Purchasing a pearl necklace can be a daunting task because if you really want top quality pearls there are a number of questions and steps to take to ensure you do get the quality that you are seeking. Pearls are beautiful and a very stylish accent to any wardrobe. The questions and steps with some explanation will be addressed below. Do you want natural, cultured, or imitation pearls. Please note that imitation pearls are custom jewelry and they don’t have much value. Natural pearls are next to impossible to find in stores they are also of a lesser value than cultured pearls. There are choices of the shape of the pearls that you want. Pearls can be symmetrical, baroque, or irregular. Sphere like pearls are most costly and they are greatly sought after. Symmetrical pearls and tear drop shaped pearls should be even all over. The size of the pearl is a great issue involving the price. The size of the pearl will affect the price. Bigger is better and they are also more expensive. If money is not a big issue size will only matter by your choice. Depending on how much you want to spend, what kind of necklace do you want? Do you want a multiple strand with smaller pearls which are less expensive or do you want a single strand of larger pearls which are more expensive. When inspecting pearls under direct light and on a flat white surface. Check every pearl for luster. Lustrous pearls have shiny surface. There should be good contrast between light and dark, as well as strong and crisp reflections. Avoid pearls that have white and cloudy look to them. What is the pearls ‘orient’ - a play of iridescent rainbow with high quality colors. Ask whether the color is natural or dyed. The latter is less expensive. More exotic natural colors are more effective. What is the pearls overtones - a tint secondary to the main body color. Pink tones can increase the price and blues can reduce the price. You can verify that the pearls are clean by making sure there are minimal defects such as nicks, cracks, pits, or discoloration. Turn the pearl around and check it at all angles. The color, the shape, smoothness, and luster cannot all cannot be different on a single pearl. Roll a strand of pearls on flat surface to test them for roundness. If they are round they will roll more smoothly and evenly. If they are not round you will feel it when the pearls are rolled, it could feel like going over a bump. There are three steps you need to take to recognize real pearls from imitations. Run the pearls along the bottom edge of your teeth. A real pearl will feel gritty and or sandy. A fake pearl will feel smooth. Look at and feel the pearls. Flawless pearls and those that feel light when you bounce them in your hands are probably fake. Check out the pearl under a number 10 magnifier ( a loupe). Imitation pearls appear grainy. This is definitely a process and it is up to you to do whatever you can to check the value of the pearls. If necessary bring someone who is knowledgeable with you.

The most widespread of engagement traditions is the groom presenting his bride to be with a ring. Most frequently, the engagement ring is a diamond ring. Even though diamonds are the most desired by brides to be, diamonds are not the only precious stones used in engagement rings. If your choice of engagement ring is a diamond ring, be prepared to spend. The diamond jewelry retail market is a $30 billion market. Over $5 billion is spent on engagement ring in the U.S. market. To the untrained eye, most diamonds look very similar. Most people differentiate between diamonds based on size, shape, and price. A lower price usually means lower diamond quality, not necessarily a bargain. Judging diamond quality requires skill and experience, and it involves grading a ring based on a combination of characteristics such as cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The above characteristics are called the "4 Cs". A diamond's weight is measured in carats, equivalent to one fifth of a gram. Usually diamonds range from 0.25 up to several carats. Weight is only one way of valuing a diamond, color is another. Colorless diamonds are the most rare and they are the most valuable. Colored diamonds with a hint of yellow are more common and less expensive. Diamond colors are coded from D to Z. A D grade is the most valuable and Z is least valuable. Diamonds graded D-F are considered colorless and they are the most valuable. Many reputable jewelry stores do not sell K thru Z grade diamonds. The most valuable color grades: D: Absolutely colorless. The highest color grade, which is extremely rare. E: Colorless. Only minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist. A rare diamond. F: Colorless. Slight color detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless" grade. A high-quality diamond. Another essential factor determining the price of a diamond is its cut. Just like color, cut, is equally difficult to judge for the untrained eye. The grading certificate that typically comes with the diamond will give you a good idea. Independent testing laboratories, such the GIA, provide certificates with a diamond's grading from excellent to poor. A certified diamond also means a bigger price tag. The clarity of a diamond simply refers to its purity. Most diamonds have minuscule markings called "inclusions". A flawless (no inclusions) diamond is very rare and valuable, while a diamond riddled with inclusions is less expensive. Clarity is ranked from "flawless" (FL) to "imperfect" (I1 to I2). Most diamonds fall between those with very, very small inclusions (VVS1) to rocks with slightly larger inclusions (S1). If you are willing to compromise on clarity, you can expect to save. To verify a diamond's clarity, examine the laboratory certificate. If you're on a tight budget, try to stay away from the big name jewelry stores. Brand name usually comes with a larger price tag. Buying wholesale may be an option. Normally the wholesaler's core business is selling diamonds to retailers, but they also sell to the public. Because they do not advertise in the traditional methods, nor are they located in shopping malls, you have to seek them out. You will find some wholesalers listed as diamond merchants in the Yellow Pages.