"Diamonds are a girl's best friend" - sung in a popular song. But diamonds are popular not only with the fair sex. Many men enjoy wearing gemstone cufflinks, tie pins, and even diamond rings. Jewelry determines the status and representativeness of the wearer. But this does not mean that precious products are the lot of only the we althy. Today, even a person with an average income can buy a modest diamond ring.
What is a carat and how to determine the carat of a diamond
When evaluating the quality of diamonds, experts follow the system of criteria "4 C": cut grade (cut), stone clarity (clarity), color (color) and weight (carat). And if everything is more or less clear with the first three factors, then the carat, on which the value of a diamond depends, requires some clarification.
The word "carat" comes from the Italian carato, which means "carob pod". The weight of the fetus is stable and equal to 0.2 grams. Because all pods are equal in weight, they have become the standard for a system-wide unit of gemstone value andpearls.
Depending on the carat, diamonds are:
- Small (their weight is up to 0.29 carats).
- Medium (up to 0.99 carats).
- Large (they are also called tapeworms, weight starts from 1 carat).
- Diamonds over 6 carats are only found at auctions.
- Huge stones from 25 carats have their own names.
To determine the value of a stone, you need to multiply its carat weight by the price of one carat, which increases in proportion to the size of the diamond.
There are two ways to determine the weight of a diamond:
- A loose diamond is weighed on a carat scale.
- The stone in the frame is calculated by the formula M=D2 × H x 0.0061. In this case, M is the weight in carats, D is the diameter of the diamond, and H is its height. When calculating, remember that there is an error of 10 percent or more.
Also, to determine the weight of diamonds, you can use tables where the mass of a stone is related to its diameter.
Famous diamonds of the world
Gemstones have not only bewitching beauty and sophistication. Behind many of them is a trail of mysterious stories that envelop them in mysticism and intrigue. Diamonds are truly leaders - the owners of an exciting past.
The Cullinan stone is considered the most famous. It was discovered in 1905 at the Thomas Cullinan mine in South Africa. The weight of the find reached 3107 carats, as a result of which the diamond had to be divided. Today, the largest piece of the Cullinan, the Star of Africa, adorns the scepter of the Queen of England.
"Wittelsbach", the second famous diamond, was a noble traveler. The blue miracle was in the hands of the French king Louis XIV, the Spanish monarch Philip IV, it was an adornment of the Habsburg treasury and the family property of the Wittelsbachs. In addition to fabulous beauty, the diamond is also known for the fact that in 1998 it was sold at Sotheby's for the highest price - 16.39 million pounds. Today the Blue Wittelsbach is the pride of a private collection.
Another famous diamond is the mystical Black Orlov. They found a diamond on the head of a stone Brahma from the Hindu temple. Weakened by the vandals, the Indian god cursed the robbers. From that moment on, "Cherny Orlov" brought misfortune to its temporary owners. Countess Nadezhda Orlova, Princess Golitsyna-Baratynskaya, Jay Paris, who possessed the diamond, committed suicide at different times. Only Dennis Petimezas managed to curb the mystical power of the stone. Today "Cherny Orlov" adorns the new owner's expensive necklace.
Tiffany diamond jewelry and rings are famous all over the world. But the most famous diamond of the jewelry house was a yellow stone discovered in the mines of Kimberley. The cut of the diamond exceeded all expectations. As a result of skillful processing, the yellow miracle turned into an original quadrilateral with 89 faces. Today, the diamond is set in a Bird on a Stone setting and is the emblem of Tiffany &Co.'s flagship store.
How cut diamonds are attached
To keep the stone securely inframe, it must be well fixed. There are several ways to mount diamonds.
- With the help of special hooks (prongs). From the original "paws" a basket is formed into which a diamond is placed. The ends of the hooks protrude above the stone and form grooves where the diamond is inserted. Prongs can be long and short, oval and flat. This setting is often used in gold and diamond engagement rings.
- Many stones are fixed with a channel mount. A channel is cut along the circumference of the ring, where small diamonds are placed. After insertion, the slot is sealed to prevent stones from falling out.
- Another option for setting diamonds is pavé. Fastening is carried out due to small cells for diamonds. After inserting a stone into the hole, the master fixes it with metal, while capturing neighboring diamonds. With this type of mounting, diamonds form a single multifaceted layer.
- The rim (deaf) mount holds the stone in the frame surrounding it from all sides. This is the most reliable way to set diamonds in a ring.
- Corner setting is used when inserting a diamond directly into the metal. Can be used with any number of gems in the jewelry, which can be placed in any order.
Types of metals for diamond rings
The gemstone jewelry market is wide and varied. Designers, wanting to create something truly unique, sometimes take risky decisions. Creating rings with cut diamonds, many craftsmen embody the mostbold ideas. Often they insert stones not only into precious metal, but also into other settings.
Undoubtedly, the most suitable cut for diamonds is gold. A gold ring with a diamond can be made of any noble metal, even a fairly low standard, and of different colors. Yellow frames are the most classic for a lot of people. But also white gold rings with a diamond look original and elegant. They make a great ensemble with lots of wardrobe items. White gold with a contrasting diamond (black, blue, etc.) will be a good addition to a business image.
But not only gold is gemmed. A silver diamond ring is a good choice for modest girls who do not want to draw special attention to themselves. Gentle and sensitive ladies will also be pleasantly surprised. The question is about the price of the product. How much does a silver diamond ring cost? Such products are significantly inferior in price to their gold counterparts. But despite this, they are also beautiful and original.
Perhaps the most expensive jewelry is platinum rings with diamonds. They are an indicator of the status, we alth and excellent taste of the owner. Engagement rings with diamonds set in platinum look especially good. In addition, the products are a good investment.
An interesting option are diamond rings, decorated with enamel. The product itself is already an original work of art. With the help of enamel, the decoration can be given a variety of colors, and the unique design will be remembered by others for a long time.
To create a product with diamonds, it is not necessary to use only one type of metal. Unusual combinations of different materials make the ring original and curious.
Unusual alloys can also be used in the production of diamond jewelry. Titanium, palladium, tin, when skillfully executed, can give life to magnificent products. Such jewelry becomes truly original works of art.
Varieties of diamond rings
Choosing a piece of jewelry, it's easy to get lost among the variety of styles and designs.
Depending on the gender and age of the owner, products with stones are as follows:
- Women's diamond rings.
- Diamond jewelry for men.
- Children's rings with diamonds.
Jewellery technicians divide jewelry into:
- Rings made with the art of filigree.
- Blackened products.
- Embossed embellishments.
Style sets of earrings and diamond rings are:
- Casual.
- Party decorations.
- Rings for special occasions (business meetings, ceremonial exits).
- Engagement pairs.
- Engagement rings with diamonds.
Also, master jewelers divide jewelry into:
- Simple.
- Complicated.
Complex rings are considered to be made using complex techniques using all kinds of inserts, weaves, enamel decorations andfiligree.
Simple products are designed, as a rule, for everyday wear and non-ceremonial events. They are modest, unpretentious, discreet. Such jewelry includes men's rings with diamonds (signets), monogram rings, wedding rings.
There are also unusual types of diamond jewelry.
- Cocktail jewelry - a massive ring with a large diamond or other precious stone. The product features a luxuriously designed headband and high frame.
- The purpose of the anniversary ring is beyond doubt. The only condition is that a woman's diamond ring must be given to her by a loving husband.
Diamond engagement rings
Engagement precedes a significant event in the life of every girl - a wedding. The symbol of the solemn event is a beautiful engagement ring. By accepting the jewelry, the girl consents to the marriage. Since then, the couple has been considered a bride and groom.
A true classic is a gold ring with a diamond. It is worn until the wedding day, and after the event, it is carefully stored in a family box.
Today, engagement jewelry delights with stylistic and design diversity. A good solution would be to purchase a whole set in the form of a set of earrings and a diamond ring. The main thing is that the set should be made in the same style - whether it be art deco, vintage, ethno.
Diamond engagement rings
The wedding ring is perhaps the main decoration of married couples. Today atinstead of traditional gold bands, you can choose a ring according to your taste and desire.
- The scalloped jewelry is usually a large diamond ring. The stone is placed in a cell at the top of the product and is fixed with three or more paws (teeth).
- Ring with a hole along the entire length. Small stones are inserted into the recess, or it serves to secure large diamonds.
- Engagement rings with diamonds in the form of a lattice. The hole for inserting stones is not placed along the ring, but across.
- Rings with an inconspicuous base. In such rings, the diamantics are located so close to each other that they cover the metal base.
- Hoops of the same level are made by dipping the rings into the metal at the same level. Rings are intended mainly for people who, according to the requirements of the profession, have to work with their hands. This setting of diamonds saves stones from damage and falling out.
- Today, engagement rings with a nested setting of a diamond are considered very popular. In such rings, the diamond is securely framed by a metal base that surrounds it in whole or in part.
How to choose a diamond ring
When purchasing a precious ring, you should be guided by your own taste and preferences. However, this is not the only selection criterion. You should study well the characteristics - cut, color, clarity and carat of a diamond.
According to the type of cut, diamonds are divided into marquises, pears, princesses,hearts, ovals, squares, baguettes, triangles, emeralds and others. The type of cutting makes it possible to distinguish between royal, Russian or majestic stones. As for color, there are transparent, pink, yellow, blue, black diamonds.
How to test a diamond
In order not to buy a fake instead of a pure stone, you can use the following tips:
- Bring the stone to a light source and look through it. A real stone should sparkle, and the rays should be well reflected from all faceted surfaces. The light will focus on only one point.
- Diamond is an excellent glass cutter. To check the authenticity of the stone, it is worth lightly running the diamond over the glass surface. A fake does not leave a scratch, and all traces of an unclean stone can be wiped off with a wet finger.
- Besides beauty, diamond has incredible hardness. If you rub it with sandpaper, it will remain safe and sound.
- Genuine diamond does not transmit laser beams. And when X-raying a diamond ring, nothing will appear in the picture.
- Hot breath leaves condensation on the diamond.
Jewellery houses of Europe and America
Jewellery has always been a desirable item not only for women, but also for the stronger sex. Men's diamond rings are a sign of status and representativeness.
Jewellery is a good investment for many. Simple, even the most exquisite jewelry, cannot be a worthy investment. Productsfamous companies, or, as they say, jewelry houses, become not only family decorations, but also a guarantee of we alth for their owners.
The most famous jewelry manufacturers in Europe are the following luxury brands:
- Buccellati. Founded in 1919 in Milan, Mario Buccellati's company soon became very popular due to the uniqueness of its products. White gold rings with diamonds are truly works of art.
- The French company Van Cleef & Arpels was founded in 1896 in Paris. The treasures of the brand amaze with their beauty and originality. In the development of models, natural motives are often used. In addition to jewelry, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelers also make precious figurines.
- Graff's favorite stone is a large diamond. Founded in 1960, the company stands out for the luxury and exclusivity of its products. All Graff jewelry is made exclusively by hand. This explains how much the brand's diamond ring costs.
- The most famous jewelry house in the US is Tiffany. The company was founded in 1837 in Manhattan. All of the brand's jewels were individually packaged in turquoise blue. Rings "Tiffany" with diamonds are made of gold, platinum or silver. The company's jewelry is easily recognizable due to its unique style and conciseness.
Domestic jewelry factories
In addition to well-known world brands, Russianjewelers. Domestic masters have always had a personal style and uniqueness. Russian jewelry business began to develop rapidly at the end of the 19th century. At first, jewelry was produced by small workshops, which over the years grew into quite large enterprises. Today in Russia there are many factories with a century-old history.
The most famous domestic jewelry enterprises are:
- "Russian Gems", founded in the early twentieth century by decree of Emperor Nicholas II. Today it is a leading jewelry factory. The hallmark of "Russian Gems" are all kinds of precious items, including silver rings with diamonds.
- Although the Adamas factory was founded quite late (in 1993), but in this short period it has taken a strong place in the Russian jewelry market. The production uses a full cycle. All products from start to finish are made within the same factory.
- The Moscow Jewelry Factory diamond rings are the result of continuous improvement and an original design idea. The company not only produces jewelry, but also has a network of its own stores.
