Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Learn about diamonds and more on this blog

Gold Wedding Rings And Symbolism

Filed under: wedding rings — mobilitymary at 12:50 pm on Friday, May 30, 2008

Gold is a naturally occurring metal, which is considered to be very valuable by most cultures. It has deep roots that go back to the beginning of mankind and it has been used in jewelry since this time. It has religious symbolism in most major religions.

Some of the earliest recorded mining and use of gold is attributed to the ancient Egyptians. It can be found in their pyramids, which served as tombs for their leaders, and there is much fine jewelry that was created by the Egyptians. Later it was adopted as a standard of money and up until the 1700’s many countries exclusively used minted gold coins as their currency.

Gold is repeatedly mentioned in the Old Testament, which are the books that form the basis of the Christian Bible. It has been portrayed in the Book of Exodus as symbolic of rebellion against god. In Communist propaganda, gold is seen as a staple of the capitalistic enemy. In many ways reinforcing this stereotype, credit card companies and businesses have long used the term “gold” to recognize top range cards and customers.

It has many positive symbolic references as well. The Book of Genesis describes Abraham as being rich with silver and gold. Moses covered the Ark of the Covenant with pure gold, because he was instructed to do so. Saints and religious leaders have often been described as having mouths of gold.

Perhaps one of the most common symbolic symbols is the gold wedding ring, which is used in many different cultures. The wedding ring is used as a way to show commitment and fidelity towards your spouse. The most popular design of wedding ring is still the solid gold band. Typically a man’s wedding band will be slightly broader than a women’s band. These simple bands continue to be popular in part because of how easy it is to keep them clean.

In some parts of France a wedding ring consisting of 3 interwoven bands is very popular. This is used to represent the Christian values of faith, hope, and love. Those in Greek cultures often receive puzzle rings. These rings are made so that upon properly arranging them they form a single ring. Traditionally this represented a test of the woman’s monogamy.

In North America, as well as some other countries, women frequently wear two rings on the same finger. The engagement ring and the wedding ring are worn together. These rings are often engraved with a name or a short phrase in the United States. Sometimes in the UK women who have been married for a long time will wear three rings: a wedding band, and engagement ring, and an eternity ring. In Russia wedding rings traditionally consist of 3 interlocking bands of rose, white, and yellow gold.

The gold wedding ring is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It is used throughout the world and in many religious wedding ceremonies. Those who are Jewish and Catholic often incorporate the ring into their wedding ceremony.

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Cleaning Your Diamond

Filed under: diamonds — mobilitymary at 12:10 pm on Friday, May 9, 2008

A diamond is a precious and valuable gem that has an intense beauty and sparkle. They are harvested from the deep depths of the earth and are likely well over a billion years old. Over time diamonds that are handled frequently begin to become smudged or dirty. There are many other factors that cause a diamond to become dirty. The oil from our skin, soaps, and hand lotions are some things that can stick to your diamond and also attract dirt and grime. It is very important to properly care for your diamond to ensure that it does not loose its beauty or shine.

Before you begin cleaning your diamond, it is very important to thoroughly inspect it and ensure that it is not loose. If the diamond in your ring or earring is loose, it could very easily break free while you are cleaning it. If it is loose, take it to a jeweler as soon as possible. In the mean time, avoid wearing or using the diamond, because you do not want to risk loosing the stone.

Most people use a soft brush to carefully scrub their diamond. It is very important to avoid anything that might scratch the diamonds surface, so you would want to avoid things like scotch bright pads. An eyebrow brush or a soft toothbrush can be used to clean a diamond without scratching the surface.

Make sure that you avoid cleaning your diamond anywhere near a sink or any other type of drain. Instead it is better to use a bowl or Tupperware container, and clean it on the kitchen table or other surface far away from the sink. No one wants to have to call a plumber to rescue their ring from the kitchen sink. Special diamond cleaning kits are available that include a special brush.

The most common method of cleaning a diamond is to allow it to soak in warm soapy water, Make sure that you don’t use anything that has chlorine or any other abrasive chemical. Chlorine can play havoc on a diamond so it should be avoided, and toothpaste can also harm your diamond. A mixture of diluted ammonia can also be used with good results as well. Use one part ammonia to five parts water and allow the diamond to soak for about thirty minutes. Your local jewelry store or department store might have a special soap that is made specifically for cleaning diamonds as well, but in most cases ammonia or soap works just as well.

After the diamond has been soaking for about half an hour, it is time to gently scrub it with your soft brush. You should try to loosen up any debris or dirt that might be on the diamond. Always rinse your diamond thoroughly with warm water, again using a bowl or other container so as to avoid drains. A soft lint free polishing cloth should be used to gently pat the diamond dry.

Properly cleaning and caring for your diamond is very important. Whenever possible avoid touching the diamond itself, because diamonds are great at collecting grease and oil from your hand. If cared for regularly, your diamond will retain its brilliance and shine for many years to come.

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