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Caring for Your Jewelry Before You Clean   Cleaning your gemstones after they get dirty is only part of proper care. Pre-use care is also important.   Apply your perfumes, colognes, and hairsprays before you put on gemstone jewelry. Not only will these chemicals reduce gem brilliance, the ability to return light, they can be highly destructive to some gems, such as pearls, which react violently to acid and alcohol.   If possible, wear your perfumes and colognes in areas that will not come in contact with your gems. In the case of pearls, try to keep them out of...

Once the standard cut for diamonds, cushion cuts have a long history. Now regarded as a classic, this old favorite never goes out of style. However, it’s also one of the more confusing cuts, so it’s important to learn more about these diamonds before you purchase one. Read about the pros and cons of cushion-cut diamonds and how they stack up against round and princess cuts. Then, learn how to judge the quality of a cushion-cut diamond and choose the perfect one for your engagement ring.   Pros and Cons of a Cushion-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring   Cushion-cut diamonds have...

A High Hardness Doesn’t Mean a Gem Resists All Types of Exposure   Don’t assume a gem’s resistance to one type of exposure is the same for all types of exposure. Hardness is a commonly referenced physical quality for gemstones, and those that rank high on the Mohs scale, such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, are prized choices for jewelry. However, a high Mohs score doesn’t make the gemstone indestructible. Hardness is the ability to resist scratching and nothing more. For example, diamonds have the greatest hardness of any natural material. However, they can have inclusions and incipient cleaves that...

  Choosing the size of a pendant is tricky, since everyone has different preferences and different neck sizes.   If you’re buying a diamond solitaire pendant as a gift, take a look at other necklaces to get a sense of what carat diamond looks best and also consider if this is a dress-up/dress-down or special occasion gift.   0.05-0.10 carat Very small diamonds at the base of the throat add a little sparkle and a lot of elegance to any outfit. This weight is great for those who prefer understated or delicate jewelry. With a gold chain, a solitaire diamond...

Diamond studs are sold by the total carat weight (ctw). This means that you’ll have to divide the weight in half to know the approximate weight of the diamond on each ear.   0.10-0.25 ctw At this weight, the diamonds will be quite small. This size is great for a child’s gift or for those who prefer understated jewelry. At these sizes, gold pre-set earrings with well-cut, sparkly round diamonds will cost about $100 to $400.   0.30-0.50 ctw Moving up in carat weight, the diamonds become more noticeable but may still seem small. This range is perfect for a...