Posts Tagged ‘diamond engagement ring’

For generations, people have known that a diamond is the hardest substance to be found on the face of the earth. And, it does not matter where in the world a person lives, everyone is aware that a diamond is a highly treasured commodity and valued in all countries and cultures. However, it is not as well known where diamonds come from and what it is that has made them so desired in all parts of the globe.

A diamond is actually a mineral and begins life as carbon which is then formed over many, many years. In order for the carbon deposits to form into a diamond, the substance must be subjected to certain conditions that tempers and changes the mineral into the rare and beautiful gem. The first diamonds were recorded to have been discovered some 3000 years ago in India.

Since that time, diamonds have earned a reputation for their beauty and value and are treasured by many as symbols of quality, wealth, magnificence and even power. The word diamond is derived from Greek origins of the word “adamas,” which means unconquerable.

In fact, in many ancient civilizations, the diamonds were worn by warriors as they marched into battle to symbolize courage, strength and invincibility. This is just one of many examples of how the diamond has become such an integral part of culture, history and lore of many countries.

Today, the majority of the stones come from mines that are located in the countries of central and southern Africa. However, there are still significant numbers of the rare and precious gems that are mined in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Australia, Canada and Siberia, which boasts the single largest diamond mine in the world.

Anyone who has ever shopped for a diamond ring, diamond earrings, or other diamond jewelry are probably very well aware that the De Beers company controls a huge portion of the diamond market. The stones must meet stringent quality standards and the De Beers company is one of the diamond suppliers that is well known for the high quality of gems that they bring to the market. In fact, in some parts of the world, De Beers has even been accused on monopolizing the entire diamond market because of the considerable control they have.

There is no doubt that the diamond is still one of the most desirable and treasured gems of any that are available. Virtually all high-end jewelry is embellished with a diamond or two, which immediately makes a statement about the person wearing such a fine piece of body jewelry. A diamond engagement ring is certainly considered to be the standard that symbolizes love, romance and commitment.

Diamonds will vary a great deal in price based upon on the quality classification of the gem. Four aspects are considered when evaluating the diamond’s value. These four characteristics are the Four “C”s and they are clarity, cut, color and carat.

For many centuries, the first thing that sprang to mind when the word “diamonds” was mentioned was a mental image of those gloriously sparkling, pure clear gemstones that are known to adorn so many pieces of fine jewelry. However, these days when people are in the mood to shop for some diamond jewelry they are likely to encounter color options in these stones, including the black diamond.

There was a time when a diamond of this darkest color was considered to be damaged, flawed, imperfect and virtually worthless. But that opinion has changed significantly and black diamonds are quickly becoming one of the unique league of gems that are being more and more sought-after, precisely because of their rarity and their exquisite uniqueness.

It might seem odd, but there are those who consider the diamond jewelry bling as having become commonplace. A black diamond could be just the answer to set them apart from the crowd. Having jewelry pieces that include black diamonds will still send the message that they have the money to spend, but also lets them stand out.

If you are in the market for black diamonds, then you should know that they are not all “created equal” and some care and attention needs to be given to the various characteristics of this unique gemstone. As with any type of rare gem, it is important to be sure about the quality of the stone before making a purchase.

First of all, it should be known that black diamonds can vary in color and might appear to be light gray or smoky, dark gray or pure black. What give these diamonds their tint and smoky color is inclusions of various types of minerals in the stone. The most common mineral inclusions in these black beauties are various iron oxides, such as hematite, sulfide, or magnetite.

The higher the concentration of oxides, the darker and richer the tone, from a light gray all the way to black. This tinting is caused not by impurities, but by the inclusions, and black diamonds are typically opaque. However, there are some specimens that are semi-transparent or even translucent, and these are extremely rare and even more valuable.

Carbonados are a classification of black diamonds which have virtually no value in terms of the gem in the jewelry industry. Even though they might be labeled as black diamonds, carbonados are very porous and they are much more common, and therefore carry less value than the gem-quality stones. In fact, the most common use for carbonados is as an abrasive and they are often used to cut and to shape the high-quality diamond stones.

Because a gray or a black diamond is still quite a rare sight in the fine jewelry market, they tend to be very expensive. In order to reduce the cost in a piece of jewelry such as a diamond engagement ring, the main stone could be one of the rare black gems with other smaller, clear accent stones surrounding it. This not only provides for a less expensive way to enjoy black diamonds, but such a setting will also help to accentuate the unique beauty of this rare stone.

The diamond engagement ring is the most important item of jewelry any man ever buys. It is also the item most valued and treasured by women. If you are a man who wants to marry the love of his life and you are looking at diamond engagement rings it is perfectly normal to feel anxious about making the right choice. However, at some point you have to overcome your nerves and go with your instinct.

The Cost Shouldn’t Matter

If you are a man looking for a diamond engagement ring do not assume that your future wife will be disappointed if you don’t purchase the biggest and most expensive rock you can find at an outlet such as Tiffany’s. Any woman who is materialistic enough to want a very expensive ring would not make a very good wife anyway. It is better to save up for a ring that you can afford than get into debt to buy one that is beyond your budget.

The sentiment and symbolism behind the ring are more important than the cost. Diamonds symbolize eternity, love, strength and endurance. To give a woman a diamond engagement ring is to let her know that the love you have for her is permanent and indestructible, just like the gemstone.

Finding a diamond engagement ring that will suit the recipient is also more important than the price tag. When choosing a ring it is a good idea to consider your partner’s personal prefrences. Does she favor traditional styles or is her taste more unique? How large are your partner’s hands? Larger hands can tolerate a bigger ring but small and dainty fingers require something more delicate.

If you’re a woman and your partner pops the big question and presents you with a diamond engagement ring do not make the mistake of measuring his love for you by the size of the gemstone. Instead be flattered that your partner cares enough about you to present you with a diamond and, more importantly, that he actually wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Furthermore, remember that we are now living in the 21st century and both genders are regarded as equals, at least in industrialized countries. Therefore perhaps you should return the sentiment buy purchasing your partner a diamond wedding ring.

Getting Good Value For Money

Though the cost of the diamond engagement ring should not be regarded as significant, only a fool would not try to get the very best value for money. Therefore it is a good idea to price compare diamond engagement rings and look for discounts. By doing this it is often quite possible to get a valuable diamond engagement ring for much little less than the recommended retail price. When shopping for a ring it is very wise to look out for one with a diamond that has the best carat weight, color, clarity and cut that you can reasonably afford.