You Have Time to Learn
In most traditional jewellery retail stores, employees earn commission based on the volume of sales generated. Therefore, a sales representative is most likely interested in generating a success full sale rather than spending enough time and energy to educate customers about their precious diamond jewellery.

There is so much more to diamond rings, earrings or pendants than just how big the stone is. Yes, the carat weight does give you a rough idea of how large the gem is, but it won’t tell you why the stone sparkles and catches the light as it does. To truly understand the beauty of diamond jewellery you wish to buy, an expert jewellery consultant is required to explain how the 4Cs of a diamonds, cut, clarity, carat weight and colour affect the brilliance and value of a diamond.

Most online diamond jewellers provide a detailed explanation about different aspects of diamonds as well as various jewellery items.  When you buy jewellery online, you can take as much time as you’d like to research these features. Online simulators give you the opportunity to play with different combinations of the 4 C’s and find the best price-to-beauty ratio for you without any high-pressure tactics from a sales employee.

Wide Range of Options
In typical brick and mortar store that carries limited physical stock, a salesclerk might show you five or ten diamond engagement rings. Even if you want to see more, there is a limit to how many diamonds the store has in stock.

On the other hand, the selection of diamond rings online practically never ends. When shopping diamond jewellery online, you can compare prices of different jewellery  items as well as prices from different online jewellers.

If you find a winner right away, there’s no one stopping you from adding it to your cart and checking out. However, if you want to continue your online online diamond jewellery browsing, you can keep comparing one piece after another for as long as you’d like until you find the diamond of your dreams. In fact, if you want to browse jewellery online  all night long, you can.

Furthermore, since most online jewellery start manufacturing jewellery items after an order is placed, they offer full flexibility of customization. In other words, for each design you can choose different metal grades such as 18K gold, 14K gold or even platinum to suit your style or change diamond quality to fit your budget.

You Can Save up to 20-30 %
Since online jewellers do not have to bare huge inventory expenses or other retail expenses, they can offer highly competitive prices compared to traditional retailers.

Overall, online jewellery shopping gives you full control of the buying process from the beginning to end. You can take your time to learn as much as you would like about diamonds and use online visualization tools to know exactly how the diamond jewellery would look in real life. You can browse thousands of designs, and compare as many pieces as you want. And finally, you can buy your dream ring, whether from home or office and save up to 20-30%.

Step 1: Pick a stone
To diamond or not to diamond? Well, diamond rings have remained popular for a reason. Diamonds are nature’s hardest yet one of the most beautiful materials. And since engagement rings are typically worn every day, this is an important factor to consider. Recently, however, diamond rings have been losing ground to other gems, such as sapphires and rubies. In order to solve this stone conundrum, consider what type of jewellery your soon-to-be fiancé wears. If they are partial to diamond earrings, diamond pendants, or other diamond jewellery then chances are diamonds are now your new best friend.

Step 2: Create a budget
The old adage is you need to spend two months’ salary on a rings. Can we please put this one to rest? If you are not too sure about the type of rings you want, try looking at examples of engagement rings online, figure out a rough estimate of how much similar rings typically cost, and then spend what you are comfortable spending. After all, this is a symbol of love, not some status symbol to impress other people.

Step 3: Time to go shopping
In days of yore our only option to get an engagement rings was to either inherit one or buy one at a brick-and-mortar store. Luckily because we now live in a world where there are a myriad of options to buy jewellery online, shopping for an engagement rings has never been easier (or even the matching diamond earrings and diamond pendants, hint hint). When it comes to buy diamond jewellery online, the benefits of convenience, selection, and most of all price can’t be ignored. Low overhead means low prices and more selection of jewellery  designs for you. Just remember, when browsing for jewellery online, be sure to stick with reputable online diamond jewellery brands that use conflict free diamonds and can offer certification  from a trustworthy grading lab, such as the Gemological Institute of America.

Step 4: Get ready for the memory of a lifetime
Different people use different rules. This is your engagement and there are no right or wrong answer. Sure it’s traditional to pop the question on one knee, but what if that’s not your style? Don’t let others dictate what you can and can’t do. Take some time to really think about what speaks to you as a couple. If that means a quiet dinner in a candlelit garden, then you go right ahead. Or if that means writing your proposal in the sky for the whole world to witness, then don’t let anyone stop you. Love is such a personal treasure that too often gets blurred by what we’re told to expect. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember to listen to your heart and not your brain.

The Colour
To untrained eyes, the colour of a diamond may not be too visible, especially in the colourless and near-colourless range, as the colour difference in this range is very subtle. However, the price goes up exponentially as the colour of a diamond goes from near colourless to colourless range. The GIA colour grading scale goes from D to Z. A diamond classified as a D is rare, expensive and colourless. Diamonds in the D-F or colourless range have almost no other impurity elements other than carbon atoms. An engagement ring made with a D colour diamond sparkles the brightest compared to other colours. As the scale goes farther towards the Z classification the rarity of the individual stone decreases and so does its price. When purchasing any solitaire diamonds or diamond jewellery online, fully understanding the colour grading system is critical.

The Clarity
Clarity is the second ‘C’ that determines the value of a diamond. The clarity of a diamond is graded based on the flaws or imperfections present inside or on the surface of the diamond. A flawless diamond is the most expensive diamond due to its rarity as majority of natural diamonds contain one or another form of impieties introduced during their grown process underneath the surface of the earth. GIA clarity grading system includes FL (Flawless), IF (Internally Flawless), VVS (Very Very Slightly Included), VS (Very Slightly Included) and I (Included). As we move from FL to I, the visibility of the inclusion becomes more and more obvious to the naked eye when seen from the table of a diamond. VS and SI clarity diamonds yield best value for the money.

Diamond jewellery made from VVS diamonds cost significantly high compared to VS or SI. However, to the untrained eye, both the VVS and VS clarity diamonds look almost indistinguishable. One key factor to consider when buying a diamond with SI or I clarity diamond is to make sure that the diamond does not contain a flaw in the centre of the diamond when seen from the table of the diamond. A reputable online jeweller online jeweller will transparently disclose the clarity of the diamond jewellery you purchase.

The Carat Weight
To many customers, Carat Weight is one of the most important factors as it is directly related to the size of the diamond. An interesting fact to note is that the Carat is actually the measure of the weight of a diamond and not its size. Due to their rarity, heavier or higher carat weight diamonds have higher price tags. A skilled diamond cutter can retain higher carat weight in a polished diamond by manipulating cutting parameters of a rough diamond. Therefore, it is important to consider the cut of a diamond when buying a higher carat weight diamonds. In many cases, if a diamond is not cut properly, a smaller but better cut diamond may shine more brilliantly that a bigger but poorly cut diamond.

The Cut
The Cut of a diamond is the only factor that can be influenced by a diamond cutter and polisher. All the other three C’s of a diamonds are pre-determined by Mother Nature. Cutting a diamond is intricate work and must be done precisely to reveal the maximum beauty of the diamond. A ray of light should bounce perfectly from one facet of the stone to the next to form a beautiful array of sparkling light. If a diamond is not cut properly, the light will enter form the table and will leak out form the pavilion causing the diamond to appear dull or greyish.

Online Diamond Shopping
Beautiful diamond jewellery can be purchased online at an excellent price. You simply need to understand the four C’s before making your selection. There are numerous reputable online jewellers that offer incredible designs. You can simply browse or buy amazing diamond rings, pendants or earrings that may take your breath away. There is no better time than right now to gift yourself or your loved ones a timeless piece of diamond jewellery.

Princess Cut

The princess cut is a square cut with fearlessly sharp corners. The best of them have a fiery sparkle, and they are popular for engagement rings ,wedding rings and diamond rings. A princess cut diamond makes an excellent solitaire on a band of white gold or platinum, but those corners are best protected in a prong setting.

Cushion Cut

The cushion cut diamond has been popular since the 1920s, and technologies have allowed lapidists to make modifications to the pavilion facets. Unlike a lot of cut and polished stones, the pavilion of a cushion cut diamond makes up most of its weight. Because of this, a cushion cut jewel does well on diamond jewellery items such as diamond earrings or diamond pendants.

Asscher Cut

The Asscher cut diamond was developed in 1902 from a simple step cut diamond that resembled the emerald cut. Modifications have added 72 facets, a high crown and perfect symmetry. Looking down through a perfect Asscher cut diamond reveals series of glittering, nested squares.

Radiant Cut

The radiant shape was the first truly square cut to be cut in the brilliant style, which means it has many facets arranged to provide maximum light dispersion and fire.

Point Cut

The point cut isn’t really one of the most popular cuts of the 21st century. It is simply a diamond that is cleaned and polished just enough to become more symmetrical while retaining a natural point. Point cuts were very popular during the Renaissance and can often be seen in the portraits of royal personages.

Table Cut
These are diamonds that have a large table facet. They’re not necessarily square unless they are mirror or spread table cut. Mirror or spread table cut stones are mostly made of their table facet and have a shallow pavilion, or lower part. Rough, twinned stones called macles are often formed into mirror table cut gems.

French Cut

A French cut is a square table cut that appears as a diagonal, four pointed star when a person looks straight down into the crown.

Old Mine Cut
This is a type of cushion cut popular in the 18th and 19th centuries after the old diamond mines in India had been depleted and lapidists learned how to make the brilliant cut. The first mine cut diamonds were simply modifications of table cut stones whose corners had been chipped off.

Buying Square-Shaped Diamonds
The best to buy a certified square shape diamond ordiamond jewellery is to shop online. Most online stores provide in depth education of the 4C’s of the diamonds. Furthermore, online diamond jewellery shopping allows customers to conveniently compare prices without the pressure of commissioned sales representatives.

So, for those wondering what shape of diamond to get for the lady in their life, whether it be for diamond earrings, a diamond ring or diamond pendants, here are some suggestions:

Round
The round cut diamond is for the lady who is classy and traditional. The round brilliant shape is the most popular cut for a diamond and is found on all sorts of diamond jewelry, especially in engagement ring , from the most humble to the most grand. The round brilliant has become one of the most traditional and sought after cuts of all, even though it was only perfected during World War I.

Some jewelers, including those who sell online diamond jewellery, use shape and cut interchangeably. Others use cut when they mean the way the gem cutter actually shapes the stone. In the case of the round brilliant, a cut that’s too shallow or too deep ruins the diamond’s ability to sparkle.

Princess
The princess cut is a square cut with sharp corners and is just the thing for the lady who’s playful, cheerful and really a girl at heart. As even a diamond can be chipped, it is best to put this gemstone in a prong setting on an engagement ring to protect those corners.

Asscher
Though this is a modern cut, having been developed in 1902, it’s for a woman who possesses an old-fashioned femininity. It’s of step cut that has squares steps with cropped corners.

Oval
This cut is for an imaginative lady who likes to experiment and embraces the latest in all things, whether it’s art, food or fashion. This is the piece of diamond jewellery that makes a short finger look long and elegant when it’s set on a ring

Radiant
This sparkling cut is for a positive and energetic woman who likes to flirt, even if she is engaged. This rectangular-shaped diamond has a brilliant cut, which makes it especially fiery on diamond ring

Pear
Made for a bold yet charming and somewhat idiosyncratic lady, the pear-shaped diamond has been heralded in song. Pears are great for diamond pendants.

Heart
Who else but a tender-hearted romantic would go for a heart-shaped diamond?

Marquise
This cut was said to be inspired by the lips of the mistress of one of those French Bourbon kings. Accordingly, it is for a woman who’s dramatic, outgoing, yet refined.

Cushion
For a lady who is fancy and chic yet delicate, cushion cut diamond jewellery is a perfect fit. It looks like its name. It is a square with round corners and is interesting because much of its carat weight is in the bottom part, or the pavilion.

Buying a Perfect Diamond
The very best and costliest diamonds are flawless, truly colorless and expertly cut and polished no matter their final shape. The size of the carat is up to what the wearer wants and the buyer can afford. If a fancy, or colored diamond is bought, the clarity is not as important as the richness of the color. The trend of buying certified diamond jewellery Online has increased tremendously in the past decade.

Interesting Trivia: Most people, outside the diamond industry, believe that the Cut of a diamond refers to the shape of a diamond. However, a trained gemologist refers to specific cutting parameters that bring a particular shape to life with highest fire, brilliance and scintillation.

Based on classifications and nomenclatures followed by the diamond industry around the world, the Cut of a diamond is divided into five categories.

1. Excellent Cut:The design of this cut is such that it ensures every shard of light entering the diamond is reflected multiple times and in all directions, thereby literally setting the stone afire from within. Achieving the Excellent Cut requires exceptional expertise and craftsmanship.Excellent cut diamonds show equal dark and light shades, creating an impression of play of shadows and light.

2. Very Good Cut:Very Good Cut diamonds have slightly more flexible cutting parameters than Excellent Cut. When skilled craftsmen attempt to retain higher carat weight by slightlycompromising onthe light performance, the Cut becomes Very Good. Diamonds with Very Good Cut still show good deal of sparkle, brilliance and fire, but their price per carat is much lower than that of an Excellent Cut diamond.

3. Good Cut:Just like the Very Good Cut, Good Cut diamonds are created by sacrificing quality of the cut over carat weight of a diamond. Most of the size proportions of diamonds in this cut are quite broader than those of the Excellent or Very Good Cut as the target is to get maximum stone size rather than focusing on the light performance. Such diamonds are ideal for the more budget conscious buyers who want to have a pretty stone that is larger in size.

4. Fair Cut: A cut that is almost at the bottom of the grading spectrum in terms of quality and preference. The only aim of those working with this cut is to get the maximum possible carat weight out of the rough diamond. There is very little consideration given to the color or clarity of the stone. The value of Fair Cut diamonds is based largely on their carat weight.

5. Poor Cut: The lowest of cuts in diamonds. These diamonds perform very poorly when it comes to the light performance inside the diamond based on internal reflection and refraction. They are just stones that have been processed to look big. As the cut is not optimized, there can be multiple inner impurities as well as outer surface defects. For those only looking to own a gem that is called a diamond without any other specific considerations, these are the diamonds to buy.

Would it not be cool if we could take some big lumps of coal, apply ultra-high pressure and temperature to it, and get gorgeous diamonds? We would all be rich overnight. Unfortunately, converting coal to diamond can only happen in the movies. Then again may be the Superman can do it with his unreal superpowers.
HARD FACT: DIAMONDS DO NOT FORM FROM COAL
Yup, that’s true – diamonds do not come from coal. They might be found in some coal mines somewhere, but there’s no way that coal might become diamond.
How do diamonds actually form?
For starters, let us understand that both coal and diamonds are made of carbon (though diamond is purer). Yes, you read that right. Both have the same basic material at their cores. However, while coal is only black with zero reflective qualities, diamonds come in a range of colors and have very high reflective indices.

It takes ultra-high pressure,approximately 50 Kilo bars, and extreme temperature, in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius, to form a diamond. Such pressures and temperatures are only possible deep in the earth’s crust – somewhere between 140 and 190 kilometers. There would have to be some form of carbon available deep down there, but that would not necessarily be coal.

Interesting Trivia: Diamonds were formed deep in the earth’s crust somewhere between 600 millionto 3.3 billion years ago. That’s means the youngest diamonds we hold in our hands today were formed way before the dinosaurs ruled the earth.

Actually, coal is rarely ever present that deep below the surface. Coal is usually found at just about 3.2 kilometers underneath the surface. Moreover, coal is formed from plant / vegetation sediments at much lower pressure and temperatures.

Luckily, that would not be required as the diamonds normally get pushed closer to the surface due to a special kind of volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. Now don’t go about thinking that every time there is a volcanic eruption, there will be diamonds spewed out of the earth for the picking. To the contrary, there is no recorded recent volcanic eruption that has brought diamonds to the surface.

That’s because the diamond bearing crust (or mantle as it is correctly known) is much deeper than most currently active volcanic tubes. In other words, diamond bearing regions of the earth came to have those diamonds hundreds of thousands of years ago when there were massive and deep crust volcanic activities thereabouts.

Well, that’s all about how diamonds are formed and come to the surface of the earth to reach us. Next up, we will take a look at the long history of man’s love with this most precious of stones.

Bracelets were first made using nothing more than a few stones, shells and bones tied together with a string around the wrist. Over the centuries, bracelets have come a long way. While the original styles still exist in one form or another, newer styles, newer metals, stones and designs have come up to take center stage.

Interesting Trivia: More than any other jewelry item, bracelets have been adopted by major jewelry brands as brand emblems. Metal, leather, as well as many other modern man-made materials feature in bracelets worn by men and women across the globe.

1. Women’s Bracelets: In most cases, women’s bracelets are modified forms of bangles. However, while bangles are worn on both wrists, bracelets are meant to be worn on just one. Like men’s bracelets, women’s bracelets also come in a number of different styles and designs. These are far more delicate and stylish than men’s bracelets and can often be studded with diamonds and gemstones.

2. Men’s Bracelets: Compared to women’s bracelets, men’s bracelets tend to be slightly heavier, but simpler in design. They may or may not be studded with diamonds and are often made with silver, gold or platinum. Attractive designs and high quality finishing are hallmarks of men’s bracelets. 

3. Designer Bracelets: These modern day versions of bracelets are quite chic and stylish. They are not necessarily made of metal, but come in a combination of leather, rubber, metal and even diamonds. These bracelets are often customized to represent key theme of individual brands.

4. Fitness Bands: Undoubtedly the latest trend in health and fitness, these bands help health enthusiasts track their daily calorie intake and outtake, the steps they have walked and many other fitness related data. Due to advanced technology used to make these bracelets, they are typically made with combination of plastic, rubber or metals and often come in simple less intricate design.

5. Magnetic or Health Bracelets: Different from fitness bands, health bracelets are usually magnetic bracelets worn around the wrists. It is believed that the magnetism of the bracelet helps keep illnesses away. Similar to fitness bands, magnetic bracelets are not made for style and generally come in a single format that does not cost too much.

There are of course, many other styles and manners in which bracelets are made and worn.

Hard Fact: Bracelets are perhaps the second most popular jewelry item for men after rings. This makes them different from other jewelry items, which are largely thought about and designed mainly for women.

The popularity of pendants is because of their flexibility to match any ensemble and occasion. Additionally, they come in many shapes and sizes, from extra light and affordable to ultra-heavy and extremely expensive. Furthermore, there is a whole range of pendants that come with matching earrings, and in many cases, matching rings as well. In other words, a full “Pendant Set” is the complete jewelry package!

Hard Fact: While most pendants are worn on chains, there are also necklace-pendants that are parts of intricate necklaces. These pendants are as elaborate as the necklace they are part of, yet they stand apart from the necklace as they hang below the main body of the necklace.

Even among pendants, there are many different styles. And depending on your mood, choice and pocket depth, you can select any of the following types.

1. Casual Pendants: Worn around the neck on a simple chain, light casual pendants are the most popular and widely sold of all pendants. Plain metal or studded with diamonds and colored stones, casual pendants come in all shapes, but are usually small to medium in size. Owning them is not too costly either.

2. Pearl Pendants: These pendants can be something as simple as a single large pearl suspended below a metal cap, or as elaborate as a vibrant array of various sized pearls in metal. Either way, pearl pendants are considered the epitome of style and beauty. They mix with most ensembles, be it a chic party or a formal work place.

3. Initials / Name Pendants: Initials and name pendants can be quite romantic when gifted by one partner to the other. Many couples love wearing pendants with each other’s initials. Simple metal alphabets, or studded with diamonds make excellent choices for every day wear pendants.

4. Gemstone Pendants: These pendants are quite popular in India and many other countries around the globe, where people follow moon signs instead of sun signs as gem stones carry astrological connections. Of course, these pendants also look very stylish when worn as a fashion statement. A large gemstone set in the center surrounded by beautiful, sparkling diamonds makes for an eye-catching pendant.

5. Religious or Ethnic Pendants: Many cultures and religions around the world have been expressing their faith though artistic pendants. These pendants are often believed to carry the blessings of God. The most common religious pendants are “Cross” pendants.

In my last blog, Rings Setting Guide: The Settings that Carry the Stones, I talked aboutProng Setting,
Tension Setting, Bezel Setting,Channel Setting,Halo Setting.In this blog, I will go over a few more intricate and exceptional jewelry setting types.

1. Pave Setting: To achieve the paved look, tiny incisions are made in the metal and then small stones are set into those incisions. Microscopic prongs are then created to hold the stones in place. This creates the illusion of one continuous sheet of diamonds and increases their luster. The only issue with pave setting is the difficulty in making changes after the pave has been set. 

2. Three Stone Setting: In line with the name, this setting is made using three stones, either of similar size or with a larger center stone. The stones are set extremely close to each other, either in a single, straight line, or with the center stone slightly raised. This is a very symbolic setting, especially when used as an anniversary ring as it is believed to represent the past, present and future.

3. Cathedral Setting: A single stone or a small cluster of multiple stones is set atop a ring, with graceful arches raising it above the shank. The overall look and feel of this setting is that of the arches of a cathedral – thus giving this setting its name. This style is most commonly used for solitaire rings, particularly for engagement and wedding rings. This setting style uses the arches in combination with either prong, tension or bezel setting styles to keep the stone in place.

4. Cluster Setting: Somewhat similar to Halo setting, Cluster setting utilizes multiple small stones set almost flush with each other in a cluster to create the impression of a single comparatively larger stone. The cluster itself can be of any shape – round, square, oval, or anything else that catches the imagination. However, the setting is best suited for round diamonds.

5. Invisible Setting: An extremely tough setting to achieve, Invisible setting requires micro grooves to be cut into the diamond or stone on the side facets, below the girdle. The stones are then set flush with each other and two micro plates or strips of metal are passed through the grooves such that from the top, there is absolutely no indication of any metal contact with the diamond. The impression created is a bunch of diamonds, set perfectly, without any metal support. The Invisible setting is ideal for Princess cut diamonds as the diamonds sit perfectly aligned with their sides flush against each other.

There are of course several other settings that are in use around the world. However, these are the more popular and in demand settings.

Interesting Trivia: One particular setting is called “The Cathedral Setting” because of its appearance of raised arches of a church or a cathedral. It is a fantastic setting for an engagement or wedding ring as it gives a divine look to the ring. But, it is also quite delicate and prone to snagging and bending because of the diamond’s height above the shank of the ring.