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Jewelry Blog: All Blogs

Are Diamonds Really Forever?

September 20, 2009

"Diamonds Are Forever" is the seventh in the series of James Bond spy movies, as well as Shirley Bassey's title song, inspired by Ian Fleming's novel of the same name. The song emphasizes that diamonds last "forever and ever" and "when love is gone, they'll luster on." Diamond is the world's hardest natural material and diamonds are the most durable and ever-lasting material on Earth, so, yes, diamonds really are forever thanks to their durability. .

Durability is stability, hardness and toughness

A gemstone's durability is its degree of stability, hardness and toughness. Toughness relates to chipping and breaking, while

hardness has to do with scratching. Stability refers to how well the gemstone resists light, chemicals and heat. Diamonds have excellent stability and hardness as well as good toughness so this all adds up to incredible durability.
Stability -- Diamond is used in the electrical industry and in engineering drill bits because of its high resistance to heat, light and chemicals. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is technology that allows synthetic diamond to be fabricated, either in thin or thick sheets, due to a gaseous chemical reaction.
Although diamonds are highly resistant to most chemicals, bleach should not be used to clean diamonds. Diamonds are often cleaned with a mixture of ammonia and water or a diamond cleaner and soft-bristled brush. Diamond has an extremely high melting point of 3,820 degrees Kelvin. It is the best heat conductor of all natural elements, due to its high lattice density. Lattice density refers to the amount of atoms per unit of volume. As atoms are denser in diamond than in any other natural material, diamond is also the hardest of all natural materials.

Hardness -- Diamond

measures a perfect ten on the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale is named after Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, and it tests hardness by how easily a mineral can be scratched. Talc has a score of only one to diamond's ten.
Softer minerals cannot scratch harder minerals. Diamond is so hard that the next hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, corundum -- which is sapphire and ruby, is four times softer than diamond. The hardness of diamonds makes them perfect for wearing as jewelry as they are not easily scratched. Since diamonds can scratch other diamonds, however, diamond jewelry pieces should be kept separate in a jewelry box.

Toughness -- Ruby, sapphire and alexandrite are all tougher gemstones than diamond, but diamond is still very tough. A diamond

will usually only break if it is dropped on a hard surface or hit with a blow that splits its four-way cleavage. Cleavage is a straight, clean crack in a gemstone.
Feathery cracks on the top of a diamond may cause easier breakage and diamonds with these types of surface cracks are not very durable. A good quality cut diamond has its girdle, or outer rim, left thick enough to prevent chipping. The pointed end of a diamond is called a cutlet and if the cutlet is too pointed, breakage could occur during the setting process.

Posted by Sheri L at 12:02 PM - Link to this entry Share this entry

Bridal Jewelry Traditions Around the World

August 30, 2009

While diamond wedding rings tend to take stage in the United States and across the world, there are a few notable exceptions both in style and symbolism.

The first appearance of wedding rings has an arguable start. Some claim the Egyptians began giving wedding rings; another claim states that wedding rings were not common until the 11th century. Whatever the time frame, wedding rings have become a symbol of commitment to marriage throughout many cultures.

Although a plain gold band continues to be the most popular type of wedding ring throughout the world, there are a few variations.

In France and many French speaking countries, it is common for the wedding ring to consist of three interwoven rings symbolizing love, hope, and faith. These rings are commonly made of three different colors of gold; yellow, white, and rose gold. In Greece and Italy, it is common for men to receive a type of puzzle ring made of gold to wear as a wedding band. The idea here is that they must prove their commitment by solving the puzzle and prove their faithfulness by wearing the ring constantly so as not to dislodge the puzzle.

The world over, women's wedding rings most commonly contain diamonds as a sign of indestructible love, however other gem stones have also had a stay. In medieval Europe, the ruby was commonly used because they were red, like a heart. Sapphires were also used to symbolize the heavens, from which love came. Posey rings became popular in France in the 17th century.

These rings were inscribed with poems and love verses either inside or outside to declare adoration. Engraved wedding bands remain a very popular choice today. Wedding rings containing aquamarine represent marital harmony, where as pearl engagement rings were considered bad luck because the shape of the pearl was similar to that of a tear. In Victorian England, snake rings complete with ruby eyes were popular wedding bands because the coil winding around the finger symbolized eternity.

In renaissance Italy, silver betrothal rings became popular. These were highly ornate rings that were usually engraved and filled with black enamel so the pattern would contrast with the metal. Later, when gold became the popular metal of choice, the Italian silver betrothal ring was given first to be followed by a duplicate ring made of gold given at the wedding itself. This is most likely how the idea of separate engagement and wedding rings came into play, a tradition that continues today.

Tradition states that wedding rings are to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand (including the thumb) because it was thought that that particular finger contained a vein which leads directly to the heart. This is not traditional throughout the world however, as is the case in Norway and Russia where the wedding ring is to be worn on the same finger of the right hand.

Wearing two rings, the engagement ring and the wedding ring, on the ring finger has become the norm in North America. The engagement ring in this case usually holds the diamond which is given as a symbol of love and a promise from the man to the woman to take care of her. In Sweden, the bride wears three rings after her wedding; an engagement ring, a wedding ring, and a ring for motherhood, a promise to bring forth a family.

Most Christian weddings include an exchange of rings with the exception of the Quakers who may or may not exchange rings during or after the ceremonial Meeting. Quakers do not consider the traditions of wedding rings to be as much of a necessity as do other denominations. Early on, the Protestant Puritans claimed that wedding rings were a pagan ritual and were not to be used. Further, they were enraged with the Catholic claim that Mary and Joseph wore wedding rings made from onyx or amethyst.

Most religions throughout the world now consider the exchange of wedding rings to be a powerful and romantic symbol in a marriage ceremony. As a matter of fact, Irish folklore indicates that it is bad luck to be wed without a gold ring, even to the extent of considering the marriage illegal without one. Whatever the stone or metal choice, the exchange of wedding rings symbolizes the same ideal the world over; unending love and commitment.

Posted by Kim G at 3:28 PM - Link to this entry Share this entry

Diamonds & Cubic Zirconia Jewelry

August 7, 2009

I was fascinated while watching the Oscars recently by the diamond jewelry, such as the 40-carat diamond necklace from The House of Winston worn by Gwyneth Paltrow. Many of the glitterati were festooned with pieces on loan from various jewelers hoping to curry favor with the beautiful people and their fans, enormously expensive pieces that set the cameras on fire every time they caught the light.

I've never had the nerve to borrow anyone's diamonds, but then again, the most formal event I attend these days is a basketball game. Even there, though, many in the stands (and some on the floor) glitter with diamond simulants.
Glitter, from diamonds and their simulants, I think, is a 20th century contribution to common man. In fact, the notion that the average person could even wear a diamond is recent. For thousands of years, the stone's primary role was to provide a currency for commerce between rulers, a way of paying favor to military victors, and a method of bartering for fertile daughters. In the 13th century, for example, France's King Louis IX restricted diamond jewelry to the aristocracy. The stone was worn only by men until 1477, when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgandy.

The word diamond derives from the Greek adamao, meaning, "I subdue". Since the diamond is the world's hardest known substance, it truly does subdue all others. Personally, I favor the Sanskrit name for diamond -- 'varja', meaning thunderbolt. I like the idea of wearing a thunderbolt on my finger.

In the last hundred years, though, many simulants have been developed that allow any of us, regardless of income, to shine like a movie star.

The first commonly used diamond substitute was glass. Jewelers found that adding lead oxide to the glass made it shine more brightly. Adding foil to the back of these glass gems gave us the popular rhinestone. They didn't match diamond's fire or durability, but were cheap enough to use in profusion.

Then, late in the 19th century, the French learned to grow clear spinel and sapphire crystals. These could be faceted like diamonds, wore better than glass, and soon found their place as substitutes in better-quality jewelry. Neither, however, had nearly the light-refracting properties of diamond.

In the 20th century, more sophisticated substitutes were discovered. The most widely known is that star of cable television, the cubic zirconia. CZs are very inexpensive and wonderfully bright stones, used in profusion in faux- bling (the word gaudy no longer has any meaning). However, CZs are not very durable, especially in rings, and the least amount of dirt dulls them.

In the past ten years, an excellent diamond stimulant,the Moissanite, has come into common use. The gem, silicon carbide, was first discovered in the remnants of the meteor that formed Diablo Canyon in California. Over 100 years passed before man learned to grow the crystal commercially.

Moissanite has a number of advantages over other diamond simulants. It is very hard (92% that of diamond), clear, colorless, and approximates diamond's sparkle. It is also a tenth the price.

So today there is glitter available at any price point, allowing us to indulge our urge to sparkle. That's a good thing.
In fact, my wife recently asked me, why, if she could get almost as much sparkle from diamond substitutes

as diamonds, we should buy a diamond? As I thought about her question, a scenario kept replaying in my head. I saw a young girl opening her mother's jewelry box, picking up her mother's engagement ring, or her grandmother's. The thing aboutdiamonds is, as the hardest substance on earth, they are as near eternal as anything we can ever hold. In the movie playing in my head, I couldn't envision the girl putting her mother's ring on her finger and saying to herself, 'this was my Mom's Moissanite."

A diamond is many things; currency, love, glamour, bling. But other stones can stand in for a diamond in those roles. To hold precious memories, though, a diamond is truly matchless.
So shine on, any way you wish. You deserve to sparkle.

Posted by Tom B at 5:37 PM - Link to this entry Share this entry

Gift Ideas for Dads and Grads

June 2, 2009

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.

Posted by shennab at 3:57 PM - Link to this entry Share this entry

100 Years of Mother's Days

April 20, 2009

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.

Posted by Tom B at 5:22 PM - Link to this entry Share this entry

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