Aside from white, diamonds are also found in shades of yellow, brown, red, purple, blue and green. The color can be either natural or artificial.

Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring in different ways. The color can be due to trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. The diamond may have been exposed to radiation during its creation; green diamonds are an example of gems affected by radiation. Inclusions, regarded as undesirable in a colorless stone, often contribute unique tones and interesting flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.

It is possible to enhance or change the natural color of a diamond. Fancy color diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, so gemologists have developed ways to create affordable versions by using heat and radiation to turn brownish and yellow diamonds into colorful show-stoppers, at an affordable price.

Treatments make it possible for more consumers to own these vivid diamonds, because most natural colored diamonds are rare and expensive. It is best to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated in some way. If there are questions as to a stone's origins, ask for a lab certificate to verify its authenticity. If a colored diamond is offered a bargain price, it is safe to assume the color is synthetic.

Unscrupulous sellers sometimes apply coatings to mask or enhance the true color of a diamond. These coatings can be removed by wear or cleaning solutions. Irradiation, followed by high heat treatment, is used to convert brown and yellow diamonds into fancy colors such as green, vivid yellows, blues, purples, reds and other colors. This color change is usually permanent, but could possibly be affected if high heat is used during setting repairs.

High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) was first used to turn low-priced yellowish diamonds into fancy colored gemstones, but it is also used to transform them into completely colorless diamonds that can be sold for a much higher price. Some companies claim HPHT isn't an artificial treatment at all, calling it a technique that finishes the job nature started. Certainly diamonds are exposed to such an environment in the earth, and when the process is repeated in a man-made environment it is difficult to detect by examination of the stone. GIA grading reports now indicate when HTPT treatments are detected by stating 'HPHT Annealed' or 'Artificially Irradiated' in the Origins portion of a report. The FTC requires that any diamonds subjected to HPHT be labelled as such.

Synthetic colored diamonds are also available. These are chemically the same as natural diamonds, but they are created in a lab. The secret to making diamonds was discovered in the 1950s, when diamonds were synthesized almost simultaneously by Swedish and American researchers. This process uses pressures of over 55,000 atmospheres and 1400C, plus molten iron to convert graphite to diamond, were necessary. Currently approximately 80 tons of synthetic diamonds are produced annually by General Electric, De Beers, mostly for industrial use.

However, some companies are also producing high-grade synthetic diamonds, and this process makes ownership of a fancy color diamond a reality for buyers who otherwise could not afford to purchase a natural stone. For instance, a company called Gemesis specializes in producing yellow and orange fancy color diamonds.

Several factors influence the price of colored diamonds. The rarer and more intense the color, the more the diamond will cost. Unlike white diamonds, the presence or absence of inclusions is of secondary consideration. Colored diamonds have a grading all their own, and are categorized by the GIA into 9 different groups : Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid.

Yellow and brownish diamonds are the most common; blue, green and especially red are the rarest and most valuable. Yellow and pink diamonds are the most commonly purchased, though public tastes may change in the future. Pink diamond sales received a boost from a large pink diamond ring worn by Jennifer Lopez. Celebrity tastes greatly influence trends in the area of luxury products.

Yellow and brown diamonds are sometimes referred to as Champagne diamonds, and they are less expensive than white diamonds. Champagne diamonds with a secondary pink color are extremely popular. When faced up, these stones display light to bold flashes of pink in their fire. These stones are available in a sparkling range of champagne tones, from light champagne to fancy cognac. An extremely pale yellow diamond will be classified somewhere in the X to Z color range, making it closer to a low end white diamond rather than a fancy color. Yellow diamonds of a high intensity, such as vivid or deep, are quite rare and therefor more expensive.

Natural fancy pink diamonds are rare, and account for only a fraction of one percent of the output of the Australian Argyle mine. Pink diamonds mined in India, Brazil and Africa are usually lighter in color than the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. These diamonds are primarily divided into five color categories: Pink, Purplish pink, Brownish pink, Orangey pink and Pink Champagne. Pink diamonds without any secondary coloring are the rarest and most expensive of all.

By volume, the Argyle mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is the largest diamond supplier in the world. It is also world's foremost source of intensely colored pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world supply. However, only an extremely small proportion of Argyle diamonds production is Pink color, in fact less than one tenth of 1 percent. The fame of Argyle's pink diamonds has grown over the past decade. At the 1989 Christie's auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat.

The Argyle mine, also a leader in the production of brownish diamonds which were previously unwanted by consumers, was the first to introduce the terms 'champagne' and 'cognac' as a marketing campaign to encourage appreciation of these stones. It seems to have worked, and brown diamonds are becoming more expensive as they are being incorporated more frequently into jewelry.

Within a given grade, clarity, color distribution and cut affect the final price of the stone. Smaller diamonds (less than 0.80) carat can cost 10%-20% less than the rarer large gems. Exceptionally well cut stones and stones with a VVS or IF clarity can cost 10%-20% more. Secondary colors, such as brownish yellow, reduce cost.

A good cut gives a fancy diamond its sparkle and helps to bring out the most intense color possible. White diamonds are cut in a standard way to maximize light refraction. However, when cutting colored diamonds, the cutter usually considers the stone's inclusions, which can enhance the diamond's color. Facets and angles also give color to a diamond, so the cutter must consider what shape would bring out the gemstone's best color.

The best prices are offered by 'direct from the mine' wholesalers, merchants who buy either rough stone or newly cut diamonds directly from the source. Not all wholesalers will sell to private buyers, but the ones who do can save their clients a lot of money.

Article source: Free Jewelry Articles.

The LDS book as some people refer to it, is actually the Book of Mormon. It's simply a book that can be described in layman's terms as the Mormon Bible, although it as never meant to be a book to replace the bible, which Mormons do read and study.

An Interesting Book To Study

Over the years the LDS book has been the source of some controversy. There is always someone that wants to sort through it's facts in search of mistakes or things that can be proven to be historically incorrect.

A Sacred Book to All Mormons

However; to Mormons it is considered to be a book of scripture that is beyond the scrutiny of mortals and truly believe that all that is written in it is sacred. In fact, they use the LDS book as a general guide to assist then in their day to day lives.

All Religious Books

One thing that must be noted, is that virtually all books of this sort that are held sacred by the many religions of the planet can be found to have things written in them that can be found to be on the surface at times contradictory.

Read the Whole LDS Book

However; Mormons believe that the LDS book is not to be questioned and that only by studying it in its entirety can it and all that it outlines be fully understood. So they tend to take offense to those who would hold up particular sections to scrutiny without the rest of the LDS book included.

Ask An Expert On the LDS Book

So it is suggested if you intend on reading the LDS book that you do so with a Mormon who has studied it in its entirety, so you can have any questions properly answered if there are any that you need to have answered.

Author: Medardo Ong

About the author:
Published by Medardo Ong. If you're curious about this subject, come to my website for more info on candmormon books.


Article source: Free Jewelry Articles.

A belt buckle is an integral part of the belt. Plastic buckles, metal or wood are the most common types of loops. Belt buckles cowboy, cowgirl belts, Texas belt buckles, war belts, belts, etc. military is a little different from other types of belt buckles in the market.

Belt buckles that are on the beasts of the belts for evening wear are strewn with stones or embroidered, the most popular and expensive being the rhinestone ones. These belts are to show, rather than a real effect. Recent types of belt buckles on the market are the digital ones and scrolling light belt loops. These are particularly good for a night of dancing or fun and frolic.

People who can afford amateur can also get personalized belts belt buckles that have some form of prints or other messages on them. Silver buckles can also be customized to order. Gold belts and turquoise set designer belts with buckles can also be custom made for certain types of exclusive belt buckles that would be remarkable. Some people also want a single, unique belt buckles that are exclusively made to order.

For those who wish to make a statement, belt buckles Harley Davidson would be the best choice. Increase in the loop of the belt to be. People in the rebellious nature generally prefer these huge loops that go with the western belts or large belts as belts rodeo. There is even available on the market, a kind of belt buckles rebel known as belt buckles and belt buckles punk.

Buckles with faces on them or those who are themselves shaped funny are also a craze among the younger population. Big Dig would go particularly well with belts skins of animals and reptiles, such as kangaroo hide alligator skin, brown snakeskin, crocodile skin and black snake belts. Funny belt buckles, as the loop of the star wars, led display loops and loop spinner are also very popular with children.

As a belt buckle can be changed on a belt, in most cases, many prefer to keep a few curls so they can be changed whenever they fancy loops. Belt buckles are also available and cheap is available in any shop selling belts.

Belt buckles holding guns, like the army or belts gun belts have another type of loops that are stronger and can carry the weight belt. Firefighters, bikers and other armed men wearing belts of various types of belt buckles that are different from ordinary ones. Are also available with belt buckles of religious symbols for all pious people there. Eagle dragon-shaped and belt buckles shaped are the most that could catch the eyes of a belt loop belts display in a store.

Just shop around for the perfect belt buckle to buy. For a number of shops dealing with belts and belt buckles, available on the market is a wide choice and a person would need sufficient time and energy to go around.

Author: Doubledeedeals

About the author:
Turquoise Jewelry including Native American Belt Buckles at Double Dee Deals. We Offers you Native American Jewelry, Southwestern Turquoise Jewelry, Native American Necklaces, Native American Bracelets.

Article source: Free Jewelry Articles.

Wedding ring as a gift item is quite surprising. Nothing gives the joy and enjoyments equal to that feeling when you open the gifted jewelry box and find a beautiful wedding ring for your most special occasion. Wedding ring as a gift material is unique and a clever choice. Though every couple selects their own wedding jewelry but why not give them a good pleasant surprise by gifting a wedding ring.

For every bride and every groom wedding ring means something special and most valuable. The spark and enjoyment you can see in their eyes is equally bright like the gold of the ring. Your feeling after gifting them a wedding ring is also as gratifying as the wedding couple's. No one can imagine a gift like wedding ring. So do not let go this idea and gift your favorite couple, your near and dear one's a wedding ring. It can support your purse and also an intelligent choice.

Rings are now more fashionable and they have a designer tag. Many designer houses are making their own wedding rings carrying their own signature. Some prefers white gold wedding rings, some prefers titanium wedding rings. But the bottom line is that ring should be beautiful, as no couple want to make any compromise with their wedding ring. So, even if you are giving it as a gift but keep in mind that ring should look good and so cheap.

Platinum and titanium rings are more durable and have a rendering beauty as they are embedded with diamonds, ruby, Safire, emerald. These stones enhance the beauty of the ring. The more the stones the more beautiful they are. Their cutting and embellishments are most important. A good ring must have a classic look but at the same time a modern touch too. Blending of these two criteria makes the ring precious. Varity of wedding rings for women and men are available in the market. Expensive are those, which have intricate designs and attractive curving done on the body of the ring. Traditional jewelry has their focus on the settings of stones but now the importance is on the designing factors.

Especially for men handcrafted and machine made wedding rings and wedding bands have arrived in the market. These are quite demanding. They are simple in looking and at the same time elegant too. White gold rings with dazzling presence of starling platinum and titanium with diamonds have an amazing pristine appearance. Diamond embedding rings, white gold wedding rings, platinum rings, titanium rings, tungsten rings are much expensive because they are done with intricate designs and attractive cuttings on their body.

Titanium rings come not only in fashion with gold but it has many variations as colored titanium rings etc. these are very popular because they are colorful, durable and glazy. Before giving a gift to any couple be sure about their choice and their personality and life style. Comfort level and fittings are also considerable. If it becomes so tight or so loose then it will not suit. If he or she has any metal irritation then it would be problematic. So be sure about the very facts and then choose a gift.

Description: Before buying a wedding ring as a gift item have the information stated above. Aspects of comfort and skin sensitivity are equally important.

Author: mark fisher

About the author:
Attractive platinum wedding rings, platinum wedding bands and platinum wedding band available here.

Article source: Free Jewelry Articles.

New synthetic diamonds are so closely resemble mined diamonds that the naked eye cannot tell the difference, often saving consumers enough money to make a down-payment on a new home or buy a car. Unfounded diamond jeweler arrogance, pretentiousness, and snootiness has gone too far!

My girlfriend has been parading around town with a magnificent 4-carat Round Brilliant cut synthetic diamond set in a stunning 14K solid gold filigree solitaire ring setting for a year now. She has been to restaurants, work, shopping, night clubs, museums, and parties. Family and friends have scrutinized her ring. She has been stopped repeatedly by others who were dumbfounded by her ring. Hundreds of people have seen her ring, astonished by its majesty, gushing about it. And despite its ostentatious size, no one has asked if it is a fake diamond!

How could this be? The latest breakthrough science in lab-created diamonds has brought them in line with mined diamonds. Long gone is the aurora borealis or 'disco ball' effect that was seen in synthetic diamonds of the past decades. New millennium synthetic diamonds-with similar hardness, clarity, fire, and brilliance-are indistinguishable with the naked eye and simply don't look fake. High quality synthetic diamonds even have the coveted hearts-and-arrows effect.

This begs the question: If one were to saunter into a jewelry store with a synthetic diamond, can a jeweler tell the difference? Since all mined diamonds have color disparities (flaws), birthmarks (flaws), and inclusions (flaws), and lab-created diamonds have none of the above, a trained eye can tell the difference. A sneering glance under a loupe or even under discriminating examination with a magnifying glass, a jeweler will often proudly declare a synthetic diamond as a fake. Modern synthetic diamonds are too perfect in the world of jeweler snobbery when pushing over-priced high profit diamonds is the agenda at hand.

With the use of scientific testing equipment, mined diamonds will conduct electricity and synthetic diamonds will not. That is because mined diamonds are a carbon gem material and synthetic diamonds are polycrystalline. A thermal probe will produce different readings, differentiating the two. But does this really matter to a jewelry lover who is interested in aesthetic beauty and saving thousands of dollars? In the year my girlfriend has been showcasing her synthetic diamond on her finger; no one has walked up to her with scientific equipment asking to test her gemstone.

Why do virtually all brick-and-mortar jewelers carry only mined diamonds? Why do jewelers scoff at synthetic diamonds? You need to look no further than your wallet. A 1-carat high quality mined diamond is about $3000, a 2-carat about $18,000, a 3-carat about $40,000, and a 4-carat goes for about $90,000. Respectively, synthetic diamonds run about $79, $158, $237, and $326. It's about the money. Don't kid yourself.

It's also about indoctrination. For over a century, the diamond cartel has spent billions of dollars convincing the public that jewel quality mined diamonds have intrinsic value like gold. Not true. Why? During this time DeBeers has limited production, bought up supplies from others, stockpiled inventory, and imposed its monopoly position on jewelry manufacturers in the successful effort to keep prices inflated. And to make matters worse, the diamond industry as a whole has a checkered past with conflict stones, debt-slave child labor in India used in cutting operations, and shady techniques used to enhance perceived quality to further squeeze out ridiculous prices from beleaguered jewelry lovers.

Smart jewelry shoppers today are considering synthetic diamonds as an alternative to mined diamonds for some very savvy reasons: (1) They can acquire fine jewelry pieces set in solid 14K gold. (2) They will save literally thousands of dollars. (3) There is no need to buy insurance. (4) When wearing their synthetic diamond jewelry nobody will know that they are not mined diamonds unless they tell them!

Article source: Free Jewelry Articles.

There are various alternatives for the diamond. Today there two Diamond alternatives for the real diamond; one of them is moissanite and other is the cubic zirconia. Both of these Diamond alternatives have their own advantages and disadvantages. It depends on the buyer to choose the jewel, so that it suits their budget and fulfils the desire of the real diamond. Normally these diamond alternatives are manufactured either from moissanite material or from the cubic moissanite jewel. There is a diamond alternative for the pure diamond and that is a diamond hybrid in which both jewels are used in rings. Engagement rings are cheap in price and with beautiful designs, at the same time they are just as attractive in nature when compared to diamond rings.
These 'diamond alternative' or the 'diamond hybrid' rings can be of platinum metal and are loved by women! Platinum rings are commonly worn all over the world. Even though platinum is slightly higher in cost but has longer lasting capabilities when compared to the other metals such as gold and silver. Diamond hybrid rings are suited for all the occasions and functions.
The other stone that is widely used in 'diamond alternative' rings is moissanite. This moissanite stone has various advantages such as it is a natural material, it is cheaper than a diamond and available in various shapes and sizes as they are designed in the laboratories. The other advantage is the hardness of the moissanite that is almost equal to the diamond. This is the same case in platinum moissanite stones and they are the best 'diamond alternatives' as it has various impressive designs and longer durability. Platinum is silver in its appearance and it's durability and shine are impressive.

'Diamond hybrid' moissanite stone can be larger in size when compared to a common diamond stone. It provides a new and elegant approach in 'diamond alternative' engagement rings. This new look is becoming more popular in today's fashion. These 'diamond alternative' or the 'diamond hybrid' rings resemble pure diamond rings and are very difficult to distinguish between the two. Even trained professionals in the jewelry industry find it difficult to separate between them. These rings are the best option to the 'diamond alternative' rings.

Both cubic zirconia and moissanite are precious jewels and can be used in designing beautiful jewelry. But with respect to moissanite the cubic zirconia has a wide market in the field of 'diamond hybrid' as they are cheaper in cost and are easy to maintain. The other important factor is that the color of cubic zirconia 'diamond alternative' does not fade away easily and remains for longer duration.

The other 'diamond hybrid' that provides varieties of articles is the moissanite diamond ring. It contains diamonds around the moissanite and is beautiful to look at. These moissanite 'diamond alternative' rings are perfect for any occasion with vast selection of styles and choices such as wedding rings, anniversary rings and the various engagement rings. These rings or the pendants can be manufactured two ways; one of them by machine manufacturing and the other being hand crafted. The hand crafted ring provides a stunning and marvelous look when compared to the machine crafted rings.

Article source: Free Jewelry Articles.