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Saturday, July 5, 2008

Antique Diamond Rings Carry A Lot Of History

By Grace Jennings

While many jewelry collectors prefer antique diamond rings, untreated diamonds are considered rare and are more expensive than their treated counterparts. In fact, untreated stones continue to rise in market value while treated gems keep gaining popularity because they are so much more affordable. For those lucky enough to own an untreated diamond, having a trusted jeweler in your court is essential. Such a jeweler can provide information about your stone's value, history and other facts you'll want to know.

Historically, Only Royalty Were Allowed To Wear Diamonds

In order for a diamond ring to be considered an antique, it must be over 100 years old and have belonged to one ot the historical periods in Europe. Of course today anyone can wear these precious stones. However, to own a piece of history from the days when only royalty could possess the dazzling gems is a rare treat for the average person.

An engagement ring is typically regarded as a symbol of two lives being joined into one and more times than not, the stone of choice is a diamond. As a promise of eternal love, their value is limitless. Of course economically speaking, certain stones will cost more than others depending on a number of factors used to measure their value.

Inherent characteristics of diamonds include their representation of strength, purity, beauty and eternity. It's a fact that most engagement rings are given for their intrinsic value of eternal love. Therefore, the choice of diamond should be every bit as special as the person receiving it.

So, what style should you choose? The answer to this question is limitless - it will be as unique as the individual who will wear it. Just as most of us have a favorite color, you'll find that diamonds come in an array of natural colors. And, color plays a role in the price you'll pay. For example, a natural green stone may be valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars while an irradiated or treated version might be available at a fraction of the cost.

Although there are many mounting styles to choose for your antique ring, many choose the prong setting. The prong setting allows for more of the diamond to be viewed and can accommodate a larger size. This style choice is often less expensive than many other styles as well.

When it comes to determining value, a knowledgeable salesperson can be of assistance in judging cut, clarity, carat and color qualities. Preference should be given to experienced jewelers. In fact, if you purchase a diamond outside the normal outlets, it's a smart idea to have a trusted jeweler evaluate the diamond either before you purchase it or within the return period.

After shopping for antique diamond rings and finding the perfect fit, don't forget to properly care for your jewelry. Since diamonds are natural grease attractors, natural skin oil can become embedded in your ring quite easily. Get a gentle jewelry cleaner and make it a habit to clean your gem periodically so it can continue to look as beautiful and shiny as the day you got it!

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