The Perfect Gift for Mothers Day

Posted on:  March 5th, 2010

With Mothers Day nearly upon us, you are maybe struggling to decide what present shows your true appreciation to your mum, partner, grandma and so on. We at Marlows Certified Diamonds may just have the right answer for you in the form of our beautiful selection of diamonds and jewellery.

Diamonds are formed over a hundred miles below the earth’s surface, which means that during their creation each and every diamond becomes unique. Thus, with diamonds’ exclusivity and precious nature, nothing could be more symbolic in meaning when presenting them as a gift.

Diamonds don’t necessarily mean expensive diamond rings you’d normally associate with eternity rings or engagement rings. However, if this Mothers Day is the first one for your child, an eternity ring may be something worth considering for your beautiful wife.

We have a beautiful selection of earrings to show the person you love just how much they mean to you. If you’re looking for something quite simple why not try a single diamond stud pair of earrings in yellow or white gold, which can be available in different cuts depending on your taste. However, if you are looking for something with a touch more sparkle and extravagance then a pair of diamond pendant earrings could be just what you are looking for.

One fantastic characteristic of diamond jewellery is its timelessness, as diamond earrings, rings, bracelets and so on can remain a treasured piece of jewellery for many years. As these pieces of jewellery never become outdated, they leave the gift recipient with a gift that just keeps on reminding them of you.

No Comments »

Take A Look At The Four C’s – Part 2

Posted on:  February 8th, 2010

When embarking on a search for dream engagement rings, you can take a little time to do some research.  There are four elements to choosing a diamond that you can benefit from getting acquainted with.  These are colour, cut, carat and clarity.  By educating yourself about what makes a high quality diamond you can ensure that you get the best value for your budget.

The carat of diamonds

Many people believe that carat refers to the size of diamonds, but they are not actually the same thing.  You can sometimes find quite large diamonds with small carat weights.  This can be due to the specific shape of the individual diamond.  However, it is true that big diamonds tend to have a bigger carat weight and therefore a bigger price tag.  This means that when choosing unique diamond engagement rings they can be more expensive than an equivalent with several smaller diamonds.  This can be the case even when the carat weight is the same in total.

The clarity of diamonds

The clarity of a diamond is often connected with the cut.  This relates to whether or not it is possible to observe natural flaws, spots or cracks in the diamond.  There is a rating system in relation to the clarity of diamonds. This system can be of utility when deciding between diamonds that you may wish to purchase.

At Marlows we have a stunning range of diamond jewellery to choose from and we can help you to pick out beautiful engagement rings.

No Comments »

The Beauty Of The Princess Cut

Posted on:  January 27th, 2010

The princess cut diamond, otherwise known as the quadrillon cut, was invented by a Robert J Wueste. He designed the cut to make use of rough diamonds whilst also aiming to give a sparkle that resembles the brilliance of diamonds cut into radiant.

The features of a princess cut

The princess cut has a square shape with sharp edges that are uncut.  There appears to be an ‘X’ or four pointed star at the centre of the diamond which is created by the light reflection and facets of the diamonds.  This is made by a stark contrast of light and dark or linear life.  It also have vertically cut crown and pavilion facets.  This cut is usually less expensive than the radiant cut as a rough loose diamond can make two princess cut diamonds usually.

Choosing a radiant or princess cut

When choosing a diamond due to its princess or radiant cut you have to make a personal choice.  If you are a fan of clean and straight lines then the princess cut will provide you with sharp corners.  If you like a more individual look then the extra facets and cut corners of a radiant cut diamond will appeal.

Take time to examine the diamonds carefully so that you make the right choice for you.  You need to take time before you make your decision to educate yourself about both cuts and what makes a high quality diamond.

At Marlows we can help you make the right selection of diamond cut for your engagement rings.

No Comments »

Radiant Cut Diamonds

Posted on:  January 26th, 2010

When looking at diamond engagement rings you often need to make a choice between the radiant cut diamonds versus the princess cut diamonds when choosing your diamonds. This can be a difficult decision to make as both provide great sparkle due to their excellent light reflection.  If, however, you want engagement rings with the most sparkle then the radiant cut is the one to go for.

Radiant Cut Diamonds – History

This patented cut was introduced by Henry Grossbard in 1977 and was a revolutionary addition to the diamond cutting industry.  It was created in an attempt to capture the best from the emerald cuts and the round cuts.

Within the emerald cuts, Grossbard saw that its outer lines and cut corners at the crown of a diamond cut this way were stunning.  Within the round cut, Grossbard wanted to capture its triangular faceting.

Taking the best qualities of both he created greater sparkle in the radiant cut.

Although people often choose between the radiant and princess cut both are very different except at the crown.  Radiant cut diamonds does not have sharp edges and the crown comes up a little higher than in the princess cut.  It also has a smaller table and its depth may be a little less than the princess cut. Unlike the princess cut there are no vulnerable corners and it includes step cuts and brilliant cuts.  If you look down at the loose diamond from above you will see that light moves in a pattern that is circular.  This allows more light in and therefore more ways for it to be reflected back out.

No Comments »

The Perfect Diamond – Part 2

Posted on:  January 25th, 2010

Finding the perfect diamond without flaws or inclusions is extremely rare and expensive to buy. Most diamonds you will come across will have some form of inclusions, and depending on the type of flaw and its severity, it will affect the clarity and therefore the price. Here are more flaws to be aware of:

Laser lines – these are inclusions that have been man-made.  They are the remaining markings from a laser that has been used on the diamond to cut away dark and prominent inclusions in diamonds.

Feathers – this type of flaw has earned its name as the inclusions do indeed look like small feathers within the diamonds.  These small inclusions are usually harmless but if they reach the surface of a diamond they can cause the diamond to break.

Pinpoints – these are crystals that form within the loose diamond.  If these crystals are big enough or they form into clusters the diamond can look cloudy which will reduce its clarity.

Most serious inclusions are below the surface of a loose diamond but there are also flaws to be seen on the surface.  They can occur when the diamond forms but normally they are caused when cut or via day-to-day wear and tear.  If they are prominent it will reduce the diamond’s value.

Pit – this is one of the worst surface blemishes if prominent.  Pits are holes within the diamonds facets.  A shallow pit can sometimes be removed by polishing.

Scratches – again, unless these are deep they can be removed by polishing.

Nicks – finally these are chips and again polishing usually helps.

At Marlows we have a wonderful selection of high quality diamonds.

No Comments »

The Perfect Diamond – Part 1

Posted on:  January 22nd, 2010

Finding the perfect diamond is a rare occurrence and diamonds without some flaws or blemishes are extremely expensive. In most diamonds you will some inclusions and flaws and it is these imperfections, both size and amount, that determine a diamond’s clarity.

Types of Inclusions and Flaws in Diamonds

Inclusions

In natural diamonds there are two main types of inclusion.  The first is syngenetic inclusions which develop as a diamond forms.  The second type is epigenetic inclusions which form once the diamond is made.

Flaws

Cleavage – this is a serious flaw and can actually affect the stability of a loose diamond.  In short a cleavage inclusion is a straight crack.  If they are bad enough they will actually cause a diamond to split in two, particularly if they meet with high pressure or are banged in a certain area.

Bearding – this is hair-like stress lines.  The lines can occur when the diamond is cut and are most commonly seen around the girdle of diamonds.  This is the part of the diamond that is grasped by prongs.  Another term for this type of flaw is girdle fringes.

Growth lines – otherwise known as grain lines, these occur when a diamond is forming.  It can happen when irregular crystalisation happens.  If the lines have no colour they will normally not affect the clarity of the diamond, however, when these lines are white or coloured they become visible and affect the diamond’s value.

Here at Marlows we can help you choose high quality certified diamonds.

No Comments »

Caring For Your Engagement Ring

Posted on:  December 21st, 2009

You will need to clean diamond engagement rings in order to maintain its sparkle and shine. However, you must understand the steps to take beforehand or you could inadvertently damage it. Firstly, make sure you understand how the ring was made.

Even if you have an understanding of how diamonds should be cared for, depending on whether the diamonds have been treated there may be specialist cleaning steps that need to be taken to ensure you don’t discolour or damage the diamonds.

There are also some of the precious metals used to make the ring that need special care and attention.  If in doubt speak, to the jeweller and ask their opinion on how best to approach cleaning the ring.  A reputable jeweller will know any special treatments that are required and may offer their own services to clean the ring for you.

Once you’re happy and you know how best to clean the ring, get into the habit of inspecting the ring for signs of damage such as cracks, if there is a loose diamond, missing details or damaged prongs.  If you clean a damaged ring is can create further problems.  If you do find some flaws, get a reputable jeweller to repair it to stop problems in their tracks.

Next, be wary around sinks as one of the top ways diamond engagement rings get lost is down the plughole! If you have any open pipes or drains, use a mesh strainer which will catch any rogue diamond rings.

At Marlows we have a stunning range of diamond engagement rings and wedding rings with years of experience to guide you though making the choice.

No Comments »

From Carbon Mineral To Glittering Jewels

Posted on:  December 17th, 2009

It may come as a shock to you to find that only 25% of diamonds from mines are rated as high enough quality to be transformed into the stunning, shimmering jewels that we know and love in diamond engagement rings and wedding rings. Those that are rejected find their way into industry, used as abrasives or within industrial equipment due to the diamond’s main characteristic of hardness. Another popular use is to use them to cut and polish those diamonds that do make it into jewellery.

The vast numbers of diamonds produced are sourced by the jewellery industry in countries such as Russia, Australia, Brazil, South Africa and Canada.  There are also smaller numbers sourced from other nations.
If you are a savvy purchaser of diamonds you will always seek a certificate of authentication which will show the origin of the diamond and ensure you do not buy a conflict diamond.

Diamonds are cut and polished into the diamond shapes that we have grown familiar with.  There are specific organisations worldwide that carry out this type of delicate work.  The cut diamonds are then sold on to manufacturers of jewellery who set the stones into a variety of settings.  It will take several months from the diamond being mined until it finds itself on a diamond engagement ring.

By taking time to learn about how diamonds are created, you will gain a feel for the exclusivity and wonder of the stones.

Marlows has an exquisite range of diamonds and diamond engagement rings.

No Comments »

What Makes Quality Diamonds?

Posted on:  December 16th, 2009

If you have opted to find a loose diamond for your perfect engagement ring you will need to understand what makes quality diamonds. When visiting a reputable jeweller like Marlows, you’ll find a selection of loose diamonds which will be displayed on white backgrounds so that you can fully appreciate the colour of the stones.

Some jewellers group diamonds of the same size and colour within the same container. This is very useful if you are looking for loose diamonds to be set in diamond earrings or as part of a wedding set.

When looking at a loose diamond, ask to see the stones outside of any containers and use magnifying glasses and loupes to view the diamonds closely.  Don’t be shy about asking to see the stones up close – after all this is a significant investment and will be set in an important piece of jewellery.

Selecting quality diamonds

When you buy loose diamonds, you must be knowledgeable about diamond quality.  This includes the following characteristics:

1.    Colour – the are differing hues and shades available and each will have an impact on the perceived quality of the diamond

2.    Carats – this refers to the stone size which will appear reduced in the setting

3.    Cut – a high-quality cut will ensure high quality settings in engagement rings

4.    Clarity – here you must look out for inclusions and flaws which can decrease value

5.    Diamond anatomy – understanding good diamond proportions will help you identify beautifully formed diamonds

For expert advice, a stunning range of diamonds and great deals speak to us at Marlows.

No Comments »

Planning Your Engagement Ring – Part 2

Posted on:  December 9th, 2009

When planning for engagement rings, one of the most important stages is agreeing your budget.  It may not seem very romantic, but this forethought can help you to define your requirements carefully and ensure that this important purchase is one not only of emotional significance but, financially, a good choice.

Size isn’t always important

Once you have educated yourself on what makes good-quality diamonds you will need to get to grips with differences of quality and size.  If size is a big factor for you, you need to consider whether you will be happy sacrificing some of the quality to stay within your budget.  If you do want to get the biggest stone you can be wary of flaws in the stone that could indicate problems for the future.  Look out for surface cracks or flaws at the centre of the diamond which could result in the stone breaking in two.

Diamond shapes

Understanding how the shape of diamonds can affect the appearance and quality of your diamond engagement rings is next on the list.  The brilliance and glitter of diamonds can be hugely affected by the shape.  Learn to spot the difference.

Other Gems

Diamond engagement rings may also have other stones set in the band.  Diamonds are the all-time classic stone for engagement rings, but you can adapt this and there are many stunning gems to choose from.

However, if your beloved has her heart set on diamonds then Marlows has an exquisite collection to choose from.

No Comments »

« Older Entries