Giving a diamond ring is a great way to say, "I love you" to that special someone or to propose marriage. But when you set out to find that perfect diamond ring or any diamond jewelry, you can quickly become confused with all the offerings available today. It's important that you know what to look for in diamond jewelry.
The Four Cs of Diamonds
Look for the four Cs of diamonds. These are clarity, cut, color, and carat weight. Clarity signifies the presence or absence of irregularities or imperfections in the stone. Imperfections may appear as bubbles, spots, or lines. The clarity is often determined by the passing of light through the diamond. The fewer imperfections the diamond jewelry has, the more valuable it will be. Clarity is graded on a scale from flawless (FL or IF) to imperfect (I) according to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) quality analysis scale for diamond jewelry.
The diamond's cut is also important. The cut is what gives a diamond its brilliance and determines the number of facets in the diamond. The "round brilliant" cut is the most popular diamond cut, especially for an engagement ring.
Diamond color also determines the value. Colorless diamonds are the most valuable; however, diamonds with color are popular for non-proposal gifts. Diamond colors range from D (colorless) to Z.
A diamond's carat is the actual weight of the diamond, not the size. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. One ounce contains 142 carats. Larger diamonds usually have a greater value for each carat.
Real Diamonds are set in Real Jewelry Pieces
When you shop for a diamond ring or other diamond jewelry, be sure it is set in real gold jewelry for its band, necklace, bracelet, or earrings. There are 14K cubic zirconia jewelry pieces that might contain what "looks like" real diamonds, but they are actually simulated (or manmade) diamonds.
Look for the trademark in jewelry such as 14kt gold necklaces, 14kt gold earrings, 14kt gold bracelets, and diamond rings.
Buying Diamonds Online
When buying diamond jewelry online, be sure the jeweler offers a Jewelry Certificate of Authenticity. Check with Better Business Bureau Online to be sure the retailer is trustworthy. The BBB Online will show if there have been any complaints or reports of fraud against the company. This will give you peace of mind while shopping.
Use search features at jewelry sites to find just the right diamond jewelry. Look for the four Cs mentioned above and ask about the diamond's weight if it's not provided at the website. Also, check to be sure the shipping and handling will keep your diamond safe. Find out if shipping insurance is available and what types of packaging is used. Also, ask for assistance if you have questions. A dependable online jeweler will be available to help.
Online jewelry stores usually carry an assortment of jewelry items ranging from a 10kt or 14kt gold necklace with or without attached slides or stones, a pearl necklace, 10kt or 14kt gold hoop earrings, tennis bracelets, diamond rings, pendants, and other fine jewelry pieces.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Tips for Buying Diamonds or Majon's Jewelry directory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson
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DCLA issues Diamond Grading Guarantee Cards for Consumers
ReplyDeleteThe Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) announces the launch of a full-replacement guarantee to stand behind all DCLA Diamond Grading Certificates, providing complete and unsurpassed confidence for diamond consumers.
Australian diamond consumers can be 100% secure that every DCLA-certified diamond is of the quality stated on the accompanying DCLA Diamond Grading Certificate.
DCLA warrants that every diamond certified by the Laboratory is a natural diamond, accurately graded in accordance with the International Diamond Council (IDC) and World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) standards for grading polished diamonds. This is a first for diamond grading in Australia, and is the only guarantee of its kind in the world.
It is vital that consumers are secure in a diamond purchase, knowing that they are getting what they pay for. Accuracy and consistency in grading at DCLA provides the Laboratory with the ability and confidence to offer this Guarantee.
Effective December 1 2008, every DCLA Diamond Grading Certificate will be accompanied by a Diamond Grading Guarantee Card, to be issued to a consumer at the time of purchase.
Growing Incidence of Undisclosed Treated Diamonds in Australia
ReplyDeleteDCLA has seen an alarming increase in the number of treated diamonds being submitted as natural diamonds to the laboratory for certification.
It should first be said that diamond treatments are neither good, nor intrinsically bad in and of themselves. There is nothing wrong with buying a treated diamond, provided that the treatment is fully disclosed and that you pay the appropriate price for the diamond. Because of their lower cost and value, treated diamonds can allow a person to buy a diamond that appears to be of a higher quality than it truly is.
However, too often the presence of such diamond treatments is concealed. Whether this deception is by intent or negligence, such concealment is tantamount to fraud.
Not only does artificially treating a diamond significantly reduce its value, but most diamond treatments are unstable and reversible. For this reason, all internationally accepted rules for diamond grading forbid the certification of treated diamonds. An extremely disturbing discovery just recently in the DCLA Laboratory was that of a coated diamond accompanied by a certificate from a supposedly legitimate Australian ‘laboratory’.
Members of the diamond industry have a responsibility to consumers to convey accurate and transparent information, and each individual that handles a diamond as it moves down the diamond pipeline from the mines should be held accountable for making known any treatments that a diamond has undergone.
It is deceptive and unfair to fail to disclose treatment of a diamond when it has a significant effect on a diamond’s value. In its pursuit of consumer protection, DCLA is offering a ‘Diamond Amnesty’ for diamond owners Australia-wide – any diamond brought in with its matching diamond grading certificate will be verified for grading accuracy and tested to ensure that it is natural and free of treatments. This service will be provided free of charge.