jewelry buying guide | Mysolitaire Blog

Special Edition of Garnet Jewelry – The January Birthstone

Garnet is the birthstone for January and signifies eternal friendship and trust for a friend. The gemstone is also given on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversaries. The name Garnet derived from the Greek word “granatum,” meaning “pomegranate seed.” References to the gemstone dates back to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used garnets as inlays jewelry.

Properties of Garnet Jewelry

Garnet is a ‘hot’ stone meaning it has strong fiery energy, and the elemental effect is that of fiery fire. Three reasons to use garnet jewelry:

⦁ as a sign of power

⦁ as a decoration to beautify

⦁ as a healing tool

Garnets also have restorative properties which are useful for healing chemical toxicity as well as stimulating the circulatory system. And the more mature user of garnet jewelry might find relief for arthritic pain or muscle pain due to its warming nature.

Types of Garnet

Garnet is a gem group that occurs in over twenty varieties. Of these varieties, six main types are used as gems. These are pyrope, almandite, spessartite, grossularite, andradite and uvarovite.

Treatment and Enhancements

Garnet gemstones are not enhanced, and their colors are always natural. Treatments such as heat treatment and irradiation have proved ineffective upon the Garnet gemstones. Several synthetic Garnets are simulants of other gemstones.

Some Facts About Garnet Jewelry

⦁ All of them aren’t red

When you picture a garnet, you probably envision a dark red gemstone. However, this January’s birthstone can actually be found in a variety of different colors. In fact, it exists in many colors, such as black, green, or even colorless. Although garnet is known for its rich, fiery red color, it comes in a rainbow of colors. However, red garnet is the most popular color for the gemstone.

⦁ Not mined underground

Gemstones are all mined underground, but garnets are not! It is surprising to note that garnets are found as small pebbles in streams. So, when the metamorphic rocks which contain them weather away, these pebbles come to fore. Garnets are found in Australia, the Americas and India.

⦁ Prized by ancient warriors

Garnets were once worn by ancient warriors who believed the gemstone would bring them victory. Warriors in Asian territories believed that glowing garnets, which could be used as bullets, inflicted more severe wounds.

⦁ They hold medicinal powers

In Medieval times, garnets were thought to protect its wearer against poisons, wounds and bad dreams, as well as cure depression. Red garnets in particular relieved fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases.

If you have someone in your life who has a birthday this month, a garnet ring, pendant, cufflinks, or pair of earrings is a wonderful idea that they will love to show off. Or pick out your favorite and wear it yourself! We at MySolitare believe January babies have one of the best birthstones of all. Who wouldn’t be lucky when their birthstone grants peace, prosperity and good health on its wearer.

Featured Collection

This vivacious Garnet and Diamond Pendant showcases an alluring AA quality pear shaped Garnet, adorned with forty-seven plush Diamonds prong set in Silver. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 5.34 Carats. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.28 Carats. This marvelous pendant comes finished with an 18-inch Silver Cable Link Chain. Wear this spectacular pendant to rock the world.

This elite Tsavorite Garnet Solitaire Pendant displays an AAA quality Oval Tsavorite Garnet prong set in Platinum. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 0.23-0.30 Carats. This pendant comes finished with an 18 inch 18K White Gold Singapore Chain.

This ravishing Garnet Scroll Ring emphasizes an AAA quality heart-shape Garnet Solitaire prong set in 14K White Gold. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 3.80 Carats. Surprise her with this dazzling ring.

These enticing Tsavorite Garnet Scroll Stud Earrings behold an AAA quality Oval Tsavorite Garnet prong set in Platinum. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 0.46-0.63 Carats. Elegance envelops these gorgeous earrings.

With much love and respect, our garnet jewelry collection is unmatched!
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A Guide to The Home of Authentic Silver Jewelry Wear

Silver has been valued for centuries and at one time was considered even more valuable than gold. At MySolitaire, we are fortunate to possess the finest silver craftsmen working on chosen classic designs. This guide will help you to select the right pieces of silver and sterling silver jewelries and accessories.

History of Silver

For thousands of years, silver has been widely used for making ornaments, utensils and even used as basis for monetary systems. It’s recognized as a precious metal along with gold. The usage of the metal since the olden times is evident from the fact that the word “silver” is used in Anglo-Saxon literature as siolfor and seolfor. In Germanic languages also, the metal silver is referred to as silbir and silabar. The symbol Ag which is used for silver is taken from Latin language. The root for the word lies in Indo-European languages in which ‘arg’ refers to shining and white objects.

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Two major differences between silver and sterling silver:

Sterling silver is mainly an alloy of silver, consisting of nearly 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% other metals, like copper, which make it less expensive. Fine silver is composed of 99.9% pure silver, and it is a bit more expensive. That’s why it is used for making jewelry, and also in the photography industry.
Sterling silver is sensitive to air and water, and it gets tarnished on its surface, whereas silver is like gold, which does not tarnish even if it is in constant contact with air and water.

There is a huge difference between true sterling jewelry which can last years and plated jewelry that will come apart leaving marks on your skin. The problem is a lot of people couldn’t buy the real sterling silver jewelry although spend much money. The most common way to identify sterling silver is to find the number 925, most sterling silver jewelry will be marked “925” on its surface. Unmarked sterling silver does exist, but not really on jewelry. Jewelry that’s sterling silver should be marked as so.

Why is sterling silver jewelry always so popular?

.925 Sterling Silver is used often in Jewelry because of the incredible brilliance, shine, luster & durability. Silver has one of the highest reflectivity of any metal.

Silver is much more abundant and easier to mine than Gold.

Sterling Silver is always in style and always gorgeous, fashionable on any anyone and any skin-tone.

Sterling Silver is forever popular in style and essence, and more affordable to purchase than Gold or Platinum.

Caring for Your Silver Jewelry

Silver tends to tarnish, so always store your sterling silver jewelry in tarnish preventative bags and in a cool, dry place. Clean your sterling silver using mild soap and warm water and drying with a soft lint‐free cloth. Silver tarnishes, so store your sterling silver engagement ring in tarnish‐preventive bags in a cool, dry place. Tarnish can be removed by using a silver cloth.

MySolitaire’s Special Collection

Silver Two-Tone Men's key ring with three round cut diamonds. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.01-0.03 Carats. Perfect for the modern man. The Diamond is SI2 - I1 clarity and I-J color. — Silver Two-Tone Men’s key ring with three round cut diamonds. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.01-0.03 Carats. Perfect for the modern man. The Diamond is SI2 – I1 clarity and I-J color.

These mesmerizing Diamond Hoop Earrings highlight twenty-four baguette White Diamonds each prong set in Silver. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.50 Carats. Approximate Silver Weight: 3.50 Grams. A delicate pair of earrings to adorn yourself.

This is an extraordinary Men's Single Link Charm Necklace, designed in Silver. The necklace measures 20-inches in length. Enliven your look with this elite necklace. — This is an extraordinary Men’s Single Link Charm Necklace, designed in Silver. The necklace measures 20-inches in length. Enliven your look with this elite necklace.

Shop MySolitaire Today for Authentic Silver Jewelries!

An Introduction to Fascinating Colored Diamonds

The pressure is on when it comes to buying gifts this time of year. Our brilliant jewelry gift ideas inspire you to get cracking with your shopping. Today, in our list are enigmatic colored diamonds.

When approaching to buy a diamond, any diamond – colored or regular, basic research is expected and recommended. In nature, diamonds are found in almost every color and hue you can possibly imagine; grey, white, yellow, red, green and brown. And contrary to popular belief, it is actually very rare to find a diamond that doesn’t have any color at all. So, what makes a diamond’s color so important when making a purchase? It comes down to the behavior and physics of light when it passes through different mediums.

Colored diamonds (e.g. black, brown, gray) can negatively affect light absorption, and thus the sparkle of the stone that we see. That is why white (colorless) diamonds are generally more valuable and commonly used in jewelry as they have better reflective qualities. Of course, the exceptions to this rule are the rare and much sought after colors of pink, red, blue and orange.

Tips for Buying Quality Colored Diamonds

To determine what the gem will look like up close, it is important to use some helpful identification tips.

Colored Diamond Color Quality

Whether a diamond is pink, blue, brown, or any other color, the hue may vary in its richness. If a diamond is color enhanced in a lab, it will usually have a more vibrant color. However, some gems are created to have a pastel color. With natural diamonds, the majority of colored stones do not have very vibrant colors. If they do, they tend to be more expensive. However, people who plan to use these diamonds to create unique jewelry will find them to be good investments. Yellow, pink, blue, black, and brown diamonds are some of the most popular colors. People who are trying to choose a color should also consider the setting for the stone. Smaller colored diamonds may accent a larger white diamond nicely. The color of the type of setting is also important to consider. Some types of metal may complement certain colors better.

Colored Diamond Grade

Colored diamonds are usually assigned a specific grade, which is different than the famous “four Cs” of diamond quality. The color grade refers to the richness of the stone’s hue. Color grades are assigned by the Gemological Institute of America, the Independent Gemological Institute, or the European Gemological Laboratory. It is important to know that not all gems are sent to one of these authorities for evaluation. If a diamond is certified by one of these institutes and has been graded, it will likely cost more than similar diamonds that are not certified. When sellers are not providing certified gems, another way to see a better picture of the stone’s color quality is to ask for a multi-angle video rather than several still photos.

Remember, for every 10,000 carats of white diamonds mined each year there are only 5-10 carats of colored diamonds found. Colored diamonds evoke a sense of romance and luxury. Their scarcity and stunning beauty make them spectacular additions to any collection.

Our Scintillating Collection of Colored Diamonds

This stylish Diamond Pendant displays forty sparkling diamonds in 18K White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.30-0.38 Carats. The pendant comes finished with an 18 inch 18K White Gold Cable Link Chain. The Diamond is SI2 - I1 clarity and I-J color. — This stylish Diamond Pendant displays forty sparkling diamonds in 18K White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.30-0.38 Carats. The pendant comes finished with an 18 inch 18K White Gold Cable Link Chain. The Diamond is SI2 – I1 clarity and I-J color.

This endearing Diamond Circle Heart Three Tone Pendant showcases eleven gleaming Diamonds prong set in 18K Pink, Yellow and White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.02-0.07 Carats. The chic Pendant comes finished with an 18-inch 18K White Gold Singapore Chain. The Diamond is SI2 - I1 clarity and H-I color. — This endearing Diamond Circle Heart Three Tone Pendant showcases eleven gleaming Diamonds prong set in 18K Pink, Yellow and White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.02-0.07 Carats. The chic Pendant comes finished with an 18-inch 18K White Gold Singapore Chain. The Diamond is SI2 – I1 clarity and H-I color.

These extraordinary Diamond Earrings showcase eighteen dazzling Diamonds each prong set in 14K White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.10-0.14 Carats. Have all the eyes follow you with these sparkling earrings. The Diamond is SI2 - I1 clarity and I-J color — These extraordinary Diamond Earrings showcase eighteen dazzling Diamonds each prong set in 14K White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.10-0.14 Carats. Have all the eyes follow you with these sparkling earrings. The Diamond is SI2 – I1 clarity and I-J color.

This amazing Two-Tone Diamond Ring showcases twenty-five sparkling diamonds prong set in 14K White and Yellow Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.16-0.21 Carats. The white and yellow gold combination looks absolutely marvelous. The Diamond is SI2 - I1 clarity and I-J color. — This amazing Two-Tone Diamond Ring showcases twenty-five sparkling diamonds prong set in 14K White and Yellow Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.16-0.21 Carats. The white and yellow gold combination looks absolutely marvelous. The Diamond is SI2 – I1 clarity and I-J color.

Shop MySolitaire For Perfect Colored Diamonds Today!

A Perfect Guide for Buying Ruby Jewelry Gifts

A ruby’s vibrant red color and its hardness make it a stunning jewelry wear for all occasions. Rubies, along with their sister sapphires, are formed from the mineral corundum and is exquisite in any form, whether as an engagement ring or as earrings, pendants or bracelets. The ruby is one of the five cardinal gems along with diamond, sapphire, emerald, and amethyst.

When looking for your perfect ruby, it is important to know ruby’s unique qualities that make it so valuable. In this guide, we walk you through on getting your perfect ruby.

4 C’s of Ruby

Color

Color is one of the most important factors determining ruby quality and consists of three qualities: hue, tone, and saturation:

Hue: The primary hue of ruby should be red. True, vivid red, purplish red, orange red, and rose red are common variations of rubies’ hues. However, what hue you would prefer comes down to personal taste.

Tone: A ruby of any hue may have a light, medium, or dark tone. The most valuable rubies tend to have medium darkness, i.e. they are not so dark as to appear almost black. Look for rubies that are not too light or too dark.

Saturation: It refers to how intense the hue of the stone is. The more intense the color, the more precious we consider the ruby, than those whose color is not as vivid.

Clarity

It is very common for rubies to have some inclusions inside it. Make sure they are as few as possible, though. Although you cannot expect a ruby to be perfectly flawless, the highest quality gemstones will be eye-clean, i.e. there won’t be any flaws visible with the naked eye.

A ruby’s cut refers to how the stone is faceted, its dimensions, and overall symmetry. Unlike with diamonds, rubies are not graded on cut quality. The cut is much less important to consider than the ruby’s color and clarity. But as is the case with most gemstones, the true glow of the ruby is only revealed after a quality cut that maximizes light return and color.

Carat

Gem-quality rubies larger than 1 carat are very rare, and larger than 2 carats rarer still. The price of rubies per carat shoots up dramatically at those sizes.

Treatment

Heat treatment is a very common practice with rubies and it is used to remove rutile inclusions and to enhance color tone and saturation. Unlike colored diamonds, this process is not dissimilar to the natural processes the stones undergo in nature so it does not have a significant effect on price. As with other gemstones, filling fissures or fractures with polymers, resins or leaded glass will adversely affect the value of a stone.

Synthetic Rubies For A Lower Budget

Synthetic ruby has the same chemical structure as a naturally occurring ruby with the only difference being that it was created in a lab by humans. That doesn’t make them a fake ruby. One difference is that synthetic rubies will generally be flawless as opposed to natural stones which are bound to have microscopic inclusions.

MySolitaire gives you endless options and allow you to browse within a specific price range and style.

These astounding Ruby and Diamond Earrings showcase a vivacious Ruby, accented with a dazzling Diamond prong set each in 18K White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.06 Carats. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 1.18 Carats. Perfect earrings with the passionate red color.

These attractive Synthetic Ruby Stud Earrings display an AA quality round Synthetic Ruby each four prongs set in 14K White Gold. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 2.40 Carats. These earrings are designed to glow up your look.

This classy Ruby Diamond Seven Stone Ring exhibits four rubies accentuated with three White Diamonds shared prong set in 14K Yellow Gold. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 0.16 Carats. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.09 Carats. This gorgeous ring radiates sheer elegance.

This enticing pendant flaunts a Ruby bejeweled with two fabulous Diamonds prong set in 18K White Gold. Approximate Diamond Weight: 0.23 Carats. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 0.41 Carats. The pendant comes finished with an 18 inch 18K White Gold Cable Link Chain.

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