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Many diamond shoppers prefer antique diamond rings and jewelry because of the history associated with them. One of the fist decisions to be made about before buying a diamond is whether to choose treated or untreated stones. Purists prefer untreated while others believe that treated varieties make for enhanced color and other unique characteristics. In either event, any and all laboratory enhancements must be made clear to the buyer and detailed on the sales receipt. Early on in the history of diamonds, only royalty were allowed to wear the precious stones. In fact, kings were allowed to possess diverse colors while others were allowed to wear only the color awarded to their caste. Although unproven, the assigned color is believed to have been associated with such things as invulnerability, lightning, magic, healing, protection and poisoning. In order for a diamond ring to be considered an antique, it must be over 100 years old and have belonged to one ot the historical periods in Europe. Of course today anyone can wear these precious stones. However, to own a piece of history from the days when only royalty could possess the dazzling gems is a rare treat for the average person. An engagement ring is typically regarded as a symbol of two lives being joined into one and more times than not, the stone of choice is a diamond. As a promise of eternal love, their value is limitless. Of course economically speaking, certain stones will cost more than others depending on a number of factors used to measure their value. Common quality characteristics are known as the four Cs and include carat, cut, color and clarity. While love is typically the reason we buy engagement rings, it's wise to pay attention to the market value of your purchase as well. Knowing the basics of how they are evaluated will help you choose the best diamond for your budget. When selecting the perfect stone, some believe that size is the most important thing. In fact, many believe that the larger the carat, the more expensive the ring. However, there are other factors that come into play when determining price. One of these factors is the color grading system. For example, colorless diamonds are the most expensive while a noticeable yellow color will cost less. Although there are many mounting styles to choose for your antique ring, many choose the prong setting. The prong setting allows for more of the diamond to be viewed and can accommodate a larger size. This style choice is often less expensive than many other styles as well. The cut can enhance a diamond's sparkle and provide a window into its owner's personality. Generally, someone wearing a round cut displays security and a family centered personality. On the other hand, an individual sporting a marquise cut tends to have a career-centered personality. After shopping for antique diamond rings and finding the perfect fit, don't forget to properly care for your jewelry. Since diamonds are natural grease attractors, natural skin oil can become embedded in your ring quite easily. Get a gentle jewelry cleaner and make it a habit to clean your gem periodically so it can continue to look as beautiful and shiny as the day you got it!
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