Advik Diamonds::Jewellery Education and Solutions

Ring Buying Guide:

Finger rings are the most commonly worn pieces of jewellery, and many have significance beyond ornamental. Some rings are by their nature symbolic, while others take on added symbolism depending on the finger you wear them on. Apart from the most popular engagement and wedding rings, and the everyday casual and party rings, there are special rings for friendship, motherhood, affiliation, office and commemoration .While being so universally used, rings also require the most care in choosing. You must decide upon the best style and size for your finger, and select your preferred design, metal and stones keeping in mind your allocated budget.

The Different Kinds of Rings

1) Engagement Rings

A ring given to and worn by a woman signifying her engagement to be married. Typically a man will spend one or two monthsa€? salary on a ring and purchase the ring in advance. Or, as part of an increasing modern custom, a couple will choose the engagement ring together. Whilst this may spoil the surprise, the future bride has the opportunity to select the correct size of her ring as well as her preferred gemstone, setting and band.

2) Wedding Rings

A ring presented in a marriage ceremony to signify marital commitment. Originally worn only by the woman, it is now common for both spouses to wear such a ring. The wedding ring is usually worn on the third finger on the left hand and can be made from gold, white gold, silver or other metals such as platinum or titanium. Mena€?s wedding rings tend to be larger and weigh more than womena€?s wedding rings. As these rings are designed to be worn for life, it is important that you choose a metal that you are comfortable wearing. Also consider engravings or inscriptions on your wedding rings. These can be simple engravings such as your names or the wedding date, or a personal message for you to cherish.

3) Eternity Rings

Forever, for eternity, this special ring is reserved for everlasting love. The eternity ring is easily identified by a circle of gemstones all around the outer band of the ring. A half-eternity ring has gemstones covering half of the outer band a€“ these are more readily available and are popular gifts between family and close friends. Eternity rings can be worn on any finger but are mostly found as well as, or instead of, an engagement or wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand.

4) Dress Rings

A dress ring, dinner ring, cocktail ring or fashion ring can be worn every day and for any occasion. Although dress rings are typically large and vibrant, set with glittering precious and semi-precious gemstones, some dress rings are more subtle and reserved with plain bands and simple designs.

5) Wishbone Rings

The wishbone ring takes its name from its likeness to the chicken wishbone. It is similar to a circular ring, however has indentations. The wishbone ring is also known as an a€?Ma€? ring or a€?Wa€? ring, depending on how it is worn. Wishbone rings can be plain or contain gemstones and are popular with women as their unique shape can be flattering and appear to elongate the hand. Wishbone rings can be interlocked together to create a beautiful and glamorous effect.

Pendant Buying Guide:

Pendants have been around since the Stone Age, when the pendant consisted of shells and bones.Second only to the diamond ring,diamond pendants are probably the most gifted diamond ornament the world over, symbolising everlasting love and beauty.

Bracelet Buying Guide:

A bracelet/bangle is the easiest piece of jewellery to wear a€“ it needs no piercings, is forgiving of sizing, and adds panache and glamour to any outfit. Whatever your style is, there are bracelets/bangles out there to match it that will fit you, whatever size wrist you may have.

How should you choose the bracelet/bangle that suits you best? Consider the size of the wrist and the tone of your skin.

If you have long slender arms and wrists, chunky bracelets/bangles and cuffs will highlight them. If you are bigger boned in the arms and wrists, wired styles will slenderize them.

When choosing a bracelet/bangle, keep in mind your wrist size. The standard women's bracelet length is 7 inches. Women's bangles are 7 inches in length with a 2.5-inch diameter. Longer and shorter bracelets are also available. A bracelet that fits well will drape around the wrist without slipping onto the hand or getting in the way.

The tone of your skin can be complimented by the right gemstones and metals.

Determining your skin tone is simple. Locate a body area where veins are visible - the wrist serves the purpose. Based on the colour of the veins, skin tone is generally classified as cool, warm or neutral.

Cool Skin Tone: If you identify bluish coloured veins and pink or rose red undertones, then you have a cool skin tone.

Warm Skin Tone: Green veins and yellow or yellow or golden-apricot undertones define warm skin tone.

Neutral Skin Tone: This is characterised by predominant pink, yellow or olive undertones.

Jewellery that matches your Skin Tone

Cool: You can play it safe with white gold, platinum and silver jewellery. Diamonds and pearls work best, as do gemstones of pink, purple, blue, red and magenta.

Warm: Choose gold jewellery or gold toned pearls over white gold or platinum. Gemstones with earthy tones in brown, orange, green, yellow, peach and turquoise are a good choice.

Neutral: Lucky for you! Gold, platinum and white gold can be worn, but try to avoid too much yellow or too much blue. Gemstones in white, green, rose pink, brown, soft grey can all be worn without any hesitation.

Types of bracelets:

1) Tennis bracelets

The in-line thin diamond bracelet that features a symmetrical pattern of diamonds is called a tennis bracelet. In 1987 Chris Evert, the former World No. 1 woman tennis player and the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles title swore an elegant, light bracelet, made by George Bedewi, which accidentally broke and the match was interrupted to allow Chris to recover her precious diamonds. This "tennis bracelet" incident sparked a new name for the item and sparked a huge jewellery trend.

2) Charm bracelet

A charm bracelet carries personal charms: decorative pendants or trinkets which are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life. Recently, Italian charm bracelets have become trendy. While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of the link.

3) Bangle

Bracelets that are in firm, solid form are referred to as bangles or bangle bracelets. They can be smooth, textured or set with stones.

4) Link bracelets

These bracelets are made from connecting or linking various or similar components or jewellery findings. Link bracelets can be made of a variety of materials included metals and gemstones.

Gemstone Buying Guide:

Gemstone a€“ just like diamond the cut , colour, clarity and size that accounts for their purchase.

Gemstones as birthstones have an influence on the wearer life. The concept of birthstones was first found in the Gregorian Calendar. It was believed that a persona€?s energy and power was enhanced when the birthstone gem was worn. Birthstones were chosen based on the qualities associated with the month. So depending on when you were born, pick up an elegant piece with your birthstone on it and wear it for luck.

Gemstone enhancement

The treating and enhancement of gemstones to improve quality, especially colour, is fairly common. For instance, the irradiation and heating of colourless topaz permanently transforms it into blue topaz! The most common enhancement methods are heating, oiling, dyeing, irradiation, bleaching, coating and diffusion to name a few. While these practices are known and even accepted, we at ratnajyoti.com do not sell any gemstone that has been enhanced in any way. All our gemstones are free of any treatment or enhancement. Thata€?s the ratnajyoti.com guarantee for you.

Gemstone jewellery

Gems are set into earrings, rings, pendants, bangles or brooches depending on their inherent characteristics. Gems like diamonds are hard and can be cut into any size/shape without affecting the stone. Rubies and emeralds are also considered hard enough for any kind of cutting/setting. Softer stones may not suit all types of jewellery. Similarly, the transparency or lack of it in a stone determines the kind of jewellery it will be used in. Today, thanks to advanced cutting & manufacturing methods, you can enjoy most gems in regular jewellery like rings or earrings.

Care of gemstones

A few handy tips to keep those gemstones looking good for generations!

Cleaning:

Clean your jewellery regularly. Rings particularly tend to collect dust and soap behind the stone, especially ones worn daily. To clean transparent crystalline gemstones, simply soak them in water, brush with a gentle soap and a soft toothbrush.

Care:

Even tough stones like Rubies & Sapphires can chip on hard impact. So, if you have a softer gem stone or an included stone, do take it off before any strenuous activity.

Opaque & Porous gems:

Pearls, turquoise, coral etc need special care. These gems are porous i.e. they can absorb, so using a chemical cleaner, even soap may cause the stone to discolour. The best way to keep their shine, is to gently wipe them with a moist cloth. Hard stones or single crystal stones like Sapphires do not absorb, so it is safe to clean them with a little ammonia to remove film.

Water & sunlight:

Some gems are affected by water and direct sunlight. Make sure you understand the nature of the gem and care requirements in this regard before buying!

Storage:

Store each piece of gemstone jewellery separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in, so unless you want your gold, silver or platinum scratched, dona€?t keep gemstone jewellery in a pile in your drawer or jewellery box.

Earring Buying Guide:

Earrings spice up any outfit and add elegance to your appearance. The right earrings have the potential to completely change your appearance. Whether you adorn simple studs or cling on to dazzling danglers, their sparkling gems and precious metals brighten the face instantly. Besides the common types of earrings and their backings, this guide will help you home in the right pair based on your facial features, skin tone and more.

Types of earrings

1) Studs

Studs are earrings worn close to the ear. Studs usually have a stem which is pushed through the piercing in the ear. Studs are held in place by removable backings. Some studs are threaded and have a screw type of backing to secure them, while some are secured with a push-on clip. Studs are the idea designs for Big, expensive gemstones.

2) Drops

Earrings that drop just below the ear lobe are called drops. Drops usually have a wire hook, and an ornamental piece from which the gemstone drops. Drops are versatile and suit all age groups.

3) Charm Drops

Charm drops are a type of drop earrings. These trendy earrings come in different shapes, colours and lengths and typically hang from hooks or simple chains.

4) Danglers

Danglers are earrings which hang from the ear. They can be one centimetre in length or go down to brush the shoulder! Danglers usually have hooks or can have a small metallic stud with a push-on or a threaded screw back. Diamond danglers are considered to be extra special!

5) Hoops

Hoops resemble rings and are typically circular or semi-circular in shape. Hoops use a tube kind of backing which attaches one part of the circle to the other, called the saddle or latch backing. In hoops where the circle is not complete, normal backings (such as those used for studs) are used. Hoops are stylish and complement any kind of clothing.

6) Huggies

Huggies as the name suggests Huggies 'hug' the ear. These earrings are worn close and they encircle the ear. Huggies are popular and come in many shapes and sizes.

Precious Metal Buying Guide

Gold

backings, this guide will help you home in the right pair based on your facial features, skin tone and more. Types of earrings1.Studs Studs are earrings worn close to the ear. Studs usually have a stem which is pushed through the piercing in the ear. Studs are held in place by removable backings. Some studs are threaded and have a screw type of backing to secure them, while some are secured with a push-on clip. Studs are the idea designs for Big, expensive gemstones.2.Drops Earrings that drop just below the ear lobe are called drops. Drops usually have a wire hook, and an ornamental piece from which the gemstone drops. Drops are versatile and suit all age groups.3.Charm Drops Charm drops are a type of drop earrings. These trendy earrings come in different shapes, colours and lengths and typically hang from hooks or simple chains.4.Danglers Danglers are earrings which hang from the ear. They can be one centimetre in length or go down to brush the shoulder! Danglers usually have hooks or can have a small metallic stud with a push-on or a threaded screw back. Diamond danglers are considered to be extra special!5.Hoops Hoops resemble rings and are typically circular or semi-circular in shape. Hoops use a tube kind of backing which attaches one part of the circle to the other, called the saddle or latch backing. In hoops where the circle is not complete, normal backings (such as those used for studs) are used. Hoops are stylish and complement any kind of clothing.6.Huggies Huggies as the name suggests Huggies 'hug' the ear. These earrings are worn close and they encircle the ear. Huggies are popular and come in many shapes and sizes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Precious Metal Buying Guide Gold Gold has been one of mankind's most revered substances since the beginning of time. The legends and myths surrounding gold are legendary and for many ancient civilizations, only the most powerful were permitted to wear it.

Today though, the glamour and beauty of gold, while remaining as desirable as ever, are far more democratic.

An enduring element found naturally in a distinct yellow color, gold is resistant to rust, tarnish, and corrosion. Although it is very strong, it is also the most malleable of all precious metals.

Purity

Pure gold is known as 24K gold, but most jewellery is made from either 18K gold, 14K gold or 10K gold. This is because pure gold is too soft for everyday wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability.

Karatage, denoted by a number followed by "k" indicates the purity, or how much gold there is in the metal in a piece of jewellery. It is expressed in 24ths, making 24k gold, 100% gold. 18k gold is composed of 75% gold, and 14k gold is composed of 58.3% gold and 41.7% of other metals.

The following shows the Karatage preferred for jewellery:

- 24 karat Gold equals 100% pure Gold -too soft for jewellery

- 22 karat Gold equals 91.7% Gold - still too soft for jewellery, but popular in certain parts of the world.

- 18k Gold equals 75% Gold - very popular for higher end jewellery, good balance of strength and value

- 14 karat Gold equals 58.3% Gold - extremely popular for jewellery. Good balance of durability and value.

- 12 karat Gold equals 50% Gold - not used for jewellery.

- 10 karat Gold equals 41.7% Gold - lowest Gold content that can be legally marked as Gold. Not acceptable for jewellery

Sometimes, gold of a lower karatage is plated in higher-karat gold to enhance its colour. This is perfectly acceptable as long as the jeweller discloses this fact and you pay a fair price. Keep in mind that gold plating will wear off over time and your jewellery may need to be re-plated.

To determine the karatage of a particular piece of jewellery, look for the quality mark. Generally, pieces will either bear the stamp of their karatage based on the U.S. or European system. The U.S. system uses karat designations (24K, 18K, 14K, 10K, etc.) Europe uses number designations which correspond to the percentage of gold content. For instance, 10K is marked "417" for 41.7% gold; 14K is marked "585" for 58.5% gold; 18K is marked "750" for 75% gold, etc.

Colour

The colour of gold is determined by two factors:

- The type of metal alloys included

- The percentage of each metal alloy

While yellow gold is still probably the most popular colour of gold, by mixing gold with other alloys, jewellers can create stunning golden shades. White gold, pink gold, rose gold, orange gold and even green gold are just some of the many colours of gold.

Yellow Gold

Gold has a warm yellow colour in its purest form. Even when it is alloyed with other metals, such as copper with a red hue, and silver featuring a green hue, an expert mixture will retain its signature warmth.The richness of the Gold colour is directly affected by the percentage of Gold in its alloys: therefore, 18k Gold has a richer Gold colour than 14k Gold.

White Gold

A silvery white character is what makes white gold jewellery so appealing. In order to make the gold white, it is combined with metal alloys that are white in nature and plated with an extremely hard element called rhodium. Although strong, rhodium may wear away over time. Replating is a simple process that can be done to restore whiteness to your jewellery

White Gold with Black Rhodium

Black rhodium is plated to white gold creating a rich black appearance that is extremely hard and strong. As with traditional white rhodium, black rhodium may wear away over time. Replating will restore your jewellerya€?s black finish.

Rose Gold

The beautiful pink hue of rose gold jewellery is created by using a copper alloy. The overall percentages of metal alloys is the same for rose gold as it is for yellow or white, but there is just a different mixture of alloys used.

Hallmarking & Certification

Hallmarking of gold jewellery is on a voluntary basis under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986, in accordance with the Vienna Conventiona€?s international criteria on hallmarking.

Price of Gold Jewelry

In addition to the karat weight and market value of gold, several other factors determine the price of Gold jewellery. These factors include, but are not limited to, total weight of the jewellery, design and construction, and ornamental detailing such as engraving and the finish of the metal. Although nearly all Gold jewelry today is made with the help of special machines, some hand work is almost always involved, and the more hand work that is involved, the higher the price.

Care

If treated carefully, the gold jewelry item you purchase today could last a lifetime and might even be handed down to future generations. So here are some tips that will help preserve the beauty of your gold jewelry.

First of all, gold is lasting and durable but can get scratched or dented if treated roughly. This is particularly true of items worn on the hands like rings and bracelets that are prone to a lot of knocks. So remove these pieces before any type of strenuous activity.

Second, beware of chemicals. Gold's worst enemy is chlorine. Repeated exposure can weaken gold's structure, eventually leading to breakage. So keep your gold jewelry away from chlorinated cleaning products and out of swimming pools and jacuzzis.

On a related note, acids, abrasives and other harsh chemicals found in some common household cleaning solutions can weaken your jewelry or damage its finish. So it's best to cover up rings and bracelets with rubber gloves while doing heavy-duty cleaning. Or better yet, take them off altogether.

Gold can lose its luster over time if repeatedly exposed to dust, moisture, perspiration and makeup. So make sure to clean your jewelry regularly. You can use a cleaning solution of sudsy, lukewarm water, or bring it to your local jeweler and have it professionally steam-cleaned. After cleaning and rinsing, always dry and polish jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid scratches and bring out its shine.

Proper storage is as important as cleaning. Protect your gold jewelry by storing it safely in a jewelry box or keeping it wrapped in a soft cloth when not being worn. Furthermore, keeping pieces stored separately will prevent them from getting tangled or scratching one another.

Finally, always inspect your gold jewelry for weakness or damage and bring it to a professional jeweler you trust for immediate repair. Pay particular attention to clasps (to ensure they catch easily but are still secure); prongs (to ensure they haven't cracked, bent or loosened, which could cause the stone to fall out); bracelet and neckchain links (to ensure they don't kink or bend); pin backs and earring posts (to see if they are bent or loose); and wedding bands, pendants and charms (dangling pieces and items worn every day for a long period of time) are subject to wear and can thin out and eventually break. Your jeweler will be able to handle these and many other repair jobs and ultimately restore your gold jewelry for you.

Platinum

Called the "King of Metals", platinum is a very heavy (nearly twice the weight of gold), silver-white metal that is very ductile. Although it is a soft metal, platinum is not easily scratched, never tarnishes, and is very strong and durable. It is the strongest precious metal used in jewellery, and has good resistance to corrosion and chemical attack.

Platinum is also the only precious metal used in fine jewellery that is up to 95 percent pure. Small amounts of iridium and ruthenium are commonly added to it, to give it a harder, stronger alloy that retains the advantages of pure platinum.

Platinum's subtle beauty and its tendency to not add colour of its own, enhances a diamond's natural brilliance and fire, making it an excellent metal for diamond jewellery settings. It does not change shape or wear away so precious stones are held firmly and securely.

Because of its purity, platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, a plus for people with sensitive skin or allergies to certain metals.

Today, platinum is more valuable than gold. Although it is used in many industrial applications, including the automotive industry, platinum jewellery consistently commands higher prices because of its rarity.

Buying Guide

When judging the value of platinum jewellery, always ensure that the material is indeed platinum (and not another metal, such as white gold) by checking for the amount of platinum content on the back of the piece. Platinum content is usually marked as "950Pt", "950 Plat", or "Plat". In the United States, in order to be marked "Platinum" or "Plat", a piece of jewellery must contain at least 95% platinum

Sizing platinum rings is difficult. The great amount of heat necessary to work with platinum is not practical for local jewellers to work with. What they do instead is use a 14K white solder, which turns into a black line on the bottom of a ring. The best way to size a platinum ring is by using modern laser technology, which only a handful of companies offer directly to consumers.

Platinum and White Gold

Platinum is usually compared to white gold in jewellery. Both appear the same, with a silver metallic look that shines more than yellow gold. However there are some major differences between the two

Platinum is naturally white, with purity of 95%. White gold, which is typically either 75% or 58.5% gold, is then rhodium plated to provide a white finish. The thin plating usually needs to be replaced over time to maintain its white colour.

Platinum is not susceptible to problems with stress, corrosion or stress cracking, as can be the case with white gold. (This problem mainly applies to prong settings etc.)

Platinum is denser than gold, so an identical ring made in platinum rather than 14kt gold would be around 60% heavier and 40% heavier than a ring made in 18kt gold.

Platinuma€?s rarity means that its price is invariably higher than that of gold.

The process of making a piece of platinum jewellery also requires a higher level of craftsmanship.

So what should you purchase?

For high wear items like rings and bracelets, or items that will be worn daily, platinum is the better choice.

For all-white gold and fashion jewellery like a bracelet or necklace, then rhodium plating will actually be best, as it will look very white and most likely never need to be re-plated.

For two tone wedding rings, we strongly suggest a platinum + yellow gold combination. It will be more expensive to size, but will not require additional rhodium plating or much maintenance.

Care

Platinum is very easy to care for.

Soaking platinum in a mild solution of soap and warm water and gently scrubbing it with a soft-bristled brush is usually all that is required to maintain the metal's lustre.

While it is the strongest of jewellery metals, platinum can scratch. However, the metal is only displaced, not lost Many people prefer the patina of wear unique to platinum. Have your platinum jewellery polished if you are interested in maintaining a high shine. In the mean time, buffing with a soft cloth can give your jewellery renewed lustre.

Look for a qualified jeweller or platinum trained bench worker for all adjustments, resizing, polishing and cleaning.

As with any piece of jewellery, avoid wearing it when doing housework or gardening. It is also advisable not to handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing your jewellery. Although they wona€?t hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolour diamonds or gemstones.

Avoid placing your platinum jewellery with other pieces that can scratch it. Store pieces separately, in a jewellery box or chamois bag