A Fake Diamond Or Real Diamond - How Do You Know?

Before we get too far, I do need to say that the term "fake diamond" is not technically correct from a Gemologist's point of view. Any term that ends with the word "diamond" must be an actual diamond... such as synthetic diamond, man-made diamond, or clarity-enhanced diamond. If a gemstone that just looks like a diamond but it really is something totally different, then the term that must be used is a "diamond simulant" because it simulates a diamond. In this article, and only in this article, I will use the term fake diamond because it gives more of an impact.

It's been going on for a long time!

Hundreds of years ago, fake diamonds were made out of glass, and commonly referred to as "paste", this is the Italian term given to it because the molten glass had to have the consistency of pasta before it was pressed into the molds that formed the shape. There have been many other "fake diamonds" over the years but recently they have gotten really, really good.

A good gemstone gone bad....

According to the dictionary, fake has the same meaning as counterfeit. What changes a diamond simulant to go to the "dark side of the force" and become a fake diamond is the addition of the human emotion of greed. The diamond simulants by themselves are fine, actually I've seen some terrific pieces of jewelry made with Synthetic Cubic Zirconia or Synthetic Moissanite. The greed comes in when one person convinces another person that what they are looking at is a real diamond and that the diamond could be bought at a very good price.... and the seller will say that these inexpensive diamonds are only available now.... "this great deal is going away and you need to act right now!". You can get them right now because the seller is in real need of cash... or because the seller is so well connected into the jewelry business that they know how and where to buy diamonds, and in the process they "cut out the middle man" in order to get the best deals!

Many times the main reason that a diamond simulant can be passed off as a real diamond is because the buyer already has the belief that diamonds are overpriced, are a waste of money, are a rip off, and maybe the buyer really doesn't want to buy a diamond but needs to buy a diamond... so this leaves the buyer open to a seller who comes along and tells the buyer that a whole bunch of money can be saved by buying what "looks just like the real thing".

Diamond simulants have their place in the jewelry business. They are a good inexpensive choice for earrings, a pendant, or a pin. However, a clarity-enhanced diamond should also be something that you should consider for these types of jewelry. A diamond will always outshine any simulant I've ever seen!

Yeah, yeah... but how can you tell? Come on give me the magic test!

On the Internet, I have seen a lot of articles and videos on how to test if you have real or fake diamonds.... the same 6 lame "tests" have been regurgitated over and over again! And all of this fantasy about testing a diamond started with an overly self-promoting bonehead that published a book full of misinformation about diamonds! Only a very few people would be able to tell if a stone was a real diamond or a fake diamond by using these tests! And some of the tests could be destructive. The gemstones that look like diamonds that have been developed in the past 30 years are certainly impressive!

I remember when CZ (synthetic cubic zirconia) was first put on the market in the mid 70s, there were some jewelers who were running around crying that the end of the world was upon us. CZs are really not that difficult to separate from diamonds and Synthetic Moissanite is even easier. The best test is to look at the stone using 10X magnification, but you do need to know what you are looking at! In most jewelry stores, they have "easy to use" electronic testing devices developed to help in separating the simulants from the real thing. Sometimes it is difficult to know for sure when it comes to very small stones by just looking at them.

I love inclusions!

Diamond inclusions, the fun little things that are included inside of your diamond, are always nice to see. Not only does it give your diamond some character!... it will immediately help identify the stone as being a real diamond. Inclusions can be like a fingerprint and if you remember what your inclusions look like; you will be able to recognize your diamond just like you'd be able to recognize an old friend.

Maybe the only test that could be of any use is when you place the stone over some fine print and if you can see the text through the stone it may or may not be a diamond. So if you need to know if it is a diamond, go get a phone book, (plenty of fine print in there!) turn to the yellow pages, now look up a good local jewelry store, go visit them and if you ask nicely, they might be able to give you a "real or fake diamond" answer.

Bud Boland has been in the jewelry business for 40 years and has done everything from watchmaking, diamond setting, jewelry making, and has been a Gemologist for nearly 35 years. He is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA, which is also the place where he was an Instructor. He has taught about diamonds to hundreds of students from all around the world.

He is currently committed to producing the only diamond buying guide anyone would ever need... unbiased advice from inside of the jewelry business... Some additional important tips on "fake diamonds" or about diamond simulants can be found on his website Diamond-Buying-Made-Easier.

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14k Yellow Gold Akoya Cultured Pearl 6.5-7mm Necklace and Stud Earring Set

14k Yellow Gold Akoya Cultured Pearl 6.5-7mm Necklace and Stud Earring Set Review

I purchased this set as a gift for my wife, after being disappointed with the Single Strand 18 Inch 7-8mm White Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace. Although the two necklaces cost about the same, the difference between the two is like night and day.

The necklace in this set had pearls that were all round or near-round (you really need to examine the pearls closely to see ones that don't look round), and you could tell that the best pearls are in the front, while flawed pearls are near the clasp. The color of the pearls were surprisingly consistent, and well-matched throughout the strand.

As far as flaws go, they're definitely there, and you don't need to look too hard to see them -- but again, the pearls like that were all by the clasp. Granted, this isn't very helpful if the wearer has short hair, but otherwise, nobody would know they're there.

I wasn't fortunate enough to get this when it was in the Gold Box or Lightning Deal, but at Amazon's normal price, it's still a very good value.

My only real gripe is that everything arrives in a small pouch. I would have liked a better presentation for gift giving, but for the quality you get at this price, it's hard to complain.

14k Yellow Gold Akoya Cultured Pearl 6.5-7mm Necklace and Stud Earring Set Feature

14k Yellow Gold Akoya Cultured Pearl 6.5-7mm Necklace and Stud Earring Set Overview

Project radiance and sophistication in this gorgeous Akoya cultured pearl necklace and stud earring set. Lustrous round Akoya cultured pearls, with a diameter range of 6.5 to 7mm, are individually knotted on silk cord to form the 18-inch necklace. This classic pearl strand is finished with a fancy filigree clasp, in radiant and durable 14 karat yellow gold. The matching stud earrings also feature round 6.5-7mm Akoya cultured pearls, with 14 karat yellow gold posts and backings.

These are fine quality round pearls, well-matched for size, shape and color, with light blemishing and a beautiful deep luster. Their color is white-rosé--in other words, white but with a slight rosy hue. Akoya cultured pearls are produced in salt-water mollusks in Japan and China. They were the first type of pearl to be cultured, back in the 1920s, and remain the most popular and classic choice for pearl strands. Akoya cultured pearls are prized for their smoothness, roundness, and gorgeous deep luster. Though they may look similar to freshwater cultured pearls, when the two are placed side-by-side, the Akoya pearl's superior qualities are clear.

A traditional pearl strand and matching pearl stud earrings are a versatile addition to any woman's fine jewelry collection. They will complement everything from a daytime professional outfit to an evening cocktail dress, and their timeless beauty ensures they will look as classy and elegant years from now as they do today.

14k Yellow Gold Akoya Cultured Pearl 6.5-7mm Necklace and Stud Earring Set Specifications

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 21, 2009 19:20:25

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Retail Store Lighting Tips

Store lighting is critical today and is becoming more important as time passes because of the aging Baby Boomer population. Unfortunately, as we age, deteriorating eyesight is often an accompanying malady. Deteriorating eyesight makes it more difficult to read labels and therefore, more difficult to make informed buying decisions. Depending upon your retail product offering, higher lighting levels communicate to this important spending group, (the Baby Boomers), that you want them in your store. This is however, but one important consideration in lighting your store. So here are some more retail store lighting tips.

If your store offers general merchandise, let's say hardware, groceries or variety merchandise, then the high light levels referred to above are spot on (no pun intended). In fact light levels in the range of 75-150 fc are recommended for maximum visibility. Maintain light levels in even the lower level of this recommended spectrum and your store will appeal to us seniors. There are a number of light fixtures on the market today that can produce these levels of illumination and do so efficiently.

If however, you wish to "upscale" your offering in perhaps a clothing or gift store, then the rules of lighting change. A lower ambient lighting level coupled with accent lighting can create a "gallery" type atmosphere. Marry this type of lighting with classical music and appealing aromas and 'voila' you have sent a message to your customers that your offering is quality, exclusive and therefore, slightly more expensive. Not a bad message to send in the aforementioned store types.

If your budget does not allow new light fixtures then here is a basic but very important retail lighting tip. Make sure your lighting fixtures are cleaned regularly. This often overlooked housekeeping chore can help you keep your existing light fixtures operating at their maximum potential. LDD is an acronym that refers to Luminare Dirt Depreciation and its effects are startling.

Of course, the use of light in your store can encompass much more than mere functionality. Light can be splashed and sprayed on walls and key displays to create visual interest, grab attention and guide consumers through your store.

Philip H. Mitchell is the author of Discovery-Based Retail. His book has been endorsed by Scott Wright of the North American Retail Hardware Association, Art Brown of the Mid-American Lumberman's' association and other industry experts. Philip is also one of the founding partners of a retail consulting company of the same name, Discovery-Based Retail. His company works with retailers, both small and large, helping them enhance their profitability by improving their customer interface. Their company also specializes in improving the production of the entire sales space and designs floorplans to accomplish this.

Visit his website at http://www.discoverdbr.com

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Kaos Softwear Silicone plugs, body jewelry for stretched ears

www.kingsbodyjewelry.com Silicone body jewelry is one of the newest and most popular styles of plugs to wear these days, so I thought I would make a video talking about Kaos Softwear and a little bit about silicone jewelry. Kaos is without a doubt the highest quality silicone manufacturer right now, so if you are looking for a good quality set of plugs they are for sure worth checking out. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up, I would be glad to help, and check out our website if ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPvOD2rgJuw&hl=en

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London Boutique Hotels - Styles That Set Them Apart

The distinctions among London bed and breakfasts, full-fledged London hotels and London boutique hotels which set each group apart have nothing to do with size, amenities or services provided. It quite simply comes down to a matter of "style".

Boutique hotels revolve around a theme and each room within the hotel reflects that theme individually. Sometimes each room will have a name to denote its adherence to the theme and the room will be decorated in keeping with it.

London boutiques are fantastic examples of this increasingly popular type of hotel. The Brits are true experts in demonstrating how it should be done using imagination and good taste. Even when over-the-top, the British boutiques still come shining through as comfortable and beautiful gems that you will enjoy and want to come back to. In many cases, you'll be so allured by the many displays of interesting items to feast your eyes on that you may not want to venture outside!

If you've ever been to Miller's Residence, you'll know what I mean. This lovely luxury boutique is set in the style of an 18th century residence. They have an eclectic assortment of rooms all echoing shades of the past surrounded by antiques and curiosities. All of their rooms are named after famous romantic poets to help get your imagination in gear. Choose from Keats, Blake, Byron, Shelley, Coleridge, Browning, Tennyson or Wordsworth. Each one is filled to the rafters with paintings, books, knick knacks, mirrors, period pieces and furniture all reminiscent of the era and the famed poet it is honoring.

For total and complete opulence in an Italian style, there is Baglioni's. This London boutique is one of many Baglioni hotels throughout Europe and has won the distinctive recognition as one of the "Leading Small Hotels of the World". This Tuscan-inspired hotel will greet you with a beautiful fountain, Italian ceramic and stone floors and unbelievable gold vases brimming with white roses. There are more than 50 suites here and you will have access to a personal shopper, a butler, spa, fitness centre, and don't forget the chauffeur driven Maserati Quattroporte! The rooms are decorated in sumptuous fabrics and linens with gorgeous Venetian glass and mirrors all put together in a refined elegance.

When looking for a boutique - in London - here are a few tips to help in your selection:

• Decide on where you want to stay, i.e. which area of London, before looking at the choices.


• If you have predetermined needs, such as WiFi in your room, write these down. Most of the boutiques we show you will more-than-likely have these, but better just be sure.


• Is it necessary for you to be by a tube stop?


• How easy will it be to grab a cab?
  One of my absolute favorite boutiques is Blakes. But it's tucked away in a residential area of Chelsea and sometimes it can be difficult to grab a taxi. (Chelsea in the evenings is especially hard to find a taxi as there are some great restaurants in the area and many people are finishing up their meals and leaving at the same time.) You may need to walk to a main road. If you're unsure and this is important to you, call the hotel to see if they've a door man who will fetch one for you.

With all of those items checked, now it's time to determine which hotel offers your preferred style. Do you like minimalist decor or are you a Victorian ambience junky? There are so many styles of boutiques in London that we have classified them to help you narrow down your choices by what you're looking for as follows:

• Traditional British


• Quirky English


• Continental


• Modern Trendy

We have 24 boutique hotel reviews on our website within these categories. All have detailed descriptions, pictures, maps and added off-beat comments you won't find just anywhere. Please stop by!

One thing is certain, if you choose to stay in the Quirky English boutique, The Gore, and stay in the Judy Garland room, (where you'll sleep in her bed), you will definitely know you're not in Kansas anymore!

Catherine Mitschele lived in England for 7 years and traveled extensively throughout England and Europe. She uses her inside knowledge from friends in the senior positions in the travel industry combined with her personal experiences to weave a different type of travel log.

For more information on great London hotel reviews, visit http://www.BestLondonHotelReview.com

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