Diamond clarity and color are the two most difficult parts to understand when purchasing a diamond. The value of the stone is based on four Cs, of which clarity and color are only two. The other two are cut and carat. These are simpler. Carat means how big the stone is. Cut references the shape the diamond is cut in.

The two others are the ones which people tend not to understand. They therefore get skipped over in the buying process. Some are confused about the color of a diamond. Aren’t all diamonds supposed to be clear? Is it better or worse if they have color? What does clarity even mean? Does it matter? Ignoring these questions could make you end up with a piece of jewelry you do not want.

Diamonds are not ’supposed’ to have a specific color. Most of them, however, are colorless. If you want a stone that people will instantly be able to recognize as a diamond, do not get a colored one. The colored ones are rarer. They have imperfections which trap elements during the making of a diamond. These elements, usually nitrogen or hydrogen, give it its color.

Some colors are far more rare than others. It is only one component, though, to a stone’s worth. The Hope Diamond, the most valuable diamond in the world is blue, which is a color that falls only into medium rareness on the scale. From common to most uncommon, the scale is this: colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, black, white (not colorless), pink, purple, orange, and red. This is a matter of taste in some cases and a matter of value in others. The key is to understand all the parts and make an informed decision about what would most make you happy.

Clarity is far more technical than the color. This is often where the value of a stone is really determined. A stone could have a huge carat value, but if there are a lot of imperfections and blemishes inside the stone and on its surface, its clarity (and therefore its value) will be low. The purer the diamond, the more expensive.

To figure out the clarity, you have to have training. Looking at it under strong magnification, you (or, more likely, your jeweler) will find any flaws. If the flaws are big enough, the stone could be in danger of cracking. There should be ample paperwork to describe all the characteristics of your stone. In this way, you can best determine if the price is fair and decide whether it would be worth it to insure the piece of jewelry.

When you want to find a stunning diamond ring, pendant, or bracelet, you need the information to make the best choice. Knowing how to find the best diamond clarity will help you choose an exquisite diamond.

2010 is a year of extravagant style. The trend in wedding gowns is “fancy”. Flounces, pleats, ruffles, shirred bodices and skirts, everything feminine is in. Engagement rings are matching the trend in wedding attire with band designs that are over the top in beauty and elegance.

Having said all that, the timeless diamond solitaire ring with its elegant simplicity will never go out of style. A single, perfect diamond sparkling all by itself on a simple band will always create a statement.

Jewelers are showing unique designs for the most important piece of jewelry a woman will wear. Many will allow you to design your own ring, choosing your central diamond and setting. And what a wealth of choices you now have!

Bands come in several styles. The pave bands feature smaller diamonds set in the band for as far as the eye can see. This is a great way to add a great deal of sparkle without spending a great deal more. Pave or not, you may choose from split band, twist band, double band or triple band.

A popular style this year is the 3 stone band. The central diamond and 2 smaller diamonds all cluster in the center of the band. You may choose from plain or pave bands in the 3 stone style.

To add even more bling to the ring, many designs this year feature a “diamond frame”. Smaller diamonds completely frame the central diamond.

For an even more unusual ring, “fancy colored diamonds” are still gaining popularity. Movie stars are all about maximum bling and they are choosing yellow diamonds, brown diamonds and pink diamonds for their engagement rings. You will need additional information about colored diamonds and this can be found on specialty websites.

No matter which style you choose, enjoy the process. We have more choices today than ever before and nothing is more exciting than planning your future with the one you love. You will find the perfect ring at the perfect price using the tools available on specialty websites.

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the choices. We have done the crucial research for you and can help with your choice. Engagement Ring Trends offers you a free Diamond Buyers Guide packed with information to help you find that perfect ring.

Choosing Engagement and Wedding Rings can be one of the hardest decisions to make. Many couples liken it to other significant purchases such as buying a house or a car.

There used to be a rule of thumb that a gentlemen should spend at least one month’s salary on the engagement ring. Of course, traditionally the engagement ring was a solitaire diamond and the bigger the better!

Things have changed though. Solitaire and traditional jewellery still hold their place of acclaim. However, it is new contemporary range of engagement and wedding rings that has occupied centre stage. With more and more independent jewellery designers unveiling their creations and designs in contemporary jewellery, things are looking up for couples who want jewellery of substance. It is the concept and art behind the jewellery that has caught up the imagination of young couples of even those couples who are not so young. What makes contemporary jewellery a winner is the artistic touch and value that is inherent in these because of the jewellery designers’ training and skills.

In terms of contemporary jewellery design there is much more opportunity to create a ring which tells something of a person’s story. For example a piece of lace of sentimental value may be pressed into the metal of the ring,leaving the pattern and forever reminding the wearer of it’s special significance.

The best part of buying contemporary engagement and wedding rings is that it allows a couple to go in for a cusomized design. So a couple can talk to the independent jewellery designer and tell him or her about the concept that are looking for. They could go in for something that captures their past association and brings value to their feelings and reminds them of the good times they have spent together. Or they could go in for a design that looks standard from the outside but has secret little diamond on the inside of the ring. There are so many possibilities to extend each other’s appreciation that it will be apt for a couple to think of the concept and let the jewellery designer craft something akin to their imagination. Remember that jewellery is more about representing our love to the beloved and style of the jewellery is what separates you from the guy or girl next door.

Contemporary Engagement Rings can be a cherised possession for you and your beloved, or have a look at Contemporary Jewellery for you and your loved one.

Purchasing a diamond engagement ring can be among the most frustrating tasks for a man; especially if he is attempting to do it without the knowledge of the special person in his life. How do you choose the most suitable design of the ring and how big ought to the stone be? Should the gold be yellow or white? Is there any information to help a guy out in this most nervous time of his life? Whether you’re the man or the soon to be engaged woman, here are some useful hints.

One of the first things you ought to do is look into the company you’re about to do business with. Get information about previous sales and the excellence of the merchandise they sell. In addition, contrast their quality and cost with other respectable businesses.

If you know what to be on the lookout for in a diamond, you can compare it to the qualities of the individual for whom you’re making the selection. Understanding the four “C’s” of a diamond – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight – will offer you insight into the personality of the stone. Of the four “C’s”, clarity is what jewelers say gives the stone a character of its own. They judge the diamond on a scale of imperfect, which has too many imperfections, to one with no imperfections. Finding the diamond with no imperfections is quite unusual (less than 1%) however the diamonds with some flaws are more likely to imitate human attributes.

The brilliance of the stone originates from the way it reflects light. The stone’s makeup plays a big role in how the stone is cut. Once the flaws are noted, a cutter will attempt to design his cuts to remove the flaws, and at the same time create the perfect angles where the outcome is brilliance.

Deciding on the color of the diamond is also an aspect to think about when selecting a stone with the right personality. A clear diamond with no color gets a “D” rating and is the most valuable. The more color you see, the less perfect the diamond is. Is there a color that pops into your mind when thinking about that special person? You should be mindful of this when looking at diamonds.

The weight or carat weight of a stone can be perplexing since prices can be as much as four times as high for a diamond merely twice the size of a different one. The weight is gauged by the seller and has to be disclosed to the customer. The part it plays in the character of the diamond is as great as the other three “C’s” unless the diamond is of significant size.

The choices in wedding rings these days range from traditional yellow gold to ultra-modern titanium. And that’s just the metal, not the design! To help you cut through the confusion, find out more about your choices at the Best Wedding Bands site.

When a man has made the decision to propose to the woman in his life, there will be a million and one thoughts racing through his mind; the most pressing one will probably be, will she say yes?! However, another important consideration will be the type of ring that he chooses, as this is integral to the entire proposal.

Choosing the best ring for you is a tricky business and if one lacks the proper guidance it can be a virtual minefield of sizes, shapes, not to mention price tags. Some lucky men will have the invaluable guidance of their future wife actually picking the ring out for them, however for the more romantic grooms-to-be that are out there, here is some advice on choosing the best engagement ring.

The first thing to work out is how much money you are willing to part with for the engagement ring; it is going to be tempting to spend as much as you can on the ring, however this may not leave you with enough for a decent honeymoon!

Although it can be safely assumed that your fiancee would not complain if you spent a little more, traditionally, it is thought that two months salary is a good guide as to how much you should spend on an engagement ring.

Now, if you find a real bargain then you should snap it up and conversely, if there is a ring that you know that would make your fiancee ecstatic that is a little out of your price range, then it is probably worth saving up for, yet it is prudent to choose a reasonable bracket that you are willing to work within and stick to that as much as possible.

Compare the entire market, from thrift shops to fancy jewellers and consider every ring going as soon as you have decided on your price range. Real bargains can now be found in online jewellers, with many sites offering discounts for buying online.

To narrow down the options for engagement rings, try and find out what type of metal your future wife likes the most; this can be done by rooting through her jewellery collection or confiding in one of her friends and getting her to act as a spy…just make sure you can really trust them not to spill the beans.

Finally, the most important element of choosing an engagement ring is that your whole heart goes into it; this may sound very cheesy and a little ‘Hollywood’, but if you put as much love, care and attention into picking the ring as you have put into your relationship, then there is no doubting that you will make the right choice.

Dave Harfield is an expert on diamonds. If you are in the market for a diamond engagement ring or want to find out more about engagement rings then check out DiamondGeezer.com and see all their genuine diamonds.

Finding style in affordable bridal jewelry is an ever-increasing need in today’s wedding world. Because of economic concerns, many brides-to-be are looking at less-expensive alternatives to real gemstones. Fortunately, this can be done with little worry or drama.

Unfortunately, many brides-to-be still don’t realize that this can be the case, after all. It’s true, however, that there are very budget-friendly bridal jewelry styles out there, and none will dent the purse too badly or be too difficult to track down.

If budget is an actual concern, there are any numbers of solutions to the problem. Affordable jewelry can be found that contains cubic zirconium, for instance. Other styles and fashions can come with faux or freshwater pearls, which are less expensive than either real or saltwater kinds. Also, crystal can be substituted for diamonds. There are a myriad of bridal jewelry sets that use these items, either singly or as pairs in earrings, for instance.

Budget-conscious weddings can also utilize costume jewelry, either rented or bought inexpensively. There are all kinds of Internet storefronts which sell this sort of item at a good price. What’s great is that almost all of them can pass for the real thing under casual inspection and in wedding photographs. And people should always keep rhinestones in mind when it comes to adding a colorful accessory. Their low cost and plentiful availability make them a good choice.

Even something like a bridal tiara or a wedding headdress or headband can be had with a budget-conscious makeup of materials. There are certainly numerous selections available when it comes to something like them. The best looking ones will help the wedding to be a fondly remembered event for years to come. In reality, affordable bridal jewelry can also have class, style, and taste.

Soon-to-be brides also should never forget that there are several different makers of jewelry kits for crafters on the market. These come complete with just about any faux jewelry item needed to make up whatever form of bridal set is desired. They can also be reproduced from any era, too. Victorian jewelry ensembles can be created fairly easily, with just a little practice.

With the economy a concern for just about all of us,there’s nothing wrong with looking at less expensive alternatives to real diamonds or pearls in bridal jewelry. With all the jewelry resources available, it’s a sure thing that something on the market can be had that’ll ease price worries. Because of this fact, and the beauty of many of these sets, the wedding is sure to be memorable for all the right reasons, which is what really matters.

Searching for somewhere to buy cheap jewelry can be hard. Because you want good quality as well as a affordable price. Finding the right diamond engagement ring online is relatively simple.

Men’s engagement rings are perfect gifts to show a woman’s feeling and to signify their commitment to one another. It is a declaration of the love a couple share, men’s engagement rings is a token of an impending commitment. They are simple but meaningful reminders of a woman’s love to a man and their plan to share that love forever.

Engagement rings have been popular for women. It is the women that have always been proposed to and not men. It does not mean, however, that women cannot declare their love to the man they love. Women surely can and are allowed to express their love. But many still do not know that there are engagement rings for men as well. Men’s engagement rings have existed for decades already.

The period when men started wearing rings cannot be determined though there had been a number of educated guesses. However, the history about men wearing engagement rings was traced.

Men began wearing engagement rings during World War II. It was when men had to have a reminder of their loved ones as they spent years separated. They wore simple rings as a symbol and reminder of their wives or fiance that waited for their safe return home.

Both men and women wear engagement rings on the third finger of the left hand in America. According to historians, wearing the ring in this manner has been a custom of the Romans. Romans believed that there is a vein on the third finger of the left hand that linked directly to the heart called the vein amoris. Men’s engagement rings are worn on the third finger like that of women.

Men’s engagement rings are simple and subtle. They are not as fancy as women’s engagement rings. They are usually simple gold or platinum bands containing slight embellishments.

Gold is the most popular choice for engagement rings. One major advantage with a gold engagement ring is that it can normally be resized in the future by a local jeweler. However, a gold ring with ribbed edges, a wave or woven pattern or engraving might be a bit more difficult to resize without affecting the ring pattern.

There are two tone engagement rings for men. Examples are platinum men’s engagement ring inlaid with yellow gold. Sometime white gold men’s engagement rings inlaid also with yellow gold. Silver men’s engagement rings sometimes have yellow gold inlays as well.

Men’s engagement rings with gemstones are also available. There are men’s engagement rings with diamonds. They are either set into the band or set within the center of the ring itself. The diamonds in men’s engagement rings are not set at the center. Setting the stones into the band makes them less prone to damages and is practical for strenuous activities.

Titanium is another popular option for men’s engagement rings. This is because titanium has a brilliant shade of blue, purple and other colors. There is also the Mokume gane engagement ring; it is made of different metal alloys with intricate pattern within the band. Also popular are textured rings with elaborated engravings that form lattices or other patterns along the surface of the ring.

The price for men’s engagement rings is about the same as that of women’s. Though they usually weigh much greater than women’s engagement rings, they are not as elaborate. A man’s engagement ring can be worn together with a wedding ring. It can also be worn on the wedding ring finger until the wedding day when the engagement ring is then worn on another finger or the right hand.

Before proposing and giving your man an engagement ring, be sure that he likes having one as some men like wearing an engagement ring and some don’t. Also, be prepared to explain to conservative family members about your preference. They may assume that your man’s engagement ring means the wedding has already taken place.

mens-engagement-rings.com offers a wide variety of men’s engagement rings to suit every taste and budget. Our men’s engagement rings were carefully crafted using the finest quality metals and gemstones. Propose to your man and present him with one of the men’s engagement rings available at mens-engagement-rings.com.

Author Fred Gagnon is an expert on providing tips and information on jewelries. He owns a wide collection of beautiful, glamorous and elegant jewelries. To learn more about jewelries, accessories, precious metals and gemstones, visit Engagement Ring Settings and Vintage Engagement Rings.

White gold engagement rings possess simplistic elegance that can match any outfit flawlessly. These pieces can fit nearly any other jewelry. The cheaper alternative to platinum engagement rings, white gold engagement rings are steadily increasing in popularity. As beautiful and timeless as those made of yellow gold, white gold engagement rings possess versatility and elegance you need for an engagement ring.

White gold engagement rings are made using white gold, which is made by combining two metals. White gold is produced by combining either nickel and pure yellow cold mix or palladium and yellow gold. White gold can also be achieved by adding silver to pure gold. White gold is usually plated with rhodium to make it more brilliant and achieve that pale luminescence.

There are advantages that white gold engagement rings provide in terms of price, durability and appearance.

White gold engagement rings are less expensive than platinum engagement rings.

If you love platinum jewelry and are on tight budget white gold jewelry is a fine alternative. It can cost as little as one-fourth the price of other expensive metal or a platinum ring. It resembles platinum engagement rings but at a less expensive price.

White gold engagement rings are lighter and stronger than others.

Compared to platinum, white gold is lighter in weight. It is also stronger than most pure or yellow gold.

White gold engagement rings are more durable than those made with platinum and yellow gold.

White gold is also more durable as it is more scratch resistant in comparison to platinum and gold. Such characteristic allows the ring to maintain a flawless appearance under more strenuous activities.

White gold engagement rings are more brilliant than silver.

White gold is more brilliant compared to sterling silver. Thats why it is often confused with jewelries made of silver.

White gold engagement rings look best with brilliant cut diamonds.

Since white gold engagement rings resemble platinum engagement rings, these pieces also possess the shining brilliance that seems to draw special attention to the diamond. White gold easily highlights the brilliance of diamonds. And since white gold is less expensive, you can save your budget for a bigger diamond for your engagement ring or for a more elaborate ring styles.

White gold engagement rings are more versatile than yellow gold engagement rings.

The white gold has an advantage over the yellow gold although is much less popular than yellow gold. White gold engagement rings like other white gold jewelries can fit any jewelry and any ensemble. Take note ” yellow gold might be more beautiful than white gold but it does not always fit well with other types of jewelry. Those allergic to yellow gold are most probably not allergic to white gold.

There are white gold engagement rings made of palladium or silver. These are wider alternative for people with allergic reactions to nickel. Usually white gold engagement rings are made with nickel.

White gold diamond rings make excellent engagement and wedding rings. If you are feeling extravagant, a piece of chic white gold diamond ring is a perfect reward you can give yourself. With proper care, these pieces are sure to become a treasured heirloom.

With so many variations available, buying an engagement ring is one sure exciting experience. white-gold-engagementrings.com will make your buying experience easy. Stylish, elegant pieces at affordable prices await you. Surely we can serve you that perfect piece of a white gold engagement ring you are looking for.

If you’re looking for a ‘vintage style’ engagement ring, then cushion cut engagement rings may be for you. If you’re not entirely sure what cushion cut engagement rings are, then keep reading!

Simply stated, a cushion cut diamond is one that strongly resembles a seat cushion, hence the name. The diamond is generally square or rectangular and appears ‘puffy.’ It’s quite the diamond, as it takes traits from oval, princess, and emerald diamonds to make it’s unique shape.

Cushion cut diamonds have around 60 facets, which is less than many modern day engagement rings. This does take a bit of the luster and sparkle out of the diamond that would otherwise be present in a round diamond, but the good news is that this is generally reflected in a lower price. If you don’t mind compromising a little bit of quality for price, then cushion cut engagement rings are definitely for you.

Where to find cushion cut engagement rings?

These diamonds are quite rare nowadays and can be tough to find at a regular jewelry shop. If you’re particularly interested in purchasing a cushion cut diamond engagement ring, you will have the best shot searching online. There are many reputable dealers that offer the beautiful cushion cut diamond at great cost, you just have to shop around to find them.

A great option that is gaining massive popularity these days thanks to the internet again is to design your own engagement ring. The way this works is that you select a good quality cushion cut diamond from a huge selection after studying the 4 C’s and then you can choose a setting also from a huge selection and the company will then mount your diamond on your setting and ship it to you over night. I did this and it really is a great option. Highly recommended.

It’s very interesting and a lot of fun to design your own engagement ring. Not only that but you really can save a bunch of money doing it this way versus going to your local jeweler. I saved around $1500 on mine. Your girl will also love the fact that you took the time and made the effort to design the ring yourself. Trust me on this one.

There you have it, I hope you enjoyed this article. If you study the 4 C’s of diamonds a bit before you make your decision you will do just fine.