Advik Diamonds::Jewellery Education and Solutions
Ring Buying Guide:
Finger rings are the most commonly worn pieces of jewellery, and many have significance
beyond ornamental. Some rings are by their nature symbolic, while others take on
added symbolism depending on the finger you wear them on. Apart from the most popular
engagement and wedding rings, and the everyday casual and party rings, there are
special rings for friendship, motherhood, affiliation, office and commemoration
.While being so universally used, rings also require the most care in choosing.
You must decide upon the best style and size for your finger, and select your preferred
design, metal and stones keeping in mind your allocated budget.
The Different Kinds of Rings
1) Engagement Rings
A ring given to and worn by a woman signifying her engagement to be married. Typically
a man will spend one or two monthsa€? salary on a ring and purchase the ring in advance.
Or, as part of an increasing modern custom, a couple will choose the engagement
ring together. Whilst this may spoil the surprise, the future bride has the opportunity
to select the correct size of her ring as well as her preferred gemstone, setting
and band.
2) Wedding Rings
A ring presented in a marriage ceremony to signify marital commitment. Originally
worn only by the woman, it is now common for both spouses to wear such a ring. The
wedding ring is usually worn on the third finger on the left hand and can be made
from gold, white gold, silver or other metals such as platinum or titanium. Mena€?s
wedding rings tend to be larger and weigh more than womena€?s wedding rings. As these
rings are designed to be worn for life, it is important that you choose a metal
that you are comfortable wearing. Also consider engravings or inscriptions on your
wedding rings. These can be simple engravings such as your names or the wedding
date, or a personal message for you to cherish.
3) Eternity Rings
Forever, for eternity, this special ring is reserved for everlasting love. The eternity
ring is easily identified by a circle of gemstones all around the outer band of
the ring. A half-eternity ring has gemstones covering half of the outer band a€“ these
are more readily available and are popular gifts between family and close friends.
Eternity rings can be worn on any finger but are mostly found as well as, or instead
of, an engagement or wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand.
4) Dress Rings
A dress ring, dinner ring, cocktail ring or fashion ring can be worn every day and
for any occasion. Although dress rings are typically large and vibrant, set with
glittering precious and semi-precious gemstones, some dress rings are more subtle
and reserved with plain bands and simple designs.
5) Wishbone Rings
The wishbone ring takes its name from its likeness to the chicken wishbone. It is
similar to a circular ring, however has indentations. The wishbone ring is also
known as an a€?Ma€? ring or a€?Wa€? ring, depending on how it is worn. Wishbone rings can
be plain or contain gemstones and are popular with women as their unique shape can
be flattering and appear to elongate the hand. Wishbone rings can be interlocked
together to create a beautiful and glamorous effect.
Pendant Buying Guide:
Pendants have been around since the Stone Age, when the pendant consisted of shells
and bones.Second only to the diamond ring,diamond pendants are probably the most
gifted diamond ornament the world over, symbolising everlasting love and beauty.
Bracelet Buying Guide:
A bracelet/bangle is the easiest piece of jewellery to wear a€“ it needs no piercings,
is forgiving of sizing, and adds panache and glamour to any outfit. Whatever your
style is, there are bracelets/bangles out there to match it that will fit you, whatever
size wrist you may have.
How should you choose the bracelet/bangle that suits you best? Consider the size
of the wrist and the tone of your skin.
If you have long slender arms and wrists, chunky bracelets/bangles and cuffs will
highlight them. If you are bigger boned in the arms and wrists, wired styles will
slenderize them.
When choosing a bracelet/bangle, keep in mind your wrist size. The standard women's
bracelet length is 7 inches. Women's bangles are 7 inches in length with a 2.5-inch
diameter. Longer and shorter bracelets are also available. A bracelet that fits
well will drape around the wrist without slipping onto the hand or getting in the
way.
The tone of your skin can be complimented by the right gemstones and metals.
Determining your skin tone is simple. Locate a body area where veins are visible
- the wrist serves the purpose. Based on the colour of the veins, skin tone is generally
classified as cool, warm or neutral.
Cool Skin Tone: If you identify bluish coloured veins and pink or rose red
undertones, then you have a cool skin tone.
Warm Skin Tone: Green veins and yellow or yellow or golden-apricot undertones
define warm skin tone.
Neutral Skin Tone: This is characterised by predominant pink, yellow or olive
undertones.
Jewellery that matches your Skin Tone
Cool: You can play it safe with white gold, platinum and silver jewellery.
Diamonds and pearls work best, as do gemstones of pink, purple, blue, red and magenta.
Warm: Choose gold jewellery or gold toned pearls over white gold or platinum.
Gemstones with earthy tones in brown, orange, green, yellow, peach and turquoise
are a good choice.
Neutral: Lucky for you! Gold, platinum and white gold can be worn, but try
to avoid too much yellow or too much blue. Gemstones in white, green, rose pink,
brown, soft grey can all be worn without any hesitation.
Types of bracelets:
1) Tennis bracelets
The in-line thin diamond bracelet that features a symmetrical pattern of diamonds
is called a tennis bracelet. In 1987 Chris Evert, the former World No. 1 woman tennis
player and the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles title swore an elegant, light bracelet,
made by George Bedewi, which accidentally broke and the match was interrupted to
allow Chris to recover her precious diamonds. This "tennis bracelet" incident sparked
a new name for the item and sparked a huge jewellery trend.
2) Charm bracelet
A charm bracelet carries personal charms: decorative pendants or trinkets which
are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life. Recently, Italian charm
bracelets have become trendy. While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature
individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of the link.
3) Bangle
Bracelets that are in firm, solid form are referred to as bangles or bangle bracelets.
They can be smooth, textured or set with stones.
4) Link bracelets
These bracelets are made from connecting or linking various or similar components
or jewellery findings. Link bracelets can be made of a variety of materials included
metals and gemstones.
Gemstone Buying Guide:
Gemstone a€“ just like diamond the cut , colour, clarity and size that accounts for
their purchase.
Gemstones as birthstones have an influence on the wearer life. The concept of birthstones
was first found in the Gregorian Calendar. It was believed that a persona€?s energy
and power was enhanced when the birthstone gem was worn. Birthstones were chosen
based on the qualities associated with the month. So depending on when you were
born, pick up an elegant piece with your birthstone on it and wear it for luck.
Gemstone enhancement
The treating and enhancement of gemstones to improve quality, especially colour,
is fairly common. For instance, the irradiation and heating of colourless topaz
permanently transforms it into blue topaz! The most common enhancement methods are
heating, oiling, dyeing, irradiation, bleaching, coating and diffusion to name a
few. While these practices are known and even accepted, we at ratnajyoti.com do
not sell any gemstone that has been enhanced in any way. All our gemstones are free
of any treatment or enhancement. Thata€?s the ratnajyoti.com guarantee for you.
Gemstone jewellery
Gems are set into earrings, rings, pendants, bangles or brooches depending on their
inherent characteristics. Gems like diamonds are hard and can be cut into any size/shape
without affecting the stone. Rubies and emeralds are also considered hard enough
for any kind of cutting/setting. Softer stones may not suit all types of jewellery.
Similarly, the transparency or lack of it in a stone determines the kind of jewellery
it will be used in. Today, thanks to advanced cutting & manufacturing methods, you
can enjoy most gems in regular jewellery like rings or earrings.
Care of gemstones
A few handy tips to keep those gemstones looking good for generations!
Cleaning:
Clean your jewellery regularly. Rings particularly tend to collect dust and soap
behind the stone, especially ones worn daily. To clean transparent crystalline gemstones,
simply soak them in water, brush with a gentle soap and a soft toothbrush.
Care:
Even tough stones like Rubies & Sapphires can chip on hard impact. So, if you have
a softer gem stone or an included stone, do take it off before any strenuous activity.
Opaque & Porous gems:
Pearls, turquoise, coral etc need special care. These gems are porous i.e. they
can absorb, so using a chemical cleaner, even soap may cause the stone to discolour.
The best way to keep their shine, is to gently wipe them with a moist cloth. Hard
stones or single crystal stones like Sapphires do not absorb, so it is safe to clean
them with a little ammonia to remove film.
Water & sunlight:
Some gems are affected by water and direct sunlight. Make sure you understand the
nature of the gem and care requirements in this regard before buying!
Storage:
Store each piece of gemstone jewellery separately so that harder stones don't scratch
softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in, so
unless you want your gold, silver or platinum scratched, dona€?t keep gemstone jewellery
in a pile in your drawer or jewellery box.
Earring Buying Guide:
Earrings spice up any outfit and add elegance to your appearance. The right earrings
have the potential to completely change your appearance. Whether you adorn simple
studs or cling on to dazzling danglers, their sparkling gems and precious metals
brighten the face instantly. Besides the common types of earrings and their backings,
this guide will help you home in the right pair based on your facial features, skin
tone and more.
Types of earrings
1) Studs
Studs are earrings worn close to the ear. Studs usually have a stem which is pushed
through the piercing in the ear. Studs are held in place by removable backings.
Some studs are threaded and have a screw type of backing to secure them, while some
are secured with a push-on clip. Studs are the idea designs for Big, expensive gemstones.
2) Drops
Earrings that drop just below the ear lobe are called drops. Drops usually have
a wire hook, and an ornamental piece from which the gemstone drops. Drops are versatile
and suit all age groups.
3) Charm Drops
Charm drops are a type of drop earrings. These trendy earrings come in different
shapes, colours and lengths and typically hang from hooks or simple chains.
4) Danglers
Danglers are earrings which hang from the ear. They can be one centimetre in length
or go down to brush the shoulder! Danglers usually have hooks or can have a small
metallic stud with a push-on or a threaded screw back. Diamond danglers are considered
to be extra special!
5) Hoops
Hoops resemble rings and are typically circular or semi-circular in shape. Hoops
use a tube kind of backing which attaches one part of the circle to the other, called
the saddle or latch backing. In hoops where the circle is not complete, normal backings
(such as those used for studs) are used. Hoops are stylish and complement any kind
of clothing.
6) Huggies
Huggies as the name suggests Huggies 'hug' the ear. These earrings are worn close
and they encircle the ear. Huggies are popular and come in many shapes and sizes.
Precious Metal Buying Guide
Gold
backings, this guide will help you home in the right pair based on your facial features,
skin tone and more. Types of earrings1.Studs Studs are earrings worn close to the
ear. Studs usually have a stem which is pushed through the piercing in the ear.
Studs are held in place by removable backings. Some studs are threaded and have
a screw type of backing to secure them, while some are secured with a push-on clip.
Studs are the idea designs for Big, expensive gemstones.2.Drops Earrings that drop
just below the ear lobe are called drops. Drops usually have a wire hook, and an
ornamental piece from which the gemstone drops. Drops are versatile and suit all
age groups.3.Charm Drops Charm drops are a type of drop earrings. These trendy earrings
come in different shapes, colours and lengths and typically hang from hooks or simple
chains.4.Danglers Danglers are earrings which hang from the ear. They can be one
centimetre in length or go down to brush the shoulder! Danglers usually have hooks
or can have a small metallic stud with a push-on or a threaded screw back. Diamond
danglers are considered to be extra special!5.Hoops Hoops resemble rings and are
typically circular or semi-circular in shape. Hoops use a tube kind of backing which
attaches one part of the circle to the other, called the saddle or latch backing.
In hoops where the circle is not complete, normal backings (such as those used for
studs) are used. Hoops are stylish and complement any kind of clothing.6.Huggies
Huggies as the name suggests Huggies 'hug' the ear. These earrings are worn close
and they encircle the ear. Huggies are popular and come in many shapes and sizes.
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Precious Metal Buying Guide Gold Gold has been one of mankind's most revered substances
since the beginning of time. The legends and myths surrounding gold are legendary
and for many ancient civilizations, only the most powerful were permitted to wear
it.
Today though, the glamour and beauty of gold, while remaining as desirable as ever,
are far more democratic.
An enduring element found naturally in a distinct yellow color, gold is resistant
to rust, tarnish, and corrosion. Although it is very strong, it is also the most
malleable of all precious metals.
Purity
Pure gold is known as 24K gold, but most jewellery is made from either 18K gold,
14K gold or 10K gold. This is because pure gold is too soft for everyday wear, so
it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to
give it strength and durability.
Karatage, denoted by a number followed by "k" indicates the purity, or how much
gold there is in the metal in a piece of jewellery. It is expressed in 24ths, making
24k gold, 100% gold. 18k gold is composed of 75% gold, and 14k gold is composed
of 58.3% gold and 41.7% of other metals.
The following shows the Karatage preferred for jewellery:
- 24 karat Gold equals 100% pure Gold -too soft for jewellery
- 22 karat Gold equals 91.7% Gold - still too soft for jewellery, but popular in
certain parts of the world.
- 18k Gold equals 75% Gold - very popular for higher end jewellery, good balance
of strength and value
- 14 karat Gold equals 58.3% Gold - extremely popular for jewellery. Good balance
of durability and value.
- 12 karat Gold equals 50% Gold - not used for jewellery.
- 10 karat Gold equals 41.7% Gold - lowest Gold content that can be legally marked
as Gold. Not acceptable for jewellery
Sometimes, gold of a lower karatage is plated in higher-karat gold to enhance its
colour. This is perfectly acceptable as long as the jeweller discloses this fact
and you pay a fair price. Keep in mind that gold plating will wear off over time
and your jewellery may need to be re-plated.
To determine the karatage of a particular piece of jewellery, look for the quality
mark. Generally, pieces will either bear the stamp of their karatage based on the
U.S. or European system. The U.S. system uses karat designations (24K, 18K, 14K,
10K, etc.) Europe uses number designations which correspond to the percentage of
gold content. For instance, 10K is marked "417" for 41.7% gold; 14K is marked "585"
for 58.5% gold; 18K is marked "750" for 75% gold, etc.
Colour
The colour of gold is determined by two factors:
- The type of metal alloys included
- The percentage of each metal alloy
While yellow gold is still probably the most popular colour of gold, by mixing gold
with other alloys, jewellers can create stunning golden shades. White gold, pink
gold, rose gold, orange gold and even green gold are just some of the many colours
of gold.
Yellow Gold
Gold has a warm yellow colour in its purest form. Even when it is alloyed with other
metals, such as copper with a red hue, and silver featuring a green hue, an expert
mixture will retain its signature warmth.The richness of the Gold colour is directly
affected by the percentage of Gold in its alloys: therefore, 18k Gold has a richer
Gold colour than 14k Gold.
White Gold
A silvery white character is what makes white gold jewellery so appealing. In order
to make the gold white, it is combined with metal alloys that are white in nature
and plated with an extremely hard element called rhodium. Although strong, rhodium
may wear away over time. Replating is a simple process that can be done to restore
whiteness to your jewellery
White Gold with Black Rhodium
Black rhodium is plated to white gold creating a rich black appearance that is extremely
hard and strong. As with traditional white rhodium, black rhodium may wear away
over time. Replating will restore your jewellerya€?s black finish.
Rose Gold
The beautiful pink hue of rose gold jewellery is created by using a copper alloy.
The overall percentages of metal alloys is the same for rose gold as it is for yellow
or white, but there is just a different mixture of alloys used.
Hallmarking & Certification
Hallmarking of gold jewellery is on a voluntary basis under the Bureau of Indian
Standards Act, 1986, in accordance with the Vienna Conventiona€?s international criteria
on hallmarking.
Price of Gold Jewelry
In addition to the karat weight and market value of gold, several other factors
determine the price of Gold jewellery. These factors include, but are not limited
to, total weight of the jewellery, design and construction, and ornamental detailing
such as engraving and the finish of the metal. Although nearly all Gold jewelry
today is made with the help of special machines, some hand work is almost always
involved, and the more hand work that is involved, the higher the price.
Care
If treated carefully, the gold jewelry item you purchase today could last a lifetime
and might even be handed down to future generations. So here are some tips that
will help preserve the beauty of your gold jewelry.
First of all, gold is lasting and durable but can get scratched or dented if treated
roughly. This is particularly true of items worn on the hands like rings and bracelets
that are prone to a lot of knocks. So remove these pieces before any type of strenuous
activity.
Second, beware of chemicals. Gold's worst enemy is chlorine. Repeated exposure can
weaken gold's structure, eventually leading to breakage. So keep your gold jewelry
away from chlorinated cleaning products and out of swimming pools and jacuzzis.
On a related note, acids, abrasives and other harsh chemicals found in some common
household cleaning solutions can weaken your jewelry or damage its finish. So it's
best to cover up rings and bracelets with rubber gloves while doing heavy-duty cleaning.
Or better yet, take them off altogether.
Gold can lose its luster over time if repeatedly exposed to dust, moisture, perspiration
and makeup. So make sure to clean your jewelry regularly. You can use a cleaning
solution of sudsy, lukewarm water, or bring it to your local jeweler and have it
professionally steam-cleaned. After cleaning and rinsing, always dry and polish
jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid scratches and bring out its shine.
Proper storage is as important as cleaning. Protect your gold jewelry by storing
it safely in a jewelry box or keeping it wrapped in a soft cloth when not being
worn. Furthermore, keeping pieces stored separately will prevent them from getting
tangled or scratching one another.
Finally, always inspect your gold jewelry for weakness or damage and bring it to
a professional jeweler you trust for immediate repair. Pay particular attention
to clasps (to ensure they catch easily but are still secure); prongs (to ensure
they haven't cracked, bent or loosened, which could cause the stone to fall out);
bracelet and neckchain links (to ensure they don't kink or bend); pin backs and
earring posts (to see if they are bent or loose); and wedding bands, pendants and
charms (dangling pieces and items worn every day for a long period of time) are
subject to wear and can thin out and eventually break. Your jeweler will be able
to handle these and many other repair jobs and ultimately restore your gold jewelry
for you.
Platinum
Called the "King of Metals", platinum is a very heavy (nearly twice the weight of
gold), silver-white metal that is very ductile. Although it is a soft metal, platinum
is not easily scratched, never tarnishes, and is very strong and durable. It is
the strongest precious metal used in jewellery, and has good resistance to corrosion
and chemical attack.
Platinum is also the only precious metal used in fine jewellery that is up to 95
percent pure. Small amounts of iridium and ruthenium are commonly added to it, to
give it a harder, stronger alloy that retains the advantages of pure platinum.
Platinum's subtle beauty and its tendency to not add colour of its own, enhances
a diamond's natural brilliance and fire, making it an excellent metal for diamond
jewellery settings. It does not change shape or wear away so precious stones are
held firmly and securely.
Because of its purity, platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, a plus for people with
sensitive skin or allergies to certain metals.
Today, platinum is more valuable than gold. Although it is used in many industrial
applications, including the automotive industry, platinum jewellery consistently
commands higher prices because of its rarity.
Buying Guide
When judging the value of platinum jewellery, always ensure that the material is
indeed platinum (and not another metal, such as white gold) by checking for the
amount of platinum content on the back of the piece. Platinum content is usually
marked as "950Pt", "950 Plat", or "Plat". In the United States, in order to be marked
"Platinum" or "Plat", a piece of jewellery must contain at least 95% platinum
Sizing platinum rings is difficult. The great amount of heat necessary to work with
platinum is not practical for local jewellers to work with. What they do instead
is use a 14K white solder, which turns into a black line on the bottom of a ring.
The best way to size a platinum ring is by using modern laser technology, which
only a handful of companies offer directly to consumers.
Platinum and White Gold
Platinum is usually compared to white gold in jewellery. Both appear the same, with
a silver metallic look that shines more than yellow gold. However there are some
major differences between the two
Platinum is naturally white, with purity of 95%. White gold, which is typically
either 75% or 58.5% gold, is then rhodium plated to provide a white finish. The
thin plating usually needs to be replaced over time to maintain its white colour.
Platinum is not susceptible to problems with stress, corrosion or stress cracking,
as can be the case with white gold. (This problem mainly applies to prong settings
etc.)
Platinum is denser than gold, so an identical ring made in platinum rather than
14kt gold would be around 60% heavier and 40% heavier than a ring made in 18kt gold.
Platinuma€?s rarity means that its price is invariably higher than that of gold.
The process of making a piece of platinum jewellery also requires a higher level
of craftsmanship.
So what should you purchase?
For high wear items like rings and bracelets, or items that will be worn daily,
platinum is the better choice.
For all-white gold and fashion jewellery like a bracelet or necklace, then rhodium
plating will actually be best, as it will look very white and most likely never
need to be re-plated.
For two tone wedding rings, we strongly suggest a platinum + yellow gold combination.
It will be more expensive to size, but will not require additional rhodium plating
or much maintenance.
Care
Platinum is very easy to care for.
Soaking platinum in a mild solution of soap and warm water and gently scrubbing
it with a soft-bristled brush is usually all that is required to maintain the metal's
lustre.
While it is the strongest of jewellery metals, platinum can scratch. However, the
metal is only displaced, not lost Many people prefer the patina of wear unique to
platinum. Have your platinum jewellery polished if you are interested in maintaining
a high shine. In the mean time, buffing with a soft cloth can give your jewellery
renewed lustre.
Look for a qualified jeweller or platinum trained bench worker for all adjustments,
resizing, polishing and cleaning.
As with any piece of jewellery, avoid wearing it when doing housework or gardening.
It is also advisable not to handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing your jewellery.
Although they wona€?t hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolour diamonds or gemstones.
Avoid placing your platinum jewellery with other pieces that can scratch it. Store
pieces separately, in a jewellery box or chamois bag