The History and Meaning behind February’s Birthstone: Amethyst

This month’s birthstone is filled with mystery and history, something that will certainly provide you with a true meaning behind the stone, especially if you are looking to give amethyst as a gift this month.  Before we get into the meaning and history behind the Amethyst stone, let’s take a look at the characteristics and colours of amethyst so we can get a better understanding of this truly unique stone that has been chosen to represent those born in the month of February.

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Amethyst is a type of Quartz that comes in a range of colours from the lightest shades of lavender and pink to the deepest hues of purple, even a vivid red-like colour. The most valuable colours of Amethyst fall in that reddish-purple shade with excellent clarity and no visible inclusions to the naked eye. With a score of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, amethyst is easy to care for simply using a warm water and mild soap solution. 

Now for the history behind the stone. Because of its colour, Greeks associated the Amethyst stone with that of the wine gold, Bacchus. They believed that one wearing the stone would not get drunk. In fact, that is what the word amethystos means in ancient Greek, ‘not drunk’. Amethyst appears frequently in both religious jewellery pieces as well as with Royalty worldwide. Until about 200 years ago, amethyst was believed to be as valuable as more expensive stones including Emeralds and Rubies.  

What you need to know about the 4 Cs of Diamonds

When you are buying a piece of diamond jewellery, you will surely hear about the 4 Cs and how they are used to determine what type of diamond you have and what your diamond is worth. There is also a fifth “C” that some people like to talk about as well. This “C” is certification. Let’s take a look at the four Cs and what each one means for your diamond jewellery:

Cut-This is going to be the ‘C’ that is going to be the most important when it comes to placing value on your stone. It’s also one of the most challenging for those that are not familiar with diamonds to understand.

Clarity-This will tell you how close to perfection you have with your diamond. Almost all diamonds contain some form of flaws, whether it’s inclusions, chips, or cracks.

Colour-When it comes to finding the most precious diamonds, you want one that is as close to being colourless as possible.

Carat Weight-Size matters when grading diamonds. The larger the stone the more valuable the diamond will be worth. Carat weight is what jewellers use to measure the weight of a diamond.

More information on resources you can find here

Popular Diamond Jewellery Gift Ideas for that Special Man

Are you wondering what the top jewellery gift ideas for that special man in your life might be this year?  It’s no secret, men love diamond jewellery just as much as women, men just don’t like to show it as much as women do.  Whether you are searching for the perfect personalised piece of diamond jewellery or you are looking for something that is simple and elegant you will find exactly what you are looking for when it comes to gemstone and diamond jewellery from the UK’s number one source for diamond jewellery, Diamond Rocks London.  Let’s take a look at some very popular gemstone and diamond jewellery pieces that perfect for any gift giving occasion.

  • Diamond and Gemstone cufflinks-Cufflinks are always a great gift idea for that special man in your life, especially if he’s just gotten a big promotion at work or it’s his birthday.  Whether it’s your husband, your brother, or your husband, you will find a variety of different diamond and gemstone cufflinks available at very affordable prices.
  • Men’s Diamond Bracelets-Both men and women love wearing fashionable diamond bracelets.  When searching for a diamond bracelet for that special man in your life you will want to consider larger stones as well as thicker bracelets so that the bracelet doesn’t appear to look feminine on your man’s wrist.
  • Men’s Diamond Rings-There is a variety of different types of men’s diamond fashion and eternity rings available online. You will find stunning 18K yellow gold, white gold and even platinum diamond and gemstone rings available for that special man in your life at rock bottom prices!

5 Popular Jewellery Trends for Fall 2013

The weather has begun to change and people are now talking about the new jewellery trends that everyone will be wearing this season. The options are filled with fabulous choices of gemstones and diamond jewellery that will certainly be catching to the eye and pleasing for your wallet.

1. Opals: October’s birthstone is going to be seen everywhere this year. Opals come in a variety of different colours including whites, greens, and blues.

2. Emeralds: Emeralds have been extremely popular this year, especially for those looking to add colour and appeal to other pieces of fashion jewellery like necklaces, bracelets, and charms.

3. Diamond Studs: Diamond stud earrings have always been a classical look for both men and women. This year they have become extremely trendy including coloured diamond studs.

4. Snakes: Fashion jewellery pieces crafted by high end jewellery designers are using more animal pieces including snakes to go along with the year of the Snake from the Chinese Zodiac calendar.

5. Great Gatsby: One of the biggest Hollywood hits during the 2013 year people are looking for more vintage diamond jewellery pieces that has been inspired from the Great Gatsby film.

For more on the latest styles and trends in fashion jewelry this fall season, make sure to check out Diamond Rocks website. They offer a great selection of stunning gemstone and diamond fashion jewellery pieces that suitable for any budget.

How to Select the Right ‘Cut’ For Your Fiancé’s Diamond Engagement Ring

It’s never an easy decision when looking through the many engagement rings available on the market today and deciding on a particular style, shape, size or cut of diamond that is going to fit the style of your future bride-to-be. This is one of the most daunting challenges out there, but with a little guidance and some valuable information about the different cuts of diamonds on the market, you will be able to make an informed decision about which diamond engagement ring would be best suited for your fiancé.

Of course there is no guarantee that your fiancé will absolutely love the engagement ring you will select for her, but understanding what her favourite diamond cut is will allow you to find the perfect engagement ring for her. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular shapes for diamond engagement rings and what each cut means for your fiancé. Popular cuts include princess cut, emerald cut and round cut. For more help in selecting the right diamond cut for your future wife contact the sales team from Diamond Rocks located in the heart of London’s diamond district Hatton Gardens. They will be able to advise and design the perfect diamond engagement ring for you and your bride-to-be.

Hot Fashions for Diamond and Gemstone Jewellery for the 2013 Fall Season

Fall 2013 is now upon us, and there have been some very interesting and unique trends showing up in a lot of fashion diamond and gemstone jewellery this season. Amongst the most popular types of jewellery designs that have made their way into the fad this season includes classic chains, stackable gemstone rings, animal designed diamond and gemstone jewellery, and larger statement pieces including diamond and gemstone necklaces and bracelets.

The classic chains include charms and pendants with gemstones and diamonds set in platinum, gold, and silver metals. They range in prices from £75-1,000 and offer a lot of class and charm to any type of wardrobe whether you are dressing for work or for a night out. When it comes to stackable gemstone rings, the look is extremely popular with gemstone rings being very affordable and fashionable. Some of the most popular gemstones include rubies, amethyst, and emeralds.

Next you have unique diamond and gemstone jewellery inspired by different types of animals including tigers, horses, cats, fish, and many others. Just about anything goes when it comes to animal designed jewellery. Lastly you have statement gemstone and diamond jewellery necklace pieces. They may not be for everyone but they certainly will make for an interesting piece and a great conversation starter. To find your perfect diamond or gemstone jewellery piece for the fall of 2013 check out some of these stunning diamond jewellery pieces.

Tips for buying men’s wedding jewellery online

Men no longer want just a plain, boring wedding band to wear around their ring finger anymore. Men want the same style of wedding rings that women wear, but they just sometimes won’t go out and say it. Designers have taken notice of this trend as they are now producing mens diamond rings that can be worn as a wedding band or as a fashion ring. Designers have also gone out of their way to create matching wedding band sets for men and women that have diamonds included in both sets of wedding bands.

By introducing diamonds into men’s fashion jewellery, more and more men have begun to not only notice these fine pieces of jewellery, they have begun to purchase them. In the past many male athletes would wear a diamond earring in their left ear, even some would get both their ears pierced. Now it’s not just athletes that are wearing diamonds in their ears. Regular, everyday men are wearing them as well. Diamonds have never been as affordable as they are now and finding great deals for them online is easier. If you are a man and thinking about buying a diamond wedding band you should start shopping online. You will find a great selection, the lowest prices, and the highest quality of diamonds that your money can buy.

Full Diamond Eternity Rings Make Great Valentine’s Day Gifts

The full diamond eternity ring is probably one of the most beautiful, yet simplistic diamond ring on the market today. The eternity ring dates back centuries and encompasses everything. There is something to be said about the history of the ring. If you are searching the internet for the perfect gift to give to your loved one on Valentine’s Day, the eternity ring would make the perfect gift.

What makes eternity rings such a perfect gift is that these rings are both simple and elegant at the same time. No other ring style on the planet features gemstones or diamonds going around the entire band like the eternity ring does. Eternity rings are usually set in either white or yellow gold settings, but jewellers can also set the diamonds in other metals like platinum or silver depending on your preference or budget.

A full diamond eternity ring is often viewed as an instant family heirloom piece by the one receiving it. The beauty, shine, value, and quality of the ring will last for many generations to come with very little care needed. Because of the uniqueness of the diamonds going around the entire band, it will be required that the ring be made to size because once the ring is created you will not be able to get it resized. If you are interested in a full diamond eternity ring for your loved as a gift, or you want to find out more about eternity rings in general, contact a professional jeweller online today.

Make this Holiday Season an Extraordinary One with Diamonds

When doing your holiday shopping this season you want to find that perfect gift that will give that ‘wow’ factor for the one on the receiving end. The first thing that comes to mind for most people would be diamonds because of their ability to give that exquisite sparkling effect that no other gift in the world could achieve.

 The best part is that this year many diamond jewellery retailers know that people are trying to get the most value for their money which is why they have offered exclusive discounts on all their diamonds making it simply irresistible for people to pass on the gift of diamonds this year.

 Many diamond retailers online are offering deep discounts on their high quality diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond necklaces, diamond bracelets, and men’s diamond jewellery pieces to make sure that they don’t miss out on the opportunity to sell you one of their high quality diamonds.

 When shopping online for quality diamonds online, make sure you do some research before making that purchase. Some things to check would be the online retailer’s money back guarantee policy, diamond certification information, available financing, and shipping policies to make sure that your diamond arrives safe and on time for the holiday season.