Simply Elegance » gem

Freshwater pearl in Today’s Fashion

adm — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:12:01 +0000

Freshwater pearl-producing mussels can accept up to 50 implants at a time. They typically require 2-6 years to grow, and the finished pearl typically ranges in size from 4mm to 11mm. Larger freshwater pearls do exist, although their bigger size will likely be reflected in a bigger price tag. Approximately 60% of a typical freshwater pearl crop is made up of button pearls (flat on one side) or oval pearls. Only about 2% of the harvest is round, according to the latest information from the Gemological Institute of America. Baroque (no symmetry) and semi-baroque pearls typically make up the remainder of the crop. As with Tahitians and other pearl types, in a skilled designer’s hands, these unique pearls can be turned into extremely beautiful jewelry.

Other than their affordable price tag, perhaps the most notable characteristic of freshwater pearls is their striking array of beautiful, natural pastel colors. When it comes to color, the freshwater cultured pearl offers a wonderful variety not found in its saltwater counterparts. Pastels like cream, white, yellow, orange, and pink are common. Universally flattering lavender pearls are enjoying a surge in popularity today. Romantic pink pearl jewelry is a popular Valentine’s Day gift.

Freshwater cultured pearl jewelry should be cleaned as you would other pearl jewelry: Gently wipe each gem with a damp cloth that has been dipped in a mild soap and water solution. Allow pearls to air dry fully before wearing them again to ensure that the nylon or silk thread has returned to its natural length (strands can stretch when wet). To keep freshwater pearl jewelry in mint condition, always put them on last when getting dressed. Hairspray, perfumes makeup and other chemicals can dull pearls?luster over time. Pearl jewelry should be worn often, however, as the skin’s natural oils supply much-needed moisture. Store pearl jewelry in their own box; pearls can be scratched by other gems.

Due to their abundance and wide array of gorgeous pastel colors, freshwater pearls are finding favor with today’s top jewelry designers. Famous names like David Yurman and Paolma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. are incorporating freshwater pearls into their jewelry creations, sometimes combining the freshwater gems with saltwater pearls and other gemstones for a striking look, or mixing colors and shapes for artistic effect. You can see freshwater pearl jewelry everywhere today, from the red carpet to the boardroom and beyond. Luckily, unlike their Tahitian and South Sea counterparts, freshwater pearl jewelry prices are within the reach of most consumers.

Choosing the perfect wedding ring is a matter of consideration

adm — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:05:44 +0000

The wedding ring is the symbol of love and affection and the bears in it the everlasting memories of the very special day of your wedding. The event of wedding which is the most precious moment in a person’s life is the time which everyone would want to keep as a memorable event and the happiest moment of the life. The ring ceremony and the wedding ring is just the perfect item which bears these memories in it and stays with you all the time. Therefore, people do have some special obsession regarding their wedding ring. If you are in a position that your wedding event is drawing near and you haven’t purchased your wedding ring yet then it must be a big factor of thought to you. It is true that choosing a wedding ring is not that much an easy task as it seemed to be. In most cases it is seen that men often can’t figure out what exactly they want to gift their spouse as the wedding ring. Everyone wants their wedding ring to be the representation of the love that he feel for her in his heart and therefore the choice of the wedding ring becomes complicated.

Moreover, to choose a perfect wedding ring the first thing you need to keep in mind is the metal of the ring. Gold being the most popular metal in this context and for that reason the most popular choice for wedding ring are the Gold wedding bands. Therefore it though it is a traditional concept but still it is seen that people are very much in favor of choosing Gold wedding bands as their wedding ring. Moreover, there is no such hard and fast binding that one should choose only Gold as the metal for their wedding band. And for that reason modern trend says that these days the platinum wedding bands are also quite popular choice for the wedding ring in case of many couples. Besides that there are also other metals like titanium and white gold.

It is seen that these days many people are in favor of choosing white metals like Platinum and silver and even the white gold is also gaining its popularity these days. The White Gold is an alloy of gold and any other white metal like Platinum or Silver. If you want to have a precious ring made of white gold the choice is obviously the alloy of Platinum and Gold. A White Gold ring fitted with a diamond in it is one of the best choices of wedding ring.

And if a Diamond wedding band is not what you can afford then you can choose other precious gems like ruby, emerald or any other precious stones. But it is a fact that there is no other precious gem that can match with the gorgeous appeal of the diamond wedding bands. It should be kept in mind that there is no better option than the diamond wedding bands. And besides that it is a common fact that diamonds are the best friend of the women therefore what else to choose other than the diamond wedding bands.

Diamond – birthstone for the month of April

adm — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:53:59 +0000

Diamond – birthstone for the month of April

Diamonds are the ultimate symbol of love and romance. Like true love, a diamond’s light and brilliance will not diminish with time.

The word diamond originates from the Greek “adamas,” meaning indomitable, diamonds were believed to offer protection and strength in the face of adversity.

The earliest written account of diamonds dates back to around 500 BC and until the 18th century the only diamond mines were in India. The first recorded use of a diamond in an engagement ring was in 1477 with the engagement of the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian to Mary of Burgundy.

The Modern Era

In the 19th century the combination of newly discovered mines and developments in diamond cutting and polishing, gave birth to the solitaire engagement ring.

The Tiffany mounting, introduced in 1886, maximized the diamonds brilliance by raising it up from the band. The design permitted greater amounts of light to enter the gem, allowing it to exhibit maximum brilliance.

The Modern brilliant cut—In 1919 Marcel Tolkowsky published his determinations for the ideal diamond cut, designed to release the maximum “fire” in a diamond. Within 5 years of his publication jewelers throughout the United States advertised diamonds cut to Tolkowsky’s “Ideal” cut. Even today, jewelers still refer to Tolkowsky and advertise their cuts as “Ideal.”

Purchasing
Buying a diamond can be a significant purchase—both emotionally and financially. If you choose a qualified jeweler, learn the 4Cs of diamond quality and ask for an independent grading report—buying the diamond of your dreams will be worry-free.