Diamond Buying AdviceDiamond Advice and Information on Choosing a Diamond

Once upon a time, in the faraway land of the U.K. there once lived a dashing gentleman by the name of Robert Charlton. Mr. Charlton was very fortunate in business, as well as a collector of all things fine and beautiful; women being among them. Unfortunately, Mr. Charlton was a married man.

A framed photo of Robert Charlton in the Kibworth Golf Club, Leicester Photo: JR-PHOTOS.COM

Fortunately, however, for his wife, Elizabeth (dear woman) he was also a man of conscience; conscience to him translating into jewelry…fine jewelry…diamond jewelry. As Mr. Charlton happily philandered his life away, and indulged in as many dalliances as his generous heart desired; the courageous and long-suffering Mrs. Charlton turned a blind eye and sought comfort in rolling around in the countless pieces of jewelry… rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces galore, he gave to her as peace offerings.

Mr. Charlton eventually passed away in 1979, at the ripe old age of 63, leaving Mrs. Charlton to grieve in her sea of carats. As each of us know, most fairy tales do not last forever. She eventually died at age 90, leaving the cache of jewelry marking her husband’s infidelity to her beloved daughter Marie. Marie, in turn, ended up selling over 40 pieces of the sentimental jewelry for £286,000.

Among the pieces were: A 32 carat diamond necklace, a large solitaire diamond pendant and a huge diamond solitaire ring. It also seems that Marie inherited her mother‘s same ‘blind eye’ as she too appeared to be aware of her father’s affairs. What a shocking and tragic trail he left in his wake; eventually leaving both his wife and his daughter to cry “all the way to the bank” (or to the appraiser). Take note girls and see what real trouble looked like just a few short decades ago: A real Mr. Irresistible! The End.

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We have all heard of the quote, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” but did you know that this was simply one slogan to the most successful marketing campaign of all time?

DeBeers, the world’s major diamond producer wanted to sell more diamonds so they came up with a major marketing campaign that sold us on diamond engagement rings and diamond solitaires for wedding rings and how all of this was part of our Anglo-Saxon heritage and tradition.

They even came up with the idea that the guide to how much you should spend on an engagement ring was three months pay – get this straight, they just came up with that idea and painted it as a tradition and the modern consumer market lapped it right up.

The truth is you do not need to spend a small fortune on an engagement ring nor on a wedding ring, and certainly it does not have to be a diamond.  Many women actually prefer an alternative to diamonds and it is not unusual to see other precious gems being used instead of them.  Even better, modern technology has given us man-made diamonds which are far cheaper and also have an added bonus not usually associated with diamonds and jewelry manufacture – they are eco-friendly!

Man-made diamonds are indistinguishable from naturally occurring diamonds, and sometimes they perform even better in certain diamond tests because imperfections and flaws can be removed by the production process.

Moissanite is an example of artificial diamond which cannot be readily distinguished from naturally occurring diamonds – so good is it, that a special piece of machinery had to be developed just to be able to tell the two apart.  In terms of the qualities which really count in a piece of jewelry – the brilliance, fire and luster – moissanite is better than diamond while it is only marginally less harder than diamond itself.  A major factor which does differentiate the two is that moissanite is far less expensive compared to real diamonds and yet, a jeweler would not be able to tell the two apart!

Another alternative to real diamonds is cubic zirconia, which is the crystal form of zirconium dioxide – a synthetic material which is very durable and has a very close appearance to diamond.  It is very cheap to make in comparison to a diamond and lends itself to being cut and shaped into glittering gemstones.  Since the mid-seventies it has been the most commonly used diamond-alternative but with the development of moissanite it now has competition.

Using real diamonds may be what you wish to have in your rings but there is nothing in wedding tradition that says this is how it has to be.  Getting engaged and married is a very expensive exercise and many couples end up deep in debt as a result of their marriage and wedding expenses – it is not a good start to married life to be saddled with debt!  You can ensure you have the same look and feel as real diamonds by using an alternative so don’t be railroaded into the marketing trap that “Diamonds are Forever!”

By Jill Renee

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Before making that special promise, a lot of thought usually is involved in choosing a diamond engagement ring or bridal set. Oftentimes a platinum setting is viewed as being the ultimate; a premier complement, representing the very best for showcasing beautiful, carefully selected gems.

While it can be universally agreed upon that platinum is indeed a most awesome choice, did you realize that there is another type of metal setting available; one that is just as beautiful, yet more affordable?

As prices of platinum have risen over the last few years, more attention is being focused on platinum’s attractive alternative…Palladium.

Palladium is not new to the fine jewelry scene. It has been used in jewelry making for some time now, and has garnered a most solid reputation. Palladium can be a good alternative for a number of reasons. The metal itself resembles platinum in color, yet is about 12% harder. It is even harder than white gold, but is similar in price. However, it still needs to be treated with care and proper handling ; just as in the case of all fine jewelry.

Although in the past, palladium had not been promoted as much as platinum, this is now quickly changing. Palladium is now gaining wide notice amongst jewelry wearers, as its durability has been tried and tested. In addition to bridal sets; three stone rings, solitaires, as well as plain, but beautifully crafted, solid bands can all be found in this now popular metal.

Add to this, the fact that palladium is also light-weight and hypo-allergenic, and you have a jewelry piece that is sure to get your attention.

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The selection of an engagement ring is usually an emotional choice. Once selected and presented , the engagement ring immediately becomes an important component of the couple’s sentimental package, as well as a thing to talk about for the years to come. Because of its becoming a part of the ongoing legacy, a poor ring selection would be difficult to return or exchange. This is why care should be taken when selecting an engagement ring, symbolizing this most important step in a personal relationship. While budget and personal choice are major factors in the selection, the ever important 4Cs, cut, color, carat and clarity, should still be kept in mind prior to making a diamond selection.

Along with budget considerations, the personality of the intended recipient will also need to be considered. Keep in mind that the selected engagement ring is to become part of the bride’s permanent jewelry collection and that, while it may not be a reflection of the relationship, it is a direct reflection of the taste and personality of the giver. Diamond engagement rings are available in many styles and cuts.

While the tasteful, single round solitaires are still a “safe” choice, the availability of other styles are very much worth considering. A single solitaire does not necessarily have to be round any more. One now has the flexibility to make a selection from any number of cuts. Even more exciting news is that today’s diamond engagement ring no longer has to be a single solitaire. It can be surrounded by other accompanying diamonds or other complementing gems, for example sapphires or rubies. Regardless of size or configuration, a diamond engagement ring should be carefully selected, for it is, after all… a matter of the heart.

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