Luxury Timepiece/Jewelry Maddaloni Blog

If you’re interested in buying diamonds, it’s important to make an informed purchase. Diamond grading reports outline the unique characteristics of the gem to ensure you get the highest quality jewelry for the best price. Gemological laboratories use a universal diamond grading system to rate all aspects of the gem. Each diamond’s individual characteristics are listed on the diamond grading certificate so shoppers can find their personalized, desired combination when buying diamonds. Industry experts report the 4 C’s on the certificate: diamond cuts, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Diamond CUTS are the only one of the 4 C’s that is not naturally produced. Diamond cuts are a direct reflection of the cutter, who has to have the precision and skill of chiseling facets onto the face of the gem. Not to be confused with the shape of the diamond, cuts determine the amount of light that it will reflect. Diamond cuts ultimately determine the gem’s brilliance.

On a diamond grading certificate, the diamonds COLOR is listed according to a specific scale. The scale lists the diamonds color from colorless, D, to yellow, Z. In high quality jewelry, a diamonds color is D, permitting the best reflection of light. A diamonds color can be considered “fancy” if it is visibly hued, like pink, green, or red diamonds.

Rated at 10x magnification, the diamond CLARITY lists any inclusions or blemishes of the gem. Inclusions, internal characteristics, are typically naturally grown crystals, feathers or clouds. Blemishes, external imperfections, include scratches or chips on the surface of the diamond. Clarity determines the value of the diamond and a flawless gem, one with the least possible amount of imperfections, is most sought after when buying diamonds.

The final of the 4 C’s, CARAT WEIGHT, is a measure of the weight and size of the diamond. A carat equals 0.2 grams and the typical diamond has a carat weight between 0.01 and 1.00. If the other components of the 4 C’s are equal, the diamond of higher quality jewelry will be larger and have the most carat weight. Price is most likely to be impacted by carat weight so it’s an important consideration when buying diamonds.

The 4 C’s are crucial to diamond grading by objectively assessing a diamond’s quality. Jewelry shopping is personal; those buying diamonds need to find their own perfect blend of the 4 C’s. Consult jewelry experts to ensure that you are fully informed before making your valuable investment in buying diamonds.

Everything about this fall is layering!!! Necklaces; wearing multiples pumps up your look to a funky elegance.  Go for chunky cable necklaces, stack 4 or 5 graduated in length, wide in width, look for chains with accents that are scattered, set with stones or pearls. For a simpler look, choose thin chains giving an easy sleek look. My favorite are chains with a stone or pearl every inch. Again, layer about 4 or 5 in graduating lengths; the first should be worn as a choker, then descend to the longest being an inch above your naval. As for bracelets and bangles…multiples are key!! Don’t overlook the “Cuff”, fashion houses are showing cuffs with blended metals, they are gorgeous for the fall.

Many jewelry designers are using pastel colored stones set in yellow and rose gold. The stones are primarily large in size, but the gold settings have delicate detail for an understated elegant look. Light blue, pink and a lot of peridot are being shown.

 The three stone ring that began with Rebecca, can be seen throughout jewelry collections. Again, the stones are large in size and married to specific color combinations. This is a statement piece and gives your look bold confidence…Love it!!

Finally, the last big trend for fall are hair ornaments…Using diamond encrusted pendants on headbands is off the charts adorable. You can put this together yourself by purchasing a plain fabric headband and attaching a pendant to the left side, tilted. The hair ornament can give any look a younger feel!

everything about this spring is bold & bright! Everything from necklaces to bangles is brightly colored and chunky.  Short or Long chunky, necklaces are spicing up outfits all around. For the past few years’ jewelry designers have been incorporating more ribbon and braided leather with their mixed metals. Necklaces with ribbon-type clasps are the next big things to hit the scene.  Look for ribbons and braided leather of all colors and varieties! Stud Earrings are also something that every girl must have.   We must remember that when we throw on a chunky necklace or bangle, to even the score by simplifying our earrings. Flowers are another big thing this spring, as well they should be!  Whether you’re sporting colorful flower rings on your hands, or golden flower stud earrings, you will definitely be in style. Soak up the sun with some sea-life!  Just when you thought ornament necklace was “so last year” we see even more sea urchins moving to the forefront of the fashion scene. Henry Design’s created the most gorgeous sea collection, check it out at http://maddaloni.net/shop.php?p=jewelry. Keep your eyes alert to gold starfish, seahorses, and seashells.  Another staple to include are…insects with dainty inspirations.  Butterflies, dragonflies, and hummingbirds are not only beautiful to look at; they also carry their own special meanings.  Add a little inspiration to your style. Yellow is the proclaimed color of the season!  Anything in golden yellow is sure to brighten your wardrobe, and your spirits.  Pick up chunky, necklaces with a floaie shaped cloud designs, highlighted in multi yellow stones. Check out http://maddaloni.net/brand.php?id=29.

are focused on the frugal atmosphere the economy has generated. Of course size is a factor to most, but quality is still absolute. Education of a diamond purchase is clearly on the rise. Knowledge of the four c’s is the starting point, detail from the origin of the stone to the culet opening are determinate factors in the purchase. Not only are consumers learning about diamonds, metals are being discussed as well. White platinum, which is the more in style but expensive choice in metal for engagement rings, can now be replaced by alternative metals, which are a fraction of its cost. White gold can replace white platinum and are about 40 percent lower in terms of cost. Palladium, which is a metal that is similar to platinum can also be used and is priced about 70% lower than platinum.

How the diamond is set on the ring is also changing in 2009. More and more people are shying away from the pronged setting and are choosing more engagement rings that have diamonds that are set in a semi-bezel way into the ring band. The semi-bezel setting will give added hold to the diamond to prevent its loss brought about by an active lifestyle. Another recession-friendly trend is the use of the tension setting to hold the diamond in place. Tension settings have been in existence since the mid 1900s but the technique has greatly improved so that it holds the diamond more securely than the traditional pronged setting. Tension setting also allows more light to pass through the diamond making the engagement ring produce more sparkle.

A brief history of ear piercing   tells us that the ear-lobe was probably man’s first attempt at body piercing due to the ease with which it can be pierced Ear piercing is an almost universal practice for men and women. At various times in history men wore elaborate earrings; during the Elizabethan era many famous men such as Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raliegh and Francis Drake wore gold rings in their ears.

Fast forward to 2009. Keeping up with technology, Maddaloni has discovered the most advanced piercing system available, globally. “The System 2000” is the safest, most technologically progressive ear piercing system we have found. The quick acting compressor enters and exits the earlobe in a quarter of a second, leaving earrings intact and not tightly fastened on to the ear.The most important aspect of ear piercing is the after care. The following are important guidelines for this care:

Ø Always keep the ear area clean during the first six weeks of healing.

Ø Use Q-tips or gauze to clean around the ears. Be sure to use a fresh one for each ear.

Ø Apply ear antiseptic or solution to clean the site of the ear piercing.

Ø Understand that once pierced, your daughter should wear the earrings continuously, except for cleanings, for  the next four to six months.

Ø Be sure to rotate the earrings once or twice a day during the first six weeks.

Aaron Basha jewelry certainly makes waves whenever spotted. The designer creates show-stopping charms. Fashioned in French enamel and adorned with diamonds and precious stones, all of Aaron Basha’s creations are made in 18kt gold or Platinum. Having an Aaron Basha charm bracelet allows a daughter, mother or grandmother to celebrate life’s most special moments in high fashion! Traditionally, an Aaron Basha baby shoe has been purchased for the birth of a child, a blue bootie for boys, pink saddle shoe for girls. The jewelry line has evolved to include many breathtaking charms. Each charm reflects milestones, hobbies and accomplishments that your loved ones have celebrated through their lives.  

Jane Pitt showed off an Aaron Basha bracelet that was given to her by Brad and Angelina Jolie. A baby shoe represented each of her fourteen grandchildren with their names engraved. When asked about the bracelet, Jane said, “Is it not beautiful? My prized possession!” The company tells us that Angelina and Brad are big fans of the line and that Brad bought some pieces for Angelina when the twins were born.

Revamping your aged jewelry can be as simple as a quick cleaning. Over time, gold wears down leaving a dull finish, a little bit of polish brings the metal back to life. Let’s say you have many pieces of yellow gold jewelry and would like to have a few of the pieces in white gold? Rhodium is your answer!!  In less then 20 minutes you can wear your virtually new pieces of jewelry! It is remarkable how beautiful the process works; just remember the whitening rhodium wears down in about 6 months.