Diamonds in the Ruff: How to find a good personal trainer.

The question of how to find a good personal trainer is as old as the industry itself. In fact, it usually gets transformed into an even bigger question - should you even HIRE a personal trainer? Conveniently enough, the answer to one of those questions will dictate the answer to the other one - every time! The short and simple truth of the matter is that you should only hire a personal trainer if you can find an effective one that is right for you. Here are several things to consider before you decide! Professionalism The term professionalism should cover our prospective trainer's skills, as well as his/her ability to act in a professional manner. Both are critical to the training process, and if a trainer is lacking in either department, it will spell doom for your program eventually, either in the short term, or later on down the road. The days of personal trainers just being jocks with a certification are (thankfully!) coming to a close. Today's personal trainer needs to be a consummate professional with regard to his/her actual skills, as well as ability to treat their clients in a professional and business-like manner. For now let's just agree that if your trainer doesn't have a clue about how to get you in shape, you probably don't want to hire that trainer! What about their level of professionalism? A good personal trainer will always maintain their professional bearing. They don't need to be some stick in the mud with no personality, but there are several things that a trainer should NOT be doing during a training session. These include things like staring at themselves in the mirror, daydreaming, excessively talking to other people, talking on their cell phone, checking out members of the opposite sex, and just generally not focusing on you during the workout. Your trainer should look professional as well. Although the actual clothing standards vary widely, some things that you should not see are excessive body jewelry, the latest fashions such as arm bands, beanie caps, combat boots, etc., or any clothing or accessories that are worn simply as decoration or because the style is in. The latest styles have absolutely nothing to do with your training program! Credentials Which level of personal training certification is the best has been and continues to be a matter of extreme debate. This article will not propagate that debate with further discussion of the details. However, what you should take home is the fact that regardless of your fitness goals, your trainer should be qualified to train YOU. For general health and fitness, any of the top 10 nationwide certification agencies offer acceptable programs. A brief list includes - but is not limited to - the International Sports Sciences Association, the American Council on Exercise, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. There are others, and your trainer should be more than happy to point you to the website that governs his or certification, so that you can learn more on your own. For more specific considerations like training for a sport or athletic competition, your trainer will need a higher degree of expertise. The American College of Sports Medicine has a great program and is one of the most recognized certifications for sport specific training. You should ask very specific questions about how a potential trainer is going to tackle the particular issues that you want covered during your training program. Facility Regardless of your potential trainer's credentials and professionalism, you need to know where you are going to train. The industry standard of only working out at a gym is being challenged more and more these days. It is possible now to find a trainer who will come right to your house and train you, or possibly meet you outside, or in your housing area community fitness center. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you have to go to the gym if you want a personal trainer! Schedule One of the biggest issues for trainers and clients alike is scheduling. After all, you both have to be in the same place at the same time for a minimum of 30 minutes, and possibly as long as 90 minutes. A good trainer will try to find a way to fit you into their schedule. It won't always be possible, especially with a highly sought after trainer, but if the trainer truly wants to help you, they will do their best to fit you in. Rapport Having a good rapport with your personal trainer is crucial! If you and your trainer don't get along, it's a waste of time for both of you. You will likely end up more frustrated than ever, thinking that even a professional couldn't help you! Working with a personal trainer that you like is necessary, and on the flip side, the trainer should like you as well. You don't necessarily need to pick out curtains together, but you should at least be able to carry on a comfortable dialogue while you exercise. Most good trainers are good communicators as well, but if the two of you aren't very comfortable with each other, then it will cause tension and increase the risk of your program meeting with failure. A good personal trainer will agree to meet with you face to face before you actually sign up for a training program. Some trainers offer a free or low-cost initial consultation, and that is the perfect time to size up your trainer to make sure they fit your needs! You should take home the fact that the definition of a good personal trainer is someone who is not only a professional, but is also appropriate for your specific personality, needs, goals, and desires. You may be working with this person for awhile, so choose wisely!

Ten of the Most Famous Diamonds and Who Owns Them

here are more than three hundred fifty named diamonds famous for their histories.

The Cullinan, is the largest cut diamond in the world. It was found in South Africa and was named for the owner of the mining company. The Cullinan diamond was 3106 carats, and was cut into 105 stunning diamonds. The largest was named the "Star of Africa" and is 530 carats by itself. In 1907 this diamond was given to King Edward VII of England, and set into the Royal Scepter. It is kept, along with the other Crown Jewels, safely in the Tower of London.

The Cullinan II is 317.40 carats. The color is white and is the cushion-shaped diamond in the center-front of the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain. It is also in the Tower of London with the British Crown Jewels.

The Dary-i-Nur is 186 carats, is pink and is in the Iranian Treasury. It is the largest uncut diamond in the world. Its name means "Sea of Light".

The Dresden Green is 41 carats; it is green, and a very rare type ila diamond of extraordinary quality. It gets its name from the city of Saxony where it had been on display for 200 years. The Dresden Green is now on display at the Albertinium Museum in Dresden.

The Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats, is blue, and is in the Smithsonian Institute. According to legend, a curse was placed on the large, blue diamond after it was stolen from an idol in India. Whether you believe in curses or not, the diamond has had a fascinating past � it was owned by King Louis XIV, stolen during the French Revolution, sold to pay gambling debts, owned and worn almost daily by an American heiress, sold and worn to raise money for charity, and finally donated to the Smithsonian Museum.

The Hortensia is 20 carats, is peach colored and is in the Louvre. It is one of the crown Jewels of France, and was owned by Louis XIV. It was named after Hortense de Beauharnais, Queen of Holland, who was the daughter of the Empress Josephine, the stepdaughter of Napoleon Bonaparte and the mother of Napoleon III.

The Kohinoor is 108.93 carats, white and is located in the Tower of London. As with many of the most famous diamonds, there is a curse of death and destruction attached to it. Its name means "Mountain of Light" and legend has it that it actually comes from another diamond also rife with legend, called the "Great Mogul" which was said to have weighed 244 carats and mysteriously disappeared in 1665. The Kohinoor was owned by the first sultan of Mogul, and passed down through generations, until it was given to Queen Victoria. It was recut and now rests in the crown of Queen Elizabeth.

The Orloff is 189.62 carats. It is thought to have weighed about 300 carats when it was discovered. For a while, it was confused with the Great Mogul diamond. One of the legends of the Orloff is that it was set in the eye of a god statue in the temple of Sri Rangen, and stolen by a French soldier dressed up like a Hindu. He is said to have escaped by swimming down a raging river during a storm. It was eventually sold to Prince Gregory Orloff. In an attempt to win back her heart, he gave it to Catherine the Great, who collected lovers and precious gems with equal passion. She had the diamond mounted on top of the double eagle in the Imperial scepter. It is in the Russian Diamond Fund, Moscow.

The Spoonmaker Diamond has many legends associated with it. (It supposedly got its name when the owner--who is said to have found it sitting on top of a pile of garbage --bartered it to a spoonmaker for three wooden spoons.) More likely is that it was purchased by a Frenchman named Pikot, who bought it from the Maharajah of Madras in India. He took it to France, but was robbed. The diamond ended up at an auction, and was bid on by the notorious Casanova. It was finally bought by Napoleon's mother, Letizia Ramolino, who later sold her jewelry to help her son escape from Elba. It was bought again by an officer of Tepedelenli, and put into the treasury. When Tepedelenli was killed during a revolt, the entire treasury went to the Palace of Turkey, and the Spoonmaker's Diamond, now called the "Kasicki" is there.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a 69 carat pear-shaped white diamond that was originally called the "Cartier Diamond" after the jeweler paid $1,050,000 for it at an auction. Richard Burton purchased it the day after the auction for Elizabeth Taylor. She later renamed it the Taylor-Burton diamond. Ms. Taylor wore the diamond publicly at a party for Princess Grace's 40th birthday party in Monaco. She sold the diamond in 1978 and used the funds to build a hospital in Botswana. The diamond was later purchased by Robert Mouawad.

Read more about Diamond Myths, Legends & History at HomeGiftShopper.com

� 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of Home Gift Shopper: A premier resource for quality Gift Ideas. This article may be republished as long as it remains unchanged, this notice stays intact, and all links are made live.

Synthetic Diamonds - An Extremely Viable Jewelry Alternative

The love of diamonds in our jewelry is a modern phenomenon. It has really only been since the 1930s that diamonds have been so desired as a jewelry stone. And with diamonds came synthetic diamonds. Synthetic daimonds will always be worth considering as an alternative to diamonds whilst real diamonds are so expensive, and synthetic diamonds are so good.

Diamonds have a number of natural qualities. They are, for example, the hardest of any natural product. Synthetic daimonds needed to have similar qualities to compete with the natural product. In jewelry a diamond has beautiful sparkle,and is very hard. Any synthetic diamond that is to compete with the real thing has to exhibit similar qualities. And synthetic diamonds do this admirably.

The first synthetic diamonds were produced in the 1950s in Sweden and then not so long after the synthesis of diamonds was reported a second time by researchers at GE. Even De Beers, the worlds larget producer of natural diamonds experimented with synthesising diamonds and succeeded.

Modern synthetic diamonds range hugely in their quality. Some come very close to real diamonds in their physical properties, and some do not.

There are many synthetic diamonds which do not exhibit anywhere near the qualities of diamonds, and some which come very close.

And there are some sythetic diamonds which can readily be distinguished from diamonds by experts, and some which cannot.

Even glass has been used as an alternative to diamonds and to many yields a reasonable result in costume jewelry. But it can be easily distinguished from real diamonds by anyone who knows what they are doing. Cubic Zirconia is a synthetic diamond which does not stand up for long to inspection by experts.

There are, however, many excellent synthetic diamonds which are so close to real diamonds in their physical properties that they are very difficult to distinguish from real diamonds indeed.

Prime amongst them is Moissanite. One of the newer of the synthetic diamonds, moissanite, is in fact a naturally occurring product, and it is therefore arguable whether it is a synthetic diamond or just a jewelry stone which is very close to diamond in it's qualities. It was first discovered in tiny amounts in a meteor that landed in Arizona in 1893. It was discovered by Dr Henry Moissan, after whom it was named. It has only been recently produced synthetically, because it does not occur in sufficient quantities naturally to be commercially viable, so it was necessary to devise a way to synthesise if it was to be available in jewelry.

Moissanite is extremely close to diamond in it's natural qualities. Whereas diamond is the hardest of all the jewels, rating at 10 on the hardness scale, moissanite is not far behind at 9.25, and harder than other natural jewelry stones such as ruby (9) and sapphire (9) or emerald (7.5)

There are other comparitive scales used to rate jewelry stones. In brilliance, which is a measure of it's refractive index, diamond is 2.42. Moissanite at 2.65 is superior to diamonds, and far outperforms ruby and sapphire at 1.77 and emerald at 1.58

In fire diamond rates at .044, moissanite at .104 ruby at .018 sapphire at .018 and emerald at .014. So again moissanite outperforms diamonds on this scale. Similarly on the scale used to assess luster moissanite outperforms diamonds and the other well known jewelry stones.

So it can be seen that there are very viable modern synthetic diamonds on the market. Many cannot be told apart from diamonds except by the most experienced jewellers, and moissanite cannot be told apart from diamonds by most jewellers without the use of specialised equipment.

And of course synthetic diamonds are available at a considerable cost savings to the real thing. That is why they are synthesised.

Any diamond merchant will tell you that synthetic diamonds are just junk. He is trying to protect his product. The reality is that for many, synthetic diamonds are a very viable alternative to real diamonds and it is highly unlikely that anyone could tell the difference between the two in any type of jewelry. And as the synthetic diamonds are much cheaper than the real thing they are extremely attractive to the jewelry buyer.

And the best amongst all the different types of synthetic diamonds? Moissanite.

Find out more about Moissanite as well as Moissanite Engagement Rings and other types of Moissanite rings at Peter's website, The Magic of Moissanite.

Is Bigger Better? The How-To's When Shopping For Diamonds

Buying a diamond can be an exhilarating but daunting adventure, especially if you're a newbie.

If I could offer only one piece of advice it would be this: "Learn as much as you can about the 4Cs before you go shopping."

For the uninitiated, that's cut, color, clarity and carat weight. And I like to add one more - common sense.

Choosing the perfect diamond (and there's no such thing as the "perfect" diamond, although a few have come close) is as much a matter of personal taste as it is a matter of the diamond's characteristics.

Some couples are willing to forego quality for size, others prefer the brilliance of a flawless blue-white diamond over a larger stone with less clarity.

You be the judge - but not until you're clear about those characteristics I mentioned. I suggest you read our Diamond Buying Guide, or go to one of the quality online jewelers such as www.bluenile.com or www.mondera.com.

Talk to any jeweler and they'll all give you a different opinion as to what they believe is the most important quality of a diamond.

According to Mayer Herz, Vice President of Diamond Acquisition at Mondera.com, "Cut is the most important consideration if you're on a budget. You can make up for low color and clarity if the stone is well cut."

However, Joseph Schlussel, Publisher of Diamond Registry Bulletin, says "I personally believe that color is the most important thing. Most people who go into a store today, they are told about cut. But I look at what you can see with a naked eye. I would put cut the last, because most people can't see it."

The safest all-round bet is to look for the overall "package", with the levels of cut, clarity, color and size as good as you can get for the price you're willing to pay.

Here are my tips to help you get the best value possible:

* Ensure you get a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS) Certificate when you purchase your diamond. A Certificate guarantees that you are getting what you paid for.

* If you are buying at a retail store, ask to see your diamond against a white cloth (or take your own - even a white piece of paper will do the trick!). Jewelers typically use a black felt cloth to display their stones because all diamonds look white against black.

* The American Gem Society says that the cut of the diamond can influence the price by as much as 50%. A well-cut diamond, when viewed from above, will sparkle with a brilliance you won't find in any other precious stone.

* Most diamonds have flaws (called inclusions) that developed during its formation millions of years ago. Some are impossible to see with the naked eye, others glare at you. The more inclusions, the poorer the quality of the diamond, and the less light it will emit. But its all a trade-off - fewer inclusions means a more expensive diamond.

Knowledge is power, and the more you understand about how diamonds are graded and how that determines the price you'll pay, the better you'll be able to judge what is good value.

Above all, remember that you'll be the one wearing it, and hopefully for a long time, so the final decision is yours. My very first diamond had a hairline crack deep inside it, and I came to love that diamond as much for its tiny flaws as I loved my husband for his!

Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.

The How-Tos When Shopping For a Diamond Online

One of the most frequently asked questions by visitors to my site is "Is it safe to buy a diamond online?"

My answer is unequivocally YES!

We're all getting much more comfortable these days with the ease and security which the majority of Internet sites provide when shopping for whatever we fancy online, so why not diamonds?

Shopping for a diamond is like shopping for a car. You wouldn't buy a car without knowing what specifications you were looking for, and what your budget allows, would you? It's the same with diamonds. Learn as much as you can about the all-important 4Cs before you go shopping for a diamond, whether shopping online or offline.

I recommend you start with the Diamond Buying Guide on my website.

And just like car salespeople, there are the quality diamond websites and the (ahem!) "less than quality" websites.

My favorites are www.bluenile.com and www.mondera.com. They are both extremely high quality online jewelry retailers and both offer amazing value for money.

Bluenile.com is the largest retailer of certified diamonds on the Internet and has been voted Forbes Magazine's "Favorite Online Jeweler" for the past five years.

Its powerful diamond search tool lets you search through over 50,000 diamonds for shape, color, size, carat, clarity and price, and all their diamonds come with a GIA or AGS grading report - your guarantee you are getting what you paid for.

Mondera.com is an equally high-quality site. Mondera features a diamond search tool where you can choose your diamond by size, clarity, color, cut and value and the GIA or AGS report is available when you purchase.

Mondera also offers a great diamond education center, where you can learn everything you need to know about purchasing diamonds beforehand.

Both Bluenile and Mondera offer same day FedEx shipping for in stock diamonds, and a 30-day money back guarantee.

I've never had a negative testimonial from visitors to either site, and the majority of happy customers tell me that they saved as much as 30% to 50% on normal retail prices.

And if great value and great service isn't enough, think about what a breeze it is to shop for your diamond online. You don't have to leave home, traipsing from store to store, looking for carparking and being hassled by over-zealous staff.

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable in front of your computer, and start shopping!

Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.

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Everything you wanted to know about diamonds and the global diamond business, industry, and trade.

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Djewels, the company who is pioneered in using latest techniques, implementing newer ideas, cost & manpower management was originally founded in 1985, and started wholesale readymade Jewellery business, under the brand name of Djewels. Having more than 19 year's family experience in Diamonds, Color stones and Gold Jewellery business, the company has set so many new quality standards.

With 19 years of experience, the Djewels is specialized in the manufacturing of good quality Diamonds & Diamond Jewellery. The founder of Djewels Pvt. Ltd., is a well known and highly respectable in the Diamond industry worldwide, he is also a qualified / certified gemologist.

Djewels offers bouquets of very special services to all customers. Honesty, Accuracy, Hospitality, perfect price and above all Customer satisfaction.

Djewels on-line shopping literally takes you behind the scenes of the worldwide diamond business - to the diamond bourses and the cutting centers including a map of Indian diamond calendar of events and conferences; jewelry trade shows, dealers information about polished manufacturers and exporters; the history of diamonds, and more.

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About the author:

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Jewelry Wholesale - Diamonds

There may come a time in your jewelry making career when you need to select diamonds for a special piece you are working on. Buying diamonds is much like buying any other gem - you find one that is the right size or shape for the piece you are making and you purchase it. WRONG. Much more thought and consideration must go into purchasing a diamond. After all - Diamonds are forever, and you want your jewelry wholesale to last forever too. There are four C's when it comes to buying a diamond: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. All of these must be considered because you want the diamond used in your jewelry wholesale to be as beautiful as possible. Remember that the diamond should not overpower the entire piece, but it should be the main attraction and compliment the rest of the piece as well. The cut of the diamond does not refer to the shape of it. It refers to the way that it was cut - the quality of the cut. The shine and fluorescence of the diamond is determined by how it was cut. The shape of the diamond is only a second factor - or an after thought - in terms of the quality of the cut. The clarity of a diamond does not refer to how clear it is. Instead, it refers to how perfect or flawless - or imperfect - a diamond is. There are internal imperfections and external imperfections. A diamond that has no imperfections is flawless - and expensive. Diamonds come in many colors. The most common are white and yellow. Other colors are available, but they are rare and expensive. The only color you should never consider is a 'blue white' diamond. A jeweler may try to tell you that this is a rare quality diamond, but it is in fact an inferior diamond, and you have no use for it. The carat weight of the diamond will be important to your customer. Large diamonds should come with a certificate. You should request this from the company that you are purchasing the diamond from. If they refuse to give you a certificate from a reputable grading company such as GIA, walk away. The chances are good that you will put more work and thought into purchasing diamonds for your jewelry wholesale than in any other gem or stone. Diamonds are by far the most popular gemstones in the world - and with good reason. Not only are they the most beautiful stones, but they are also the most durable stones on the face of the earth - or under the earth for that matter!

ATTENTION INVESTORS: Celebrities Add Luster to Diamonds' Sparkle

When Hollywood celebrities shine, there's more than their star wattage at work. As evidenced on the Red Carpet, award winners and runners-up alike are adorned with jewels. Geena Davis, star of "Commander-in-Chief," was recently seen on the Red Carpet in an Escada dress accessorized with ruby earrings surrounded by 14 carats of diamonds. But women aren't the only stars who add sparkle to diamonds. Trendsetter and leading man Jamie Foxx often shows up to Hollywood galas wearing his favorite diamond-studded watch. Celebrities aren't only wearing diamonds; they're also designing and lending their names to jewelry lines. The Paris Hilton Limited Edition Watches, for example, feature up to nine carats of diamonds and over 1,000 stones. Abazias Diamonds (www.abazias.com), the exclusive online retailer of the Paris Hilton line, features three of the watches: the Cotton Candy, Canary, and Pink in Love. "Highly recognizable celebrity brand names - such as Paris Hilton - appeal to a very broad cross section of our customer base," says Oscar Rodriguez, CEO of Abazias Diamonds. He adds, "Abazias showcases over 70,000 diamonds online, and our quality and variety of stones combined with our incredible pricing makes Abazias peerless in the marketplace." As investors are discovering, the market for diamonds has never been hotter. At the retail level, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton saw a 16 percent increase in sales of watches and jewelry in 2005. The typical luxury goods customer spends close to $50,000 each year on such goods, and the luxury market, as well as the diamond trading and mining industries are expected to continue their upward growth trend. Analysts are projecting that the world's largest diamond merchant, De Beers' Diamond Trading Company, will rack up $6.6 billion in sales during 2006. In addition, news reports indicate that mining operations around the globe are gearing up for record production. In Venezuela, for example, President Hugo Chavez has formed the National Mining Corporation, which will take back underutilized mines and increase production in that country. At the same time, Australia and Canada are drawing investors for mineral exploration. In Africa, Namibia's stable government has paved the way for mining investments by offering mineral royalties, and is optimistic that the 28 percent diamond production increase during 2004 will be repeated. Increases in diamond imports also bode well for investors. In China, for example, imports increased by 11 percent in 2005. Here in America, new sales markets are increasing the demand for diamonds. Men's jewelry sales are up a reported 20 percent, and as a result, an increasing number of fine jewelry manufacturers are introducing or expanding their men's lines. The next time the Red Carpet is rolled out, expect to see Hollywood's male elite sparkle - and maybe even outshine - their female co-stars!

Antique Diamond Rings � Bringing the Past Back to Life

We live today in an increasingly disposable culture, where everything comes in plastic wrapping and needs to be replaced every year or so. Is it any wonder that amidst this cacophony of the temporary that many people are looking for a greater sense of permanence in the things they hope to hold dear forever? At a time when fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, choosing something that has already stood the test of time is a gesture of profound hope. Perhaps this is why, despite the huge range of modern jewelry available today, many people choose antique diamond rings. Antique diamond rings are more and more popular.

An antique diamond engagement ring is the perfect way to celebrate your love. Genuine antique jewelry is sourced in many ways, from estates and antique stores, and there are many high quality jewellers who specialise in antique sales. An antique diamond ring captures a sense of longevity and offers a sense of hidden history to the celebration of a burgeoning relationship that implies the continuation of love and life. The giving of an antique diamond engagement ring can fill a time of hope with a sense of completion, the feeling that as one love affair has ended, another one begins.

Antique diamond rings offer a sense of real individuality. Unlike much of the mass marketed jewelry that is available today, an antique piece is truly one of a kind. This also means, however, an antique ring comes as it is seen � unlike many modern rings that are made to order, you cannot tweak the design of a genuine antique diamond ring, or purchase it in a different color. Many designers, however, can produce a replica item, which can be altered � this provides the antique look in a brand new ring. For many people, this combines the best of both worlds.

Many people find themselves with a piece of antique jewelry that carries immense sentimental value in a form they will never wear. If this is the case for you, why not consider having the stone from that old necklace recast into something else? A precious stone can be passed through the generations in many different forms. Bestow a brand new piece of jewelry the sense of history on an antique by keeping an old stone alive � make your own antique diamond ring, and keep the past alive in a modern form.

About the Author

Find out more about Diamond Wedding Rings as well as many other types of Diamond Rings including Diamond Engagement Rings at Peter's website Delectable Diamond Rings.

Lab Created Diamonds Are Now Exceedingly Good.

When we think of precious gems, we usually spare little thought to the hard work that it takes to bring them to us in the beautiful jewelry that we love to wear, but diamond mining is, in fact, an expensive and dangerous procedure, reflected to the consumer in the price that must be paid to own one. Wouldn�t it be wonderful if there were some way to recreate that same brilliance and beauty in a less dangerous, and hence less expensive way? Today�s technological innovations mean that this does not have to be a pipe dream any longer � with lab created diamonds, we can wear beautiful gemstones produced by the intelligence of mankind, rather than the trials and tribulations of nature, and without the expense that mining brings. Lab created diamonds are now very good and becoming as popular as the real thing. The popularity of diamonds have urged experts to try to find more cost effective ways of providing the brilliance of the stone in our jewelry, and over the years there have been many alternatives to diamonds put forward, including cut glass, rhinestones and cubic zirconium. While these have proved satisfactory for some purposes, these lab created diamonds have consistently lacked the brilliance and beauty of a genuine diamond. This was until the discovery of moissanite in meteor fragments, and the realisation that moissanite could be reproduced in controlled circumstances, leading to the dawn of lab made diamonds. It was discovered in 1995 that moissanite could be reproduced under laboratory conditions, and the unique beauty of the stone made scientists realize that there would be a huge market for these lab created diamonds. While the difficulty involved in growing these lab made diamonds remains quite high, the price for moissanite jewelry is higher than you might expect in a diamond substitute, but today, many gemmologists consider the moissanite stone to be a gem in and of its own right. Unlike previous substitutes, moissanite is in many ways superior to diamonds, with more sparkle and brightness that the mined gem. Previously, choosing a gem that looked like a diamond but wasn�t one was seen as a step down, a compromise, but with the quality of today�s lab created diamonds, this is no longer the case. So take advantage of today�s great moissanite prices while they last, because someday soon, the brilliant sparkle of this stone will make lab made diamonds even more sought after than the �real thing�. Lab created diamonds, and Moissanite in particular, are now as good as the real thing.

How To Choose Diamond Earrings

Diamond beauty versus cost: What is the best combination? Better quality diamonds are more brilliant and beautiful, but they command higher prices as well. This article explains how to find the best value in diamond stud earrings: the brightest diamond for the lowest cost. For those who can afford it, we recommend an excellent cut diamond of G-H color and "eye-clean" clarity. This is a moderately priced diamond, but earrings of this quality will produce the same dazzling shower of light as those costing thousands of dollars more. There are three simple reasons: first, it is the excellent cut that breathes life and sparkle into a diamond. Second, most experts agree that a G-H color appears colorless when mounted, so spending more for D-E-F color diamonds isn't necessary. Third,a diamond of SI2 clarity is "eye-clean", meaning it has no flaws visible to the naked eye, but costs a lot less than the higher clarity grades. Excellent bargains with only a slight compromise in beauty can be found in the I1 Clarity range as well, as long as the cut is good and the color is in the G-H range. For those who are on a budget, don't feel embarrassed to buy diamonds of a lower quality. All diamond earrings sparkle when they are worn on a woman's ear, and let's face it: for the same price, many women would rather wear 1 carat studs of a lower quality than 1/2 carat studs of a higher quality. Fast Fact: there are many good websites to purchase diamond stud earrings. Our top recommendation, however goes to a specialty site www.diamondstudsonly.com. They sell the same color, clarity and cut grades for about 25% less than the typical "sale" price in a retail jewelry store (and other internet stores), and they back it up with a price comparison tool that allows you to view prices for earrings of the same quality on many other major internet jewelry sites. You will also have the security of their free insurance against loss of any kind for a full year. Choosing the right Color: The finest diamonds are colorless, rare and expensive. On the GIA grading scale, D-F are considered colorless, G-I near colorless and any grade J or below shows an increasingly yellowish tinge. Beyond the preference for a whiter stone, however, the color of a diamond does not affect its brightness or sparkle. Fast Fact: Most experts agree that, when mounted, diamonds in the "G-H" range appear colorless, and represent a much better value than "D-F" stones which command significantly higher prices. Choosing the right Clarity: Diamonds with fewer flaws (inclusions) are rare and therefore more highly prized. In many cases, these flaws don't detract from the beauty of the diamond because they are invisible to the naked eye. Fast Fact: Any grade "SI2" or above has inclusions that are "eye clean", not visible to the naked eye. An "I1" grade can be an excellent value, particularly if the inclusion is on the outer edge. "I2" grades can still exhibit a fair degree of fire and light. "I3" grade diamonds are noticeably more opaque or dark to the naked eye. Choosing the right Cut:< More than any other attribute, it is the Cut that makes a diamond brilliant and beautiful. A diamond that is well cut reflects light internally and displays a dazzling shower of light back through the top of the stone. Fast Fact: When viewing a diamond, look directly into the center: if there are dark facets in the center or a dark ring around the center, or if the diamond appears opaque, it is probably due to poor cut. Brilliance, Dispersion and Scintillation: The secret of a diamond that is properly cut is that it returns a measurably greater amount of light, which is displayed as brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. This is the true measure of a diamond's beauty. Brilliance: The total amount of white light, both external and internal, returned from the diamond to the eye of the observer. Dispersion: Flashes of color, or fire, particularly when viewing a diamond in strong, direct light. Scintillation: Reflections and flashes of white light from the diamond's surface as the diamond, observer or light source moves. Cli ck here to view photos along with the above presentation

How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online - Part 3 of 3

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don't have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers. Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one's lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined. However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants. The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are: 1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate, 2. Assurance that the payment method is secure, 3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated. In part three of this three part series we examine the third aspect which is to ensure mitigation of the risk of diamond merchant fraud or delivery failure. Mitigation of risk of diamond merchant fraud and failed delivery Only Buy Laboratory Certified Diamonds Rule number one when buying any diamond is that it must have a certified laboratory report from one of the major gemmological institutes. This gives assurance that the diamond being purchased is the same specification that the diamond merchant has described. Returns Policy Examine the returns policy of the diamond merchant carefully for any extraordinary or unusual points. When making any purchase over the internet the buyer has a 7 day cooling off period within which to cancel a purchase for a 100% refund. This is because internet retailing falls into the retail category governing selling at a distance and the relevant UK consumer protection laws. All online diamond merchants should mention this as matter of course. Credit Card A significant advantage of paying by credit card is that if anything goes wrong with the purchase then the buyer is covered by the UK Consumer Credit Act 1974. The credit card company may then also be liable for the purchase to the same amount as the diamond merchant and payment of the credit card to the amount of the purchase can be withheld until the purchase dispute is resolved. Escrow Service An escrow service is effectively an independent third party that ensures receipt of the diamond by the buyer and receipt of payment by the merchant. The process is as follows: 1. The terms of the transaction are agreed between the buyer and merchant and the escrow service is contracted to aid the transaction. 2. The escrow company receives payment from the buyer of the diamond. 3. The escrow company then confirms to the merchant the buyer's payment has been received. 4. The merchant then sends the diamond to the buyer. 5. The buyer confirms receipt of the diamond to the escrow company. 6. The escrow company sends payment to the merchant. The escrow service usually charges a small percentage of the purchase cost as a fee. As an indicator of the importance of using an escrow service eBay recommends using one for purchases over �300. Remember, a large saving is being made by purchasing the diamond online, so it won't hurt to get peace of mind for the small percentage an escrow will charge. But make sure you carry out the appropriate research on any escrow company as there have been instances of fraud. Independent Appraisal An extra precautionary check is to have the diamond merchant send the diamond to an independent diamond appraiser so the appraiser can confirm that the diamond matches its Laboratory Certificate. The appraiser will confirm the authenticity to the buyer, who can then arrange payment for the merchant. Once receipt of payment is confirmed by the merchant, the appraiser can then send the diamond on to the buyer. In this way the appraiser also acts as an escrow service. An insurance appraisal could also be carried out by the same appraiser, which is something any insurance company will need to see before insuring the diamond. Recorded, signature-required, insured postage A recorded delivery method that is insurable and requires a signature on arrival is the safest way of receiving the diamond through the mail. Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery with Consequential Loss Damage purchased is an excellent choice. When transporting the diamond by mail always use this method or a similar one for maximum security of delivery.

How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online - Part 2 of 3

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don't have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers. Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one's lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined. However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants. The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are: 1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate, 2. Assurance that the payment method is secure, 3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated. In part two of this three part series we examine the second aspect which is to be satisfied that your payment details will be secure. Assurance payment details will be secure There a number of assurance companies that will provide an additional level of comfort for online consumers. These companies provide certification that a particular company's website is relatively safe and secure for online purchases. Consumer Protection Accreditation This is an accreditation service which audits an applying online retailer for ethical retailing and best practice data privacy. If the audit is passed the retailer is permitted membership and a unique membership number is provided, which can be added to the retailer's website. This number can then be cross-checked back to the issuing accreditation body to ensure that the retailer is in fact a member, giving confidence to the consumer that an online purchase from that diamond retailer is safer. Examples of these service companies are TRUSTe, Internet Shopping Is Safe (ISIS), SafeBuy, ShopSafe.co.uk, WebTraderUK and TrustUK. Beware of fraudulent operators that have just added the accreditation logo image to their website. A tell-tale sign of this is when the logo is clicked the homepage of the accreditation company's website appears, rather than the legitimate detailed membership page for the retailer website you are purchasing from. Website Verification Service Also known as web seals or trust marks, the website verification services give Internet users information on the data security and trustworthiness of websites. They check whether a website URL address really is authentic or whether it has been hijacked by hackers. Before exchanging sensitive information, such as providing a credit card number, personal identification information or other confidential data, these services typically allow you to check that the site has been verified by the trusted third party company and that the retailer website is using appropriate safeguarding measures against hackers. An actual certified member website will have the logo displayed prominently. When this logo is clicked the page displaying the company's details within the verification company's website should appear. Common providers are ScanAlert/HackerSafe, SquareTrade, Thwate/Verisign, TrustLogo/Comodo, and Trustwatch/GeoTrust. Beware of fraudulent operators that have just added the verification logo image to their website. A tell-tale sign of this is when the logo is clicked the homepage of the verification company's website appears rather than the legitimate detailed membership page or signed security seal for the retailer website you are purchasing from. Secure Socket Layer When making a purchase over the Internet make sure that the order page URL starts with https:// and that there is a small padlock symbol in the bottom right hand corner of the browser window. This means that the data you enter on the page will be more secure from hackers and your payment information will be less at risk. Credit Card Verification (CCV) Service This service is an added protection for online or phone purchases. Since the diamond merchant doesn't actually see the credit/debit card in these situations then it's harder to be sure that the person supplying the card number details is actually the card holder and not someone who just happens to know the credit/debit card number. To address this problem, debit/credit card providers put a three or four digit CCV number on the card (usually on the back of the card on the signature strip) that is not embossed (raised). This number doesn't get printed on sales receipts. Thus someone trying to use the card number fraudulently is much less likely to know this number if they do not have the card in their physical possession. This type of checking device really reinforces the importance of notifying a credit card provider promptly if a debit/credit card is ever lost or stolen so that card can be cancelled. The most common of these services are MasterCard Secure Code and Verified by VISA.

How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online - Part 1 of 3

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don't have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers. Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one's lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined. However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants. The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are: 1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate, 2. Assurance that the payment method is secure, 3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated. In part one of this three-part series we examine the first aspect which is assuring that the diamond merchant is running a legitimate business. Assurance of legitimacy of diamond businesses Physical Address The physical address of the online diamond retailer should be prominently displayed somewhere within the website. It should give the full street address and postcode. A PO Box is not acceptable. Conduct a search on the full address using Google and make sure that other results are returned that include the name of the business along with that address to check that the physical address is not a bogus one. Landline Phone Number Active & Manned A contact landline phone number should be prominently displayed. Ring the landline number given and make sure that either a salesperson or the proprietor of the business answers and is helpful and knowledgeable with questions about the company and diamonds. Testimonials Available For Inspection All businesses should have records of customer testimonials. Ask if a few of these can be emailed or faxed through for inspection. Company Number Is the diamond merchant's business registered with UK Company House and does it display its Company Registration number? This registration number can be entered through the UK Company House website to check the registered business details of the diamond merchant. If the diamond business is registered then this gives you additional reassurance that it is a legitimate business. If the diamond business is not registered this may indicate the business is being run as a sole proprietorship, or it may indicate that the business is not legitimate. VAT Number Is the business registered for VAT and is the number displayed on the website? If it is then this is another positive indicator that the business is a legitimate and profitable one. The threshold for taxable supplies for VAT registration is �60,000 so most diamond merchants would have the need to be VAT registered. Trade Association Membership There are several jewellery industry associations in the UK. If the diamond merchant that you are considering purchasing from is a member of an association then this gives further assurance of the reputability of that merchant. Some of the most prominent associations are the British Jewellery Association, the Assay Office and the National Association of Goldsmiths. These can all be contacted to confirm any claims of membership. Key Staff Named With Photos Another reassurance of the legitimacy of the business is when key staff members are named and have their photographs displayed within the site.

Synthetic Diamonds - An Extremely Viable Jewelry Alternative

The love of diamonds in our jewelry is a modern phenomenon. It has really only been since the 1930s that diamonds have been so desired as a jewelry stone. And with diamonds came synthetic diamonds. Synthetic daimonds will always be worth considering as an alternative to diamonds whilst real diamonds are so expensive, and synthetic diamonds are so good.

Diamonds have a number of natural qualities. They are, for example, the hardest of any natural product. Synthetic daimonds needed to have similar qualities to compete with the natural product. In jewelry a diamond has beautiful sparkle,and is very hard. Any synthetic diamond that is to compete with the real thing has to exhibit similar qualities. And synthetic diamonds do this admirably.

The first synthetic diamonds were produced in the 1950s in Sweden and then not so long after the synthesis of diamonds was reported a second time by researchers at GE. Even De Beers, the worlds larget producer of natural diamonds experimented with synthesising diamonds and succeeded.

Modern synthetic diamonds range hugely in their quality. Some come very close to real diamonds in their physical properties, and some do not.

There are many synthetic diamonds which do not exhibit anywhere near the qualities of diamonds, and some which come very close.

And there are some sythetic diamonds which can readily be distinguished from diamonds by experts, and some which cannot.

Even glass has been used as an alternative to diamonds and to many yields a reasonable result in costume jewelry. But it can be easily distinguished from real diamonds by anyone who knows what they are doing. Cubic Zirconia is a synthetic diamond which does not stand up for long to inspection by experts.

There are, however, many excellent synthetic diamonds which are so close to real diamonds in their physical properties that they are very difficult to distinguish from real diamonds indeed.

Prime amongst them is Moissanite. One of the newer of the synthetic diamonds, moissanite, is in fact a naturally occurring product, and it is therefore arguable whether it is a synthetic diamond or just a jewelry stone which is very close to diamond in it's qualities. It was first discovered in tiny amounts in a meteor that landed in Arizona in 1893. It was discovered by Dr Henry Moissan, after whom it was named. It has only been recently produced synthetically, because it does not occur in sufficient quantities naturally to be commercially viable, so it was necessary to devise a way to synthesise if it was to be available in jewelry.

Moissanite is extremely close to diamond in it's natural qualities. Whereas diamond is the hardest of all the jewels, rating at 10 on the hardness scale, moissanite is not far behind at 9.25, and harder than other natural jewelry stones such as ruby (9) and sapphire (9) or emerald (7.5)

There are other comparitive scales used to rate jewelry stones. In brilliance, which is a measure of it's refractive index, diamond is 2.42. Moissanite at 2.65 is superior to diamonds, and far outperforms ruby and sapphire at 1.77 and emerald at 1.58

In fire diamond rates at .044, moissanite at .104 ruby at .018 sapphire at .018 and emerald at .014. So again moissanite outperforms diamonds on this scale. Similarly on the scale used to assess luster moissanite outperforms diamonds and the other well known jewelry stones.

So it can be seen that there are very viable modern synthetic diamonds on the market. Many cannot be told apart from diamonds except by the most experienced jewellers, and moissanite cannot be told apart from diamonds by most jewellers without the use of specialised equipment.

And of course synthetic diamonds are available at a considerable cost savings to the real thing. That is why they are synthesised.

Any diamond merchant will tell you that synthetic diamonds are just junk. He is trying to protect his product. The reality is that for many, synthetic diamonds are a very viable alternative to real diamonds and it is highly unlikely that anyone could tell the difference between the two in any type of jewelry. And as the synthetic diamonds are much cheaper than the real thing they are extremely attractive to the jewelry buyer.

And the best amongst all the different types of synthetic diamonds? Moissanite.

Find out more about Moissanite as well as Moissanite Engagement Rings and other types of Moissanite rings at Peter's website, The Magic of Moissanite.

Why are Diamonds So Valuable?

Diamonds have been revered since their discovery and because they are one of the most brilliant stones and hardest stones in the world, they have come to be recognized as a sign of eternal love and devotion. Moreover, diamonds continue to increase in value and remain beautiful, no matter how long an individual owns them. Thus, diamonds are indeed timeless stones, that are frequently used in pendants, engagement rings, tennis bracelets, earrings and the like. Of course, the most popular diamond recognized is the white diamond, but there are other colored diamonds that are just as lovely. The color varieties one can find in a diamond include yellow, brown, light blue, coffee brown, orange brown, pink, green, and red. Although they look nothing like a traditional diamond, some of the colored diamonds are more expensive because they are more difficult to come by. So, if someone is looking for a completely unique gift and they have the finances to do so, they may want to consider purchasing a colored variant of the timeless diamond. One of the most famous among all Diamonds in the world, of course, is the Hope Diamond, a 112 carat diamond which possesses a bluish or violet coloring. The Hope Diamond has a phenomenal history, first being owned by a French owner, then by King Louis XIV of France. Later the stone was refashioned into a 67 carat diamond. Later still, the diamond used in official ceremonies, was stolen and somehow reappeared in the hands of Henry Philip Hope. The Hope Diamond has had many famous owners, but is now currently housed at the Smithsonian Museum. Diamonds can be bought at your local jewelry store or they can be bought on the net in a variety of cuts and settings. In terms of the type of cuts available, there is the round cut diamond, the oval cut diamond, the pear cut diamond, the Marquis, the Princess, and the Heart cut diamond, the Emerald Cut diamond, and the Trillon cut diamond. The round, oval, and heart cut diamonds clearly look like the names they are identified as. The pear cut diamond, looks more like a diamond on the face of a deck of playing cards; the Marquis Diamond looks like a diamond with rounded edges; the emerald cut looks like a rectangular gem with beveled edging; the Princess cut looks like a beveled square gem, and the Trillon cut looks much like a triangle with beveled edges. The only way to really know what shape diamond will appeal to you is to have a look at the various cuts and choose for yourself. You can visit any website offering jewelry and browse through the different catalogues available. Once you get a good idea of what you want you can order a piece to size and have your order shipped directly too you. Or, if you prefer, you can visit a local jeweler, browse the counter displays and try on different pieces, whatever is to your liking.

Inimitable Beauty With Imitation Diamonds

Been there, done that with gold, silver, platinum or even diamonds? Longing for a distinct, �out o� the world� look that will make you easily spotable in a multitude? Well, good news for you! You�ve knocked on the right doors. Imitation diamonds give you exactly what you are looking for. These diamond alternatives set your personality ablaze. With an incomparable flare, imitation diamonds set an aura of elegance around you.

Moissanite jewels posses the sheen of clusters of a million stars put together, making them the best diamond alternatives available today. Due to their easy availability, breathtaking glimmer and apt durability, moissanite jewelry are the most suitable alternatives to diamond rings. Let your shine do the talking.

Various moissanite jewelry items enable you to look your stunning best. Seize your chance to wear that drop dead gorgeous look that promises to make several heads turn back for yet another glance. Moissanite jewels are expedient to use, exceptionally beautiful in appearance and do not look fake unlike most other diamond alternatives.

What�s more, you can enjoy the gleam, glam and bliss of a diamond at an astoundingly reasonable cost. Moissanite enables you to embellish yourself with better than diamond at a price less than that of a diamond. It is almost impossible to spot the difference between a real diamond and moissanite. With more than the beauty and appeal of a diamond, moissanite jewels are here to stay for sure.

More About Imitation Diamonds

Moissanite stones were actually showered upon Arizona about 50,000 years ago by a meteorite. These are counted today among the most fascinating jewels that are used all round the world. Due to its limited supply and progressively increasing demand, moissanite is artificially created in the laboratories.

Designed to serve as diamond alternatives, moissanite jewelry adorns you to perfection. To feel and look special with a striking patina, what better jewel than moissanite? Fascinate those around you with these imitation diamonds as alternatives to diamond rings. Why wait to make your mark!

Let the charm of moissanite lure your senses with the inimitable beauty of imitation diamonds �go ahead, sizzle in style!

Find out more about Moissanite Stones as well as Moissanite Engagement Rings and other types of Moissanite rings at Peter's website, The Magic of Moissanite.

Buying Diamonds For Cut, Carat And Clarity

We've all heard that cut, carat and clarity are important considerations when buying a diamond, but most of us have no idea what that really means. In this article, we will give you a little explanation of each so that you can be armed with a bit of knowledge the next time you buy a diamond. Carat Diamonds are measured in what is called carat weight which stems from an old form of measurement involving carob beans. At one time, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was considered one carob or one carat. Today, the measurements are a bit more precise and one carat is 200 milligrams. You may also hear a diamonds weight referred to as grains which stems from another ancient form of measurement. In the far east, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If the weight equaled 4 grains or rice it was called four grains - or one carat as we know it to be now. You have to be leery when buying diamonds that are already set or mounted. If there is more than one diamond in the piece then the tag will show the CTW or Carat Total Weight which is the combined weight of all stones. It will not tell you the weight of each stone in the piece, therefore you must ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in order to really know what you are buying. Clarity There are basically two things to think about when evaluating the clarity of a diamond - inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are flaws inside the diamond and blemishes are those on the surface. Diamonds are graded by the amount of inclusions and blemishes and whether or not they can be seen by the naked eye. Many diamond buyers mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is but this is not the case. Clarity actually refers to the external as well as internal imperfections in the stone. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF - Flawless or Internally Flawless - meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst. Cut Contrary to what most people think, cut does not refer to the shape of the stone, but to the facets that are cut into each stone. These facets are critical as they are what causes the stone to reflect light and what gives it, it's brilliance. Even the most wonderful diamond can be ruined if it is not cut properly. Jewelers follow a mathematical formula to insure that a diamond is cut to show the maximum brilliance of the stone. As with anything cut affects price and there are several grades of cut to consider when buying a diamond. The best cut is called "Ideal Cut" and it is perfectly per portioned to maximize the brilliance of the stone. The next best cut is called "Premium" which is also very desirable and is less expensive than the ideal cut. A "Very Good" cut is one step down from the premium but still reflects most of the light from the stone. In some cases, the cutters vary the proportions of the cut to result in a larger diamond. The "Good" cut is an economical grade - lower than the "Very Good" but quite popular with most people buying diamonds as it still shows the stone off quite well. "Fair" and "Poor" cuts should be avoided as they do not result in a sparkly brilliant diamond. These diamonds are cut to specifically maximize size but they sacrifice brilliance in the process.

Insuring Your Diamonds

Insuring a diamond takes a bit of thought, planning, and shopping around. Diamond insurance isn't like purchasing car insurance. It is quite different. Depending on the state that you live in, there are basically three different types of policies that will cover diamonds, and all insurance policies that cover diamonds are considered Marine type policies. The first type of insurance policies for diamonds is an Actual Cash Value policy. If the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company will replace the diamond at today's market value, no matter how much you paid for the diamond to begin with. This type of insurance policy for diamonds actually is not that common. The most common type of insurance for diamonds is Replacement Value insurance. The insurance company will only pay up to a fixed amount to replace the diamond that was lost or damaged beyond repair. This does not mean that they will pay that amount - it means that they will pay up to that amount. In most cases, the diamond can be replaced at a lower cost. The third type of coverage offered for diamonds is Agreed Value. This is sometimes called 'Valued At.' This type of coverage is very rare. In the event that the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company simply pays you the amount that you and the company agreed upon. This is the best type of insurance to have, but it is rarely offered. If you can't get Agreed Value coverage, Actual Cash Value coverage should be your next choice. Your rates will be determined by the value of the diamond, the type of coverage that you select, and the area that you live in. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you can expect to pay more for your diamond insurance coverage. It is important to remember that insurance agents are not qualified jewelers, and jewelers are not qualified insurance agents. It is best to get a certificate for your diamond, and to provide the insurance company with a copy of that certificate. This leaves the insurance company less room for arguments over the actual value of the diamond. Don't rely on separate coverage to cover your diamond. For instance, if you diamond is stolen from your home, it is probably covered on your home owner's insurance policy - but the diamond probably won't always be in your home, and once it leaves your home, there is no coverage.

Not Excited by diamonds? A Few Sparkling Alternatives for your

By Richard W. Wise When Charles, Prince of Wales decided to seek the hand of Lady Diana, diamond was not even in the running. Rumor has it that a call went out for a perfect ruby above six carats to consummate the royal betrothal. So rare is the pigeon blood stone that a suitable candidate could not be found. Instead the Prince made due with an eighteen carat sapphire reportedly from Sri Lanka. Though the British royal family is not known as tight, the royals are justly admired for their sophistication, knowledge of gemstones and their desire squeeze full value from every, er, pound. Yet historically diamond is not been the gem of choice; aside from Diana, Princess Anne received a sapphire and Andrew gave Fergie a ruby. Do their Royal Highnesses know something we don't? Could it be the hype? Diamonds are touted as the "traditional" engagement stone but, whose tradition? The fact is that it all began in 1939 when Harry Openheimer the president of the De Beers cartel visited New York to meet with Gerold M. Lauck the president of N.W. Ayer, a leading advertising agency. The value of diamond sales had declined 50% by the end of World War I and Openheimer was determined to do something about it, Lauck's suggestion; manufacture a tradition. So successful was the campaign that in 1967 De Beers hired J. Walter Thompson to create a similar "tradition" in Japan, a country with absolutely no history of diamond giving. As a result, today over 90% of all Japanese women receive a diamond engagement ring. Perhaps it's the fact that diamond, the gem that is promoted as the ultimate symbol of beauty and rarity is not really rare at all. The fact is that world production has risen in a steady curve since 1900. Do you know a woman over the age of thirty who does not own at least one diamond? With a world production of diamonds topping a hundred million carats a year, do you feel like your special relationship requires a more unique symbol? What are the options? Well beauty is important but durability is as well. That ring that she slips on her finger worn daily will take more abuse for more years than Daffy Duck ever gave Elmer Fudd. Luckily gemstones are one of the hardest and most durable objects on earth. Sapphire and ruby, the royal gems of choice, are excellent candidates. They are really brother and sister, both members of the gem family corundum. Hardness and toughness are the two measures of durability. Diamond is the harder but ruby and sapphire are tougher and at 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby and sapphire are the second hardest things on earth. In fact, only another sapphire/ruby or diamond will scratch either. There are also expanded color choices: ruby is red but sapphire occurs in virtually every other color, besides, blue you may choose, pink, purple or yellow. Looking for something really exotic (and less expensive as well? Consider spinel! In elder times red spinel was often confused with ruby, the Black Prince's Ruby that sits in the English Crown just below the Koh-i-noor diamond is actually a spinel. Spinel comes in lovely shades of pink and is the third hardest gem. Other options? make sure your choice is over 7 on the mohs scale of hardness: Jade and tourmaline are good possibilities. Avoid amethyst, citrine, opal, tanzanite and the softer garnets. Hard garnets like tsavorite (green garnet) and spessartite (pure orange garnet) at 7.25 are worth consideration. One exception: pearl, gem of Venus, the original symbol of love: It's a bit soft but makes it up by being tough as nails. Avoid Japanese Akoya (thin skinned) but Tahitian Black; South sea White and Chinese Freshwater will serve admirably. Still sold on diamond but want something colorful? Believe it or not diamond comes in every color and colored diamonds are truly rare. On big problem, hold on to your wallet: yellow and brown diamonds are affordable but blues, greens; orange, pink and red diamonds are exceptionally rare and bring breathtaking prices.

"Inimitable Beauty With Imitation Diamonds"

Been there, done that with gold, silver, platinum or even
diamonds? Longing for a distinct, �out o� the world� look that
will make you easily spotable in a multitude? Well, good news
for you! You�ve knocked on the right doors. Imitation diamonds
give you exactly what you are looking for. These diamond
alternatives set your personality ablaze. With an incomparable
flare, imitation diamonds set an aura of elegance around you.

Moissanite jewels posses the sheen of clusters of a million
stars put together, making them the best diamond alternatives
available today. Due to their easy availability, breathtaking
glimmer and apt durability, moissanite jewelry are the most
suitable alternatives to diamond rings. Let your shine do the
talking.

Various moissanite jewelry items enable you to look your
stunning best. Seize your chance to wear that drop dead gorgeous
look that promises to make several heads turn back for yet
another glance. Moissanite jewels are expedient to use,
exceptionally beautiful in appearance and do not look fake
unlike most other diamond alternatives.

What�s more, you can enjoy the gleam, glam and bliss of a
diamond at an astoundingly reasonable cost. Moissanite enables
you to embellish yourself with better than diamond at a price
less than that of a diamond. It is almost impossible to spot the
difference between a real diamond and moissanite. With more than
the beauty and appeal of a diamond, moissanite jewels are here
to stay for sure.

More About Imitation Diamonds

Moissanite stones were actually showered upon Arizona about
50,000 years ago by a meteorite. These are counted today among
the most fascinating jewels that are used all round the world.
Due to its limited supply and progressively increasing demand,
moissanite is artificially created in the laboratories.

Designed to serve as diamond alternatives, moissanite jewelry
adorns you to perfection. To feel and look special with a
striking patina, what better jewel than moissanite? Fascinate
those around you with these imitation diamonds as alternatives
to diamond rings. Why wait to make your mark!

Let the charm of moissanite lure your senses with the inimitable
beauty of imitation diamonds �go ahead, sizzle in style!

Real Or Simulated Diamonds � Can You Tell The Difference

When you buy a diamond, how do you really know if it is real?

Of course, if you deal with a reputable jeweler who has a reputation to uphold, your chances are pretty good that you will get the real thing. But if you come across a deal from a relatively unknown source and it seems too good to be true � it just may be!

You might think a fake is a fake, but just like anything else there are different qualities of simulated diamonds. Some are very inexpensive and easy to spot. A cheap cubic zirconia ring in a plated setting will probably look nice for a while but will soon lose it�s luster and any jewelry would be able to tell right off the bat that it is not an expensive gem. That�s not to say that these are no good � on the contrary � you can buy a very nice ring for around $20.00 and have it look gorgeous to the causal observer. It might last a year if you take care of it and that�s not bad for the price!

Other simulated diamonds can be quite expensive. Some are very high quality and set in platinum or 14K rings. These will cost you, but not as much as a real diamond in the same setting. These rings will last a long time and are a good value if you want the look but don�t want to spend the money. Most jewelers can tell the difference between a real diamond and even these high quality look alikes, but a new method has been developed that creates a diamond in the lab which is of such high quality that most jewelers will not be able to distinguish it from a natural diamond. These diamonds that will soon hit the market place will set you back about half the cost of the same size of a natural diamond.

So how do you tell the difference?
Since you need specialized equipment and training, the average person cannot tell the difference between a real and simulated diamond, unless it is of terrible quality. The best way to protect yourself when buying diamonds is to buy from someone you trust. The other thing is to educate yourself about the 4 C�s of buying a diamond so you will know what to look for when you do go shopping.

These 4 C�s � color, clarity, cut and carat weight are what determine the value of the diamond. You may pay less for a large diamond that does not have good clarity, cut or color then you will for a smaller diamond of better clarity, cut and color but is it really worth it? The answer is mostly a matter of personal preference but if you deal with a jewelry you can trust, he or she can guide you as to the best value for the money whether you decide to buy a real or simulated diamond.

About the Author

Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of Artisan Jewelry Online where you can learn more about the 4c�s of buying a diamond.

Feel free to reprint and distribute this article as you like but please do not change the article and you must include the resource box with all it�s active links.

Understanding Diamonds

A diamond is just pure carbon crystal. If you look at the chemistry of diamond, it is pure carbon. The arrangement of the carbon atoms differently makes it a unique gem. A diamond is considered precious from the ancient times and is popular for its strength.

How a diamond is formed?

Diamonds are formed in the earth thousands of years ago under extreme heat and pressure. This extreme heat and pressure in the earth transforms this carbon into crystals and colorless. Although diamonds are formed in the earth, the volcanic activities are thought to have brought them to the surface of the earth in the early days. Hence, these volcanic pipes are found to have diamonds in them. When some of the minerals mix with the carbon, the diamond takes some other color in it. Such diamonds that are colored are very rare and valued much than the normal diamond, which is colorless.

Some of the diamond mines

Diamond mines are found in Canada and Australia. Diavik Diamond Mines is found in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada. It is estimated that this diamond mine reserves are 95.6 million carats. The Argyle diamond mine found in the Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia is one of the popular mines that produce the Argyle diamonds. This mine produces more than one third of the world's production of diamonds.

How diamonds are valued?

Diamonds are valued by their Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. You should remember the four C's that are used to value diamonds. Cut, Color, and Clarity are used to measure the quality of the diamond and the final C, which is Carat, is used to measure the size of the diamond. Man creates cut in a diamond and the other C's are formed in nature.

Types of diamonds

When minerals are mixed in nature with the diamond, it gives the characteristic color for the diamond. Based on the type of mineral that is mixed, we can classify the diamonds in to many types. The following are the colors that are found in the diamond.

Yellow: this color is formed when Nitrogen is combined with diamond crystals.
Blue: During the formation of the diamond if elements of Boron are mixed then the diamond will be in blue color
Green: Green color is caused due to a missed out atom in the lattice of atoms.
Brown: Any dislocation in the lattice of atoms causes brown coloring in the diamonds.
Pink: Dislocations in the lattice missed out atoms, and some impurities that are non-nitrogen causes pink color in diamonds.

Carat - The Measuring Unit

Carat is the unit that is used to measure diamonds. In the earlier days, diamonds were weighed by using the Carob tree seeds. A seed from this tree was considered as one carat. Now-a-days one carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams. Diamonds of less than one carat are known as pointers. Suppose the weight of diamond is 0.18 grams, and then it is known as 18 pointers. The more the carat the more is the price of the diamonds.



About the author:
For more information, visit these sites:
http://www.DiamondInfoCenter.com
http://www.EngagementRingsInfo.com
http://www.NecklaceInfoCenter.com

Where Diamonds Come From

It's hard to believe that that beautiful, brilliant stone in your ring was once sitting in the earth, isn't it? But it was and there's quite a few diamonds still there in fact about 120 million carats of diamonds are mined each year. There are currently two methods of mining diamonds: Alluvial Mining and Pipe Mining. The Alluvial mining method is done on beaches and in riverbeds. When using this method, the water and sand on the bank are held back with man made walls, or a bulldozer is used to move the beach until the level of earth containing diamonds is reached. The diamonds are not sorted right there, instead the sand that has the diamonds in it is loaded into trucks and taken to screening plants. With pipe mining, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. These pipes are natural - not man made. Shanks are put in the ground next to these pipes, and then tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. Using this method, gigantic rocks that are full of diamonds are taken out of the mine and then moved to screening plants for sorting. There are many diamond mines in operation around the world. Some of the major ones include: The worlds largest diamond min is Orapa which is located 240 Km west of Francistown. This mine is owned by a partnership between the government of Botswana and DeBeers named "Debswana". The mine operates 7 days a week and is the oldest one owned by Debswana. It offers schools for its employee's children as well as a hospital and game park. Orapa began production in 1971. The Argye mine I slocated in the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine has the distinction of being the world's largest single producer of volume of diamonds. Unfortunately there is a low proportion of gem quality diamonds so it is not the value leader. It does, however, produce 90-95% of the world's supply of pink diamonds. Diavik is another mine owned by Rio Tinto and located in Canada. It is on an island north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle. The island, connected by an ice road is an important part of the regions economy and employs more than 700 people. This mine produces more than 8 million carats annually. Ekati diamond mine is located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada and owned by BHP Billiton. The Ekati is Canada's first operational diamond mine and the diamonds are sold under the Aurias trade name. The Baken diamond mine is located in South Africa along the lower Orange River. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US), as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars. The largest diamond ever was produced by the Premier mine in Cullinan, South Africa in 1905. Named The Cullinan Diamond it weighed a whopping 3,106.75 carats. This same mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed in at 545.67 carats. In 2003, this mine, owned by De Beers was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine.

Are Diamonds Really Forever?

In the past, the Greeks and the Romans thought that the diamonds were tears of Gods and small pieces of stars. There were also the Hindus, who thought that the diamonds had so much power that they put diamonds in the eyes of some of their statues. Other people believed that an unapproachable valley in Central Asia covered by diamonds existed. One said that this valley was "kept by birds of prey and protected by snakes of mortal stare".

Besides believing that diamonds could attract luck and success, people also thought that they could defy the astrological events. Many people used them as jewels, supposing they would be increasing their sexual power and capacity to attract. Even Plato wrote about diamonds, describing them as living creatures, impersonating divine spirits.

Until the 15th century, only kings were allowed to use diamonds, having them as a symbol of courage, power and invincibility. But as the centuries passed by, the diamond started to acquire its status of sublime proof of love. Currently, they are related to the love, romance and myth.

We probably will never know when the first diamond was discovered, but we do know that, from the ancient times to the 18th century, all the diamonds of the world came from India. From the period of the Roman Empire to the appearance of the first Europeans to India, in the beginning of the 16th century, the commercial relations between Europe and Eastern Asia bloomed.

One of the main routes of the diamond commerce was in Venice. The city became the most important mercantile republic of the western world. It enjoyed the monopoly of the commerce of the diamond course to the main cities of the south of Germany until its final destiny, Brussels. Since this city became the final phase of the commercial route, it became a promising centre of diamond stature, and the reputation of the city in this sector did not stop increasing. Even though Brussels maintained their predominance until the end of the 14th century, they began to decline in a lapse of fifty years. The diamond trade and numerous other economic activities of Brussels were moved progressively to the city of Ambers, which offered more recent and better facilities for the communications and the commercial exchange. In 1866, the first diamond in South Africa was discovered. Following this was the discovery of the deposits of Kimberley few years later, giving birth to the fabulous era of Kimberley.

The word diamond comes from the Greek word ' adamas ', meaning invincible, and ' diaphanes ', that means transparent. In the past centuries, people believed that a diamond could reattach a wrecked marriage. It was used also in battles as a symbol of courage.

Even though the diamond is the hardest rock known by men, it is the only precious gem with only one element: carbon. Nevertheless, it can only be melted when exposed to a temperature of 5500 degrees Celsius! Billions of years before, the basic forces of heat and pressure miraculously transformed the carbon into diamond through volcano lava underneath the earth. In some way, this volcanic mass was expelled out of the earthly crust, cooling soon to be found as diamonds in rudimentary form. No acid can destroy them, and they are capable to cut anything on Earth, therefore, they only can be cut with themselves.

However, are the diamonds really forever? If they appeared miraculously, can they be destroyed? As incredible as it may seem, the small diamond that adorn the ring that you gave your wife will probably last forever - at least while Earth exists. They are the most resistant minerals of the planet, and only can be melted when displayed to a temperature of 5500°C. The problem is that the global atmosphere will never achieve this high temperature, even if it was to be hit by an enormous meteor that would eliminate all forms of life. They only would melt if, one day, the planet literally entered the Sun, which has a temperature of 5800°C. The curious thing is that, according to astronomers, in 7,5 billion years our planet will actually enter the Sun, when the star will be next to death. If you think diamonds will disappear then, you might be wrong. When such episode happens, the temperature of the Sun will lower to about 3000°C. That means that even when Earth reaches an atmosphere as hot and dense as Mercury’s atmosphere, we will still be able to find some small diamonds spread around.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

More Information and weekly updated resources about diamonds at www.diamondbb.com/

Diamonds Make a Wondeful Gift

Precious gems are beautiful and they last a long time and they are very valuable. Diamonds in particular shimmer in any kind of light, providing an exquisite treasure. Some people give a piece of diamond jewelry as the sole gem gift a loved one will ever receive. Others add a diamond gift to a long line of precious gems. Before bestowing diamonds as a gift to a loved one, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Diamonds are usually very expensive. If you come across a diamond that is being sold on the cheap, you have to wonder why this is the case. It may mean that the cut is not the best quality or it could have poor point value. Perhaps the gem is even stolen! You have to be careful about where and how you purchase precious jewelry to ensure that you get your money's worth in value. Check with several jewelry stores or diamond dealers. State up front how much money you have to spend and the type of gift you wish to make. The experts can help you make a good choice for what you have to work with.

Diamonds are for grown ups. Children or even teenagers rarely have a proper appreciation for diamonds. Perhaps diamond chip earrings would be an acceptable gift for older teen girls, but more lavish diamond jewelry should be saved for more mature wearers. A diamond necklace, brooch, ring, or bracelet conveys a sense of sophistication that younger women cannot often carry off. Save the gift of diamonds for a special occasion and an older girl.

Diamonds deserve special care. You don�t want to just fling a diamond ring in the jewelry box or leave it lying unprotected on a`dresser top. Preserve the beauty and keep it clean while avoiding scratches by placing diamond jewelry into velvet-lined boxes or containers. Depending on the size and value of your investment, your diamonds may need to be kept in a safe deposit box or vault at your local bank. You don�t want nosy workers or desperate thieves to make off with your prized possession. You may want to have your diamond priced or valued by an experienced jeweler for home insurance purposes. It also is a good idea to have it cleaned periodically, if needed.

Diamonds are for special occasions. Although they are often given on any occasion like a birthday or holiday, a diamond jewelry item is especially suited to commemorative occasions, such as an engagement or anniversary. Smaller diamond gifts can serve just about any purpose, but the larger, more valuable kind should not be handed off lightly. Give some thought to the meaning of your gift and what your receiver will think (as well as what you want him or her to think) before offering this unique token of affection.

About the author:
Claire Dibello is the owner of Any
Diamonds which is a
premier source of information about Diamonds. For more
information, go to: http://anydiamonds.com/

Man-Made Diamonds, A Buyer's Guide

It seems nearly impossible to watch TV or open a newspaper without seeing something about man-made diamonds. For hundreds of years science has tried to create a perfect synthetic diamond. Finally, 21st-century technology has made that prospect a reality.

There are many reasons to purchase synthetic diamonds instead of the mined variety. The prices charged for mined diamonds are, in the very best verbiage, an illusion. To put it more bluntly, Cecil Adams, in his award-winning newspaper column "The Straight Dope" says: "Diamonds are a con, pure and simple." Diamond prices are largely controlled by the DeBeers diamond cartel, and they are not a fair reflection of diamond scarcity. Additionally, studies show that one out of three diamonds sold in the US today has been altered to artificially increase its value. Further studies have shown that on average a couple pays 40% too much for their diamond engagement ring.

Beyond deceptive pricing, there are the issues of "blood diamonds", forced child labor, and a myriad of other disturbing diamond facts.

Recently, socially conscious celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Minnie Driver, and Angelina Jolie have made a vocal issue of wearing only synthetic diamonds to the many gala events they attend.

Good synthetic diamonds are virtually indistinguishable from the mined variety, but without the baggage, and additionally, they cost thousands of dollars less. But, which synthetic diamond is the best choice?

There are many types of man-made or synthetic diamonds available. The choices are numerous, but unbiased information is scarce. Here is an overview and comparison of the synthetic diamonds currently unavailable on the market:


Cubic Zirconia

The grandfather of simulated diamonds, Zircons are available widely. In their best examples, CZ's are actually a fairly decent diamond replica. Unfortunately, the commodity-like availability and vast differences in quality have made the stone synonymous with low-cost fashion jewelry. Perhaps a good choice for cheap bling, but not for fine jewelry. Many sources are available, a decent one is: http://www.czfantasy.com


Russian Diamonds

Including Russian Brilliants, Russian Stars and others, they are in fact nothing but high quality cubic zirconias. This is not mentioned prominently on their web sites and they will only cop to it when pressed, but that is the fact. Russian diamond simulates are priced around $280 per carat.

Russian Diamonds are a fine jewelry selection and are usually mounted in quality precious metal settings.

Russian Brilliants are one of the best and oldest sellers of "Russian Diamonds" available at: http://www.russianbrilliants.net


Moissanite

Moissanite is a lab-created mineral that is a very good diamond stimulant. Moissanite has been on the market as a fine jewelry choice since the early 90s and has picked up quite a few fans. Moissanite is a hard mineral that, like diamond, will cut glass. There are a couple of minor downsides to moissanite however. First, it is quite expensive, (though still cheap compared to diamonds) usually priced about $500 per carat for good samples.

Secondly, moissanite does not have the same optical qualities as diamond and there are several indicators that make them easy to spot with the naked eye for an experienced practitioner. It is difficult to produce a pure white moissanite and they often appear slightly green when viewed in natural light. Also, moissanite has significantly higher radiance and brilliance factors then natural diamond, causing them to appear "too sparkly" to some. Overall though, moissanite is a beautiful synthetic diamond choice.

"Moissanite From the Sky" at http://www.fromthesky.com is a good source of fine moissanite jewelry.


Diamond Nexus

Diamond Nexus gemstones are the result of a fairly new scientific advancement in processing technique, and have only recently been available in the United States.

Diamond Nexus gemstones are excellent diamond stimulants and come very close to matching the properties of mined diamonds at many different comparison points. They cut glass, being virtually identical to diamond on the Mohs (hardness) scale. They refract perfect "hearts and arrows" and have radiance and brilliance readings extremely close to flawless diamond.

Best of all, they are currently introductory priced for the U.S. market, and are a steal at $79 per caret. Diamond Nexus gemstones are only available in precious metal, solid-gold settings.

Diamond Nexus is only available from Diamond Nexus Labs at: http://www.DiamondNexusLabs.com


White Sapphire

Sapphire is the second hardest natural mineral on the Mohs scale, surpassed only by diamond. They are, unlike the others in this review, a natural stone. Their radiance and brilliance are not up to the standards of diamond however. Nevertheless, quality white sapphires priced at around $220 per carat are a good diamond alternative.

A quality source is: http://www.TheNaturalSapphireCompany.com


Gemisis Cultured Diamond

Gemisis diamonds are beautiful and almost perfect diamond replicas. Unfortunately, they are not available in a clear, white color, so they are not a good choice for traditional diamond settings. However, if a yellow, orange or pink diamond is what you crave, Gemisis offers stunning choices in beautiful precious metal, fine-jewelry settings.

Gemisis Cultured Diamonds are only available at: http://www.gemisis.com


Recap:

Synthetic diamonds offer many advantages over the mined variety. You can buy with confidence, knowing that you are getting exactly what you paid for, and have not been the victim of diamond pricing chicanery. If you are concerned with the world around you, you can have a clear conscience, knowing that your money has not contributed to the support of an unethical and abusive industry.

However, there are many choices of synthetic diamonds, with varying degrees of quality. Take a little time to review the seller's information to get a clear idea of what the science is behind the gemstones you are buying.

For my money, I believe the best choices are quality Moissanite stones or the new diamond stimulant gemstones available from Diamond Nexus Labs.

About the author:
Gary La Court is a legal consultant and frequent author.
He can be reached at glacourt@gmail.com
http://www.groupsolaris.com/

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Marilyn Monroe made that phrase famous. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. That still makes a lot of sense. Here's why.



Reason #1 diamonds are a girls best friend because they are so beautiful. Fiery, romantic diamonds light up her finger. White diamonds look beautiful with outfits in every color.


Reason #2 diamonds are forever. There are lots of beautiful things around. Why diamonds? Roses are beautiful, but they fade. Dresses are gorgeous, but after childbirth, or as she ages, that beautiful dress would not look as beautiful on her anymore.


Reason #3 diamonds are precious. Sure, moissanite may be what a girl might buy for herself, because of its lower price, but moissanite is man made. Diamonds are rare, natural stones. The diamonds that girls love are of the highest quality. The lower grade diamonds may be used in tools, but women look at the quality of the diamond. A large, high quality diamond would definitely impress.


Reason #4 diamonds are romantic. Especially when he is proposing to her with a diamond worth two months of his salary. It means sacrifice for love on his part. The fact that he loves her enough to save that sum to buy that diamond for her is a very romantic gesture that she will remember for years to come, each time she sees that diamond on her finger.


Reason #5 diamonds say that her man can provide for her very well. From the days when men would go out and hunt for animals to feed the family, to today, when most men go out there to bring in the money to support the family, women love being cared for. Being provided for. In many cultures, women look to marry a rich man. A man who can provide for them. If a guy can afford to give her diamonds, he can easily provide for her daily needs and for that of her children.


Reason #6 diamonds are practical. Like the song, diamond's are a girl's best friend. A kiss will not pay the bills. A rose isn't going to pay for her rental. A diamond, on the other hand, in times of emergency, can be a life saver. A single diamond can be sold for enough money to pay for a woman's bills when times get tough.


Reason #7 diamonds are a girl's insurance. Ok, so now, there are insurance policies in paper, that promise to pay for her old age medical bills etc, but diamonds are a lot more beautiful. She holds and sees them. She wears them. Everyone admires them. They assure her that even when she gets old, when she loses her looks, even if her guy leaves her for a younger woman, the diamonds would still be with her. A collection of diamond jewelry assures her that in her old age, or she is in dire need for cash, a piece of diamond jewelry could be sold, or pawned for much needed cash. Diamonds are a girl's insurance.


The writer is the webmaster of Buy Diamonds which gives you tips on how to get the best diamond within your budget.

About the Author

Why do smart women covet diamonds so much? What do diamonds really say to a woman?