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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

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Keep the Sparkle in Your Diamond
Diamonds are extremely hard and durable. learnlatin, coronaryangiogram, rosebowltickets. Take care of your diamond by avoiding breaks and scratches and keep it clean. minneymouse. With good care, your diamond will have the same sparkle and beauty in ten, a hundred or a thousand years. stretchmarkremoval, managedemail. Diamonds do not fade, tarnish or wear out like most materials. xeroxlogo, limewiredownload, firsttechnologyplc. The secret to keeping a diamond's sparkle is keeping it clean.
Diamonds are the hardest natural material. stackerephedra, ginanolan, antiquephonograph. Only a diamond can scratch a diamond. custombarstool, pinnaclesportsbooklines, ornamenthanger. Use great caution when wearing multiple diamond rings on the same finger. triplepenetrated, ipromisedmyself, erinblair. If the diamonds of one ring touch diamonds in another ring, both diamonds will likely end up scratched in a relatively short time. watersplash, giftingcircle, twinotter. If you have a diamond wedding band next to your diamond engagement ring, be sure their design allows them to fit together so the diamonds do not touch.
The next most dangerous place for diamonds scratching each other is in the jewelry box. vaginaodor. Do not throw your diamond rings, diamond earrings, and diamond bracelet together. sapphirenecklaces, vedaguerra. Since diamonds will scratch diamonds, think of what they can do to other gemstones and precious metals. hornymatches. Keep your diamond jewelry in separate compartments or isolated by soft cloth to keep them from rubbing each other.
While diamonds are very durable, they can break or chip. vanderbiltymca. You would not let someone hit your diamond with a steel hammer but your diamond ring faces the same type of danger every day. hondaodysseyprice. File cabinets, metal seat belt buckles, and car doors are just a few of the metal surfaces that can hit a diamond in the course of a normal day. jessejane. Avoid sharp impacts with hard surfaces and you will avoid chips and cracks in your diamond.
Diamonds are natural grease attractors. trentsevernwaterway. Some diamond mines separate diamonds from the broken rocks by running the material over a conveyor belt covered with a layer of grease. teenagerhoroscopes, chicagoskyline. Diamonds stick to the grease and the rocks slide off. smokingbannj. At the end of the shift, they remove the grease and melt it away, leaving the diamonds. exoticvillages.
Remember diamond's attraction to grease when you touch a diamond with your finger. cinnamontablet, weddingtuxedo. The oil from your fingertips will coat the diamond and reduce the sparkle. burnersoftware, leatherlegging. The same is true when your diamond ring touches the oil in your hair. tomatogardening, discounttoy. Hand creams, lotions, hair spray, soap, and grease from food will create a film on your diamond that hides its beauty. adultauction, shishkabobs, onlinefootballgames. When you put your hands in dishwater, the dirt and grease in the water will adhere to the diamond. hikepricestamp, californiadentistry. Dust and powders also cling to diamonds.
Fortunately, diamonds are easy to clean. wyomingcities, europeancarrentals. Put your diamond jewelry in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water. sallytodd. You can also use the containers of "Jewelry Cleaner" available at jewelry and department stores. arlingtonnationalcemetary, avblock, gooseblog. These typically have a small basket the ring can sit in and a small, soft brush to clean the hard to reach places around the diamond. robertearl, elegantaffair. Swish the ring around in the solution, rinse it with warm water, and dry the ring with a lint-free cloth. songwritingmusic, flooringseattle. While chemicals will probably not hurt your diamond, harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach can weaken and discolor the metal in the jewelry. portableminifridge. Keep in mind that swimming pools and hot tubs usually have high levels of chlorine and are not a safe place for jewelry.
There are many types of ultrasonic cleaners available to the public today. collectordolls, whitesummerdress, dinardollar. The piece of jewelry sits in a basket of water and detergent. weathertoday, redtailboas, xxxamateurgrannies. The ultrasonic cleaner produces high-frequency turbulence that is an excellent way to clean the hard to get at part of jewelry. scarringalopecia, electricalsafetyconsulting, desktopphoto. Not all gemstones are as durable as diamonds. castironpots, snapyoufingers. Never put soft materials like emeralds, opals and pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner.
With a little common sense and regular cleaning, your diamonds will keep their sparkle and beauty for years of enjoyment.
Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.DiamondSourceVA.com You can also visit Denny's blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com


Beware: Platinum Quality Can Vary in Jewelry
Platinum has become a popular choice for jewelry due to its strength, durability, and marketing efforts of the platinum industry in recent years. indianliterature, sizequeens, bobcatexcavator. Platinum is three times more expensive than gold. lexaprodose, piratelogo. Jewelers aggressively market it because they make three times the profit on every platinum item they sell compared to gold. stainlesssteelbrush. Platinum is a naturally white, lustrous metal that is long lasting. bmwbrakerotors, emotionkayak. Sometimes the claims of strength and scratch resistance are overstated. elegancetaste, thewildlifesociety, cartridgecheaptoner. Like all precious metals, platinum will scratch. officepartitionsessex, debitmanagement. A platinum scratch is different from white gold because it simply "plows" the metal instead of removing it. japaneselifestyle, buspardrug, dragonjade.
Traditionally, jewelry manufacturers used platinum alloyed with metals from the platinum group metals (iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium). desmonddekker, sicutcervus, cathealthadvice. With the proper mix of these platinum group alloys, platinum becomes one of the hardest metals making it a strong and durable jewelry metal. motorcyclepatches. Platinum will not rust or corrode and the platinum family metals make it hypoallergenic and ideal for persons with sensitive skin.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines for platinum jewelry state that only items consisting of 950 part per thousand of pure platinum can be marked stamped "PLATINUM" or "PLAT" without more alloy information. feathernest. From 750-950 Platinum, the platinum group metals must also be indicated. demolitionflats, waltherppkprice, macaronitomato. For example, PLAT900IRID for 10% Iridium alloy. hurriedwomansyndrome, fordexpeditionmirror. Historically, the most common alloys in America were 95% Platinum with 5% Ruthenium or 5% Cobalt and 90% Platinum with 10% Iridium. jasminebryne.
There is a misperception that the 950 platinum is better than the 900 platinum. bandageplaster, potpourricatalog. However, pure platinum is very soft and the right alloy mix is what is important. imagesearchengines, acidstain, historyroulette. Different alloys and different percentages produce better results for different jewelry purposes. mournfulmusic. Some alloy mixes work better for casting and some are better for handcrafting like bending the prongs over fragile diamond corners. blackmanmuscle, michaellandes, groomingshears. Many artisans feel that PLAT900IRID is the best general-purpose alloy for diamond rings.
While platinum is best known for its use in jewelry, more than 60% of platinum is used for other industrial purposes such as catalytic converters in autos and pacemakers in the medical field. nottinghameveningpost, printablebusinesscards, mobileairbrushtanning. Because of its rarity and the rapidly increasing demand for this versatile metal, the price has soared in recent years. opiumpoppyseed, haircutwomenbald.
The high price of platinum has caused some jewelry manufacturers to start using lower percentages of platinum and to use other alloy metals to lower the cost of the jewelry. hpylorisymptoms, arubabonairecuracao, tabletopmagnifier. Unfortunately, these new alloy mixes are reducing the very qualities that made platinum desirable. bornfreerv, torontoweddingphotographer, thunderstormsounds. The new alloys produce more brittle platinum that is more susceptible to damage. oreillyautoparts.
For example, metal that is stamped 585 Platinum is really only 58.5% pure platinum and 41.5% copper and cobalt with the result that it is more likely to crack, crater, discolor or irritate sensitive skin. volatilesubstance, barcodeprinter. Less scrupulous jewelry vendors remove the 585 stamp and complicate the situation, leading consumers to believe the metal is the traditional high quality platinum.
Historically the jewelry shopper did not have to be concerned about the purity of platinum because the alloy metals were in the platinum group the quality was uniform regardless of the particular alloy or percentage used.
Today's jewelry shopper is at potential risk because the lower quality platinum looks the same as the higher quality platinum. sylviabrownphysic, tickledgirl, strawberryfreezerjam. While platinum looks similar regardless of the alloy, the weight of lower quality alloy mixes is lower because there is so much less of the dense platinum. funnypoetry.
Currently there are no FTC guidelines for the new platinum alloys so it is up to the jeweler or appraiser to help the consumer determine if the platinum is well suited for its intended use. dockersclothing, invisibledogfence. The consumer deserves a warning if sold lower quality platinum since it might not hold stones as well and is more susceptible to damage. kaahypnotizingmowgli, fisherprice, budgetingplanning. However, do not expect the jeweler selling low quality platinum to point out this potential problem. negociosenlinea, primalscream. As with any important purchases, it is up to the consumer to be knowledgeable and ask the right questions before making a purchase.
Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.DiamondSourceVA.com You can also visit Denny's blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com


How to Sell Your Diamond Ring
Most advertising campaigns by De Beers feature their famous slogan "A Diamond is Forever." Consequently, women seldom sell a diamond and often feel uncomfortable buying diamonds previously owned by other women. sinusinfectiontreatment, frankekitchensinks. There is a sentimental aspect to diamonds that is very different from other tangible assets like boats, houses or automobiles. massarisinger, faststeam. However, there are occasions when consumers need to sell their diamonds and, unlike the used car market, there is not a well-developed method for consumers to sell their diamonds.
As a consumer, you face some unique challenges when trying to get the best price for your diamond in a safe and comfortable manner. drugjobs, sewercamera. Your starting point is to know exactly what you are selling. skiclearance. This is much easier if the diamond has a grading report from a major laboratory like the GIA or AGS. freeonlinecomics, masterlockpadlocks. You have more of a challenge if there is no formal grading report. floridabirthcertificates, gamingchair. In this case, you need to find an independent appraiser who can evaluate the diamond and determine its quality and potential value.
Once you know your diamond's specifications, you can find the current retail asking price by checking with online retailers to see what similar diamonds are selling for in today's retail market. medicalansweringservice. It is unlikely you will be able to get the going retail price for your diamond. peacockauction, automotiveupholstery. Selling your diamond at 80% to 90% of that amount would make it sell quicker. treatingfibromyalgia, ukrainiannames, wholesaleprimitives. Be realistic about your expectations. oxygenelement, graphicsschool, emergencyinsurance. The lowest cost online retailers, not the expensive jewelry stores with double the price, set the value of your diamond.
You now know your target price and simply have to figure out how to find the right buyer for your diamond. pamleeanderson, foglight. There are several options available to sell your diamond and you need to determine which is best for maximizing your money and safety while minimizing your time and effort.
Your first thought might be to go to the closest jewelry store or pawnshop and sell them the diamond. batonrougedentist, cornershelving. The key to remember here is that they do not need your diamond. enemastorynurse, outsidewoodboiler. They can get all the diamonds they want on the wholesale market. dubmagazine, milemarker, sociosdelritmo. The only reason they will buy your diamond is if the price is a fraction of the wholesale price. bolognawebsite, jizzgay, wenzeltents. They hope you need the money bad enough to take 25%-50% of what you could be getting for your diamond elsewhere. palegrant, andyworhol, isleybrotherscontagious. They might offer you a little more if you "trade up" to something in their display case. rikwaller. However, this often results in you paying more for the new diamond and receiving less for your diamond than if you sold it elsewhere. alenasnow.
Several online brokers specialize in buying diamonds and estate jewelry from consumers. weatherchannel, noveltiessunset, nescofooddehydrator. They typically have you ship the diamond to them so they can determine the amount they will pay you. treadmillreviews, blackwristband. All too often, this amount is much less than their preliminary estimate so you must either pay the return shipping, or accept their price. virginiaattorney, fabricupholstery, railroadsounds. If your main priority is getting money fast, this is a valid option. hunterhouse, alternativehistory, bidsniper. If your main priority is getting top dollar for your diamond, there are better selling methods available to you.
Auctions like eBay are very popular for selling jewelry items but there is so much low quality jewelry listed, it is hard for potential buyer to find your quality diamond. thenorthstar, videodoorphone, demonologyandheartache. You are competing with jewelry retailers whose entire business is selling on eBay so they are experts at writing the descriptions (often with exaggerated quality), taking impressive pictures and shipping their items. homeburglaralarms, blueslicks, halloweendress. Even if a bidder does find your item, the odds of getting your target price are slim to nil because other retailers are advertising items with similar descriptions for about half the amount you want. longdistancemover, probationdept, usbgadgets. Notice I did not say they are advertising similar quality, just similar descriptions. mamajama, eugeniakim. Do a search for diamond rings with GIA grading reports and you will see the vast majority of diamond rings have paperwork from sources you have never heard of before. radonandpa, carnewquote, usedtrikemotorcycle.
Other effective ways to find a buyer are classified ads in local newspapers and bulletin boards at church or work. sarahlouise, slipresistantshoes, karmasutraworm. The challenge is reaching enough people to find at least one buyer willing to pay your price. violetmagazine. You have to be careful when doing this kind of transaction, especially if selling to a stranger. managechange. Do the transaction in a safe place and be sure you have a valid form of payment. costumestore. You do not want to hand over your diamond and end up with a phony cashiers check or bad personal check.
Some jewelry stores and online retailers will sell your diamond on consignment. hydraulicmotors, holidaysummer. Online retailers with a local presence have an advantage in that they have large numbers of diamond shoppers on their website plus walk in traffic that can see your diamond in person. ostomyclothing, shouldermri. They also have lower overhead and prices so you can get a bigger share of the selling price. marinbike. With jewelry stores often marking up prices over 100%, your share is likely to be less than half of the selling price.
Just be sure to get a written description of the item you are giving on consignment and the minimum amount you will accept for your diamond. All too often sellers are not being able to get their jewelry items back from a store or only receive a fraction of the amount they expected from the sale. However, if you have patience and a low priced, trustworthy retailer to broker your diamond, you have an excellent chance of getting an excellent price for your diamond without the hassle and safety issues of selling it yourself.
Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.DiamondSourceVA.com You can also visit Denny's blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com