Jewelry classics that never go out of style
Build a collection you can wear forever
Most women love jewelry and given the opportunity would, of course, head straight for the real thing. I don’t know a single lady who would turn down diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires or any of another few dozen gemstones. Nor do I know anyone who would balk at anything created out of platinum or gold. Realistically speaking, however, most of us won’t see much of that.
With the prices of gold and silver continuing to climb, those two metals could conceivably be out of reach for the average Joe or Jane in the near future. While gold and platinum plating is certainly an option, it is typically done over sterling, causing its cost to escalate as well. It’s a good thing that someone clever discovered that stainless steel could be used as a viable, if somewhat less desirable, alternative, and it is beginning to grow in popularity. Necessity often breeds the best ideas.
With rising costs and lowering paychecks, choosing something that will never go out of style instead of spending money on today’s latest trend makes a lot more sense. But what is considered classic? Better still, what current trends will soon be out, making their purchase a worthless endeavor?
There are jewelry trends that, while they fluctuate in popularity, never leave the scene completely. They are considered the classics. These include:
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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.