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.