How To Choose Diamond Stud Earrings

Diamond beauty versus cost: What is the best combination? Better quality diamonds are more brilliant and beautiful, but they command higher prices as well. This article explains how to find the best value in diamond stud earrings: the brightest diamond for the lowest cost.
For those who can afford it, we recommend an excellent cut diamond of G-H color and "eye-clean" clarity. This is a moderately priced diamond, but earrings of this quality will produce the same dazzling shower of light as those costing thousands of dollars more.
There are three simple reasons: first, it is the excellent cut that breathes life and sparkle into a diamond. Second, most experts agree that a G-H color appears colorless when mounted, so spending more for D-E-F color diamonds isn't necessary. Third,a diamond of SI2 clarity is "eye-clean", meaning it has no flaws visible to the naked eye, but costs a lot less than the higher clarity grades.
Excellent bargains with only a slight compromise in beauty can be found in the I1 Clarity range as well, as long as the cut is good and the color is in the G-H range.
For those who are on a budget, don't feel embarrassed to buy diamonds of a lower quality. All diamond earrings sparkle when they are worn on a woman's ear, and let's face it: for the same price, many women would rather wear 1 carat studs of a lower quality than 1/2 carat studs of a higher quality.
Fast Fact: there are many good websites to purchase diamond stud earrings. Our top recommendation, however goes to a specialty site www.diamondstudsonly.com. They sell the same color, clarity and cut grades for about 25% less than the typical "sale" price in a retail jewelry store (and other internet stores), and they back it up with a price comparison tool that allows you to view prices for earrings of the same quality on many other major internet jewelry sites. You will also have the security of their free insurance against loss of any kind for a full year.
Choosing the right Color: The finest diamonds are colorless, rare and expensive. On the GIA grading scale, D-F are considered colorless, G-I near colorless and any grade J or below shows an increasingly yellowish tinge. Beyond the preference for a whiter stone, however, the color of a diamond does not affect its brightness or sparkle.
Fast Fact: Most experts agree that, when mounted, diamonds in the "G-H" range appear colorless, and represent a much better value than "D-F" stones which command significantly higher prices.
Choosing the right Clarity: Diamonds with fewer flaws (inclusions) are rare and therefore more highly prized. In many cases, these flaws don't detract from the beauty of the diamond because they are invisible to the naked eye.
Fast Fact: Any grade "SI2" or above has inclusions that are "eye clean", not visible to the naked eye. An "I1" grade can be an excellent value, particularly if the inclusion is on the outer edge. "I2" grades can still exhibit a fair degree of fire and light. "I3" grade diamonds are noticeably more opaque or dark to the naked eye.
Choosing the right Cut:< More than any other attribute, it is the Cut that makes a diamond brilliant and beautiful. A diamond that is well cut reflects light internally and displays a dazzling shower of light back through the top of the stone.
Fast Fact: When viewing a diamond, look directly into the center: if there are dark facets in the center or a dark ring around the center, or if the diamond appears opaque, it is probably due to poor cut.
Brilliance, Dispersion and Scintillation: The secret of a diamond that is properly cut is that it returns a measurably greater amount of light, which is displayed as brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. This is the true measure of a diamond's beauty.
Brilliance: The total amount of white light, both external and internal, returned from the diamond to the eye of the observer. Dispersion: Flashes of color, or fire, particularly when viewing a diamond in strong, direct light.
Scintillation: Reflections and flashes of white light from the diamond's surface as the diamond, observer or light source moves.
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Submitted by: Lauren Stomel
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Diamond Jewelry - The Ultimate Classic Adornment

Diamond jewelry is the ultimate adornment for a woman or even a man. It is something which takes us beyond the realm of time. Diamond jewelry is a timeless classic adornment, which can never go out of style and will always be looked up amongst all kinds of jewelry.
In buying diamond jewelry it is important to keep some factors in mind. The diamond history, diamond shape (Diamonds come in more shapes than any other gem. Diamond jewelry with spectacular center pieces are available in round, emerald cut, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion. Diamonds as accents are usually found in small round shapes and baguettes. Popular earrings are usually round or princess cut, though some may come in fancier shapes),
Diamond settings (such as bar, bezel, channel, chevron, invisible, pave, and prongs), diamond carats (The unit used to measure the size and weight of loose diamonds), diamond clarity (Clarity is the clearness of a diamond. The most valued diamonds are the clearest. When shopping for a diamond, look for diamonds with grades from FL to SI2. Stones from VS1 to S2 are the best value because they are lower in price without too many inclusions.)
Diamond color (Diamonds that are colorless or near colorless are the most prized.) And diamond cut (The diamond cut determines the brilliance of the diamonds. If a diamond is poorly cut, the light is lost through the sides and bottom of the diamond and there will be no radiance)
Diamonds are more commonly found in certain shapes; baguette, emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, round and trillion. The most popular diamond shape has been the round brilliant because people believed it to be an "ideal cut" that displayed the most brilliance and sparkle in a diamond. The design also allows it to hide flaws and imperfections. However, new technology has made other shapes just as brilliant, such as the princess cut and trilliant cut. Today, there is no such thing as an "ideal cut" when it comes to diamond jewelry.
In diamond jewelry, the diamonds are set in different kinds of settings. Some of these kinds of settings commonly used in diamond jewelry are-
- Bar: Metal bars hold the loose diamonds in a channel-like setting.
- Bezel: The metal is formed to fit around the diamond, cupping it into place.
- Channel: A row of small diamond stones are set in a groove in the diamond rings.
- Chevron: V-shaped prongs that usually hold a marquise or princess-cut diamond for solitaire style rings.
- Invisible: Diamond set in a groove without visible prongs.
- Pave: Tiny stones are embedded to look like the piece is paved with loose diamonds.
- Prong: Several prongs hold the diamonds to let light pass through without interference.
Though diamond jewelry is made of diamonds, which is one of strongest materials on earth, a hard blow can cause the diamond to chip. If proper care is taken then the diamond jewelry can last a lifetime. To clean diamond jewelry, use water and a little bit of ammonia with a gentle brush while being careful of the metal. Also keep it away from lotion, perspiration and other household cleaners. These items can dull the surface of the stones. Store your diamond jewelry separated with paper or bags, so they do not scratch or dull each other. It's also wise to keep the diamond jewelry in its original velvet box.
Looking for information about Diamonds? Go to: http://www.diamondtrack.com 'Diamond Track' is published by Angela Davis - The Complete A to Z Of Diamond Resources Check out more Diamond articles at: http://www.diamondtrack.com/articles
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Hematite Jewellry

Jewelry is made from almost any element or mineral that can be easily worked and for which people will pay for. Hematite jewelry is no different in that when polished, hematite has a shiny look and is easy to work by the craftsman who make it.
Hematite is a mineral consisting of iron (III) oxide. It is mined in great quantities for the production of iron and many countries. The color of hematite varies from the reddish browns to greys and almost blacks, depending on where they are first mined. When shined it looks almost like metal.
It derives its name from “hema” which means blood in Greek, because the first discoveries were reddish in color. There are different types of hematite, for example, the varieties with the hard metallic lustre hematite known as looking glass ore are used in jewelry, whilst the softer redder colored ores are used as ochre, whilst other are used for industrial purposes.
Magnetic hematite is also available and has been turned into jewelry used for therapeutic purposes. There are many questions about the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, and the scientific world does not generally support the benefits, however over one hundred million worldwide believe in the benefits. It is interesting to note that the power of the magnets are said not to ever diminish by most of the suppliers of magnetic hematite jewelry.
The benefits are said to be two fold:1. Wearing fashionable magnetic jewelry allows non-invasive treatments to occurred without anyone knowing, and2. The treatments can be easily transferred to other parts of the body.
Magnetic Therapy is considered safe for all except for:1. Children under the age of seven2. Pregnant Women3. Individuals with pacemakers4. Individuals with certain patches5. When undergoing certain electronic tests
Hematite does allow the makers of jewelry to produce pieces that are either “bulky looking” or more delicate. The color range is a little limited, however the wearing of both ordinary and magnetic hematite jewelry is both fashionable and practical.
The many suppliers of hematite jewelry ensure that new designs are still being prepared today.
For more information on hematite jewelry go to http://groovyideas.googlepages.com/
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