Imperial-Deltah is a noted leader in the United States pearl jewelry market. From high-end luxury buyers to the casual jewelry buyer looking to accent their look Imperial has it covered. The Company’s exclusive distribution agreement for Eyris Blue Pearls and Imperial’s Crown cultured pearls places Imperial-Deltah at the forefront of pearl pioneering.

We continue to explore opportunities in the Cook Islands, Fiji, China, Mexico and every place pearls are produced to bring to the market all the pearl world has to offer. Imperial offers the most complete pearl jewelry selection on the market from our Crown select 18kt collection to our fun fashion Sterling Silver. We continue to promote pearl education in order advance the appreciation of this fabulous gem.
Imperial’s legacy as the oldest and largest pearl company in the U.S. dates back to the early 1900’s. Today we are still family owned and lead by three generations.
With a long standing heritage, Imperial has developed secure alliances with the finest sources for cultured pearls throughout the world. Whatever your needs are; Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea Golden or White, Freshwater, the new and unusual, we provide it all.Our buyers are skilled at the art of selection and negotiation which means Imperial provides consistent quality and value. Our teams of designers create fashion forward pieces as well as timeless classics and we occupy a state of the art manufacturing facility in the United States where craftsmen are proud of their time honored skills.

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Nothing can beat the elegance and sophistication of diamond jewelry so Diamond cuts are super important. It is an essential part of important occasions like wedding etc. If you are planning to buy diamonds then you have to first know about the four ‘Cs’ of these precious stones. They are the caret, clarity, cut and color. And of these, the most important one is the diamond cuts. A good cut enhances the brilliance and brightness of the diamonds. The finish and the angles are also very important which determine how they can be handled and cause the brilliance.

What are Diamond Cuts?

When people talk about cuts they do not talk about the shape. It is actually the proportions like width, depth and uniformity of the facets. All these control the brilliance and durability of the stone. When a diamond is cut properly it enhances the beauty of the precious stone. When the stones are well cut the light enters them through the table it is reflected from one side to other and then travels back to the person’s eye. It is this reflections that make the diamond very captivating and mesmerizing. If they are poorly cut the light enters the diamond but is not reflected back to the person’s eye which causes reduction in its brilliance.

Diamond Cuts and Grades

Since the cuts are very essential in determining the quality of the precious stones they have been graded to aid in selection and determining the cut of a diamond. The grades include ideal, premium, very good, good and fair & poor. Ideal cut diamonds have maximum brilliance. These varieties have smaller tables which create very good dispersion of light. This is usually applicable to round shaped stones.

Premium cuts are similar to the ideal varieties. But they may be slightly less expensive than the ideal cut varieties. Very good cut stones have great brilliance and are a bit larger in shape. They are less expensive than the premium varieties. The good diamonds are able to reflect most of the light which enters. They are also very large diamonds whose proportions are out of the preferred range. People who want to save money as well shop for beautiful diamonds can make use of them. The poor or fair cut ones reflect only a part of the light received. They are usually made to increase the carat weight.

Characteristics of Diamond Cuts

The proportions of the diamonds like their depth and width have a huge impact on the overall brilliance. Shallow cut stones appear lifeless because most of the light is lost at the bottom. If it is cut too deep then the light escapes through the sides and darkens the stone. Only ideal cut diamonds have the light reflected to reveal its brilliance. The symmetry of the diamond is also very important. Symmetry is nothing but the alignment of all its polished and flat facets. When the symmetry is perfect you can see the scintillating effect of light which does not happen when there is no symmetry. The facets should also be very smooth and polished to reflect the light properly.

Some of the common problems with the diamond cuts include a chipped, broken, misaligned or missing culet, facets which are misaligned, poor proportions due to too thick or thin girdle, fringed or cracked girdle or a table which slopes to a side. Buy the diamonds only from reputed jewelers after inquiring about their characteristics. Inspect various stones, make comparisons and purchase the best diamond cuts out of them.

Many people are not conversant when it comes to choosing excellent diamonds and diamond jewelry for that matter until the need arises. This could be as a result of an important occasion like a wedding, engagements or anniversaries. Diamond has become the most versatile jewelry worn by women and has created an undeniable bond to ladies. In choosing diamond, we must be aware of the four C’s that is cuts, color, clarity and carat. They determine the selling price of a diamond. Your choice dictates which ones will dominate and which factors have to be considered. Besides this, we need to know the size, the quality and shape of the stone.

Diamond Cuts Grade

Excellent diamond cuts usually cost higher. Nevertheless in choosing diamonds this is the first thing to consider. Diamond uses light to create a glittering brilliance especially if the cut is perfect. Take it out under natural lighting atmosphere and observe carefully the way the diamond irradiates whenever you turn it under natural light. A good cut diamond use amount of light to show its radiance and if you like the twinkle and the amount of the light reflected in contrast to shadowy areas during the test, certainly this is your priority.

Diamond Quality

Diamonds are naturally rough and are made in the earth’s surface under natural processes. They are extracted, polished and turned into precious stones. The quality of diamond depends on its roughness and how it is polished after extraction. These are classified into three as sawable, makeable and near gem. A small percent of rough stones fall under sawable for it is characterized with well-polished crystal shape and excellent transparency. Makeable stones are second rated to sawable and sometimes lack enough brilliance. Low cost diamond can be under near gem quality.

Diamond Clarity Degree

This has something to do with the transparency of the stone though it is rare to find a diamond without internal flaws. In reality you cannot tell the difference between the degrees of clarity in diamonds. An excellent diamond with FL class clarity will cost more than one with SI1. If you are so sensitive about the clarity of a diamond do not go below a diamond with VS1 or VS2 clarity.

Diamond Carat Weight

Larger carat weight can create a significant difference in price of diamonds. For instance, a difference of 0.04 carat weight will result in a higher price though in reality the two stones may appear of the same size. Fluorescence or rather if the diamond stone altered in color under ultraviolet illumination affects the selling price of diamonds. Weak or average fluorescence is regarded as normal though yellow or green fluorescence reduces the price of a diamond stone by a large extent.

You will come across too many aspects pertaining to an excellent diamond that can be evaluated by a diamond specialist. Buy diamonds sold with a Diamond Laboratory Document provided by a professional laboratory such as Gemology Institute of America, American Gem Society or International Gemology Institute. You can get a quality product while making a purchase in the global diamond market.

The diamond clarity is an extremely important determinant of a diamond’s value. This characteristic of a diamond refers to the inclusions of a stone. The inclusions relate to appearance of foreign materials or another diamond crystal appearing in the diamond. Cracks also affect the clarity and can also affect this characteristic of a diamond, because they sometime appear whitish or cloudy.

Features Of Diamond Clarity

Some of the features of clarity that influence its affect on the value of the stone are size, orientation,, number, color, visibility, and the location. The diamond is examined under 10x magnification in order to determine what the clarity grade will be. Inclusions do not always minimize a stone’s value. Its performance or the structural integrity are not always compromised by these inclusions. Some of the imperfections such as large clouds will damage the diamond’s transmitting and light scattering ability. A stone’s possibility of fracturing is increased by any large crack that exists close to the surface, especially if the crack breaks the surface.

Usefulness Of Diamond Clarity

The higher the clarity grade, the more valuable the diamond. Inclusions can be useful as identifiers for a diamond similar to the way fingerprints are used in identifying humans as long as they are small enough to be considered minor. Also, these minor defects are used to differentiate between natural and synthetic gems, because technology is increasing the ability to manufacture the unrealistic faux gem

Inclusions and Blemishes Found in Diamond Clarity

Inclusions or “internal characteristics” as they are referred to in the diamond industry are clouds, feathers, included crystals or minerals, internal graining, cavities, knots, cleavage, and bearding. Blemishes are characterized as scratches, grain boundaries, naturals, chips, pits, and nicks. All of these features are assessed to determine the ultimate value of the gem.

The all inclusive system was established by the Gemological Institute of America which decided on the three areas to be evaluated in determining a stone’s value. These three aspects or areas are make, color, and clarity. The development of this system allows for consistency in the grading of diamonds. Prior to the development of this system, there were nine grades used in evaluating a diamond. The diamond grading scale today has six categories plus eleven grades. Included in the clarity category and grades are flawless and internally flawless with four other categories. The Gemological Institute of America has a specific grading system employed to make a determination of diamond clarity which involves special microscopes equipped with dark field illumination as well as an ultraviolet light. The light is a filtered overhead light. Other grading organizations use the same grading procedures including, the International Gemological Institute and the American Gemological Society. Uniform use of a grading system industry wide insures consistency in the valuation of the stones. Diamond clarity is finally determined by several clarity factors which include size, number, position, nature,, color or relief, rarity and value, and finally clarity enhancement which is created by a laser process and an acid wash to remove the coloring agent used in this procedure.

A raw diamond is not usually all that beautiful in its own right; for this reason, diamond cuts are given by professional jewelers. There are a number of diamond cuts; a jeweler will look at the raw diamond and give it the cut that best suits its natural beauty. Following is an overview of the different diamond cuts that can be given.

Asscher and Emerald Diamond Cuts:

This particular cut was created over a hundred years ago but has only gained popularity just recently. This stepped square cut is quite similar to the emerald cut, except it is square in shape instead of rectangular. Asscher cut diamond rings can easily be found either online or at regular stores. The diamonds that are given this particular cut are naturally small. However, this cut gives the diamond a more prominent appearance in the ring, making it stand out from the other stones used and the ring itself.

The emerald diamond cut was originally used for emeralds; hence the name. This particular cut is one of the most common and popular diamond cuts. A diamond that has been given this cut is rectangular shaped and has cropped corners. Emerald cut diamonds are quite simple in appearance, but they have a natural air of elegance. Emerald cut diamond rings can be worn for most any occasion.

Fiery Diamond Cuts:

A person that is looking for a fiery diamond ring that will sparkle, scintillate and catch people’s attention should choose either a pear shaped diamond cut or a radiant diamond cut. Both cuts have many facets and give the diamond a shine and brilliance that is almost unequaled. A pear cut diamond is shaped more like a teardrop than a pear. It is multi-faceted and has an air of sophistication. The radiant cut diamond is rectangular in shape and has cropped corners. However, instead of having a flat face, it has a faceted one.

Round and Oval Diamond Cuts:

Round cuts and oval cuts are similar in style, although the actual shapes are different. The round cut is the cut that is most commonly used for diamond engagement rings. Round diamond cuts and oval diamond cuts are both faceted, giving the diamond an fiery, brilliant appearance. Rings with either one of these cuts can easily be purchased online or from regular stores.

These are only some of the many diamond cuts that have been developed over the years. Other beautiful cuts include the marquise cut, princess cut, heart cut and cushion cut. Diamond cuts enable a jewelry manufacturer to enhance a diamond’s natural beauty. A person that is shopping for a diamond ring should not only consider what type of cut he or she wants but also note the quality of the cut itself. While a ring with a low quality cut may be cheaper, a diamond that has been well cut is simply unequaled. Diamond cuts do a lot to determine what style the ring will be; some cuts create an elegant and ornate ring while others fashion a ring that is classy yet more casual in style.

What Are Diamonds?

Diamonds are a type of earthly material that are cherished by everyone. They are rare, which is mostly why they exit people so much, and when cut and polished they catch light in a very beautiful way. There are a few people who say that they don’t really care about diamonds, but they are often dismissed as having diamond envy, and then ridiculed. Some people love diamonds so much that they always want to be around them. There have been workers that have been known to put bits of diamond in their drills so that they could bring them to work with them.

These beautiful rocks ironically are created from what we know as “coal” undergoing extreme pressure over a long period of time. There is an ancient limerick that goes: coal is used for cooking, while diamonds are used for looking; however, diamonds are used for selling while coal is used for belling. Belling is a term that describes the cleaning out of a bell, which coal has the correct properties to do. The limerick suggested that while some things are good to look at, they usually aren’t things that are associated with the church as belling was necessary to ring the church bells. It was meant to caution church goers against beauty. Or it was possibly just used to state the different uses for these two items.

Creating A Diamond: From Ugly to Beautiful

Many people have tried to turn coal into diamonds by grasping a piece of coal in their hand and squeezing really hard. For the most part, this is unsuccessful as the human hand is extremely weak. An example of how weak the human hand is comes from the Glossary and Atlas of Science and Tensile Strength. In this book it states that many things with good grips are named after monkeys, such as the monkey wrench or the monkey bars (which requires a good deal of hand strength), while there are few things with good grips that are named after humans. The human bars, invented by Charles “Bars” McKenney were so low to the ground that you could actually just walk on them, and no hand strength was required. However, there was one man who was able to turn a piece of coal into a diamond by grasping it, but it was found to be useless as it was covered in hand sweat.

Blood Diamonds

One of the most beautiful types of diamonds are blood diamonds. This is because they are smuggled over borders and many people fight to the death for them. A blood diamond does not often have blood on it, as the name implies, and people are often disappointed to see that it does not even have red tint to it. Its one redeeming quality is that it is inexpensive but just as good as the a blood-less diamond. Many people wonder, “Well if I am going to buy a diamond anyways it’s not like I’m trying to save money!” But what they do not realize is that with the same amount of money they could buy more than twice as many blood diamonds. One could coat themselves in blood diamonds for the same amount as coating just their arm in regular diamonds. A side effect of blood diamonds is hearing the shriek of small children as one sleeps, but this can easily be ignored when wearing a sparkly diamond coat.

Diamond rings are expensive. It is for this reason that you need to be sure they are original before buying them.

Appearance Of The Diamond Rings

Appearance says a lot and when it comes to diamond rings, there is no exception. To start with, you need to check the setting and the mount. There are several pieces of jewelry that look like diamonds-like cubic zirconia and moissanite- and with these the settings and the mounts will be of a very inferior quality. This is largely because of the fact that such stones are cheaper than original pieces of jewelry and because of this the mounts will not be worth making durable and superior in quality. Wear and tear is also another appearance factor to be wary of. Fake diamond rings like the cubic zirconia and the moissanite are fragile and susceptible to gradual wear and tear. So if the diamond rings you are looking to buy are fake, there will be a lot of scratches and nicks as these pieces are not durable.

Background Checks On The Diamond Rings

If you cannot buy the diamond rings from a registered and reputable dealer you might need to actually test the stone at the offices of a trusted jeweler. This should not be a problem if the jeweler you are looking to buy from has nothing to hide. As the jeweler looks through his/her loupe, he/she should be able to give you an answer instantly without you having to wait for long hours. Another way to do this properly is by asking a trusted jewelry tester to accompany you to a store. Of course you will have to pay for the services, but it is much better than paying for something that turns out to be fake. Having the diamond rings appraised by an independent appraiser who belongs to the American Institute of Appraisers is also a surefire way to get the true value of the piece. After an appraisal you will be able to ascertain if the diamond rings are fake or not since all original diamond rings are naturally supposed to be expensive.

Guarantees And Warranties On Diamond Rings

Diamond rings that are worth their face value are supposed to come with a warranty, generally for at least 5 years. If the jeweler you are buying from does not have one you should be skeptical. This is because the absence of a warranty means that you will not be able to get a refund when the diamond rings turn out to be fake. A guarantee is a contractual provision which helps to protect you as the buyer from being ripped off in instances where you have forked out an arm and a leg for an independent purchase. When you pay for the diamond rings make sure you ask for a contractual warranty which entitles you to a cash refund once cracks and nicks that are not supposed to occur start appearing a few months after purchase. You cannot be careless with your diamond rings just because you have a warranty.

Women want a beautiful diamond engagement ring

Moseley Diamond Showcase takes great pride in having the best selection of a diamond engagement ring in Columbia and Lexington, SC at the best price. We have been a local fixture in the Midlands for over 30 years.

The perfect way to propose your lady is to invite her for a romantic evening and then ask her hand for marriage by slipping a beautiful diamond engagement ring on her finger. According to tradition engagement rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it is believed that the vein of this finger passes directly through our heart. And by placing diamond ring on that finger you can stay connected with your love forever. There is a saying that “diamonds are forever”, this means that your love will also remain forever and the ring will be the witness of it.

But if you are wondering how to buy a perfect diamond engagement ring for your love then you must keep these few tips in mind.

Find her ring size

If you are planning to give her a surprise then you must be very careful in finding her ring size. You can ask her friends or relatives for her finger size or you can take an impression on soap when she is not around. Another way to find her size is that you can wear her ring on your own finger and mark the area on your finger. And remember the jeweler will be able to measure the size of the diamond engagement ring.

Consider her style

Before purchasing your diamond engagement ring you must not forget that she will wear the ring everyday. And hence it should suit her hands and must be comfortable to wear. You must make sure that the look of the ring must suit her lifestyle and personality. You must also have the idea of which metal is her favorite yellow gold, white gold or platinum. And you can know this by paying attention to the jewelry she wears daily.

Select the right setting for your diamond engagement ring

You must also make sure that you have selected a right setting for your diamond engagement ring. You must never forget that the setting should reflect the style of your sweetheart. It is the setting of the ring only that brings the beauty of diamond.

Shape of diamond

Another thing which you must decide is the shape of the diamond. Generally the most popular shapes are round and heart shaped diamond. But you must select the one that suits her personality.

Learn the 4C’S of diamond

The 4C’S of diamond that includes color, carat, cut and clarity are the important aspects which you must consider while selecting your diamond engagement ring. Before selecting the diamond for your ring it is very important to have the knowledge of 4C’S because it is obvious that you want to gift the best diamond engagement ring to your lady.

Buy your diamond engagement ring from a reputable jeweler

You should also make sure that you are purchasing your ring from the reputed jeweler. It is very important to buy a ring from the honest jeweler. And in case if you are buying your ring online then you must make sure of the credibility of the store. And you can check the credibility of the store by reading reviews online.

By selecting a diamond engagement ring which has all the elements you can make your moment memorable and she will cherish the ring for her rest of the life.

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

A diamond engagement ring will make a woman’s heart beat faster and make her life long dreams of marriage come true. Let Moseley Diamond Showcase make all your diamond engagement ring dreams become reality with the greatest selection at the best price at either of our Midlands locations.