HOW TO CHOOSE A PERFECT GOLD ORNAMENT

History of gold:

            The metal gold was first discovered by a child as a small shiny rock in a creek which later became the love of many a woman. It was found in small yellow nuggets and it became the first metal known to man. As centuries passed, it became a part and parcel of almost every tradition of the world. It has attracted all the people of the world with its wonderful luster and beauty, especially when it is sculpted into a pretty ornament it adds to its beauty. In the civilization years, people even considered gold as godly and later on used them as currency. Many have also been so obsessed with gold that they have added collecting different pieces gold jewelry to their list of hobbies.

            Gold is now in demand in private investments, industries, fabrication of jewelry, and in banks. The common people also play a major part in the annual gold consumption. Moreover, they don’t even seem to be least bothered about the soaring prices of gold. This does not only count the women buying ornamental gold but the others investing in bullion. But many do not really know how to choose the quality of gold rather than just concentrating on the latest trends that are in.

            We need to first ponder over the fact that if the huge amounts of money we put into buying a gold ornament is really worth a buy. For this we need to know the nuances of choosing gold jewelry.

• Select a jeweler who is trustworthy. Make sure if the jewelry has gained enough reputation among customers by leading in the field.
• Gain knowledge about the karat quality marks. This helps you in buying the top quality gold in terms of purity.
• Gold is a soft metal and is always mixed with other metals to ensure a better durability. Owing to all such factors, 24 karat gold is the purest form in which gold is the major constituent. In 22 carat gold, there are 22 parts of gold and the rest two parts constitute other metals. Similarly with 18, 12 and 10 karats of gold.
• Always check for the trademark. The trademark is actually an authentic proof of the purity of the ornament.
• If you are thinking of buying white gold, it is better for you to choose the one which is alloyed with palladium and not platinum or nickel. This may result in some kinds of allergic reactions on your skin.
• To check if the gold is real, make use of an unglazed ceramic material to rub the gold against. If it is fake gold, there occurs a black streak and if the streak is golden yellow, it is a proof of real gold.
• Avoid buying gold plated jewelry to cut costs, as it may wear off very soon and make it unusable.
• Check if the amount you paid is inclusive of the gold price, craftsmanship involved and the design and demand a receipt for the same.
• When opting for gold ornament studded with other stones or gems make sure they are pure as well. It is the duty of the jeweler to produce a certificate of purity for the gems separately.

Chameleon - the Rarest colored Diamond

Diamond has a unique place in making its presence valuable among other gem stones with its best features of purity and clarity with elegance to depict its appearance. The precious gem has natural dazzling colors available in yellows, blues, greens, reds, oranges, pinks, browns and in fascinating black colors which carries its own value and fame over a long period of time.

The Chameleon diamonds

            ‘The chameleon diamonds’ are the most rarest of all the precious gem diamond available with exciting features of changing color with the exposure to a different kinds of light and temperature. The color change happens when moved from dark place to light focused one either be a natural or artificial light with a change of color from bright straw yellow to dark grayish-yellowish-green color. This chameleon diamond remains unchanged in grayish-yellowish-green color until it is in day light with out any prolonged darkness depending upon the environment. This unique diamond is faceted from natural diamond rough said mined from Australia.

Introduction of Chameleon Diamonds

            The first occurrence of chameleon diamonds were document reported at 1943 by ‘GIA diamond dictionary’. This rarest diamond is unique in features with special characteristics of color fluctuation which is impossible to be created in the laboratory. The famous Australia’s Argyle diamond mine having fame for fancy colored diamonds produces a Hydrogen rich diamond occasionally that exhibits ‘Chameleonlike’ color behavior in blue-violet-gray color or in gray-olive.

Identification procedures

            Chameleon diamonds are well proven by examination with steps of heating and observing with utmost care which may also cause changes with the permanent color of grayish-green if not found pure. Laboratory test is a well recommended deal to be checked under spectroscopic observation showing readings coupled with ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaction which effectively distinguishes the normal green gem stone from chameleon diamonds.

Diamond clarity grading

           

Diamonds are ranked with grades for quality in clarity and purity for its significance over the other existing valuable diamonds and gem stones. Grading measures are as follows for your reference…

Included (grades I1, I2 and I3): Diamonds are graded from I1 to I3 that describe about medium to large natural level of inclusions which are clear to unaided eye under normal light focus and are easy detectable.

Slightly Included (grades SI1, SI2 and SI3): Diamonds are graded from SI1 to SI3 describing the natural inclusion level to be less which is very difficult to be seen with normal eyes but detected with the magnification on around ten times into the diamonds.

Very slightly Included (grades VS1 and VS2): Diamonds graded with VS1 and VS2 are having very less natural inclusions which is impossible to view with unaided eyes and too difficult to view using ten times magnification.

Very, Very Slightly Included (grades VVS1 and VVS2): The diamond grades with VVS1 and VVS2 has very, very slight content of natural inclusion which is impossible to view under unaided eyes and very difficult for a skilled observer to view using ten times magnification.

Internally flawless (grade IF): Diamonds are described with grade IF which has no natural inclusions.

MOST FAMOUS DIAMONDS IN THE WORLD

The Koh-i-Noor:

            The Koh-i-noor, meaning, the mountain of light, was one of the longest diamonds has a place of its own in history. Weighing about 108.93 carats, it is now a part of the British Crown Jewels. It is said to have been studded on the Peacock Throne belonging to Emperor Shah Jehan. It was then looted by Nadir Shah of Persia after a battle defeat and found its way back to India after the breakdown of the Persian Empire. It was then acquired by the British rulers in India.

The Great Star of Africa or the Cullinan:

            The star Africa diamond is a pear shaped one weighing about 530.20 carats and is the largest cut diamond in the world. It has 74 facets and is set in the Royal Sceptor and is kept along with other Crown Jewels in Britain. Before being cut from the Cullinan, the largest uncut diamond discovered in Transvaal, South Africa in 1095, it weighed 3,106 carats. It took Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam, six months to examine and divide the Cullinan and was finally cut into 9 major and 96 minor brilliantly cut stones.

The Idol’s Eye:

            This pear-shaped diamond is the size of a bantam’s egg weighing 70.20 carats. It was formerly set in the eye of an idol and was later stolen. History has it that the Sultan of Turkey had abducted princess Rasheetah of Kashmir and had demanded the Idol’s eye as a ransom for her release to the Sheik. Its authentic appearance was said to have been registered at a Christie’s sale in London in 1865 and was bought by a mysterious person who was later identified as the 34^th Ottoman Sultan Abd al-Hamid II. It was then sold to a private buyer after a Dutch dealer, Harry Winston and the daughter of the co-founder of the Denver post possessed it.          

The Regent:

            The large stone with a light blue tinge originally weighed approximately 410 carats and was said to have been discovered by a slave in India. It was first owned by William Pitt, the British Prime Minister. He got the stone cut into its present cushion shape which took two years. It is now considered one of the most brilliantly cut diamonds of all. After being owned by many popular heads it is now placed at the Louvre in Paris.

The Blue Hope:

            Named after its purchaser Henry Thomas Hope is said to have brought bad luck to all its owners. It is believed to have been a part of the Blue Tavernier Diamond which was brought to Europe from India in the 17^th century. King Louis XIV had it cut from 112 carats to 67.5 carats and after being owned by many, it is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington.

The Sancy:

            The Sancy is a pear-shaped stone weighing 55 carats and was first owned by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles and lost it in a battle. It was named after another owner, Seigneur de Sancy. It suddenly disappeared during the French Revolution and was later found and now kept for view at the Louvre.

The Premier Rose:

            It was a triangular shaped stone of 352.9 carats found in the Premier mine in South Africa. It was later cut into three and the largest called Premier Rose weighed 137.02 carats with189 facets dimensioned 43.4 x 23.2 x 18.93. It received a ‘D’ flawless rating from the Gemological Institute of America. The Premier Rose is now in the possession of Robert Mouawad.

The Taylor-Burton:

            It is a pear-shaped stone of 69.42 carats found in the Premier mine, South Africa. Richard Burton bought this stone for Elizabeth Taylor and hence its name. Ms.Taylor wore it first at a charity ball in Monaco and she later put it up for sale for charity reasons. This priceless diamond is said to have been last seen in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

THE BIGGEST DIAMONDS IN THE WORLD

The Cullinan or The Great Star of Africa:

            This stone was the largest uncut diamond discovered in 1905 in the Premier mine South Africa and weighing 3106.75 carats and was later cut into nine parts. They are all currently owned by Queen Elizabeth and are a part of the British Crown Jewels.

            The Cullinan I   : Pear shaped, 530.2 carats

            The Cullinan II  : Cushion shaped, 317.4 carats

            The Cullinan III : Pear shaped, 94.4 carats

            The Cullinan IV : Cushion shaped, 63.3 carats

            The Cullinan V  : Heart shaped, 18.8 carats

            The Cullinan VI : Marquise shaped, 11.5 carats

            The Cullinan VII: Marquise shaped, 8.8 carats

            The Cullinan VIII:Oblong Brilliant shaped, 6.8 carats

            The Cullinan IX  :  Pear shaped, 4.39 carats

The Golden Jubilee:

            It is rose cushion shaped and weighed roughly about 755 carats and 545.67 after being cut. It is the largest faceted diamond in the world and was previously named “Unnamed Brown” was considered the most unattractive diamond ever. It was presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 and is still in the possession of the Thailand government.

The Nameless:

            It is a rectangular shaped stone which weighed roughly about 1000 carats and 489.07 after cutting. It is said to have been probably discovered in Brazil or Central Africa. The story of emergence of this black diamond and who owns it at the moment is still a mystery.

The Excelsior I:

            Its rough weight was 995.20 and later 69.68. The original stone was cut into 21 gems. This pear shaped stone was found in the Jagersfontein mine and is currently owned by Robert Mouawad. The Excelsior I is known not only for its size but its quality as well.

The Star of Sierra Leone:

            It is the largest alluvial diamond ever found. Its rough weight was 969 carats and after the original stone was cut into 17 gems it weighed 53.96 carats. It was found in Diminco Mine in Sierra Leone in 1972. It is purely transparent and colorless and is presently in the hands of Harry Winston who purchased it for $2.5 million.

The President Vargas:

            It was found in Brazil near San Antonio river in1938 by two garimpeiros when it weighed 726.60 carats and 48.26 when divided into 29 gems. They are D-color diamonds are emerald shaped and are said to be chemically pure which are perfect in structure. Before being bought by an unknown buyer, it was owned by Harry Winston.

The Jonker:

            This is the fourth largest gem-quality diamond which was found in Elandsfontein near the Premier mine, South Africa. This 726 carat, emerald shaped stone was then cut into 13 gems and now has a weight of 125.35 carat. It gained its name from its discoverer Johannes Jacob Jonker. The parts of this diamond were owned by various famous people till an anonymous buyer bought it for $2,259,000 in 1977.

The Jubilee:

            Robert Mouawad owning the Jubilee at present, originally called The Reitz, weighed 650.80 carats and 245.35 carats after being cut. This is cushion shaped and was found in the Jagersfontein mine, South Africa. It has been graded an E-color diamond which means it is a grade away from the colorless diamonds.

The Sefadu:

            This is one of the largest diamonds which remains uncut at a weight of 620 carats. It was discovered in the Diminco mine in Sierra Leone and is owned by an American diamond company called Lazare Kaplan. It is after the discovery of the Sefadu that the major mining companies have started explorations in the Diminco mine.

The Kimberly Octahedron:

            It maintains a weight of 616 carats ever since it was found at the Dutiotspan Mine in South Africa in 1964 as it still is uncut. This is the largest natural octahedral diamond found. It is categorized under Type Ib owing to its intense shade of yellow and is owned by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.

FANCY JEWELRY AND WATCHES

Today the price of gold at the market is increasing day to day and it is at a height which cannot be reached by a middle class person. The purpose of jewels is to add extra grace to a human in any occasions. So keeping on mind the price of pure carat gold in the market nowadays people have turned their attention towards fancy jewels available in the local markets. These fancy jewels are replica of the traditional gold ornaments but with lesser reliability. In early days, people visit the jewelry shops whenever possible to purchase ornaments. But the situation is not like that. Purchasing of gold is being less at present. People purchase gold for marriage occasion and save them as Bridal jewelry sets.At present the jewelry trays to store the golden ornaments is filled by less number of golden ornaments and more number of the fancy jewels.

The other fancy product for which people are crazy about is the watches. There are many branded companies that manufacture and market watches for the consumers ranging over two extremes. But still people go craze with the fancy watches manufactured locally and this is mainly because of the design and the outlook of the watch. However people go crazy with the fancy products like jewels and watches they cannot rely on their durability. In case of jewelry the coating that gives shine as gold will not stay for long time. Similarly the watches are less durable and most of them are designed as use and throw watches.

The mind set automatically changes for the people and select the virtual leaving behind the original. This approach of people may save their pocket at that instant but for the need at the future they can’t utilize the virtual. Now the fancy products are like casual shoes that can be changed when life ends. The people must think that purchasing gold is the best investment where there is no loss. At times of emergency the golden ornaments will lend a hand while the others do nothing. So the people must think over it and must not hesitate in investing gold. As there is a proverb, “All glitters is not gold”, people must understand the nature and merit of possessing the gold jewels with them.

The people also look the watches with the same intention as with the jewels. Going craze with sleek design and shapes they fall with the local products. As in the case of branded watches more or less same design and shape is followed by the companies. The reliability and durability of the branded watches is no way near with those of local products. Getting new watches after old one fails doesn’t make profit for them. Like gold, people must bear the one time investment in purchasing a time piece and relax for entire working period. Knowing the craze of the people, companies started marketing watches of various designs that attracts people. Thus people should opt for the branded original products and rely on them.