The Boomers Blog – Fashion Blog

Hire a skilled jeweler? Not necessarily. These tips will help any man understand the diamond ring market, and what to look for when shopping for that valuable asset for your fingers.

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Big LCD screen for the Superbowl….or diamond ring? New car smell spray…or diamond ring. Ok, men, you will have to accept that a ring is a wonderful, timeless addition to your life that can not only be passed down, but will be a symbol of status, identity, and will add an element of class to admirers. You don’t, however, have to give up the budget for New Car Smell spray to afford a good looking diamond ring. Like buying a car or house, it is always important to start out with a preferred budget in mind. Unless you require the equivalent attention of big star rappers who could fund the continuation of diamond apparel singlehandedly, most other men won’t be impressed by how much is spent or to what level of “bling” the ring has. Less is more in contemporary trends; unless you are the rapper.

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There are quite possibly more styles of men’s diamond rings available today than you could entertain yourself with over a lifetime of search engine pages. Determining your style preference in a diamond ring may be easy depending on how defined your style of dress is. Do you favor the traditional, vintage, unique and strange, or modern? Just about every style is reflected through the various metals and diamond setting options available. Remember, a lifetime could be spent on search engines with all the options out there. Begin by narrowing searches down by your choice of style– and every man has style. In beginning your search, you may need to get to know the diamond world a little better. To start with, refer to this diamond ring mini dictionary.

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Men’s Diamond Ring Mini Dictionary

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What type of cut does the diamond exhibit? Different cuts show of different colors and brilliance.

The presence (or lack thereof) of inclusions or defects. Most diamonds have some type of tiny imperfection. A better clarity score means the less likely there are carbon spots or even cracks. Typically a diamond clarity score of FI, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, and IS2 will be beautiful stones with virtually invisible imperfections.

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Unless the diamond is naturally a color other than white, color score refers to how white a clear diamond is. White diamonds are scored on “how white” they actually are. D is the whitest score and Z is the most yellow.

Maybe the most important factor in women’s jewelry, the carat measures a diamond’s natural weight. The heavier the diamond or total diamond weight, the more costly it will be.

Not always considered a diamond “C”, the diamond certificate is a document that proves the previous four Cs to certify that the diamond is what it is. These certificates are issued by the Gemological Institute of America of the American Gemological Laboratory.

Probably the most popular setting of men’s diamond rings. Channel set diamonds are diamonds set in a band with a seeming invisible setting.

A setting in which a stone is held in place by little metal claws or prongs. Normally made with very thin metal.

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Still the most popular choice for rings. Commonly made in 9kt, 14kt and 18kt options. There are many different gold colors available, the most popular being yellow, white, and rose golds.

A brilliant white metal, hypoallergenic, and very endurable. Considered the most elite (and expensive) form of metal, platinum is so hard that it cannot be nicked or scratched, and will remain beautiful throughout time.

White-grey in color, silver is one of the least expensive choices, but still elegant and popular choices for dress jewelry and wedding rings. Silver can tarnish, and may turn black with age. It also will be prone to scratches from everyday wear.

- Not to be confused with carat. Carat is a precious stone’s weight, like a 1 carat diamond. Karat is the purity of a precious metal with mixed alloys. A 14 karat gold ring would mean there are 14 parts gold to 14 parts alloy content.

Silver-grey-white in color, and is the hardest natural metal in the world. Also resistant to scratches and damage unlike gold and silver. Titanium is very lightweight, and available in many different colors.

Heavy grey-white metal is a soft heavy metal that is virtually indestructible. More affordable than platinum, tungsten is growing in market popularity.

Less expensive metal that is resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel can be polished to resemble a more expensive metal.

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It would be easier for an experienced jeweler to explain diamond rings for men when a) he or she has the inventory there to describe to you and b) because there is too much information to explain in this short article. Good jewelers can provide friendly and informative advice, and are normally able to interpret your budget and design preferences to something they have in stock. There are also many certified jewelers found online that have their own online inventories.

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You might be able to bypass this step if you go to a physical store that sells men’s diamond rings. These places normally have sizing rings just to help you find the right size. On the other hand, you won’t have this luxury if shopping online, and it would be best to start off prepared by knowing what size ring you wear. Some jewelers provide their own ring sizers. To do it the old fashioned way, take a strip of paper at least ¾ inches in width, wrap it around your finger to the point it overlaps, and mark that spot with a pen. Measure the strip from end to marked point in millimeters, and use the following chart to determine your ring size.

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This graph is provided by namenecklace.com.

The following .pdf can also be printed out for assistance: http://www.namenecklace.com.au/files/Determine_Your_Ring_Size-NameNecklace.pdf

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The wedding is really all about the bride. The dress, the jewelry, everything is chosen to make the bride standout like a princess. Just like them, the bridesmaids are also there to complement the bride and to make the whole entourage look beautiful as well. The only thing to keep in mind is that the bridal party jewelry must not outshine the bride’s jewelry. After all, it is her day.Bridesmaids’ jewelry is traditionally gifts from the bride. Therefore, if you are on a budget, it may be prudent to go for inexpensive bridesmaid jewelry to reduce the cost.  Since, wedding jewelry for bridesmaids need to complement the brides dress, if the bride is wearing diamonds, bridesmaids can wear crystal bridesmaid jewelry instead to keep the cost manageable.Selecting the bridesmaids dress is the first step in buying bridesmaids jewelry sets. The bridesmaid’s jewelry will essentially have to complement the dress first. Next, the jewelry should also complement the overall theme of the wedding. Start working outwards from the brides dress, working with colors and material to chose a theme and look. Once this step is done, buying bridesmaid jewelry will become easy.

When it comes to color, wedding jewelry for bridesmaids can either be of the same color scheme or of a contrasting color scheme that complements the overall theme. For instance, if the theme is white, it can be complemented by crystal bridesmaid jewelry, pearl bridesmaid jewelry or even gold bridesmaid jewelry. Otherwise, one can go for contrasting colors like pink bridesmaid jewelry, brown bridesmaid jewelry and even black bridesmaid jewelry.The style of the bridesmaids’ jewelry should complement the overall theme of the wedding. Keep it elegant and romantic as far styling goes. Contrast styling does not really work too well in this case. Chunky jewelry works only when the overall theme demands it e.g. period theme.

Additionally, it is better to consult the bridesmaids about their own preference as well.Since bridesmaid jewelry gifts will need to be bought in multiple sets, you can either pick up multiple numbers of the same jewelry or buy them as individual complete sets. Your starting point should be the dress or more specifically, the neckline. For instance, dresses with halter neck do not need a necklace to accessorize it. Plunging necklines, off-shoulders etc. will need a necklace. The necklace should end before the fabric starts. Elegant gold or silver necklaces with heart pendants are very suitable as they complement all dresses and there is no risk of outshining the bride’s jewelry. Strings of pearl and chokers are also great bridesmaid accessory. They are simple yet elegant.

Once the necklace is selected, it will make it easy to choose an earring. Whether they will be gold, silver or pearl will probably depend on the necklace itself. Earrings will have to complement the necklace to a certain degree. Whether you go with studs or danglers will depend on the neckline of the dress. Off shoulder and V-necks will complement danglers, while studs are ideal for higher necklines. While it’s not necessary to buy the exact earring for all the bridesmaids, too much of a difference will also look odd.

The other main piece of bridesmaid jewelry is the bracelet. Since the bridesmaids will stand holding their flower bouquets, bracelets can be lavish and eye catching. Bridesmaids can choose to wear dress gloves or not depending on their dress. Bracelets can be either contrasting or complementary and chunkier than other pieces. This is also a great opportunity to use costume bridesmaid jewelry.

Charm bracelets are quite trendy as well as affordable bridesmaid jewelry. It also allows the bride and the bridesmaids to add their own personal touch to the wedding jewelry. For instance, the charms in the bridesmaids’ bracelet can be picked to symbolize the romance of the occasion or the friendship of the bridesmaids.  A corsage can also be a simple and affordable alternative to expensive bridesmaid jewelry.

Since bridal jewelry is essentially a gift, if you have money to spare, you can purge and go for silver bridal jewelry or gold bridal jewelry. They will become beautiful mementoes for your bridesmaids to carry with them afterwards and to remember this special occasion by.

It is a well known fact that the right pair of high heels can make your feet look sexy. The first rule of high heel shoe shopping is ‘the higher the heel, the more you should spend.’ That doesn’t mean you can’t find a comfortable pair of sexy high heels for under $50, you probably won’t find a pair of stilettos or platform shoes in that range, though. There are several things to consider when you are choosing the perfect pair of high heels : 1. If you hate your toes, opt for pumps with a closed toe, or try a peep-toe pump to see if its less-revealing style covers the parts you hate most. Rough heels won’t look good in a backless sandal, but there are plenty of shoes with open toes that still cover the back of your feet. 2. Rule number two is to emphasize the nice things about your feet. Also an obvious trick, but since we usually tend to focus on what we don’t like, it’s easy to forget what is good about our feet, for example : pumps will accentuate the graceful curves of high arches, ankle straps can highlight a shapely ankle, and of course slides can show off the perfect set of nails. If you’re still convinced that every aspect of your foot is horrid, then find sexy shoes that cover as much as possible. 3. Your shoes must fit if you want your feet to look sexy. Even the most perfect foot looks awkward if it’s hanging over the edge of its sandal — no matter how hot the sandal in question is, and a foot that looks as if it’s been crammed into a pump that’s too tight will give the impression that your feet are so big you can’t find shoes to fit. The same can be said for ankle straps. If they’re cutting into your skin, loosen them or skip them altogether. They shouldn’t be too loose, but if they’re too tight, they will look as uncomfortable as they feel. 4. When you’ve found a pair of high heel or platform shoes you really love, wear them around the shoe store for a short while. If there are any problems, your feet will tell you rather quickly. Take them home but keep your store slip. 5. Wear them around your home for an hour or two. The reason for the home wear is two-fold; first, you won’t hurt yourself as much should you fall or stumble. Second, you won’t wear the soles or the heels should you need to return them. If you have blisters or discomfort in any way, you should return them to the shoe store straight away.

 

When you are choosing diamond engagement rings, choose carefully as this ring is something that your future wife will hopefully wear for the rest of her life. Not all diamond rings are engagement rings. Diamond engagement rings usually have one diamond larger than the rest or consist of a single diamond. These types of diamond engagement rings are called a solitaire.  

 

Years ago, women wore diamond rings that were called cocktail rings.  They were used for fancy dress and not worn all of the time. To the contrary, diamond engagement rings are worn all of the time and many women never remove them. Diamond engagement rings often come with a wedding band as well, as part of a set. 

 

When you are choosing diamond rings, you need to be sure that the ring is set in a hard, precious metal. Gold or platinum is used in diamond rings as it is strong enough to hold the gem. The best type of metal is either 18 or 14 karat gold or platinum. While 24 karat is considered to be pure gold weight, it is too soft to hold fine gems like diamonds. 

 

In addition to looking at the setting, which is the metal ring in which the diamond will be set, you should also be sure of the quality of the diamond.  A one karat diamond is large and considered standard for diamond engagement rings. You can go smaller, if this is what your budget allows.  You can also have more than one gem in the diamond ring itself. Sapphires are often part of diamond engagement rings as are diamonds. 

 

The quality of the diamond is important. You may be able to get a deal at a discount jeweler, but often the diamonds that are offered are flawed. When choosing diamond rings, especially something as special as diamond engagement rings, it pays to go with a jeweler you can trust. Look for one that has been in business for a long period of time and has a solid reputation. 

 

Diamond rings can also be purchased as anniversary rings.  Some women receive five year anniversary rings as diamond rings after they are married five years. This ring consists of five diamonds. Men also wear diamond rings, usually on their pinky finger, although they can also wear them in their wedding band as well. 

 

When it comes to diamond engagement rings, you need to have a rough idea of the size of her finger if you are trying to surprise her with a ring. Many men give their future wives diamond engagement rings that are too big or too small. This problem is easily rectified by taking the diamond rings to a local jeweler who will be able to size them so that they fit properly.  Diamond engagement rings should fit not too tight, but so that they will not slip off. When buying any type of diamond rings, sizing is important. Many jewelers will resize the rings, although any jeweler is usually able to size any type of ring and will usually charge a little bit of money for this service. 

Tahitian pearls are named after the island of Tahiti and they are highly prized for their beauty and the unique charm of their darker tones, thanks to the island’s black-lipped oysters that produce black, gray and green-black pearls. Recognizing their value, pearl farmers used the pearl culturing techniques pioneered by the Japanese to cultivate Tahitian pearls. Since then, Tahitian pearls have become one of the most sought-after gems in the world.
Factors to consider when choosing quality Tahitian pearl necklaces, in order of importance:
Nacre thickness ideally, the minimum thickness of nacre in Tahitian pearls is 0.8 mm. A thicker nacre covering means that the pearl’s luster will last long. Thinner nacres have a tendency to wear off easily. Tahitian pearls which are thinner than the required minimum are not exported from French Polynesia.
Surface texture and quality Tahitian pearls, like all pearls, are graded according to the quality of its surface. Pearls could have thick nacres but if the surface is flawed, their value decreases. Flaws include bumps, spots, discolorations, scratches and other irregularities. The more a pearl has, the less valuable or lower-grade it becomes.
To rate the quality of Tahitian pearls, jewelers use a grading system, consisting of A, B, C and D as the marks, with A-grade pearls being the highest quality. A-grade pearls have the cleanest, nearly flawless surface, virtually free of spots, discoloration or bumps. These pearls have a high luster and reflective quality.
B-grade Tahitian pearls have slightly (but still imperceptible) imperfect surfaces, with only 30% of the surface affected by flaws. C-grade Tahitian pearls have medium luster and imperfections are already quite perceptible while D-grade pearls are those with 60% of its surface affected by quite obvious imperfections, including scratches.
Luster one quality of pearls that sets it apart from other gemstones is its unique brilliance. As opposed to other gems like the diamond, for example, pearls shine with a softer light. And since they reflect light, they also look like mirrors, reflecting everything in their immediate surrounding.
Generally, the thicker the nacre, the more brilliant and mirror-like the shine. Good quality pearls are clear and almost metal-like in their sheen.
Size the largest Tahitian pearl ever produced is 25mm, although this in not a round pearl. The largest round Tahitian pearl is at 21mm. Generally, the bigger the size of the pearl, the higher its value is. Most Tahitian pearls are in the range of 8 to 14mm, although a few are measured at 16mm.
Shape pearls follow the shape of the irritant or nucleus that enters the mouth of the oyster or mollusk that produces it. But to meet jewelry standards, most pearls are produced following three major categories: round or spherical, symmetrical and baroque.
Spherical pearls are those that are round or nearly round. A perfectly round pearl, whether natural or cultured, is quite rare and therefore highly prized. Spherical pearls are the most familiar and popular shapes. Nearly-round pearls are categorized as sphericals, although they may be slightly elongated or flattened.
Symmetrical pearls are so-called because if you cut one in half, each piece will mirror the other. Included in this category are oval pearls, which taper at the ends and are wider at the center; button pearls, which are slightly more flattened and often used for earrings; and drop pearls, which look like teardrops or pears, usually included in jewelry as pendants.
Baroque pearls may also be semi-baroque and include all other shapes that cannot be classified as either spherical or symmetrical. These are the favorite pearls of artists because of their irregular shapes. Baroque pearls may resemble sticks, studs and even crosses.
Other notable variations in Tahitian pearls are those that have ‘rings’ tiny grooves that encircle the pearl’s surface. For this reason, these pearls are called circled or ringed, although this quality is only used as a descriptive device, to distinguish one pearl from another. For example, a ringed pearl may be described as a ‘ringed oval’ or ‘circled drop’.
Color when Tahitian pearls are mentioned, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is black pearls although they do come in other colors, albeit in darker tones. Some of their interesting colors are gray, green, brown and blue.
The pearl’s color is determined by two things: the main body color and its overtone. A pearl can have one or more overtones. The main body color is the predominant color of the pearl while the overtone is the hint of iridescent color that is seen on top of the body color and can affect or enhance the dominant color of the pearl. Pink, gold, blue, silver and purple are some of the most common overtones.
A combination of the body color and overtone is used to describe a pearl. For example, a greenish black pearl is called a peacock while a yellowish gray is called a champagne.
When buying Tahitian pearl necklaces, keep the above considerations in mind. Aside from quality, you might also want to consider design and setting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and information in detail. If the jewelry shop is reputable, they will be more than glad to answer your questions.
On your own, shopping for real Tahitian pearl necklaces can be quite a challenge. To help you make your decision, here are a few tips on real Tahitian pearls:
- they have overtones over the main body color. Fake or imitation pearls don’t and their color looks flat. Real Tahitian pearls also glow with a faint reddish color when examined using crossed filters.
- Tahitian pearls feel cool, although they do adapt to your body temperature. Imitation pearls maintain the same temperature as their surroundings, so when they are touched for the first time, they won’t feel cold.
- To test for real Tahitian pearls, hold them in the palm of your hand and take note of their weight. They are heavier than imitation pearls. If you rub Tahitian pearls across your teeth, they will feel grainy or coarse and not smooth. Their holes are also smoother around the edges.

Since most women always keep their eyes on hot styles and designs of handbags, they became more focused on following these latest fashion trends without considering if the handbags will suit their figure. Perhaps, this is one of the most common mistakes that they make. Instead of buying the right handbag that matches their body type, they go after with its brand, styles and designs just to be in step with the hottest trend in fashion. We all know that trendy styles of handbags, most especially if these are designer handbags are very tempting to buy even though they don’t suit your figure. But this attitude is not an ideal way to make your outfit looks stand out. Keeping up on the latest fashion is not just enough to make you shine. Always remember that anything you wear must have some coordination and balance with your body. For some women who are fashion enthusiasts, choosing and matching handbags are just simple but for others who are not, it’s not just as easy. Here are some basic guide lines to help you out in choosing the best handbag for you: 1. Select the Right Size of Handbag Knowing the right size of a handbag for your body type should be the first thing to consider before buying it. This will help you find the most appropriate handbag that would look best for you. Just keep in mind that no matter how stylish and elegant a handbag that you carry, it will be unfashionable if it doesn’t set off with your figure. Most fashion experts suggest that if you’re short and petite, it’s best to choose small handbags to work well with your outfit. This is because selecting big handbags will make you look smaller. On the other hand, if you’re tall and slim, you must avoid these small bags. You can rely to use for some mid size, bulky and large handbags because these sizes will be best suit for your stature. 2. Pick out the suitable shape of Handbag Choosing the best shape of handbag for your figure is another preference before purchasing it. Always bear in mind that carrying a handbag that is proportioned with your body shape is the best way to look stylish and fashionable because it really helps to change and enhance your overall look. The best tip to achieve this is to make sure that your choice of handbag shape is the opposite of your body type. So if you’re slim and tall, you should choose rounded bag to best match your look. However, if you have a shorter physique, tall and rectangular bag is suitable for you to make you look elevated. 3. Choose Color that Complements most of your Outfit After you have selected the right size and shape of a handbag that best suit to you, it’s now time to choose for its color. Matching up the color of handbag to your outfit and shoes is an ideal way to have a fashionable style. Try to buy a colorful handbag that has dominant colors that will match most of your clothes. But to be more practical, you can also go for a plain handbag with just one color. It’s most recommended to take neutral color handbags since they are popular choice. Black is a neutral color so you can never go wrong in selecting it because it always comes in style and fashion. You can also harmonize it with any color of your outfit. Brown and white colors are also advisable to use because you can also match them with most of your clothes. 4. Set off Handbag According to Occasion And finally, it’s really important that you know what will be the purpose of a handbag. To be practical, you must put some considerations on its functions because every occasion, place and season calls for different styles and designs of handbags. Just be sure that you’re chosen handbag complements to a specific place or occasion and there’s no doubt that you’ll achieve the stylish outfit you most desire. Now that you’re familiar with some basic tips in choosing a handbag that looks well with your figure, you can now enjoy your shopping in some handbag stores and boutiques. But if you’re a time savvy customer who doesn’t have enough time in going out to mall, you can find some online shopping sites for your convenience and visit their designer handbag section for your wider selections of different sizes, shapes and styles of handbags that will make you shine above the rest.