In order to keep the shine and natural brilliance that is associated with a beautifully cut diamond, you will need to clean it once or twice a year at least. Many people resort to taking their jewelry to a store where they can leave their piece for a professional cleaning. Some settings may require this depending on what type of metal and what type of dullness has occurred. For example, if your stone is set in silver, it may be best to have a professional clean it with a special silver cleaner that will provide a deep clean of the metal as well as the setting area.

Another method of cleaning is to soak your diamond in a solution of half ammonia and half water for 30 minutes. After soaking, gently brush the setting with a soft brush. Dry carefully with a soft cloth. If you don’t want to mix your own solutions, there are jewelry cleaning kits found at many department and jewelry stores that will provide you with maximum and safe cleaning ability. All the materials you need to clean your jewelry is included in the kit.

Then of course, there is one easy way to clean diamonds and settings that is used by jewelry professionals which may seen too easy but it really works well. Buy some Windex and simply spray on your ring or other jewelry. Use a soft, jewelry cloth to dry the setting and diamond. This is actually one method that professionals use to clean diamond jewelry depending on how dirty the settings actually are.

Platinum is a precious metal that costs more than gold. It usually is mixed with other similar metals, known as the platinum group metals: iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.

Different markings are used on platinum jewelry as compared with gold jewelry, based on the amount of pure platinum in the piece. The quality markings for platinum are based on parts per thousand. For example, the marking 900 Platinum means that 900 out of 1000 are pure platinum, or in other words, the item is 90% platinum and 10% other metals. The abbreviations for platinum – Plat. or Pt. – also can be used in marking jewelry.

Items that contain at least 950 parts per thousand pure platinum can be marked simply platinum. Items that have at least 850 parts per thousand pure platinum can be marked with the amount of pure platinum and the word platinum or an abbreviation (for example, 950 platinum, 900 Plat. or 850 Pt.). Jewelry that contains less than 850 parts per thousand pure platinum, but has a total of 950 parts per thousand of platinum group metals (of which at least 500 parts is pure platinum), may be marked with both the amount of pure platinum and the amount of the other platinum group metals in the piece. For example, the marking 600 Plat. 350 Irid. means that the item has 600 parts per thousand (60%0 platinum, and 350 parts per thousand (35%) iridium, totaling 950 parts per thousand of platinum group metals, and 50 parts per thousand (5%) other metals.

Pearls are created by living organisms so they are called the organic gems. Pearl is made when a piece of grit or any other particle reaches into the shell of marine mollusk which is the type of oysters. This particle gets coated by the substance called nacre which becomes pearl after sometime.

There are many kinds of pearls which can be classified according to the origin and shape.

Natural Pearls
Natural pearls get formed when they enter the shell of a mollusk and many layers of nacre covers it like onion skin. Shape of the pearls depends upon the shape of the particle being coated. These are the real pearls which are quite rare and hence very much expensive. These pearls are sold by carat weight.

Cultured Pearl
Cultured pearl also grow inside a mollusk but by the efforts of humans. Cultured pearls are created when a shell is opened carefully and some particle is inserted inside it. Shape of the particle inserted is according to the shape of the pearl desired.

This kind of pearl also gets coated with layers of the nacre. The thickness of the pearl depends upon various factors like the type of the mollusk used, kind of water it lives in and the period for which the particle stayed inside. Thicker the nacre, pearl is more beautiful, more durable and is of high quality. These pearls are sold according to their size in millimeters.

Then pearls can be classified as saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls depending upon the kind of water, mollusk is living in.

Different Shapes of Pearls
Most common shape of the pearls is spherical. This is the most popular shape and the most expensive. Symmetrical Pearls are pear shaped. They have symmetry but are not round. Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped and the least expensive.

While going for pearl Jewelry shopping, this information will help you find the best pearls for you.

Color: Pearls come in a wide variety of colors, not just the shiny whites that your mother used to wear. Tahitian pearls are naturally black in color, and freshwater pearls are available in everything from white and black to pink and purple. Pearls from the South Sea are silver, cream or golden yellow. Black and white pearls are typically more expensive, but not necessarily because they are any prettier than their colored cousins. Pearls are also available in a dyed format, which means a whole host of other color choices for your fashion needs. You can find pearls in every color from hot pink to violet and several different shades of silver. One of my personal favorites is “oil slick”, a shimmering purple and black mix which looks stunning in many different pearl shapes and settings.

Shape: Classic pearls are round, and are typically more expensive depending on how round they are. However, pearls naturally grow in many different unique shapes ranging from sticks to teardrops, and even asymmetrical shapes as well. If you are looking for pearls that offer a unique statement, opt for pearls that are not traditional round in shape. Man-made pearls are even available in stars, hearts, diamonds and flat squares.

Settings: Knotted silk is out, because pearls are capable of so much more. The fashion possibilities are absolutely endless. Pair bright pink pearls with shimmering Swarovski crystals for a delicate look, or mix some chunky black and purple “oil slick” Biwa stick pearls with Czech glass beads for something fun and casual. You may even consider mixing semi-precious gemstones like hematite or carnelian with pearls of different shapes and colors to pair pearl jewelry with every outfit in your closet. Coin pearls have been gaining serious popularity, because of their stunning colors and their perfect round shape. Coin pearls are large and bright, and look great dangling delicately from ears, or in a cluster around the throat.

There is still a place in the world for traditional silk and pearl jewelry, but it is also imperative that you see that pearl jewelry is making a serious fashion statement and is gaining popularity as a fashion jewelry trend. Pearl jewelry is a style which can be incorporated into any style, because the pearl is an extremely flexible part of the fashion jewelry world. Pearls are incredibly versatile, and well worth adding to your jewelry collection.

You might start there in your search for wedding rings. You will no doubt have your engagement ring with you, so use it while you’re shopping. You can try on wedding rings against your engagement ring to see the total beauty and at least narrow your options down.

Another consideration when shopping for wedding rings in either modern or classic styles is matching ring sets. You could buy both rings in a set that automatically compliment each other. This might be a great option for a man looking to purchase the rings. No worries down the road on finding yet another ring.

If you decide on making that modern wedding ring even more special, consider having your names engraved inside the band. Many couples are doing this because it personalizes it more than it already is when you wear it. It’s a more sentimental approach and adds your own touch to the already elegant wedding ring.

If you are having trouble choosing a wedding ring and feel like you have tried everything, consider a coloured stone. Many women are satisfied with colour diamonds as equally as they are regular diamonds. Consider purchasing one that is your birthstone if you have that option. Just remember it still needs to compliment or go with the engagement ring.

Shopping for men’s wedding rings is usually simpler. You still have the option of choosing one with diamonds and different metals, but it will just be a band. There is nothing to wear it with, no other ring to compliment, so it makes the process much easier than purchasing one for a woman.

There are many elegant wedding ring sets available for him and her as well. You could each get matching wedding rings and some couples prefer this over anything else. It is a symbol of your undying affection and love. You can show the world what you mean to each other by wearing matching wedding rings. With such a wide variety try to consider all these tips while you are looking and go find that perfect wedding ring!

De Beers was founded in South Africa in 1888 and today is the largest producer and seller of diamonds. Almost from the beginning the De Beers company has had a strangle hold on the diamond industry and a huge advertising budget. Diamonds are not as rare as the advertiser would have you to believe. De Beers keeps a huge stockpile of diamonds and tightly controls supply.

De Beers started the very successful advertising campaign A Diamond Is Forever in 1947. The Advertising Age magazine has voted this to be the most recognizable advertising line of the twentieth century. This advertising campaign was designed to discourage diamonds owners from putting their old diamonds back into the market.

The company has created many successful ad campaigns to keep the demand high for Natural Diamonds. The Eternity Ring, a symbol of continuing affection, The Trilogy Ring, symbolizes the past, present and future of a successful relationship, The Right Hand Ring, sold to women as a symbol of independence.

During the Depression era many people were too poor to buy diamonds. Engagement rings were made of fine crystal instead. Many of the depression era rings were quite beautiful and difficult to distinguish from the real thing. The ability to create cubic zirconium happened in the 1950 but it was not until 1979 that it became economically feasible to mass-produce and use them as a diamond substitute. Only a gemologist can tell the difference between a diamond created by nature and a cubic zirconium created in a laboratory

The man-made diamonds made today are of a better quality than the natural ones. A trained jeweler will be unable to determine a real one from a made-one unless he had some very expensive equipment. Insist on a certification before purchasing a diamond for investment purposes. It will tell you the stone’s carat weight, its color and clarity, and its flaws. If the seller is unwilling to supply a certification with the diamond then he may not be telling the truth and you should find someone who will. After all when you want to sell the diamond the new owner will want a certification from you.

Because pearls are light in color, they can easily pick up dirt, makeup and other debris. When you plan on wearing your pearls, make sure to put them on after you’ve put on your makeup, used hair products and put on perfume. Pearls are very susceptible to getting stained from these items, so it’s best to put pearls on right before you walk out the door.

Before you handle your pearls, make sure to wash your hands. Lotions, creams and even the natural oil on your hands can cause discoloration over time. Once you’ve got the pearls on, try not to handle them excessively. You can wear down the coating of the pearls when you touch them too much.

It should go without saying that pearls shouldn’t be worn during exercise or while you are swimming. Sweat can discolor the coating on your pearls. It might not be that noticeable if you do it only once, but if you make a habit out of it the pearls will quickly become discolored. The chlorine used in swimming pools can have a very damaging effect on your pearls. They should always be removed before swimming.

It’s a good idea to carry a soft cloth bag with you when you wear your pearls. This way if you need to remove your pearls, you have a safe place to store them. Pearls can get damaged easily if you toss them in your purse with hard objects like your keys.

Even with the best of care, you will need to clean your pearls from time to time. Be sure to use a soft cloth, lint free cloth to wipe them down. Gently buff the pearls with the cloth until they are as shiny as they were when you purchased them new.

If you are going for a more ethnic look then you will probably want to choose more earth tones and natural colors like blacks, browns, and tans. You can also mix in painted wood beads in basic colors like red, yellow and green to bring more attention to the piece. These also go well for making recreations of Native American jewelry, African American Jewelry, and beach jewelry in combination with shells and sharks teeth.

If you are buying your beads online make sure that they have a liberal return policy in the case of damaged beads. You don’t want to have to pay for beads that are broken and unusable. Even if the offer to discount them that won’t do, you never want to use inferior quality beads for any reason.

Most jewelry beads are sold in bulk lots so if you are doing this as a hobby you may want to get a friend to go in on them with you. It would take you a long time to use up the beads in the typical wholesale lot. Since you will probably be buying these through the internet or via mail, you probably won’t have the opportunity to pre-inspect the beads, so again be sure to ask about the exchange policy. Will you be able to exchange the beads that are less than perfect no matter what the reason? Depending on how the beads are packaged and sold, and the policy of the business selling the jewelry wholesale beads, this may not be possible. If they refuse to offer an exchange policy that is acceptable to you look for another vendor.

1. Look for a qualified appraiser. To get an accurate idea of your diamond’s value, have it appraised by at least 2 to 3 credible jewelers. You can easily find a handful of skilled experts in your immediate area by asking for recommendations from the Appraisers’ Association of America, the American Society of Appraisers or the International Society of Appraisers. Or if you are in a hurry and can’t wait for their recommendations (this usually takes a week), look for appraisers listed in the Yellow Pages.

2. Have the diamond appraised. When selling a stone as precious as a diamond, you would want to be armed with all the tools you can get. Of course, you would want to know the stone’s Rapaport value. The Rapaport value reflects the standardized wholesale price for which diamond jewelry stores all over the country are willing to pay for a diamond of a certain quality. This is also the highest value that you can expect to get from your diamond. Keep in mind that this amount would be significantly lower than what the stone would normally fetch in a jewelry store.

3. Ask around to see if any of your family members or friends is interested in buying the piece. The best deals are often made with people you know. If this fails, that would be the time to look for other buyers.

4. Make a round of the jewelry stores in your area. This would be your next best bet. However, be extremely cautious when taking this route. You should not let your diamond piece out of your sight even for a moment. You wouldn’t want it to be switched with one of lesser quality, would you?

Show the jeweler the diamond’s appraisal. If the jeweler offers you a price, which is 60 to 80% of the diamond’s Rapaport value (referred to as the dump value), you have made a good deal. But if he offers you a price well below 60% below the Rapaport value, don’t take it. He’s merely ripping you off!

5. Sell it in an auction house. If you own a diamond, which can be considered as among the top of the line, consider selling it off in one of the more famous auction houses.

Perhaps the best possible possession for making jewelry is the jewelry kit. This kit will assist you in making really marvelous pieces and give you plenty of confidence. The best investment you can make if you want to begin making your own jewelry is a kit. Kits will include the tools you need to get started, like a needle-nosed pliers and clasps. Beads are just one of the important supplies that you are going to have to have. You will find that there are chains and necklaces or even bracelets or earrings to help you make some wonderful pieces.

You’ll also need chains for necklaces and bracelets, backings for earrings, posts to create anything that dangles, and supplies to link it all together. You will find that this can be very expensive and you will also want to learn how to watch the craft stores for sales so that you can get all of supplies and even stock up. You will be able to get the kits with everything included. In Marvin H McCloud, Jr THESE ARE ALL DESIGNED AND CARVED BY HAND!

The fun to making the jewelry is to purchase all of the beans that you will use in your designs. Beads are made from a variety of things, such as metal, glass, clay, plastic, and even wood. You can make your own beads too, if you enjoy working with polymer clay. When shopping for beads, look for a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors so that you can make a number of different designs with your jewelry. You can now buy directly from official ebay and website of Marvin H. McCloud, Jr. of McCloud 9.

You will find that putting all the jewelry together can be very difficult, however, you will find it a lot easier when you get a magnifier to help you see. Using a magnifying glass probably won’t work well, since you’ll need both hands to work on the jewelry, but you can buy magnifiers on headsets that you can move in and out of your line of vision as you need it, or you can use standing magnifiers to work on your projects. The magnifying tools will help you to stay and keep yourself from loosing all the fun in making the jewelry. It will allow you to lose the frustrations. These magnifying tools will help your eyes stay strong and keep you from becoming too frustrated.

If you are working on making beautiful jewelry, a flat surface is highly recommended. Priority should be given to prevent rolling down of beads. Again, your target should be to make a design that will create a flutter.