Science Impinges On The Diamond Cartel’s Stranglehold:  Innovation spawns a flawless mined diamond preference.  Polycrystalline diamond-simulant gem material trumps mined diamonds with more fire! At a miniscule fraction of the cost of both natural diamonds and moissanite, they cut glass, display perfect color, and have no birthmarks!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Jewelers that make money pushing insurance and insurance companies peddling jewelry coverage will not crunch the numbers for you.  You don't need a forensic account to realize that simply purchasing synthetic or simulant diamonds is a sensible alternative.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Marketers have known for decades that diamonds are the most coveted and grossly overpriced product in the world.  21^st century scientists have responded with magnificent diamond simulants that duplicate or best the aesthetic characteristics of mined natural diamonds for pennies on the dollar.  Growing legions of diamond traders have fears that increased marketing and sales of synthetic diamonds could have an impact on world exports of diamonds, which are a highly liquid commodity in the international market.

Wedding festivities last for only a few hours, but the rings exchanged on that special day will last a lifetime. The bride is typically given an engagement ring at the time of engagement and both the bride and groom exchange wedding bands at the ceremony.

A little known fact about jewelry is that some people are actually allergic to certain alloys found in gold. If that’s the case with either the soon-to-be bride or groom, 18kt or 24kt gold contains less alloys and may therefore not cause an allergy to the metal. The same is true with Platinum, which does not contain alloys that are present in gold.

Diamonds are the traditional choice for engagement rings, but many brides have opted to wear a birthstone or other favorite gemstone in place of a diamond. These days, any ring can serve as an engagement ring. If budget is an issue, a simulated diamond is often used because they are less expensive and provide a bold appearance. There are many obvious choices for gemstones, including the traditional diamond, as well as a variety of metal settings to consider.

Sterling Silver is the most affordable of all precious metals. A quality sterling silver item would be stamped .925, which confirms it’s silver content. Sterling silver is a very hard metal and will last for years, but it will tarnish over time. A simple polishing cloth and proper storage will keep sterling silver jewelry beautiful.

Platinum is the most expensive of all metals and is also the hardest. It’s rare and precious nature has allowed it to remain one of the most highly sought after and valuable metals in existence. It’s silver in color, much like white gold but with a warmer appearance. Because it is not mixed with various alloys as gold is, allergy sufferers can often enjoy wearing platinum without any problem. However, they will pay a much higher price tag than gold wearers.

Of all gold metals, 10kt is the most affordable and durable. It does not tarnish and, because it contains less gold and more alloy, it is less expensive and more readily available than other metals.

The classic 14kt gold is more expensive than 10kt and is also common among the jewelry marketplace. It is the standard by which most jewelry is made.

Higher on the scale is 18kt gold, which is more rare than either 10kt or 14kt gold. In addition, it is also softer. It contains more gold and less alloy, which lends to the theory that it may also be less troublesome to allergy sufferers. Because of it’s high gold content, 18kt gold may be able to be worn by anyone who has shown allergies to other metals.

The most pure form of gold is found in 24kt gold jewelry, which is the rarest of all gold. It is very soft and flexible. In fact, that average person could bend 24kt gold with very little effort, which means it must be given special care. When you look at 24kt gold, you will notice a bright yellow sheen that you would compare to a butter texture. It’s exclusive status and rare existence have made 24kt gold a very expensive, and highly admired, member of the gold family.

Once you’ve chosen a preferred metal, there are even more options to consider when buying wedding bands. For example, they can be engraved with a wedding date, couple’s name or loving inscription. The wedding band is simple in design yet it’s meaning is anything but. A never ending circle of gold, which symbolizes never ending love. It has no beginning and no end, but it is present nonetheless. Much like love, the wedding band is designed to withstand years of wear.


 

Article by Cynthia - Wedding Party Help

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Wedding & Engagement Rings,