What are Diamond Flaws?

If you are in the market for diamond rings, you may have questions about diamond quality and diamond flaws. What types of flaws are acceptable? How do you tell if the diamond you are looking at is worth the asking price? These are a few things to consider when selecting your diamond.

Most diamonds have flaws. Very few are perfectly clear. A perfectly clear diamond, or flawless diamond, is very rare and can be extremely expensive. Diamond flaws are called inclusions. There are two types of inclusions to consider when you are shopping for a diamond. Not all inclusions are bad. In fact, some inclusions can help you identify your diamond. Inclusions are like your diamond’s fingerprint, and can help you to ensure that when you send off your diamond ring for repair or resizing, that you actually get your diamond back. It is rare for jewelers to try and replace you diamond with a fake one, but being able to identify your unique stone will give you peace of mind and keep you from getting ripped off.

Epigenetic inclusions are flaws that happen when the diamond was in production. Epigenetic flaws are usually in the form of pits, scratches, nicks, laser lines, bearding or cleavage.

A cleavage is a crack in the diamond. A cleavage can cause your diamond to break apart. Pits are small holes in the facets of the diamond. Pits and scratches can usually be polished away and do not take away much value once they are removed. Bearding refers to stress fractures. These can happen around the girdle where the prongs touch and are sometimes referred to as girdle fringes. Laser lines happen when flaws are removed with a laser and a scar is left inside of the stone. Feathers are tiny lines that look like feathers and do not hurt the stone unless they are very close to the surface.

Naturally occurring flaws are called syngenetic inclusions. Syngenetic flaws are ones that were formed as the diamond was growing. Irregular crystallization, growth lines and pinpoints are naturally occurring inclusions. These can be harmless, but can give a diamond a cloudy appearance. Occasionally the crystal clusters reach the outside surface of the diamond and can cause it to chip or break.

Any time you look at a diamond in the jewelry store or online, all inclusions should be disclosed. You should look for up close pictures of the diamonds or look at it yourself through the jewelers loop. If it is very clear and cheap, then you should be suspicious. If it is cloudy and expensive, then you may be paying too much. The best way to tell if you are getting a good price is to look at a lot of diamonds until you get a sense of which diamonds should cost more and which diamonds should cost less.

Once you have settled on a diamond, inspect it closely with a jewelers loop and map out the flaws for yourself. Tiny cracks, feathers or small black carbon flecks can help you to always identify your diamond.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

What Are Right Hand Rings?

Well, it seems that diamonds are not only meant for engagements any more. More diamonds than ever are being sold in the form of right rings. An incredible increase in the sales of right hand rings has got many people wondering. What is a right hand ring and what does it mean?

A right hand ring is one that may have diamonds or other stones, but it does not look like a wedding or engagement ring. They generally are more decorative or ornate than traditional engagement rings or wedding bands. The good thing about right hand rings is that you can buy one for yourself!

Originally, right hand rings were worn to accentuate the fact that you did not have an engagement or wedding ring on the left hand. You could give your suitor a silent hint that you loved diamond rings, but you were purposely leaving that left ring finger open to invitation. Now, everyone is buying them. They are becoming incredibly popular and have pretty much taken over the costume jewelry market. Women now want jewelry that compliments their matrimonial set. Costume jewelry just does not make the grade any more. Why cheapen that beautiful ring on your left hand by wearing something gaudy and fake on the right? Real diamonds and gold or platinum are the way to go.

Right hand rings make great gifts to give or receive. You can give a right hand ring your own meaning. Some give them as congratulatory rings. Some give them as an anniversary gift or wedding gift. Right hand rings can really show someone how special you think they are. They make wonderful promise rings or mother rings. You have so many design choices that you may find it hard to make up your mind. With this type of gift, you really can not get too luxurious. Maybe now you can buy your special lady that diamond that you could not afford back when you were dating and gave her an engagement ring. That original ring does not necessarily need to be replaced, but maybe complimented by a giant diamond right hand ring. Okay, if giant is not quite your speed, there are plenty of delicate designs to choose from.

Unlike diamond solitaires, although many right hand rings now sport big diamonds, you can find a right hand ring to fit your budget. The best selection, price, quality and customer service that we have found is at www.Maliere.com. Consider them when searching for the perfect right hand rings for your special someone.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

Diamond Rings and Their Cuts

Diamond rings are certainly the most popular rings in the world. They are widely used for engagement, but are also very commonly used for anniversary gifts, graduation rings and congratulatory rings, as with the birth of a child. If you are in the market for diamond rings, then you probably have a lot of questions about cut, carat, clarity and quality. Here we will focus on the cut of diamond that you may prefer. Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes, so the one you choose will have some personal significance. Although no two diamonds are identical, there are nine basic cuts that you can choose from.
The princess cut is the most popular today. This is a square cut diamond with added facets for fire and brilliance. Square diamonds are beautiful, but have lost out in the popularity contest with round brilliants in the past. That is why the princess cut has become so popular lately. The old style of square cut just didn’t sparkle like the round cuts did. The princess cut brings you the sparkle of the round cut in a beautiful, sophisticated square shape.
The asscher cut diamond is a square diamond with the corners cut off. This helps eliminate chipping risks. The asscher doesn’t have all of the facets of the princess cut, but does have a unique sparkle. Higher quality diamonds are generally used for the asscher cut because its design can show flaws more vividly than more brilliant cuts. The emerald cut is basically the same, but more of a rectangle shape. The emerald cut can also show flaws if the quality of the diamond is not high enough.
The cushion cut diamond is rectangular with the corners rounded. It has more facets than the emerald cut and can more effectively hide flaws. It has more sparkle and brilliance, but doesn’t show the clarity that an emerald or asscher cut can. Similar to the cushion, asscher and emerald cut is the radiant cut. This is a marvelously faceted rectangular cut. The corners are cut off and the facets are triangular like the popular round brilliant.
An oval cut is very beautiful with its smooth lines and sparkling facets. This is a good alternative for people who love round brilliants but prefer something a little more unique. Another unique shape that really sparkles is the heart shaped diamond. The pear cut and marquise cut are also popular alternatives to the traditional round brilliant. All are beautiful and have lots of facets to sparkle. Pear cut diamonds are round on one end and come to a point on the other, like a teardrop. Marquise cut diamonds are oval with a point on two ends, giving them a unique yet feminine shape.
Whatever styles of diamond rings you are considering, you’re sure to make an impression with any shape of diamond that you choose. Make shopping for diamond rings fun by educating yourself on what types of diamonds are out there before you shop. Buying diamond rings is an experience that you should feel good about. Once you’ve decided on the right one for that special someone in your life, you’re sure to win her heart.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

Eternity Ring History

The history of the eternity ring goes back almost four thousand years. Ancient Egyptians are thought to be the first to make and wear eternity rings. Eternity rings are essentially a continuous circle of metal studded with stones either halfway or all the way around. Early eternity rings were meant to symbolize eternal life and love. The unending, unbroken circle of precious metal represents a never-ending circle of trust, or the circle of life. Eternity rings today symbolize an everlasting relationship of love and are commonly used for wedding or anniversary bands.
Early eternity rings featured stones that went halfway around the shank of the ring. They also further set their meaning in stone when they were fashioned to look like a snake swallowing its own tail. This snake swallowing its tail eternity ring really helped solidify the meaning of the continuous circle as the eternal symbol of love and life. Eternity rings were originally made with the stones flush mounted. This is where the stones are actually imbedded into the metal. The flush setting makes for a very comfortable wear. If the stones are too large or protrude from the sides too far, then they can be uncomfortable between your fingers.
Modern eternity rings are usually channel set for comfort and larger stones are avoided. Channel set refers to how the stones are encased by the metal only on the edges of the shank. This is not to be confused with claw set where the stones are raised above the shank and held on by prongs. Claw set is almost exclusively used for half eternity rings so that the prongs do not irritate the skin on the surrounding fingers. Modern advances in jewelry crafting have actually made full claw set eternity rings much more comfortable and popular. Channel and claw set eternity rings give a more brilliant shine to the stones used than the flush mount setting, but some still prefer the original embedded stone eternity rings.
The meaning of an eternity ring traditionally is eternal love, but it is really open for individual interpretation. Couples very often come up with their own meanings. Eternity rings are used for wedding bands and vibrantly compliment diamond solitaire engagement rings. They are becoming increasingly popular as anniversary bands or right hand rings. But, you can give an eternity ring for any occasion. The birth of a child is a very appropriate time to give an eternity ring. In this instance, it could symbolize the eternity of your new family or your never-ending love and compassion for your wife who has helped you create this new life. Some like to say that it symbolizes the eternity that it took for the baby to arrive or some other personal meaning to you as a couple. As an anniversary gift, it could symbolize the eternity that you will be together or how it has felt like an eternity being married.
Whatever meaning you come up with, an eternity ring will leave a lasting impression and most definitely become an heirloom and beautiful conversation piece for years to come. The long-lasting reputation and never ending popularity of the eternity ring will ensure that it never goes out of style and is always admired and loved. Showing your love with eternity rings is a long standing tradition and will surely make your special someone feel loved and appreciated.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.