It's hard to imagine that a mineral with a name as mundane as corundum yields gems as exquisite as the ruby and sapphire, or even that these two stones, so different in color and mystique, are actually the same mineral family.

Lucky you if your birthstone is sapphire (September) or ruby (July). These are among the richest-colored of all gemstones with a romance and history as colorful as they are. Rubies are actually rarer than sapphires, and only red corundums are called rubies. Any other color is a sapphire. When grading colored stones, the density and hue of the color are part of the evaluation, and it's the richest, deepest colors that are the most prized. In rubies, the most prized variant of color is called pigeon's blood. Large gem quality rubies can be more valuable than comparably sized diamonds and are certainly rarer. There is a relative abundance of smaller, (1-3 carat,) blue sapphires compared to the scarcity of even small gem quality rubies, making even these smaller stones relatively high in value.

Stones of Burmese origin generally command the highest prices. The vast majority of rubies are "native cut" in the country of origin. High value ruby rough is tightly controlled and rarely makes its way to custom cutters. Occasionally, such native stones are recut to custom proportions, albeit at a loss of weight and diameter. Custom cut and recut stones are usually more per carat.

Sapphires exist in all the shades of blue from the deep blue of evening skies to the bright and deep blue of a clear and beautiful summer sky. Sapphires also come in many other colors, not only in the transparent grayish misty blue of far horizons, but also displaying the bright fireworks of sunset colors - yellow, pink, orange and purple. So sapphires are really and truly heavenly stones, although they are being found in the hard soil of our so-called "blue planet".

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
Diamond Snake Rings and href="http://www.finest-diamond-rings.com"> Diamond Rings including how, where & what to buy.

There's no more fascinating subject in history than the doomed French Queen Marie Antoinette. Much maligned by history (she never said "Let them eat cake," in response to the people's need for bread), she was an unwilling part of the one of the greatest revolutions in history. And met an untimely end at the guillotine in 1793. While she loved jewelry, and possessed many magnificent jewels, she often preferred simple muslin gowns and very little jewelry. Many of the portraits of her by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun show her dressed just like that.

Two large, pear-shaped diamond earrings, weighing 14.25 and 20.34 carats respectively, are part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection. The diamonds once were supposedly set in earrings that belonged to Marie Antoinette and some sources say they were her favorite pieces of jewelry and she wore them constantly. They were taken from her during an attempt to flee France as the Revolution dawned and the position of the Royals became dangerous.

The diamonds were later acquired by the Grand Duchess Tatiana Yousupoff of Russia. When jeweler Pierre Cartier puchased the diamond earrings in 1928, their authenticity was attested to in an affidavit by Russian Princess Zenaide Yousupoff and her son, Prince Felix Yousupoff, stating that they originally belonged to Queen Marie-Antoinette and have never been reset in the one hundred years that they were in the family. Marjorie Merriweather Post acquired the earrings from Pierre Cartier in October 1928. Harry Winston reset the large diamonds in platinum replicas of the original silver settings in 1959. Cartier, Inc. designed the triangular tops. In November 1964, Mrs. Post's daughter, Mrs. Eleanor Barzin, donated the earrings, along with the original setting to the Smithsonian Institution. The diamonds are originally from India or Brazil, the only significant sources of diamonds in the eighteenth century.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
Diamond Snake Rings and href="http://www.finest-diamond-rings.com"> Diamond Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage
these days. Gemologists have developed
new ways to create versions that are
affordable for the average person - by
treating less desirable diamonds. These
less desirable diamonds are treated with
irradiation followed by intense heat. This
turns brown and yellowish diamonds into
beautifully colored diamonds that you can
afford. This produces stunning greens,
blues, yellows, reds, purples and other
colors. These colors are considered
permanent, but there is a possibility
they could change during repairs if a high
heat is used.

Treatments like irradiation make it possible
for more people to own these vividly colored
diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds
are rare and also extremely expensive. When
shopping for colored diamonds you need to
assume that any affordable fancy color
diamond has been treated. Ask about the
stones origin and request to view a lab
certificate to verify authenticity.

Synthetic colored diamonds are another
option if owning a colored diamond is
something you desire but cannot quite afford.
They are real diamonds, but they are created
in a lab.

Natural fancy color diamonds get their
coloring from different trace elements present
in the stones, such as nitrogen, which
produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can
be colored by exposure to radiation during its
creation. An example of a diamond affected
by radiation is a Green diamond.

Another way that a natural colored diamond
gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as
flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond,
inclusions give unique tones and brilliant
flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.
Remember that Natural fancy colored
diamonds are very expensive, any colored
diamond labeled to be sold as natural should
be accompanied by a certificate from a
respected grading lab.

A "fancy" diamond is a natural diamond that
has color. These colors vary from red, green,
purple, violet, orange, blue and pink - and
most shades between. Fancy color shades
vary from faint to intense.

The most famous diamonds in the world are
Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond,
which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which
is blue are colored diamonds. Color
diamonds have an amazing financial track
record. The value has never decreased on
wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue
and pink diamonds have doubled every 5
years of a strong economy. In the 1970's
you could have bought a very high quality
blue diamond for about 50K and today the
very same stone would be worth between
2 and 3 million.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
Diamond Snake Rings and href="http://www.finest-diamond-rings.com"> Diamond Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Color Treated Diamonds

Many people are starting to favor the fancy, vivid colored diamond gem stones over the traditional transparent, or white, diamond. Some diamonds are found in their natural colors when they are mined, others become colored by gemologists and jewelers during a treatment process. In order to make them more affordable to the average consumer, companies have begun color treating diamonds of lower grades in order to take a less desirable yellow or brownish tinted diamond and make it into a beautiful, brightly colored diamond.

Colored diamonds can be treated by a process called irradiation, which uses a high heat system to alter the color of a diamond. Other diamonds are treated by painting.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

While many diamonds are inspected and valued based on their colorless qualities, there are people who prefer the fancy colored diamonds that come in vivid hues of greens, yellows, reds, pinks and all the different colors in between.

Some colored diamonds are that way naturally. If a diamond has nitrogen in it, it often has a yellow tint to the stone. If the gemstone has been effected by radiation, the gem may turn green.

Other colored diamonds have been treated to obtain their color, and this allows people with lower budgets to purchase the fancy colored diamonds. Gemologists have found ways to alter the colors of diamonds to get any shade or hue desired.

The grading process for colored diamonds is slightly different than that of the transparent diamond. First, a colored diamond is graded based on the primary hue, the blue or pink or red color that makes up the majority of the diamonds color. Second, they are graded based on the intensity of that color. A very intense, naturally colored diamond is more rare than a less intense diamond, and therefore more expensive. A treated diamond will cost less than a naturally colored diamond in most instances.

Synthetic Diamonds

Most diamonds are found and mined by miners, but more recently, scientists have come up with ways to create synthetic diamonds. While a synthetic diamond is still a "real diamond", they are created within a laboratory instead of by nature in a mine.

Colored Diamond Names

Because fancy colored diamonds come in so many different shades, it can sometimes be difficult to interpret the name of the diamonds color. Often, you'll find two colors labeling the shade of a diamond, such as greenish blue. Each name has a primary color description, and some have a secondary color description. If a diamond is called "blue diamond", you can tell it will be a blue shaded diamond gemstone. If the diamond is called "greenish blue", you may wonder what that means. Is the diamond blue, or is it green? The color that is described with the "ish" at the end is considered the secondary color, and the other color, in this case blue, becomes the primary color. So a greenish blue diamond is mostly blue, with specks of green seen throughout the stone. If you come upon a diamond labeled "brown red", then the diamond will have equal amounts of both colors seen through the stone.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
Diamond Snake Rings and href="http://www.finest-diamond-rings.com"> Diamond Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Garnets have been known and used in jewelry for thousands of years. Legend says that Noah used a garnet lantern to safely steer his Ark through the darkness of the night and the great flood. Garnets are found in jewelry from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras. Many courageous discoverers and travelers wore garnets for protection, as they were considered popular talismans and protective stones, because it was believed in those days that garnets illuminate the night and prevent their wearer from any sort of evil. Today science explained to us that the proverbial luminosity of garnet is caused by its high refraction of light.
Although the color red is the one which occurs most frequently, there are also garnets showing different shades of green, pale to bright yellow, fiery orange and fine earth- and umbra-shades. Only blue is a color which is not available in garnet. Garnets are gemstones which are in high demand and are often worked into pieces of jewellery - especially since today not only the traditional gemstone colors red, blue and green are cherished by the consumer, but the intermediate shades and hues are also very popular. Garnets are unusual because their tone can change depending on whether they're seen in natural or artificial light.
Some of the alternately-colored garnets are very famous. Spessartine garnets are a bright orange to orange-red. These are extremely rare. There is a type of garnet called a Mandarine garnet which is also orange. It too is rare.
There are even green garnets, even though one doesn't associate this color with garnet. The star among green garnets is rare demantoid. It shows enormous brilliance, higher even than that of diamond. Russia's leading court jeweler Carl Fabergé loved the brilliant green garnet from the Urals more than any other stone, and liked to use it in his creations.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
Diamond Snake Rings and href="http://www.finest-diamond-rings.com"> Diamond Rings including how, where & what to buy.

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC is home to so much that's rare and wonderful on the planet. One of the more spectacular collections is the collection of gems in the Museum of Natural History. There you can see wonderful crystals and minerals in their natural form, as well as some of the most incredible pieces of jewelry every created. There are crowns worn by royalty, enormous diamond earrings worn by the doomed French queen Marie-Antoinette.
They're all stunning and awe-inspiring, but nothing is more mysterious than the rare earth-green of the emerald. The Smithsonian is home to the most fabulous emeralds ever known, and we're incredibly fortunate to have them in this country.
One such emerald is the Hooker Emerald which legend has it was once part of the belt buckle of a Turkish sultan. Another brilliant example of emerald jewelry, combined with diamonds is the Spanish Inquisition necklace. It's a spectacular double row of diamond shapes, ending in a pendant of a chandelier shape with emeralds.
There is also a magnificent 37.8-carat emerald called the Chalk Emerald, that is set with diamonds and was found in the mines of Columbia. The Mackay Emerald Necklace is also set with diamonds and is a brilliant example of how a stone like an emerald, which often contains flaws or inclusions, is still a beautiful piece of gemstone jewelry.

The collection at the Smithsonian is not to be missed, not only for the incredible selection of emeralds it contains, but because it's a chance to be as close to some of the world's most fabulous gemstone necklace as most of us can ever be! We may never own anything like this, but we can dream, can't we?

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
Diamond Snake Rings and href="http://www.finest-diamond-rings.com"> Diamond Rings including how, where & what to buy.

She is the most important person in your life. Maybe she picks you up when you're down, or is the mother of your children, or just cares for you unconditionally. Or maybe it's a combination of all three. Whatever your reasons are, the truth is simple and undeniable - you are crazy about her. So why not express your love with an unbreakable diamond ring? We all know that nothing melts a woman's heart like diamonds, but the ring you select has to be a fit to her personality and style. In this article, we'll give you some simple tips on making sure the diamond ring you give is one that takes her breath away.

The most important (and overlooked) aspect when it comes to selecting an unbreakable diamond ring is to keep your sweetheart's tastes in mind. Many guys want to impress their woman by "picking it out themselves". This often leads to a scenario where she "happily" accepts the ring. She may actually be thinking that she hates it, but will feel compelled to wear it because you picked it out with love. This is one situation you definitely want to avoid - and it is so easy to do

By keeping her in mind and paying attention to her preferences, you will express your love with an unbreakable diamond ring that she will adore. For example, watch her the next time a jewelry ad comes on TV or the next time you pass a jewelry store window. Pay close attention to her reactions to certain pieces, even those being worn by other people. Make a casual comment such as "Boy, that sure looks nice" and see what kind of response it gets. Women love to give "subtle" clues when it comes to diamond rings. Unfortunately, men don't always pick up on them.

It is also important for you to take stock of the rings she currently wears. And we're not talking her grandmother's antique ring that she only wears on special occasions. You want to be taking note of the diamond rings she wears on a regular basis, as these pieces will be your guide to the diamond ring you select. She wouldn't wear something all of the time if she didn't like it, right? So, pay close attention to the style of diamond she prefers as well as the choice of metal (white gold, yellow gold, platinum, etc).

One last key piece of information and you'll be ready to buy. It is helpful, but not necessary, if you can somehow find out her ring size. While she is at work or running errands, you could simply take one of her rings to the jeweler and voila! - you now have that mystery solved.

These tips will help you express your love with an unbreakable diamond ring that is sure to elicit a major reaction on her end. Remember, you don't want to be the guy who just "picked it out themselves". You want to be the guy that picked it out perfectly.

In today's day and age, it seems that more and more people just aren't staying together. With the divorce rate in the U.S. currently at an all-time high, it only serves to honor those marriages that have stood the test of time. These marriages embody the true spirit of what the sacred bond is all about; two people sharing a lifetime filled with memories and love. It has long been custom to celebrate such an occasion by the exchanging of diamond anniversary rings. In this article, we'll take a look at just a few of the wonderful diamond anniversary ring designs that couples can choose from.

One of the most popular designs on the market today is the three stone anniversary ring. This ring usually contains three diamonds of equal size, and they are meant to represent the couple's past, present, and future. It is also acceptable for the stones to be of varying sizes, as they could also represent any children in the couple's life. In fact, the meaning behind the diamonds is always open to the couple's individual interpretation.

Another popular diamond anniversary ring design is the eternity ring. This ring is meant to show the couple's undying devotion to one another, as the ring features diamonds that complete a circle around the entire finger. These rings can also be designed with additional rows of smaller diamonds that encompass the band. Though a bit pricy, these rings are absolutely stunning pieces.

Many couples also design their own diamond anniversary rings. This is a special way for each person to individualize the piece, thus giving it a heart-felt meaning. Some couples opt for bands that intertwine, representing their unique union. Other people add romantic touches to the rings such as hearts, doves, or flowers. Still others choose to have several smaller diamonds of varying shapes and colors surround the band. Again, a diamond anniversary ring design can be anything the couple chooses, as there really are no limits.

While most diamond anniversary ring designs are geared towards women, there are several simple rings that are suitable for men as well. For example, a man's ring may start out as a gold or platinum band, and diamonds can be incorporated in an eternity or three stone design. This will have extra meaning as the couple will both be wearing a similar ring to remind them of the long journey they have taken.

As you can see, there are many different diamond anniversary ring designs that can be tailored to fit your life. The important part of an anniversary ring isn't so much in the diamonds, but in the thought and meaning behind the design. So it is important to select your diamond anniversary design together, as it will serve to symbolize your continuing love for one another. And one last note regarding these rings; while often expensive, there are options available for those couples on a budget. Regardless of cost, a unique diamond anniversary ring design will create wonderful memories while celebrating the life you have made together.

Congratulations! You have decided to take the plunge and ask your sweetheart to marry you. You have been saving for months and you're finally ready to decide on a ring. But how can you make sure that you are actually getting a ring that is worthy of your future bride? Breathe easy - in this article we'll provide you with some simple tips for choosing the best diamond engagement ring.

First and foremost, it is important to make sure that you treat this purchase like the investment it is. Think about it; this ring will always represent the beginning of your lives together, and you want it to reflect the importance of that. With that being said, make sure you first save enough money to buy a proper ring. Now, we're not suggesting the ring you buy has to break the bank, as we all have different budgets. What we are suggesting, however, is to make sure you have the money put aside so that you aren't forced into getting something less than you (and she) will want

O.K., so you are ready to start looking at rings. What is the first thing that should cross your mind when you begin this process? Time's up - if you said your sweetheart, you win the prize! By knowing her likes and dislikes, you will be well equipped to start narrowing down the vast amount of choices. Does she like yellow gold or white gold? Does she tend to wear loud jewelry, or does she prefer an understated style? By paying attention to her jewelry habits in the weeks and months before your ring adventure, you will have a better idea as to what you are looking for

The next step is to enlist the help of her family or friends. Now, this can often be a delicate situation, as it is often hard for people to keep a secret. But if there is one person who A) knows her really well and B) doesn't have a big mouth, this is the person you need to be talking to. They will be able to provide with you some tips that you may not have considered

Now, let's move on to the ring itself. You have no doubt heard of the 4 C's of a diamond ring (cut, color, clarity, and carat), but which C do you think should be your biggest concern? Without a doubt, it is the cut of the diamond. By choosing the right cut for her style, you will ensure that she absolutely loves the ring. How can you do this? Simply use your keen eye sight (or the help of a jeweler's magnifier) to closely examine the diamond. If a cutter did a proper job, the diamond will reflect and sparkle from a multitude of angles. When looking at a great diamond, you will never find a dull area

Lastly, it is also important for you to pick the proper shaped diamond for your bride-to-be. Again, you should have a pretty good idea of her likes and dislikes (based on comments she may have made, or current jewelry tastes). Not all diamonds are created round - she may prefer oval or square. Pay close attention to her and this preference should be apparent!

Choosing the best diamond engagement ring for the woman in your life doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it will seem downright easy compared to your next step - popping the question! Sorry, we don't have any help for you there. Good luck, and we wish you all the best in your upcoming wedding!

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You don't need to spend a fortune buying the perfect diamond engagement ring. Forget surprising her. Get real, tell her of your intentions and then shop for the engagement ring together. Look at buying the ring in the same way you would look at buying a house or car. Budget the amount you want to spend and then shop around until you find what you want for the price you are willing to pay. In the long run you will satisfy her and probable save a lot of time and money.

First do some homework. Since you will probable be looking for a diamond engagement ring learn the 4 C's of diamonds; Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color. Be realistic you will not be an expert just because you know the 4 C's but at least you have a basic understanding of the subject when you speak with the jeweler about your purchase.

Next go to a local jewelry store where you can speak with a real person and ask more detailed questions. Armed with your basic knowledge of the 4 C's this will be the most efficient way to learn more about the diamond engagement ring and the many choices of styles and ring materials available. Don't forget the internet, you may be able to save a lot because an internet merchant may not have the overhead of a brick and mortar store and could past the savings on to you.

Then you should get a couple of quotes like you would for any other big purchase. You would not buy a car or car insurance without getting some quotes. Engagement rings are not unique you can get the same or very similar rings at more than one place. So shop around you should be able to get the ring of your choice very close to the price you want to pay. In any case when you finally decide on a ring, you know you did your homework, shopped around and got the best ring you could afford at the best possible price.

In the end make sure you are buying from a reputable merchant. Whether you decide to make your purchase online or at a local jewelry store, make sure you have some background on the store. Never buy a diamond engagement ring without getting a diamond certificate. A diamond certificate is a report created by a team of gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized. Also get the ring appraised by another jeweler or appraisal company. An appraisal is a document stating the approximate retail replacement value of the ring. The appraisal document ensures that in the case of loss, theft, or damage your insurance company will give you an equal replacement of your diamond engagement ring. You will want to do this for your own peace of mind and you will need to do this if you want to insure the ring.

Patrick Ort, the author of this article, also publishes blogs on the subjects of Engagement Rings and Diamond Engagement Rings at http://engagement—ring.blogspot.com and
http://diamond-engagement–ring.blogspot.com .