Archive for fine jewelry
Pave Diamond Engagement Ring
Posted by: | CommentsDiamond connotes beauty, wealth, and power. In ancient times as well as in the modern day setting, this precious stone is considered one of the most expensive possessions a person could ever have. It has been dubbed “a woman’s best friend and has indeed upheld this label.
As time goes by, diamonds become symbols of perpetuity perhaps due to its robust physical characteristic.
Nowadays, couples exchange diamond rings to show their enduring love for each other. In engagements as well as weddings, diamonds proved to be the most popular, and needless to say, the most expensive. There are many kinds of diamond rings. Each has its unique characteristic to suit a persons style and preference. They also come in different colors and designs to choose from.
Bezel, channel, flush, and burnish are just some of the many settings of a diamond ring.
Of the many decorative variations of diamond rings, pave diamond engagement ring outshines others as it has its unique cunning appearance. How it acquires its facade lies in its pattern.
Taken from a French word which literally means “paved, pave diamond engagement ring has diamonds that are set very close together, without partitions, thereby resembling a cobblestone road. The precious stones are fixed in narrow conical holes and placed in just about equal level with the surface of the ring while its surrounding metals, usually made of white gold or platinum, are mounted forming tiny beads to support and hold these pave-set stones in place.
To enhance the exterior of the pave diamond engagement ring, the metal around these precious stones is impressed with ornamental designs.
Each tiny diamonds fully cut with 58 facets and weighing just a few points, though small in size, contributes a great deal to the overall sparkle of a pave diamond engagement ring. Its intricate, clever pattern makes it look like it has a continuous diamond surface thus it appears bigger than its original size, making it even more captivating and eye catching.
Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Posted by: | CommentsCushion cut diamond engagement ring in the older days was named pillow cut. For this type as its name suggest, resembles that of a plump cushion or pillow. Cushion shape comes in varieties of proportions. They could either be oval, square or rectangular with rounded corners.
Cushion cuts gained popularity in the latter part of the 1800s until the early 1900s.Before the dawn of electric bulbs, cushion cut diamond ring was also referred to as candlelight diamond because it was said to be most brilliant in candlelight.
In the modern day setting, cushion cut diamond engagement rings are more symmetrical than its older contemporaries, mainly due to the advent of modern refinements and upgraded lapidary skills. Though this may be the case, couples prefer older versions of cushion cuts and still searches for this kind in the antique or vintage market.
Cushion cut diamond engagement rings work best as alternative for couples who prefer traditional, subtle designs. Cushion cut diamond engagement rings are still rare in modern rings.
Cushion cuts are best in solitaires, the kind that draw the attention to the gemstone located at the center of the ring. Many women however, prefer small accent stones incorporated in the ring.
A cushion cut diamond ring has about 60 facets; this is 20 or more facets less than the modern rings. Facet refers to the smooth, polished planes that make up a stones surface. With lesser number of facets as compared to fancy shapes and signature cuts, it exhibits lesser brilliance.
But this characteristic, precisely adds to its unique appeal that sets the cushion cut diamond ring apart from its modern contemporaries for it provides a certain depth to the diamonds, allowing a person to see through it ” revealing its unpretentious beauty.
The next time you invite your partner for a romantic candlelight dinner; consider a cushion cut diamond engagement ring to go with it?
Jewelry White Gold – The Platinum Alternative
Posted by: | CommentsPure gold is so soft that it is not practical for jewelry making so it needs to be mixed with other minerals. One of the most popular mixes around is the one that results in white gold.
When pure gold is combined with other metals the result is known as an alloy. Alloys are stronger and longer wearing so they can be worked into designs that will not easily lose their shape. To make an alloy, gold is mixed with one or more metals.
These metals include copper, nickel, silver, zinc, and palladium. The metals nickel, zinc or palladium are used to turn yellow gold into jewelry white gold. These metals bleach the gold to a whitish color. Palladium has the most effect, however it is more expensive than gold – it is also creates a much harder alloy – often too hard to easily work into fine jewelry.
By using different combination’s of those metals you can control the strength and whiteness of the finished product. Rings for example need to be strong and most people who prefer jewelry white gold like the platinum look. To achieve this palladium and silver are often used, sometimes with other metals.
This could be in the proportions of 75% gold, 4% silver, 4% copper and 17% palladium. This would create jewelry white gold that is 18 carat, hard wearing with a platinum style look
Jewelry white gold was created back in the 1920′s to satisfy a demand for platinum jewelry. Platinum is far more expensive than gold so it can be too expensive for most people. Jewelry white gold looks and feels like platinum yet it is far less expensive.
Cheaper versions of jewelry white gold are being produced these days and they range in color from dull grey through to a sickly yellow. To give life to this cheap white gold, the finished product is rhodium plated. This turns the sickly looking metal into a highly polished platinum looking product.
After a few years the rhodium plating wears off leaving the true color of the cheap alloy showing. What looked like a classy platinum piece of jewelry will look a tarnished piece of silver.
Jewelry white gold, like platinum, is actually grey when made. It is the rhodium that provides the white finish. Modern grades of white gold are better suited to jewelry making than platinum due to its easier workability. Platinum is a tough metal to shape in comparison to jewelry white gold.
It’s popular – it’s less expensive than platinum – yet it provides that distinguished professional look. Jewelry white gold is the choice of most modern on the rise professionals.