You’ve heard the term “diamonds are forever”. This highest compliment is true because these gems will stand the test of time and last for many generations. Unless lost or stolen they become a part of the family legacy.

Because of their rarity diamonds have always had and will always have value. Because of this they are not only the traditional gem of choice for couples planning to marry but have always been prime investment vehicles. These valuable jewels have traditionally been available through jewelry stores. Today, purchasing diamonds direct through reputable online jewelry stores is becoming more and more common.

Finding the best diamond jewelry

If you are planning to buy this beautiful jewelry for a loved one or even for yourself it is important to keep the following considerations in mind:

1. The presence or absence of natural flaws known as inclusions is called “clarity”. These blemishes can usually only be seen under magnification but greatly affect the value of the gem. When no inclusions are seen when the stone is examined it has perfect clarity. Understanding the concept of clarity is vitally important when purchasing this type of gem.

2. Diamonds come in all colors but the colorless type is considered the best quality. While differences in color grade are almost impossible to determine under the naked eye, the difference in color grade is very important in determining their value. The exception is the “fancy” grades that have highlighted colors for pink, red, green and yellow. These have a high value and are very rare.

3. The cut of the jewel can be one of the most important variables influencing the value of the gemstone. The cut can have an effect on its fire and brilliance. The cut usually means its shape. Cuts such as round-modern brilliant, old cut, eight cut, pear and oval are popular but the popularity of the cut of the stone can change over time. Some jewelers define the cut to mean the way the stone is proportioned or polished.

4. While most people think the term carat refers to the size of a gemstone it actually refers to the weight of the stone. Because of the density of the diamond, stones of the same weight should be about the same size. Because other gems have different specific gravities you cannot compare the size of different types of gemstones by weight. It is important to note that size is not the only factor in valuing a gem. A smaller stone with better clarity and color may have an equal or greater value than a larger stone.

If you do proper research even buying diamonds direct from an online jewelry store is considered acceptable today.

No jewelry collection is complete without a good-luck charm. A horseshoe is considered a lucky charm in many parts of the world. It is believed that a horseshoe keeps evil away. So what better way is there to sport a lucky charm than to wear jewelry shaped as a horseshoe?

It is incredible how artistically the theme of horseshoes can be used to craft beautiful pieces of jewelry. From necklaces and pendants to rings and earrings, any type of jewelry can be fashioned after a horseshoe. Youngsters these days are sporting trendy horseshoe-shaped body jewelry like eyebrow rings, belly-button rings, nose rings and tongue rings.

Furthermore, the variety of designs available in the market is unlimited. Jewelry designers make use of all kinds of material to craft stunning pieces of horseshoe jewelry. It is cast in a range of precious metals like silver, gold, white gold, platinum and even surgical steel. More often than not, horseshoe jewelry is studded with diamonds, which impart a dazzling look to it. Other gemstones like peridot, rhinestone and black onyx are also used quite frequently. Some of the modern-day jewelry is also made of acrylic and titanium.

Though a simple horseshoe with its mystical shape looks exquisite, jewelry artists often innovate with the designs, crafting jewelry with two or more horseshoes. Some designs have a horsehead placed beautifully inside the horseshoe. One can also get rings with letters of the alphabet inscribed inside the curve of a horseshoe. Some creative designers have gone as far as making horseshoe jewelry that glows in the dark.

With its immense variety and mystical significance, horseshoe jewelry forms not only an important part of any jewelry collection, but it also acts as a perfect present for horse enthusiasts.

Diamonds are the hardest known precious stones on Earth. They record a 10 on the standard Mohs scale of hardness, a scale that peaks at 10. Their extreme hardness originates from the combination of heat and pressure deep within the Earth over long periods of time. Ultimately, when a diamond is mined, it is mined in a rough form and in various shapes, colors and sizes.

Diamonds are mined primarily through pipe mining. Volcanic eruptions deep within the earth bring diamonds close to the surface where they can be mined. Pipe mines run far down, the deepest of which are up to 100 miles down. Large rocks containing diamonds are blasted out of the Earth, and brought up to be crushed and processed. The chunks are then sent to refineries to be screened for rough diamonds.

Mines located around the world in India, Russia, Canada, and Australia drill deep into the Earth and produce about 27,000 kg of diamonds a year. Of this, only about 20% of the rough diamonds mined are deemed good enough to be cut and polished for use in jewelry, while the rest are used for industrial purposes.

The rough diamonds that are good enough for jewelry are distributed by large companies, the largest of which is the De Beers Central Selling Organization. These rough diamonds are priced and sorted into over 5,000 categories, and traded to private buyers. These buyers ultimately send the rough diamonds to a cutting center to be cut and polished, after which they can be placed into a piece of jewelry.

It has long been known that the hardest substance to be found on the planet is the diamond. No matter where you might travel in the world, it is common knowledge that rare, expensive and highly prized diamonds are abundant, yet expensive. However, while people know the value of a diamond, fewer people know how diamonds are formed and why they are so greatly valued.

A diamond is actually a mineral and begins life as carbon which is then formed over many, many years. In order for the carbon deposits to form into one, the substance must be subjected to certain conditions that tempers and changes the mineral into the rare and beautiful gem. The first diamonds were recorded to have been discovered some 3000 years ago in India.

Since that era, diamonds have had a strong and lasting reputation for their splendor and intrinsic value and have been treasured by generations as symbols of virtue, fortune, refinement and even greatness. Diamond is a word that is from the Greek language, based on the word “adamas,” meaning unconquerable.

In fact, in many ancient civilizations, the diamonds were worn by warriors as they marched into battle to symbolize courage, strength and invincibility. This is just one of many examples of how the diamond has become such an integral part of culture, history and lore of many countries.

Today, the majority of the stones come from mines that are located in the countries of central and southern Africa. However, there are still significant numbers of the rare and precious gems that are mined in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Australia, Canada and Siberia, which boasts the single largest diamond mine in the world.

Anyone who has ever shopped for a diamond ring, earrings, or other jewelry are probably very well aware that the De Beers company controls a huge portion of this market. The stones must meet stringent quality standards and the De Beers company is one of the suppliers that is well known for the high quality of gems that they bring to the market. In fact, in some parts of the world, De Beers has even been accused on monopolizing the entire market because of the considerable control they have.

There is no doubt that the diamond is still one of the most desirable and treasured gems of any that are available. Virtually all high-end jewelry is embellished with a diamond or two, which immediately makes a statement about the person wearing such a fine piece of body jewelry. A diamond engagement ring is certainly considered to be the standard that symbolizes love, romance and commitment.

Diamonds will vary a great deal in price based upon on the quality classification of the gem. Four aspects are considered when evaluating the diamond’s value. These four characteristics are the Four “C”s and they are clarity, cut, color and carat.