Posts Tagged ‘diamonds’

Diamonds have long been of public interest, especially when it comes to celebrities. A diamond ring on the finger of any public person raises eyes as to a possible engagement. This is because most people associate diamonds with engagements so a new diamond ring that has suddenly appeared on the hand of a beloved celebrity will instantly spark gossip of an engagement.

One such example is that of Miley Cyrus. The singer was recently seen wearing a large stone on her left hand during the  Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night XIII. This rock sparked rumors that perhaps her boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth, presented it to her. She continued to show off the ring when she performed at the event, which raises money for Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Drew Barrymore shared her feelings with a recent Anderson interview where she openly discussed her diamond ring and wedding plans. She said, “The thing that I think we’re the most excited about is … this will be such a nice year to do wonderful things together. We like to spend time with our friends anyway, so on the auspices of this kind of a celebration, even more heightened and wonderful. What a great adventure.” When asked about her dazzling diamond ring, she says, “It’s beautiful. “[Kopelman] picked it out and he’s just got lovely taste, and it’s really fancy. I’m sort of like funky, eclectic girl so I feel like this is very fancy and I’m trying to like, you know, feel comfortable with it.”

Britney Spears announced her engagement and even debut a new diamond ring to go with the news. The couple celebrated their December engagement with loved ones with a lavish Las Vegas party. They arrived via private jet and were greeted at Planet Hollywood in the usual VIP style. After a quick change of clothes, Britney and hubby-to-be dashed to their ring unveiling soiree where she showed off her 3+-carat stone designed by none other than Neil Lane. The Las Vegas trip was more than about just the ring. It was also Trawick’s 40-birthday so the couple, along with an entourage of friends, made their way to several clubs.

Not long after the death of her famed mother, Whitney Houston, came the engagement announcement that Bobbi Kristina was to wed her adopted brother, Nick Gordon. Bobbi Kristina has been seen wearing an enormous diamond ring. The couple has been spotted in various places appearing quite happy, however this union does not come with many happy blessings from Bobbi Kristina’s grandmother. According to Star Magazine, “Krissy has told her grandmother that she doesn’t need her blessing to marry Nick, and the more Cissy objects to the relationship, well that only cements Krissy’s decision. It’s just a very sad situation. Clearly, Krissy loves Nick, but she has just lost her mother, and her entire world has been turned upside down. Krissy doesn’t think she needs to wait, and points to her mom’s sudden death as the reason to marry Nick.”

If you’ve been considering buying a diamond but are not sure how to tell if it will be the real thing, there are a few things to look for. If you already own diamonds, you can use your current stones for practice.

When you’re paying a lot of money for a diamond, whether it’s a pre-set diamond ring, diamond earrings or even diamond pendants, you want to know you’re actually getting a diamond. This also holds true when you purchase other items such as emerald diamonds or other colored diamonds or even clarity enhanced loose diamonds.

To determine if what you already have or if the diamond you are considering is the real thing, the most immediate way to catch a fraud is to ask for a certificate. A reputable jeweler will be more than happy to provide you with a certificate grading authority in the form on a GIA, LGP, PGGL, or AGSL. You can also head to an independent appraiser with your diamond.

When it comes to independent appraisers, use one that is affiliated with a professional organization such as the American Society of Appraisers. It may not be the best idea to head off to an appraiser that the jeweler recommends. An independent appraiser is a good option especially if you’re buying a stone from the Internet.

If you are purchasing your diamond in person, you will be able to examine it yourself. Diamonds have an incredibly high refractive index, which means they bend light that passes through them. If your shiny stone is made of quartz or glass, they will not sparkle as much. Quartz and glass have a much lower refractive index than diamonds.

To determine the refractive index of the stone, if it’s already mounted, you will need to turn in upside down and place it on a piece of newspaper. If you are looking at a specific diamond ring or an engagement ring for example, you should not be able to read the print through the stone. You also should not be able to see distorted lettering or black smudges of the newspaper print. Under very rare circumstances, which are sometimes due to the cut, will you be able to see newspaper print through a real diamond stone.

If the diamond you’re looking at shows any sign of double refraction, meaning your eyes feel like they’re seeing double vision, the stone is most likely a Moissanite. Another way to tell if your stone is real is to look straight through it. If the diamond is mounted, you should not be able to see the bottom of the stone.

For loose diamonds, grab a white piece of paper and a pen. Make a dot on the paper and put your diamond or stone directly over the dot. Look directly down into the stone. If you see a circular reflection inside the stone, it’s most likely not a diamond.

There are numerous other ways to test if your diamond is real by using microscopes, UV light, diamond testers, heat probes and even x-rays. The next time you visit your doctor, wear your diamond. A real diamond will not show up on an x-ray.

If you’ve been considering buying a diamond but are not sure how to tell if it will be the real thing, there are a few things to look for. If you already own diamonds, you can use your current stones for practice.

When you’re paying a lot of money for a diamond, whether it’s a pre-set diamond ring, diamond earrings or even diamond pendants, you want to know you’re actually getting a diamond. This also holds true when you purchase other items such as emerald diamonds or other colored diamonds or even clarity enhanced loose diamonds.

To determine if what you already have or if the diamond you are considering is the real thing, the most immediate way to catch a fraud is to ask for a certificate. A reputable jeweler will be more than happy to provide you with a certificate grading authority in the form on a GIA, LGP, PGGL, or AGSL. You can also head to an independent appraiser with your diamond.

When it comes to independent appraisers, use one that is affiliated with a professional organization such as the American Society of Appraisers. It may not be the best idea to head off to an appraiser that the jeweler recommends. An independent appraiser is a good option especially if you’re buying a stone from the Internet.

If you are purchasing your diamond in person, you will be able to examine it yourself. Diamonds have an incredibly high refractive index, which means they bend light that passes through them. If your shiny stone is made of quartz or glass, they will not sparkle as much. Quartz and glass have a much lower refractive index than diamonds.

To determine the refractive index of the stone, if it’s already mounted, you will need to turn in upside down and place it on a piece of newspaper. If you are looking at a specific diamond ring or an engagement ring for example, you should not be able to read the print through the stone. You also should not be able to see distorted lettering or black smudges of the newspaper print. Under very rare circumstances, which are sometimes due to the cut, will you be able to see newspaper print through a real diamond stone.

If the diamond you’re looking at shows any sign of double refraction, meaning your eyes feel like they’re seeing double vision, the stone is most likely a Moissanite. Another way to tell if your stone is real is to look straight through it. If the diamond is mounted, you should not be able to see the bottom of the stone.

For loose diamonds, grab a white piece of paper and a pen. Make a dot on the paper and put your diamond or stone directly over the dot. Look directly down into the stone. If you see a circular reflection inside the stone, it’s most likely not a diamond.

There are numerous other ways to test if your diamond is real by using microscopes, UV light, diamond testers, heat probes and even x-rays. The next time you visit your doctor, wear your diamond. A real diamond will not show up on an x-ray.

If you’re hoping to add a diamond or two to your already sparkling life, it may help to know a little about the most famous diamonds on earth. Unbelievably there are diamond stones that get as much, if not more attention, than many of today’s top global news stories.

One of the most notorious of these famous diamonds is the Blue Hope. Weighting in at an impressive 45.52 carats, this magnificent stone arrived from India and remains one of the most famous diamonds in the world. When the diamond was purchased in 1668, it was common to purchase loose diamonds in this way however, the exquisite stone was set in gold and suspended on what was then a neck ribbon and given as a gift to King Louis XIV. The King wore his beloved French Blue neck ribbon to special occasions and ceremonies however, during the French Revolution, the unforgettable stone was stolen.

It is thought that the diamond was eventually purchased in the early 1800s by an English King but sold in 1830 when he died. The diamond was purchased by Henry Philip Hope, from which the stone got its name. Unfortunately the diamond was deemed a stone of bad luck due to the entire Hope family dying in poverty.

The diamond continued to change hands and ownership for numerous years, bearing stories of its bad luck on entire families.  The stone was eventually donated to the Smithsonian Institution by Harry Winston of New York where it remains a premier attraction.

More famous than even the deadly Blue Hope diamond, the Koh-I-Noor or Mountain of Light was discovered at 186 carats. This oval cut diamond is said to be dated before the time of Christ. It was said that the person who possessed the Koh-I-Noor diamond also ruled the world. It changed many hands from its first documentation in 1304 until 1850 when it was presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company.

It was displayed at the Crystal Palace for several years to the disappointment on onlookers who simply didn’t see a sparkle. This caused Queen Victoria to have the diamond re-cut, which reduced it to its current size of 105.60 carats. The brilliant, sparkling stone was used as the centre piece for her new crown however, in 1937 the stone was removed and placed on display in the Tower of London with the many other British jewels.

The mother of all loose diamonds is the Cullinan Diamond. Discovered rough at 3,106 carats, it remains the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Mined in South Africa in 1905, this massive stone weighted 1 1/3 pounds and became notable for its outstanding purity and color.

The massive diamond was purchased by the Transvaal Government and given as a gift to King Edward VII of England in 1907. King Edward eventually sent the stone off to be cut and within several months, Amsterdam’s Asscher Diamond Company has produced nine major diamonds, two of which were given to the Royal Family. Aside from the nine large diamonds were another 96 smaller loose diamonds of brilliant cuts.

It seems when it comes to jewels, diamonds and celebrities go hand in hand. It is on celebrities that we see many stunning pieces of jaw-dropping designs in the form of diamond earrings, diamond rings, diamond necklaces and exquisite diamond pendants. No matter who wears it or where we happen to see it, beautiful jewelry that adorn the rich and famous are often admired and envied by everyone.

Regular folk such as us also keep an eye on celebrities for their unique choice of round diamond engagement rings. From modern actresses to past starlets, beautiful diamonds get as much notice as the person wearing them.

If you’re a fan of celebrities wild for jewelry you’re probably aware of some of the more well-known collectors who have an eye, and bank account, for the finer things in life. Take for example, leading ladies such as Jackie Onassis, Ivanka Trump, Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly. To this list you can also add Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Catherine Zeta Jones, Gloria Swanson, Katie Holms and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few of the more notorious diamond-loving celebrities.

You may already know that it was Marilyn Monroe who sang the famous song, Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. Oddly enough, this stunning Hollywood actress did not own many jewels herself but she most certainly knew how to add an extra sparkle to them when she wore them. One of her most memorable pieces was a 24-carat pear shaped yellow diamond in her photo, The Moon of Baroda.

Other famous faces with a taste for sparkling glamour include the late Brittney Murphy. She too was a fan of yellow diamonds, which was to be the first of two engagement rings from her fiancé. This 5-carat diamond was adorned by a ring of smaller diamonds for an extra touch. Her second engagement ring was a stunning 6.5-carats. This beautiful cushion cut stone was cut to rest on a diamond-studded band.

Another famous engagement ring included that of Selita Ebanks who was presented with a gorgeous cushion cut 15-carat diamond. Although the engagement didn’t last, the diamond sure has.

How could anyone forget the incredible 19^th century, 150-carat choker diamond necklace worn by Nicole Kidman to the Oscars? No wonder she too, sang the famous song, Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend!

Of course Elizabeth Taylor was as known for her passion of diamonds as much as she was known for her movies. She made no attempt to hide her obsession for the beautiful stones but instead, became rather famous for owning some of the most spectacular stones on earth.

The starlet actress and her adorning husbands kept her draped in diamonds, so much so, that several of the most famous diamonds were known to belong to her. One of these magnificent stones was the 33.19-carat Asscher cut Krupp Diamond that she received as a gift from Richard Burton in 1968. She wore this magnificent diamond ring everywhere she went. Elizabeth Taylor was also gifted with the Taj Mahal diamond for her 40^th birthday as well as, what became known as the Taylor / Burton diamond. This monster 69.42-carat was cut pear shaped rated as D-color; flawless!