Thursday, November 6, 2008

Diamonique Engagement Rings~Qualities of Diamonique Rings

Diamonique Engagement Rings~Qualities of Diamonique Rings

For many couples, an engagement and marriage signify some major lifestyle changes. These might include buying a new house or starting a family and many of these events carry a significant cost. Buying a ring with an artificial diamond such as Diamonique is a good compromise for couples on a strict budget. While a large diamond ring might be desirable, many couples feel that with so many other important things to be spending money on this is perhaps an unnecessary luxury. With rings featuring a large Diamonique stone costing a few dollars, compared with a real diamond costing perhaps several thousand dollars, the choice of an artificial diamond might be more practical.

Diamonique is a branded diamond simulant or artificial diamond. The brand is owned by the shopping channel QVC. Diamonique jewelry is sold exclusively through the QVC shopping channel, although secondhand items may appear through other shops and online auctions such as eBay.com. Diamonique is a type of cubic zirconia which is often referred to as CZ. Cubic Zirconia is the most popular of diamond simulants, being both low cost and hard wearing. The QVC Diamonique range recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and the brand remains popular.

Qualities of Diamonique Rings

Diamonique has many positive characteristics that add quality to its rings.

Hardness

A real diamond is the hardest natural mineral known. Historically, a method of identifying a real diamond would be to use it to cut glass or scratch other materials. A diamond measures ‘10’ on Moh's Scale, which is the scale that measures the hardness of a gemstone. Diamonique and other cubic zirconia stones measure 8.5, which although is not as hard as diamond, is similar to sapphires and rubies.

Weight

Diamonique and other cubic zirconia stones will weigh proportionately more than diamonds. Therefore Diamonique is typically measured by carat size rather than weight. This means that a one carat Diamonique stone will be the same size as a diamond, but weigh significantly more.

Settings

Diamonique rings are available in gold, white gold, silver and platinum ‘clad’ silver. Platinum cladding is the same as plating, therefore these rings are silver with a platinum plate. The rings are available in a wide range of sizes, and as with other jewelry, they can be resized by a reputable jeweler. Any plated ring, however, including the platinum clad ring should not be resized as this stretches the plating. Diamonique stones are available in all the traditional diamond cuts and shapes.

Diamonique Jewelry Styles

There is a wide range of styles available, from simple classic rings through to more flamboyant or contemporary styles. Colored stones are also featured and can bring something different to a bridal set.

Some couples like to pick a bridal set which includes all Diamonique stones, for instance a Diamonique engagement ring paired with a Diamonique eternity ring worn as a wedding band. QVC also sells a range of plain bands, if this is preferred. In addition to rings, the Diamonique line includes necklaces, bracelets and even toe rings.

Reasons to Buy Diamonique Jewelry

* It represents a significant cost saving over the ‘real thing’.
* It is available in a wide range of styles giving a choice of stone shape.
* Couples can afford to widen their collection, perhaps buying matching necklaces or earrings.


Other Points to Consider

* Much of the Diamonique range is made outside of the USA.
* While Diamonique and other diamond simulants can be a good low cost alternative to diamonds, it must be remembered that they are artificial and do not hold the investment value of real diamonds.

Couples on a budget may want to consider Diamonique rings as an alternative to more expensive gemstones. Diamonique piece can bring as much beauty and romance into a couple’s relationship as a traditional diamond engagement ring, but at a far smaller cost.

Retrieved from "http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Diamonique_Rings"

Initial Author: K Pullen
Recent Contributors: Ann M., Mayntz

Diamonique Engagement Rings~Qualities of Diamonique Rings

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Diamonique Engagement Rings - Who Cares If It's Real Or Fake If No One Knows the Difference

Diamonique Engagement Rings - Who Cares If It's Real Or Fake If No One Knows the Difference

Cubic zirconias are synthetic gemstones created in a laboratory. Cubic zirconia engagement rings are somewhat less sparkly than diamond engagement rings but project more rays of color. While diamonds typically have flaws and impurities, cubic zirconias are typically flawless. CZs are approximately 70% heavier than diamonds but are also softer and more brittle. Like diamonds, CZs come in a variety of colors. This happens when oxides such as titanium, iron, nickel, etc. are added during the CZ synthesis process.

Cubic zirconia production took of in the 70's, with advancements in the process of growing the crystals in the laboratory. CZ became a household name when Swarovski & Co. began producing these beauties for mass consumption.

The average joe could not distinguish well-designed cubic zirconia engagement rings from authentic diamond engagment rings. It takes a well-trained eye and/or a microscope and additional fancy tools to differentiate quality czs from the ice. Perhaps this combined with the price explains why cubic zirconias continue to rule the diamond simulant market.

A cubic zirconia ring may be appropriate for couples who do not feel as though they have the money for an authentic diamond engagement ring but want to get married nonetheless. In addition, some couples may be able to afford an authentic diamond engagement ring, but prefer to spend money elsewhere and hence, a cubic zirconia will do just fine. One option for couples on a tight budget is to mix in cubic zirconias with real stones and precious metals. For example, the ring metal could be white gold, the center stone could be a cubic zirconia, and the side stones could be small rubies.

If you are going to go the CZ route, it is best to discuss this with your woman in advance. By all means, do not try to pass off a CZ as a real diamond to your potential spouse!!!!! If you do this, I have serious concerns for your safety! God forbid, she tries to get it insured or has it independently appraised years later and finds out the truth.....you will probably need to go into hiding. And above all.....you don't want to start out your lives together based on a lie!!

Diamonique engagement rings sound exotic and mysterious.... in actually, they are a registered trademark belonging to QVC. Diamoniques are really synthetic gemstones otherwise known as cubic zirconias. Because these gemstones are made by man, they can actually outdo nature and provide you flawlessness when it comes to those all important Cs. They are almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds rate as a 10 on the Mohr's hardness scale whereby diamoniques come in at an 8.5

The rings are set in an array of precious metals including silver, yellow and white gold and platinum. You can basically get any shape diamond you want from traditional round to vintage asscher cut. Therings cost anywhere from around $25 to $350.

Those clucking hens in the office will be oohing and aahing over your diamonique engagement ring, having no idea that the 2 carat zinger costs under 350 bucks or less You could buy 5 diamonique rings and still have spent much less than on the cost of a real diamond engagement ring. You will laugh your head off all the way to the bank.

QVC offers these bad-boys in an array of rainbow colors. You could get a pink J-Lo diamonique ring or a canary yellow Paris Hilton diamonique ring.

Moissanite Engagement Rings gained popularity in the mid-90s with the invention of a lab process to grow the crystals. Moissanite is actually a naturally occuring mineral although it is extremely rare and small in size......hence, making lab-grown moissanite more appropriate for most jewelry pieces.

Moissanite is almost as hard as diamonds and is often as brilliant if not more so. Moissanie can be made into a number of shapes and put in a variety of settings. However unlike diamonds, moissanite often may reflect faint color hues of yellow, green or gray, under certain lighting. In addition, Moissanite is not graded in carat weight but a comparable diamond carat value is usually given to allow the buyer to make useful comparisons

Many experienced jewelers can mistake a high-quaility moissanite for a diamond and sometimes lab instruments must be used to aid in this determination.

Moissanite can be fairly difficult to grow in the laboratory, and high-quality moissanite can be more expensive than low-quality diamonds and are almost always more expensive than cubic zirconias. In general, Moissanite stones cost about 1/8 of what diamonds cost.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Diamonique Engagement Rings - Who Cares If It's Real Or Fake If No One Knows the Difference

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Diamonique Engagement Rings - Nobody Will Ever Know Their Not the Real Thing

Diamonique engagement rings sound exotic and mysterious.... in actually, they are a registered trademark belonging to QVC. Diamoniques are really synthetic gemstones otherwise known as cubic zirconias. Because these gemstones are made by man, they can actually outdo nature and provide you flawlessness when it comes to those all important Cs. They are almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds rate as a 10 on the Mohr's hardness scale whereby diamoniques come in at an 8.5

Cubic zirconia production took of in the 70's, with advancements in the process of growing the crystals in the laboratory. CZ became a household name when Swarovski & Co. began producing these beauties for mass consumption.

The average joe could not distinguish well-designed cubic zirconia engagement rings from authentic diamond engagment rings. It takes a well-trained eye and/or a microscope and additional fancy tools to differentiate quality czs from the ice. Perhaps this combined with the price explains why cubic zirconias continue to rule the diamond simulant market.

Diamonique rings are set in an array of precious metals including silver, yellow and white gold and platinum. You can basically get any shape diamond you want from traditional round to vintage asscher cut. The rings cost anywhere from around $25 to $350.

Those clucking hens in the office will be oohing and aahing over your diamonique engagement ring, having no idea that the 2 carat zinger costs under 350 bucks or less You could buy 5 diamonique rings and still have spent much less than on the cost of a real diamond engagement ring. You will laugh your head off all the way to the bank.

QVC offers these bad-boys in an array of rainbow colors. You could get a pink J-Lo diamonique ring or a canary yellow Paris Hilton diamonique ring.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Diamonique Engagement Rings - Nobody Will Ever Know Their Not the Real Thing