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A beautiful engagement ring from someone she loves is something a lot of women have dreamed about since they were girls. Although the ring shows a commitment to the person, the actual historical reasons for an engagement ring are a little less obvious. Some would say the never-ending, continuous circle represents the everlasting love and commitment of the couple to each other. Another view is that it was originally tangible proof of the financial commitment on the groom’s part to show the bride’s family that he could provide for his bride-to-be.

The Egyptians wore rings on what is considered your ring finger today: the finger next to your pinkie. They believed there was a “Vein of Love” running to this finger that ran from the finger to the heart. Therefore, placing a ring on this finger connected it directly to your heart. The Romans wore “engagement” rings made of iron, which to them meant strength and permanence since iron represented both of these things. These rings were called “annulus pronubus” and were used in much the same way that engagement rings are used today. Eventually, these rings evolved into rings made of gold and decorated with engravings or other decorations. Some even had keys carved on them, representing the woman’s ability to unlock her betrothed’s heart. Others had lover’s knots decorating them or two hands holding each other, yet another symbol of the commitment between two people.

In 860 Pope Nicolas I made it a requirement to give a ring after a proposal to signify the engagement. He also stated that it should be a gold ring. This perhaps is where showing you can provide for your future spouse came into existence. By the end of the Middle Ages, weddings and the actual official betrothal were combined into one ceremony. As a result, the significance of the ring changed from proof of financial commitment to a symbol of the commitment between two people.

Probably one of the most spectacular engagement rings ever was given to Mary of Burgundy when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed in 1477. The ring had diamonds, which at the time carried an aura of magic and were thought to be created by the fire of love. This fashion for using diamonds in engagement rings spread to other parts of Europe. In Venice, they associated a diamond’s hardness with the idea of everlasting love. It was not until the late 1800s when large quantities of diamonds were discovered in South Africa that it became realistic for people to use diamonds for their engagement rings. At this point they became a bit more affordable and much more available to the world as they were exported from South Africa.

Today, most people opt for a diamond engagement ring. However, your options are endless when it comes to designing a custom ring that is appropriate to you and your future spouse. Your choices of metals, precious and semi-precious stones and millions of combinations are limited only by your desires and imagination.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Engagement Rings

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don’t have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers.

Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one’s lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined.

However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants.

The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are:

1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate,

2. Assurance that the payment method is secure,

3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated.

In part three of this three part series we examine the third aspect which is to ensure mitigation of the risk of diamond merchant fraud or delivery failure.

Mitigation of risk of diamond merchant fraud and failed delivery

Only Buy Laboratory Certified Diamonds

Rule number one when buying any diamond is that it must have a certified laboratory report from one of the major gemmological institutes. This gives assurance that the diamond being purchased is the same specification that the diamond merchant has described.

Returns Policy

Examine the returns policy of the diamond merchant carefully for any extraordinary or unusual points. When making any purchase over the internet the buyer has a 7 day cooling off period within which to cancel a purchase for a 100% refund. This is because internet retailing falls into the retail category governing selling at a distance and the relevant UK consumer protection laws. All online diamond merchants should mention this as matter of course.

Credit Card

A significant advantage of paying by credit card is that if anything goes wrong with the purchase then the buyer is covered by the UK Consumer Credit Act 1974. The credit card company may then also be liable for the purchase to the same amount as the diamond merchant and payment of the credit card to the amount of the purchase can be withheld until the purchase dispute is resolved.

Escrow Service

An escrow service is effectively an independent third party that ensures receipt of the diamond by the buyer and receipt of payment by the merchant.

The process is as follows:

1. The terms of the transaction are agreed between the buyer and merchant and the escrow service is contracted to aid the transaction.
2. The escrow company receives payment from the buyer of the diamond.

3. The escrow company then confirms to the merchant the buyer’s payment has been received.

4. The merchant then sends the diamond to the buyer.

5. The buyer confirms receipt of the diamond to the escrow company.

6. The escrow company sends payment to the merchant.

The escrow service usually charges a small percentage of the purchase cost as a fee. As an indicator of the importance of using an escrow service eBay recommends using one for purchases over £300.

Remember, a large saving is being made by purchasing the diamond online, so it won’t hurt to get peace of mind for the small percentage an escrow will charge. But make sure you carry out the appropriate research on any escrow company as there have been instances of fraud.

Independent Appraisal

An extra precautionary check is to have the diamond merchant send the diamond to an independent diamond appraiser so the appraiser can confirm that the diamond matches its Laboratory Certificate. The appraiser will confirm the authenticity to the buyer, who can then arrange payment for the merchant.

Once receipt of payment is confirmed by the merchant, the appraiser can then send the diamond on to the buyer. In this way the appraiser also acts as an escrow service. An insurance appraisal could also be carried out by the same appraiser, which is something any insurance company will need to see before insuring the diamond.

Recorded, signature-required, insured postage

A recorded delivery method that is insurable and requires a signature on arrival is the safest way of receiving the diamond through the mail. Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery with Consequential Loss Damage purchased is an excellent choice. When transporting the diamond by mail always use this method or a similar one for maximum security of delivery.

Mike Bradley owns http://www.Dubai-Diamonds.com and http://www.UK-Diamond-Ring-Supersite.co.uk , the premier resource directory for diamond engagement ring research in the UK. Visit the Supersite and download the FREE detailed book The Essential Guide to Buying UK Diamond Engagement Rings.

The author grants reprint permission to opt-in publications and websites so long as the copyright and resource information immediately above are included intact and the article is not used in spam.

Pearls have always held an almost mystical place in the history of jewelry. As early as the 4th century B.C., pearls were already being used by royalty not only to enhance personal beauty, but also to denote their high status. Today, pearls are among the most popular items in the worlds of fashion and jewelry because they are timeless in their elegance and simplicity. But that isn’t to say they’re boring! Oh no. The beauty of pearls is that they are suitable for just about anybody, whether they be naughty or nice.

Pearls have been the favorite of many well-known personalities, both to give and to receive. For instance, it’s a well-known fact that Monaco’s Prince Rainier gifted his bride Grace Kelly with a Van Arpel set of pearl and diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet at their wedding, while Jackie Kennedy received a pearl necklace, a pearl and diamond bracelet, and other jewelry that were given to her as gifts for her wedding to John F. Kennedy. And cinematic siren Marilyn Monroe is said to have treasured a pearl necklace given to her by her husband, Joe DiMaggio, while they were honeymooning in Japan.

Examples of pearls gone wild exist in the celebrity world too. Actress Mischa Barton of “The O.C.” has been photographed wearing strands upon strands of differently-sized pearls, making her look eccentric but more eye-catching than ever. Halle Berry wore a lariat necklace with Autore South Sea pearls nestling tantalizingly on her nearly bare chest during the 2003 premiere of her movie “Gothika.” And viewers of the HBO comedy “Sex and the City” will remember the expression on sex-loving Samantha’s face as she walked up several flights of stairs when she was wearing a pearl thong — an unusual example of the combination of jewelry and lingerie.

That episode of “Sex and the City” caused a sharp increase in the sales of pearl thongs. And buyers have nothing but rave reviews about it. They say that walking or moving with a string of Manacor pearls between the legs is something that has to be experienced to be believed. There are numerous other examples of the use of pearls to enhance sex appeal or sexual experience — or both. A belly chain of freshwater pearls is sure to turn heads at the beach, as would mother-of-pearl toe rings. For those who love body jewelry, there’s a wide selection of belly rings, pierced and non-pierced nipple rings with pearl dangles. And for perhaps the ultimate example of pearls gone wild, think genital jewelry and sex toys. Whether they use faux pearls or real ones, these products have a loyal following among lovers of erotica.

Pearl jewelry is suitable for day and nighttime use, to send a statement of class and elegance. But remember that underneath the serene surface lies a naughty element and that you can use pearl jewelry to show your wild side.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician, and writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com Also includes informative articles, comparison shopping, rare book excerpts, & link directory.

Engagement presents are gifts given to the couple at any time throughout their engagement. It celebrates the next significant and important step in their relationship. Antique engagement rings also help the couple out tremendously with useful items for their new shared home or to help them on their way to a fun and memorable honeymoon and life together.

Customized Engagement Rings

One sure way to make a lasting impression is to give a customized engagement present that is designed solely for the special couple. There are several creative ideas that will be cherished forever. For example, you can have a painting made of their engagement portrait. You can create a shadow box of the flowers from all the bouquets he has given her while they were dating. Jewelers can design a special piece of jewelry for the husband to be to give his fianc© to commemorate the official announcement to family and friends. She can then wear this on her wedding day.

Engagement Parties

Engagement parties are the perfect opportunity to give engagement gifts and let family and friends join in the celebration. Gifts given at engagement parties can include linens for their new home, useful small appliances, luggage or towels for a beach honeymoon destination.

Many couples will register at specific stores to make gift giving easier on friends and family and help them get the presents they really want and need. A gift registry will give a full list of everything the couple indicated they would like. There are presents in every price range, so the gift giver can select something appropriate within their budget.

Once someone has purchased an item from the gift registry, it is no longer on the list. This helps avoid duplicate gifts.

More and more couples are having longer engagements. Some are several years long, while others still prefer to tie the knot as soon as possible after getting engaged. It doesn’t matter how soon after the engagement the couple plans to marry, it is still appropriate to give both engagement and wedding presents. The longer the engagement however, the longer the time frame for giving engagement presents.

Guy Morris reveals frequently for the guide and news area of www.antique-engagement-rings-guide.com . Within his publication he is featuring jewelry and articles on wedding and engagement presents.

You are window-shopping and notice a famous brand name watch in the window of a small jewelry store. You go into the store and ask to see the watch. The sales person shows the watch to you with its price. When you hesitate to buy the watch, he offers it to you at a lower price. Would you buy it?

You are looking at diamonds in a jewelry store, and the salesperson offers you a diamond for cash, without a sales receipt and invoice or sales tax, for a price lower than the original one. Would you buy it?

You see sign of “Going Out of Business. Must sell all jewelry at 50% or 75% off.” Would you go into store and buy any jewelry piece there?

All of the above are examples of precisely where you should not buy fine jewelry. In buying fine jewelry, you are buying jewelry you want to keep and treasure, not to throw away the way you may do with costume jewelry. For that reason, not to mention what you may have to pay, you want to be careful where you buy jewelry. And the more you pay, the more you want to be sure the store is reliable, with a reputation of standing behind what it sells. Those qualifications automatically rule out street peddlers, strangers, or fly-by-night stores that may be here today and gone tomorrow, and stores with continual going out of business sales. But where not to go is not much help in finding the store where you should go.

If you have a reputable jeweler with whom you have dealt in the past and with whom you have always been satisfied, you will want to continue going to him. On the other hand, perhaps you have moved or you are making your first purchase of jewelry or your jeweler does not carry the type of jewelry you want. How do you go about finding the right place to buy a piece of gold jewelry or a diamond or other gemstone? How do you know whether you are getting the best advice available? How do you know the store has the kind of business and professional ethics that will mean a fair price backed up by assurance that what you buy is genuine?

One way is to ask people you know about their jewelers, just as you would ask about their dentists or physicians. The key word is jeweler. A jeweler should be an expert in precious metals and gems, with training, experience, integrity, and a reputation in the field to protect. These qualities are important, because with the price of jewelry being what it is you can not afford an expensive mistake: you need guarantee that a piece of jewelry is what it is supposed to be, Since you can not always tell just by looking at it. In this sense, jewelry is a blind purchase.

A jeweler is a person, who makes or repairs jewelry or who deals in jewelry, precious stones, watches, and perhaps silverware and china. More important to you is the fact that jeweler should not only deal in those items but also be an expert in them and stand behind what he sells and work done.

Whether or not you have the names of several jewelers, start out to find the one for you by looking around various stores. Some jewelers may specialize in certain types of jewelry. If you are interested in diamonds, make sure the store carries a good selection of diamonds. If you are interested in colored stones, make sure it has a good selection of those, including the ones you may want to buy.

A jeweler may have a wide choice of diamonds, which is good as long as you want to buy a diamond, and only one or two rubies, sapphires, or tourmalines, which can be costly, as well as for stones that are less expensive. If you want one of the lesser-known gems like peridot or spinel, for example, you want a jeweler who does not display those gems may still have them or be able to get them, but you want assurance he is familiar with gems.

Once you have found a jeweler or jewelers who carry what you want in styles that appeal to you, you still want to know more about the store. That brings up professional ethics and sound business practices.

Out of every diamond there is, the most sparkling diamonds are the round brilliants. This is the most popular diamond shape of those that are less than 3 carats.

It’s not that other diamonds for sale aren’t sparkling diamonds as well; if cut right many other diamond shapes are extremely brilliant. But if it were a life and death situation, round brilliant would be the right choice. The shape, cut, and proportion of the round brilliant diamond make it shine and sparkle like no other.

So what exactly is it that makes diamonds, into sparkling diamonds? Brightness and contrast are the two most important attributes of a diamond. Light enters the diamond and depending on whether the diamond is cut correctly the light can either escape out the back, leave right back from the top, or it can be dispersed from many different angles.
When the diamond’s angles and proportions are cut correctly the light that enters the diamond will disperse at the exact places it’s supposed to and you will see beautiful sparkling diamonds. This sparkling is also referred to as the fire of the diamond.

Fire is also dependent on the diamond’s proportions and cuts. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle of creating fire in a diamond. Among them include: facet length, pavilion angle, facet junctions, and the angle of the entering light.

Round brilliant diamonds have the best combination of all the necessities when it comes to sparkling diamonds. Because they have held this reputation for a long time they are the most sought after diamonds for sale.

When shopping for a diamond, even fake diamonds can seem to be sparkling. It all depends on what light they’re using or any other trickery that a person may use. Be sure that the sparkling diamonds you see are genuine and not just a trick that somebody’s pulled on you. Read as much information as you can before you go out and make that purchase, in the end you’ll be glad you took the time to do it.

All pearls are processed in some way. Akoya and
Freshwater pearls are bleached, and all pearls are
cleaned and polished before they are sold. There
are some treatments to take note of on cultured
pearls that will change the aesthetic qualities of
the pearl.

After harvesting cleaning and polishing a
low-quality cultured pearl if the pearl still does
not have a good luster or color, the farmer has
very few options. If the pearls is a good
candidate for treatment, this is the most common
and economically sensible thing for the farmer to
do. There are three main treatments are used on
low-quality pearls.

Dyeing- The use of silver nitrate to darken the
nacre of the pearl. Irradiation- The use of gamma
rays to darken the nucleus of the pearl in akoya
pearls and the nacre layers in freshwater pearls.
Luster treatments- A coating is placed on the
surface of the pearl to enhance the luster.

Silver nitrate has been used for decades to darken
the appearance of the peal. The chemical
penetrates the layer of nacre and has a chemical
reaction with light or hydrogen sulfides gas to
organic or inorganic dyes to produce another color
variation. This treatment is very popular in
treating fresh water pearls. Sometimes the farmer
will want to create other colors then black the
farmer in this case can use organic or inorganic
dyes to make the color variations. Akoya pearls
are also routinely “pinked” this is done when they
would like to make a more rose overtone.

Irradiation has a different effect on freshwater
to saltwater and cultured pearls. Gamma rays do
not affect the nacre layers of a saltwater
cultured pearl, but will darken the nucleus of the
pearl. Saltwater pearls that are irradiated will
be gray to blue. Freshwater irradiated pearls can
become very dark, some of these freshwater treated
pearls may also have an intense metallic sheen
over their surface.

Coating a pearls to enhance its luster is not
widely practiced and is frowned upon. The coating
is like putting clear nail polish. The coating may
eventually chip or peel, leaving a low-luster
pearl this is a treatment to watch for.

Luster treatments are very hard to find. The most
basic way to find the luster treatment is to
compare an untreated strand with the strand that
you think has been treated. You can put the strand
under 50x magnification. The untreated pearl will
have a scaly nacre surface and the coated pearl
will have a smooth, glass like surface.

All pearls are processed in some way. You as the
pearl consumers should be aware of all the
treatments before you are going to buy these
classic beauties to add to your jewelry
collection.

Glow necklaces are ornaments which glow in the dark and have a special attraction. The glow of a glow necklace lasts for few hours. Glow necklaces are made in gold and platinum sometimes, and are very famous all over the world. Purchasing gold ornaments involves a lot of investment. 24 carat gold is considered to be the best gold, but it is not useful for making ornaments as it is soft gold. The gold ornaments are very expensive depending on the gold used and the intrinsic work done. Glow necklaces are available in various colors and are available at economical rates.

Glow necklaces are an extended form of glow bracelets. They are just of a bigger size than the glow bracelets. The glow necklaces are made of flexible plastics. They need no wiring and they work via reactive chemicals. They are non-toxic and non-flammable.

Glow necklaces are available at cheap rates. Children in parties commonly use them for fun. As they are durable, they can be used for hours. This glow is due to a chemical process known as chemiluminescences, which emits light. During this process, electrons in the normal level produce energy in the form of light.

Glow necklaces are available in “premium” and “superior” quality. Premium quality glow necklaces glow for about 6 to 24 hours, while superior quality glow necklaces glow for 8 to 48 hours. They are available in 6mm and 5mm diameters. The 6mm glow necklaces are brighter than 5 mm glow necklaces by 25%.

They are available in nice packaging and pretty colors. Glow necklaces are available in pink, orange, red, green, yellow, blue and white colors. The pink, orange and red are made by using tinted colors, whereas the green, yellow, blue and white colors are made by using clear castings. They are also available in tri colors: green-red-blue, green-yellow-blue and red-white-blue.

The superior quality glow necklaces are available at $100 and the premium quality necklaces are available at $20 for 50 pieces. Being of a branded quality, they are worn in special events and occasions. The glow depends on the quality and the composition they have inside.

Designer jewelry what is it exactly? In simple terms designer jewelry is something made on special order under a renowned jewelry brands, and its uniqueness is defined by its customizable feature .You can classify a piece jewelry as designer one simply from the prompt designer’s logo inscribed on it .Even if a designer jewelry is not made by a well known jeweler, it should be one-of -a-kind and outstandingly beautiful.

You can use designer jewelry as a means of expression of some special emotions or to mark a celebration in a unique way. A designer jewelry is a perfect way to reward yourself for all the hard work you done and to feel proud about your accomplishments in life. It is popularly used to symbolize sexual, cultural or religious affinity. People with unique personality are the lovers of designer jewelry as it compliments their personality in a distinct way. And moreover who want to wear look-alike jewelry as a dress code.

Designer Jewelry: Are all Names?

In today’s jewelry industry designer jewelry is the more expensive one. And the reason for these extra bucks is the extra efforts for creating an innovative and matchless piece of trinkets. Every jewelry must be priced according to its worth but designer jewelry is much worthier than its price.

Before buying your favorite piece of designer jewelry you must have a fine idea about its market worth. Although the material used in making designer jewelry is of fine quality and its better to be aware of the fake one. Owning a designer jewelry is every jewelry lovers dream.

Past of Designer Jewelry

The history of jewelry is as old as human existence .in ancient time bones and teeth were used in jewelry making .But Egyptian people are known as the pioneers of designer jewelry, they added colors to the jewelry with precious gemstones. Jewelry made from silver and gold was also one of the famous inventions in designer jewelry in Egyptian era.

Today you can find designer jewelry in desirable shapes, styles and finish. A trendy collection a designer jewelry at affordable price can easily be found online.

Just grab your style of designer jewelry online!

Author is an famous jewelry expert.

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One of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry you can own is a pair of diamond stud earrings. Elegantly simple and stunningly beautiful, diamond stud earrings are a classic look that will never go out of style. And, with so many styles and cuts to choose from, diamond stud earrings are easy to customize. This article explains how to create the perfect pair of diamond stud earrings that will become a treasured heirloom for years to come.

Steps:

1 Find a local jeweler or a reputable website that sells made-to-order diamond stud earrings.

2 Choose the price range you are most comfortable with. Diamond studs can vary dramatically depending on size and quality. They can cost as little as $150 or as much as $15000 or more.

3 Choose the cut that best suits you. If you have a broader face you’ll probably look best with princess cut diamond studs. If your face is thinner round cut studs will be your best fit.

4 Choose the precious metal that best suits your skin tone for the backing. If you have a warm skin tone yellow gold will look best. If your skin tone is cool you will probably look better in white gold or platinum.

5 Make sure you choose a well balanced setting for your diamond stud earrings. Some settings, such as the crown style setting, are poorly balanced, pulling the diamond stud forward and creating a droopy look. The best settings - the three-prong martini style or four-prong basket style - pull the center of gravity back, making the diamond stud fit snuggly and beautifully against your ear. Remember that even the most beautiful diamond will look bad in a poor setting.

6 Make sure to choose quality diamond stud earrings. Look at the color, cut, and clarity of the diamond studs. Look to see that the diamond stud is clear, with no obvious inclusions. Make sure that the light is reflected evenly out of the diamond with no dark spots. Remember that bigger isn’t always better.

7 Order your diamond stud earrings and enjoy.

Tips:

• When you order your diamond stud earrings, take note of the size of the diamonds. Stones that are 1/8 to 1/4 carats are tiny. If you order stones that are 1/5 carat or more, the effect will be much more dramatic and pleasing.

• If you are unsure of your skin tone hold a piece of clean white paper against your hand, if you notice a yellowish hue then you have a warm skin tone, if you see a bluish hue then your skin tone is cool.

Warnings:

• While diamonds are one of the hardest materials on earth they can still be damaged. Avoid extremes of temperature, and always store separately.

Casey Buell is an expert in the field of diamonds and gemstones, and a contributor to the award winning diamond stud earring website located at http://www.diamondstudsonly.com/