Custom Jewelry, Diamonds
The Story of Diamonds and Diamond Jewelry
The diamond begins its centuries-long story in the 1st century AD with a memorable statement from Roman naturalist Pliny: Diamond is the most valuable, not only of all precious stones but of all things in the world.
Of course, diamonds came into existence billions of years ago; they’ve seen dinosaurs come and go, civilizations rise and fall, and become one of the most valuable, appreciated, and hyped precious stones on the planet. What turned the tables when it comes to diamond jewelry was an interesting ad by De Beers in 1947 that remains the most notable advertising campaign of the 20th century thanks to the phrase that’s popular to this day – “Diamonds are Forever”.
How It All Began
It all began with a Big Bang but when we focus on what we know about the diamonds and their value today, it’s safe to say that their story begins in India where they were discovered almost 3000 years ago. At the time, their value wasn’t about their beauty but the ability to refract light. This is why these stones were mainly used for protection against evil and were often incorporated into decorations and talismans to serve this purpose.
As years and centuries passed, the diamond’s notion of value shifted to medical uses during the Dark Ages, when people believed that holding or even ingesting the diamond could cure various illnesses, and finally to the object of beauty and prestige during the Middle Ages.
It was only in 327 BC that the diamonds came to Europe from India thanks to the king of Macedon at the time, Alexander the Great, who brought them there. It took more than 7 centuries for diamonds to become a part of jewelry. It’s believed that the origin of this practice dates back to 1074 when the crown of the Hungarian queen was decorated with diamond stones. Three hundred years later came the invention of the Point Cut, allowing for more efficient use of diamonds in jewelry as it was possible to cut them according to their natural shape. Before that, all diamonds that didn’t have an already well-formed shape were discarded.
The Evolution of the Diamond in the Jewelry World
With the new diamond cutting technique, the value of this precious stone quickly found its place in the jewelry world. In 1447, the tradition of proposing with a diamond ring started when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a diamond piece. Soon, new cuts followed, with the Rose Cut in 1520, the Peruzzi Cut in 1681, and many more.
To this day, India remains one of the main diamond sources in the world, especially when it comes to larger stones. However, other sources have been discovered across the globe, including Australia, Russia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. The original meaning that was attributed to diamonds has been replaced with valuing them for their prestige, rarity, and beauty, but the fact that their durability represents loyalty that stands the test of time remains unchanged.
What’s So Special about the Diamond?
You might not be aware of this but the diamond is the hardest known natural material on the planet; hence the name for this stone, which translates to “unbreakable” in ancient Greek. On the Mohs scale of hardness, they rate 10 out of 10, while sapphires and rubies rate 9 and emerald rates 8.
The prestige and unparalleled beauty of diamonds also come from the fact that these precious stones are quite rare in their most valuable quality form. And not only are the diamonds rare, but the number of people who possess the adequate skill to cut them is equally so.
These days, it’s possible to find both natural diamonds and those that are made synthetically. Amazingly, natural diamonds tend to be very old, even more than 3 billion years old. When you consider that the planet Earth is 4.54 billion years old, it’s no wonder that diamonds are so special and powerful.
The Diamond Jewelry Lore
As a precious stone, diamond has many properties associated with it, which makes for some rather interesting diamond jewelry facts. The popular ones include:
Strength. There’s nothing too outrageous with this particular property. As mentioned, diamond is the hardest natural material in the world, which is almost impossible to break or scratch – unless one uses another diamond. What’s more, they’re very stable and tend not to react to the majority of chemicals. Their strong radiance is said to represent the stone’s energy of strength that can affect the wearer.
Protection. Diamonds are not just hard and beautiful to look at; they’re also great electrical insulators. This is precisely why wearing a diamond was a traditional way to ward off evil spirits and protect from negative energy for hundreds of years. Essentially, it was believed that the diamond’s energy field was strong enough to resonate with and act as a shield for the wearer’s personal energy.
Purity. Due to its amazing strength, durability, and structural integrity, it rarely ever happens that some intrusion can affect the stone’s value negatively. More often than not, certain impurities/foreign substances only tend to increase the stone’s value. The best example involves colored diamonds, with pink, blue, and brown being the most popular ones. Thanks to this particular fact, diamonds are often said to have a strong energy of purity.
There are plenty of other fascinating diamond properties across the globe, some of which are rather spectacular and magical, such as using diamonds to become invincible or to secure an everlasting love.
When it comes to astrology, a diamond is the birthstone of Aries as it’s seen as a perfect match for this sign’s strength, power, and overall energy. Other diamond qualities across different cultures are as follow:
- Enhances relationship harmony
- Promotes energy cleansing
- Increases good luck
- Boosts creativity and endurance
- Provides mental strength and clarity
- Stimulates spiritual growth
- Grows courage while dispelling fears
- Betters the eyesight
The Best Way to Wear a Diamond
When you’re looking into getting precious stone jewelry for yourself, it’s important to keep in mind two criteria: your budget and the way you wish to benefit from the piece.
It won’t come as a surprise that the most popular way to wear a diamond is a ring. After all, it’s extremely resistant to wear and tear, which makes it easy to wear every single day and enjoy its energy without compromise. Other popular ways to wear diamonds include necklaces and earrings. You can find amazing offers in our diamond jewelry store in Miami for very reasonable prices.
That said, whatever diamond jewelry piece you choose, the essentials remain the same – always look for the 4 C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.
If you’re interested in getting your own diamond jewelry piece, feel free to check out our offers at Santayana Jewelers, be it online or at one of our stores in Miami or Coral Gables. Our staff will gladly help you pick the perfect piece and answer all of the questions you may have. We’re known for our innovative designs and custom jewelry, thus allowing you to remain unique and true to yourself while wearing a Santayana piece.
Diamonds
Diamond Fluorescence: Is It a Good Thing?
There are many different factors you should take into account when purchasing a diamond. After all, this is how you can end up with superb diamond quality. That said, one of the very important factors you should consider has everything to do with diamond fluorescence. Ignoring this particular aspect of the diamond can lead to a rather costly mistake.
What Is Diamond Fluorescence?
Essentially, diamond fluorescence is the diamond glow that’s visible when you place them under blacklight (UV light). In general, around 30% of diamonds tend to glow more or less. Once they’re put under the UV light, they glow in different colors. More often than not, this particular fluorescent color is blue, but there’s a possibility of other colors showing up as well, including red, green, white, and yellow.
There are 5 diamond fluorescence grades:
- None: complete lack of fluorescence
- Faint: the slight amount of fluorescence that doesn’t affect the way diamond appears
- Medium: some fluorescence is present and, as a result, may affect the brightness and color of the stone
- Strong: there’s a higher level of fluorescence which will affect the appearance of the diamond
- Very Strong: solid fluorescence is present which will considerably change the color and appearance of the diamond
Fluorescence varies from diamond to diamond. In some instances, it can actually improve the color of the diamond, while in others, it can make the diamond hazy.
Is Diamond Fluorescence Good or Bad?
There’s no Yes or No answer to this question. Basically, fluorescents in diamonds can be either good or bad, depending on whether its glow makes the diamond clearer or hazier. For example, slight or faint blue fluorescence in diamonds may be the ideal level of glow as it prevents the cloudy diamond look and can even make it appear whiter. On the other hand, when fluorescence clouds the diamonds and makes them look hazy, the actual stone is not clear and bright as preferred. This automatically reduces the beauty and value of the diamond.
If you’re wondering about the bad fluorescent effects on diamonds, consider the following examples:
- Strong and Very Strong Fluorescence: even though you might think that stronger fluorescence is better, the fact is that such high grade only tends to make the stone hazy and cloudy.
- Medium Blue Fluorescence with G+ Color Grade: more often than not, these diamonds tend to be hazy and milky.
- Colorless Range Diamonds (D-F Color Grade): these diamonds don’t typically benefit from fluorescence at all and they’re generally less valuable.
So, Why Does Diamond Fluorescence Matter?
With everything that’s been said, you might be under the impression that diamond fluorescence doesn’t matter at all! After all, you probably don’t plan to spend time under backlights for the glow to affect the look of your stone. But there’s more to it than that.
In the end, you don’t have to find yourself under blacklights for your diamond to glow differently. The fluorescent level of the stone will also affect how your diamond looks in regular lighting, too. Not to mention that UV lights also include natural sunlight. Therefore, fluorescent characteristics should still be an important factor when you’re choosing a diamond for purchase.
Fluorescence Could Improve Diamond Color
Whatever may be said about diamond fluorescence, one thing is true – it usually improves the color of the diamond.
Essentially, if you’re set on purchasing one that has an H or lower color grade, you could benefit from picking out the one that has medium blue fluorescence, for example. Basically, the lower you go in color grades, the less likely will the diamond appear to be hazy or cloudy with higher fluorescent levels. That said, even though strong fluorescence seems to be problematic, a J-grade color diamond might benefit from it quite nicely.
Also, if the diamond has a yellowish tint to it, medium blue fluorescence might be the ideal combo because it will make the stone appear whiter. Furthermore, diamonds that have fluorescent properties tend to shine and sparkle more compared to those that don’t.
6 Things You Should Know About Diamond Fluorescence
As mentioned, only about 30% of diamonds have a fluorescent quality to them. In that respect, you might not even have to take this particular property into account when choosing a diamond to purchase. However, if you do happen upon a diamond with this property, it’s important to know the following:
- In the end, it’s up to you and your preference to make a decision about whether the fluorescence in a diamond is a good or bad thing to you.
- It’s also true that fluorescence often tends to improve the overall diamond color.
- Even if the diamond has strong blue fluorescence, it’s not written in stone that the said diamond will be affected negatively by it.
- Faint diamond fluorescence may be the ideal middle ground as it allows you to save money on the diamond purchase and get the brilliance effect at the same time.
- Make sure that you address the seller’s return policy when you’re buying a diamond and only put trust in renowned and reputable retailers such as Santayana Jewelers.
- Don’t hesitate to ask the seller to show you the diamond under blacklight and regular lighting, and maybe even ask them to accompany you outside to check the diamond’s appearance in daylight.
How to Go About Diamond Fluorescence
Among the factors you need to consider when buying a diamond, its fluorescence is still a widely misunderstood concept. As mentioned, the fluorescent properties of the diamond refer to the stone’s glow that appears under the UV light. Once under this light, exhibiting blue color can actually make the diamond’s color stronger.
Still, no one can suggest you to just go to the store and ask for medium blue fluorescence for a color grade G or higher diamond. It might be rare, but even this fluorescence could make the stone appear hazy or milky on occasion.
It would be ideal to purchase diamonds in person as this will allow you to check and inspect the diamond, its appearance, color, and fluorescence yourself. What’s more, you can ask the retailer to help you right there and then. In case you’re interested in purchasing one online, make it a point to contact the retailer and ask them as many questions that could help you with making the final decision as possible. You might even ask for additional pictures.
If you’re looking for top-quality diamonds store in Coral Gables, as well as beautiful fine jewelry with unique design and timeless style, don’t hesitate to check out Santayana Jewelers. You can visit our jewelry online store as well as our store locations in Miami and Coral Gables. Some of our signature designs include Interchangeable Necklaces, Cuban Coin Collection (shown online as Crests), Palmar Collection, and the Cuban Bead Charms for Pandora-style bracelets, to name a few. With these very recognizable and striking designs, you’re bound to have people stop you in the street to marvel at your bling or even compare the pieces with their own! Feel free to contact us at Santayana Jewelers if you have any questions or comments.
Diamonds
How Are Colored Diamonds Made?
The clear sparkle of a diamond in the sunlight bedazzles with its brilliance. For a long while, these have been the reigning champions in the diamond world – clear, with no imperfections, white, colorless. It’s easy to lose sight of the rarer, more precious, and more unique players – colored diamonds. Let’s see how they’re made.
What are diamonds made of?
All diamonds, including colored ones, are made up of the same material – carbon. Under intense pressure and heat, carbon atoms bond in a crystal structure. In case any foreign materials (such as boron, for example) find their way into this crystallization process, we get a splash of color in our diamond.
How are diamonds made?
The short answer to this question is that 3 billion years ago, deep within the Earth, the pressure and intense heat changed the very structure of the carbon molecule, until it finally transformed into the gem we know and love.
Still, the newly formed diamonds are too deep in the Earth for us to ever reach them. The way they’re pushed, or expelled, up is by a deep-source volcanic eruption. Magma travels through the Earth’s crust, ‘picks up’ diamonds on the way, and brings it closer to the Earth’s surface. As it cools, this diamond-bearing magma hardens to form Kimberlite and settles into vertical structures called kimberlite pipes. These pipes are our most significant source of diamonds – however, only 1 in every 200 of them actually contain gem-quality stones.
Just like the ‘regular’ diamonds, natural colored diamonds go through the same process, with one crucial difference. During the crystallization process, foreign particles get trapped inside and cause an alteration in the chemical process. The final color of the diamond depends on the trace minerals present during the formation process.
What colors do diamonds come in?
Even though all of us know the enchanting brilliance of clear diamonds, these dazzlers can come in many colors. Red, pink, blue, green, violet, purple, orange, and yellow – diamonds encompass every color of the rainbow.
Red or pink diamonds are created in intense pressure and heat (more so that the regular, clear diamonds) which distorts the crystal lattice of the molecule so that it absorbs green light. This is how the soft pink and the ultra-rare red diamonds are made.
Grey or blue diamonds have traces of boron within them. This ‘impurity’ makes it a gorgeous, unique gem.
Green diamonds get their color just before they’re about to leave the uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust. There, they absorb some of the natural radiation – don’t worry! Green diamonds are simply enchanting and will not cause you any harm.
Diamonds of a purple hue are created by, as far as we know, some kind of crystal distortion. No one can quite put a finger on it, but it’s believed hydrogen is somewhat responsible for giving us an indescribable violet stone.
For orange and yellow diamonds, we have nitrogen to thank. During the diamonds’ formation, nitrogen atoms attach so that they absorb blue light, and we get to admire a golden diamond. If the nitrogen atoms group in a very specific way, the ultimate product is a precious gem of an orange hue.
No matter which diamond you prefer – white, pink, blue, or green – you can rest easy knowing they are not just beautiful, but also priceless heirlooms you can keep in the family for years and generations to come. If you want to add to your family’s jewelry collection, drop by one of our Miami jewelry stores – we can help you choose your perfect jewelry piece, one that will shine bright for years to come.
Diamonds
Understanding M Color Diamonds – Quick Guide
Shine bright like a diamond – but what kind? There are clear diamonds, bold diamonds, discrete diamonds – really anything your heart desires! It’s no wonder if the entire industry sometimes seems like a labyrinth – and doubly so when it comes to color diamonds jewelry.
While there are many colored diamonds – like red, pink, blue and black, what we most often have in mind when we think diamonds is a brilliant white. However, even these come in a color scale.
The color of a diamond ranges from D to H, while everything up till H or I appears clear to the untrained eye. Today, we want to tell you all about M color diamonds, that belong more to the white side of the scale.
What is an M colored diamond?
The scale of diamond color goes from D, which is the purest white, to Z, which are light yellow – M falls smack in the middle. These diamonds are described as having a very faint color that’s most noticeable when looked from the side point of view.
However, there’s no need to panic! The faint yellow or sometimes brown tint occurs naturally during the diamonds growth process, and while the presence of color can lessen the price of the precious stone, it does not in any way lessen its beauty and brilliance.
How expensive is an M colored diamond?
A diamond’s price is ascertained by its cut, clarity, weight, and color. Naturally, the lower you are on the color scale, the less your budget will be affected. With the price reduced by the color, you can go all out in terms of your diamond’s clarity, cut and weight!
How yellow is an M colored diamond?
You may not notice much difference between a D and an I diamond, but you might notice a definite yellowish tint when it comes to the M colored diamond. But don’t give up just yet!
When browsing diamonds, be they loose in our palms or going through a checklist of what they have and have not, we often forget that no one will ever see the diamond all on its own – it will be a part of a ring, a necklace, earrings, a pendant.
The type of metal your diamond will be encased in, along with the stone’s size and even its cut make a striking difference in its appearance.
How to get the most out of your M color diamond
First, choose a cut that will complement its decidedly unique brilliance. A modern round brilliant cut will emphasize all the good things about an M colored diamond – in the right setting, the slight color will dazzle like a ray of sunshine.
The next most important thing is to set your M colored diamond in a proper environment. By this we mean a good choice of metals and surrounding stones.
When it comes to matching your diamond with other precious stones, the best choice is to either surround it with high contrasting pieces (like, for example, green stones) or keep it solitary.
As far as metals are concerned – the choice is highly subjective. With an M diamond, you shouldn’t try to run away from its color. White metals, like platinum or white gold, will give you that coveted contrast look and make your jewelry stand out. If you prefer yellow gold, that’s not a problem! There, an M colored diamond will exhibit a warm glow, so you’ll feel like you’re wearing a piece of a lazy summer afternoon.
When all’s said and done, an M colored diamond is a perfect choice if you want something budget-friendly, stunning, unique and absolutely brilliant. If you want to let the sunshine in and light up every room you saunter into, check out our Cuban jewelry store and find that perfect piece!
Diamonds
How to Clean Your Diamond Ring?
Glistening, brilliant, enchanting, and all-around beautiful – it’s very easy to fall in love with a brand new diamond ring, especially when it marks one of the happiest days of your life! After a while though, you may notice the brilliance has gone down, despite your romance flourishing.
The solution to this problem is simple – cleaning your diamond ring! Fortunately, cleaning jewelry is not that difficult. Here are some short and sweet suggestions on how to clean your engagement ring.
Cleaning a Diamond Ring at Home
The very best way to clean a diamond ring is often the simplest one. To bring the bling back, all you need is some soap and water.
Soak your ring for anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes in a solution of warm water and dish soap. Then, use a very soft toothbrush to gently brush the stone. Rinse the ring, and if you’re not satisfied, repeat! Once you’re done, let the ring air dry or use a soft cotton cloth to wipe it.
This type of cleaning works best when the pollutants to the shine are common cosmetics, such as makeup, lotions, and similar. Any and all types of metals can be brushed to sparkle using this method – including gold, white gold, silver, and platinum.
How NOT to Clean Your Diamond Ring: Things to Avoid
While it’s true that you can replace dish soap with either shampoo or body wash, there is one huge exception to that rule – no moisturizing products! Any cleaning product that has moisturizing properties can leave a film on the ring, which will inevitably ruin the picture-perfect sparkle you want to bring back.
Products you should never use when cleaning your ring include an array of different household cleaners: bleach, chlorine, acetone, and also a whole range of abrasive products: baking soda, toothpaste, powdered cleaners, and others.
All of those products may seem harmless, but they’re anything but. Such harsh chemicals will break down base metals in your ring, and you’ll just end up with a disaster!
Paper towels can also be a danger to your ring. If you use them to dry your ring, the metal might scratch. It’s best to stick to air drying or using a soft cotton cloth.
It might seem like the answer to how to clean a diamond ring has many caveats, but you really have nothing to worry about! Just remember to stick to dish soap, warm water, extra soft toothbrushes, and a soft cotton cloth.
Should You Clean Your Ring At All?
To put it simply – yes. There’s no danger in doing it yourself, as long as you avoid abrasive and harmful products.
For the best results, you can clean your ring once a week – it will minimize the natural buildup of everyday pollutants. However, if the buildup is more severe (like, for example, a buildup of soil and filth after a camping trip), it’s best to get it professionally cleaned. To keep your ring in tip-top condition, it’s a good idea to take it to a jeweler for a professional treatment about twice a year.
Keeping Your Rings Clean
Keeping your ring filth- and buildup-free comes down to taking it off at certain times. To make sure it doesn’t get dirty or lost, be sure to put it in a safe place while you’re working out, swimming, showering, cooking, and even during your skincare routine.
If you still feel like you need to know more about how to clean a diamond ring, get in touch with our team! We’ll be happy to tell you all about our cleaning process and help you make your jewelry shine like the day you first got it!
Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Jewelry Trends, Men Jewelry
Best Wedding Anniversary Jewelry Gift Ideas
Should you get your special someone wedding anniversary jewelry? After all, it’s common that on your first wedding anniversary, you should receive something made of paper. Leather comes at year three, while tin or aluminum (as in a piece of jewelry) is set for year ten anniversary.
If you scratch the surface, you’ll find that each anniversary corresponds to a precious stone! Gold jewelry is traditionally given at both the first and 50th anniversary, pearl marks year two and 30, while diamond is for a happy year 10 and a happier year 75.
So, when it comes to the perfect anniversary necklace for her, it will definitely bring delight to your darling. And on that note, here are some anniversary jewelry ideas:
Wedding Anniversary Jewelry For Him
Oftentimes, people think there is something tricky about choosing men’s jewelry. The truth is, it is quite simple. Jewelry can enhance style – and it always has. A watch, a pair of cufflinks, a signet ring – any of these can be a perfect choice for an anniversary gift! Here are some great ideas when it comes to men’s jewelry.
- First Anniversary – Gold
Despite the prevalence of smartphones, a watch is still the mark of sophistication and professionalism. Impress your husband with gold, or even gold-toned watch – a gift that is both stylish and practical.
If your spouse isn’t the watch type, you can always get him a pair of cufflinks. Check out this handy guide – you might find something useful to help you make a decision.
- Fifth Anniversary – Sapphire
A deep blue sapphire can be a perfect addition to your husband’s style. With a signet ring, worn on the pinky, he can project the image of confidence and power to the world. If you know your husband would love that, we suggest a sterling silver Cuban crest ring – a perfect way to show heritage and style.
- 10th Anniversary – Diamond
Opt for a tie pin that can make your husband stand out in any situation. Tie pins, a former basic element of good style, have become rarities today, but they still remain an accessory that signifies success.
Wedding Anniversary Jewelry For Her
Does your loved one prefer earrings or necklaces? Or is her fav accessory a bracelet? No matter your wife’s style and personality, these ideas for anniversary jewelry gifts for her offer you plenty of options!
- First Anniversary – Gold
A 14k gold heart pendant can be a perfect addition to your wife’s necklace collection. She can choose when to wear it and with which chain, so it’s safe to say it’s extremely versatile. In that same vein, you can go for some medals.
- Fifth Anniversary – Sapphire
While you’re still at the very start of your marriage, the fifth year is still a big deal! If you want to impress your wife, you can go for an 18K white gold, .67 carat sapphire ring surrounded by .17 carat diamonds. Despite the lush description, it’s discrete enough she can wear it with almost any outfit!
- 10th Anniversary – Diamond
How do you get a diamond piece of jewelry that can rival your wife’s wedding ring? You can’t – but you can get quite close. Consider jaw-droppingly gorgeous diamond earrings – they can enhance your wife’s natural beauty while also projecting an image of elegance and confidence.
Is your partner unique? Do you know they won’t settle for something ordinary? In that case, you can check out our custom jewelry store or surprise them with custom jewelry! Get in touch with us, explain what your special someone loves, and we can make you a custom design that will make your spouse feel truly special.
Diamonds
Diamonds Style Wear: Jewelry Essentials for Everyday
Despite popular opinion, diamonds are not that tricky to wear every day! While we’re used to seeing them on luxurious gala nights, red carpets, and other formal events, diamonds are, in fact, one of the jewelry essentials you can wear daily.
Just like any other fashion style, diamonds shouldn’t be too bold and too formal if you intend to include diamonds in your style. After all, you wouldn’t wear a ball gown to an office job – the same applies to jewelry. We offer you some tips on how to make a perfect choice — how to combine casual and diamonds style and intertwine it into your wardrobe.
A Pair of Delicate Earrings
One way to accentuate your face is to wear a good pair of earrings. If you want to elevate your style, even more, a good way to do just that is to opt for a pair of classic diamond earrings.
Usually, these are small and delicate, so they won’t clash with a pair of slacks and a shirt. They will, however, bring some brilliance into your day and your style. You’ll instantly look (and feel like) timeless, elegant, and put together. For best results, you can match them to your face shape.
A Diamond Ring Is Not Just for Engagements
An important event is often marked by a special event. A proposal is marked by an engagement ring, a marriage is marked by wedding bands, and even retirement used to be marked with a gold watch. Celebrating an event of great importance to you can be marked with a stone that is both beautiful and durable enough to pass it on to the next generation. This is why a diamond ring is perfect.
A delicate band sprinkled with diamonds can be a celebration of your own achievements – finishing a project, running your first marathon, finishing a thesis, or anything else that you hold dear. Such a band cannot overpower your outfit – it will only serve to elevate your style and give you a dose of elegance and sophistication.
A Good Necklace Brings Elegance to Any Outfit
Another way to add some brilliance to your everyday look is to opt for a diamond necklace. Choose the length so that it suits the neckline of your dress, shirt, or top and of course face shape.
Just like with other diamond jewelry pieces, choose an appropriate style. A delicate chain, simple lines, or even just a diamond pendant can elevate your style to that of elegance, grace, and inimitable beauty.
With a simple yet brilliant diamond necklace, you can feel free to mix and match. For a more layered look, you can easily combine it with your other favorites. For a simpler look, choose to wear it all on its own. Really, you can’t make a mistake
Some More Style Tips
If you’re still not sure diamond jewelry can fit in your everyday style, here are some more tips. If you opt for a diamond bracelet, it’s better to choose a subdued, delicate piece. If you wear a chunky, flashy bracelet with an informal outfit, it will look out of place.
If you have your heart set on a more flashy piece, then opt for a more subdued outfit. Pastel shades and minimal makeup combined with large, brilliant diamond jewelry can work even during the daytime.
When choosing how many pieces of jewelry to wear, it’s best to choose fewer pieces. The general rule is that a pair of good earrings, a bracelet or a watch, and a ring are just enough for a daytime look.
There’s no reason not to shine in the daytime, too, with our lovely diamond essentials, amazing jewelry pieces every woman needs! Bring timeless elegance to your style with that perfect diamond piece – drop by one of our stores and make your choice!
Diamonds
Ultimate Diamond Guide: Different Types of Diamonds
Carats, cuts, colors, grades and scales – there are so many ways to describe a diamond your head is in a spin! To help you orient yourself, we’ve prepared for you a simple guide about different types of diamonds.
Diamonds by Carat
It may come as a surprise, but “the more carats, the better” is simply not true! A carat merely classifies a diamond by weight, and the bigger the diamond, the higher the carat.
One carat equals to 200 milligrams. This means that a two carat diamond, for example, weighs 400 milligrams. Since a lot of diamonds weigh less than one carat, the carat is subdivided into 100 points. What this means is that when you hear “3/4 carat” it means the diamond is “75 point diamond,” or that is weighs ¾ of 200 milligrams.
A carat number is simply not, and can never be, an adequate measure of the stone’s quality.
Remember, quality always trumps quantity!
Diamonds by Cut
A diamond’s finish, symmetry, proportions and polish are called the cut of the diamond. Depending on the way a diamond is cut, it will be more or less brilliant. For example, a rose cut diamond will give off a subtle, almost ethereal, shine, while a brilliant cut diamond will reflect light in a more dramatic manner.
Some of the popular cuts you can choose from are:
The princess cut – a classic among engagement rings, these diamonds are square in shape and they’re suitable for any style of ring;
The round cut – the most popular cut around for a good reason. When the light hits it just right, this shape can be blindingly brilliant;
The marquise cut – football-shaped, long and narrow, it makes the illusion of a bigger shape;
The pear cut – a combination of a round and a marquise shape, it has tapered point on one end, and excellent symmetry.
Diamonds by Color
Despite the fact we see all diamonds as completely colorless, each of them contains a smidgeon of yellow or brown. This is mostly invisible to the naked eye, so don’t worry!
Color is graded alphabetically where grades D-F are colorless, G-J are near colorless, K-M are slightly tinted, N-R are very light yellow, and S-Z are light yellow or brown.
The differences in these grades are subtle, so you can pick a visibly tinted diamond (grade K, for example), and if it has good clarity, and is beautifully cut, your K grade diamond will look as jaw-dropping as the most colorless stone!
Diamonds by Clarity
No one wants a smudgy diamond, full of imperfection and lacking in shine! Clarity, while important, is not something you should be too worried about. Each diamond lies somewhere on the clarity scale.
The very top of the scale is FL – a flawless grade diamond, which includes less than 1% of all gemstones. The bottom of the scale lies at I2-I3, where the inclusions are visible under 10x magnification.
The golden middle of the scale is an “eye-clean” diamond, VS1 – a stone with some blemishes, though they are invisible to the naked eye.
When picking a diamond, your best bet is to choose one that lies somewhere between VS1 and Fl. The grades you can look for are, in ascending order: VS1, VVS2, VVS1, IF, and, the highest of them all, FL.
There you have it, the four Cs of diamonds, in one handy guide. This is what makes diamonds so special. When it comes a time in your life when you’re walking on clouds and thinking about that happy day, you’ll be fully prepared to make the best possible choice. And if you need any assistance, we at Santayana are always happy to help!
Now that you know what to look for in a diamond, check out our Miami jewelry store – you might even be tempted to shop right now!
Diamonds, Industry News
How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Jewelry for your Dress
Congrats, you’re engaged! With so much going on, one of the last things on your mind may be choosing wedding jewelry to go with your dress. So how do you pick the perfect jewelry for your wedding? What styles work? Should you be more glamorous or just simple?
We think there are a few essential things to consider when choosing jewelry to go with your dress and even your bridal party: style, color, budget and most importantly how it makes you feel! Follow along and we’ll take you through them. 🙂
THE DRESS STYLE
There are endless styles of dresses, and the neckline plays a huge part in deciding what type of jewelry will go well with it!
If you have a strapless or sweetheart wedding gown, your job is easy – anything goes well with it, whether it’s a stand-out statement, or a simple pendant. Wider necklines (think boat neck and wide-v) pair with statement necklaces easily too!
If your wedding dress has thicker straps, a high neck or a narrow v-neck, you’ll want to be careful with some statement necklaces – they can look cluttered and over-bearing. If that’s the case, try a delicate pendant necklace or rock a pair of glamorous statement earrings!
THE GOWN COLOR
Most wedding dresses are white, but even a traditional white dress is not just white. There are different shades of white – and it’s something to consider when choosing your jewelry.
For stark white dresses, or gowns with lots of silver beading, try jewelry with cooler tones and silver plating.
If your dress is a warm ivory or cream color, go for pieces with warmer tones and gold plating.
THE HAIRSTYLE
Up-dos are perfect for statement earrings, and also looks elegant with stud earrings or drops! If you’re wearing a statement necklace though, you might want to choose earrings that won’t over-power them.
For down-dos, try playing up your neckline with a statement necklace and complimenting them with delicate stud earrings. If you won’t be wearing a necklace and want your earrings to stand out, try a pair of longer statement earrings so they can sparkle through your tresses.
Don’t forget that your hair can be accessorized too! Have a necklace or bracelet you love? How about fastening it in your hair? Get creative!
THE BRIDE
Don’t lose yourself during the mission to find your bling. The most important thing is to remember to dress for you! Choose something that suits your style and shows off your personality. You should feel comfortable and beautiful on your wedding day. Sometimes, a simple pearl necklace and studs is the best way to go and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Diamonds, Fashion Life, Industry News
Tips for Choosing the Right Jewelry
Do you find it difficult to choose the right jewelry for you? Something that will make you feel glamorous? Probably you’ll be answering a big YES. Well, don’t worry because with so many classes and varieties of jewelry styles and designs it’s a natural thing. With the various trips to different jewelry stores hunting for that perfect piece can be burdening. But it doesn’t have to be, if you know what you are looking for.
Choosing which fine jewelry to wear is no different than choosing an outfit. The key is to trust your taste and stick to your personal fashion and lifestyle. First of all you should decide what style and design you prefer. For example if you’re an animal lover you can choose from numerous animal jewelry available in the market, from bird jewelry, cat jewelry, to dog jewelry, dolphin jewelry and even horse jewelry.
Buy pieces that will fit your actual size. Make sure you buy finger ring or earring according to your size and choice. Another important thing you should remember is your lifestyle. The rings or necklace that you are buying should fit in with the lifestyle you have.
The prize of the piece should also be considered. Contrary to what most people believe, jewelries do not have to be diamond jewelry, gold jewelry or precious stuffs like antique jewelry, estate jewelry, Hawaiian jewelry or Italian jewelry in order to be considered fine pieces. Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an example of a fine jewelry and yet it is affordable. A lot of jewelry store sells costume jewelry at a low price and some of them go way back to 1920s. What’s great about them is that you can use it, get tired of it, put it away and still get your money’s worth.
The last thing would be is to read different reviews about the jewelry before buying. They characterize and even write articles that will help your buying.
Santayana Jewelry Store Coral Gables
