Every diamond is like a snowflake; no two are alike. Because of this, there has to be a system in place to tell what the quality level if a diamond is.
When it comes to the grade, or quality, of a diamond there are four things that are put to the test: carat weight, clarity, color, and cut.
Carat Weight
Carats have a pretty simple system. A carat is a measurement of weight, and each carat is made of 100 points. So, a half-carat would be .5 carats or, 50 points. There are special scales that are calibrated one to one thousands of a carat that are used in the jewelry trade. If you prefer to think in terms of grams, 1 gram is equal to 5 carats. Keep in mind, the carat is the weight, not the size!
Tip: a 1 carat diamond will consistently measure out to be about 6.5 mm.
The value of a diamond rises disproportionally as the weight increases. For example, having four .25 carat diamonds of the same quality does not equal the value of a single 1 carat diamond.Bigger diamonds are simply more valuable.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is based on the type, size, number, position, and contract of inclusions (crystals or minerals within the diamond). Having contrast is important to the clarity, as having a dark one will be more visible and distracting from the beauty of the diamond. There are many scales for diamond clarity, however the most well known is the Gemological Institute of America scale, which looks like this:
• Flawless (no inclusions under 10x loupe)
• IF (internally flawless, surface blemishes exist)
• VVS 1, 2 (very, very slightly included: minute inclusions)
• VS 1, 2 (very slightly included: minor inclusions)
• SI 1, 2 (slightly included: noticeable inclusions)
• I 1, 2, 3 (included: observable inclusions)
Buyers Tip: Clarity can change the price of the stone, but if you are shopping for diamonds, then keep in mind clarity does not always affect the brilliance, so keep this in mind when comparing prices.
Color
The color grades (according to GIA) ranges from D to Z. D is colorless, and Z is heavily colored, which usually means it’s yellow. Colorless will be the most expensive. Here is the breakdown:
• Colorless: D, E, or F
• Near Colorless: G, H, I, or J
• Faint Yellow Tint*: K, L, or M
• Very Light Yellow Tint*: N, O, P, Q, or R
• Tinted Light Yellow*: S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, or Z
* The tint viewed may actually be yellowish, brownish, or gray.
Blue and other diamond colors are called “Fancy Color” diamonds and are graded on a scale that describes their color, such as, Faint Blue, Very Light Blue, and Light Blue, with the darkest colors being the most valuable.
Cut
The beauty of a diamond comes directly from the cut of it. This is a somewhat complicated component of the look of a diamond. It also refers to the faceting along with the symmetry, proportion, and finish. The three basic styles of a diamond include brilliant, step, and mixed.
Brilliant cuts are designed to have the most sparkle and have many triangular and kite shaped facets. The step cut is more about the elegance of the diamond which has fewer facets and trapezoid/rectangle shapes. And lastly, the mixed cut is a combination of the step and brilliant cuts, giving you a beautiful and unique diamond.
All diamonds are cut with the play of light in mind. However if the cuts vary greatly from the standard then light can be lost from the bottom or sides. If this happens, the overall beauty of the diamond will decrease.
Tip: when you’re looking for diamonds, choose one that is beautiful to you, since they come in so many different styles, colors, shapes and sizes!
Diamonds we inlay
At Hawaii Titanium Rings, we use white and blue diamonds with a brilliant cut. The white diamonds we use are F in quality and G in color. We can only inlay up to 3mm diamonds; when a diamond is 3mm wide, the walls of the ring will also need to be 3mm+ deep. Clients often ask us if we will inlay their personal stone; stay tuned to our next blog post for the answer.
https://www.hawaiititaniumrings.com/blogs/hawaii-titanium-rings-blog/can-you-use-the-diamonds-from-my-ring
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Many couples are getting creative with their choice of wedding bands; choosing bands that reflect either their culture, or spiritual beliefs. Celtic symbols and spiritual symbolism have become loved and revered by many, with its intricate, yet delicate designs.
Celtic designs are not just for the English, Irish, and Western Europeans, anymore; people of all cultures and religious and spiritual beliefs, are drawn to these ancient symbols. They are displayed on altars, clothing, tattoos, jewelry pendants, and now, wedding bands.
The history of the Celts is difficult to trace, so most of what we know about their culture is left to us in symbols. Artists and jewelry designers of each generation have kept the symbols alive; putting their own “twist” on them, eternalizing the beauty of these ancient images.
Here are a few of the most popular ancient Celtic symbols today, perfect for the expression of commitment and undying love:
The Celtic Heart
One of the most traditional and appropriate Celtic symbols for wedding bands, is the Celtic heart. This stunning heart design with its intricate swirled signature Celtic-art within its center is a perfect expression of love and loyalty for a wedding couple. Two Celtic hearts intertwined on a wedding band, speaks of two hearts merging into one; a wonderful choice for a wedding or commitment ceremony.
The Celtic Cross
For couples who want to express culture and belief, the Celtic cross is a beautiful and magical symbol of devotion to each other and their Divinity. Unlike any other cross design; the Celtic cross is ornate and a gorgeous display of Godly love and faith.
The Celtic Knot
The Celtic knot is a very familiar Celtic symbol that appeals to many cultures and generations. There are a few different variations of the Celtic knot design, with their own unique meanings. Also referred to as the “mystic knot” or the “endless knot” the Celtic knot symbolizes a continuous connection through its design and history.
One of its variations is called the Trinity knot, which is three-cornered, and represents the “three’s” of many religions and forms of spirituality; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; or a more New Age interpretation may be body, mind, and spirit.
The Dara Celtic knot is likened to the root system of an oak tree; representing a grounded and firm foundation within any relationship. The exquisite Celtic Five-Fold knot is another wonderful symbol for wedding bands, representing the integration of all the elements of existence being combined into one; earth, air, water, wind, and Spirit. This Celtic design is perfect for the couple seeking to display a more Universal belief system within their union.
There are a multitude of beautiful Celtic symbols, even the Celtic astrological symbols that can be engraved into a wedding band. Contact us with the design that tugs at your heart; and which part of Celtic history and culture you want to celebrate at your wedding.
A visit to the Islands always requires the purchase of souvenirs for friends and family back home so here are a few tips to help you select gifts they will cherish. Hawaii is a special place, rich in culture and history, so stay focused on gifts that keep Hawaiian traditions and legends alive.
- Where was the item made? Always look at the “Made in…” sticker. Many trinkets sold in Hawaii come from the Philippines or China; after all there are no factories here, so stay away from mass-produced items.
- Hawaiian edibles are delicious but not exactly a keepsake. They do make excellent holiday treats or “Thank-You” gifts for your house sitter though, so do consider the Hawaiian grown coffee, homemade tropical fruit preserves, and gourmet candies with Macadamia Nuts. There are even a few companies that will stick a stamp on a coconut and mail it to any state in the US.
- When shopping, think about taking a piece of the Islands home. Handmade items are your best bet and they come with a bonus true story of how and who and where. The Lauhala hats and bowls made to order on the side of the road are fun but they are big and bulky and hard to carry home in your luggage without being damaged. This is where you want to start thinking small and packable. Hawaiian Sarongs are great because they are light and don’t take up much space, also they can be used as furniture throws for those living in cold places.
- Jewelry! Hawaiian jewelry designers are producing some of the most innovative and unique collections on the market. In past years the Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry consisting of gold bracelets and pendants carved with ancient symbols and love messages written in the Hawaiian language were the popular choice, but now there are a variety of talented artists creating jewelry that appeals to both men and women, which brings us to the final subject:
- Souvenirs for men! For many, shopping for a man can be the hardest task. Aloha shirts are great but some men do not enjoy wearing flowers or the busy patterns commonly found. There is one unexpected memento that is gaining popularity amongst men and that is Titanium Koa Wood Rings. Koa in titanium is the perfect match for a man with the Koa Tree being a Hawaiian symbol of strength and titanium being the strongest metal. All Koa wood products are a good choice for men but make sure to ask the company to let you see where their products are made, that will tell you if it is a true product of Hawaii.
Most importantly, do not spend too much time shopping and stressing, trying to include everyone in your souvenir quest. You will be exhausted and regret your wasted vacation time. Each island has their own street fair which can be a great way to experience all that the island has to offer including food, music, and art. You can get all your shopping done in a day and have a great time doing it!
Gemstone rings are recognized worldwide, as treasures of a very personal kind. Nature provides us with a myriad of gemstone shapes, textures, and colors to inspire some of the most beautiful creations. White gemstones are some of the most popular, as they lend an air of opulence and tradition, to any piece of jewelry they adorn.
From Opal to Mother of Pearl; the characteristics of each white gemstone is unique unto itself. They are all beautiful, but distinct in many splendid ways. Here, we introduce to you, a few of the white gemstones in nature that adorn our timeless titanium rings. You can then choose the one that best suits your unique essence and personality.
Opal: Opal is a form of silica, and technically classified as a mineraloid. Opals reflect a multitude of internal colors. Being composed of close-packed silica spheres; opal produces its spectrum of colors by the interference and diffraction of light passing through. For most gemstone use, opals are normally polished and cut into cabochon. Thinner, less precious opals can be combined with other materials to form many other unique and beautiful gemstone looks.
Coral: Corals are what we call, marine invertebrates. They live in tightly compact colonies that include “reef builders”, which inhabit tropical ocean water, and create calcium carbonates that end up forming hard skeletal structures. Coral does come in many other colors, besides the coveted white coral, and is perfect for jewelry making; adding a natural and mystical essence to each piece.
Pearl: Pearls are some of the most well-known of the white/ivory gemstones. They begin life as a hard object that is formed within the shell of a mollusk. The quintessential, perfect pearl, is round and smooth; but they do form themselves into various shapes. The highest quality pearls are considered highly valued gemstones, and treasured as family heirlooms for many generations.
Ulexite: A lesser known, but incredibly beautiful gemstone, is ulexite. Sometimes called TV rock, ulexite is a mineral that forms itself into crystal white masses, similar to quartz clusters. Named for its German founder, chemist, Georg Ludwig Ulex; ulexite is an unusual gemstone often used for mystical and metaphysical purposes. Perfect for those who desire their jewelry to hold mysterious properties, combined with natural raw beauty.
Mother of Pearl: Nacre, more commonly known as mother-of-pearl, is a gorgeous iridescent gemstone used in many styles of jewelry and artistic creations. Produced by mollusks, as an inner shell layer; mother-of-pearl is strong, resilient, and is the same mineral that makes up the coating of the pearl. Mother-of-pearl’s array of colors comes from its hexagonal platelets of aragonite, which is a calcium carbonate; creating different wavelengths of light from different angles. Mother-of pearl is thought of by many gemstone and jewelry lovers, as classic and infinitely beautiful; never going out of style.
The beauty of jewelry made with these gemstones, is their timeless appeal. Gemstone rings are never trendy, but instead are fashionable and stylish in the way that Coco Chanel or Yves Saint-Laurent designs still stand the test of time.
Wedding photographs are a big part of your “Big Day”, so here are some essential bits of information to help you avoid a wedding photo nightmare:
1. Ask what equipment will be used to shoot your event and ask to see the photographer’s past work and references. Discovering your wedding pictures are terrible after the fact is too late. The best referrals will come from your other wedding vendors so ask your wedding cake company or florist who they have worked with.
2. Did you know that just because you hire a wedding photographer to take your pictures doesn’t mean you own the photos? It is true! The photos will either need to be bought individually after the ceremony or negotiated for when the photography contract is signed. Make sure the contract has details regarding your photos and not just the services. You should also have in writing what services are provided; do not be stuck with 1000 unedited photos unless you are prepared with a photo editing program, editing experience, and lots and lots of time.
3. Set a deadline for your photographs! I have talked to couples approaching their one year anniversary who still did not have their photos. Discuss not only negatives, proofs, and photos but when and how they will be delivered.
4. Get specific when it comes to the moments you want to capture. The rehearsal dinner and photos of the bride and groom getting ready are memorable moments you do not want to lose so make sure they are included in the contract. Specify the people and wedding scenery you want included in your recorded memories; for instance, pictures of special people, wedding scenery, and pics of your rings.
5. Include troubleshooting into your wedding contract such as:
- What if there is equipment failure? What back-up plan does the photographer have in place?
- What if the weather does not hold up and the location changes. It is imperative that your photographer is equipped with the proper lighting for rain or shine.
Finally, I always suggest brides and grooms have a back-up photographer of their own. My mom hired a friend to photograph my wedding but he had too much to drink and most of the shots were blurry. I am still so thankful for my sister-in-law who was a hobby photographer and took beautiful shots! Whether you ask someone on the sly and slip them a camera or hand out 50 disposables to your guests you will find that you can never take enough photos of an event that happens only once.
For wedding photo ideas visit our Pinterest page and view our Wedding Photos Boards.
