How to Read a GIA Diamond Report

GIA Diamond Grading Report Provides Most Respected Diamond Analysis

Items of significant value typically come with important documentation. Houses have deeds. Vehicles have titles and registration. Purebred pets have pedigree papers. And a college education is validated with a diploma. But what about something as important as a diamond? The answer is that independent support documentation is available for diamonds, too, to verify their quality and provide positive identification.

The most widely used and recognized means of verifying a diamond’s quality is with a GIA Diamond Grading Report™ or GIA Diamond Dossier®, provided by the internationally recognized, nonprofit Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

A report from GIA provides an expert analysis of the quality of a diamond based upon the 4Cs of diamond grading: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The GIA Diamond Grading Report also includes a plotting diagram which depicts the diamond’s unique clarity characteristics, such as inclusions.  In addition, since GIA is not affiliated with any commercial enterprise, the public is assured the world’s most impartial and accurate analysis of a diamond.

The GIA Laboratory employs hundreds of highly trained diamond graders, gemologists, and research technicians and scientists to ensure the highest caliber of analysis for every diamond submitted for grading. Some of the world’s most famous diamonds have been graded by GIA Laboratory experts, including the legendary Hope Diamond (45.52 carats) and the De Beers Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats).

GIA only grades unmounted diamonds, and the fee for services varies based on the weight of the diamond. For an additional fee, the unique GIA Report Registry number can be micro-laser inscribed onto the diamond’s girdle (thin outer edge). This unique number provides added security to the diamond’s owner. The owner can also choose to inscribe a personal message, such as “I Love You,” a special date, or any message of choice. The number or wording is permanently registered in GIA’s archive database.

Diamonds weighing 1.99 carats or less can be issued a GIA Diamond Dossier®. This report provides the same information as the GIA Diamond Grading Report, except for the plotting diagram. The micro-laser inscription of the diamond’s unique GIA Report number is included for each diamond receiving a Dossier at no additional charge.

The most convenient way for the public to obtain a GIA Diamond Grading Report or Diamond Dossier, or to request laser inscription services from the GIA  Laboratory, is to request services through a local fine jewelry retailer. Retail jewelers are more familiar with the care and handling of diamonds and jewelry, are better equipped to facilitate service arrangements, and are uniquely qualified to advise the public on the importance and interrelationship of features discussed in a GIA Grading Report.

A consumer information report in The Wall Street Journal noted, “Every diamond should come with a grading certificate from an accredited gemological laboratory; the jewelers we talked to agree that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an independent nonprofit organization, is the most trustworthy.”

GIA, established in 1931 and regarded as the world’s foremost authority in gemology, is noted for such achievements as inventing the modern jeweler’s loupe (1934), creating the 4Cs (late 1930s), and establishing the International Diamond Grading System™ (1953) – which is recognized worldwide as the standard for diamond grading.

Jewelry Cleaning - Quick and Easy Steps to Cleaning Diamonds to Renew Shine and Brilliance

You’d be amazed (and chagrined) at what your jewelry appraiser sees through the microscope. Soap scum, grease, garden dirt, skin cells, little hairs and living flora and fauna will collect in crevasses and pack themselves into the pockets beneath gemstones unless the owner carries out a disciplined cleaning program.

Over time, this accumulation can cause a stubborn rash on the finger. Inherited or other pre-owned jewelry should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected for repair before being worn by its new owner.
Your jewelry must be clean to be truly beautiful. Diamonds, in particular, derive their beauty solely from the way they refract, reflect and disperse light. The least bit of film from skin oil, soap or hand lotion will change the refractive index from that of diamond to that of grease, and most of the brilliance will be lost. Diamonds, in particular, have a natural affinity for grease, and need to be cleaned every day.

The world of jewelry is a big one, and there are some items that you just should not attempt to clean at all. Those would include hair jewelry (popular in the Victorian era); jewelry set with real scarabs, butterflies and other delicate materials; jewelry with foil-backed stones; and jewelry whose materials are in doubt. In addition, there may be a natural patina (as opposed to dirt) on antique jewelry that should not be removed, and some modern jewelry may have applied finishes that could be damaged if not handled with care. When in doubt, be conservative. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage that may befall your jewelry in your attempts to clean it. 

The vast majority of jewelry, however, can be cleaned to a greater or lesser extent. We will examine the various methods, starting with the most gentle and continuing to the more vigorous.

Use a safe environment

Guard against losing a stone during the cleaning. Often, especially on jewelry that has been worn a lot, or pieces with very lightweight settings, the build-up of grime may actually be all that is keeping a stone in its setting! Cleaning off the grime could dislodge the stone. While this would be inconvenient, it is a lot better than having the stone fall out in an uncontrolled environment. Carry out the cleaning in a small bowl, and check carefully for missing stones before pouring out the solution. 

Invisibly set jewelry is very popular. These gems are cut to fit together, held from beneath by grooves cut into the mounting. Be very careful cleaning this type of jewelry. Press you finger against the tops of the stones while brushing from beneath, and be gentle.

Wipe with a damp cloth
Use this method for the most delicate jewelry. It can also be used to gently clean most jewelry. Dampen a soft flannel cloth with warm water and wipe the jewelry. Use this method for cleaning pearl strands, amber, jet, ivory and other delicate organic gems.

For a slightly more intense cleaning, clean gently with warm soapy water

Soak jewelry for a few minutes in a small bowl of warm water with a little dishwashing liquid added. You might brush gently, using a soft facial brush or a cosmetic brush such as used to apply eye shadow. This would be a good method for cleaning a pearl ring and jewelry set with turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite, coral, and similar stones.

Brush with ammonia, rinse and dry
If very dirty, dip jewelry in alcohol to cut any grease. Use a child’s soft-bristle toothbrush. Dip the brush in sudsy household ammonia and brush the stones on all sides, especially the bottoms and sides. Brush the mounting and rinse. If the back of the stone is difficult to reach, a tiny inter-dental brush (used to clean between the teeth and available at most large grocers) may do the trick. Use a soft flannel cloth to wipe any remaining film off the metal, especially the inside of ring shanks. This is a safe way to clean emerald-set jewelry and opals with accent diamonds that need cleaning. It is also useful for cleaning jewelry where the stones may be glued in.

Soak in ammonia, brush and rinse

Soak from a few minutes to overnight, depending on dirt build-up, in sudsy household ammonia. I recommend soaking your diamond ring every day, either overnight or in the morning while getting ready for the day. Brush around and under the stones, using a soft-bristled child’s toothbrush, and/or an inter-dental brush. Wipe the mounting with a soft flannel cloth to remove any remaining film. This method is safe for diamonds and all faceted colored stones except those such as emerald that might be filled with oil. Do not use this, or any of the methods listed below, for organic gems such as pearls, any jewelry that may have foil-back stones or stones that may be glued into the mountings as is the case with many earrings.

Sonic cleaning

Department stores and mail-order catalogs sell small vibrating sonic jewelry cleaners for home use. These are gentler than the powerful ultrasonic cleaners used by jewelers and can be safely used for diamonds and all faceted colored stones. They are usually safe for emeralds (that might be filled with oil) if left in for only a few minutes. They are also good for chains and other gold jewelry. Use water or the cleaning solution sold with the cleaner. Never put ammonia in a sonic or ultrasonic cleaner, as the heat will create toxic fumes.

Clean with Water-Pick

A very useful tool for cleaning your jewelry as well as your teeth! It is the only way I can get my invisibly set wedding ring really clean. Do this after you have used the "soak and brush" method to soften the grime. The water jet can be messy, so I work inside a plastic bag or under water. Set the pulse on "medium" and direct the jet under and around the stones. With invisibly set jewelry, clean the stones first from the top, then from the bottom while pressing your finger against the stones from the top. I have found this method very effective for cleaning emerald jewelry (skipping the soaking step.) If you use a detergent in the water tank, be sure to rinse thoroughly and run a tank of clear water through the unit when finished.

Boil gently, cool slowly

Restrict this method of cleaning to jewelry that just won’t clean up by other methods. Even though boiling is listed as safe for several stones, I strongly suggest you restrict this method to rubies, diamonds and sapphires (the colors of the American flag). Follow the directions carefully, making sure to avoid "thermal shock" (sudden and extreme temperature change) that can fracture a stone. In other words, do not drop the jewelry in water that is already boiling! You will need a pan of room-temperature water, and a strainer that will keep the jewelry off the bottom of the pan. A screen-like strainer will work, as will a tea strainer. Use a small amount of laundry or dishwashing detergent in the water. Put the jewelry in the strainer, and suspend in the pan. Slowly bring the pot of water to a boil, and boil for 10-20 minutes. Watch carefully, and do not leave the jewelry unattended! Do not add cold water if the water level falls; that could cause thermal shock. Remove the pan from the burner and let cool slowly. Once the water is back to room temperature, you may give the jewelry a final brushing, rinse and dry. Your jewelry should be sparkling clean. (Remember to check for missing stones.)

Ultrasonic cleaning

These cleaners send ultrasonic waves through a cleaning solution to remove dirt. These are much stronger than the sonic cleaners used at home, and can fracture some delicate gems. They can also shake out stones that are insecurely set. The red, white and blue rule works well here. Rubies, diamonds and sapphires are usually safe in the ultrasonic cleaner. One exception may be certain diamonds or colored gems that have been clarity enhanced by filling fractures with a colorless substance. Some of these fillings may be removed by the ultrasonic cleaner. They can also be damaged by the jeweler’s torch during repairs. If you own such a stone, be sure to inform anyone attempting to clean or repair it. The treatment is not easily detectable and could be overlooked. (Should the filling be damaged or removed, some stones can be re-treated.) You probably will never use an ultrasonic machine at home, but your jeweler may use one to give your jewelry a good cleaning. If you own a delicate gemstone such as tanzanite or peridot, be sure that an inexperienced sales person does not mistakenly try to clean it in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Cleaning supplies

·  Soft flannel cloth

·  Soft brush: child’s soft-bristled toothbrush, complexion brush

·  Inter-dental brush

·  Eye shadow or similar small brush

·  Water-Pik®

·  Sonic vibrating cleaner

·  Pan with screen-type strainer that will hold jewelry below water level, or tea strainer that will hang below the water but stay off the pan bottom.

·  Ivory liquid or similar mild dishwashing liquid

Once you have your jewelry sparkling clean, it should be easy to keep up with daily care. One caution: it is dangerous to remove your rings while outside the house. Carry a tiny bag where you can put earrings if they are removed at the hairdressers, etc. Never wrap jewelry in a facial tissue, which can be accidentally discarded. If you are away from home and remove a ring while washing your hands or applying hand lotion, I recommend holding it between your teeth. Too many rings have been lost in public restrooms.

How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

Buying the Ring: How Much Dough to Blow

Many women dream of a surprise proposal and engagement ring. However, for the man, whilst the actual proposal and purchase of the engagement ring can be exciting, it can also be one of the most daunting times in his life.
It is not an easy task to pick out the perfect diamond ring for your loved one, one that fits and that you can afford. Keep the following in mind:


1. Think of it as a “permanent car.”
You need to change the way you’re thinking of the ring. Don’t think of it like jewelry. Don’t think of it like a bauble. Instead, think of it the way you think of a car… but a car that you will drive every day for the rest of your life. You wouldn’t blink at spending thousands on a car, right? The ring is no different than a car, no different whatsoever. (Never mind the fact that the ring doesn’t transport you anywhere, has no storage capacity, and is essentially, well, useless.)


2. Tradition says "Two Months' Salary."
Cruel? Exorbitant? Extortion? Maybe, but this is the industry standard. Actually, there is a method to this madness. The thought is that if the guy can save up two month’s salary, at least there’s some basic stability in his life, as opposed to an 18-year-old with $97 bucks to his name. Some people say one month, some say three, some say it shouldn’t matter… but this is your safest route. By the way, a lot of sites have “widgets” to help you calculate the amount you to spend if you follow this rule of thumb. Hint: two months out of twelve is 16.66666666%. You don't need a widget. And you might be wondering…is that pre-tax or post-tax? Does it include your annual bonus? Before or after you account for 401(k) withholdings? All fair questions, but they all sort of miss the boat. The two months' salary adage is just to get you in the ballpark. No one will grill you on the exact dollars or percents. That said, pretax, and if your bonus is relatively guaranteed, yep, I’d throw it in the calculation.


3. Don’t choke yourself (and her) with debt.
You don’t want to be a cheapskate. But you also don’t want to kneecap your marriage with a mountain of debt. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make rent, and you’re still doing back flips to retire student loans…you’re actually doing your future wife a disservice by hampering your financial security.


4. Never fake it.
It’s tempting. You might see some ad for Cubic Zirconium or Moissanite and think that yes—yes!—you can get her the massive rock she wants and save yourself thousands of dollars. Don’t do it. For the rest of your life, you will have the nagging suspicion that she will figure out the truth, you’ll feel guilty, and you’ll be ashamed. Besides, not to get all schmaltzy, but if the ring is a symbol of your relationship and fidelity, do you really want that symbol to be a lie? Just sayin’. It you truly can’t afford a diamond right now consider a different gemstone, like her birthstone (unless it happens to be April... a diamond.)


5. Remember that this is only a symbol.
Yes, this is slightly contradictory to #1 above, but such is the joy and madness that is diamond rings. To reiterate, you really should think of this as more a lifelong car than a shiny trinket. But. That said…take a deep breath and remember that this is not why she loves you. She doesn’t love you for the size of your rock, she loves you for the size of your…heart.

Diamond Shapes

The classic diamond is, to most people, a round gem of sparkling white brilliance with a kaleidoscope of dazzling facets to entice the eye.

Yes and no. Diamonds are natural crystals of varying size and shape formed in the earth over millions of years. The traditional round brilliant diamond, though the most popular diamond shape of all, is hardly the whole story.

By the diamond cutter's art these crystals are carved into gems of spectacular and whimsical beauty. A cutter's skill will produce a diamond of the greatest size with the fewest flaws and the most brilliance.

Diamonds come in a variety of shapes. Do not confuse cut with shape. Cut is what determines how well-cut your diamond is, where as diamond shape is the shape it was cut into.

Round Brilliant Diamonds 

This shape has set the standard for all other diamond shapes, and accounts for more than 75% of diamonds sold today. Its 58-facet cut, divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part) and pavilion (base), is calibrated through a precise formula to achieve the maximum in fire and brilliance.

Oval Diamonds

An even, perfectly symmetrical design popular among women with small hands or short fingers. Its elongated shape gives a flattering illusion of length to the hand.

Marquise Diamonds 

An elongated shape with pointed ends inspired by the fetching smile of the Marquise de Pompadour and commissioned by the Sun King, France's Louis XIV, who wanted a diamond to match it. It is gorgeous when used as a solitaire or when enhanced by smaller diamonds.

Pear Shaped Diamonds

A hybrid cut, combining the best of the oval and the marquise, it is shaped most like a sparkling teardrop. It also belongs to that category of diamond whose design most complements a hand with small or average-length fingers. It is particularly beautiful for pendants or earrings.

Heart Shaped Diamonds 

This ultimate symbol of romance is essentially a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top. The skill of the cutter determines the beauty of the cut. Look for a stone with an even shape and a well-defined outline.

Emerald Cut Diamond

This is a rectangular shape with cut corners. It is known as a step cut because its concentric broad, flat planes resemble stair steps. Since inclusions and inferior color are more pronounced in this particular cut, take pains to select a stone of superior clarity and color.

Princess Cut Diamond

This is a square or rectangular cut with numerous sparkling facets. It is a relatively new cut and often finds its way into solitaire engagement rings. Flattering to a hand with long fingers, it is often embellished with triangular stones at its sides. Because of its design, this cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamond's depth in order to maximize brilliance.

Trillion Diamonds

This is a spectacular wedge of brittle fire. First developed in Amsterdam, the exact design can vary depending on a particular diamond's natural characteristics and the cutter's personal preferences. It may be a traditional triangular shape with pointed corners or a more rounded triangular shape with 25 facets on the crown, 19 facets on the pavilion, and a polished girdle. It is definitely for the adventurous.

Radiant Cut Diamonds

This square or rectangular cut combines the elegance of the emerald shape diamond with the brilliance of the round, and its 70 facets maximize the effect of its color refraction. Because of its design, this cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamond's depth in order to maximize brilliance.

Cushion Cut Diamond

An antique style of cut that looks like a cross between an Old Mine Cut (a deep cut with large facets that was common in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries) and a modern oval cut.

The shape of things to come in diamonds has already produced other fanciful and innovative styles such as the flower, cloverleaf, triangle and kite. Nor does it stop there. Some cuts are variations on standard shapes, others spin off the natural crystal formation of the stone, and still others take the idea of shape to revolutionary new heights. Individuality and taste determine the fashion, and the magic of the gem cutter transforms each stone into a unique work of art.

The GIA 4C's grading system

Because diamonds are so valuable, it’s essential to have a universal grading system for comparing their quality. In the 1940s and ’50s, GIA developed the 4Cs and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ to objectively compare and evaluate diamonds.

The Four Cs of diamond quality will give you a multitude of information about a diamond’s characteristics and value, but they can’t begin to describe one elusive quality – beauty. To do that, you’ll need to experience the diamond with your own eyes.

Carat Weight

Carat weight is the most intuitive of the 4Cs – you expect a larger diamond to be worth more when assigning diamond values.

Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed using metric carats with one carat weighing about the same as a small paper clip, or 0.2 grams. Just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points which means that a diamond of 50 points weighs 0.50 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other three characteristics of a diamond’s 4Cs: clarity, color, and cut.

Because even a fraction of a carat can represent a considerable difference in cost when purchasing diamonds, exact precision is crucial. In the diamond industry, weight is measured to a thousandth of a carat and rounded to the nearest hundredth. Each hundredth is called a point (a 0.25 ct. diamond would be called a “twenty-five pointer”). Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. (For instance, a 1.08 ct. stone would be described as “one point oh eight carats,” or “one oh eight.”)

What are "magic sizes"?
Some weights are considered "magic sizes" - half carat, three-quarter carat, and carat. Visually, there's little difference between a 0.99ct. diamond and one that weighs a full carat. But the price differences between the two can be significant.

Color

The Color of the diamond is all about what you can't see.

Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness – the less color, the higher the value. Most diamonds found in jewelry stores run from colorless to near-colorless with slight hints of yellow or brown. The only exceptions are the fancy-color diamonds that lie outside of this range.

GIA's diamond color-grading scale is the industry’s most widely accepted grading system. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues, with increasing presence of color, to the letter Z. Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.

Many of these color distinctions are so subtle that they are invisible to the untrained eye. But these slight color differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

Clarity


Diamond Clarity refers to the absence of internal inclusions or external blemishes.

Because they are created deep within the earth, most diamonds contain unique birthmarks called inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external). Diamonds with very few birthmarks are rare and, of course, rarity affects a diamond’s value. Using the International Diamond Grading System™, created by GIA, diamonds are given a clarity grade that ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with more prominent inclusions (I3).

Every diamond is unique. But none are absolutely perfect even though some come close, even under 10x magnification. Known as flawless diamonds, they are exceptionally rare.

The GIA Clarity Scale contains 11 grades, with most readily available diamonds falling into the VS or SI categories. In determining a clarity grade, GIA considers the size, nature, position, color or relief, and quantity of clarity characteristics visible under 10x magnification.

• Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions and only minor blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Inclusions are clearly visible under 10× magnification but can be characterized as minor
• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)- Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Imperfect (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious under 10× magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance

What causes inclusions?
Small crystals can become trapped in a diamond when it’s forming. Sometimes as a crystal grows it can develop irregularities in its atomic structure.

Cut

Cut fuels the diamond’s fire, sparkle, and brilliance.

It seems miraculous that the traditional 58 tiny facets in a diamond, each precisely cut and sharply defined, may be only two millimeters in diameter. But without this precision, a diamond wouldn’t be near as beautiful as it is. Without a doubt, the allure of a particular diamond depends more on cut than anything else.

Though extremely difficult to analyze, the cut of a diamond has three attributes: brightness (the total light reflected from a diamond), fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and scintillation (the light flashes – or sparkle – when a diamond moves).

An understanding of diamond cut begins with the shape of a diamond, with the standard round brilliant dominating the majority of diamond jewelry. All other diamond shapes are known as fancy shapes or fancy cuts and include the marquise, pear, oval, and emerald cuts. Hearts, cushions, triangles, and a variety of other new shapes are also gaining popularity in many forms of diamond jewelry.

As a value factor, though, cut refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish. For example, look at a side view of the standard round brilliant. The major components, from top to bottom, are the crown, girdle and pavilion. A round brilliant cut diamond has 57 or 58 facets, the 58th being a tiny flat facet at the bottom of the pavilion that’s known as the culet. The large, flat facet on the top is the table. The proportions of a diamond refer to the relationships between table size, crown angle and pavilion depth. A wide range of proportion combinations are possible, and these ultimately affect the stone’s interaction with light.

In early 2005, GIA unveiled a diamond cut grading system for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range. This system, the product of more than 15 years of intensive research and testing, assigns an overall diamond cut grade ranging from Excellent to Poor.

The different metals used in jewelry

There are several metals used in the creation of fine jewelry. By knowing information about the different metals, their benefits compared with each other and their unique qualities you will be able to make a better and more informed decision about purchasing your jewelry.

The metal types commonly used to make jewelry include gold, platinum, titanium, silver and stainless steel. Metals including rhodium and palladium are also used with jewelry.

Below you will find information about each of these metal types, together with information about which metals are best for particular types of jewelry.

Gold

Gold is the most popular choice for men's and ladies wedding rings and engagement rings. Gold is also very popular in dress rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces and bracelets.

There are several Karats available for gold. The Karat is the gold content of the metal. The Karat measures the proportion of pure gold mixed with other metal alloy to make up the final metal.

The gold Karats normally used in jewelry are 10kt, 14kt and 18kt. The higher the proportion of gold used in the final metal, the more valuable and expensive the metal will be. So all other things being the same, an 18kt ring will be more expensive than a 14kt ring and a 14kt ring will be more expensive than a 10kt ring.

Content of Gold in different Kt's:

10kt gold contains 41.6% pure gold (416 parts per thousand parts).

14kt gold contains 58.5% pure gold (585 parts per thousand parts).

18kt gold contains 75% pure gold (750 parts per thousand parts).

The remainder of the metals is made up of a combination of alloys, different metals which can help to give the metal its unique appearance, such as a different color.

Jewelry is normally stamped with a marking to show the type of gold.

For 10kt gold the stamp will normally be either the number 416,10kt, 10kt or 10K.

For 14kt gold the stamp will normally be either the number 585, 14kt, 14kt or 14K.

For 18kt gold the stamp will normally be either the number 750, 18kt, 18kt or 18K.

The stamps only indicate the Karat of metal. They do not indicate the color of the metal. So for example an 18kt yellow gold ring would have a stamp of 750 as would an 18kt white gold ring.

10kt, 14kt and 18kt gold are each relatively hard and durable metals and are suitable for use in all types of fine jewelry. Gold is also suitable to be used in jewelry that is worn on an everyday basis.

When choosing jewelry, particularly rings, many people consider the hardness and durability of gold to be used in their ring.

Gold colors

Gold is available in several different colors. The most popular is yellow gold, followed by white gold and rose gold, though other gold colors are sometimes also available such as bronze, red and lime gold.

Jewelry can also be made using a combination of different gold colors. These jewelry items are sometimes called two-tone, three-tone or multi-colored gold.

The gold content of yellow gold is measured in the same way it is measured in for example white gold. So an 18kt white gold ring contains 75% pure gold, just as 18kt yellow gold contains 75% pure gold.

The difference in color between yellow, white and rose is determined by the metals used in the alloy mix.

As the color difference is due to the metal components in the alloy mix, the color of yellow gold and rose gold will not chip, fade or wear off with age.

Yellow gold is made by mixing pure gold with alloy metals such as copper and zinc.

Rose gold is made using a mix of pure gold with alloys including copper. The copper provides the rose-reddish color.

White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium.

Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as nickel can cause reactions with some people.

When white gold rings are new they can be coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color. The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light yellow color. The rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective price.

Platinum

Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost it's pure form (approximately 105% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold does.

Platinum is very dense and heavy metal, so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.

Platinum is, however, significantly more expensive than gold. With all other things being the same, a platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring.

Platinum is a prestige choice and is often chosen for its sophisticated appeal and popularity amongst the rich and famous.

Platinum is normally not used in the full range of jewelry products due to its higher price.

Platinum is mainly used in ladies engagement rings, ladies wedding rings and men's wedding rings. Platinum can also be used to make dress rings,

though it is not commonly used to make earrings, pendants, bracelets or necklaces.

Palladium

Palladium is a white metal which is has a silver-grey-white color and is similar to platinum. Palladium is one of the metals that is part of the platinum group of metals. The platinum group metals share similar chemical properties.

Palladium is well suited to use with engagement rings and wedding rings.

A few short years ago the price of palladium was actually higher than platinum, however, the price of palladium is now lower than platinum, making it a more affordable option.

Titanium

Titanium is a natural element which has a silver-grayish-white color. Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world. It is very strong, three times the strength of steel and much stronger than gold, silver and platinum and yet is very light weight. Pure titanium is also 100% hypo-allergenic which means that it if safe for anyone to wear as it will not react to your skin.

Titanium provides several unique factors that make it a good metal for jewelry. It is very strong, more dent, bend and scratch resistant than gold, silver and platinum, is lightweight and importantly offers an exotic array of colors which other metals simply do not.

One factor to consider with titanium is that titanium cannot be soldered, which means that titanium rings cannot normally be resized.

Titanium rings made using pure titanium can normally be cut-off the finger in the event of an emergency, though they are more difficult to cut-off than gold, silver or platinum rings. Aircraft grade titanium rings normally cannot be cut-off in the event of an emergency.

Titanium is popular in earrings and bracelets for both ladies and men.

Silver

Sterling silver is a white-grey colored metal which is less expensive than gold, platinum and titanium.

Silver is a softer metal than gold, titanium and platinum and does not have hardness that the other metals do.

Silver is a popular metal for use in jewelry such as earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces and dress rings. It is best used for jewelry that will not be worn every day for an extended period. For that reason it is usually not recommend to be chosen for ladies and men's wedding rings, and is not suitable for ladies engagement rings.

Silver is also more prone to oxidization, sometimes causing the silver to turn black. The silver jewelry can easily be made to look like new again if you use a silver jewelry cleaner (available from most department stores) or if you have your jewelry cleaned by a local jeweler.

Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten carbide, also referred to simply as tungsten, is a very hard, strong and durable metal. It's also quite heavy. Tungsten has a characteristic unique to this special metal - tungsten is highly scratch resistant. Unlike gold, platinum and even titanium, tungsten rings do not scratch with everyday wear like the other metals do.

It is technically possible to scratch tungsten, though only with objects that are harder than tungsten. So that leaves diamonds, sapphires, rubies and ceramic. Though unless you dragged the tip of a loose diamond along the tungsten, the metal will stay scratch resistant.

Having a wedding band that's scratch resistant offers a lot of advantages.

Tungsten always looks new and bright and shiny. Tungsten offers what's referred to as a permanent polish, which means that it doesn't need to be re-polished. So, it doesn't need the polishing maintenance that gold, platinum and titanium rings do.

Tungsten stands up to the wear that even the roughest husbands can dish-out, making it a popular choice for men's wedding rings. Tungsten has an appealing color which almost all men like. The tungsten color is a grey-white color, similar to that of white gold or titanium.

The range of tungsten jewelry is generally more restricted than for other metals.

Tungsten rings cannot be resized (as tungsten can't be cut and re soldered), so it's important to have your finger size accurately measured before buying a tungsten ring.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a metal not traditionally used in fine jewelry, though its popularity in dress jewelry is increasing. Stainless steel is a relatively hard and durable metal. It is particularly popular in men's bracelets, necklaces and men's dress rings. The range of stainless steel jewelry is generally more restricted than for other metals.