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All posts by Paul
Engagement Rings $3k – $4k
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Engagement Rings $4000 Up
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1.35CT Princess Diamond Pave Engagement Ring/Band EGL USA Certified and Appraised at $11,800 Price: $4,495
This is a 1.35CT Princess Diamond Pave Engagement Ring. The center diamond is an EGL USA Lab certified 1.02ct Princess Cut diamond. The diamond has the EGL USA Identification Number laser-scribed on the diamond. This diamond is super brilliant with SI-1 clarity. This diamond is colorless with a F color grading. The diamond has excellent polish and good symmetry. The setting is a 14kt White Gold Pave setting. This setting has 39 Round full cut diamonds that add up to 0.33cts. There is a matching band that is also included.
This ring was appraised by a GIA certified gemologist and was appraised at $11,800.
The pictures provided are of the actual ring enlarged so you can see the detail. But to appreciate the ring, you really need to see it.
If you would like to see the ring, please call (813) 447-5577 and we can set up a meeting convenient for you.
Diamond Care
Diamonds are beautiful, brilliant and one of the biggest investments a person may ever make. Diamonds of all shapes and sizes are coveted throughout the world and rank as the most popular gemstone. Diamond owners often have their diamonds longer than their cars, homes, and other material possessions and pass them from generation to generation. The emotions tied to our diamonds are deep and strong, oftentimes representing the bonds of true love and family history. With the emotional and monetary value of diamonds, proper care for them is essential to prevent heartbreak, and to ensure that they always look their best while withstanding the test of time. Every diamond owner should follow some basic rules of jewelry and diamond care, maintenance, cleaning and safety.
Jewelry and Diamond Care
Strong emotional ties to our diamonds ensure that they are worn with love and worn OFTEN, leading to constant environmental exposure. Proper diamond care dictates that it is equally important to elevate your diamond to its optimal condition both when being worn and when being stored. This includes regular annual check ups with your trusted jewelry professional. Even if it appears that nothing is wrong with your piece, it is important to have it professionally checked for loose settings and other non-‐visible damage. Always have the professional check your pieces in your presence during the annual check up and inform you of any issues. Between checkup, if you notice anything loose on your piece or any visible damage, discontinue wearing it immediately and secure it properly until you are able to see your jewelry professional. While diamonds are very sturdy gemstones, it is necessary to remove them before participating in any kind of rough work such as house cleaning and yard work, as the stone could dislodge from the setting.
Keep Your Jewels Clean
Keeping your diamonds and jewelry safe from loss and damage is only one of the components of proper diamond care. Keeping your diamonds clean and free of films, dirt, dust, lotions, powders, etc. will enhance the brilliance and appearance of your diamonds. There are several different ways to clean diamonds. Your jewelry professional can clean your diamonds while in your presence, however it is a good idea to employ a home cleaning system as you will want to clean your diamond on a regular basis. Simple ways to clean your diamond require the use of common household products. Three variations involve creating your own cleaning solutions for soaking, followed by soft brushing to remove debris, rinsing and drying. To mix your home solutions you can choose between mild detergents in warm water, cold-water detergent solutions mixed at a 1 to 4 ratio with water, and ammonia based solutions for an overnight soak. Regardless of the solutions used, you will want to soak the diamond, rub it gently with a soft brush and then rinse (never near a drain). To dry your diamonds after cleaning, you can air dry or utilize a soft, lint free cloth. Other cleaning options include over the counter jewelry cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners. With the store bought options, be sure to follow the manufacturers directions to avoid damage to your diamond.
Now that you have clean and well-‐maintained diamonds, it is important to keep them safe. Some things that you never want to do with your diamond include exposure to chlorine bleach and setting them on the edges of sinks. It is a good idea to remove your pieces as far away from sinks and drains as possible. Also, do not remove your pieces when other people can observe that they are being removed and where they are being stored. Diamond owners should consider safe storage options including home safes and safe deposit boxes for diamonds that are not being worn. There is a wide range of diamond storage cases available and most involve some sort of fabric lining. You can shop around and choose based on size, budget and personal taste. When traveling with your diamonds always keep them safely stored when not being worn. Following this simple diamond advice will allow you to enjoy your diamonds today and well into the future.
What makes one diamond better than another?
Calling any diamond “great” is like calling a top of the line Cadillac, “the Cadillac of Cadillacs“. It’s a metaphorical redundancy. Nothing matches a diamond for representing a gift of love, because NOTHING can match a real diamond. Only a diamond can be the representative of everlasting love, because only diamonds take millions of years to make and are hard as, well, diamonds. But saying all diamonds are the same is like saying all Cadillacs are the same – they aren’t. So, what makes one diamond better than another? Clarity, size, cut, and color. In this article, we’ll focus on clarity.
In the Beginning…
The mineral, diamond is created 87 to 120 miles deep into the earth and actually started out as vegetation (trees and plants) which grew on the earth millions of years ago. The vegetation died, decayed, sank deep into the ground and over millions of years was covered with layers of rock and other minerals creating tons of pressure. As the vegetation dried up and hardened, it turned into peat, then into coal, and eventually into diamond.
Perfectly Imperfect
Diamond Clarity is measured by “inclusions and defects”. These descriptors are created as diamonds are expelled to the surface through volcanic activity. With this in mind, finding a flawless diamond with perfect clarity is harder than winning the lottery and getting struck by lightning on the same day. A perfectly clear diamond with flawless characteristics is one that has been in ideal pressure conditions for the longest period of time and then extracted from deep within the earth. There are no limits to how much you can spend on diamonds.
Measuring Up
In 1953, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created a scale to determine the clarity of diamonds. That scale is still used today. In summary, it gives grades to diamonds based on the number of internal flaws (inclusions) and external flaws (defects). The more perfect the diamond, the higher the value.
The GIA diamond grading scale is divided into six categories and eleven grades.[1] The clarity categories and grades are:
Category | Grade | GIA diamond clarity grading scale |
Flawless | FL | Diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.[2] |
Internally Flawless | IF | Diamonds have no inclusions visible under 10x magnification, only small blemishes on the diamond surface.[2] |
Very Very Slightly Included | VVS1 | Diamonds have minute inclusions that are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.[2] The VVS category is divided into two grades; VVS1 denotes a higher clarity grade than VVS2. Pinpoints and needles set the grade at VVS.[1] |
Very Very Slightly Included | VVS2 | |
Very Slightly Included | VS1 | Category (VS) diamonds have minor inclusions that are difficult to somewhat easy for a trained grader to see when viewed under 10x magnification.[2] The VS category is divided into two grades; VS1 denotes a higher clarity grade than VS2. Typically the inclusions in VS diamonds are invisible without magnification, however infrequently some VS2 inclusions may still be visible. An example would be on a large emerald cut diamond which has a small inclusion under the corner of the table.[1] |
Very Slightly Included | VS2 | |
Slightly Included | SI1 | Diamonds have noticeable inclusions that are easy to very easy for a trained grader to see when viewed under 10x magnification.[2] The SI category is divided into two grades; SI1 denotes a higher clarity grade than SI2. These may or may not be noticeable to the naked eye.[3] |
Slightly Included | SI2 | |
Included | I1 | Diamonds have obvious inclusions that are clearly visible to a trained grader under 10x magnification.[2] Included diamonds have inclusions that are usually visible without magnification or have inclusions that threaten the durability of the stone. The I category is divided into three grades; I1 denotes a higher clarity grade than I2, which in turn is higher than I3. Inclusions in I1 diamonds often are seen to the unaided eye. I2 inclusions are easily seen, while I3 diamonds have large and extremely easy to see inclusions that typically impact the brilliance of the diamond, as well as having inclusions that are often likely to threaten the structure of the diamond.[1] |
Included | I2 | |
Included | I3 |
Tampa
Low Cost Rings is the preferred Tampa Bay Diamond Broker for those looking for the best value for their diamond ring purchase. Paul Yost provides high quality wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and settings in the Tampa Bay areas of Clearwater, Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota. LCR also services all of the Southeast United States, including major metro areas of Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Atlanta, Georgia and Mobile, Alabama.
1.44CT Princess Halo Pave Diamond Engagement Ring GIA Certified and Appraised at $10,600 Price: $3,995
This is a 1.44CT Princess Halo Pave Diamond Engagement Ring. The center diamond is a GIA lab certified 0.94ct Princess Cut diamond. This diamond faces up Huge and looks much larger than a carat! The diamond is colorless with an E color grade with very good polish. This diamond has SI-1 clarity as well. This diamond was set on a 0.40ct Platinum 14kt white gold Halo Pave setting. There is also a 0.10ct matching band that is included as well. This ring can be resized at no charge.
This ring was just appraised by a GIA certified gemologist at an appraised value of $10,600.
If you would like to see the ring, please call 813-447-5577 and we can set up a meeting convenient for you.
1.40CT Princess Halo Diamond Engagement Ring Certified and Appraised at $8,595 Price: $3,495
This is a 1.40CT Princess Halo Diamond Engagement Ring. The center diamond is a 1.00ct Princess Cut Diamond. This diamond has SI-2 clarity with good polish and symmetry. This Princess Cut diamond has near-colorless I color grade. The diamond has no fluorescence at all. This diamond was set on a 14kt White Gold Halo Setting. This setting contains 50 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds on the side weighing 0.40cts. This ring was appraised by a GIA certified gemologist and was appraised at $8,595.
The pictures provided are of the actual ring enlarged so you can see the detail. But to appreciate the ring, you really need to see it.
If you would like to see the ring, please call (813) 447-5577 and we can set up a meeting convenient for you.
1CT Scott Kay Ring – Appr $10K
Stunning 0.99 CT Radiant Diamond Engagement/Wedding Scott Kay Ring. The center diamond is a GIA Lab certified 0.95 Radiant Cut diamond. This diamond faces up LARGER than a full Carat diamond.
The diamond is a “near colorless” G color with a clarity rating of a VS-2. This diamond has a “very-good” finish in polish and symmetry. The diamond was just placed on this NEW and RARE 19kt White Gold Scott Kay setting with additional diamonds of 0.04 Carats. This ring is truly unique and a must-see!!! This would sell for over double the price at retail store!
This ring was just appraised by a GIA certified gemologist at an appraised value of $10,200.
The pictures provided are of the actual ring enlarged so you can see the detail. But to appreciate the ring, you really need to see it.
If you would like to see the ring, please call 813-447-5577 and we can set up a meeting convenient for you.
*The ring can be resized at no charge, click on pics below for more info*