Diamond Education Center on Anjolee.com
The process of buying diamond jewelry often begins with research; the education center has all important topics covered including:
- Metal Types (Karat markings, composition and features)
- 4 C's of Diamonds (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat)
- Diamond Characteristics (Shape, Fluorescence and Polish)
- Certifying Your Diamonds (Third Party Certificates from the I.G.I. and GIA)
- Birthstone Jewelry
- Finding Your Ring Size
- Caring For Your Diamond Jewelry (Cleaning and Storing Tips)
- Informative Guides (Proper Use of Security Mechanisms and Buying Guides)
Visit the Education Center today. If you have a question that is not listed, simply email service@anjolee.com for an immediate response from an Anjolee Diamond Expert.
Spotlight on July’s Birthstone: Ruby
Spotlight on Ruby Gemstones
The July birthstone is the beautiful ruby; a richly colored, slight purplish red, gemstone. Set in white gold, yellow gold or platinum mounting, this gemstone adds a romantic accent to your fine jewelry. Rubies have been a treasured commodity throughout much of recorded history. In fact, they rival diamonds on the rarity and value, especially on larger carat sizes.
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- Ruby Gemstone- Side View
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- Ruby Gemstone – Top View
Various facts about Rubies
It is a red, gem variety of corundum. Corundum is the mineral form of alumina which crystallizes in the hexagonal system. Sapphires also belong to this mineral family.
The red color is caused by minor amounts of trivalent Cr replacing Al in the crystal structure.
Ruby is most common in oval and cushion shapes. Other shapes such as round may be difficult to find in sizes above a carat. Rubies above five carats are the rarest and therefore the most valuable.
Anjolee jewelry can be customized with ruby gemstones. Select your favorite jewelry design and contact a representative for a special quote today!
Spotlight on June’s Birthstones: Alexandrite and Pearl
June Birthstones: Pearl and Alexandrite
Folks born in the month of June are quite fortunate. Not only is June the month that brings us perfect weather – it is also represented by two fascinating gemstones. Each of these stone is completely different from the other -- and each is beautiful sight to behold.
Pearl
Pearl is the primary birthstone for June. A wonderfully organic gemstone - created for us - by creatures of the sea. A pearl is formed when an irritant - such as a piece of sand or small parasite – enters a mollusk’s (oyster, clam or mussel) shell. The mollusk then begins secreting substance called “nacre” to trap the irritant. After many years, a pearl is then formed.
Finding a natural pearl can be quite rare – so people started inserting irritants into the shells of mollusks. Then - after a few years - they harvest the pearls. These are referred to as cultured pearls and they make up a large percentage of the pearls on the market today.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is an alternate birthstone for the month of June. It was discovered in 1834 and named after Russian tsar Alexander II. It has a very interesting characteristic as well – it is a color changing gemstone. It was first identified as an emerald, because it was discovered outside an emerald mine. In daylight, it can appear green or bluish green -- but in incandescent light, it takes on a red or purplish red color.
It is an extremely rare stone because it requires very specific geological conditions to form. The more distinct the color change -- the more rare and valuable the stone. Most of the alexandrite you see on the market today is synthetic.
How would you wear your pearl or alexandrite jewelry? Leave your feedback in the comments section!
Spotlight on Birthstone for April: Diamond!
This month’s birthstone spotlight was nicknamed a “girl’s best friend” after a song first sang by Carol Channing in 1949 during the well known Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Diamond is the gorgeous birthstone of April as well as the anniversary gemstone for the 10th and 60th years of marriage.
Where do diamonds get their value? Diamonds are very simple in composition, but actually have spectacular optical characteristics and are considered a high value 
possession due to their exclusive ability to both reflect and refract light. They are also a rare gemstone and are only found in select parts of the world.
Where did the term “diamond’ originate? In ancient days, the Greeks called a diamond “adámas” which translated to unbreakable and Hindus called the gemstone "Vajra," which translates to lightening, because of the fact that the gemstone reflects sparks of light and is incredibly strong. In fact, the diamond is harder than most other substances on earth. Diamonds are when carbon deposits are exposed to high pressure and high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. There are only certain spots within the earth’s crust that have the conditions needed to form diamonds.
The use of diamonds has varied throughout history, and is a very interesting fact. Uses include the adornment of royal crowns, swords and jewelry and as healing powers. During the middle ages, diamond gemstones were thought to have medical properties and were used as an aid to cure illness.
Additional Reference link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April
Spotlight on March Birthstone: Aquamarine
Similar to the colors we see in the ocean, an aquamarine is a dazzling gemstone containing a variety of colors ranging from clear, to shades of blue. Aquamarine is a form of beryl, the same mineral family that the emerald gemstone belongs to. The very top quality aquamarines are actually clear in color, and have fewer inclusions than an emerald. Aquamarine stones can even have shades of green in them. Of course, the deeper colored aquamarines have a great value.
The most popular aquamarine in the marketplace is light blue in color. Set in yellow gold, white gold or platinum settings, the bright color of this gemstone is enhanced. It is common to see engagement rings, cocktail rings, earrings and bracelets made with a combination of diamond and gemstone, or all gemstone.
The Aquamarine is said to invoke feelings of sympathy, trust and harmony. Its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea). It is said that its strengths are developed to their best advantage when it is placed in water which is bathed in sunlight. According to some old traditions, wearing this color gemstones will ensure a happy marriage and is said to bring the woman who wears it joy and wealth.
For more information on gemstone education, please visit the Gemstone Guide.
Green Manufacturing
Recycling is an important part of the Jewelry Manufacturing Process
Recycling practices and living a ‘Green’ lifestyle have become an important part of our society. Businesses as well as individuals can make changes that will affect the condition of the environment, prevent gratuitous waste and conserve our resources. Anjolee has been the leading jewelry manufacturer since 1977 and has taken many steps to ensure its’ procedures are environmentally safe and responsible. Having an environmentally friendly manufacturing process is an essential responsibility of any manufacturer.
To summarize, Anjolee has a specific manufacturing procedure, that allows for the collection of all waste created during the production cycle and then the filtration of that waste so only the clean discharge goes back to the environment. The outstanding product is sent to refining, or recycled to be used another time.
For more information read about Anjolee’s Environmentally Safe Manufacturing Process
How to Find Your Ring Size
One of the most frequent questions from customers is what the best ways are for measuring ring size. Whether you are buying a ring for yourself or your significant other, there are some good ways to accurately measure your ring size without trying the ring on. If you are unsure what size ring to get, you can use these straightforward instructions to correctly measure your ring size. If you cannot use one of these methods and want to keep the ring a surprise, try asking your significant others' close friends and family members.
1. Measure your ring size with a finger size strip. Start by printing and cutting out the strip below. Insert the narrow end of the sizer through the "your size here" slot. With numbers on the outside, place the loop around your finger, and pull until the fit is snug but comfortable. 
2. Use a ring chart similar to the one below or the one found on Anjolee to determine your ring size. Find a ring that already fits and compare it to the online chart. If the ring is between two sizes, you should opt for the larger size.
Ring Sizer
For more information about determining your ring size, and other educational topics, please visit Anjolee Education
Color of Gold
One question I hear from customers is what is the difference between white gold, rose gold and yellow gold?
Options for Gold jewelry include yellow gold, white gold and rose gold. The most common gold type request for jewelry manufacturers has traditionally been yellow gold. Since customers often question the different color options available, I wanted to explain these differences and hopefully help you with the selection of the perfect piece of jewelry.
Yellow Gold
Some people prefer a yellow gold metal type because they believe it will accentuate the diamonds best .Yellow gold is typically alloyed with copper and silver giving it added strength. Its natural tone looks good on a variety of people. The concentration of how much yellow is actually in yellow gold is influenced by its content. This is because the larger the karat, the brighter and deeper the yellow will appear. Pure 24 karat gold, is gold that has no alloys mixed in, and is the deepest yellow of all the colors.
White Gold
Recently, white gold has been more popular as an alternative to yellow gold, especially when it comes to wedding and bridal jewelry. White gold is mixed with alloys including palladium alloy, zinc, and nickel. Depending on the type of jewelry, white gold can really enhance the appearance of the diamonds. White gold usually requires the finishing step of applying a rhodium plating. This will give it a bright white finish. This can cover the somewhat yellowish tone that may appear.
Rose Gold
Rose gold can appear pinkish in color and is a combination of copper mixed with gold. Copper has a rosy tone to it, thus leading to the name “Rose Gold”. Because rose gold has a soft tone, it usually compliments the skin’s natural coloring. A medium rose gold will appear blush like rosy in color.
When it comes to your gold jewelry, which color do you prefer?
The Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Diamonds
Real Diamonds vs. Lab Made Diamonds
Have you ever noticed the flicker of a diamond tennis bracelet or diamond ring and wondered if the diamonds were natural or synthetic? Differences between natural and synthetic diamonds are not usually visible to the human eye. Below I will briefly highlight the important differences in composition and characteristics of both lab made and natural stones.
Lab made diamonds are durable, and are valued because they are excellent electrical insulators with high thermal ratings and are best utilized in industrial forms. To produce artificial diamonds, you copy what happens under natural conditions using a high temperature high pressure (HTHP) method. Amazingly, it can take as little as a couple of days to make a three carat synthetic diamond.
Natural Diamonds are formed in the earth when carbon is put under incredible pressure and heat. Diamonds come from deep within the Earth’s crust, formed there by the incredible pressure and relatively manageable temperatures. They form beneath the continental crust, from pure carbon.
When you look at synthetic and natural diamonds side by side there are a few, detectable differences. Mainly it is a lack of flaws in the synthetic diamonds that give them away as almost all natural diamonds have flaws to some degree. Also the weight will be heavier in a lab produced stone, and the cost is greatly different.
Many consumers believe when it comes to personal jewelry items, buying authentic, real diamonds is still the preferred option. What do you think?
For more information on Synthetic vs. Authentic Diamonds, please visit http://www.dendritics.com/scales/synthetic-diamonds-final-report.asp
Diamond Cut
Diamond Cut
I was recently asked by a customer what ‘diamond cut’ refers to.
Diamond Cut is essential to the beauty of a diamond and is the symmetrical arrangement of facets that modify the shape and appearance of a diamond. If a diamond is not well-cut, the diamond will not interact with light as nicely as it should. A diamond that has exceptional color and clarity will not display the fire and brilliance it should if the cut is not good.
A diamond cut can also be viewed in terms of its’ proportions, polish and symmetry. The polish describes the finish of the facets of the diamonds, while the proportions determine the brilliancy and the fire of the diamond. The symmetry describes the variations of the different parameters that define the proportions. Each grade is divided into 4 categories: Excellent, Very Good, Good and Fair.
The brilliance of a diamond refers to the total light reflected by a diamond. Fire is distribution of light into the colors of the spectrum and sparkle is a flash of light that is measured when moving the diamond. The best cuts will be symmetrical, well proportioned and return brilliance and light to the eye.
The most popular stone cut is the traditional brilliant round cut, especially for wedding jewelry. If you prefer a circular shaped stone your choices are the round cut or oval shaped cut. If you like the way a square shaped stone looks, the princess cut or emerald cut is best. If you want the best of both round and square shapes, go for a cushion cut diamond which is a combination of both shapes. Marquise and pear are typically a more slender cut stone, with the pear shaped being slightly larger at one end of the stone.
It can be confusing because sometimes ‘cut’ is used to refer to the name of the shape a diamond is cut into. Examples of these diamond shapes are traditional round cut, and the fancy shaped emerald, marquise, cushion, oval, pear, square and princess cuts.
Anjolee works with certified diamonds from independent parties such as the Institute of Gemology, Gemological Institute of American and the European Gemological Laboratory. For additional diamond education you can visit their sites.
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