Diamond Blemishes and More

by Arsene Gibson

Every time diamond shopping is discussed, you will here the same thing. A great debate on the four Cs of diamonds, the infamous cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The four Cs are incredibly important, but they are not the entire story.

Relying on the four Cs is important, but there is a downside to it. Sales people know them through and through, if you know what I mean. A different approach that can separate the good from the bad is to look for diamond flaws instead.

Diamond problems tend to come in two categories. Problems that occurred after mining are known as epigenetic. Problems that arose while the diamond was being formed deep under ground are known as syngenetic.

Our first flaw is know as a pinpoint inclusion. It appears as a dot of light in the diamond. Do not be fooled, my friend. It is a crystal anomaly. If the point of light does not change location when you move the diamond, you have a pinpoint inclusion.

Should you buy diamonds with pinpoint inclusion flaws? Personally, I do not think so, but other people feel they are acceptable so long as the flaw is in an unobtrusive location. You will simply have to evaluate the diamond you are looking at and make up your own mind.

Blemishes are found on the exterior surface of diamonds. They are typically epigenetic in nature, meaning they occurred during the cutting or polishing of the diamond. They can often be ground out by a better quality jeweler.

If you see a diamond with extra facets, you might wonder why? It is there because a problem had to be cut off. There is no way to know if they problem was natural or jeweler error, so you just have to evaluate whether you are comfortable buying it.

The world fracture connotates big problems. The same is true when talking about diamond fractures. It is a break in the diamond somewhere. Avoid these diamonds. Also, be aware that some jewelers will try to fill the fracture and pass them off as regular diamonds.

A rather practical diamond flaw is a scratch. Scratches are not a huge problem unless they are on the top table surface. Even then, they can usually be polished out. A deeper scratch, however, can be a diamond killer as polishing is impossible.

Needles are another flaw that is fairly controversial among diamond lovers and jewelers. Some, such as myself, do not view them as flaws. In many cases, a diamond with a special quality is actually a diamond with a needle that is reflecting the light oddly.

Your average needle is an elongated open valley within the diamond. It is so small that you cannot see it. It is big enough, however, to slightly tweak the light passing through and create stunning brilliance and sparkle.

Diamonds are organic matter condensed under pressure and heated to amazing temperatures. This means they are inherently going to have one flaw or another. Still, understanding the above will keep you from buying something with little quality.

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Skip the Picturesque Shops and Buy Jewelry Online

by Elvin Retinz

What exactly CAN’T you do online these days? It seems like everything is just a mouse click away. One thing that has become more convenient thanks to the internet is shopping. Not only can you shop from the comfort of home without going out and having to face the crowds, but you can also score some great deals on the internet that you won’t find in any stores.

However, there is some risk involved, especially when you are shopping for things like jewelry online. That is no reason you have to miss out on the deals, though. You might forgo the experience of shopping in a picturesque little jewelry boutique, but you can save some serious cash if you know which online jewelry stores to give your business to.

Your Internet Jewelry Shopping Options

The key to having a great online jewelry shopping experience is finding an online jewelry store that has a name you can trust. Look for companies that have been in business a long time and have a reputation for good customer service. One such company is the Designer Jewelry Showcase. This website is home to an internet only jewelry retailer that has more selection than you could find in even the very best brick and mortar jewelry store. Their online catalog of runs to the hundreds of pages, and they are the online retail home to over 125 different jewelry designers. They have a verifiable record of customer satisfaction and a good return and exchange policy if what you get isn’t exactly what you had in mind.

Another good option for online jewelry shopping is the company Designer Jewelry. This company is known for their wonderful selection of imported jewelry from all over the world. They are especially popular with people looking for sterling silver jewelry. Designer Jewelry is another company that has been trading on the internet for a long time and has a proven track record of customer satisfaction.

Another way to approach your online jewelry shopping is to look for the websites of traditional brick and mortar jewelry stores with which you are familiar. You can take comfort from knowing that if you buy something online and you are not satisfied with that you can walk into one of their stores and deal with a real person. You also have the comfort of knowing the reputation the company has so you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off.

Last but not least, consider buying directly from the designer. This method cuts out the middle man and allows you to cash in on the savings. This isn’t possible for all designers, but it is worth checking out before you pay extra for another business to facilitate your sale.

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