The emerald cut engagement ring is steadily growing in popularity with individuals from all walks of life including the rich and famous. One of the reasons for this new trend is classic rectangular shape makes it a perfect blend of classic elegance and polished modern sophistication.
The emerald cut as the name implies was specifically developed for emeralds, allowing this relatively hard stone to be cut without causing breakage due to the many natural occurring inclusions. It was found that the only way this could be accomplished is by using a stepped approach with rounded corners, leaving the overall shape that of a rectangle. These clipped corners provide the perfect place for the prongs that will securely hold your stone in place.
The elongated shape of the traditional emerald cut diamond tends to have less “fire” in comparison to the “round brilliant” cut however it also tends to have fuller, more striking flashes of light. The tailored lines of emerald cut diamonds bestow both an elegant and classic look regardless of if you choose a simple or elaborate setting. In the end it comes down to personal choice and the expectation you have for sparkle on your finger.
While buying an emerald cut diamond, it’s especially important to consider the quality, as the faults, color weaknesses, and inferior cuts are much more evident to the naked eye. With that being said, emerald cut diamond rings are much more affordable so the quality of diamond that you will be able to acquire will be much higher. This is partially due to the fact that the emerald diamond is still growing in popularity as well as the cut its self is much easier perform therefore less time consuming to produce.
Traditionally an emerald cut engagement ring is set perpendicular to a ring, however the possibilities are endless. You can have your emerald cut diamond set as a solitaire for maximum impact or you can have a number of accent stones to play it up. When deciding on a setting remember to try them on your finger do not just pick one out of a catalogue and send your partner in to pick it up. An emerald cut diamond is indeed stunning but the traditional rectangular shape is particularly suitable for women with long and slender fingers. If you have shorter fingers and the emerald cut really appeals to you choosing a more square shape may be an option. Again it comes down to personal choice if think your chosen ring looks great then that is the one you should get because you are going to be the one wearing it.
Filed under watches with diamonds by on Sep 15th, 2008. Comment. 
The choice of perfumes and scents seems to grow wider every day, as manufacturers fight for our attention and try ever harder to distinguish their offerings from the competition. With such a selection to choose from, how does one even begin to know where to start when it comes to buying perfume?
Modern “cool” perfumes are becoming more and more popular, particularly among younger people who appreciate the intense but often quite unusual scents, which instantly bring to mind seaside scenes. Naturally these are an excellent choice in the warmer months when thoughts turn to holidays.
Earthy or woody type perfumes evoke smells of the forest, and are usually very refreshing. They often tend to appeal to the older generation, and may make ideal gifts.
Oriental perfumes use strong spicy scents, and are ideal for special social occasions, but be cautious giving them to anyone you don’t know well – these intense perfumes can be a very personal choice.
Broadly speaking, all perfumes fall into one of six different categories based on their dominant top notes. Different categories will suit different people or occasions.
Spicy fruity perfumes are also a good warm-weather choice, and can be a good all-round choice for the woman who wants to wear something with some traditional base-notes but is a little different to the classic floral scents, a perfect example of this is Euphoria Perfume by Calvin Klein .
The so-called “greens” are much lighter than the orientals, and are well suited to more casual wear. Because they make a less dramatic assault on the nose, they are also safer to give as gifts. Finally, those classic floral perfumes are suitable for almost everyone and any occasion. But be wary of cheaper brands; this most feminine of all the main groups works best when the ingredients used are of high quality, and that means less expensive brands can smell exactly that.
Ultimately, choosing a fragrance is a very personal choice, and many women prefer to stick with what they know and buy the same thing year after year. But by trying different perfumes from the same group as your favourite smell, you may just discover a new gem.
Filed under Uncategorized by on Sep 14th, 2008. Comment.
With all of the potential for scams concerning white diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems – as long as you are careful.
Instead of making a purchase from a local jewelry store, you must first rethink your reasons for wanting to buy the diamond online. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful – sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam.
One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. There are no limits online. Be very careful when you decide to fork over all that cash to someone who you just met!
Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping.
Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds on sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about blue diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that you love, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!
Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the seller’s return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.
Independent laboratories such as HRD, GIA, AGS, and EGL are great sources when asking for a diamond report. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself…again, make sure that you use a reputable escrow service!
Filed under watches with diamonds by on Sep 9th, 2008. Comment.