Knowing the Jewelry

Jewelers are constrained to give a precise answer, what is the difference of semi-precious gems, so accepted conventional division: Precious stones - are diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies, and all the rest - semiprecious.

Diamonds
It is believed that diamonds could originate at depths of up 150 kilometer and rose to the surface of the Earth by volcanic activity.
The main suppliers: South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Congo and Australia.
The value of a diamond is determined by four indicators:
Faceting
It must be the best way to identify brilliance of precious stones (it is important to width ratio of stone and its height). Evaluating a diamond shine best when scattered (day) light, but not for point, area, and not by the light of halogen lamps, which often cover Jewelry stores. Spot lights can create a deceptively good impression, but in daylight this brilliant "fade".
The most traditional cut - round (57 or 58 faces). Also extended cut, to square or rectangular shape with chamfered corners. There are oval-cut stones - this form is called the "Marquis" (this cut came in France in the 40 years HV111 century and is named in honor of the mistress of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour). Diamond ring 10 carats cut "Marquise" was given by Michael Douglas in an engagement Catherine Zeta - Jones. Also very popular are teardrop-shaped diamonds (ring with this stone, together with the marriage proposal was once Jessica Simpson). A relatively new cut, "Princess" - almost square shape with pronounced corners. However, now the majority of jewelry houses offer their proprietary cutting: a triangle, heart, shamrock.

Transparency

Almost all diamonds have imperfections internally - inclusion. Jewelers regard these as the inclusion of fingerprints of nature, it is the imperfections give each diamond unique character. The most valuable are precious stones, the inclusion of which can not discern even a trained eye jeweler with 10-fold increase. If the inclusions are visible to the naked eye, the value of precious stones is reduced considerably.

Weight

It is measured in carats (not be confused with karat gold). 1 carat equals 0.2 grams (200milligrammov). Within one carat exists a division on points (1 carat = 100 points). The average weight of diamonds in the rings - from 50 points to 1 carat. Jewellery with diamonds must be stored separately, so they are not scratched other things, especially gold. Diamonds do not have contact with chlorine bleach and other chemicals - is facing a loss of color. If you want to clean the jewelry, contact the person in the jewelry salon. Cheaper substitutes diamonds - white sapphire, topaz, quartz, and zirconium.

Color
The most valuable diamonds are a distinct color, or completely devoid of it. The most rare pink diamonds: their value can reach $ 1 million per carat. But only if the color is natural, not produced in the laboratory. To determine the exact shade of stone, it should be considered on a white background: color or black can be misleading.


Sapphires
Sapphire is a talisman of travel, symbolizes faith and devotion. Deposits of sapphires are in Australia, North India (Kashmir), China, Cambodia, Kenya, Burma, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Tanzania and the United States. The most valuable - sapphires from Kashmir and Burma, because they are different shades of deep blue. In addition to blue, there are white, pink, yellow, peach, orange, brown, purple or green sapphires. There is only red because red is called sapphire, ruby "(these precious stones - close relatives). The cost of sapphire decreases, if it contains dark tone. The most valuable stones are saturated hues, followed by stones in pastel shades, and the least valuable - dark sapphires. In jewelry using sapphires weighing 2 carats, found stones from 5 to 10 carats.

Semiprecious
Semi-Precious Stones. In the past two years jewelry business is experiencing an unprecedented surge of interest in semi-precious stones. The jeweler Solange Azaguri Partridge (clients - Sienna Miller, Sadie Frost and Kate Moss) explains this variety of colors and textures of the stones: they are easy to pick up his clothes. Jewelers Theo Fennell (customers - Elton John and Naomi Campbell) and Stephen Webster (clients - Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Kemiron Diaz) is called the most fashionable semi-precious stones in 2007 praziolit, sodalite, tanzanite, Morgan, citrine, tourmaline. Some semi-precious stones such as tanzanite, occur in nature, even rarer than precious stones. But experts warn that over time, semi-precious stones, in contrast to the precious, are not expensive, but cheaper.

Emeralds

This gemstone symbolizes hope and rebirth, it is believed that it brings happiness in love, improves vision. The most famous deposits of emeralds - in Colombia and Brazil. When you purchase it is important to pay attention to the color of the stone than it is cleaner and brighter, the more valuable the stone. In the emeralds are found small cracks, which over time can "split" stone. Emeralds are much easier to scratch than diamonds, sapphires and rubies, so their storage and cleaning requires caution.

Rubies

Rubin - a symbol of passion and romance, power and courage, it protects against the dangers and accidents. The most valuable mined in Burma (Myanmar), there are rubies from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Tanzania. African gems are less valuable, because they have more internal inclusions. The best rubies - pure shades of red, no brown or blue shades. In the modern jewelry often used rubies weighing 2 carats, and come across a 5-carat stone (they are more expensive than diamonds, as rarely found in nature). Rubies are best kept separate from other jewelry, because they can scratch the touch.