Man In Progress Quenching Your Thirst For Knowledge

13Mar/110

Finding the Right Diamonds

When giving someone a gorgeous ring or piece of jewelry, it's essential that you give quality. The truth of the matter is that most people can tell the difference between a good diamond and one that is either made of glass or another material. That is why it's a good idea to look for man made diamonds to use in your jewelry in order to give that special someone something that they will cherish for a very long time. You will be sure that they love wearing their item on a regular basis because it is of the best quality.

Size - 6.5 - 10k White Gold Round Cut White and Brown Chocolate Diamond Womens Ladies Anniversary Fashion 5mm Ring Band (1/2 cttw, G - H Color, I1 Clarity)Another thing to take into consideration would be the fact that chocolate diamonds are one of the most popular currently in the fashion world. Almost everyone wants to have chocolate diamonds because they look rich and sophisticated against virtually any skin tone. You can choose to use them in a gorgeous necklace or in a beautiful ring that you will be giving to your loved one for a special occasion. The rich hue of the chocolate diamond really enables it to stand out as compared to others of its caliber.

You will first want to find a reputable company to purchase your man made diamonds from. This ensures that you are buying the best quality that you can possibly find. Because so many people try to pass off low quality diamonds for better ones, you will want to research a particular company thoroughly before deciding to buy anything from them. This is especially true if you happen to be buying anything online. Most people will write reviews for a specific jeweler that you will be able to read and to decipher for yourself if you would like to buy your items from them or if you want to choose another seller online.

23Feb/110

Art Deco Engagement Ring Prices

Art deco engagement rings are a unique way to show your style as well as your commitment.  But are they affordable to you?

The art deco period began in 1925, and was inspired by a number of different cultural influences.  From recently excavated Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art, to an influence from Eastern styles, art deco took its inspiration from a number of different places.  The main characteristics of art deco style are the use of deep, bold colors, and geometric shapes, lines, and patterns.  Art deco had a huge influence on jewelry, and art deco engagement rings continue to be popular today.

14K White Gold Art Deco Style Engagement Diamond Ring, TDW 1.06 Cts., GIA CertifiedIf you are on a tight budget for buying your engagement ring, don't worry.  You can still get the art deco engagement ring that you have your heart set on.  In fact, art deco engagement ring prices start as low as a few hundred dollars.  Rings in this price range use smaller diamonds, and many of them contain non-diamond gemstones, such as amethyst or aquamarine.  This can be a great choice because these gemstones fit the bold colors of the art deco style, while being less expensive that diamonds.  In the $400 to $500 price range you can find many art deco diamond engagement rings with elegant filigree patterns.  Art deco engagement rings can be as expensive as your budget will allow, though.  For rings that use stones larger than 1 carat, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2000 to $10,000.

Another option is to go with art deco antique engagement rings.  Many of the rings that you will find are actually modern-made rings designed in the art deco style.  But there are many antique rings from the actual art deco period available.  These rings can be surprisingly affordable, starting around only $400.

Engagement ring prices for art deco style rings, and for genuine art deco antique rings, range from a very affordable few hundred dollars, to tens of thousands.  Rest assured that you can find a beautiful art deco engagement ring whatever your budget is.

21Feb/110

Heart Shaped Significance

We are all familiar with the traditional representation of the heart: that well-known shape has been used for as long as we can remember and can be found in drawings, paintings, clothing and especially jewelry. So when you wear your adorable heart bracelet or open heart ring, where does the symbolism come from and why is it so popular in jewelry products?

Obviously the pictorial representation that we all know bears little resemblance to the immediately obvious icon. One speculation promoted by many is that the shape originates from nature – specifically, from the seed of the silphium plant, which is now thought to be extinct but which had various medical uses. From what we know today, it was thought to be a cure for a wide variety of ailments such as a sore throat, indigestion, warts and fever. It was also used for birth control in Ancient Egypt, and since the seeds of the plant are similar in shape to the common heart shape, the connection seems to be obvious. Not all authorities agree, however, so some caution is needed before proclaiming this idea too far. Other claims are that it originates from the ivy leaf, or even from it's use in heraldry.

Sterling Silver Marcasite and Garnet Colored Glass Heart Pendant, 18"Whatever the origin, in matters of love the heart shape reigns supreme. Around the time of Valentine's Day each year, for example, the appropriate cards and gifts for one lover to buy for another are prominently decorated with red heart-shaped symbols. And jewelry, frequently bought by a man to signify his love for his special lady, is available is a multitude of heart-shaped products. Indeed, by the time you have seen heart earrings, brooches, rings, necklaces and bracelets, it is hard to imagine where the ingenuity of jewelry makers has failed to use this shape. It is developed even further in jewelry pieces such as the Claddagh ring, a jewelry piece originating in Ireland in the 17th Century and one that shows a heart held by two hands and topped with a crown. These three together combine love, friendship and loyalty (the heart, the hands and the crown respectively), thus cementing the link between love and the heart.

Just take a look at a jeweler's offerings if you need more convincing about the importance of the heart shape. After you have the evidence of variations such as double heart rings and open heart necklaces, you may be no nearer to being one hundred per cent certain about where the heart shape initially came from, but you will know that it is here to stay.