Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Sapphires: Selecting the Perfect Stone to Cherish For a Lifetime

Sapphires, with their celestial blue shades, make them far and above the most cherished jewel after the diamond. Whether taking the form of a pendant necklace, dangling pair of earrings or breathtaking vintage engagement ring, sapphires prove gorgeous in every setting. The only question left to consider is quality. Buying a sapphire requires the same care and consideration as purchasing a diamond. If you have your eye on a special piece, here are the characteristics you should look for in order to acquire a stone that’s high quality and timeless no matter the design.

Color


Sapphire Three-Stone Ring
Spanning a full spectrum of colors, it’s possible to buy a pink, yellow, orange, purple or even greenish sapphire. Still, the deep pool blue sapphires are the most popular and the most valuable. Ranging from Sweden Princess Blue, a soft pale color, to dark Black, an opaque navy tone, sapphires are most expensive in the central range, with Royal Blue at the apex. For a better deal on price without sacrificing value, consider neighboring shades Camelot Blue or Commodore Blue.



Transparency

Sapphire and Diamond Necklace

The brilliance of a stone is what makes it sparkle, and that requires a great deal of transparency within the heart of the gem. Though some buyers fancy more opaque sapphires for their alluring depth, the most valuable styles are crystal clear in order to refract the greatest level of light. Always hold a sapphire up to natural light to determine its clarity.


Cut


Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet


So much more than shape, the cut of a sapphire reveals the depth of the facets, which can create a darker or lighter hue. Additionally, shallowly carved facets give the impression the stone is larger than the weight suggests, which is not necessarily what you want. Always request a GIA grading report to determine the quality of the cut, as you’ll want one of good rating or better.





Origin

Not an essential consideration except for serious investments, but the origin of your desired sapphire can increase its value if it hails from Burma, Kashmir or Mogok. These locations routinely mine superior gems, but take that assessment with a grain of salt. Other mining spots may unearth better gems, while some inferior options will inevitably flow from even first-rate quarries.

Sapphire Halo Drop Earrings with Diamond Clips
Vintage Sapphire Drop Earrings 
                                                 

Jeweler

Paramount above all other choices is when you decide where, precisely, to buy your sapphire jewelry. A trusted jewelry designer happily provides a GIA certificate in addition to a warranty that protects your investment. Find a reputable jeweler and the rest is easily handled. As always, Ziva Jewels promises a superior experience, a lifetime warranty and social responsibility, so you never regret a purchase this important.



When you decide to make a sapphire stone a part of your beautiful collection, make sure to follow this handy guide. With these simple tips, your new gemstone jewelry is guaranteed to be high quality, long lasting and distinctive, just as you dreamed it would be.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Diamond Earrings: Choosing the Right Style

Classic, sparkling and elegant, diamond earrings are the perfect gift for any woman regardless of the occasion. But choosing between the many styles of fine earrings can prove a little more nuanced than at first blush. While all earrings appear beautiful, some styles are more appropriate to certain events than others. If you’re curious which style of diamond earring to buy your sweetheart, here are a few suggestions based on the most popular models to help guide you.


 An Elegant Soiree


Art Deco Ruby Dangle Earrings
Special occasions call for dramatic accessories, so if you and your darling are planning a sophisticated fete in the future, you should gift her with something stunning to suit. Encourage her to wear a sweeping updo and present her with an eye-catching pair of dangling chandelier earrings. This style often features a multitude of gemstones, all brilliantly shining to grand effect. Don’t hesitate to include colorful gemstones, as they will garner more attention and compliments. The longer the earring the more glamorous it is, but always balance quality, size and budget for a purchase you’ll never regret.



An Important Moment


Inside Out Diamond Hoop Earrings
It may not be as thrilling as a masquerade ball or as prestigious as a Hollywood awards show, but important moments happen all the time, and they deserve special earrings too. Whether it’s your anniversary or a job interview, choosing lovely yet refined diamond earrings ensures you make the perfect impression. Hoop earrings were designed especially for this purpose. They have a classic style with an impressive set of shimmering stones that light up and frame the face.



 An Everyday Style


Bezel Set Stud Earrings
Diamond earrings shouldn’t be locked away until an exceptional date arrives. They may be luxury items, but their design is eminently wearable. Diamond stud earrings are elegant, but they’re also accessible. They add a sophisticated element to any outfit without resorting to attention-seeking tactics. Demure yet darling, diamond studs are the ideal jewelry for every woman every day, and there are so many beautiful styles, there is no risk of ever becoming bored of them.






Choosing the perfect pair of diamond earrings should never be stressful, but some people are left uncertain as to which style is appropriate for which occasion. While all earrings are beautiful, keep these tips in mind when purchasing them for a specific reason, and you’ll never be led astray.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Make Her Your Forever Valentine

Valentine’s Day and its anticipated fine jewelry present, is right around the corner, and your sweetheart is desirous of more than rosy blooms and sugar-laced treats. If you know she’s dreaming of walking down the aisle towards you, why not make this Valentine’s Day extra special by asking for her hand in marriage?

Valentine’s Day has a well-established history of being the ideal day for a proposal. Naturally romantic in spirit, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a proposal she doesn’t expect and surprise her with so much more than material goods. This year, give her a lifetime of happiness with the ring she will cherish forever.

A Colorful Ring For the Free Spirit



Cushion Cut Tanzanite Ring 
If your ladylove is an individual through and through then a standard diamond engagement ring will never do. More women are opting for colorful gemstone engagement rings featuring emeralds, rubies, sapphires and other stones that flatter their skin tones and reveal their inner personality. Not only are these types of rings available in the same modern, vintage or unique settings as diamond designs, they’re also distinctively singular, so your future bride doesn’t ever have to share the limelight with anyone else.




A Rosy Band For the Hopeless Romantic


Rose Gold Pear-Shaped Halo Ring
If she loves sugar and spice and everything nice, she might want her ring to glitter with a pretty pink hue. Rose gold engagement rings are wildly popular today, as they were back in the early 19th century, aside from the obvious emotional overtones, rose gold flatters most skin tones with its gentle warmth and looks fantastic with diamonds, rubies, pearls and some other semi-precious stones. And you don’t have to wear a pink men’s band if you don’t want to. The fashion of today is for men to have their own distinctive style, even if that means a different type of metal.

An Antique Design For the Old Soul


Antique Style Engagement Ring
If she replays old black and white movies, shops all the antique boutiques and admires the decorative style of yesterday, then modern minimalist designs are all wrong. Your beloved has whimsical, ornate taste, and she deserves an equally dramatic vintage engagement ring. Featuring a selection of smaller stones, often a mix of diamond and gemstones, antique rings offer enormous amounts of charm in surprisingly affordable forms. Plus, a truly vintage design comes equipped with a previous couple’s story. What’s more romantic than that?





While Valentine’s Day often means romantic comedies, boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses, it can mean so much more than the typical store-bought gifts. Make this February 14th one to remember, by offering her a much smaller box from bended knee, and asking her to be your Valentine forever.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

A Guide to Buying Diamonds


Buying a diamond, whether it’s a demure solitaire pendant or a stunning three-stone engagement ring, is always an emotional experience, and it should be. But purchasing an expensive piece of jewelry requires a grounded approach that ensures the item you end up with is as valuable as stated. No one enjoys an unlimited budget, but everyone can own a singular diamond creation that’s high quality and valuable. Here is a quick guide to buying quality diamonds at any price point.

Mastering the 4 C’s

The first rule in buying diamonds is learning the 4 C’s. The C’s referred to are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. They each represent a quality in the diamond that can be graded to a certain level of superiority. While many people focus heavily on the carat weight of a diamond, since this also suggests the size, the most important quality is the cut.

The cut represents more than just the shape of the diamond; it also reveals the skill with which the stone was shaped. An expertly cut gem is perfectly proportioned and dazzling. A poorly cut stone, on the other hand, lacks sparkle and may be prone to damage, abrasions or breaking.

Visit Guidance section of our site to get the most detail and comprehensive information on diamond characteristics which help make your buying process easy and confident. 

Reviewing the Grading Report

Some deceitful jewelers may try to tell you that a diamond is a higher grade or better cut than it actually is. Regardless of where you buy your jewelry, always request an American Gem Society or GIA report for the piece. It states precisely the cut, clarity, color and carat of every diamond. Even honest vendors may make a mistake on occasion, and legally they are allowed a margin of error of one grade. Make sure you get what you want by checking the report.

Shop with Trusted Professionals

Obviously, the best way to get a superior diamond is to buy from an ethical, trustworthy jewelry company that places its customers’ needs first. Ziva Jewels offers a lifetime warranty on its diamonds and fine jewelry, and any business worth buying from will do the same.


Buying a diamond is exciting, emotional and fun, as long as you get what you pay for. Avoid the disappointment of discovering your favorite diamond accessory isn’t appraised for the perceived value by using these tricks to ensure you get a diamond you can cherish for generations.