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Active Lifestyle Tips: It is important to consider your lifestyle when selecting the shape of the stone and the design of the ring. Be realistic about the wear-and-tear your ring must make and realize that while "diamonds are forever", no piece of jewelry is indestructible. Remember, even diamond, the hardest natural substance known, can chip or break if exposed to a sharp accidental blow.

Active outdoors types, for example, might be better off avoiding the marquise or pears shape. The shank as well as the prongs of a ring worn daily by a very active person will show the effects of wear, any detailing on the ring will be blur over time, as a result of gardening, playing on the beach, mountain-climbing, handling ski equipment or bicycles, etc. Remember: sturdy and graceful are not mutually exclusive. Bezel settings do not detract from a gemstone's brilliance, yet they will afford you greater security.

In considering which metal is best, remember that color is a personal choice. The higher the gold karatage, the richer the color; but higher the karatage, the softer the metal. Also white gold is stronger than yellow. Platinum is expensive, but is also tougher than gold-rather than abrading easily, platinum tends to roll over itself much like a wax when you roll it between your fingers. This tends to make a platinum setting more durable than a gold setting, but both metals dent and scratch equally.

 

There is an accepted quotation which says Clothing is an art of expressing one's personality. This saying holds a great truth in itself. It might be one of the reasons why people pay so much of attention at what they wear. People who do proper planning and buy clothes, undoubtedly look different elegant among hundreds of people. Read more.

Diamond Buyers Tips: Is newsprint readable or observable through diamond? If so, it is not a diamond.

Is the diamond glued to the setting? If a ring has a closed back, it is probably not a diamond.

Count the facets visible on top. In cheaper glass imitations there are usually nine visible top facets, as opposed to 33 visible top facets in a brilliant cut diamond or "good" stimulation. However, some small diamonds, such as those seen in side stones in some rings, do show only nine facets on the top (referred to as single cut in the trade rather than brilliant cut).

Examine the girdle of the stone. Most diamonds have a frosted appearance (unpolished and with a ground-glass like appearance). Polished or faceted girdle diamonds will not have this frostiness.

Check the symmetry of the cut. The symmetry of the faceting on a diamond will be very carefully executed, whereas in diamond simulations the symmetry of the facets will be sloppy.

Are the facet edges or facets scratched, chipped, or worn? Diamond imitations include some stones that are very soft and/or brittle, such as zircon and glass.

Examine the stone, loose or mounted, for fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

   
  How to Easily Spot a Fake Designer Handbag: Purchase from an authorized seller. Most likely this will be a small boutique selling designer goods or an upscale department store. Make sure the online clothing store is well-established and reliable, with a good reputation.

Gold & Platinum Tips: Unlike gold, platinum is not described in karats. In the United States, abbreviations such as PT, or plat, indicate platinum; in Europe the numerical marking 950 or PT950 indicates platinum. For guaranteed quality in platinum, look for the stamps PT, 950, 950 Plat or Plat. Platinum 950 which is a 95% pure platinum alloy can be stamped as "Platinum"; 950 Plat and Plat. Platinum 900 which is a 90% pure platinum alloy can be stamped as "plat irid" (90% platinum and 10% iridium) but cannot be stamped as "Platinum" as it is 90% pure platinum. All platinum jewelry on our website is Platinum 950 (95% platinum and 5% iridium/or ruthenium/ or cobalt).

Pure or fine gold is 24 karats. Eighteen karat gold consists of 18 parts of pure gold mixed with 6 parts of other metals (American Marking is 18K and European Marking is 750). Fourteen karat gold consists of 14 parts of pure gold mixed with 10 parts of other metals (American Marking is 14K and European Marking is 585). Always check the karatage marking in gold jewelry to find out the gold consent. The law is very strict with regard to the tolerances allowed for gold jewelry. A karat mark will assure you that tolerances are being met and gold is of specified quality.

 

Educated Buyer

A prior knowledge of jewelry, clothes and handbags will help you understand and retain what a jeweler/fashion expert tells you. If you want to get good buys on jewelry & clothing and make wise choices, you must become an educated buyer. Naturally, you'll need professional assistance when you make your jewelry & clothes purchases.

How to Buy Jewelry, Clothes & Handbags

How long the firm has been in business? Size and years in business are not always absolute indicators of reliability. To what extent will they guarantee their merchandise to be as represented? Be careful here. Make sure you get the right information on the bill of sale. How long has the firm been in business? What is their policy regarding returns? To what extent will they guarantee there merchandise to be as represented? 100% authentic designer clothes and 100% authentic designer handbags come with designer tags. What is their repair or replacement policy? Unless you are an expert, visit several stores, ask questions, and then you be the judge.

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