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The
romance of jewelry is a well documented love affair. Do you remember watching a
movie, in which the protagonist does not propose marriage to his beloved with a diamond? Jewelry, people say, helps us express those emotions, that we cannot
express with words. How though, did this trend come to be? In our first part,
we examined the evolution of jewelry from the ancient to the middle ages. This
part will continue that trend and also answer the question, who invented the
trend of proposing with a diamond ring?
In
the medieval times:
The
medieval times were among the darkest times in human history. Also known as the
dark ages, they were a time of religious persecution and oppression. It was
also at this time that the world got its first taste of quality jewelry. The
Turks having conquered Constantinople, in 1453, had barred the land trading
route between Europe and Asia. This fuelled the era of European seafaring, in the hope of finding an
alternate route to the Indies and Asia. It was around this time that
Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the continent of America and with
it, her vast untapped mineral reserves became available to the Europeans for
the very first time.
From
the ‘new’ world came vast quantities of gold, newer unexplored minerals and
stones like jade and rubies. This led to a boom of sorts, where newer and more
intricate jewelry started being fashioned for the wealthy, those of
aristocratic leanings and for kings. The story of how Louis XIV had his royal
jeweler fashion a new cut of diamond shaped like his amour’s lips is legendary.
So was the Russian Royal family’s obsession with the famed Faberge egg.
But
probably the most famous of all the royal associations is that of the British
Royal family’s with the Kohinoor. Arguably the most famous gem in the world,
the Kohinoor was acquired by Queen Victoria, after the Queen’s proclamation of
1858, that formalised British rule in India. The Kohinoor was part of the
reparations the Indians were levied with for inciting and participating in the
Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. A list of the owners (erstwhile) of the gem is a virtual
who’s who of world history, from Nadir Shah, to Shahjehan and then the Queen of
England.
In
modern times:
Jewelry
has evolved to being more of a style statement today. “Diamonds and rap have become almost synonymous. The bling tradition,
where the more ice you have on your person means the higher your social
standing is a direct correlation between hip-hop and diamonds,” says Lydia
Dunham, a celebrity stylist, “Some of the
biggest consumers of diamonds are the modern royalty, like movie stars and
A-list celebrities.” Today, you aren’t in love until and unless you are
displaying a one-of-a-kind diamond ring. This trend was popularised by the De
Beers Diamond Company. Likening diamonds to eternal love was a marketing
masterstroke. Infusing popular culture with diamonds saw the golden age (pun
intended) of the trade come into being. The line, “Diamonds are forever”,
changed the way we perceive diamonds.
Jewels
in popular culture have been celebrated as the ultimate symbols of love. So
much have they pervaded our lives that we’ve named movies, books and even
children after them. The use of jewelry these days is, as a unique reflection
of your personal. There may have been wars fought to secure jewels, but for one
thing, they will always remain an intensely personal experience!
“When the night was finally done,
The day shone its bright light,
One thing reminded us of the night,
A diamond, with moonlight sparkling
through!” Author Unknown
Words cannot do justice to the splendor and majesty of a diamond. In any
shape or size, a diamond always sets the wearer a cut above the crowd. Call it
nature’s miracle or the jeweler’s craft, a beautifully cut diamond, worn simply
as a solitaire pendant, or ring, simply elevates the most mundane outfit, into
a style statement. So whether you possess the Hope Diamond, or a single diamond
ring as a sign of your significant other’s unyielding affection, with a diamond you possess a piece of eternity.
The shape that a diamond is cut in makes it suitable for a particular
type of jewelry. Be it a ring, a pendant or a pair of earrings, certain cuts of
diamonds are better suited to a particular kind of jewelry than certain other
cuts.
In this, the final part of our series on the world’s most desirable
diamond cuts, we will take an in-depth look at the Heart Shaped Diamond. We
will understand its uses, examine it vis-a-vis other diamonds and learn a bit
about its history.
Heart Shaped Diamonds:
The modified brilliant-cut
heart shaped diamond is a unique and unmistakable symbol of love. Heart shaped diamonds are very popular in solitaire pendants as well as rings. When choosing
a heart, symmetry is a very important characteristic, since it is critical that
the two halves of the heart are identical. The cleft (between the two lobes)
should be sharp and distinct, and the wings (the sides as they curve down to
the point) should have a very slightly rounded shape.
Heart shaped diamonds of less
than .50 carats may not be a good choice, as the heart shape is more difficult
to perceive in smaller diamonds, especially after they are set in prongs. For
smaller hearts, a bezel or three prong setting (one prong on each lobe, one
prong at the point) will better preserve the heart shape outline of the diamond
after it is set.
Heart shaped diamonds come in a variety of silhouettes, from narrow to
fat. The choice of a particular silhouette should be dictated by personal
preference, though the length to width ratio of a classic heart shaped diamond
is approximately 1.00. For hearts that are to be set in pendants, buyers may
prefer a slightly narrow cut (1.05 - 1.15), while for hearts set in a solitaire
ring, a slightly wide cut (.85 - 1.00) may be most appealing.
Glossary of terms: Things to remember
when reading this series
There are certain recurring terms in this series that need to be
understood in order to better comprehend both shapes and uses of the various
cuts of diamonds.
Brilliant-Cut: Generally
refers to a cut of diamonds of any shape with facets that are triangular or
kite-shaped and that radiate from the centre. The most brilliant cut is round
with 58 facets.
Fire: The light that reflects out of a diamond
can appear in brilliant white flashes, or in a rainbow of color, referred to as
fire.
Brilliance: Brilliance refers to the brightness of a diamond, created by the
combination of all the white light reflections from the surface and the inside
of a polished diamond to the eye.
Length
to Width Ratio: The length to width (L/W) ratio is calculated by dividing
a diamond's length (the longer measure) by its width (the shorter measure that
runs perpendicular to length).
Sources:
Giving a gift can be just as fulfilling as receiving one.
But no one can deny that actually buying the gift is often an arduous task. It
is important to give a gift that makes it apparent that you had the receiver’s interests
in mind. It shows thoughtfulness and gives the impression that you really care
about the individual. Whether you are looking for hand crafted, ready-made or
elaborate gifts such as diamonds New York City’s
merchants are your ideal source
Music is a wonderful gift. It inspires the soul and warms
the heart. Look for albums that are produced by the recipient’s favorite artist
or those that fall in a genre that fits the personality. If you are buying a
gift for an adventurous, active and outgoing person who is a lover of
excitement then maybe rock or hip hop is the best genre. New York is the music
Mecca of the world and as such it won’t be difficult to find genre based or
popular musical gifts in this city.
Someone who loves to read or is a collector of books will be
thrilled to receive an anthology from their favorite poet or novelist. Consider
the genre that the person loves whether it be science fiction, horror, mystery,
romance or adventure.
Jewelry makes an exquisite and impressive gift item. When it
comes to genuine gold silver or diamonds
New York has one of the best offerings in terms of variety and quality.
These necklaces, rings and bracelets are sure to wow female gift receivers.
Diamonds are particularly favored by women and make for a perfect gift during
romantic moments such as Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or engagement.
Some people go crazy for home made gifts. If you are gifted
in that way you may consider craft as a means of creating a unique gift that
says a lot about how you feel. The city has its fair share of craft shops
dedicated to helping you find that perfectly artistic and heart-warming item.
Of course you can also have these hand-made treasures embellished with beautiful loose diamomds.
New York is the place to be if you’re looking for exquisite
diamonds. The city is known to many as the bling capital of the world and with
good reason. It is home to many of the more prominent diamond dealers in the
country and the world. Shop around to find the best
diamonds New York has to offer as gift items for the special person in
your life.
“Will you marry me?”He asked. Then he opened the box. She
looked and there she saw their future as clear as the sixteen carat diamond
embedded in its precious platinum metal envelope. A “yes” he hoped for just as he earlier asked
his friend if he knew any of stores with diamonds in New York.
These sentiments are in many cases attempted with a small
box which houses the hopes of many men that are placed in a well cut diamond
that represents the hope that their intended recipients will accept the
gesture.
Diamonds have since long been used as tokens of promise,
friendships and as a sign of endearing eternal love. These gift ideas are not confined to the notion
that men give diamonds to women but, also the other way around. Diamond encrusted watches have in recent
times become a new fashion fad among men of all sects. Chains, rings, pendants and bracelets are
some of the types of jewelry that seem to cross the gender borders when the
moment arises. Women on the other hand
would in many cases love to have their beds completely covered in these
precious polished gems in any form along with roses or any other preferred
fauna. A bottle of wine wouldn’t hurt
either.
Many patrons of the stones buy them in order to create their own memories either by bestowing it on a soul mate, strengthening a friendship or reminding someone that they are forever there and will continue to be. Diamonds in New York have visited many places in the world, especially cathedrals or any other place that people say to each other, “I am yours forever.”
These precious stones come in a wide range of colors and
shapes and are in most cases priced in terms of what diamond traders call the four
C’s. These include: carat, cut, clarity
and color. Famous stores in the “Big Apple” are famous for their
fine quality diamonds in New York
that are imported from the finest traders worldwide. The famous 47 th Street in Manhattan
is said to be responsible for highlighting New York as the Diamond capital of
the western world.
Diamonds are envied for their finished beauty and the
stories that conceptualize their existence.
Most famous diamonds have evolved from famous love stories or great
empires that passed leaving behind magnificence and a memory.
If you are planning to visit New York anytime before
Christmas, be sure to take a look around its Diamond District. Located in New York City on West 47th Street
linking Fifth Avenue
and Sixth Avenue,
it is the ideal place for all your special gifts shopping. This is the one of
the primary centers of the global diamond industry, making it the ‘it’ place
for buying loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. It is believed that over 90
percent of diamonds that enter the country go through the Diamond District to
other dealers and retailers all over the country. This translates into loose
diamonds being cheapest as compared to any reputable retail jewelry store, and
the consumer getting the widest choice. This being said, if you want to buy diamonds in New York there may be a few things to keep in mind
before jumping into a cab to get there.
You should be prepared to spend a lot of
time in the area. If you just have an hour or two to spare and expect to get a
priceless diamond, it won’t happen, unless you have already chosen a
trustworthy diamond trader to deal with. Those who do not do their homework,
simply have to rely on their luck and patience to find the desired diamond at
the right price. The ‘homework’ refers to finding a reputable diamonds trading
company that ensures high quality diamonds at an affordable price. If you have
no idea or references, simply search for official websites online and shortlist
a few. There are many diamonds traders in NYC that even have diamond
connoisseurs to educate and advice customers. These are the companies you
should consider.
Another bit to do is, know the basics of
diamonds and diamond buying. Once you know about the 4 Cs and what makes a
diamond beautiful and valuable, the rest is just a numbers game. All you need
to do is have a rough budget in mind, decide the cut and other specifications
of the diamond you are
interested in buying, and then alone start the hunt. Many buyers make the
mistake of settling for the first stone that fulfills their requirements.
Instead of this, it may be wise to look at a few that you like and then compare
them to end up with the best diamond. Be sure to compare prices and not refrain
from asking any question that may pass through your mind. For example, ask why
a particular diamond is costing more than another with similar grading and certification.
Rest assured that if you do the research
beforehand, you will end up with the best
diamonds in New York, for a
price that is lesser than anywhere else in the country.
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