Fashion Jewelry

Noticeable Things On Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamonds

Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamonds

Women who love to accessorize with jewelries will definitely be interested anything they need to know pertinent with cubic Zirconia vs. diamonds. Although these gemstones are likely similar at first glance, there are actually a lot of difference between these two popular gemstones. These substantial differences are also essential not only for women to know and discover but also for those other genders who are also interested with any kinds of jewelries. Here are some of the essential differences which are worth taking not of when you need to do a substantial comparison of cubic Zirconia vs. diamonds:

Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamonds

• The Price – this is one of the most noticeable differences between the cubic Zirconia and the most precious stone, the diamond. Obviously, diamonds are a lot cheaper compared to its ultimate imitator. This is why more and more fashionable and sophisticated women who are not that blessed with financial affluence; prefer to have the imitator stone than the expensive genuine diamonds. It is therefore a lot practical to have the imitator gemstone than the real diamond.
• The Sparkle – for the experts, it would be easier for them to notice the difference between these two. Although diamonds are extremely a sparkler and definitely a thing of beauty to behold for its flawless cuts, they could never match the sparkle its imitator is capable of. Even if cubic Zirconia is not as hard as the diamond, it is more radiant and flawless than the expensive stone.
• The Facets – you need to use a magnifying glass to clearly see the difference of the diamond’s facets to those of the cubic Zirconia. The most noticeable difference is the sharp point of the facets of diamonds. Another thing to take note of is the fact that cubic Zirconia’s facets are also a little rounder compared to the most expensive stone.

These are among the most essential differences that you will eventually see should you do a thorough comparison between cubic Zirconia vs. diamonds which are likely similar in all aspects from a naked eye. You therefore need to come up with a comprehensive and technical test for you to be able to spot these essential differences between these two precious gemstones.
It is important to have these stones properly checked to avoid being an innocent victim of scammers especially if you are purchasing a real diamond for whatever purpose it shall serve you best.  Photos courtesy of www.moissanite-rings.org

Best Diamond Shape For An Engagement Ring

best diamond shape

While purchasing an engagement ring the biggest dilemma is choosing the best diamond shape and cut. The shape of the diamond is the most important aspects that you should consider while choosing a diamond. There are many decisions that you will have to take before choosing the particular ring.
The best diamond shape is essentially one that suits the hand that it accents. There are various cuts and styles but the final product and its shape will be decided by the lapidary who does the cutting. The shape of the diamond will also depend on the initial shape of the raw stone. If there are any flaws in the diamond they must be removed.
There are some basic shapes and the beauty of the stone can be greatly enhanced with proper trimming and rounding off the corners. There are additional facets that are added to increase the beauty and the sparkle of the stone. However, there are many jewelers who deal in specialized stones with special cuts to get the best diamond shape. These cuts are licensed and come under the specific brand names. The classic example is the Hearts on Fire Diamond.

best diamond shape

It is easier to choose the diamond if you know the basic characteristics of each one of the shapes. It depends on the personality, individual preferences, as well as the budget you have. All these factors will play a critical role in making the choice.
The diamonds that are Emerald shaped are rectangular and the corners are trimmed. The pear shape is also known as the teardrop shaped diamond. Heart-shaped diamonds are a popular choice for earrings and pendants. The heart-shaped engagement rings are very romantic. The round ones are the more traditional and classy ones. Marquise is basically an oval shape with tapered edges. There are the Princess, Asscher, oval, and Trilliant cuts as well. Photos courtesy of www.herzogjewelers.com and robbinsbros.files.wordpress.com

Diamond Jewelry Pendant – Say It With Diamonds

diamond jewelry pendant

Diamonds have a magical effect on women and there can be nothing better than gifting a diamond jewelry pendant – a piece of exclusive jewelryfor your loved one. Diamonds have been favorites since the ancient times. Diamonds are exclusive and very precious. By gifting someone something so precious will only go to prove that, you are serious about a commitment and the person you are gifting it too, is also someone really special.

There are plenty of designs that you could choose from. You could either opt for solitaire diamonds or the tiny cluster of diamonds. It all depends on individual choices and budgets as well. There are plenty of online jewelry stores where you can browse through and make your selection. If you wish to surprise your loved one with a diamond jewelry pendant you could choose from any of the leading jewelry brands that are available online.

diamond jewelry pendant

There is an exclusive range of diamond jewelry that is available in platinum, white gold, yellow gold, etc. A diamond jewelry pendant that is made out of platinum looks very elegant and classy. Although platinum is more expensive than gold it really adds to the sparkle of the diamonds and enhances the beauty of these precious stones.

If you feel that the platinum is way beyond your budget, the next best option is white gold. Diamonds set in white gold are also a good option. A diamond pendant with a cluster of tiny diamonds looks very charming. A single solitaire diamond pendant can be worn with matching solitaire earrings for the special occasions.

Sometimes there are pendants that have a mix of diamonds and other precious gems. At other times the pendants might be entirely in platinum or yellow gold with a single diamond accent. This is an ideal choice for someone who likes the minimalistic look and not something too over the top. Photos courtesy of ww.columbusohiojewelers.com and southwest.inetgiant.co.uk

Diamonds Color and Clarity Chart

Wealth is the basic connotation of jewelry. It is a social prestige rather than fashion accessories. Jewelry is the status and passion sense of women, which provides them beauty and confidence. Among the many types of jewelries, diamond stands out from the rest.  Diamond is the most prestigious and precious among the stone ornaments.

Diamond Color
The most valuable diamonds in the world are the colorless. It is the most popular and highly priced. Other than colorless diamonds, there are also colored varieties. However, since the colors make it difficult to measure the level of purity, a diamonds color and clarity chart system was imposed.
Diamond is graded according to a standard color chart in a letter classification from D to Z. Those diamonds that fall under C to F are the colorless diamond. They are the most beautiful and rare variety. Diamonds on G to J classification are those with tint of yellow. They are the most common varieties and popular in the market.  Any diamonds that fall under K to Z class have the visible color of yellow. Those falling near Z class are also considered rare.

Diamond Clarity
Clarity in diamond refers to the number of inclusions visible inside a diamond. Inclusions are characteristics that are normally found in diamonds. They resemble as blemishes, black spots, or feathers.  In general, diamonds with inclusions are not necessarily bad. Like fingerprints, inclusions are distinct to every diamonds, and no two cuts of diamonds will have inclusions of the same kind, size or location. Sighting diamond inclusions is through a ten-power jeweler’s loupe.
Diamonds are graded using a standard clarity chart. It scales the diamond ranging from rare, flawless, high quality down to imperfect, low quality. The clarity is determined according to the diamonds color and clarity chart with the following general level categories:

F, IF        = Flawless
VVS1, VVS2    = Very, Very Small Inclusion
VS, VS1, VS2    = Very Small Inclusion
SI,  SI1,  SI2    = Small Inclusion
LI, LI1, LI2, LI3= Large Inclusion

The numerals preceding the letters in each level category indicate quantity and placement of inclusions. The Numeral “1” means least count of inclusion and commonly located at the sides. Numeral “2” indicates more inclusions and located at the middle, and numeral “3” means many inclusions in several locations inside the diamond.

Diamond with flawless grades has no evident of internal or external flaws. These diamonds are rare and of high quality. They have less demand in the market because of their high price. In the “very, very small inclusion” level, inclusions are difficult to see under magnification. These diamonds have dazzling light attributes. Inclusions in the “very small” level are noticeable under magnification. Buyers prefer to buy diamonds at this category level. “Small inclusion” level indicates inclusions are easily seen under magnification. The indications provide quick valuation of diamonds and easy pricing.  The bottom level “large inclusion” means that inclusions can be seen with naked eye. Most diamond buyers purchase at this grade level. They consider the size over quality. These diamonds have high volume in the market and the price is affordable.

Photo By http://irwan.net

Celebrity Jewelry: What are they Wearing?

Are you always curious to know what the celebrities are up to? What fashions are they showing off? Something new? Something retro? We’ve taken a look at some of the jewelry styles they’ve been wearing lately at awards shows.

Awards shows are as good a place as any to show off to the world. Diamonds and platinum are usually more popular than other items at the Academy Awards, but some of the other annual awards programs are more relaxed, with everyone wearing more trendy jewelry. This gives us all a chance to see what variety the celebs are hiding in their jewelry boxes  at home. Of course, sometimes, some of the most precious items are on loan from famous designers, but you can usually tell which.

Taylor Swift Taylor wore a wide, lace-like bracelet to the MTV awards. It looked just right while she was being given the Best Female Video award. Many celebs also wore the now in vogue large earrings, but that’s par for the course for an MTV outing. Some celebrities wore long necklaces with pendants, and Ashley Green kept it real with a gold snake chain necklace. Many celebs wore diamonds and platinum on the Teen Choice Awards’ red carpet, but just as many stars kept it casual. The styles were a mixed, but chunky and bold ruled the night. Large cocktail rings were a fave, like the huge earthy oval stone on tattoo artist Kat Von D’s index finger. Jennette McCurdy’s hot pink ring matched her clutch, but was a warm contrast against a neutral dress.

At Cannes, diamonds, brightly colored gemstones, lush gold, asymmetrical pieces were all the rage. When if comes to the Emmy’s, you can always expect to see waves of platinum and white diamonds, but look a little more closely and you’ll find some standout colorful gems. Like Lara Spencer’s turquoise and pink tourmaline cuff bracelet and Melora Hardin’s yellow diamond earrings. Several women wore dramatic necklaces in a rock crystal and diamond piece from Ivanka Trump’s Rose Gold Collection .

How about the BET awards? Last year, it was held just a few days after Michael Jackson’s death and it wasn’t surprising to see the BET Awards converted into a tribute for the King of Pop and his music. BET Awards jewelry was dramatic, and circular motifs were among the most popular trends. Amerie’s big-link necklace is a favorite, like the goth-and-heart piece that Elise Neal wore.

The SAG Awards were notable for the bracelets that could be seen sparkling everywhere. Styles were all over the place, from delicate diamond and pearl cuffs. Even the chunky pieces sparkled. Teri Hatcher wore a diamond, crystal and platinum design. Yolanda Adams chose a turquoise necklace for Grammy night and it was among the most dramatic jewelry at the presentations. Long drop earrings were popular, and so were gold and diamond ovals. Some of the women were draped in diamonds and platinum, but yellow gold continues to be hot, especially for stacked cuffs and bangles. Does this give you enough ideas for what might be the thing to wear next you’re invited to the Emmy’s or some other stylish and fancy outing?

Cubic Zirconia versus Diamond

Diamonds are some of the most valuable gems in the world and not just for jewelry.  They’re used in a wide array of industries, as well.  However, real diamonds are relatively rare.  Therefore, numerous attempts have been made by the scientific community to locate a viable diamond alternative.  While numerous types of synthetic gems have been created, the most common is cubic zirconia, a synthetic form of zircon crystal created in a lab environment.  What are the major differences between cubic zirconia and a diamond?

Weight – Weight is one of the largest differences between the two gems.  Cubic zirconia is 1.6 times as heavy as a diamond of the same size and proportions.  This is due to the high density of cubic zirconia as compared to a natural diamond.

Hardness – Yet another significant difference is the hardness of the two stones.  While diamonds have a hardness rating of 10 on the Mohs scale, cubic zirconia usually comes in with a hardness of 9, or a little less.  Therefore, while the stone is harder than many other substances, diamonds are still superior.

Flaws – Diamonds are natural stones; therefore, they have unique flaws deep within their crystalline structure.  A cubic zirconia diamond, on the other hand, has almost no flaws at all.

Colorlessness – True diamonds are very rarely without color at all.  Most diamonds have some color within them, though the more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is. Cubic zirconia has no color at all in most cases.

Heat Conduction – A cubic zirconia diamond insulates, rather than conducting heat, whereas diamonds are excellent conductors of heat.

“Fire” – Diamonds have a natural luster, certainly, but the inner fire of cubic zirconia dwarfs the diamond.  For instance, cubic zirconia has a dispersion rating of 0.060 and diamond comes in with a rating of 0.044.

Beautiful Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia – usually called ‘CZ’ – is becoming more and more popular as a wonderful gem to use in all types of jewelry. Let’s learn a little more about this gemstone.

Cubic zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but is also available in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate. It is sometimes erroneously called ‘cubic zirconium’. Because of it is so inexpensive, it is durable, and looks so much like a diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since 1976. It is sometimes marketed under the brand name ‘Diamonique’.

Cubic zirconia is relatively hard, at about 8 on the Mohs scale— slightly harder than most semi-precious natural gems. Because of its high hardness, it is generally considered brittle. It is also very bright and sparkles beautifully – close to the level of a real diamond. Under shortwave UV cubic zirconia typically fluoresces a yellow, greenish yellow or “beige”. Under longwave UV the effect is greatly diminished, with a whitish glow sometimes being seen. Colored stones may show a strong, complex spectrum.

And, now for a bit of history. Discovered in 1892, the yellowish monoclinic mineral baddeleyite is a natural form of zirconium oxide. It has little economic importance because of its rarity.  Many years ago, as with the majority of grown diamond substitutes, the idea of producing single-crystal cubic zirconia arose in the minds of scientists seeking a new and versatile material for use in lasers and other optical applications. Some of the earliest research into controlled single-crystal growth of cubic zirconia occurred in 1960s France, much work being done by Y. Roulin and R. Collongues. This technique involved molten zirconia being contained within a thin shell of still-solid zirconia, with crystal growth from the melt: The process was named cold crucible, because of the system of water cooling used. Though promising, these attempts yielded only small crystals.

Later, Soviet scientists under V. V. Osiko at the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow perfected the technique, which was then named skull crucible, and they named the jewel Fianit after the institutes name, but the name was not used outside of the USSR. Their breakthrough was published in 1973, and commercial production began in 1976. By 1980 annual global production had reached 50 million carats. The Soviet-perfected skull crucible is still used today, with little variation. Water-filled copper pipes provide a cup-shaped scaffold in which the zirconia feed powder is packed, the whole contraption being wrapped with radio frequency induction coils running perpendicular to the copper pipes. A stabilizer, typically calcium oxide, is mixed with the feed powder.

But, enough of all this technical stuff. I doubt that anyone reading this would be interested in making their own cubic zirconia. Instead, we like to look at it and enjoy collecting it in its many beautiful forms in so many wonderful pieces of jewelry.

Yellow Diamonds

The Tiffany Yellow Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds ever found has only been worn by two women.  One wore it to dinner and the other for a publicity photo shoot. A diamond of this size and value is not very practical to wear as a matter of course. In the rough, before it was cut into 90 facets, it weighed 287 carats. Then it was cut down to 128 carats in a custom shape to maximize its brilliance. A diamond of this size and value cannot be cut in just any way. It must be carefully planned and executed or great waste will result. The young man that did cut the stone – only 23 years old at the time – studied it for a year first. The result was an outstanding and precious stone in every sense.

Another fascinating diamond that you must know about is the Kimberley Octahedron. Named after the place it was found – the Kimberly mine in Africa – and its shape – this is the biggest yellow diamond ever found. At 616 carats it still has not been cut into a gem with facets and remains in its original shape and size. Now, it is the 14th largest diamond ever found with 13 non-yellow diamonds even larger. About the size of a golf ball, the Kimberly Octahedron remains with the scientists. Also not practical to wear or enjoy at cocktail parties it remains a valuable and beautiful treasure nonetheless.

If you are looking for yellow diamonds today, there are some that are even made in the laboratory. These diamonds are made the same way natural diamonds are created: with heat and pressure. When the laboratory diamonds are made, they are in fact a bit superior in strength because they are made under controlled conditions. The color is also more pure and more beautiful at times. Unfortunately, these diamonds are very expensive as well because of the process required to create them.

When considering yellow diamonds, there are several different shades. Canary yellow is perhaps the most popular, but deeper and more vibrant shades of yellow are also available. Other shades of yellow include: fancy yellow, fancy light yellow, light yellow, very light yellow, and faint yellow. All shades of yellow are a measure of nitrogen in the stone. The more nitrogen trapped inside, the darker the yellow.

Rare yellow diamonds have now become quite popular with celebrities. Here are some of the celebrities that recently bought them: Johnny Damon, the Red Sox baseball star, gave Michelle Mangan a brilliant yellow diamond engagement ring. Dennis Quaid, Kimberly Buffington, Heidi Klum, Varonica Varekova, Petr Nedved, Rodney Jenkins, and Joy Enriquez have all been seen recently purchasing a yellow diamond. Who’s next on the list? Will it be you?

(Pictured: The Tiffany Yellow Diamond)

Black Diamond Rings

There are three types of black diamonds: natural, irradiation treated and heat-treated under high temperature.  In the late 1990’s, one designer started using natural black diamond (carbonado), which had been used for industrial purpose till then, in combination with clear diamonds. This original idea was immediately copied by other designers and it became quite popular. To keep up with a growing demand for black diamond, it required securing sufficient material. As a necessity, artificial irradiation appeared on the scene. This takes otherwise uninteresting diamonds and makes them very dark green so they appear black. The third type of ‘black’ diamond is a new development. The stones were originally natural diamonds of very poor quality single crystals or white to grey polycrystalline crystals, which are turned black by being heated with very high temperatures.

Black Diamonds, as available in most jewelry, are the radiation treated type. Black diamonds are genuine diamonds treated with radiation to make their color appear black. Under normal light, they look black. They are, however, very dark green. To test this, a bright light source should be placed near an edge of the diamond. This allows the light to illuminate some of the interior of the stone. The very dark green color that becomes visible is commonly seen in enhanced black diamonds. The very dark green color that is seen is never seen in natural diamonds. It is a result of the radiation treatment.

What about carbonado as found in Brazil? These black diamonds are untreated and are made of the same material as diamonds, but are quite porous. They also have many holes and gaps in their surface and some grey is often found as well. Because of this, natural carbonado is much more rare than treated diamonds and the cost is much higher when used in jewelry. These are the natural version of the black diamond.

When shopping for Black Diamond Rings, there are many types to pick from. Many styles are  available for men because of the stylish appearance of the black stones. Black Diamond Wedding sets are becoming very popular with certain crowds. Black Diamond pave is also very popular with some ring styles and looks striking. Black Diamond Solitaire Rings are also in vogue with many people snatching up Black Diamond Solitaires whenever they see one that catches their eye.

Black Diamonds are also often mixed with White Diamonds – the standard clear diamond – to create a stunning contrast. Whichever  Black Diamond ring style you choose, you can guarantee it will be a real attention-getter.