Cleaning Your Diamond

A diamond is a precious and valuable gem that has an intense beauty and sparkle. They are harvested from the deep depths of the earth and are likely well over a billion years old. Over time diamonds that are handled frequently begin to become smudged or dirty. There are many other factors that cause a diamond to become dirty. The oil from our skin, soaps, and hand lotions are some things that can stick to your diamond and also attract dirt and grime. It is very important to properly care for your diamond to ensure that it does not loose its beauty or shine.

Before you begin cleaning your diamond, it is very important to thoroughly inspect it and ensure that it is not loose. If the diamond in your ring or earring is loose, it could very easily break free while you are cleaning it. If it is loose, take it to a jeweler as soon as possible. In the mean time, avoid wearing or using the diamond, because you do not want to risk loosing the stone.

Most people use a soft brush to carefully scrub their diamond. It is very important to avoid anything that might scratch the diamonds surface, so you would want to avoid things like scotch bright pads. An eyebrow brush or a soft toothbrush can be used to clean a diamond without scratching the surface.

Make sure that you avoid cleaning your diamond anywhere near a sink or any other type of drain. Instead it is better to use a bowl or Tupperware container, and clean it on the kitchen table or other surface far away from the sink. No one wants to have to call a plumber to rescue their ring from the kitchen sink. Special diamond cleaning kits are available that include a special brush.

The most common method of cleaning a diamond is to allow it to soak in warm soapy water, Make sure that you don't use anything that has chlorine or any other abrasive chemical. Chlorine can play havoc on a diamond so it should be avoided, and toothpaste can also harm your diamond. A mixture of diluted ammonia can also be used with good results as well. Use one part ammonia to five parts water and allow the diamond to soak for about thirty minutes. Your local jewelry store or department store might have a special soap that is made specifically for cleaning diamonds as well, but in most cases ammonia or soap works just as well.

After the diamond has been soaking for about half an hour, it is time to gently scrub it with your soft brush. You should try to loosen up any debris or dirt that might be on the diamond. Always rinse your diamond thoroughly with warm water, again using a bowl or other container so as to avoid drains. A soft lint free polishing cloth should be used to gently pat the diamond dry.

Properly cleaning and caring for your diamond is very important. Whenever possible avoid touching the diamond itself, because diamonds are great at collecting grease and oil from your hand. If cared for regularly, your diamond will retain its brilliance and shine for many years to come.
http://www.ezinearticles.com

The History of Platinum Rings

Do you ever wonder just exactly where the platinum in your platinum diamond engagement ring comes from? Like gold, this precious metal has a long and complex history that originates in Ancient Egypt. In the Old World nobody is sure who might of discovered it but the platinum ring has been discovered in Egyptian burial tombs. Evidence has also been found that shows that people of Central and South America were using platinum in metal as early as 100 B.C.

It seems platinum was common in the days before Christ but then disappeared from common knowledge until the 1600s when Spanish conquistadors discovered platinum artifacts and jewelry in the New World. This is the point in history at which platinum got its name "platina" which in Spanish means "small silver." Still nobody got excited about this "new metal" until the French King Louis XVI noticed a ring and gave it the inflated title of "the metal of kings."

For centuries the only platinum found outside of South America was found in Russia and these mines were not very profitable as the metal was so hard that it was difficult to manipulate it into anything useful or decorative such as platinum diamond engagement rings. It wasn't long before this "smaller silver" became more valuable then gold when technology developed better ways to utilize it artistically.

During the last part of the 19th century, and the first half of the 20th, the ring of choice was a platinum diamond engagement ring. This metal dominated jewelry designs up until the 1930s when the arrival of the first world war dictated that the precious metal only be used for the making of weapons. Of course the metal is very much back in evidence today especially when it comes to the creation of still very traditional and still very much-cherished platinum diamond engagement rings.
http://www.ezinearticles.com

How Did Diamonds Come About?

It has long been known that the hardest substance to be found on the planet is the diamond. No matter where you might travel in the world, it is common knowledge that rare, expensive and highly prized diamonds are abundant, yet expensive. However, while people know the value of a diamond, fewer people know how diamonds are formed and why they are so greatly valued.

A diamond is actually a mineral and begins life as carbon which is then formed over many, many years. In order for the carbon deposits to form into one, the substance must be subjected to certain conditions that tempers and changes the mineral into the rare and beautiful gem. The first diamonds were recorded to have been discovered some 3000 years ago in India.

Since that era, diamonds have had a strong and lasting reputation for their splendor and intrinsic value and have been treasured by generations as symbols of virtue, fortune, refinement and even greatness. Diamond is a word that is from the Greek language, based on the word "adamas," meaning unconquerable.

In fact, in many ancient civilizations, the diamonds were worn by warriors as they marched into battle to symbolize courage, strength and invincibility. This is just one of many examples of how the diamond has become such an integral part of culture, history and lore of many countries.

Today, the majority of the stones come from mines that are located in the countries of central and southern Africa. However, there are still significant numbers of the rare and precious gems that are mined in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Australia, Canada and Siberia, which boasts the single largest diamond mine in the world.

Anyone who has ever shopped for a diamond ring, earrings, or other jewelry are probably very well aware that the De Beers company controls a huge portion of this market. The stones must meet stringent quality standards and the De Beers company is one of the suppliers that is well known for the high quality of gems that they bring to the market. In fact, in some parts of the world, De Beers has even been accused on monopolizing the entire market because of the considerable control they have.

There is no doubt that the diamond is still one of the most desirable and treasured gems of any that are available. Virtually all high-end jewelry is embellished with a diamond or two, which immediately makes a statement about the person wearing such a fine piece of body jewelry. A diamond engagement ring is certainly considered to be the standard that symbolizes love, romance and commitment.

Diamonds will vary a great deal in price based upon on the quality classification of the gem. Four aspects are considered when evaluating the diamond's value. These four characteristics are the Four "C"s and they are clarity, cut, color and carat.
http://www.ezinearticles.com/

Designer Jewelry is Suitable For Everyone

Everywhere you look for jewelry you will notice that there is a lot of colorful jewelry out there. Just twenty years ago the choice of jewelry was much less; you only had sapphire, emerald, pearl, opal and ruby jewelry. Today you can get much more colorful designs. If you want to buy some more unique jewelry designs then it can be difficult to find a shop to buy interesting designer jewelry from.

Styling Events

The easiest way to find a piece of designer gemstone jewelry is to visit one of the many styling events that are often publicized in your local newspaper. You can attend these at your local jewelry stores. During these you will get to see a wide variety of different types of jewelry that you can choose from. These styles are often very different to jewelry which is available from a shop. You can get a beautiful setting for your gemstone.

These gemstones are only available for a short period of time, this means that you will get a unique piece of jewelry which nobody else will have.

Custom Design Jewelers

Another way to find the perfect piece of designer jewelry is to visit your local jewelry store, most of these design jewelry in house. Most of these stores have a wide selection of loose gemstones which can be fitted into any mount. These stores have a different selection to any event that you would visit, but it may take longer to find the right stone. If you can't find the gemstone for you then these jewelry stores will only be too happy to help you find it.

Buying from a jewelry store allows customers to have more choice. Normally at styling events the designs which can be created is limited by the number of mounts and settings available. In a jewelry store however you can create pretty much any design you wanted. Most of these stores have casting areas which allow you to create pretty much any design.

If you want colorful jewelry without the common designs which you find everywhere then you should investigate the idea of creating your own jewelry. It's fairly easy to create your own jewelry by simply making an appointment to discuss your design options. By creating your own designs you can create unique jewelry.
http://www.ezinearticles.com/

How to Care and Clean Opals

Opal gems are delicate gemstones and require a little extra care compared to other gemstones but the uniqueness of opals are well worth the attention.

Because opals are more delicate than other gems, Mohr hardness of 5.5 to 6, opals are easily scratched or break by other stones and hard objects. Like all gemstones, opals should be kept in a soft cloth bag away from harder substances like other jewelry.

Since opals can contain 20% water, considered a "living stone", opals may become brittle due to water lost. When opals lose water, the gemstone will fracture internally, known as crazing, and the play of color of the gem will diminish greatly. For this reason, it is important to avoid high heat, direct sunlight for long periods, hot showcase lights, desert conditions, low humidity bank vaults or air tight containers, and most importantly rapid, sudden temperature changes as this may cause the opal to craze.

For example, moving from a warm house out into the freezing, snow covered backyard will cause the opal to craze. If in a very dry climate or dehumidified room, keeping opals in a tight plastic bag with a damp piece of cotton or fabric will prevent dehydration.

On the other hand, because opal gems contain some water, opal jewelries should be worn often as possible because opals, being porous, will absorb the needed humidity from the air and from the skin of its wearer.

However, remove any opal jewelries, especially rings, when exercising, playing sports, and gardening as to avoid scraping and damaging the opal. Do not wash dishes and shower with opals as well because the sudden temperature change can cause the opal to craze.

To further help keep moisture and prolong the dazzling beauty of the gem, soaking the opal in water for several hours from time to time will protect the opal from crazing. Do not use oil, soaking or wiping, on the opal as oil can potentially damage the opal by causing the opal to lose its prized fire over time.

Cleaning:

Opal gemstones can be simply cleaned with plain warm water or soapy water with a facial tissue or piece of silk. Be mindful that dust, which may contain quartz with hardness of 7, can slowly reduce the polish by simply wiping off the dust. Clean doublets and triplets the same way but do not soak them. Do not use ultrasonic and steam cleaning methods, as those methods may be too harsh for opals.

Doublet & Triplet:

Doublet and triplet opals should not be exposed to extended periods of bathing or swimming because it is difficult to predict how the glue will react under such conditions. This includes washing dishes as the detergent can weaken the glue.
http://www.ezinearticles.com

Diamonds - History and Facts

Some history and facts about the world's most popular gemstone:

* Diamonds are carbon, the same substance as charcoal, with the difference being in the way the carbon atoms are structured.

* Diamond is the hardest substance known that occurs naturally. There are other substances that are harder that have been synthetically created. Ultra hard Fullerite and Aggregated Diamond Nanorods are 1.17-1.52 times harder than diamond.

* Historians speculate that diamonds may have been known as far back in history as the 12th century B.C.E. Diamonds are mentioned in the Bible,

* Practically all diamonds came from India before 1725, when they were discovered in Brazil.

* India and Brazil supplied diamonds to the world until they were discovered in South Africa in 1866. South Africa remains one of the most important sources of diamond s today.

* Diamonds at one time were extremely rare. Only the very wealthy could afford to own them.

* A diamond mine in Murfeesborough, Arkansas operated until 1969. The mine is now part of a state park where for $5 visitors can dig for diamonds and keep all they find. The odds of finding a diamond there are very small.

* There is only one currently operating diamond mine in The United States. It is the State Line Kimberlite District located near the Colorado-Wyoming border. There are a few diamond mines in Canada, mainly in the Northwest Territories that are operational.

* Much of the popularity of diamonds can be attributed to the marketing strategy of the De Beers diamond company. This company is involved in the exploration and mining of diamonds, and accounts for approximately 40 percent of the diamonds on the market.

* Today there are more synthetic diamonds being manufactured than mined. These diamonds are for industrial use. Gemstone quality synthetic diamonds have been made, but are more expensive to make than to mine for natural ones.

* All diamonds that occur naturally are colored. Pure diamond colorless, but pure diamond is not found in nature. Finer quality diamonds may appear colorless, but they too have color even if it is almost imperceptible.

Diamond Right Hand Ring Jewelry