Archive for September, 2010

Using Colored Stones in Men’s Cz Rings

Friday, September 24th, 2010

The rare fancy color diamonds are enjoying increased popularity amongst those who choose diamonds for their jewelry. In the same way, colored cubic zirconia gemstones can be selected for setting in men’s Cz rings. The color in the cubic zirconia rings is a result of certain trace elements being added during the manufacturing process. The resulting color depends upon the added elements. The gemstones in the completed men’s Cz rings include vibrant choices of red, purple, golden brown, blue and green among others. The benefit of using fancy color cubic zirconia gemstones in the settings is the vibrancy of the colors and the consistency with which they are attained.

Diamond Colors vs Cz
Fancy colors found in men’s Cz rings are a popular alternative to fancy color diamonds for some of the same reasons that white cubic zirconia rings are popular. Natural diamonds found in nature’s fancy colors are extremely rare. Many of the fancy colors are not clear but are muddy or yellowish rather than the beautiful and desirable hues. There is a remarkable consistency in the cubic zirconia colors. The color remains constant from stone to stone so that if you want a bright blue gemstone, you add a precise measurement of the appropriate component during the manufacturing process and you will always get the same color in result.

Colorless Cz stones
The most valuable diamonds other than the fancy color diamonds are known as white diamonds. These gemstones are graded according to how nearly clear they are. Clear diamonds in the natural state are very rare. Most have colors of some sort, ranging from yellow to brown to gray.
With men’s Cz rings, however, all the gemstones rate a ‘D’ on the scale that measures color. The cubic zirconia gemstones are virtually colorless.

Vibrant Colors
It should be noted that the colors found in men’s Cz rings are much more vibrant than those found in fancy natural diamonds. When you add the brighter colors in cubic zirconia gemstones to the higher refractive rate in Cz, you end up with a gemstone that flashes brilliantly colored fire. The particular color will depend upon the additives during the manufacturing process. The fancy color gemstones can be paired with various metals in the body of the ring for a wide range of options in ring styles and fashions.

Why Colored Cubic Zirconia?
Many men choose cubic zirconia rings because the price is lower than equivalent weight in diamond gemstones. Because the quality is actually greater in many ways than natural diamonds, there really isn’t much reason to pay more for a smaller diamond or one that is lower on the color scale than cubic zirconia. Men’s Cz rings can be selected as wedding bands or as decorative accessories to a fashionable clothing look. Whether colored or clear, cubic zirconia gemstones can be utilized in serious ring designs or in designs that are a bit more whimsical. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one ring either. You can purchase several so that you match your mood or your activities for the day.


How To Clean Diamond Jewelry

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Diamonds are famous for their dazzling appearance and radiant sparkle, but they are also the hardest substance known to man. To keep your diamond in perfect condition, you must care for it continually. You should store your diamond jewelry in fabric lined jewelry cases, each piece separate and kept apart from other jewelry. Not only does your diamond remain flawless, but also it won’t scratch your other beautiful pieces of jewelry, or another diamond. Remove your diamond jewelry when engaging in strenuous activity. Diamonds are chipped and scratched easily, so avoid bringing them into contact with other hard substances while at work. Most importantly, keep your diamond away from household cleansers and bleaches. The harsh chemicals in these products can damage your diamond, and even change its color permanently. Also, don’t forget to take your diamond jewelry to an expert jeweler at least once a year for a full cleaning and repairs. It is important to make sure your diamond is securely fastened into it’s setting, with the correct mountings and prongs, to ensure that it remains intact all year.

To clean light dust and dirt, you can wash your diamond with simple liquid hand wash soap and rinse with water. Always dry and wipe your jewelry with a professional polish cloth, to avoid abrasion and add a clean polished shine to your diamonds. If your diamond needs more work than just soap and water, create a mixture of half water half ammonia and let the diamond jewelry soak in it for half an hour. This method can be especially useful on diamond rings and diamond stud earrings that have one diamond per piece. Once the soaking is complete, gently brush the diamond with a very soft bristle brush, rinse it off, and lightly tap-dry with a soft towel before polishing with the soft cloth. If you don’t think you have the necessary items for cleaning your jewelry at home, purchase a jewelry cleaning kit, equipped with solution and a cleansing brush that you can use repeatedly. For incredible shine and a professional clean, some use an ultrasonic cleaning machine that conducts high frequencies to generate supreme cleaning motion. Machines vary, so always read instructions before use.

The method of cleaning and care you take for your diamond jewelry is for you to decide, but in all cases we recommend that you are always mindful of your diamonds and handle each piece with care. Between cleans, do not touch the diamonds directly, as overexposure to your skin’s oils can diminish the diamond’s shine. Keep your diamond dazzling and brilliant, because with the right care, a diamond is forever!

How To Clean 14K Gold Jewelry!

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Gold has been a prized metal throughout history, in high demand for its brilliant shine and gleam. Gold is a soft metal, easy to shape, and when taken care of and polished correctly, its radiance can remain intact. It’s important to check the condition of your gold jewelry frequently and to care for your pieces on a regular basis.

When your everyday gold begins to lose its beauty, first use a jewelry cleaning cloth to remove excess dirt and makeup. If the gold piece still seems dull, take a soft bristle brush, such as a baby’s tooth brush, and gently scrub the jewelry with a mild liquid dishwashing detergent. Then, rise the item off and dry it carefully with a professional polishing lint-free cloth, to reduce the possibility of scratching your gold jewelry. Taking special care to clean in between cracks and crevices will ensure your jewelry’s long lasting shine and keep it in beautiful condition. To clean overly dirty gold jewelry, make a solution of six part water and one part household ammonia, and soak the item for one to two minutes. This should loosen the grime and make it easier to brush off and rinse away. Again, dry with a soft cloth to polish shine into the jewelry. Remember that harsh chemicals such as ammonia should not be used on precious gemstones (except diamonds), so check with a local jeweler about your specific piece before washing. For a professional clean and/or repair, bring your gold pieces to a local jeweler to have them steam-cleaned or bent into shape.

You can also take certain steps towards avoiding the damage your jewelry can incur over time. Firstly, keep your gold jewelry away from everyday chemicals. Cleaning products, chlorine bleaches, lotions, soaps, oils, powders, and even perspiration can prove harmful to gold’s complexion. Always take off your gold jewelry before swimming or washing dishes, to prevent harsh chemicals from damaging your gold’s natural shine. Remember to wash your hands before putting on, or taking off, gold jewelry. This helps prevent contamination of the gold from your skin’s natural oils and other substances that you have come in contact with. Also, remember to remove hand jewelry such as rings and bracelets before strenuous activity. Since gold is a soft metal, it is prone to scratches and dents, and these damages are most likely to occur to pieces more prone to getting knocked about.

Be careful to stow your jewelry in a safe place; leaving jewelry on a countertop can result in a precious <a herf=”http://www.mensjewelryclub.com/megoweba.html”>gold ring</a> lost down the drain. It is best to keep gold pieces in separate compartments such as jewelry cases or soft cloth bags by themselves, not rubbing against other items and materials. Even keeping your gold pieces in plain tissue paper will help keep their gleam. For extended preservation after cleaning, it is a good idea to keep your gold jewelry in airtight zip lock bags. This helps maintain your pieces’ luster and texture, allowing the surface to remain shiny and scratch free.

Also, do not wear gold necklaces, bracelets, or rings together with jewelry of another metal such as silver or platinum, because these harder metals can scratch and damage your softer gold jewelry.

Tungsten Carbide Jewelry Is True Mens Jewelry

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Men have decided that there has been enough of this feminine metals jewelry stuff. Real men want a jewelry item that can stand up to anything and still look and feel like the strong individual they are. Tungsten Carbide jewelry items are just such an item and one that any man can feel confident wearing. Rings, bracelets and pendants used for Tungsten Carbide jewelry will not scratch, deform or react (unless Cobalt is added) under any circumstances and are ready to exude strength.

Only diamonds are stronger

Tungsten Carbide jewelry is so strong that its manufacturing process is like cutting raw diamonds. In fact, the polishing and shaping of Tungsten Carbide jewelry is accomplished with diamonds and an oxygen free furnace that operates at 6200F. Pure Tungsten is actually fairly soft. Combine it with Carbide and put it through the manufacturing process, however, and metal results that are second to none where strength and durability is concerned.

A mans manufacturing process

With Tungsten Carbide jewelry there are few, if any, wishy washy artists hanging around ready to engrave a soft metal into a piece of jewelry. This jewelry starts by grounding Tungsten and Carbide into a powder and compressing it into a bracelet or pendent blank with extremely high pressure.

A quiet luster

From here the blank is cut and polished to a fine shine that is nothing like what a person might expect from gold or silver. If a close color where to be assigned it might be that of a dull polished gun grey. As with the raw diamond polishing process the Tungsten Carbide jewelry manufacturing process goes through almost 30 steps before a metal piece is ready.

Lifetime polish

One of the more remarkable parts of this process is that once the metal is done being polished it will never lose its finished luster. To date, never means never. There have been no reported scratches, dents or deformations. Tungsten Carbide jewelry is made for life. This statement is also backed up by a large majority of manufacturers. If a Tungsten Carbide jewelry item won’t fit any longer, because of weight gain or loss, they will replace it at only an administrative charge.

A heavy feel

With this image to stand up to Tungsten Carbide jewelry needs to have the presence that it is expected to have. In feel, the Tungsten Carbide jewelry piece is remarkably heavy. In other words, the wearer will know that it is there. This is just a further characteristic that a real man wants in his jewelry.

A variety of styles

A man might think that this overriding emphasis on strength would lead to a limited selection of Tungsten Carbide jewelry pieces. This is far from the truth. Once the blanks come out of the high pressure furnace they can be cut into a variety of pieces. Wrist bracelets, both in solid form and linked, rounded cuts or pieces with holes in them, there are quite a variety of styles to choose from.

Be careful

Not only because these Tungsten Carbide jewelry items can be a bit pricy, but because they are supposed to last forever without disappointment, there are a few things to watch out for. Firstly, make sure that there is no cobalt in the piece. If there is, a discoloration of the piece will occur when it hits the skin. This CANNOT be repaired. Second and lastly, make sure the dealer is reputable. Some manufacturers will sneak some other metals into the mix. This will eliminate the strength and durability aspects of the piece.  If the cost is going to be paid make extra sure the right stuff shows up.