3 Simple Tips Before you Buy Jewelry from Ebay

Buying Jewelry on eBay - Three tips to make your purchasing experience positive.

If you plan on venturing into online auctions to buy jewelry review these three basic tips to help make your experience a positive one.

Let’s face it – buying fine jewelry in any venue is nerve racking. A recent news article discussed a couple that purchased a platinum and diamond ring from a well-known jewelry chain.

When the diamond dulled after a few months the couple took the ring to another jeweler for cleaning and was informed that the ring was sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Not good to say the least. The couple eventually got restitution from the original jeweler but in the process was accused of switching the components themselves as a scam to make money.

So, how do you protect yourself when purchasing jewelry in the impersonal online auction arena? Use these three tips: Picture, Feedback and Policies.

Picture – If the listing presents anything less than a stellar photograph that clearly shows every detail – move along. Jewelry is very hard to shoot. A seller that is in it for the long run will either invest in the proper equipment or hire a professional photographer to shoot pictures of the jewelry for sale. This also indicates a professional attitude which, when combined with a clear and well thought out description of the piece of jewelry, can go far in establishing confidence in the seller.

Buying diamonds or precious gemstones – look for a scanned laboratory certificate in the jewelry listing. Recognized authorities include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), American Gem Society (AGS) and European Gemological Laboratories (EGL).

Feedback – Check out the seller’s feedback and read individual comments left by the purchasers to gauge whether or not you want to do business with this seller.

When considering the feedback remember - this is not like school - anything less than an A+ (97 and above) is considered a failing grade in the world of online auctions.

Also check to see if the seller is considered by eBay to be a PowerSeller. EBay’s criteria for this designation is quite high and goes far towards building confidence that you are dealing with an honest merchant.

Finally, check out the seller’s policies. Most important is the seller’s return policy. If you are not happy with your purchase, you feel it is not as described or counterfeit – how easy will it be to get your money back?

In closing it is emphasized that it is not recommended to purchase expensive, fine jewelry at online auctions if you are not an experienced buyer.

That being said, the policies of any seller (regardless if the purchase is for $1 or a million dollars), should be closely examined – make sure you are happy with the terms of your sale prior to clicking that submit button.

Gemstone Basic - Gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon

Amethyst

The brilliant purple stone known as amethyst is draped in centuries of history – and mystery. Purple is the traditional color of royalty and amethyst has been used in the British Crown Jewels, by Egyptian royalty, and in Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads. The name comes from the Greek word “amethustos” which means “not drunken,” and the amethyst was thought to prevent one from becoming intoxicated from wine.

Famed renaissance genius Leonardo Da Vinci claimed amethyst was capable of warding off evil thoughts and could inspire intelligence.

Later the amethyst became a symbol of celibacy, piety and religious purity and thus was adopted as a Catholic symbol around the time of the Middle Ages. Amethyst came to be the stone of Bishops and some Bishops still wear amethyst rings.

Actually purple quartz, Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Amethyst is primarily mined in Brazil and Zambia, but is also found in Russia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and in the US it’s found in New Mexico.

Diamond

Without a doubt the diamond is by far the most highly prized and valuable of gemstones. Most diamonds will never be bound for a jewelry store. They are used for industrial applications like the making of cutting tools and polishing equipment. The power of the diamond’s beauty is undeniable and that is why we tend to give diamonds for the most special of occasions – an engagement, a wedding, a 30-year anniversary.

Diamonds are made of carbon atoms that are bonded together in four directions yielding the hardest naturally-occurring substance on earth. The conditions under which diamonds are formed are extreme to say the least. To pack carbon atoms so tightly, it is thought that diamonds were created deep below the earth’s surface where pressures are up to 65,000 times that of the atmosphere at the earth’s surface. Extreme temperatures are also necessary for diamonds to form – about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.

During these conditions it’s not uncommon for a few stray, non-carbon atoms to sneak in. If nitrogen makes its way in the result will be a yellowish, less desirable diamond. However, if a little boron is present, the diamond may take on a bluish tint which is very rare and therefore highly prized.

April’s birthstone, Diamonds are thought to have first been discovered in ancient India when they washed forth from the ground after heavy rainstorms. Diamonds have since been found all over the globe in Brazil, Siberia, South Africa, and even the US and Canada. Today most gem-quality diamonds are found in parts of Africa.

Emerald

Perhaps because of its stunning green color the emerald for centuries has symbolized life and rebirth. The pharaohs of Egypt mined emeralds as far back as 3,000 BC. The Incas and Aztecs also mined emeralds – and some of the best emeralds are still found in South America. The emerald is the most highly sought of the gemstone family known as beryl, of which aquamarine is also a part.

The emerald’s green color is caused by the presence of chromium in a particular form of beryl. Like diamonds, emeralds have inclusions – usually in the form of tiny gas or liquid bubbles, stress fractures, and trace amounts of foreign crystallizations. These internal inclusions are called “jarden” – the French word for garden – and contribute to the emerald’s rich green coloration.

Emeralds tend to be found in Columbia, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Russia. Emeralds are May’s birthstone.

Garnet

Garnet is actually a family of gemstones. The word garnet is again derived from a Greek word – in this case “granatum” which refers to the pomegranate seed.

When one thinks of garnet variations of the color red almost always leap to mind. The truth is garnet is found in a wide variety of colors and intensities. But the most common garnets are the reddish ones and they are called by a number of specific names including Almandite, Rhodolite, and Pyrope. These stones range in color from a medium reddish orange to a purplish red or reddish purple.

Other types of garnet include Malaia (pinkish orange hues), Spessartite (yellowish orange) and Tsvorite (green tones). Some garnets are known as color change garnets due to their tendency to shift color depending upon how the light strikes them.

Garnet is the birthstone of January and its various types are found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Opal

The opal probably owes its name to the Sanskrit word “upala” which means “valuable stone.” Australia is the center of the known opal universe and the opal plays a significant role in the traditional folklore of Australia’s Aboriginal people. Today almost 90% of all gemstone opals come from the mines of Australia. The remaining amount is found in northern Brazil, Mexico and in Nevada and Idaho in the US. There are basically three types of opals with differing properties and values.

Precious opals

What distinguishes a precious opal is its opalescence – or the intense play of color as light dances on the stone’s background, or body-color. Varieties of precious opals include White (translucent with white body-color), Black (opaque with dark body-color), and Jelly (transparent with almost no play-of-color).

Fire opal

These opals are aptly named. Their unique appeal comes from a stone that has a red, yellow, or orange body-color, and is in the range of transparent to semitransparent. Sometimes there is the presence of opalescence – or play of color – and sometimes there is none. While most other opals are found in Australia, fire opals are primarily found in Mexico, and are sometimes called “Mexican Opals.”

Common opal

As the name might suggest, these opals are not all that rare. Common opals are for the most part opaque and there is little to no play of color.

While the sheer beauty of the opal inspires wonder and they are certainly here to be enjoyed, great care must be made to ensure opals maintain their luster and play of color. Opals contain small amounts of water and over time the water content in an opal can diminish, damaging its beauty and value. When buying opals, always make sure your jeweler has a gemologist available, and ask him or her about the proper care and storage of opals.

Pearls

Pearls are unique in the world of gemology as they are the only gem that is formed inside a living creature. Pearls are produced when an oyster defends itself from an invader, or irritant – like a tiny spec of sand or other debris. The oyster produces a substance called nacre which is deposited around the irritant. Over time the layers of nacre build up to produce a pearl.

The pearl was once one of the most prized treasures on earth because their production was a totally random, natural process. In the late 1800s a Japanese man named Kokichi Mikimoto learned he could gather oysters, implant them with an irritant, and return them to the water where they would produce a cultured pearl. The process usually takes about three years, but can take as many as six years. Today almost all pearls are cultured because natural sources have been depleted.

Cultured pearls generally fall into two categories – saltwater and freshwater. Japan is still the leading producer of saltwater cultured pearls. The largest saltwater pearls are cultivated in the South Pacific with Tahiti being the home of the highly prized Black Pearl. China is the leading supplier of freshwater pearls, they are also produced in the Mississippi river.

Like most other gemstones, pearls are valued by size, rarity, beauty, and degree of perfection. But two specific qualities are used to determine the value of pearls – orient and luster. Orient describes the degree of mild iridescence that results from light refracting off the layers of the nacre. Luster refers to the level of shine and reflectivity on the pearl’s surface. Pearls that have a slightly rose tint are very desirable. Other colors include hints of gray, green, lilac, gold, and of course, the Tahitian Black Pearl.

Unlike some other gemstones, it is simple to determine the authenticity of a pearl. Take the pearl and very gently rub it on the edge of a tooth. The feeling should be slightly abrasive. A completely glass-like smoothness is a sign that a “pearl” is probably just a painted glass bead. A real pearl, either cultured or natural, is the birthstone of June.

Ruby

The ruby likely gets its name from the Latin word “rubeus” which means red. The ruby is also often referred to as the “king of the gems,” not only because of their popularity among royaly, but also because the Sanskrit word for ruby, “ratnaraj,” literally translates to “King of gemstones.”

India is believed to be the traditional birthplace of ruby lore, and was for a long time a prime source for rubies. In fact rubies have been studied, admired, and mythologized in Indian literature for at least two-thousand years. Today rubies are chiefly mined in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, and Africa. Other places where rubies are found include Cashmere, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Northern Pakistan.

Around 1800 scientists determined that rubies and sapphires belonged to the same family of minerals called corundum (this word is also rooted in the Sanskrit – “kuruvinda”). Up until this time, both red garnet and red spinel were often referred to as rubies. The differences are so subtle, many of the brilliant red gemstones in England’s Royal Jewels – thought for years to be rubies – turned out to be red spinels.

While the word ruby immediately conjures thoughts of the color red, the depth and intensity of red can vary considerably. For years the most highly-prized rubies had a deep red color which was referred to as “pigeon’s blood.” The redness of rubies can vary so dramatically from deposit to deposit, it is almost impossible to predict where the most desirable rubies will be found. The red color of the ruby is caused by the presence of chromium. The ruby is the birthstone for July.

Sapphire

The word sapphire comes from “Sappheiros” Greek word for blue. But blue is by no means the only color of sapphires. The gemstone that is almost synonymous with “blue” is also found in bluish green, brown, yellow, violet, pink, and the breath-taking and highly valuable pink-orange “padparadscha” – the Sinhalese word for lotus flower.

The sapphire belongs to the same family of minerals, corundum, as the ruby. Sapphires are found today in many of the same regions where rubies are found – largely due to their chemical similarities. Sapphires are currently mined in Sri Lanka, Australia, Africa, Thailand, and in Montana.
The most valuable sapphires are the deep blue Kashmir stones – so named for the region in India where they were originally found. Nearly as precious are sapphires from Myanmar (Burma).

Another extremely rare and valuable variety of sapphire is that which contains what is called an “asterism.” The asterism is a naturally occurring trait caused by slivery inclusions that appear as a six-pointed star floating in the heart of the stone when the light catches it just right. These sapphires depend on the skill of the gem cutter as much they do on nature for their singular beauty, and the craftsman must cut the stone into domed shape called a “cabochon.”

For centuries, because of its true-blue color, the sapphire has been a symbol of sympathy, harmony, loyalty, permanence, and reliability. For this reason in some cultures the sapphire is a popular stone for engagement rings. The sapphire is the birthstone for those born in September.

Topaz

The origin of the word topaz is likely the island of Topazios in the Red Sea – a theory partially substantiated by the fact that ancient Egyptians associated the golden color of topaz with their sun god Ra. The Romans also symbolized their sun god, Jupiter, with topaz.

Today the topaz is most commonly thought of as having a brilliant blue color. In reality the topaz, like a number of other precious stones, occurs in a variety of colors including yellow, reddish-brown, pale green, and even colorless. Topaz can have a gold or amber color – hence the sun god meanings for the Egyptians and the Romans. “Imperial” topaz, so named for the Russian Czars who prized it, possesses an orange coloration with hints of pinkish red. Imperial topaz is among the world finest. Pink topaz is also one of the most valuable varieties.

Chicanery lead the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to regulate the nomenclature in the world of gemstones – sapphires in particular had been the subject of creative marketing language. “Smoky Topaz” is really quartz and it is now called “smoky quartz.” “Golden topaz” is actually heat-treated amethyst. Mix-ups and misrepresentations have lead to real topaz being called “precious topaz.” Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November, but because blue topaz is prevalent and inexpensive, it is a widely accepted substitute for March’s birthstone aquamarine.

Zircon

Zircon probably gets its name from the Persian word “Zargun” with “zar” meaning “gold” and “gun” meaning “color.” While sometimes the zircon has been viewed as a second-class citizen in the gem world, it is a brilliant, fiery gemstone. In medieval times it was believed the zircon possessed mystical properties that could remedy sleeplessness, promote wealth, and endow its owner with wisdom and honor.

Like many other gemstones, the zircon appears in myriad colors, the most sought after being red. Blue zircons are also highly-valued. Other colors include brown, yellow, colorless, and orange. Zircons are often heat-treated to achieve a blue, golden-brown, or colorless appearance. Of all gemstones, clear zircons most closely resemble diamonds, but that is where the similarities end. Zircons are downright brittle compared to diamonds, and therefore greater care should be taken with them.

Zircons are mined in a number of countries but most are found in Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Blue zircon is the birthstone of December, but turquoise and tanzanite are accepted alternatives.

Need to see some Gemstones jewelry ? : click here

What are Diamond ?

Diamonds: The Most Precious of Gems

Diamonds are among the most prized substances on earth. Their incomparable brilliance, elegance, durability and mystery have captivated our imagination for thousands of years. Considering the endless lore and mystique behind this regal stone, it's no wonder that it has come to symbolize the ultimate gift of love and romance.

Not only is a diamond the overwhelming choice for prospective brides and grooms selecting an engagement ring, but the gem is also the birthstone for April. And diamonds are the recommended gift for couples celebrating their 10th, 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries.

Buying a major piece of diamond jewelry such as an engagement ring or anniversary band is one of the most expensive purchases many of us will ever make. That's why it's so important to understand the elements behind the quality and cost of a stone, so you can make an informed buying decision.

When shopping for a diamond, keep in mind that the value of a stone is determined by the "4 Cs" of cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

Cut refers to the execution of the diamond's design, the skill with which it was cut, the quality of its polish, and the overall symmetry of the stone. Diamond cuts are broadly graded as Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair or Poor. A well-cut diamond releases the inner brilliance of the stone and projects its maximum amount of fire and sparkle. A poorly cut diamond allows light to leak out the sides or bottom rather than reflecting back to the eye, resulting in a "dull" diamond that may even have some "dead" spots inside.

Color refers to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. As a rule, the whiter the stone, the greater its value. Even a slight tinge of yellow or brown could have a negative impact on a stone's value. Most diamonds are graded on the GIA color scale that begins with "D" for colorless and continues all the way down to "Z", with the color becoming more visible as you move down the alphabet. Stones in the D-F color ranges are considered the most valuable because they are the rarest.

Clarity refers to the presence of surface or internal flaws within a diamond caused during its formation. External marks are known as blemishes, while internal ones are called inclusions. Diamonds are graded for clarity on a scale ranging from "F" for flawless (no blemishes or inclusions visible under 10x magnification) to "I" for imperfect (inclusions visible to the naked eye), with numerous grades and subgrades in between. The best diamonds, of course, are flawless, but these stones are exceptionally rare and therefore very costly.

Carat weight refers to the size of the stone. The carat is the measure of weight for diamonds. One carat is approximately 200 milligrams, or 100 "points". A stone weighing a half-carat would be a 50 pointer, and so on. In general, larger diamonds are rarer and have a higher value per carat. However, other factors such as cut, color and clarity come into play as well in determining a stone's value. It's entirely possible for a smaller stone of exceptional cut, color and clarity to be worth more than a larger stone of only average quality in these areas.

There are even fancy natural colored diamonds in reds, pinks, blues, greens, yellows, browns and other colors. They vary in color richness or saturation from "faint" to "vivid", with the latter grade reserved for stones with the most vivid and deepest saturation.

The value of a fancy stone depends largely on the rarity of its color (for instance, reds and greens are rarer than yellows and browns); the saturation of the color; and the purity of the color (whether the color is bright and clear or clouded by tinges of other underlying colors). Top grade fancy diamonds are extremely rare and can command tremendous prices. Probably the most famous colored diamond is the Hope, a 45.52-carat deep blue gem that resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Even though diamonds are the hardest known substance on earth, rating a "10" on the Mohs scale of hardness, they can still be damaged if they aren't handled with care. Since only diamonds can scratch other diamonds, it's important to wrap and store your diamond jewelry pieces separately so they aren't touching one another.

Also, diamond jewelry should never be worn during heavy work, since points are vulnerable to chipping and the setting can be loosened. Visit a jewelry retailer every six months to have your diamonds, mountings and settings checked.

As for cleaning, it's always best to have this done by a professional. To clean jewelry at home, you can soak your diamonds in warm, sudsy water made with any mild liquid detergent, brush with a soft toothbrush, then rinse and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Other effective cleaning methods include soaking diamonds in household ammonia, brand-name liquid jewelry cleaners and even a glass of vodka.

Need to find diamond jewelry ? click here

Tips for buying Valentine's day jewelry

Tips for buying Valentine's day jewelry

If the thought of buying Valentine's Day jewelry for your loved one this year leaves you feeling daunted, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) says that these five easy tips can help relieve your worries.

Tip 1: Capture a heart with diamonds and gems.

Just about everyone, girl and guy, loves jewelry, and it's a romantic sentiment that will strike the right chord on virtually any day of the year. But it's important to know what your special interest likes and will happily wear.

On Valentine's Day, girls especially love carefully thought-out symbolism. Think outside the "jewelry" box, such as having a custom-made heart pendant with a red ruby to prove your passion.

Tip 2: Take two important web tutorials at http://www.gia.edu. GIA helps educate the public on how to purchase gems and jewelry and has created two online tutorials that teach the basics of diamonds and gemstones. Each site features an interactive guide -- Lucy in the "How to Buy a Diamond" tutorial, and Ruby Tuesday in "How to Buy a Gemstone in 7 Simplified Steps." Lucy and Ruby reveal some of the most important information needed to make the right buying decision, including the famous Four Cs of diamond value -- color, clarity, cut, and carat weight -- which GIA created in 1953.

Tip 3: Don't wing it. Go to a trusted source.

You'll be an angel when you deliver a delicious box of chocolates, flowers, or football tickets, along with personally engraved jewelry this Valentine's Day. "But the important thing is to ask a jeweler or store if its associates have been professionally trained," says Brook Ellis, GIA's Education vice president. "Find a jeweler with Graduate Gemologist or Accredited Jewelry Professional credentials -- two of the jewelry industry's most well-known and respected titles .Choose your jeweler carefully -- he or she will be of immense help to you throughout your jewelry buying career."

Tip 4: Don't buy a diamond without a GIA report. It's the most trusted authentification in the worldwide jewelry industry, and you should always ask for one when you purchase a diamond. You can request a GIA report from your jeweler or send the diamond to the GIA Laboratory on your own. Visit http://www.gia.edu/gemtradelab/31505/services.cfm for more information about all of GIA's Laboratory services.

Tip 5: Laser inscribe the diamond with a romantic message and get extra security.

The GIA Laboratory will laser-inscribe any message on the gem's girdle (outside edge) for a romantic touch. The diamond's unique report number can even be inscribed and permanently recorded, which can later provide verification if the diamond is ever lost or stolen.With laboratories in New York and California, research facilities in Geneva, Antwerp, and Bangkok, and 14 campuses worldwide, GIA is regarded as the world's foremost authority in gemology. For more information about the GIA Laboratory, Research, or Education, visit http://www.gia.edu, or call 800-421-7250.

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism.

Articles By : Jewelryfinest.com

Men biggest Mistake when buying jewelry ?

Jewelryfinest.com has an amazing selection of jewelry and watches, offering popular jewelry, like - diamond ring, necklaces, rings , earrings, gemstones, pearls and precious metals (silver, gold and platinum) and many more ...Whether you're shopping for yourself or buying a gift, you certainly can't go wrong here !visits us for more info

read more digg story

Get your Jewelry for less , guaranteed !

Jewelryfinest.com has an amazing selection of jewelry and watches, offering popular jewelry, like - diamond ring, necklaces, rings , earrings, gemstones, pearls and precious metals (silver, gold and platinum) and many more ...Whether you're shopping for yourself or buying a gift, you certainly can't go wrong here !Shop with us and Save !

read more digg story

Get your Jewelry for less , guaranteed !

Jewelryfinest.com has an amazing selection of jewelry and watches, offering popular jewelry, like - diamond ring, necklaces, rings , earrings, gemstones, pearls and precious metals (silver, gold and platinum) and many more ...Whether you're shopping for yourself or buying a gift, you certainly can't go wrong here !Shop with us and Save !

read more digg story

Secrets to buy jewelry online

Secrets to buy jewelry online

There are many reasons to buy jewelry online. Often you can save 50 percent or more buying online because e-commerce retailers have lower overhead costs than bricks-and-mortar stores and can pass the savings on to you. And it doesn’t get much easier than making a few clicks on your computer to order that perfect piece.

These seven tips for buying jewelry online will give you the confidence you need to find a great deal on your next jewelry purchase.

1. 
   Know your stuff - Whether it’s pearls, diamonds or gold, do the research before you order. Know the different grades, colors and quality of the precious stones or metals you’re purchasing. Information abounds online, so let the search begin.



2. Search engine savvy - When you use one of the search engines, such as Google, be specific with your request such as ‘pearl jewelry’ or ‘gold ring.’ Usually the top ranked sites are there for good reason. Often they’ve been online for years to attain a high ranking and contain references to what you’ve put in your search parameters. Start exploring the sites on the first couple pages and see what you find.



3. See the guarantee - Once you find an online store that has the jewelry you’re seeking, how can you tell if they’re the real deal? Check to see that they offer a guarantee, a return policy and that the site has secure ordering. Also, make sure there’s a phone number to call if you have any questions.



4. Get wise to the size (and other options) - When you’re ready to order, make sure you have all the correct options in mind. You’ll need the correct size for some pieces such as necklace length or ring size. Other options can include stone type, stone cut, preferred color or setting choices.



5. Surfing the site - Many online jewelry stores group their products by category, such as earrings or necklaces. Often there is a search box to type a word into and look for your particular item. When you see a photo of something you like, move your mouse over the photo. If a little hand appears you can double click on the photo to make it bigger. This should give you a better look at the piece.



6. Ask today, wear tomorrow - If you have any questions about an item or ordering, call or email the online jewelry retailer. Better to ask in advance to get exactly what you’re looking for rather than order and have to return an item. Saves you time and shipping costs



7. Time to buy - You’ve researched, found the perfect item and it’s time to buy. When you’re looking at the item online, follow the directions to click and add the item to your virtual shopping cart and follow the instructions to check out. It’s best to use a credit card rather than an ATM card for added purchase protection. Make sure you know how many days you have to return something if the need arises.

With these tips for buying jewelry online, you can surf for great jewelry deals from the comfort of your favorite chair and make yourself, or someone special, very happy indeed.”

This information Gladly provided by jewelryfinestcom