Archive for the ‘Rings’ Category
What Does Your Diamond Mean?
When shopping for the perfect piece of diamond jewelry, there’s more to consider than just the color and clarity; shape is extremely important, and not for just aesthetic reasons. Each cut has an individual meaning:
~ Round: Women drawn to this shape are traditional, honest, faithful and somewhat conservative.
~ Pear: She is an individual, yet still has a soft side for traditional romance.
~ Oval: Similar to the round cut, but shows creativity and individuality. Woman drawn to this shape are stable and faithful, and often desire fertility and children.
~ Cushion: This cut represents intimacy and romance, and an eye for the unusual.
~ Emerald: Old-fashioned, yet she exudes elegance and coolness. The open style of this cut also symbolizes an open heart and personal clarity.
~ Heart: A symbol of pure romanticism that borders on fantasy. It may detract from the stableness of a steady romance or marriage.
~ Marquise: This flashy shape suggests a desire for opulence and glitter. It may indicate a superficial attitude toward wealth or a desire for extravagance.
~ Radiant: Women who choose this style are usually flirty and trendy.
~ Princess: A woman who wears a princess cut demands attention, and is willing to take risks and be a leader.
~ Asscher: Symbolizes a desire for drama and vintage style. It also indicates clarity of person.
Karats and Alloys: The Specifics of Gold
You’ll never wear a piece of gold jewelry that’s 100 percent pure, nor would you want to. As it turns out, gold is too malleable in its natural state to be made into practical accessories. A 14-karat ring would be equivalent to 58.5 percent pure, and the closest to absolute purity is 24 karats or 99.9 percent. So, what is it that makes up the remainder of that percentage? The answer is alloys, of course.
The eventual color of gold jewelry is largely determined by which other metals, or alloys, are used to supplement it. White gold rings contain some nickel and palladium, while yellow gold necklaces most likely contain some silver or copper. No matter the alloy used or the eventual color of the piece, gold jewelry remains one of the most timeless and celebrated accessories around
Separate ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ Jewelry
You’ve probably heard gold and silver referred to as precious metals. While that designation refers to the relative scarcity of the metals, it could also be used to imply fragility. While gold and silver bands might seem durable, they can be scratched and damaged through contact with certain gemstones. In order to preserve your jewelry as long as possible, it’s best to keep it separated.
Let the Mohs scale of mineral hardness be your guide. Diamonds score a 10 out of 10 on the scale, meaning that they are hard and strong enough to inflict damage on soft metals and pearls. Gold and silver rank a scant 3 on the scale, so it’s best to keep bands and the like out of harm’s way. A diamond ring could be stored together with other hard gems such as sapphire, ruby and topaz.