* Do let your jeweler check your loose stones frequently. It's a good idea to have your jewelry checked once a year.

* Do clean fine jewelry often to maintain its sparkle and beauty.

* Do keep gemstone-studded jewelry, pearls, and gold and silver pieces separated from each other to prevent scratching. Store fine jewelry pieces in soft pouches, soft cloth wraps or plastic bags to help protect them.

* Don't wear fine jewelry when doing housework or gardening. Even though most jewelry is durable, a hard blow can chip a stone.

* Don't heap your jewelry into one drawer. Keep diamond and pearl jewelry separate and, ideally, wrapped in velvet, paper, silk or plastic zip-lock bag.

* Do not use toothpaste as its abrasives can damage softer gems and metals. Most fine jewelry can be cleaned by soaking for 10 minutes in warm soapy water (using a mild detergent soap). Use a soft brush on harden gems to loosen any dirt around the prongs. To reduce greasy build-up on diamond jewelry, dip it in plain alcohol before soaking.

* Pearls stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your cosmetics, perfume or hairspray

* Do not clean your pearl jewelry using mechanical/ultrasonic cleaner.

* Do not clean your pearls with chemicals or harsh detergents.

* Pearls should only be wiped with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take hem off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.

* Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soapy water solution.

* Make sure you take off your pearl rings before applying hand and body cream.

* Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.

The system of measuring karats is based on a scale of 24, with 100 percent gold equaling 24 karats. Since 24K gold is usually considered too soft for jewelry, the gold in jewelry item is alloyed with other metals to strengthen and harden it. The karat mark tells us the ratio of pure gold to these other metals.

* 24 Karat (24K) gold is pure gold

* 22 Karat (22K) gold contains 22 parts gold and 2 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 91.6% gold

* 21 Karat (21K) gold contains 21 parts gold and 3 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 87.5% gold

* 18 Karat (18K) gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold

* 14 Karat (14K) gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold

* 12 Karat (12K) gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold

* 10 Karat (10K) gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold.

In the United States, 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold".

Prong setting
* Is also known as claw setting. It has small claws with a vice-like grip that are bent over the girdle of the gem to ensure its secured position.
* Typical claw setting has 4 claws. Claw settings with 6 claws are also called the "Tiffany" setting because it was originally developed by the founder of Tiffany & Co. in 1886.
* The claws must always be equal.
* The visible claw ends are often rounds, ovals, points, V-shapes (usually called "Chevron"), flat and sometimes formed into ornamental shapes (usually called "Enhanced Prongs").
* As all gemstones are suitable for prong setting, it is the most frequently used method of setting gems into jewelry. Prong settings are frequently seen because they are easier to adjust to the size of an individual gemstone.
* Pront setting brilliantly shows off the gemstone, since the gemstone is positioned higher and is more easily seen.
* Prong setting is especially popular for solitaire engagement rings and in bridal rings. When combined with Pave settings, Prong settings are considered to be the most suitable for women as this setting is more feminine, especially for designs with smaller shoulders and smaller gemstones.
* The more claws, the more secure and safe your gemstones will be !

Pave setting
* Pronounced Pa Vay, Pave settings are claw-like settings but are so small that they are barely visible. The claws are triangular-like and are usually handmade.
* The settings are either created by use of tiny prongs that hold the jewels on both sides, or are crafted by scooping beads of precious metal out to hold the gems in place.
* Pave setting produce a carpet of brilliance across the entire surface of a piece of jewelry. The surface is encrusted, or quite literally "paved" in diamonds and gems, and the body of the jewelry is brought vibrantly to life.
* Pave setting displays an illusionary bigger look using multiple gemstones.
* Pave setting is usually combined with other gemstone settings to add more effect and beauty.
* Pave settings are best for diamonds. Pave setting is often used in conjunction with white gold, which creates an effect of the whole piece of jewelry being crafted from diamonds.
* Pave setting is best for round, oval, princess, emerald, square and baguette cuts.

Bezel setting
A "bezel" setting is a crafted diskette of metal that holds the gemstone by its girdle to the ring, securely encircling the entire circumference of the gem. It is labor intensive and must be crafted to precisely circumnavigate the outline of the gem.
* Variations of the "bezel" setting are the "flush" or gypsy" settings. The surface of the ring has a window cut into it that exactly fits the size of the gem. Secured from underneath, the crown of the gem rises from the ring beatifully catching rays of light.
* A bezel setting needs to be balanced and straight, from angle-to-angle. Gemstones with sides/angles are considered difficult while oval and rounds are easier.
* Bezels can have straight, scalloped edges and can be molded into a gemstone of any shape.
* A bezel setting protects the edges, the girdle and the pavilion of the gemstones.
* Bezel setting adds height, dimension and a great modern look.
* Bezel setting is best suited to people with active lifestyles. Bezel settings are especially considered the best for men because these setting show masculinity, especially when the designs have BIG shoulders and BIG gemstones.
* Bezel setting is best for earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.

Channel setting
* A setting technique whereby gemstones are held side-by-side by their girdles between two long tracks of precious metal. When used with square, princess and rectangular shaped jewels, the effect is breathtaking as no metal apears between the jewels -- they appear to float in a tightly bejeweled chain within the jewelry.
* The gemstones in channel setting are set closely together, so that no gold between the gem is necessary. This produces the maximum amount of light and brightness from the gemstones and allows the jewelry to keep looking bright for a long time.
* In channel setting it is very important precisely cut the gemstones pavilion, if not the gemstones will crack or be lost !
* Channel setting is often used in commercial jewelry designs. Often seen in eternity bands and tennis bracelets, gemstones are held side-by-side by their girdles between two long tracks of precious metal.
* Channel setting is best for diamonds and for round, oval, princess, emerald, square and baguette cuts.
* Channel setting is best for rings and bracelets.

Bar setting
* These are short bars that run like a railway track across a ring. Gemstones are individually set between these bars leaving the sides of the gemstones exposed to light.
* An increasingly popular setting style, this technique maximizes the amount of light entering the gemstones creating superior brilliance and sparkle.
* Bar setting is a version of the channel setting and can often combine a contemporary and classic loo in one design.
* Bar setting is best for diamond rings and for round, oval, princess, emerald, square and baguette cuts.

Invisible setting
invisible-set gemstones are placed very closely together, with the mdetal concealed underneath the stones, giving them the appearance of a continuous, uninterrupted surface. Since the metal of the setting is not seen, this type of setting is an excellent way to showcase the brilliance or color of the gemstones themselves. It also allows an increased amount of light to enter the stone (and thus give off more brilliance or color), since there are no prongs or bezels impeding the light's entry.

Cluster setting
In a cluster setting, several stones are mounted together in a group, for a cluster effect. It is frequently seen with several small stones surrounding a central, larger stone.

Tension setting
This setting uses pressure to hold a stone between two open ends of the metal mounting, making the stone appear as if it's floating.

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HOW OUR JEWELRY IS MADE Our jewelry is unique and it involves a lot of time and skill. Except for personalized jewelry which are handcrafted, most of our jewelries are done by casting machines. Here's an overview of our jewelry manufacturing process : * Concept : Each piece of jewelry starts off with a concept. A concept is basically a round design in the mind of the designer. The designer will draw rough sketches creating a feel of the design. Each and every designer is unique; therefore, sketches reflect the designer's personality and passion. * Selection : We gather all the rough sketches from all the designers and select the ones that truly reflect the trend and possess intrinsic beauty and simplicity. * Sketching : The selected rough sketches are then sent to the design department which will create detailed sketches of the design. * Mould making : This is a process in which a design is taken and a master mould is created. The mold makers take into consideration the size of the gemstones and their gram weight. The master mold then becomes a part of our design bank. * Production planning : The production planners decide which designs to produce and their respective quantity. Once production has been determined, the master mold are transferred to the casting department. * Casting : The casting department takes the production schedule and casts the pieces in the casting machines. Each casting machine is capable of producing hundred of cast every few hours. Casting is basically a low wax process in which molten wax is injected into the master mold to create a wax and all those waxes are arranged in a tree form. The entire tree is then put into the casting machine. Gold is then poured into the machine and replaces the wax. * Stone setting : The casted pieces are then sent to the stone setting department, where stone setters set the gemstone into the casting. This is a very delicate, time-consuming operation that requires a lot of skills. * Polishing : After the stones are set, polishers take each and every piece and polish it by hand with the help of rubbing wheels. * Finishing : The finishing process involves taking the polished piece and subjecting it to a proprietary technique which gives the gold a lustrous look. * Quality Control : Each and every pieces of jewelry undergo rigid quality control. Each piece is checked for accuracy in casting, stone setting and finishing. If a piece does not meet the required standards, it is rejected immediately. * Packaging : Every piece of jewelry is carefully packed into individual polybags and numbered. * Shipping : Completed jewelry pieces are sent from factory to our showroom. Back to Top

METHODS OF CLEANING YOUR JEWELRY Wearing your jewelry over a short period of time can make your jewelry get smuged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, even the natural oils from your skin can create a film on gemstones, reducing their brilliance. In addition, chemicals in the air can oxidize or discolor the mounting. Keeping your jewelry clean will maximize its beauty. Here are four methods of cleaning your jewelry. * Detergent bath Prepare a small bowl of warm suds using any mild household liquid detergent. Brush jewelry with a soft brush until you have created a lather around it. With the jewelry on a plastic or metal strainer, rinse off with warm water (be sure not to clean your jewelry over the drain !). Pat your jewelry dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. * Cold water soak Make a solution of 4 parts cold-water and 1 part very mild dishwashing detergent. Soak the pieces for several minutes. Lift out and tap gently around all sides of the mounting with a soft brush. Rinse the pieces in the solution once more and drain on tissue paper. * Quick-Dip Method Buy one of the brand name liquid jewelry cleaners, choosing the one that is best for the kind of stones and metals in your jewelry. Read the label carefully and follow the instructions. Do not touch your clean diamonds with your fingers, as the oils from your hands will leave a film on the stone. * The Ultrasonic cleaner There are many types of these small machines available to the public today. They will clean any piece of jewelry that can be soaked in a liquid within a matter of minutes. These machines often have a metal cup, which is filled with water and detergent. When the machine is turn-on, a high-frequency turbulence is created. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners on emeralds. NOTE : Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and warning before using these machines. The above methods are not appropriate for pearls, opals, lapis, corals and other gems. A very quick dip in plain lukewarm water is suggested for these fragile pieces. Back to Top

RING SIZING CHART Since ring size is affected by the weather, time of day, weight, diet and many other factors, the most reliable method for sizing a ring is to wear it for several months under a variety of conditions. If you do not know your ring size, you may want to pay a visit to your local jewelry. If none of these option is available, you can use our online ring sizer to determine your approximate ring sizer. At 1JewelryWatch.com, we use the U.S. system for ring sizing. Below is a ring size comparison chart for the different systems. Don't know your ring size ? Follow these easy steps to create your own ring sizer : 1. Print out this page. Please ensure that the "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Fit" options are not selected. 2. Cut out your ring sizer and make a slot by cutting along the dashed line. 3. With the numbers to the outside, insert the black end through the slot. 4. Place the ring sizer over your finger and pull the tab through the slot until it fits comfortably. 5. Read the corresponding sizer from the scale as it lines up with the edges of the slot. Please Note : The ring sizer is based on the U.S. system for ring sizing and provides an approximate ring size only. Back to Top

5 TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE BETTER DIGITAL JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHY 1) Focus your camera In order to ensure your images are sharp, make sure you know how to focus your camera. Digital cameras with auto focus are often difficult to focus precisely, especially when shooting small objects. Make sure your read your owner's manual and understand how your camera's auto focus operates. Most digital cameras are designed to easily focus on large objects but have difficulty on small objects. It is often useful to put your camera in spot focus mode. Spot focus will give you more control over what part of a scene the camera is actually focusing on. 2) Use a tripod Even the slightest movement while taking a picture will cause motion blur. The closer you get to an object the more obvious the motion blur becomes. Using an inexpensive tripod will make a big difference in the sharpness of your images. For really sharp images it makes sense to invest in a good, sturdy tripod. If your camera has a remote shutter release then use it, if not then use the camera's built-in timer to minimize camera shake. 3) Put your camera in aperture priority mode To get the largest area of your subject in focus, it is good to set your camera in aperture priority mode and set the aperture to the highest number possible. The closer you get to your subject, the more important this becomes. 4) Use soft lighting Your camera's built-in flash will rarely give good results for product photography. For soft lighting either shoot outside on an overcase day or use a light tent like the EZcube, Cubelite, or use a soft box. 5) Use image editing software Even inexpensive software like Photoshop Elements or ACDSee can make your product photography much easier. It may seem like it's faster to use an image exactly as it was shot. But in reality, it is difficult to shoot an image precisely how you would like to appear in its final form. Image editing software allows you to crop an image, adjust it's exposure, sharpen the image and then resize it, often in less than 60 seconds. The biggest difference between an amateur's product snapshot and a professional's product image are sharpness and lighting. Steps 1,2, and 3 will improve the sharpness of your images while Step 4 will improve your lighting. A minute spent editing an image will improve it further. Because these few steps seem so basic, it's tempting to ignore them. However, if you take time to follow them, you will see a huge improvement in the quality of your photos. Back to Top BIRTHSTONE MEANING January - Garnet The Romans named this deep-red stone granatum, or pomegranate, because of its resemblance to the fruit's rare, jewel-like seeds. Symbolizing faith and courage, garnets are believed to intensify affection and nurture the imagination. February - Amethyst A symbol of peace since ancient times, amethyst was once used to decorate the British crown jewels. Believed to promote tranquility, the stones are revered for their soothing characteristics. March - Aquamarine Named from the Latin words for water and sea, aquamarines were once worn by sailors to protect against seasickness. Today, the translucent blue stone is a symbol of courage and everlasting youth. April - Diamond During the Italian Renaissance, diamonds came to represent divine love from the translation dio (God) and amante (love). Today, diamonds remain the ultimate symbol of everlasting devotion. May - Emerald Due to its rich green hue, the ancients equated emeralds with spring and prized them as symbols of rebirth. The vibrant stones are believed to quicken the intelligence as well as the heart. June - Pearl According to Arabic legend, pearls are formed when dewdrops fill with moonlight and fall into the ocean. The world's oldest known gem, pearls are believed to promote prosperity and long life. July - Ruby Believed to promote balance in love and all spiritual endeavors, the ruby is not only the world's rarest gemstone, but also the one many consider to be the most passionate. August - Peridot/Sardonyx Ancient Romans called peridot the "evening emerald", since its vivid green color does not darken at night. Once believed to drive away evil spirits, the stone is still considered a symbol of good luck. September - Sapphire The ancients believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, and its reflection colored the sky. Once worn by kings to protect against harm, today sapphires are believed to promote inner peace. October - Opal/Tourmaline Shakespeare onced used opals as his muse, their luminous surfaces mirroring the wonder of the skies, rainbows, fireworks and lightening at once. Today, the stone is a symbol of both intuition and joy. November - Citrine/Yellow Topaz Derived from the French word citron, meaning lemon, citrine is also known as the jewel of the sun. The golden stone has been aptly linked with light-heartedness, happiness and joy. December - Blue Topaz/Turquoise The ancient greeks believed topaz had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible. Still considered a powerful stone, today this dazzling gem is also a symbol of rejuvenation and joy. Back to Top DIAMOND CLARITY RATING Diamond jewelry clarity is a quality of diamonds relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal defects of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes. Clarity is one of the four Cs of diamond grading, the others being carat, color, and cut. Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal, or structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, relative location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond. A clarity grade is assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone under 10x magnification. Most inclusions present in gem-quality diamonds do not affect the diamonds' performance or structural integrity. However, large clouds can affect a diamond's ability to transmit and scatter light. Large cracks close to or breaking the surface may reduce a diamond's resistance to fracture. Diamonds with higher clarity grades are more valued, with the exceedingly rare "flawless" graded diamond fetching the highest price. However, minor inclusions or blemishes are sometimes considered to have some value, as they can be used as unique identifying marks analogous to fingerprints. In addition, as synthetic diamond technology improves and distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds becomes more difficult, inclusions or blemishes can be used as proof of natural origin. Inclusions and blemishes There are several types of inclusions and blemishes, which affect a diamond's clarity to varying degrees. Features resulting from diamond enhancement procedures, such as laser lines, are also considered inclusions and/or blemishes. Inclusions * Clouds * Feathers * Included crystals or minerals * Knots * Cavities * Cleavage * Bearding * Internal graining Blemishes * Polish lines * Grain boundaries * Naturals * Scratches * Nicks * Pits Clarity grading The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), as well as other diamond grading agencies including the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), American Gemological Society (AGS), and the International Gemological Laboratory (IGL) use a sliding grading scale based on descriptive terms of overall clarity. These grading agencies base their clarity grades on the characteristics of inclusions visible to a trained professional when a diamond is viewed from above under 10x magnification. The diamond clarity rating in common use are : * FL - "flawless" in that no inclusions or blemishes are visible under 10 times magnification. * IF - "internally flawless" with no inclusions visible under 10 times magnification, only small blemishes on the diamond surface. * VVS1 and VVS2 - "very very slight" inclusions that are difficult to see under 10 times magnification. VVSA denotes a higher clarity grade than VVS2. * VS1 and VS2 - "very slight" inclusions and visible under magnification but invisible to the naked eye. * SI1 and SI2 - "slight inclusions" that may or may not be noticeable to the naked eye. * SI3 is a grade sometimes used in the industry, originally popularized by the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL). While intended as a range to include borderline SI2/I1 stones, it is commonly used to mean I1's which are "eye clean", that is, which have inclusions which are not obviously visible to the naked eye. Neither the GIA nor the American Gemological Society (AGS), assign this grade. * I1,I2 and I3 - "imperfect", with inclusions clearly visible to the naked eye. For I3, the inclusions impact the brilliance of the diamond and are large and obvious. All grades reflect the appearance to an experienced grader when viewed from above at 10x magnification, though higher magnifications and viewing from other angles are used during the grading process. In "colorless" diamond, dark inclusions will tend to create the greatest drop of clarity grade. In other colors pale inclusions may have greater relief (may stand out more) and may cause a greater drop in grade. Beyond the clarity grading terms, other considerations include the type, size and location of the "inclusion". Inclusions near or on the surface may weaken the diamond structurally. Depending on where the inclusion occurs in the cut diamond and how it is to be used, it may be possible to hide the inclusion behind the setting. 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