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Summary:
A special occasion always warrants a special gift. And for an occasion like an
engagement, the ring is the gift which highlights the ceremony. When buying an
engagement ring, the first decision to make would be the ring size. It is
important to note that the ring band (or the part of the ring which surrounds
the finger) should fit comfortably and well. The engagement ring itself comes
in two parts: the setting (which holds the stone) and the band. The setting is
almost always made out of platinum (even on a gold ring) because of the metal's
strength and durability.
A selection can be made whether the stone is gripped by 4 or 6 prongs. A setting
with 4 prongs will show more of the stone, but a setting with 6 prongs is more
secure. But, whether you would want prongs or any other setting which does not
use prongs, for example, a setting which would use a channel to hold the stone,
is a matter of personal preference. The band itself can be made out of
different materials, most common to note would be gold. The gold used in
manufacturing rings is usually alloyed with Nickel, Copper or Zinc to add
strength to the band, as pure gold is known to bend easily.
A 24-carat band is known to be of pure gold, where as an 18-carat band will
usually be about 68% gold. However, if you would want a silver band that rarely
tarnishes, platinum is the metal of choice for the band. But, platinum is much
more rare than gold and costs more. Platinum, known for its durability is a
popular choice for rings. Finally, the selection of the ring style is just as
important. You could either select a simple ring with a single stone (which is
called a solitaire), or a ring with side stones or Baguettes, which will add to
the total price of the ring and is more personalized. 2. How to choose
gemstone. A gemstone is a mineral rock or petrified material that when cut and
polished, can be used as either a collectible or in Jewelry. It is usually the
organic or hard gemstones like diamonds and rubies which are used in Jewelry.
There are four basic gemstones which are considered as cardinal and these are
Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds; and these are classified as precious
stones. Others, which are semi-precious, range from Agate to Zircon, which are
mostly manufactured to imitate precious stones.
The most common semi-precious gemstones are Opal, Cubic Zirconia (which is a
synthetic diamond substitute), Amethyst, Jade, Quartz, Topaz and Lapis Lazuli.
When selecting a gemstone, some important factors to consider would be: a) The
artificial materials used in the gem: Some artificial materials used include
High-Lead glass, and synthetic materials like cubic zirconia, corundum, and
moissanite. These are used to strengthen the material. b) The organic materials
used: these can range from Amber, Bone, Coral, Pearl to Jet (Lignite). c) The
cut of the stone: Some stones, most commonly diamonds, are cut into different
geometrical shapes to reflect their dimensions. Most common cuts are Round,
Radiant, Pear, Oval and Marquise. The cut defines the shape of the stone and
determines the brilliance it reflects. It is the above factors which also
determine the price of the gemstone in addition to the setting that the
gemstone would be in, the carat weight and the color.
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Belly Button Piercing
The Egyptians, the Indians and many other cultures pierced this humble button to show the significance of the person sporting a pierced navel - Royalty, Warriors, exceptional Beauty. |
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