interesting note: Since gold is a yellow color the more gold in white gold the more yellow it will look. A 14k white gold ring will look more yellow than a 10k white gold ring.

Platinum ?

Well the first thing that you will notice about platinum is that it is way more expensive than white gold. There are a couple of reasons for this. White gold as we mentioned is not all gold so you are not paying for solid gold and platinum is just a more expensive metal. Platinum has many advantages over white gold. First, it is more scratch resistant and will not wear down over time. Second it is much heavier than white gold so when you put it on you feel like you are putting on a major piece of jewelry. Third as it gets older it will hold its color and shape much better than gold. Since platinum is naturally a nice white color if it gets a scratch or dinged it will still look white.

Both materials will need to be cleaned and polished to keep them looking good as new.

* If you plan on getting a ring made of either material it is a good idea to get a higher color grade diamond with these materials. Since they are so white they will make a slightly yellow diamond look even more yellow. If the diamond you are getting has a low color grade you might want to go for yellow gold which tends to hide a yellow diamond better since the metal is yellow.

Yellow Gold -

Yellow gold is the standard ring but seems to be quickly losing ground.

Brock Hammill Owner of http://www.online-diamond-buying.com - Helping people find the best diamonds on the internet.

---

Affordable Centerpieces for Your Wedding Reception

When it comes to decorating your reception tables, the centerpieces... Read More

Marriage Counseling Tips: 7 Ways to Handle Conflict in Marriage

How do you handle arguments that lead to heated exchanges... Read More

Wedding Favors That Embrace Nature?s Beauty

A wedding planned in the spirit of nature provides the... Read More

What Can You Do To Make Your Reception a Success?

This is something that we've started to send to all... Read More

Toss a Garter or Two

The tempo of the music begins to rise. Drums begin... Read More

Wedding Day Hair Styles - A Top Ten Checklist

The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of... Read More

Traditional Bridal Shower Gifts

The tradition of hosting a bridal shower for the bride... Read More

A Unique Diamond Engagement Ring ? In Platinum

Diamond engagement rings for many years typically came in the... Read More

Las Vegas Hotel Weddings

"Las Vegas hotel weddings give you tons of options. You... Read More

Theres More to Wedding Invitations Than You Might Think

Everybody talks about wedding invitations, but what about all the... Read More

A Guide to Wedding Invitations

The wedding date and time has been set, the location... Read More

Love on the Internet

People are looking for life-long relationships in the most peculiar... Read More

Atlanta Wedding Receptions

The beginning of the journey of two souls begins with... Read More

An Inexpensive, Yet Beautiful, Wedding: One Brides Story

Most girls know by the age of 12 what kind... Read More

Cheap Wedding Party Gifts

Thanking your wedding party with special gifts is a favored... Read More

Marriage Advice: Ten Ways to Add Romance to Your Marriage

Every marriage needs a healthy dose of on-going romance to... Read More

Wedding Save the Date Cards?Best Ideas and Wording

The sole purpose of save-the-date cards is to give the... Read More

Marriage Advice: Twelve Steps to Creating an Affair-Proof Marriage

There's no way to absolutely guarantee that your marriage won't... Read More

Proper Etiquette for the Wedding Invitation

The invitation is the first impression of the type of... Read More

Choosing A Wedding Photographer

The wedding day is the day that most women wait... Read More

What Makes The Best Wedding Anniversary Gift?

Choosing a wedding anniversary gift that wows your husband or... Read More

Attracting Marital Fulfillment, Its Not To Late To Start Right Now

As a personal and professional development coach, I have listened... Read More

The Perfect String Quartet Repertoire for Your Wedding

Here follows suggestions and tips that will help you determine... Read More

Making a Budget For Your Wedding

Just the thought of all the expenses that come with... Read More

What Happens If You Dont Wear Proper Wedding Shoes?

Here comes the bride! Walking through the alley confidence holding... Read More

The Right Age To Marry!

An ideal combination. A good career, a great husband and... Read More

Choosing Your Wedding Rings

One of the most important steps in planning your wedding,... Read More

Ditching a Wedding

John's cousin, Grace, is getting married in Liverpool, UK and... Read More

Organized Brides: Why They are Going Online

Brides looking to stay on top of their wedding plans... Read More

Expert Tips on Making Your Own Wedding Stationery

Vital tips on making your own wedding invitations - by... Read More

Groomsmens Gifts

Your groomsmen will be donating their time to your big... Read More

Business Partners & Marital Partners Will The Marriage Survive - Part II

In the last article, we concluded by saying that keeping... Read More

Star Jones Nuptials: Fairytale Wedding or Diva Gone Wild?

In case you've been living on another planet for the... Read More