June is here – the start of summer, Father’s day, and graduations – giving us another opportunity to honor people with gifts.  People can choose from a number of options, like ties or new socks for dads and nice pens or maybe brand new cars for graduates.  While these ideas make great gifts, think about giving something that makes people feel extra special.  I suggest jewelry, such as diamond pendants and mens gold chains.

I remember back when I graduated many years ago, jewelry was definitely not on mind…I was scared that I have to work a real job but excited too.  I was finally done taking stupid exams, writing papers, and can start earning money.  And my parents were going to throw me a big party, which meant getting lots of money!  The party was so cool, and I did get lots of money.  I thought money was going to be the best present, but it turned out that I treasured my grandma’s gift the most.  She gave me a simple chain necklace, nothing too flashy.  I never really wore real jewelry before, not too many guys I knew did.  Yet, for some reason, when I tried it on, I felt like an adult, like I was finally stepping out of my life as a student and into a real working man.  Because of this experience, I now give jewelry as presents for special occasions and suggest it to other people.

When buying jewelry, I take time in choosing which one to buy because people have different styles and the price is pretty high.  First, I think about the gift recipients’ fashion styles – flashy, romantic, clean J-Crew type, simple, etc.  Then I think about what types of jewelry they wear, or if they even wear jewelry at all.  I look at all the trends, and then I ask my wife’s opinion.  She generally makes the final decision!

For example, my grandfather loves gold.  Any piece of jewelry that he bought for my grandmother was gold.  He had a gold rope-shaped necklace, which matched his gold bracelet, passed down to him from his father.  Ten years ago, the lock broke, and the bracelet fell off unbeknownst to him, devastating him.  Later, I found a mens gold bracelet shaped like a rope and gave it to him for Father’s Day.  He was elated!  I knew what type of jewelry he liked and got it for him.

Another example, when my niece graduated last year with a Masters in Counseling, I wanted to get her a beautiful piece of jewelry, as well as money, to honor her career choice.  Being a girly-girl who liked wearing white gold bracelets, I didn’t want to just pick any type of jewelry, so my wife suggested diamond charms to go with her bracelets.  I ended up giving her an angel diamond charm with a huge smile its face to brighten up her days.  To this day, my niece swears that it uplifts her day, especially when her clients’ issues start wearing her down.

Overall, jewelry makes a perfect gift to fathers, graduates, and just about anyone.  Just consider their style and accessory-usage when choosing that thoughtful jewelry piece.  That gift will be something that they will treasure for a long time.

Tom B

The modern American celebration of Mother’s Day reaches its 100th anniversary this year on Sunday, May 11th. Its history, however, can be traced back over 2,000 years. The Greeks held a celebration for Cybele, the Earth Mother, “The Mother of Gods”, each year near the vernal equinox. Virtually all cultures included in their pantheon a figure representing the power of the birth giver.

The holiday in this country originated through the efforts of Julia Ward Howe after the Civil War to establish a day on which women could combine their voices in protest of war, the Mother’s Day for Peace. The holiday as a day strictly to honor our nation’s mothers began in Grafton, WV in 1908. It caught on quickly, probably because it was so deserved, and in 1914, President Wilson officially recognized it as a national holiday.
Gifts of appreciation extended on Mother’s Day have traditionally included flowers, jewelry and/or a dinner out. In fact, the holiday is the single largest dining-out occasion in the U.S. each year.

Jewelry gifts for Mother’s Day traditionally commemorate her children. Especially popular in this fashion is the mother’s ring, a ring set with birthstones representing each child. Unfortunately, such mother’s rings have a couple of shortcomings. Some birthstones such as blue topaz and opal wear more quickly than rubies and sapphires. The color of these gems is often not complimentary when set close together, either. These problems can be offset by a wise choice of ring design, though. Some gold designs, such as those emulating ribbons or flowers, provide recessed areas in which these more fragile stones can find shelter.

Setting the stones in a pendant, perhaps a nugget made from family gold, solves the wear problem nicely. An intricate design can also help disguise the color clashes, as well. Women with one or two children often choose jewelry with their children’s initials. Script letters in particular make attractive pendants. A signet ring engraved with the children’s initials also makes a lovely and very durable gift.

Mothers of abundant families often enjoy charm bracelets with which to remember their offspring. A good strong-linked charm bracelet can also provide space for charms registering grandchildren and special accomplishments. Most women don’t choose to wear these daily, but keep them nearby whenever they need a memory fix.

Lockets are also popular Mother’s Day gifts, allowing her to share the visages of her loved ones with her friends. Make sure, though, to use an appealing photo– no Alfalfa hair, punk night out, or spinach on the teeth!
Those with unlimited budgets have even more options. How about a hand-carved cameo? One can set you back a few thousand dollars. An engraved or enameled family crest ring (you do have a family crest, don’t you? Me neither) is not a small investment, either.

This Mother’s Day, I’m sure mom would appreciate a little bauble from her children, and jewelry is always a good choice. It won’t substitute though, for what she really wants – remind her that you love her, for crying out loud. And set aside some time to spend with the one that spent so much of her life making yours possible.

Kim G

Men, you know you’ve done it. It was the evening of her birthday, Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, Leif Erikson Day, what have you, and you waited until the last minute to buy her a gift.

Your brain searched frantically for an idea…flowers made her sneeze and the last time you gave her a funny card and a teddy bear you slept on the couch for a week. What else is there? Jewelry always works, right? Well, I must admit, yes, but only if you don’t fall into the common pitfalls of the uninformed jewelry buyer.

If you really did wait until the last minute, you have already made the first mistake, and guys are not the only ones guilty of this. A rushed buyer is far more likely to leave the store spending far too much on a less than quality piece of jewelry. The cure for this is simple; plan ahead so you have time to shop around. It will save you headaches in the long run and besides, girls love it when you put some thought into her gift.

“What can I help you find today?” These very words from even the friendliest salesperson can send a customer into a panic because instead of hearing an offer to help, they hear “what can I scam you into buying?” Let’s call this Mistake Number Two. When a salesperson is asking you what they can help you find, they want to know the occasion for which you are considering a jewelry purchase, but they also need to know what she likes, what your budget is, and what her lifestyle is like. Many folks don’t take this highly important factor into consideration when buying a gift for someone. For example; your wife works in a factory where she works with her hands. You’d like to buy her a ring for her birthday and you think that a birthstone would be ideal. Her birthday is in May; the emerald. Have you caught the error yet? Emeralds are beautiful stones but they are also considered somewhat brittle gems. If your wife worked in an office where she didn’t hit her hands as much, there would be little cause for concern. But for someone who works with their hands quite a bit, an emerald may cause trouble because it is more likely to crack or chip, in which case she will soon find herself without a ring. Your salesperson needs to know how ‘hard’ a person wears their jewelry so that they can help you match the right purchase to the right wearer.

Let’s say that you didn’t heed this warning, you bought the emerald ring and the emerald cracked. Now what? Did you look into the warrantee before you bought it? Common Mistake Number Three. A broken piece of jewelry is disappointing, but it happens all the time; the trick is taking care of it. Each jeweler has their own warrantee policy. Some jewelers require you to purchase a separate warrantee; with others you are given a limited warrantee. Some require you to have your jewelry inspected by a salesperson every so often, and even then only certain defects are covered. Buying from a reputable jeweler will not always save you. It is up to you to find out how your purchase will be protected when you leave the store and make sure you get the warrantee in writing.

Have you ever gone into a jewelry store and told the salesperson your budget only to have them smirk and show you an item twice the price? High pressure sales tactics are a huge reason as to why so many customers shy away from jewelry stores. It is also the main reason why so many folks leave the store with a $400 purchase when they can only afford $100. Common Mistake Number Four; folding under pressure. When you are making a jewelry purchase, especially if it is a gift, you want to feel good about what you’ve found; not guilty for having a budget, and certainly not burdened with a huge credit card bill. Stick to your budget, and if you feel that your salesperson is trying to get you to spend out of your comfort zone, walk away.

You’ve done all of your homework and you’ve found just the right gift. You’ve put all of this effort into this great purchase and you feel good about it. Do you know how to care for it so it stays looking great? Common Mistake Number Five; now what? Do you know that an opal should be oiled regularly? Do you know that pearls should not be immersed in jewelry cleaner? Often times, warrantees can be voided if the proper care instructions are not followed. Be sure to ask your jeweler how to care for your new purchase so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.

Buying a piece of jewelry can be a bit intimidating, but if you avoid these common pitfalls, nothing can be more fulfilling than buying the right gift, for the right person, at the right price.

Kim G

So, you are ready to propose - Congratulations! You have moved to an important phase, buying a diamond engagement ring! This is one of the most important jewelry purchases you will ever have to make, symbolizing your promise to love her forever. Cheers to a long and successful marriage!

Since this is what she has been dreaming about since she was a little girl (no pressure), we have compiled a list of what to look for when looking for THE ideal ring.

First, create a budget. It is a common belief that your ring should cost about two months salary, so this might be where you should start.

Next, figure out the shape of the diamond. There are round, princess-cut diamonds, emerald, marquise, pear, and oval diamonds. The most popular diamond shapes are round and princess due to their high brilliance.

Then, you have to find out the type of metal and ring setting. The most popular choices are 18k or 14k gold in either yellow gold or white gold, and platinum jewelry settings. You can find out which metal for will suit her most by paying attention to what she has in her jewelry box. If your girlfriend wears mostly 14k yellow gold, she’d be pleased with a 14k yellow gold engagement ring. Or, if she likes white gold, you can step up and buy her a platinum engagement ring! If her jewelry box is loaded with antique jewelry, then get her an antique diamond engagement ring.

The ring setting is how the precious stones are held in place. There are a few different types available, such as bezel, prong, chevron, and invisible. Look at the different ring types. If she is an active person, a bezel ring setting would be good because the diamond would be protected. Compare and see the different ring settings and and find rings you think she would like.

Next, the most important part of the process begins- choosing the diamond. Go back to your budget and remember it. This is where you can save or lose the most money.

When choosing loose diamonds or a diamond ring, there are four things to remember, the Four C’s- Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat.

Carat measures the size of diamonds. Carat prices rise exponentially; a one-carat diamond ring is worth much more than a ring set with two or three diamonds that totals one carat. A good start is a one-carat stone. When choosing the diamond size for your ring, think about your budget and the look of the diamond you are going for.

Clarity is basically, the clear-ness of the diamond. The more clear a diamond, the more rare and expensive the ring will be. A good clarity to start at is SI2. SI2 means the stone is slightly included. There are inclusions that can be seen with a 10x magnification or very minor inclusions seen with the naked eye. However, how many people do you see walking around with magnifying glasses? An SI2 is a good value because you can’t really tell the difference between a VS2 to a SI2 with the naked eye.

The most important thing about the color of white diamonds is to have none. The most rare white diamonds used in engagement rings are those that are free of any color. Look for diamonds with a G-H grade because they are near colorless, and you’ll get the best value.

Cut is the thing that makes or breaks diamonds. According to the AGSL guidelines, a diamond with a 0 to 4 grading will have a good cut. If the diamond is cut wrong and is too shallow or deep, light will be lost and it will look too dark. You want to find the most brilliant diamond for your engagement ring that you can get for your budget.

If you are having trouble looking for a diamond engagement ring, recruit some help. Ask her best friend (one who could keep a secret) to help you find out what engagement ring she’d like. Her best friend will most likely have insights on the shape, ring setting and carat size of her ideal engagement ring.

Also, educate yourself. Compare prices by comparing the price per carat of the diamonds. Go to many stores and ask around. Do not buy the first ring you see, but compare and see the many choices and prices. Try to get the best value for you money while getting her something that will melt her heart.

Again, congratulations and good luck with your marriage! May all your dreams come true.

Kim G

Many a frustrated male has wondered into a jewelry store asking himself this
question: “why does a diamond say ‘I love you’ and a toaster doesn’t?” In order to
understand our current fascination with jewelry, we must first take a look into the past.

Early jewelry was most commonly thought to serve practical purposes such as to
pin clothes together, but a recent find has broadened our ideas on the subject. Thought to
be the oldest form of body adornment is a 100,000 year-old string of Nassasrius shells
that had been made into beads. Common early materials used to fashion jewelry were
carved stone, animal teeth, wood, and shells. Throughout history jewelry was primarily
worn by the wealthy or revered as a sign of status and many were buried with their
jewelry.

It is thought that gold was discovered as recently as 5,000 years ago and at that
time it may have been associated with the sun due to its attractive properties and
similarities in light reflection, symbolizing warmth. Seen as a gift from a sun god, gold
was used to craft religious objects and used in early religious ceremonies. In fact, gold is
the first atomic element to be mentioned in the Bible. A soft metal, gold was easily
fashioned into adornments, a trend which continues today.

The Pharaohs in Egypt can be credited with forming metals into a circle
symbolizing eternity, and hence symbolizing unending love, but it wasn’t until Roman
times that wedding rings became common to wear as a public declaration of marriage and
commitment. From there, jewelry adornment took on many forms due to both fashion
and function.

During the 15th-17th centuries, jewelry began establishing itself as one of the most
important elements of fashionable clothing. Wearers of fine jewels were either royalty or
the wealthy and as time went on, gifts of jewelry were given among the lesser class as a
means to express devotion and to promise to provide for them. Specifically diamonds
began to increase in popularity in the 18th century when prong setting of stones was
introduced thereby increasing the brilliancy of the stone. Diamonds themselves are the
most unyielding element in nature and it would suit to follow this line of thought with
giving the gem as a symbol of unyielding love.

When it comes right down to it, why do we buy jewelry? The motivation behind
a gift is as limitless as the possibilities you are given once you enter a jewelry store.
What are you trying to convey? Love? Flirtation? Devotion? How will your feelings be
received? Impetuous and fleeting? Or that of a complex, ornate, unique web? The gifts
you give out of love reflect the love itself. Each setting is different and each gem is
different, combined in a specific way to characterize your feelings for the bearer of your
gift.

Motivation behind giving jewelry as gifts used to vary from wishing to warrant
protection for the wearer to being an offering for the respected. It was a comparison of
beauty, a symbol of unbreakable bonds. After all these years, after all the changes in
trends, classes, social status and government, the gift of jewelry boils down to this: you
are giving a physical token of a feeling you cannot put into words. That affirmation of
love, devotion, adoration is what the bearer is seeking, and is so happy to receive. In the
biggest sense of the cliché, it is the thought that counts. So when you are faced with case
after case of gems, each different in their size, shape, brilliance and setting, think of how
you feel about the bearer of your gift, and you’ll know just what to choose.

Sheri L

Whether you’re buying jewelry for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for someone else, make sure you do it the right way by avoiding these 5 common mistakes:

1. Dealing with inexperienced vendors:

You should always buy jewelry from professional jewelers with decades of experience in the jewelry business. Why? Think about it. Do you really want to be merely sold jewelry, or do you want to purchase quality jewelry from people who know what they’re doing?

Jewelry experts know the standards, follow the regulations and understand what quality is. They back up what they sell. Experienced jewelry experts are proud of the knowledgeable service they can provide to their customers and they want to help educate you. They have a career in jewelry and a well-established jewelry business and understand that purchasing fine jewelry is not the same thing as shopping for a toaster. Jewelry is an intimate purchase and jewelry often lasts several lifetimes as it’s often passed through generations. Why trust something that important to just a salesperson?

2. Skimping on quality:

Expert jewelers are experts on quality. You should be informed of exactly what jewelry you’re buying in terms of its value for the money you’re spending. Jewelry experts should be forthcoming about all of the details about their jewelry. They should provide all the information possible so that you can be sure you’re getting a quality piece of jewelry at the best price available.

Jewelry experts interested in selling only quality jewelry want to communicate with their customers. They truly care about the kind of jewelry they sell and not about making a sale just for the sake of making a sale. Look for quality jewelers with decades of experience behind them to answer all your questions about exactly what you’re buying. If they seem to be withholding information about the jewelry they’re selling, look elsewhere!

3. Settling for a limited selection:

Don’t settle for a limited selection of jewelry. The best jewelers have the largest selections of jewelry for you to choose from. They understand that their customers are not only interested in purchasing quality pieces of jewelry for themselves, but also want to buy pieces for their loved ones for gifts on special occasions. When you find a knowledgeable, trustworthy jeweler, you’re going to want to keep buying from that jeweler, so a large product line that keeps expanding is important.

Career jewelers stay on top of trends and demands in the marketplace. They give you a wide choice so that you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for. You don’t want jewelry you just like, but jewelry that you just love – the perfect accent for that special outfit or the perfect gift for someone you love. You need a large selection of quality jewelry options with jewelers who care about helping you find what you want.

4. Ignoring the importance of your convenience:

The last thing you need or want when buying jewelry is to be rushed or pressured. That’s why many people prefer shopping for jewelry online in the comfort of their home or office. This way, you don’t feel pressured from sales people or rushed near closing time at the mall. Today’s computer technology allows for clear, close up photographs so you know just what you’ll be getting. No need to try and point to items in a display case or to try to wait patiently to get a sales clerk, often with limited knowledge about the pieces he or she is selling anyway, to help you.

Be sure that the jewelry website you choose to buy jewelry from is backed by knowledgeable career jewelers with many years of experience. You should be able to find all the information you need on the site and should be able to ask any additional questions you’d like before you buy.

5. Paying retail instead of wholesale:

Ecommerce and online shopping are not only popular for reasons of convenience, but for value and lower prices too. Big box retail jewelry stores like you to think that they’re still the only option, but smart consumers know better. Why pay more than you need to for quality jewelry? Look for a reputable online jeweler that’s committed to finding you the best price possible.

A reputable, experienced jeweler wants you to receive the best value possible. The best value possible when you’re buying jewelry is getting quality, service, selection and price. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than that. Look for wholesale prices and discounts and specials. Look for a career jeweler that wants to please you by providing ultimate quality at ultimate prices. It’s that simple. Fine jewelry is a lasting remembrance, unlike flowers or candy. You really don’t have to spend a fortune to get quality jewelry you love.

Tom B

As my wife reminds me, there is no such thing as a bad piece of jewelry. But, just as some people were not meant to wear lime-green stretch tights, some jewelry may not match your lifestyle. Picking pieces that fit the way you live will guarantee your new bling won’t spend most of its life buried in your jewelry box.  For example- some people love to wear flat herringbone chains to bed. Granted, you may look fetching when a certain someone wakes you during the night for a little snuggling, but the next morning you may find the chain is a mangled mess around your neck. The sad truth is a flat chain that has been twisted is very difficult to return to its original shape. So if you intend to make a flat chain part of your nightwear, steer clear of the paper-thin variety. Invest in a thicker chain, or one specially constructed to avoid kinking. That way, it will look as good in the morning as it did when your head hit the pillow. 

While we’re talking flat chain, here’s another piece of advice; flat chains and sliding pendants don’t play well together. If you looked at your chain under the microscope, you might be surprised how its edge resembles the teeth of a saw. And sawing is just what it does to the bail of your pendant. Every time you move, the pendant bail will rub against your chain, carving away a little more metal. For pendants, a rope or box chain will extend the life of the bail. If you really want to wear a stone with your flat chain, consider having one soldered in place. One last suggestion about chains; match the length to your wardrobe and your features. Nothing diminishes the impact of a chain more than having it tangle in your décolleté. If you favor scoop-neck tops, consider an 18″ chain that will lie nicely above the hem. If you favor turtlenecks, a 20″ would fall neatly below. With a plunging neckline, a 24″ chain will have plenty of room to drape attractively. 

Are you shopping for a gemstone ring? Again, you’ll be happier if you match your selection to your lifestyle. For example, if you are an avid golfer, you are aware of the stress golf puts on a ring. Sun, sunscreen, sweat, and swinging are all hazardous to delicate gems such as the opal. For a great sports ring, consider the bulletproof end of the gemstone spectrum– diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and tourmaline all wear exceptionally well. An additional caution: if you wear a ring on your glove hand, be especially careful when removing the glove that your ring doesn’t come along with it. Somewhere in the golfing world one of my wedding rings jumped ship.  Also, choose the proper the stone mounting for your lifestyle. A four-prong setting is marvelous for opening your stone to light from all directions, thereby maximizing the sparkle. But it does have the potential to snag, so if you do a lot of gardening or other hands-on work, think about a bezel or pavé setting, where the stone is securely held around its entire periphery. Another great choice for a bulletproof sport/hobby ring is a simple gold signet ring. As my wife again points out, a well-stocked jewelry chest holds not just a variety of pieces to suit each outfit, but pieces appropriate to various activities. The next time you shop, buy in accordance with your life style, and you’ll enjoy your purchase to the max.

Tom B

Are you a romantic? Does it please you to know that your diamond was forged millions of years ago deep in the heat and pressure of the Earth? The traditional diamond industry fervently hopes so, because that’s the pitch they intend to use to fend off the growing availability of gem-quality man-made diamonds.

At one time, the notion of a man-made gem diamond was a pipe dream fit only for con men to use in prying loose cash from those with more money than knowledge of science. Now, however, we stand at the beginning of a huge transformation in the diamond industry, as companies such as Apollo Diamonds, Chatham Created Gems and Gemesis have begun selling gems grown in their labs. These stones are no muddy brown lumps, either; they match the best naturals for clarity, color and size.

To make these, the industry has perfected the chemical vapor deposition method. In this process, a seed crystal of diamond is placed in a chamber in a 1300ºF plasma of hydrogen and methane. This provides the carbon that allows the diamond to grow, an atom at a time, until it reaches up to 10 carats in size. With this process, a carat stone can be grown in 12 hours.

As you can imagine, the prospects of such diamonds swamping the market has caused a controversy in the gem industry.

The first issue of contention is just what to call these gems. The Federal Trade Comission has declared that selling them without mention of their source would be considered deceptive, but have remained mum about their favored sobriquet. The Gemological Institute of America has adopted the term ‘laboratory grown’.

Apollo, on the other hand, has adopted the word ‘cultured’, no doubt hoping to equate their process with the widely-accepted cultured pearl market. The mined diamond industry, however, prefers the word ’synthetic’ with its more pejorative ring.

The second controversy is one of identification. While both man-made and mined diamonds are mostly carbon, mined diamonds usually also contain some nitrogen, while man-mades don’t. The lack causes man-mades to appear more transparent under UV light, a differentiation jewelers can use to separate the two. De Beers, the 900 lb. gorilla of the diamond industry, has also developed testing equipment to identify man-made gems.

The manufacturers so far are trying to work within the system by laser engraving stones over one-quarter carat, and pricing them only slightly under mined stones. De Beers has also taken to engraving I.D. info on the girdles of their natural stones.

The real battle will take place in advertising, however. Expect De Beers and the mined diamond industry to spend big bucks to convince you, the consumer, that mined diamonds remain more valuable that manufactured ones.

They face an additional hurdle in this campaign, though — the specter of blood diamonds. Public unease about the conditions under which their gems were mined and sold has driven some to seek out man-made diamonds.

Given that diamonds were a $143 billion business in 2006, the stakes in this controversy are huge. Last year, 400,000 carats of man-made gem diamonds hit the market, versus 130 million carts of mined stones. If this increases to the point that man-mades flood the market, causing the price of diamonds to plummet, everybody in the industry loses. I’m curious to see if De Beers is able to stem the tide. I’m curious to see how much you’re willing to pay to own a natural diamond.

Kim G

Pigeon blood. Not exactly the words that conjure up thoughts of overwhelming love and affection, especially when giving a gift to your beloved, but it should. Why? Because true pigeon blood, red-blue, is the ideal color of the most popular gemstone symbolizing love; the ruby.
The birthstone of July, the ruby is most often given during Valentines Day because the simple red color historically denotes love, passion, and joy. Looking through jewelry stores or on-line sites, the selection and setting possibilities are endless. Rubies rank a 9 on the Mohs Scale, second only to diamonds, and are considered a precious gem. In fact, the best quality rubies are actually rarer than diamonds, and can be found set in all kinds of precious metals; from silver to gold and platinum. When choosing rubies as a gift of love, consider giving a pendant in your metal of choice so that the fiery stone that can be worn close to the heart.
Within the rubies themselves are many different tones, shades, variations and qualities. The first thing a shopper will notice is the color. If what you see before you is a pink, cloudy looking stone, walk away. The highest quality natural rubies will be a true red, or a red that will have a slight black, blue, or purple undertone; hence the name ‘pigeon blood’. These different color undertones will help identify where the gem was mined, and all are of good value. If, however, the gem you are looking at is light and almost pink in color, or at the opposite end of the spectrum, if the gem is almost pure black, then that is not the ruby for you. Something to keep in mind before you shop; a natural, small, high-quality ruby will more expensive than a large, poor-quality ruby.
It is perfectly acceptable to ask the jeweler to show you the gem under a microscope, just as you would when purchasing diamonds. Here is the main difference between scoping diamonds and scoping rubies; rubies are expected to have a fair number of natural inclusions. If the gem you are scoping does not, either the gem is completely false and you should walk away, or the gem is a lab-created stone.
Lab-created gems are gemstones formed in perfect conditions in laboratories. They are spot-on for color and quality and are considerably cheaper than natural gems making them ideal for price conscious shoppers, but there is one flaw; they are too perfect. Not having any natural inclusions within the gem is a dead give-away that the gem was created under perfect conditions rather than mined from nature. That isn’t to say that lab-created gems don’t have their place in the jewelry market; quite the opposite is true. Lab-created gems are perfect for those who wish to give a large ruby of good color at a lower price. Just keep in mind that the seasoned jewelry owner will not be fooled by the gem’s appearance.
Why give a natural gem that is flawed when you can give a lab-created gem that is not? Natural beauty in gems is not to be misplaced. Flaws are to be embraced as part of the hallmark of where the gem has been on its way to find you. When deciding upon lab-created or natural gems, keep in mind the wearer. Giving a natural ruby to the person who has been with you through rough times, and knows your flaws as well as you know theirs, is symbolic of how deeply you love. When a love is so pure, the flaws do not distract from it; they enhance it.

Kim G

Working at a jewelry store years ago I assisted a customer in picking out a lovely emerald ring. Standing beside her was her fiancé when she spotted the perfect deep-toned emerald-cut emerald, accented on the sides by channel set diamonds. “This is it!” she cried. “This is my wedding ring!” Admittedly, I was slightly confused until her fiancé agreed. “You’re right,” he said, “those diamond rings just weren’t ‘you’.” They went on to explain that their life was full of adventure, with a deep appreciation of the outdoors, and couldn’t think of a better way to remind them of their shared interests than wedding rings that would remind them of nature. What else could they choose but a brilliant green emerald?
In the past few years, America taken a cue from other cultures and has witnessed the growing trend in bridal fashions that include either omitting diamonds entirely or accenting the diamond center stone with various colored gems. Gone are the days of monotone bridal sets. In this day and age, couples rings are made from various colored metals; no longer all gold. Many times couples are opting for rings that don’t match each other, instead finding rings that suit them as individuals. Couples have gone beyond choosing various colored metals for their rings and are now choosing various colored gemstones as well. But how can you choose the right colored gem for your fiancé?
The obvious choice would be to choose her favorite color or her birth month as an accent stone. But looking deeper, you might want to consider using the stone from the month you first met, or as the story regales above, something that reminds you of a shared interest. Good advice to follow here; if your shared interest is a particular football team (such as the Minnesota Vikings), be sure you are both really committed to the team before choosing amethyst (purple) and citrine (gold). You might want to re-think that choice and keep it simple with one color.
Another option is choosing a color based on her best feature. The first thing you first noticed about her was her brilliant blue eyes? How about complementing her diamond with sapphires, blue topaz, or iolite? Was it her red hair that made you weak in the knees? Choose ruby, fire opal, or garnet.
Looking even deeper than all of that, you might want to choose an accent stone based upon the symbolism of the gem. Sapphire is considered the gemstone of the sky because it was believed that the world sat upon an enormous sapphire and it was reflected in the blue of the sky. Does your love for her soar beyond the birds of the air? In ancient Rome, green was the color of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. By offering an emerald as an accent to a diamond, you are proclaiming your beloved as your goddess. Do you have a deep religious affiliation? It was believed that Noah used a garnet lantern to help him steer his ark through the dark night. Choosing a garnet as an accent will tell her that through all uncertainty, the two of you will weather the storm, two by two.
When none of these ideas seem to fit, take a step back and think about her personality. Is she feisty? Think red. Is she cool and collected? Choose blue. Is she warm and loving? Orange or yellow. Feminine? Pink. Whatever color you choose will be the right compliment in her wedding ring for the simple reason that you took the time to really think about it – after all, that’s the most important thing.