February 6, 2010
History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
Diamonds have always been considered as women have preferred jewelry. Over the years, diamonds have created conflicts, problems and environmental concerns. Some individuals believe that problems that diamonds cause are becoming obsolete because of the emergence of synthetic or lab-created diamonds. People are initially fooled by the term lab by which it's called because they think it is a mock up. In previous years, lab-grown or synthetic diamonds had a bad connotation. Now, they are highly accepted by the public not just for its consistent quality and composition that is almost perfectly identical with a natural diamond, but because they were able to solve problems that natural diamonds have stirred up.
You see, behind the gleaming beauty and elegance of a naturally acquired diamond is the dark story of how it was taken and the negative effects that it imposes on the environment. You have to put in mind that when you are buying a natural diamond, you are condoning child labor and other inhumane practices. Most of the time, people from Africa would kill just so they could find a diamond and sell it in the market.
On top of that, naturally acquired diamonds are also smuggled in the different countries around the world because the demand is just immense. This mode of acquisition not only makes it dangerous for the people who are involved, but it is also humanely unacceptable. This, together with other factors has brought the prices of natural diamonds up.
Along with that, when purchasing naturally-occurring diamonds, you are also allowing the environment to be destroyed. Just think about it for a second; one carat of a gem diamond will extract almost 275 tons of ore. This is a staggering number that puts the environment on a massively stressful situation. The open cast strip-mining method is done in order to extract the diamond. This extraction method destroys the ecosystem of the place and further destroys the outlying environment. This seriously destructive and dangerous method not only adds to the problems of the country in which it was taken from but it also serves as a deterrent to progress. In the end, they are just shooting themselves on the foot.
Lab-diamonds completely solve these major problems. And, more importantly, lab-diamonds are also almost identical with real diamonds. The movie "Blood Diamond" imposes a strong message on the need for change regarding diamond mining. Lab diamonds, for one, spare the ecosystem from being destroyed mainly because these are created by machines and not taken from the earth. Because of this, the price is greatly reduced.
On top of that, warlords and illegal syndicates would also lose their means of business. This would result in the dismissal of having private armies, child labor, and other forms of violence that are associated with diamond mining.
Sona Diamond custom jewelry is the world's top-quality, Lab Grown Diamonds and they have a real diamond layer and the similar brilliance, clarity and created diamond hardness, to a natural diamond on the market today. http://www.SonaDiamondJewelry.com is a trusted online source of over 5000 affordable styles and consumer Ranked#1 in the World.
Filed under Jewelry by Shawn Willcoxon
December 25, 2009
Choosing Wedding Bands: Celtic Wedding Bands
When a couple has made the decision that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, there are many things to consider. Where will they live? What will they do to support themselves? Will they have children? If so, how many? Many brides have planned their weddings in their minds since they were little. As a couple makes decisions about the rest of their lives together, they will also choose which symbol will represent their relationship best. Couples often choose Celtic wedding bands because of their beauty, what the art itself represents, and because it is timeless.
Couples choose Celtic rings often based upon their unique beauty alone. Uniform loops, knots, and tridents are often found in Celtic design. Although they are generally created by simple lines, they often can become quite complex and ornate. Recently, whimsical lines and interlinking hearts have been included in some Celtic art. Unlike some designs, these ones can be studied for a time without becoming old and boring.
Heritage is another reason people choose Celtic wedding bands. Many of the Celtic tribes were in different European countries. Speaking related languages, they were more a tribe than a united nation. Italy, Germany, Spain, France, as well as Britain and Ireland were all home to some tribe of Celts. Couples who are connected to the old world by genealogy, choose Celtic rings to honor those who came before them. Couples also choose Celtic rings because of the cultures they represent. Many people feel a connection with countries that have a strong, remaining Celtic heritage like Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Celtic rings are also chosen because they are classical. Celtic art and culture have been around for centuries and is not likely to be out of fashion any time soon. Couples who choose Celtic rings don't have to worry about their rings losing their appeal. As couples plan a long future together, it is important that their rings endure as well.
Although the ring that is chosen does not indicate what the relationship will be, is does indicate a lot of personality. Couples choose rings that represent their starting point, and how they want to grow. Passions that they have should be shared. Couples who are happy long term often share a love of music, art or culture.
Globally, artists the world over continue to look to Celtic art to express themselves today. Simple lines creating such beautiful and intricate designs is one reason couples choose Celtic wedding bands. Another reason is for the historic value and link they provide. Additionally, having already withstood the test of time, Celtic rings will remain beautiful for years and years.
Liam Grant has always been interested in Celtic Wedding Bands. He currently helps run a site that sells all varieties of
Filed under Jewelry by Liam Grant
December 23, 2009
How To Avoid Allergies From Gold Plated Chains
The fun and convenience of buying costume jewellery is both in its affordability and the wearer's ability to change styles and designs on a whim. For those who enjoy changing their look regularly, cheaper jewellery is sometimes appreciated more than the luxury of purer gold. The effects of this purchasing habit though, can turn out to be a detriment. For anyone who has witnessed the experience of wearing gold plated chains, the ring around the collar is not about laundry detergent, it's about the blistery rash that can develop from a nickel allergy.
Plating gold is an affordable way to give a consumer the look of gold at a reduced cost. However, one in seven people will start to develop a nasty rash once the thin painted layer begins to wear away with repeated shifting and rubbing against the skin. Unless you prefer to wear your chains over a turtleneck on a daily basis, you will eventually see a scaly and sometimes weeping rash running a circle around your neck.
Naturally, the best way to avoid this is to buy the real stuff. If you go twelve karats or higher, most people will not have much of a problem. Economically though, it's not as nice on the wallet as buying costume jewellery. Sometimes we're simply attached to the look of the item and don't want to toss it.
Here are three things to keep in mind.
1. Testing.
If you've purchased something you really like, or were given something you want to hang on to, you can test it with a chemical solution to see if it is safe to wear. You can even buy kits easily on the internet for this purpose. The liquid is dabbed onto the chain and forms a reaction, indicating whether there is any nickel content to spark an allergic reaction.
2. Guarding.
Some people resort to nail polish as a protective coating, but this is not always the best idea. As anyone who has had or seen a manicure before, nail polish can easily flake and chip in a matter of days. It also contains toxic chemicals including phthalates and formaldehyde. There are coatings specifically formulated for jewellery protection that can be obtained readily. They will wear longer and are free of any hazardous ingredients.
3. Protect your skin.
In a pinch, the best alternative option is to put a barrier directly on your skin. Before wearing your chain, rub in a moisturizer or cream around your neck and collar bone. Petroleum jelly can be a good alternative for this as well. By forming a barrier on your skin, you'll prevent direct content from the jewellery, at least for the day's worth of wear.
Learn all you need to know about Gold Plated Jewellery. Also get great deals on Gold Plated Chains.
Filed under Jewelry by Steve Willis
December 12, 2009
The beauty of Fashionable Swarovski Crystal Jewelry
Jewelry choices are a matter of taste and those with the finest taste choose Swarovski crystal precision cut jewelry. The company behind this fine jewelry has a long and illustrious history. In 1895 Franz Weis and Armand Kosman founded the company using Daniel Swarovski's family name and his expertise in glass cutting. In 1892 Swarovski patented his invention which was the making of a machine designed for electric glass cutting. They began by carving lead crystals in Wattens, Austria and business flourished due to Daniel Swarovski's talent at cutting fine glass and lead crystal into fine pieces of fashionable jewelry.
Daniel Swarovski (1862-1956) was born in Bohemia which is currently the Czech Republic. His father was a glass cutter and had his own factory for glass cutting. Daniel learned the art and became skilled at it. The patented electric glass cutting machine led to lead crystal glass production in 1892. He soon found financing assistance from Armand Kosman and Franz Weis and they joined up in business. The business was conducted at Wattens, Austria because locally there was hydroelectricity available that proved useful in the grinding processes it took to run the electronic machine and grind and cut the extraordinarily beautiful lead crystal glass.
The products they company put out over the years include crystal sculptures and miniatures, chandeliers, couture and jewelry, each containing the Swarovski logo. That logo originally was an edelweiss flower (a European mountain flower) but became the initials S.A.L. Then in 1988 a Swan was in favor. Now even the Swan logo is about to be phased out and replaced by the name Swarovski only.
Specially applied metallic chemicals are used to coat some of the crystals, thus allowing them to refract light into a virtual rainbow of colors. Among the more popular coatings applied to this cut glass are Aurora Borealis (AB) and Crystal Transmission. The AB coating provides the surface with a rainbow like oil slick in appearance that reflects many different colors and shades of colors. Some coatings are applied more than once, creating much depth of color.
The Swarovski Group incorporates several smaller companies that provide materials for making their jewelry lines. Tyrolit makes cutting and abrasive tools, while Swareflex manufactures luminous and reflective road markings. Swarovski Optik makes optical instruments like rifle scopes and binoculars, and Signity is a natural and synthetic gemstone company.
There is even an indoor crystal themed park known as Swarovski Kristallwelten or Crystal Worlds where the business originally began in Wattens, Austria. A society that includes many crystal enthusiast on a global scale is the Swarovski Crystal Society. The membership gain the benefit of sneak previews of the latest styles and designs, events, unique offers, and classified news items of interest.
Among the many beautiful offerings from the Swarovski Crystal Jewelry business are crystal ornaments such as Christmas Tree ornaments and figurines, hand bags, accessories, lighting, crystal chandeliers. Some of their more recent additions to their production lines include Bluetooth wireless pieces for the ear, in the ear headphones, and USB memory sticks or keys that each contain
B2CStock Wholesale Jewelry is an online showcase of handmade designer jewellery, including swarovski crystal jewellery, jewellery made from Murano glass, sterling silver pendants and more..
Filed under Jewelry by Mecumi Lee
November 29, 2009
Wedding Rings: Advice On Which One You Should Buy
So, you've made the biggest decision of your life and have decided to agree to spend eternity and a day with the one you love and tie the knot,; that's all well and good, but have you decided on the right wedding ring?! Without the correct advice, you may end up with one that neither of you are satisfied, as choosing wedding rings can be a veritable minefield of colours, textures, shapes and sizes.
Fortuitously, by following the advice in this article you can choose a wedding ring that is both special and significant of your relationship; this ring will follow the two of you through the journey of marriage, stopping at every moment on the way so it's important that you pick the right one.
To begin with, you should consider the personality of the partner that is going to wear the ring; let's assume the partner is a female, as one should always consider ladies first! If she is a loud and proud, confident and glamorous woman, then by all means go the whole hog, with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds all bejewelling the brightest of gold bands.
If, however, she is more of a wallflower, someone who prefers to blend in with a touch of originality as opposed to being centre-stage, 24/7, then perhaps simplicity and elegance should be what you should aim for; a plain gold or platinum band with a few imprints or signatures on it may be more appropriate, a subtler type of beauty.
This leads us on to very important element of wedding rings; a popular idea that many couples choose to adopt is to get inscriptions carved on the interior side of their wedding rings.
Now, this can be a great idea, but it does bring another whole world of issues into the equation as to what message to actually get inscribed.
A simple message of love is probably the most appropriate, as wedding rings are intended to last forever, so their message should also; an in-joke that you may find hilarious in your twenties may not seem so appealing as you gaze fondly at your rings in a retirement home!
Choosing the right wedding ring is by no means an easy task, as you have probably guessed from the advice in this article; the best thing that you can do is research online and see which jewellers offer the right deals for your needs. Many online jewellers offer very generous discounts when you utilise their services, with no reduction on the actual quality of the wedding ring.
Looking for the perfect wedding ring is essential because you will hopefully be wearing it for a very long time. It is essential to take your time choosing your wedding rings so you know exactly what you are paying for, and where better than an online jewellery shop like DiamondGeezer.com where you can compare different styles and options.
Filed under Jewelry by Dave Harfield

