So, you have decided you want to purchase an engagement ring.

You have also realised that you can get more for your money purchasing online.  After all, you understand that you need to buy certified diamonds, and with this certification, you can compare like for like diamonds from various online jewellers and make your informed decision.

You see that on certain websites, you can buy just a loose diamond.  What a good idea you think.  Save money on the loose diamond and then you can get the ring mount made locally to your precise specifications, so you can oversee the complete production.  Alternatively, you can buy a loose diamond from one internet retailer, and then get another internet retailer to sell you one of their ring mounts, and set your existing diamond for you.  Cost saving completed.

HOWEVER, you need to bear this in mind when deciding upon what route to take.

Yes, certain diamond retailers online will offer you the opportunity to purchase certified loose diamonds, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. After all, many people realise that diamonds, historically, never lose value and so represent an excellent financial investment in their loose form.

Problems can arise, however, when you try to get your loose diamond set by another party.  Whilst diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man, diamonds can chip and break, especially during the setting into jewellery process.  Different diamond shapes are more susceptible to breaking, especially those shapes of diamonds which have points or corners such as princess cut diamonds, marquise cut diamonds and pear cut diamonds for example.  If a third party is setting your diamond for you, it is unlikely they will offer you insurance for your diamond if it breaks, and so you run the risk of losing the value of your diamond forever.  Imagine the stress put on a diamond having platinum claws folded over it - there is a fine line for a diamond setter between puttling too little force on the metal and diamond (resulting in the diamond being loose in the setting), and putting too much pressure on the metal and the diamond, with the end result being breakage.

It is often simpler, therefore, to buy a complete diamond ring online.  This way, you know you are saving money, and you don’t run any risk of losing the value of your diamond trying to cut corners.

The author is the Managing Director of DeJoria Diamonds, the online diamond engagement rings specialists. For more information, visit www.dejoria.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/loose-diamonds-or-diamond-rings-1294659.html

When it comes to buying diamond rings and diamond jewellery, not only do you have to try to select the best diamond you can for your money, but also the best setting that you think the intended recipient will prefer.

There are various styles of settings available on the market, and below are some of the main terms used in the diamond industry.

CLAW SET – This means that the diamond is held in place by a number of prongs.  Most typically 4 claw or 6 claw, more modern designs of jewellery also use 3 prongs.  Claw set diamonds typically emit the most sparkle, as the raised position of the diamond generally allows most light refraction in the diamond, and therefore the most brilliance.  Claw settings are normally found on solitaire diamond engagement rings for example.

CHANNEL SET – Most typically found in diamond eternity rings and other rings where more than one diamond is set, channel set means that a number of diamonds are set flush alongside each other and are held in place by a strip of metal each side.  Princess cut diamonds often look best in channel settings due to the fact that their square shape provides excellent symmetry and tessalation.

RUB-OVER SET – This is a very traditional way of setting diamonds and refers to when the diamond is fully encased in metal, with just the table of the diamond (ie the top surface) being visible.  Whilst providing welcome added security for the diamond, rub-over settings can sometimes detract slightly from the brilliance of the diamond (albeit fractionally), as the rub over setting can adversely affect the light refraction in the diamond.  This method of setting is often used on diamond engagement rings.

PAVE SET – This term relates to when a multitude of often small diamonds are set very closely together, providing a ‘diamond encrusted’ effect on a piece of diamond jewellery.

Whichever setting for your diamonds you chose, you can rest assured that your piece of diamond jewellery will always be special, as it has been chosen by you for your loved one.

The author is the Managing Director of DeJoria Diamonds, the online diamond engagement rings specialists. For more information, visit www.dejoria.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/choosing-the-best-setting-for-your-diamonds-1238198.html