Investing in diamonds has many benefits. First, you have an asset that is flexible, small enough to be kept in a safety deposit box, easily bought and sold without registration, and sale-able in any currency . But another important feature is its ability to be enjoyed as part of a piece of diamond jewelry. Not only can you wear your investment, but using your investment diamond as the centerpiece for a ring, necklace or other piece of diamond jewelry can sometimes increase its value.

Market forces when you decide to sell your diamond will determine whether keeping it as a rough or setting it in a ring was the right decision. As some buyers prefer already set jewelry, so do others prefer loose diamonds. However, if styled and designed carefully and produced with excellent workmanship, mounting or setting your loose diamond will likely pay dividends.

Purchasing rough or uncut diamonds to use in jewelry lets you personalize your investment. You can choose the cut (according to the rough diamond’s limitations) that most appeals to you. Creating a unique item often turns it into an expensive heirloom and is a good way of increasing the value of a rough diamond. It is one of those rare advantages that most buyers/collectors look for.

Regardless of your ultimate goal, whether you hope to create a heirloom, wear your set stone, or increase your investment value, if you have the means to do so, personalizing your diamond investment may be a lucrative decision.

 

Fancy color diamonds Jewelry Options

When considering your jewelry options, you first need to decide what type of piece you would like. Necklaces and bracelets are decidedly feminine, while rings suggest married couples or romantic partners. Don’t forget brooches and earrings, which can be used to round off a fashion collection.

Regarding rings, many people instantly think of engagement rings. Diamond rings of course are traditionally used in proposals. A fancy rare colored diamond would stand out from the more typical white diamond, making your ring a unique symbol of the uniqueness of the relationship.

Diamond earrings are a perfect use of the stones, with several design groups to choose from. Stud earrings are the most versatile as they can be worn with both formal and casual clothing. Hoop earrings are also popular, while drop earrings are designed to hang from the ear and sway with movement. Drop earrings, which tend to be more formal, are a great way to accentuate the stones as light is reflected in the moving earrings and sparkle attractively.

Necklaces can be found in a range of looks. Chains come in many different styles with great variations in thickness and weight. Use your diamond to find the right one to fit your taste and dictate your ultimate choice. One option is to have diamonds implanted in the full length of the chain. Another possibility is to create a solitaire pendant using the simplest, most inconspicuous chain possible to focus maximum attention on the diamond hanging at the bottom of the necklace.

Chain length is an important consideration. A choker of 16 inches will attract attention to the wearer’s neckline; 18 inches, known as “Princess” length, is the most typical dimension and hangs to the collar bones while 24 inches, or  “Opera” length, will drop low over the wearer’s outfit.

Bracelets make up the final major category, and when it comes to diamond jewelry, chain and bangle bracelets are the most commonly chosen. Chains have a great traditional look and like necklaces, provide a wide selection of styles. A collection of bangle bracelets can be worn together, or one can be worn individually to make a simple, stylish statement. Again, remember that you should measure the length of the bracelet needed; standard lengths might slip off the wrist of a very thin woman, for example.

Aside from these major groups, diamond cufflinks can also be a great addition to a man’s wardrobe. Choosing the right base for your diamond depends on your personal taste, your goal and budget, as well as the diamond you want to incorporate. If you are designing a piece as a gift, think about the recipient’s taste and style. In addition, consider the occasion, whether it is a birthday, an anniversary, or just a spontaneous present, and use your own discretion to determine which piece would best suit.

Design of the Setting

No matter which type of jewelry you choose, how the diamond is set in the piece is of great importance. A number of techniques are available and choosing the setting will play an integral part in the piece’s overall look. There are two major styles of stone-setting. The first is the solitaire style, which involves setting a single diamond with no other stones placed around it, so that attention is focused only on that one jewel (and the wearer, of course). Another favorite setting for diamond rings places a large stone in the center of smaller side stones. One example would be “The Ballerina,” where baguettes are placed around a larger diamond. There are a large number of techniques available within these two styles; the following list is a sampling of the most common methods.

While there are particular formats and design concepts used with all jewelry types, this section will focus on rings, as they are the most technical piece, and require the most masterful hands to pull off a good look. Always remember to choose only reputable and well-known jewelers when having your diamond jewelry designed and crafted. It is always worth the extra cost to have an expert opinion add input to your ideas.

Prong Setting

The prong setting is the most popular method for diamond setting, particularly for those who want a solitaire design. The reason for its continued popularity is that the prong setting uses a minimum amount of metal to ensure that the maximum amount of light enters the diamond, allowing it to dazzle in its full brilliance – while also raising the diamond up above the piece to achieve greater visibility.

Thin metal tines, the prongs, extend from the central setting of the stone, arching over and above the diamond at its corners and securing it to the base to hold it in place. Variations on this classic technique include the V-prong setting where the prongs are cut into a v shape at the corners of the diamond, and the shared or common prong setting which allows two or more gemstones to be held side by side in the piece.

Channel Setting

Channel setting provides one of the most secure options available while also being an elegant look in itself. The diamonds are set side by side without prongs separating them; instead they are surrounded by a vertical metallic wall. This can be a good choice if you intend on using diamonds of the same size and importance without a central stone of greater significance. Bar channel setting is also available, where the bar is placed in between each stone to provide even greater security.

Bezel Setting

Bezel setting involves wrapping a frame of precious metal around the stone to hold it in place. This setting provides an eye-catching look and can often give the impression of a larger diamond. Like with the prong setting, the bezel setting allows the gemstone to be raised from the piece to allow greater visibility. A half bezel may also be employed; this involves dividing the surrounding frame into two parts, again allowing for a better view of the diamond while also providing a more contemporary style.

Pavé Setting

Pavé setting is a complicated and costly technique, but the results are stunning. This involves setting numerous small diamonds within the one piece. Each stone is set into small holes drilled into the piece and held in place by tiny prongs or beads. The intention is to cover as much of the metal as possible and create a shimmering, dazzling effect with the light catching many tiny diamonds at one time. Great expertise is needed to properly carry out this method, but the finished piece is sure to impress. A variation on pavé setting is bead setting where the diamonds are spaced more widely apart to give the metal work a more significant role in the overall design.

Choosing the Metal

When choosing the material to house your stone, it is useful to have some knowledge of the main precious metals used in jewelry design. The three most popular choices are platinum, gold, and silver.

Platinum is the hardest, most expensive, and rarest of these precious metals. It is imbued with significant weight, twice the weight of 14-carat gold, which adds to its sense of value. Its other main draw is its natural white luster, which is excellent for bringing out the full vividness of your fancy rare colored diamond. If you can’t afford the cost of platinum, then palladium could be a good alternative. Its price is similar to white gold though it has many of the same properties of platinum and resembles its look, even if it is lighter.

Gold is most traditionally associated with jewelry, particularly when it comes to engagement rings. Pure 24-carat gold is expensive and not particularly durable; because of this, the gold that is used in jewelry is more commonly alloyed with other metals to make it stronger and more affordable. The best compromise between luster, sturdiness, and cost-effectiveness is found between 18-carat (75% purity) and 14-carat (58% purity) gold.

When it comes to mounting colored fancy diamonds, it is often advisable to choose a metal that will enhance the specific color of your jewel. Gold, when alloyed with other metals, can offer a range of colors to choose from. Yellow gold is the most well-known, but you can also choose white gold, which is alloyed with silver or rose gold, which is alloyed with copper.

When polished, treated, and properly cared for, silver has a bright sheen that is unrivalled by either gold or platinum. This trait lends the metal an attention-grabbing elegance when compared to the other precious metals, which makes it a great choice for jewelry. Deciding which metal to use depends on your taste and budget, in addition to color. While the prices of precious metals are subject to market fluctuations, the major precious metals can usually be ranked from the most expensive to the most affordable as platinum, gold, palladium, and silver.

Regarding metal color, there is no wrong answer: simply choose whatever you think looks best for the diamond and the piece as a whole.

A more practical question to ask is what kind of wear and tear you expect the jewelry piece to incur. If the piece is a ring you intend to wear every day, it may be worth investing in a more durable metal. Also, think of the value of your diamond and remember that the metal exists to guard your gemstone: try not to skimp on the jewel’s protection or you may regret it in the future.

Finally, if you have any allergies to certain metals, avoid those. Gold is the metal most likely to cause an allergic reaction, so if you are prone to such reactions, consider platinum or palladium, which are extremely hypoallergenic.

Personalizing your jewelry is a great way to enjoy your investment. Be sure to deal only with experts to safeguard your investment and create a stunning piece of jewelry you are sure to enjoy for years to come.