Elsa Diamonds

Can't Size Titanium, Tungsten, or the Other Cheap Metals

2010-03-31T15:51:00.003-05:00

[Titanium sample from http://theodoregray.com]

Titanium is a lustrous, white metal when pure and is lightweight, easily fabricated, resists corrosion but does tarnish a limited amount.

Titanium used to be used almost exclusively in military applications (aircraft, missiles, spacecraft), but in recent years it has become cheaper and more widely used. (I imagine this has something to do with the opening up of supplies from the former USSR, which has much of the world's titanium supply.) Unfortunately not everything sold under the "Titanium" name actually contains titanium metal. The name has come to be associated with strength and quality, and marketers sometimes like to be associated with it whether their particular product actually contains it or not. Alloys of titanium (esp. aluminum) are principally used for aircraft and missiles where lightweight strength and ability to withstand extremes of temperature are important.

Titanium may be tough, but the fact is, titanium is not really scratch proof as many jewelers will claim. No material in the world is truly scratch proof; even the hardest diamonds can be scratched - although titanium is scratch-resistant - it does scratch and tarnish making it important to have it re-finished periodically.

Titanium is 45% lighter than steel and 60% heavier than aluminum but twice as strong - rendering titanium with an inability to be soldered. Pure titanium is brittle. Titanium may be mixed with iron and aluminum making it less brittle. Titanium rings cannot be re-sized by a jeweler like rings made from other metals.

Tungsten
Tungsten is a metal used by the metalworking, mining, and construction industries used as heavy metal alloys for armaments, heat sinks, turbine blades; tool steels; and wear-resistant alloy parts and coatings. Tungsten composites are used as a substitute for lead in bullets and shot. Tungsten is used in catalysts and high-temperature lubricants.

Tungsten is exactly the same density as gold, but something like a hundred or more times cheaper. Lead is cheaper still, but Tungsten is almost twice as dense. In 2000, an estimated 46% of U.S. Tungsten supply was derived from the recycling of industrial scrap. Usually an iron-nickel alloy is used to bind Tungsten.

Although Tungsten is dense and hard enough to resist scratches it's often brittle making it impossible to have wedding rings re-sized that were manufactured from Tungsten.

So be suspicious of inexpensive rings claiming to be made of pure Titanium or pure Tungsten. What you may be purchasing is ordinary stainless steel (i.e. mostly iron with nickel and chromium added to inhibit rust).

Why have wedding rings that have been created from a combination of cheap throw-away metals anyway? Do you really want your wedding rings made from Industrial and Military Scrap Metal?

Elsa Diamonds - Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings and Fine Diamond Jewelry and Original Custom Designs - Elsa Jewelry at Elsarings.com

The Danger of Wearing Rings on the Right Hand

2010-03-29T16:29:00.019-05:00

A typical line that salespeople use to sell you a ring is, “Just wear it on your right hand.” Sounds like a great idea when you can’t find a wedding ring to complement your engagement ring perfectly. Trouble is most women are right handed. People damage their rings even on their left hand – lose stones, scratch up their rings, chip the center stone – can you imagine what will happen if a right handed person starts wearing a ring on their right hand. Inevitable destruction! At Elsa we never tell you to wear a ring on your right hand just so we can sell you a ring…we’ll design and make you one that will go perfectly…at an affordable price.

It is the popular opinion of the public that diamonds are too hard to be damaged. However this is not always the case although currently diamonds are the hardest mineral known to man. A badly cut diamond or a poor quality diamond with cracks is more likely to break than a high quality stone. A simple (but not visible to you) crack tapped against a hard surface a few times can break it into pieces.

Diamonds worn on your right hand ring finger are more vulnerable to damage from everyday activities and chores. Even though you naturally remove your diamonds before cleaning, gardening and other physical activity; your diamonds are more likely to be damaged when worn on your right hand. Even swimming in chlorinated water can cause damage to them - or leave them more prone to damage - as chlorine can damage gold weakening the prongs holding the diamonds on. Which of course will in turn cause breakage to the diamond itself if you bang it up against something or the stone may fall out altogether.

Not only are these several reasons to not wear an expensive diamond ring on your right hand; but you should bring your diamond rings in and have them cleaned and the settings checked for any loosening of the diamonds.

Creating Your Custom Original Designs

Our staff of custom ring designers will make your dream ring a reality. Budgets are established at the beginning of each project. So when you hear a sales person suggest that you “Just wear it on your right hand” you assume the sales person is not thinking of your best interests or the financial and emotional investment you have in your diamond ring. It's as hard of a sell as it appears to be.

You will have an exciting experience designing your ring and being involved every step of the way - which will insure your satisfaction and value of your new Custom Diamond Rings and Original Designs.

Diamond Rings, Engagement Rings, Engagement Settings, Wedding Rings, Fine Diamonds at elsarings.com

Something Old, Something New

2010-01-18T22:13:00.005-05:00

Something Old, Something न्यू

We all have old pieces of jewelry lingering in the bottom of our jewelry boxes that we just don't wear anymore. Maybe it's an earring that's lost its pair, a broken chain or something that simply doesn't suit our style anymore.

Did you know that you can put your old gold to good use? Jewelers like Elsa will let you bring in your old gold jewelry and use it as a deposit on something new. It's a great way to treat yourself to something new without breaking the bank!

Many people are selling their gold due to the value of gold being very high right now. However, some of the companies that offer this service are currently under scrutiny for unethical practices.

So why would you take that risk when you know that Elsa will treat you right, with high quality and unmatched customer service!

Call 1-800-440-ELSA to make an appointment today. For more information, please visit our website.

Selecting Diamonds

2009-01-16T15:52:00.012-05:00

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment.

Known as the Four C's these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat.

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality.

Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire.

Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty. Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage.

A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C's of Diamonds.

During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered flawless a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using10 power magnifications.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the four C's of diamonds allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you.

http://www.elsarings.com/engagement_ring_guide.asp

Choosing A Diamond

2009-01-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

No two diamonds are exactly alike. You will never find one that is the exactly the same as any other one.

How are prices for diamonds determined? The price of a diamond is based on its individually graded color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Also commonly referred to as the 4 C’s of a Diamond or the Four Characteristics of Diamonds.

Purchasing loose cut diamonds can be an effective diamond buying strategy considering equally both the cost and its quality. Loose cut diamonds refer to diamonds that have been cut and polished but not yet placed in a ring setting. If you buy a loose cut diamond, you have the advantage of seeing your diamond in a variety of ring settings, offering you the additional choice of having the ring customized to your specifications. By focusing first on the diamond you can afford to create the perfect diamond ring.

The Four Characteristics of Diamonds
A diamond is characterized by the four C's: carat weight, clarity, color, and cut. While caret weight is a consideration, don't make the mistake of focusing solely on diamonds sizes. The other diamond characteristics, such as cut, can greatly impact the look and symmetry of your diamond even more than the carat weight. Another important consideration is clarity, which refers to the number and type of flaws that are found in the diamond. Clarity is very difficult to judge accurately, as most flaws are only visible under a microscope necessitating the need for grading certificates from recognized laboratories such as GIA.

A Diamond’s Cut
The cut of your loose diamonds is perhaps the most important consideration. The cut will determine, to a large extent, the brilliance of your diamonds which in turn suggests the best diamond setting. Most gemologists consider cut the most important diamond characteristic because even if a diamond has perfect color and clarity, a diamond with a poor cut will have dulled brilliance. The width and depth can have an effect on how light travels within the diamond, and how it exits in the form of brilliance. A brilliant cut usually has triangular facets that surround the stone, leading to what is a flat top, or often called a table. These differ from the more traditional emerald or step cuts, but provide the shiniest diamonds available.

Read : The Intangibles of Buying a Diamond.

Every stones' shape and cut requires different proportions for the best appearance: if you have already decided on a diamond shape before shopping for your engagement ring, be sure to investigate the specific dimensions that are ideal for that shape. By being an educated shopper, you can easily purchase a quality stone that will not only wow your fiance, but will be a brilliant investment for many years.

Purchasing loose cut diamonds can be a jewelry investment that lasts a lifetime. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the many choices in diamonds and ring settings available to you.

10 Things To Consider Before Purchasing A Diamond

2008-11-13T16:53:00.003-05:00

Diamonds have long been used in fine jewelry designs and are treasured today, especially in our most coveted type of jewelry - the engagement ring. This precious gem is expensive, and there are many things to consider before buying any type of diamond jewelry.

Here are 10 things you should think about before purchasing a diamond:

1. Finances. Before you buy a diamond, think about if you really can afford it. Even though every man wants to buy his fiance a 5 carat diamond ring, it would be unwise to charge it on his credit card if he does not have the means to pay for it.

2. Determine the kind of diamond that he or she wants to purchase. Is a small one ok, or is it size you are going for? Remember a smaller diamond of better quality may be worth more than a larger diamond of less quality.

3. Choose the store. To be sure that you are getting what you pay for, it would be best if one purchases their diamonds from known dealers of gemstone jewelry. Since online purchases for diamonds are available, check first if they are real dealers.

4. Certification. Real diamonds are certified. Make sure to look for a certificate before buying one.

5. Determine the carat of preferred diamond to be purchased. Most jewelry stores offer the most sought-after carat, from 0.5 to 2 carat ones. Also they are priced according to such standards.

6. Determine the color grade. If one wants to purchase a bigger diamond at a much lesser price, one only has to choose those that have much lower color grades.

7. One or several stoned ring. A 1.5 carat solitaire diamond is more expensive than another one that has 6 stones at 0.25 carat each. This is due to the fact that larger diamonds are much harder to find.

8. The shape. Diamonds are cut in square, marquises, oval or pear shaped ones. The last three shapes are the ones that make a diamond look much larger than it actually is.

9. Choose the color. A colorless diamond is much more expensive than one that has slight colorations. Some prefer slight colorations to give it a more subtle touch of flair.

10. In the end, what really makes a purchase satisfying depends on ones standards. If an individual would be much happier with a 0.5 carat diamond than a 5 carat one (for the simplists), go ahead purchase one, even if he or she can afford 5 carat ones.

Wedding and Engagement Ring Traditions

2008-11-08T16:45:00.018-05:00

Exchanging Rings Symbolizes Love and Devotion

To indicate a marital commitment - rings are usually worn on the left hand ring finger. Diamonds have always been the first choice to be set into wedding rings and engagement rings.

Here in the west, we have certain customs regarding the exchange of wedding rings that seem perfectly normal to us: a double ring exchange where the groom puts the ring on his bride’s hand followed by the bride doing the same for the groom. Types of rings used are typically gold, with the woman’s ring often encrusted in diamonds.

Changing Customs and Lasting Traditions
Customs are changing but one thing remains the same: couples are sealing their marriage vows with an exchange of rings no matter where they live in the world.

The Ring Given – Platinum is prized but often too expensive for some. Diamonds and other gemstones are often included particularly for the woman’s ring. Some men are coming around and accepting diamond wedding rings, but in most cases men prefer a wedding ring that is understated and won’t get in the way of their work.

The way that they are presented – Ring bearers are sometimes included in wedding ceremonies to present the wedding bands to the bride and the groom. In other cases, the best man will hold the rings and present them at the appropriate time during the wedding ceremony.

The meaning of the rings – In all cases, the exchange of wedding rings symbolizes the couple’s fidelity to each other. For the devout, wedding bands represent that, plus their relationship to God, whom they see as the central foundation of their relationship.

Some women prefer to wear their wedding rings on the bottom of their finger with the engagement ring first while for others just the opposite holds true. The “closer to the heart” meaning is important to some, while the convenience of easily removing the engagement ring while at work or doing chores is important to others.

How Many Rings
In time’s past, only one ring would be given and that ring would be from the man to the woman when they got married. A different economic climate required limited options but those restrictions are no longer in place.

Today, couples from around the world are enjoying financial freedom that allows the man to give an engagement ring, the couple to exchange rings at their wedding ceremony, and the giving of a diamond eternity ring or anniversary rings later on in their marriage.

Whichever way you choose to demonstrate your love, purchase a quality engagement ring, wedding rings, or an anniversary ring meant to stand the test of time.

The 4C's of Diamonds

2008-11-05T14:20:00.004-05:00

A Diamond's Value is based on the rarity of four characteristics (the 4c's):Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. These four characteristics can distinguish important factors in a diamond: its beauty, rarity, or size.

The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform and a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

COLOR - Though the majority of diamonds appear to be colorless, they are not. There are many shades differences although subtle. Diamonds with no color or very close to no color are considered very rare and valuable.Diamonds with strong color, called "Fancies",can be red, blue, yellow, pink, purple, are the most rare and consequently more valuable.

CARATS - As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

CLARITY - Diamond clarity is a term used to describe the absence or presence of flaws inside or on the surface of a diamond or other gemstone. A perfect stone with perfect clarity, or clearness, is rare, and most flaws that do exist in jewelry grade diamonds cannot be seen without looking at the gems through a jeweler's magnifying loupe.

CUT - Did you know that the term diamond cut does not refer to its shape? Sure, you have to cut a diamond to make it a shape, but when gemologists say "cut," they are talking about a diamond's proportions, such as its depth and width and the uniformity of its facets--all characteristics that control brilliance, durability and other features we look for in a diamond.

A good cut is essential to a diamond's beauty, because even a diamond with outstanding color and clarity will not display the sparkle that diamonds are famous for if its components don't interact with light as they should.

Though a diamond's value may increase or decrease because of its rarity, these factors usually do not affect thebeauty of the diamond - as seen by the naked eye. Decide upon what's important and mix and match your 4c's to purchase your perfect diamond.

Buy Certified Diamonds Online At Discounted Rates

2008-10-31T16:05:00.017-05:00

Buying Certified Diamonds Online
To begin with, ask yourself why you’re thinking of buying a diamond online instead of purchasing it from a local jewelry store. Most often it’s the price factor since it costs less to buy a diamond on the internet than from a store, not to mention the additional convenience of shopping from home. One of the best things about purchasing diamonds online is the unlimited selection and not being limited merely to the selection in your locality.

Due to lower overhead, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer you diamonds and engagement rings at significantly lower prices, often giving you savings of up to 30% to 35%. Also, with online shopping, you can take as long as you like to compare diamond shapes, cuts and prices while relaxing at home in front of your computer without the usual pressure and hype from sales people. The internet gives you an amazing opportunity to purchase high quality certified diamonds at considerably lower prices.

Compare Prices
Give yourself plenty of time to check prices. Don’t go for the first interesting diamond you see or the first offer that attracts you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Cost savings are not really possible when you buy from your local jeweler or a retail outlet. Some comparison shopping will help you find the lowest prices and it's so easy to compare the prices of diamonds online and find the best diamond you can.

Whether you are looking for loose stones to later set into a piece of jewelry, or want to buy diamond jewelry, shopping online can give you a whole lot of financial advantages. Online jewelers travel to South America, Europe, Africa, and Russia to select quality rough diamonds, which they bring back to polishing facilities.

After experts cut and polish the diamond to bring out its beauty and value, the diamond goes directly from the jeweler to you, which removes the cost of a middleman and operating costs translating to high quality at a surprisingly low price.

Take advantage of the 30-day Return Guarantee and Free FedEx Overnight Shipping on all diamond purchases.

At this stage, you've done your research and know quite a bit about diamonds. You’ve found a diamond you want, you’ve found the lowest price possible – but still you have some steps to complete before actually purchasing that diamond.

Buy Only GIA Certified Diamonds
Ask for the diamond's certificate which is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. Insist that thediamond was certified by a recognized and independent, unbiased laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). You should see this certificate before making a purchase. Under no circumstances should you buy anything less than a certified diamond.

Check Out The Seller’s Credentials
Begin this final stage of your investigation by asking about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. Make sure they have return and refund policies. View and print the seller’s return, refund, and (if any) upgrade policies. Before shopping for a diamond, take the time to select the online jeweler you plan to deal with for all your future puchases.

Next, inquire about additional services; such as settings and mountings, sizing, free shipping and othercourtesies the jeweler may offer. Run a search for customer reviews on this particular company as an online jeweler. Also check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) online to see if there have been any complaints about that seller.

When you hear of scams concerning buying diamonds online, don't assume that every internet jeweler is a thief. You actually can purchase diamonds and diamond jewelry online safely, with considerable cost savings, if you take simple precautions.

When you know basic information about diamonds and their characteristics, that knowledge makes it harder for a scam artist to rip you off. Learning the facts about diamonds and understanding the terminology can help you save money without having to skimp on quality or size.

How Diamonds Are Certified

2008-10-28T15:29:00.005-05:00

How To Purchase Quality Diamonds
If you're thinking about purchasing loose diamonds or diamond jewelry, it's a very good idea to make sure that such diamonds are certified diamonds. Such diamonds are accompanied by a document known as a "grading report," which is not the same thing as an appraisal. While an appraisal can give you an idea of the monetary value of your certified diamonds, it is this grading report that is the basis of this valuation.

How Diamonds are Certified
The grading report describes certified diamonds on the basis of four qualities. These are carat, clarity, color and cut, and therefore are sometimes known as the "Four Cs" of diamond certification. The report is for the benefit of those who create and market diamond jewelry, as well as those who purchase it - either as collectors, investors or both. Those who prepare such reports are known as gemologists. These are technicians who generally have a degree in gemology, then go on for specialized training in the study of precious gems and stones.

What the Grading Report Contains
Three of the criteria used to analyze and evaluate diamonds are thoroughly objective, meaning they can be readily measured and quantified. Carat of course is a measure of mass and weight; a carat is equal to 2 decigrams, or roughly 1.5 hundredths of an ounce. Obviously, the more a gem weighs, the greater its value. With industrial diamonds, the process might stop right there. However, certified diamonds are those used in diamond jewelry, and thus must be pleasing to the eye. The SI Clarity Grade is another criterion by which gemologists evaluate diamonds. The ideal, perfect diamond is rated "FL" for "flawless." The stone is virtually clear, with no cloudy or "cottony" areas or visible cracks. Stones that are clouded and/or cracked are labeled "I3" for "imperfect."

Diamond Grading
Color is an important factor when it comes to diamonds. These gems are clear or white to be sure, but can also be pink, amber, blue, green or purple. The saturation of these colors can range from the palest tinge to the deepest, darkest shades as well. Some colors are more desirable than others; rich pink and blue diamonds may command much higher prices than dark amber or even clear ones.

Evaluating the cut is a little more problematic. While it is true that a badly cut diamond may be almost worthless, even among quality cuts, some are more desirable than others. The value of cuts when it comes to certified diamonds is often determined by current market conditions that may change over time.

The Pleasure of Platinum

2008-09-13T15:41:00.006-05:00

Platinum Rings : Whether it's a diamond engagement ring, a wedding band, an anniversary ring or eternity ring, think about the metal.

Custom Rings : Platinum Wedding Bands

If you know you don’t want yellow gold, the next decision is whether to go with white gold or to have your jewelry made in platinum.

Platinum is a Rare Precious Metal The two metals have very different price tags. Typically, a platinum ring will cost twice to three times as much as the same ring in white gold. Knowing the difference between white gold and platinum will help you decide whether the higher cost of a platinum ring is worth it to you.

Why Not White Gold Some would ask if white gold is the same as platinum and the answer is quite simply, no. Each of these metals have their own properties, which is an obvious reason for what makes them different. However, the largest difference to someone who is shopping for an engagement ring is that the white gold is a mix of white gold and other metals such a palladium.

So Why Chose the Platinum Engagement Ring
Platinum, on the other hand, is quite white in color and since used in a pure form, the color remains true for the life of the ring. While, the platinum engagement ring will be much more expensive than it’s competitors for many reasons, these reasons should not deter you from making the purchase. It is true that platinum is very rare, more rare than gold, which will often force the price of the setting to be double the cost of a similar setting made of white gold but the rarity of the metal only increases the value of the ring. In addition, because it is used in a pure form (generally 95% pure), it is extremely durable.

Insuring Your Valuable Jewelry

2007-10-16T14:25:00.000-05:00

The biggest mistake brides and grooms, then husbands and wives make is: NOT INSURING THEIR RINGS.

The second biggest mistake brides and grooms (and husbands and wives) make is to Insure Their Rings with their Home-owners Policy.

Why Insure Your Rings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not insuring wedding and engagement rings is a costly mistake made by almost 50% of the public.

And the 50% that do insure their rings put it on their homeowner’s policy – and big NO-NO.

Save Hundreds in Repairs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not insuring rings stems from either being busy, silly, lazy, or uninformed.

A good insurance policy will save you hundreds on possible repairs, while making sure that your investment of thousands of dollars is protected – for pennies on the dollar.

How to Insure Your Jewelry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Always make sure that:

1. Your appraisal is NOT over appraised – otherwise you’ll be paying higher premiums then you need and if you have a loss the insurance company will only re-imburse the actual value of your ring – NOT the appraised value.

2. That you have a ZERO deductible – this way your repair bills will be paid in full by the insurance company.

3. That you find a good insurance company like Jewelers Mutual to insure with. Why not put it on your homeowner’s policy? Because if you have a loss companies like All State, State Farm, etc. will raise your homeowner’s premiums. Using an independent company will not impact the premiums on your homeowner’s policy.

Elsa is here to make your jewelry buying and owning experience as fun and stress-free as possible. At Elsarings.com you will find the lowest prices on GIA certified diamond, platinum men’s ring, etc. Remember 12-15-07 we are giving away a $2,500 diamond pendant – enter by purchasing or referring – rules can be found on this page at Elsarings.com

The Jewelers Standard

2007-07-16T18:27:00.006-05:00

Diamonds that are absolutely without imperfection are very rare to find in the high color ranges and therefore the most sought-after and the most expensive. But many diamonds have inclusions - bubbles, clouds, feathers, carbon, trace minerals or other tiny characteristics.

Although if there are many of these, or if they are large enough to see by eye, they detract from the pure beauty of the diamond. Many of them are visible only through magnification.

Jewelers Standard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The standard magnification is a 10 power loop - which is what most jewelers use. The GIA and AGSL use a detailed system of rules and standards to summarize the number, location, size, and type of inclusions present in a diamond.

FL, IF Diamonds: Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Internally Flawless: No internal flaws. Very rare.
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds: Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. An excellent quality diamond.
VS1, VS2 Diamonds: Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye. More affordable than the VVS1 or VVS2 grades.
SI1, SI2 Diamonds: Slightly Included: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, and at times may be visible with the unaided eye. The most affordable diamond and usually the best diamond value.

Which Clarity is Best? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We recommend that you select a diamond that has no inclusions visible to the unaided eye - Si1 or Si2. These stones have imperfections that may look big when magnified but are actually so small that you can't see them without magnification. Most people are better off spending their money on a better color, or better cut.

If you're considering an SI grade diamond, or other fine gem quality stone, color diamonds, or precious stones, call us at 800-440-3572. We always work directly with you, review the diamonds you are interested in to ensure the inclusions are not visible with the unaided eye.

2007-06-18T17:43:00.001-05:00

The first thing people look for in diamond quality is color. The scale, from the best color
D to the worst color Z, is easy to understand, and most salespeople will immediately refer
to a color grade when showing diamonds.

Color is the natural body color visible in a diamond and is the one C determined completely
by nature, not man. As a rule, the closer a diamond is to colorless, the more valuable and
beautiful it is.

Color Grades
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
D: Absolutely colorless. The highest color grade.
E: Colorless. Only minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist.
F: Colorless. Slight color detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless" grade.
G-H: Near-colorless. Color noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but these
grades offer excellent value.
I-J: Near-colorless. Color slightly detectable.

Diamonds graded better than H are colorless or near-colorless and their color is typically
undetectable to the unaided eye. I and J colors usually have faint yellow color, especially
if you place them into white gold or platinum.

Diamond Prism
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acting as a prism, a diamond can divide light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this light
as colorful flashes called fire. Just as when looking through colored glass, color in a diamond
will act as a filter, and will diminish the spectrum of color emitted. The less color in a diamond,
the more colorful the fire, and the better the color grade.

Note: Elsa Rings also carries fancy-yellow colored diamonds. These diamonds are graded on a
different color scale than white diamonds. Since the scale above ranges from the best to the
worst quality in a white diamond, the yellow color in fancy-yellow diamonds cannot be found on
this scale.

Fancy Yellow Colored Diamonds

Buyer Beware
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words of caution; lower color diamonds are often made to seem to be superior quality by
salespeople by focusing on the clarity - meaning the imperfections in a diamond. It is always
advisable to get the highest color you can afford, with a combination of Si1 or Si2 clarity diamond.

Of course, of all the C's, CUT is the most important- releasing the brilliance of the diamond.

Diamond Color

2007-06-18T17:39:00.001-05:00

The first thing people look for in diamond quality is color. The scale, from the best color D to the worst color Z, is easy to understand, and most salespeople will immediately refer to a color grade when showing diamonds.

Color is the natural body color visible in a diamond and is the one C determined completely by nature, not man. As a rule, the closer a diamond is to colorless, the more valuable and beautiful it is.

Color Grades
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diamond color table
D: Absolutely colorless. The highest color grade.
E: Colorless. Only minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist.
F: Colorless. Slight color detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless" grade.
G-H: Near-colorless. Color noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but these grades offer excellent value.
I-J: Near-colorless. Color slightly detectable.

Diamonds graded better than H are colorless or near-colorless and their color is typically
undetectable to the unaided eye. I and J colors usually have faint yellow color, especially
if you place them into white gold or platinum.

Diamond Prism
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acting as a prism, a diamond can divide light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this light
as colorful flashes called fire. Just as when looking through colored glass, color in a diamond
will act as a filter, and will diminish the spectrum of color emitted. The less color in a diamond,
the more colorful the fire, and the better the color grade.

Note: Elsa Rings also carries fancy-yellow colored diamonds. These diamonds are graded on a
different color scale than white diamonds. Since the scale above ranges from the best to the
worst quality in a white diamond, the yellow color in fancy-yellow diamonds cannot be found on
this scale.

Fancy Yellow Colored Diamonds

Buyer Beware
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words of caution; lower color diamonds are often made to seem to be superior quality by
salespeople by focusing on the clarity - meaning the imperfections in a diamond. It is always
advisable to get the highest color you can afford, with a combination of Si1 or Si2 clarity diamond.

Of course, of all the C's, CUT is the most important- releasing the brilliance of the diamond.

Cancer Care Logo Pin

2007-06-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

You know Elsa Jewelry as a top design studio specializing in wedding and engagement rings. Many of you have used us for years to design other exquisite pieces.

When Cancer Care approached Elsa Jewelry to donate a piece of jewelry for their annual auction, Elsa and Stefan had an idea that could give Cancer Care the opportunity to create on-going funding for years to come.

Using Cancer Care’s lovely logo, Elsa and Stefan have created a stunning piece of jewelry. It can be worn both as a pendant and/or as a broach. We are also considering making a tiepin and cuff links.

The logo is studded with 78 sparkling, pave set diamonds and we are also planning on making it available without diamonds, in yellow, white and platinum.

If you can’t make the gala and want this piece we can keep you on a buyers list until Cancer Care makes a final determination on selling the pieces.

If you are involved with a worthwhile charity and want to have Elsa Jewelry design a piece for them please let us know.

Elsa Jewelry is no. 1 in Customer Satisfaction

2007-06-06T13:08:00.000-05:00

What does “Zero Percent chargeback” have to do with customer satisfaction?

How would you know which company was really achieving customer satisfaction?

Everyone claims to be service oriented, have good quality merchandise, and good prices.

The fewer times people return jewelry they bought from a company is one good indicator.

Read what one professional’s research found out about customer satisfaction, and then ask yourself whether you wouldn’t feel more comfortable doing business with such a reputable and customer oriented company, too.

"Dear Elsarings.com,

I am a "Portfolio Manager" at First Data Merchant Services, Melville, N.Y. We process Visa/MC transactions for a vast array of merchants throughout the United States. Looking for a business I could trust to purchase an engagement ring, I decided to research which jewelry companies had the lowest percent return and chargeback ratio. I found that Elsarings.com had a less than two percent return ratio, followed by a zero percent chargeback ratio, the best in the jewelry industry.

Zero Percent is simply unheard of in any industry, especially in the jewelry industry, especially with Internet Jewelers.

After doing business with you I understand why. Internet shoppers would be well advised to use your services.

With much Thanks,”

Louis Dionisio
First Data Merchant Services

Questions for Elsarings.com

2007-02-26T18:56:00.001-05:00

We get a lot of questions for advice regarding the care of your gorgeous diamond jewelry. So, because we love the interaction, we're setting up our "official" Q&A pages here. We welcome your questions and comments and look forward to hearing from you.

Question: I was wondering how you would suggest cleaning my engagement ring. I use a jar of jewelry cleaner now that I picked up at CVS. I just drop the ring in and rinse with warm water, is this a good method to cleaning the ring or will this damage the ring? Also, it is kind of hard not to touch the stone from time to time, if it is touched can the oils from my hands be cleaned off when I use the cleaner or will the stone get progressively dull as time goes on?

I would appreciate your feedback...Thank you!

Answer: The jewelry cleaner will definitely clean your ring. No accumulation of body oils to worry about.

To rinse, place hot water into a glass or cup - never hold ring over sink drain - and rinse. On the other hand why do you have to touch the stone? Hold the bottom or sides of your ring to put it on and take it off.

Question: How do I buy a diamond and avoid all the scams at the jewelry stores?

Answer: First, let's separate scams into two categories: major and minor. Frankly, major scams rarely occur... but when they do, the media overpublicizes them to sell newspapers or magazines.

On the other hand, minor scams are very common and are found in almost all of the major jewelry chain stores to some degree. Such scams persist simply because it is hard for consumers to educate themselves before they buy.

1. Insist on a grading certificate
(Beware of Certificates from non-existent "sound-alike" labs - If it is not from the true GIA, AGS or EGL gem labs, don't believe it.)
2. Check with the BBB
3. Learn the 4 Cs
4. Never buy from anyone in the Diamond District in New York
5. Research the best price for any diamond

Use your common sense and don't ignore "red flag warning signals" - learn to trust your instincts and you'll find a perfect diamond ring for you.

Is your Diamond Loose

2007-02-19T12:15:00.000-05:00

HOW TO TELL YOUR DIAMOND(S) IS LOOSE?

Loose diamonds are a problem. If not noticed in time they will fall out. Replacing a diamond can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If you don’t want to lose your diamonds, you better read this article in full.

So how can you tell if a diamond is loose?

Many years ago, when I first opened my business, a lovely young lady received an engagement ring from one of our clients.

After about a month we got a phone call, “My center stone is loose…can I come in to have it tightened?” Certainly, was my response.

It took a few minute to tighten her stone.

She expressed concern, “I only had the ring a month and it is already loose. I am extremely careful with the ring.” And as I inspected the ring I noticed there was hardly a scratch on it…so it was true that she was very careful. I scratched my head. “Are you sure the ring was made properly?” she asked.

I assured her that we take great care, and our quality control is meticulous.. after all we’ve been in business for 3 years by selling quality, and having a business that is dependent almost exclusively on word-of-mouth.

She left feeling a little better, but still skeptical.

2 months later we got another call from her. Her center stone was loose again. There was irritation in her voice. “This is second time in only a couple of months...I am afraid of even wearing the ring now.”

I apologized. When she came in I inspected the diamond ring. No scratches, no nicks, no dents. Nothing that would indicate she had an accident with it. In the past, clients would either admit right away that they banged the ring into something or I was always able to find the cause. After showing a customer what happened they realized they had to be a bit more careful, or not wear it when working out, cleaning, etc.

But, with her ring nothing. I was puzzled, and it made her even more aggravated and concerned. After we tightened her diamond I showed her that all is well and tried to convince her that it would not happen again. “I am very unhappy with the quality of your ring she said. It is beautiful, but I don’t even want to wear it. If it happens again I want a new ring made.” I agreed that if it happened again, something was very wrong and we’d have to make the ring again. With that she left.

Not even a month passed by, she was in the store again, this time with our client, her fiancée. They were visibly upset. I was ready to offer my apologies, when something occurred to me. It was a question I had never asked a client before.

“HOW DID YOU NOTICE THAT YOU DIAMOND IS LOOSE?”

She looked at me with some disdain, as if I asked her how much was 2 plus 2, grabbed her center diamond between her thumb and finger and gave it a twist.

“I check my diamond every day!”, she said.

I felt a huge sigh of relief. The mystery of the loose diamond was solved. I knew that I would not see her in my store for a long time with this particular problem.

“With all due respect you must never touch your diamond, especially not in the way you just demonstrated. The prongs of your setting are metal, and they are ever-so-gently holding the thin edge of your diamond, called a girdle, in place. If we attempted to really press down on the diamond with the prong we might crack or chip the stone.”

“SO how an I tell if my diamond is loose?” she asked.

“Simple…just take your ring…hold it up to your EAR, and gently with your finger nail, tap on the shank of the ring…the part that has no side diamonds. If anything is loose, you will hear a buzzing sound, instead of a solid sound. I held her ring to her ear and gently tapped. There was a barely discernible sound. The diamond was ever-so-slightly loose. After we tightened her diamond she listened again and heard only the solid tap, no buzz.

A little self-righteous, a little embarrassed, she left. She never had that problem again.

This week I had a couple visiting our showroom who purchased their engagement and wedding rings from us 5 years ago.

She showed me her wedding ring…three small round diamond in the center of the ring are loose. Of course, after 20 years, I am equipped with knowledge I didn’t have before. Instead of checking the ring’s condition, or explaining that stones do not loosen without something shaking them, my first question was, “

“HOW DID YOU NOTICE THAT YOU DIAMONDS ARE LOOSE?”

Her response was that a friend showed her how to take the point of a pencil and tapp the diamonds. If they move they are loose.

I don’t think I have to tell you end of this story.

All’s well that ends well. Do not touch, or tap, or in any way contact your stones.

Many women have the habit of placing one finger on the bottom of their ring and one finger on top of their diamond, when removing or putting the ring on.

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Not only will this also loosen your diamonds, but the oil from your fingers will dull the brilliance of the stone. Have you seen the fingerprint that kids leave on windows, and glass doors? That is what you are doing to your diamond.

Diamonds and Quality

2007-02-16T14:57:00.001-05:00

QUALITY VS. PRICE

There is nothing more frustrating then having an engagement ring you love, or a wedding ring that has been blessed, an expensive anniversary ring start falling apart on your finger after just a few month or few years of normal wearing.

How well rings are made, their quality, is always an important issue to consider, especially when buying an engagement ring, a wedding rings, anniversary ring, eternity ring. These rings have special meaning attached to them, and are worn a lot more then other rings or pieces of jewelry. Therefore they have to be well made to last.

My father always used to say, “Cheap is expensive, and expensive is cheap.” It took me a long time to really understand what he meant. As a young man without a lot of money I was always looking for the best price, and wasn’t very quality conscious.

Then I realized that the shoes he bought, the suit, the coat, still looked great after 10 years, and were always comfortable –while a was already buying the 10th pair of shoes, 10th pair of pants, because they would fall apart and never be that comfortable. One pair of shoes for $300, or 10 pairs for $30?!?

EYE TRAINING

Obviously a thorough inspection of the item is a good place to start. But how does an untrained person know if a diamond ring is well made or poorly made.

My recommendation is that you go into a number of upscale jewelry stores, whose prices may be a little high, but are likely to carry well made jewelry, including rings.

Take a look at the way the diamonds are set, look at the uniformity of the stones, the uniformity of the design, the engraving, or whatever details appear. See how clean and precise everything about the ring looks.

This is different from what people generally do when shopping for an engagement ring or wedding ring, which is that they almost exclusively look at the style. Looking for the design comes after you trained yourself to observe quality.

Once you’ve seen the way a diamond rings is supposed to look, it will be much easier for you to notice if a ring in a less pricey store is well made.

DUMPING GROUND FOR LOW QUALITY MERCHANDISE

Places like Flea Markets and downtown jewelry districts are generally the dumping grounds for manufacturers for the pieces that didn’t go through their quality control. Instead of removing all the diamonds, melting down the ring, and loosing all that labor, they sell it at discounts to Flea Market and discount store operators, like Costco, Wla-mart, Macy’s, Target, etc.

There are items you can buy in a Flea Market and get away with it. Maybe if a few links in a chain necklace are poorly soldered it isn’t that noticeable. It only costs a few hundred dollars, not many thousands.

SECOND HAND JEWLERY

Would you like to buy an engagement ring, a wedding rings, an anniversary ring, an eternity ring that has been worn by one or more people, while thinking you were actually buying a new ring? Who wants to get engaged or married in an engagement ring or wedding ring from someone that just separated and needs money for a divorce?

You get what you pay for! When you are shopping in questionable places to begin with – Flea Markets, downtown jewelry districts like New York’s 47th street – the great deals are almost always on jewelry that was purchased for a penny on the dollar from criminals or people who are down and out financially, getting divorced, etc.

It that the ring you want blessed?

WHO IS THE MANUFACTURER

The other important question when shopping for an engagement ring, a wedding ring, anniversary ring, or eternity ring is, “Who is the manufacturer?” The Federal Trade Commission requires that every ring is stamped with the company’s trademark. If a jeweler won’t tell you which company manufactured the item you’re considering investing $2,000, $3,000 or more there is a real problem. Because it’s not that they don’t know or can’t find out for you – it’s that they don’t want you to know.

Ask yourself why? Why would a store NOT want to tell you who made the ring you are interested in buying?

DO NOT buy a ring without knowing who the manufacturer is!

IN SUMMARY

Consider Quality – you get what you pay for.

Learn to tell good quality form poor quality.

Beware of second hand and reject merchandise.

Find out who is the manufacturer.