College Class Rings

College Class Rings

Since the times when rings were created, people have worn them for a great variety of reasons; they have been symbols of different events, things and feelings. The college class ring stands for one's unique accomplishment during university years and embodies a lifelong connection between a person, their classmates and university.

College rings have a long and rich tradition. They first appeared 150 years ago and were worn by the cadets of the U.S. Military Academy. These first college rings had a very strange design: a book with a sword driven through it, showing the class' contempt (this emblem was first used by Voltaire to express his hostility to the Bible). Later these rings were replaced by gold signet ones with the years of graduation and school insignia engraved. During the World War II college rings came into fashion all over the country and were worn by trendies from different American colleges. There also appeared a custom among students, who went out together, to exchange their rings (he put it on a finger, while she wore it around a neck). After the War most American universities picked up this tradition, what reinforced it and made it an American cultural mainstay.

Nowadays, being all the rage, college class rings are available in a great variety of designs and styles, s o you are sure to find a ring to your liking. You may choose an intricate and elaborate an elegant and handcrafted, or even an avant-garde ring either with a small, delicate stone or with a huge, shimmering gem . Besides, you may select from precious and non-precious metals. The most common of them are platinum, yellow or white gold, silver or lustrium. As regards metal finish some graduatesfavor Antique Finish (it shows the contrast between the fine detail of your ring and a dark background); others prefer Natural Finish (it accentuates the glint of your gold ring).

On the whole, college rings are divided into traditional, signet and fashion rings. Though regardless of the style, they all are usually studded with artificial or g enuine stones, and those can be ofa Facet or Smooth cut.

Depending on the gem and the cut you've chosen, there are various stone effects available. Encrusting rings are those with a symbol or a personal letter inscribed withgold, which is deeply embedded into your stone. It looks better on dark and only smooth gems. Encrusting can't be used with other effects such as Sundance or Astralight. Astralightrings give the illusion of a rainbow beneath the stone, while Sundance ringsgive the illusion of rays. The both latter effects can be found both on smooth and faceted gems.

You may also create a unique college class ring by engraving your personal information into the inside of it. The most common inscriptions are graduation year, degree, initials or full name. There are also Curriculum Panels available, which includes symbols of your curriculum or major.
There is a great variety of college class ring styles and designs on the market. You will definitely pick out a ring that will be an extension of who you are; a ring, that will express your individuality and reflect your personal features, and at the same time embodies the traditions and symbols of your university, making your experience last forever.

Bridal Jewelry Sets

Bridal Jewelry Sets
Finding bridal jewelry to complete your look for the big day can sometimes be a difficult task. You may find that in your searching you see a pair of earrings you like and a necklace, but there is no bracelet. Likewise, you may also find your bridal earrings and bridal necklace but together, the two pieces of jewelry do not match well. This is where the suggestion of pulling your jewelry accessory look together by purchasing an entire bridal jewelry set from one merchant.

When purchasing your entire bridal jewelry set from one merchant or bridal jewelry designer, you will have a more consistent and complete look. Your bridal jewelry will match together because it was designed to be together. What makes bridal jewelry sets even more special is after your big day, many times just wearing your bridal earrings or bridal necklace out for a nice dinner or dancing can bring back all of the special moments and memories that you made on the most important day of your life.

In addition, you will save time and energy by purchasing a bridal jewelry set all at once. There will be no more hunting for the perfect pair of bridal earrings that will match the bridal necklace or bridal bracelet that you have already purchased. Yet another "bonus" to purchasing one bridal jewelry set is you will pay one shipping fee versus paying two to three different shipping fees by ordering your bridal jewelry pieces from various bridal websites and bridal jewelers. Many times you will find that by purchasing your bridal jewelry in a set, you will receive a discounted rate.

To conclude, when purchasing your bridal jewelry sets, keep in mind the overall look and feel you want to have for your special day, this will be reflected in what you wear, as you are the bride and the center of attention for the day. By purchasing a bridal jewelry set, your look will be congruent and gorgeously pieced together. Sit back and take in your day and all of the wonderful compliments it will bring.

Diamond Fluorescence

Diamond Fluorescence
Fluorescence is the effect of a diamond to give off light when exposed to ultraviolet light. Some diamonds give off light when exposed to ultraviolet light and some do not. Under normal lighting conditions, this effect is not discernable to the eye. There is still some controversy over whether fluorescence is beneficial or detrimental to a diamond's value. In some cases, depending on the clarity and color of a diamond, fluorescence will make the diamond appear whiter. When you order your diamond from Novori we will discuss this further with you. The GIA laboratory certificate will indicate if a diamond has fluorescence.

Diamond Carat Weight

Diamond Carat Weight

This is probably the most common criteria shoppers are aware of. The carat weight of a diamond is simply the weight of the diamond. A carat is a unit of measurement and 1 carat is equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. Hence a 1.25 carat diamond will weigh 250 milligrams.

The value of a diamond comes partly due to the fact that larger diamonds are found far less often than smaller diamonds. This means that the price of a diamond will increase exponentially as the carat size of the diamond increases. All other things being equal, a 2 carat diamond will always be worth more than two 1 carat diamonds. The most common size of diamond that Novori sells is between 0.6 carats and 1.25 carats in size. This range of diamond has the best size for value ratio and is easily fitted in most pieces of jewelry.

The size or carat weight of a diamond cannot be used alone to determine the value of a diamond. A large diamond will not be as valuable if it does not show good color, a fine cut or excellent clarity. All factors (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) are used together to determine the value of a diamond.

A common misconception is that a 2 carat diamond will look twice the size of a 1 carat diamond. Since the carat of a diamond refers to its weight, a 2 carat diamond will not be 2 times the size of a 1 carat diamond but it will be twice the weight. A 0.5 carat round diamond has a diameter of approximately 5.2mm while a 1.0 carat round diamond has a diameter of approximately 6.5mm.

When choosing the carat size of your diamond, remember to keep a good balance between size and quality. If you are looking for a larger carat diamond, you may have to lower the color or clarity of the diamond as a trade off to the size.

Diamond Color

Diamond Color

Every diamond will range in color from clear to yellow. The most valuable diamonds will have very little color. Color in a diamond will act as a filter for the light passing through and degrade the spectrum of light emitted, making it show less sparkle.

The grade of color is usually represented by the GIA's professional color scale which gives a letter scale from D for colorless diamonds to Z for diamonds that display a yellowish or brownish color. To maintain a high level of quality Novori will only sell diamonds with a color rating of J or better. We prefer to recommend a diamond engagement ring with a color rating of D, E or F but realize that your budget may not allow this. Most Novori customers purchase a diamond with a color rating of G, H or I because of the almost undetectable color and the value associated with these ratings.

Color Diamond COLOR Description
D The highest color grade and the diamond is absolutely colorless.
E Colorless
F Colorless
G - H Near Colorless
I - J Near Colorless
K - M Faint Yellow (Not sold by Novori)
N - Z Light Yellow to Yellow (Not sold by Novori)

Diamond Cut

Diamond Cut

Of the 4 C's, the diamond's cut is the most important factor in determining its brilliance and beauty of a diamond. There are many shapes that diamonds are cut to but a diamonds cut refers to how well proportioned the diamond has been transformed into its shape. The shape of a diamond can be round, oval, pear, heart, marquise, emerald or princess. When speaking of a diamonds 'cut grade', we are referring to its proportions, symmetry and polish. Novori will not sell diamonds with a cut grade considered less than very good.

Ideally, the cut of the diamond is done in a way to best reflect the light that shines into it. This is what produces the sparkle and fire we see in a beautifully cut diamond. GIA grading reports show depth % and table % ratios as compared to the width of the diamond. A good table cut should be 53-64% and a good depth cut is 58-64%. If the cut is outside of this range the diamond is considered to be cut too deep or too shallow. If the diamond is cut too heavy, or too shallow, most of the light entering into the crown is released through the bottom of the pavilion resulting in an overall dull appearance. An ideal cut diamond on the other hand, returns most of the light that enters it back through the crown giving it a very satisfying sparkle effect.

Bridal Jewelry - The Icing On The Cake

Bridal Jewelry - The Icing On The Cake

You have your dress, you've got your shoes, your hair style picked out; but you still need to "finish your look" for the big day. That is where your bridal jewelry comes in.

It used to be that pearls, which are wonderful for weddings and brides, were the only jewelry that brides wore. Now with the internet and the growing bridal jewelry businesses out there, your choices have become limitless.

Are you looking for some sparkle, or something simple and elegant? Search the internet for bridal jewelry and you will find a wide variety of resources out there to suit your specific needs. Boring bridal jewelry is a thing of the past. All brides want to feel and look beautiful on their wedding day, and not just look like every other bride they've seen before. This is where your bridal jewelry will make the difference. Find pieces of jewelry that "speak to you", that fit your color or theme for the special day. In many cases, bridal jewelry makers will create a custom piece for you that is special and unique.

When choosing your bridal jewelry, look for some parallel between your wedding gown or style of shoes and other accessories. This will help you pull your look together when making your selection. Many times, you will be able to find on various bridal jewelry websites, tiaras, headbands, hairpins and combs that will pair up or match bridal necklaces, bridal earrings and bridal bracelets. Consistency and a common look and feel through out your bridal accessories is key to not looking "patched" together.

This is your day, make the best of it, feel beautiful and find the bridal jewelry that is right for you. Feeling comfortable with how you look is all part of feeling beautiful. If you want to be a unique bride that looks gorgeous on your wedding day, search for the bridal jewelry that will compliment your attire. You will be beautiful, your bridal jewelry will enhance that.

White Gold / Platinum Group Metals

White Gold / Platinum Group Metals
Sometimes this is called white gold. Platinum is not just one metal, however - which (to me at least) still strikes me as strange. We are talking alloys, however, so maybe its no more stange than the allows we have of gold. Be aware that when you talk platinum you may be a number of different combined metals.

The metal(s) are collectively denser, rarer, and hence more expensive, than gold itself. What makes it popular for setting gemstones is that it holds them more securely in a setting, and its rich white colour can be used to full effect in showing off gems (there is no potential minor clash of colours like with gold, in other words)

The European standard marking of Platinum is PT950, or 950, whilst in the USA (to be different I guess!) its PL or PLAT.

So what are these various metals that we all call platinum?

Osmium (Os)
Osmium/platinum alloy is usually used for standard weights - so I guess you won`t see it much on rings. It is a bluish-white colour, and quite brittle.

Iridium (Ir)
The alloy, usually about 10% iridium with 90% platinum, is a very hard, white and brittle metal (which is an interesting contrast to Gold which is extremely soft) and is much harder than pure platinum.

Palladium (Pd) (or White Gold)
Now we are onto something. This is relatively rare and soft, with a white silvery colour. It is alloyed for jewelry, with gold, and commonly called white gold.