Formed billions of years ago from the pits of the earth, so few diamonds have survived to reach the surface, and not all of them have the quality to pass the diamond market standard. Diamonds are not only valued for their sparkle and clarity. They are also durable – in fact, the hardest matter known to man – and because they are invulnerable to deterioration, they can last a long time, making an ideal material for heirlooms. Their clarity is also among the qualities that make this stone so precious.
When a diamond is given as a gift, it means that the recipient means a lot to the giver. If you are planning on buying a diamond engagement ring for your partner, you should at least have a basic understanding of how precious stones are graded. The 4 Cs, which are, Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat are universally used to grade diamonds, and with that in mind, here are a few tips when looking for clarity in a diamond.
Clarity A flawless diamond has no inclusions, whereas a diamond that has inclusions will appear slightly duller, and the clarity does affect the shine of the stone. If you are looking for that perfect ring, The Diamond Jewellery Studio has a selection of pink diamond engagement rings, along with an extensive catalogue of stunning diamond rings to suit every budget. Of course, you will need to know her taste in jewellery, as well as her ring size, but once you have those, online browsing will give you a virtually limitless number of quality diamond rings to view.
Two Types of Flaws There are two types of imperfections with diamonds, namely: blemishes, which affect the diamond’s surface, such as cracks or chips, while the other imperfection is called an inclusion, and is an internal flaw. Both of these flaws have a direct impact on a stone’s value, yet slight flaws are not really visible to the naked eye, and for many people, that is the preferred type of stone, due to the lower cost.
Flawed Diamonds That Can’t Be Seen With The Naked EyeImage Source: Pixabay
If you placed a flawless diamond next to one with inclusions, you would not be able to tell the difference simply by looking at them, so rather than spending a lot of money on a flawless stone, consider one with a few inclusions, which will cost much less and still have that sparkle that diamonds are known for. You can find informative articles online if you want to know about the clarity grading system, which every potential buyer should read.
Diamond Clarity Chart At the top end of the scale, a flawless diamond is graded as FL, while at the other end of the scale, a badly blemished stone is classed as I3. Diamonds that are graded as VS2 have inclusions or blemishes that are not visible to the naked eye, and are a popular choice for diamond engagement rings. If you are soon to pop the question to your partner, search online for an established jeweller, who would have an extensive catalogue of top-quality diamond engagement rings to suit every budget.
How Is Clarity Grading Carried Out?Image Source: Pixabay
A qualified gemologist examines the diamond using a 10x powered microscope, and grades the stone according to his findings. The gradings are as follows:
* FL – No inclusions or blemishes * IF – No Internal flaws, with minute surface blemishes * VVS1 & VVS2 – Very, very slight inclusions * VS1 & VS2 – Very slight inclusions * SI1 & SI2 – Slight inclusions and blemishes that are visible to the naked eye * I1 & 12 – Obvious inclusions that are noticeable to the naked eye
Once you have familiarised yourself with the 4Cs of diamond grading, you can begin to browse online jewellers in search of the perfect engagement ring with some confidence.
Patricia Nash has had her designs on Evine.com, Hsn.com and now will be on the sister channel QVC.com. Her designs are unique and timeless. The Pisticci bag gives the 60s and 70s vibes. This bag reminds me so much of my mother’s bag. The Pisticci bag has additional features that include a lining, inner pockets, and it can convert to a crossbody as you see in the photo below. I purchased the bag at Lord and Taylor with a great one day sale. However, the bag retails for $399.99.
What does Pisticci mean? Pisticci (Metapontino: Pestìzze; Latin: Pesticium) is a town comune in the province of Matera, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It’s the fourth town of the region for citizen and the most populated of the province after Matera. It is known for being the production site of Amaro Lucano, one of the most famous Italian liqueurs. (Wikipedia)
Pisticci through the arm
PIsticci Shoulder bag through the arm is perfect if you are wanting to showcase the bag in all its beauty.
The 1970s are in now?
Yes, the 1970s are in now but you have to understand that it’s more of an inspiration. For example, the bell bottom jeans you wore in the 70s may have no stretch and may be as stiff as a board. The bell bottom jeans now will be more inspired with new technology may have more stretch for comfort and may have a more 2019 construction. Inspiration is the key here but if those jeans you have from the 1970s feel great then wear them.
Why no picture of my mother’s bag?
My mother’s bag, unfortunately, was falling apart and couldn’t be repaired. It was such a good feeling inside when I saw this bag it took the inspiration of my mother’s bag to another level.
What vintage-inspired pieces do you have in your wardrobe?
The weather is on a roller coaster ride, it was 62 degrees yesterday and it was in the 40s today. It’s that time when Spring Fashion 2019 trends are rolling in. You know that 2019 fashion lines were created last year and designers are now working on designs 2020.
QVC had a two-day Spring Style Out. On one of those two days, Dooney and Bourke had the Today’s Special Value, a woven embossed leather satchel. From seeing the presentations on-air, I thought the handbag would be perfect for spring; but could also be worn now going into spring. I liked the woven look and thought it was much different than the other Dooney bags. QVC offered five colors that were ideal for spring. I decided on the coral because that was not a color I didn’t have in my collection. And it is the Pantone Color of the Year. So how could I go wrong?
JT with Seppe
I received the handbag late last week and I was excited to see what it looked like. When I took the bag out, my initial thoughts were that the bag was much smaller than I had thought it was going to be. Granted I didn’t look at the dimensions on the product description, but it looked much bigger on-air. From there, my eyes were drawn to the wrinkles on the back side of the bag. Take a look at the pictures below. You can see in the upper left corner, next to the zipper, the big wrinkle. There is also a large wrinkle on the underside of the bag, as well. You will also notice that the leather does not lay flat next to the zipper. It is not smooth. And the bag is not a true coral color. It has more orange, like a dreamsicle popsicle from my childhood. The coral is not available on the QVC at this time. Only pink and blue are currently available. I also reviewed the Dooney and Bourke Beacon Woven Embossed Beacon Leather Satchel on my Youtube Channel. You can watch it here.
Dimensions of the bag:
*Measures approximately 10-1/2″L x 11″W x 6″D with a 22″ to 28″ strap drop and a 4″ handle drop; weighs approximately 2.13 lbs
*Body 100% leather; lining 100% cotton
Overall the embossing on the handbag is different and I like it. However, the bag should be flawless when it arrives, with no wrinkles. I will be returning the bag after I test it out for a few days. The overall design of the bag is different for Dooney and Bourke and I can see it being very popular. If a Dooney and Bourke representation is reading this, please find out why some of the bags are wrinkled during the manufacturing process. The bag is not $5,000, but it doesn’t need to be. It still should be in pristine condition when it gets to the customer.
If you have this bag, please let me know if your’s arrived in perfect condition or it was wrinkled as well. I would like to know if mine was a rarity or if this is a more common problem.
My team and I wanted to thank each and everyone who entered JT’s Valentine’s Day Giveaway. You just don’t know how good it makes us feel to offer a giveaway. The Dooney and Bourke Patterson Leather Paige Sac with a matching Continental Clutch was a different choice for us because we wanted to offer something different. The Azure blue reminded me of the ocean and we wanted to make sure it was a giveaway that you could use right now and into spring and summer. The giveaway ran from February 10 through February 24th at 11:59pm.
The winner chosen through Random.org is Sally G.! Everyone of the Elegant Lovelies have been so gracious and congratulating Sally G. Again thank you for entering and you never know when a giveaway may come up or what it may be.
Blessings and Thank you for being a part of our community.
Diamonds are a high-ticket item with a significant amount of risk if done haphazardly. Finding a trustworthy jeweller is paramount if you want peace of mind and to make sure you walk away with an authentic diamond that is worth the price you paid for it.
If you have had troubles tracking down a reliable wholesaler up till now and are on the lookout, keep reading. This article will discuss key signs to look out for that will point you to the right direction.
With more options for buying diamonds popping up, the harder it gets to make a final decision. You can find diamond wholesalers in Sydney like Australian Diamond Importers that are fully certified, have a brilliant range of options and have a solid reputation in the marketplace.
Tracking Down Reputable Diamond Wholesalers – How To Do It When looking online or in person, the same rules apply. Finding a trustworthy and reliable wholesaler is more than possible as there are several in the region. On the other hand, there are also those you want to stay clear of.
We have gathered some of the top expert tips from GIA and put them below so you can carry this knowledge throughout your search.
Carry out detailed research. Image Source: Unsplash
The more you research your options, the better chance you’ll discover something reputable. Learning important diamond terms and what they mean, such as the 4C’s, will also help you locate the trustworthy wholesalers. They will often make these terms clear on their website or in their store as they know these are crucial factors to determining the final price.
Search out finer details. Reading between the lines is crucial before you buy. Go in-depth and check the weights, carat, cut, and more before you buy anything.
Ensure it has a GIA Grading Report. It’s often hard with the naked eye, to determine the authenticity and price of a diamond. This is why it’s crucial to look for this official certification which proves it has been lab-verified with the proper equipment and by the experts themselves. This will also help with buyer protection as insurers will often ask for grading reports from GIA. These may include: colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.
Check the reports yourself. Now you know there’s a report, you go one step further to check this online with their official database. This is a great and expedient way to ensure things line up, especially when you are buying diamonds online.
Do some digging on the seller. Normally, a great diamond wholesaler will reveal several details about their business. You should be able to find out things such as how long they’ve been operating, testimonials/reviews, and how they deliver secure transactions and return policies.
It was an icy morning so it was a great day to stay in and work on some projects and have some fun. Four wheel drive doesn’t work well on ice and the weather forecasters were asking for everyone to stay in. Some of the ice has melted now and people are back to driving again.
This week is Valentine’s Day and the BubblingwithEleganceandGrace.com team wanted to show how much we appreciate you stopping by, commenting and being a part of our lovely community. Drumroll!! We decided to have a JT’s Valentine’s Day Giveaway! The prize is a Dooney and Bourke Patterson Paige Sac and the matching Continental Clutch in Azure. The team picked a fresh color that will work now and will be ray of bright light when you walk by those fresh flowers in the spring.
Patterson Leather Paige Sac in Azure
Patterson Paige Sac
“The Patterson Collection puts a fresh spin on our classic pebbled leather with new styles and design details. Light tan vacchetta leather trim accents a rich array of colors from spring brights to classic neutrals.” Dooney and Bourke
The tan trim will patina over time due to the oils on your skin and exposure to sunlight. A dust bag is included with this bag.
Patterson Leather Continental Clutch The Patterson Leather Clutch (wallet) can store your cards, cash and receipts. It is such a classic style wallet. The back of the wallet has a zippered pocket for security. Timeless elegance for church, work, the mall, or going out for a bite to eat and go see a movie. I could see taking the wallet out of the bag and going to lunch carry it like a small clutch.
Inside of wallet
How To Enter The Giveaway 1. Please subscribe to the JTwisdom YouTube channel and leave a comment on the giveaway video. This is one entry. If you are already a subscriber please say that in the comments because that helps us know that you have already subscribed.
2. Please subscribe to the Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com blog HERE and leave a comment below. This is one entry. If you are already a subscriber please say that in the comments because that helps us know that you have already subscribed.
3. For an additional entry, please share JT’s Valentine’s Day Giveaway YouTube video on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #JTsValentinesDayGiveaway
The giveaway will run from February 10 to February 24th at 11:59pm (CST).
The winner will be selected at random based on the time when your comments / shares were made.
Thank you for being so beautiful and wonderful.
The YouTube video can be found here
Happy Valentine’s Day!
FTC Disclousure:
The giveaway is not affliated with or sponsored by Dooney and Bourke.
The handbag and clutch were paid for by JTwisdom and her team.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Image Source: Pixabay
Image Source: Pixabay
I also reviewed the Dooney and Bourke Beacon Woven Embossed Beacon Leather Satchel on my Youtube Channel. You can watch it here.
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