More diary less dry education!

So....with my break, I have done some deep soul-searching and realized my blog was becoming dry and boring, which is not me. I am going to be introducing two fun topics that will be a part of this blog weekly.

The first will be a story about my most inspirational experience of the week. This could be a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary to a veteran who is still in love with their high school sweetheart. There are many great events that are celebrated with jewelry that can be passed down like the wonderful story of the person wearing it.

The second will be a story about my most forgettable experience of the week. Some weeks there are more than others! Lol! This could range from a grinch of a customer to an embarrassing moment by yours truly. I think this will be a lot of fun!

Please send me some other fun weekly topics you all might like me to add to the diary. This could be a product of the week to deal of the week!

Thank you for reading and keep the comments coming,

Amir Chokr Gemologist (GIA)

Im back!.....

Hello All,

I am back!  So housework has kinda taken a priority the last few weeks, but I will be back beginning Monday with a vengeance!!!  I will be renovating some other styles and formats.

Thanks for tuning back in,

Amir

Passenger side engagement: Choosing the right diamond

Passenger Side Engagement:  Choosing the Right Diamond
So, by now you have completed your snooping around on what style ring and shape of diamond she may like. You have also been in a couple of jewelry stores to speak with their gemologists, and completed some general research online.  Now, to the fun part!  

Selecting the right diamond is key to making the ring the one of her dreams, and the envy of her friends!  I suggest selecting the diamond first then the setting.  I like to do this for a couple of reasons.  

First, selecting the diamond is fun and educational.  The experience can seem overwhelming, but it is rather simple once the shape is chosen.  Secondly, choosing the diamond first will help with selecting the exact ring, and you can see the proportions of the diamond with the ring you are about to select.  Lastly, selecting the diamond first will allow you to focus on getting the best diamond for the budget you are setting for the ring.  

So...to the nerdy stuff!  Diamonds have been traditionally segmented to the 4C's.  You will see a lot of variance on people having a 5th C.  I think this can be addressed without confusing people with an additional C that changes of the website or jeweler.  The traditional 4C's are as follows:
Color 
Clarity 
Cut
Carat Weight

Color...The color of the diamond is determined by grading the diamond in filtered white light.  The diamond is turned upside down on white paper and examined.  The color ranges from D to Z with the letters of our alphabet, and get more yellow or brown as the color approaches Z.  D, E, F are colorless. G, H, I, J are near colorless.  The typical person can begin seeing color in the diamond while it is in the setting at I color or J color.  Some people are more tuned to variances in color and can see color in G or H. 

Clarity...The clarity is more complicated, but don't worry,  I will make it really easy.  Clarity begins with Flawless, and is grouped in four groups after.  VVS, VS, SI, and I.  Each of which have two degrees except for I which has three.  To make it easy and not too nerdy, if you would like a diamond and not be able to see the inclusion with the naked eye (commonly called eye clean) go for VS2 or better.  Many SI1 can be can be eye clean.  I recommend viewing each diamond with a loupe and locating the inclusions.  Please note...inclusions are just a characteristic of a diamond, and they will help with identifying a diamond as yours.  

For the nerds...the GIA clarity scale goes as follows: Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF), Very Very Slight (VVS1, VVS2), Very Slight (VS1, VS2), Slightly Included (SI1, SI2), Included (I1, I2, I3).

Cut...The cut of the diamond is critical to creating the most amount of brilliance the diamond can have.  The cut is determined by many different factors.  If you do the slightest amount of research online, you will find many places claiming to have "Ideal Cut" diamonds, "Signature Ideal", and maybe even Super-Duper-Ideal cut diamonds!  Man! That can get confusing.  I know I want the most brilliant cut so I am going to buy the Super-Duper-Ideal cut diamond!  Now, THE TRUTH, there is no such thing as an "Ideal Cut" diamond!  Say what Mr Amir?!  Yes, I didn't stutter, there is No ideal cut diamond.  GIA, AGS, and other labs have proved there are many different ways to achieve the same brilliance and hence disproved the notion of the ideal cut?  

So how do websites call diamonds Ideal cut? Because it sounds good to consumers and resonates quality.  However, they set their own parameters on what their ideal cut entails.  So Mr. Amir, what do you recommend?  I recommend looking at the diamonds yourself and seeing which diamond you like.  Some people prefer smaller tables, thick crown, polished girdle, etc. These all determine what your perfect diamond is.  You can get an expensive diamond by getting too technical, but dummy it down and look at which diamond talks to you and gets you excited.  To me, that is what it comes down to.

Carat Weight...The last on the list is Carat Weight.  This one is easiest to explain and self explanatory.  It is the weight of the diamond based on the unit of measurement, carat.  The system is derived by ancient traders using the carob seed to determine weight. This is now exact and equal to 1/5th of a gram.  

Generally, as the weight of the diamond increases, so does the price.  The price for the same color and clarity diamond rises exponentially based on the weight.

Passenger Side Engagement: First step in purchasing a diamond

Image by: Naomi Chokr Photography

What should my first step be in buying a diamond?

First step is obviously to find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. The second step would be to give her something to represent your love for each other. You can begin two different ways.  First, search around locally to find a reputable jeweler that has a Gemologist on staff to help you begin looking for a diamond.  Make sure they have an assortment of shapes and sizes for you to view.  Most jewelers are more than happy to assist you in the beginning stages and inform them if this is your first purchase.  Learn all you can and ask every question you have, and I guarantee they have heard every question imaginable and are happy to answer yours.  Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people!

Secondly, you can search online, ( or my blog) and learn many aspects of purchasing a diamond.  There are many resources out there (and my blog) to help you step by step. The quality of diamond and budget you have set aside to make the purchase is important. The choice is up to the individual, but my preference is quality.

No budget is too small. For example, my father, the owner of the business purchased a diamond 1/20th of a carat for my mom. That was all he could afford and it still today holds true in my eyes. No customer is too small or insignificant. Let's have fun and choose the piece of her dream.

All the best,

Amir Chokr Gemologist (GIA)

Passenger Side Engagement: Tips to find the perfect diamond ring

Image by: Naomi Chokr Photography

I'm clueless...How do I figure what my girlfriend's perfect ring is?

First off, get used to being clueless. I have.
- your most valuable clues are going to be from her friends.  Whether you know it or not, she and her friends have talked about it.  Ask her friends for clues.  If she doesn't have any friends, or you don't want to clue them in due to loose lips then try window shopping at your local mall and peer in the windows with her casually.

Think about her style, Is it contemporary?  Does she like vintage things? Does she like to be more simple and laid-back?  Is she rough with her items? Another aspect to think about is her career and how the ring will be worn day to day.  For example, being in Florida, there are a lot of hospitals for the old people and therefore many nurses and doctors.  In this scenario, I would suggest the diamond to be set low and without too many prongs.  This will allow the latex gloves to come on and off with ease and keep them from ripping easily.

If you would like to surprise her you can purchase a diamond and have your jeweler set the diamond in a plain solitaire setting so that you may propose with the chosen diamond.  Then later go back to your jeweler and search for the setting of her dreams together and have your diamond set in the new setting.  This will allow you to have the element of surprise and work together for the best setting.

As a side note, some jewelers will give you credit for the old solitaire.  I suggest to keep it and add a synthetic cubic zirconia in the center and have that as a travel ring so you don't risk getting your real ring lost or stolen in the unfamiliar area.    

Thanks for tuning in,

Amir Chokr Gemologist (GIA)

Blog Launch Winners!

Hello All,

Thank you for all your entries! I have chosen a winner. We were supposed to do the pulling of names from random.com, but due to technical difficulties, we were kicking it old school with a twist. What is the twist? I thought you would never ask! I used a salad spinner to mix the names and pull the name while it was spinning. I still have all my fingers...thanks for the concern. So, to the important stuff.

The winner for the first day is Julie Martin. Congratulations on your new earrings!

The winner for the second day is Ashley Newell. Congratulations on your new earrings too!

Last but not least,the winner for the third day is Renny! Congratulations on your new necklace!

Happy Valentines ladies!

Thank you all for your comments and support!!  Keep them coming!  More giveaways and prizes to come throughout the year.

Amir Chokr Gemologist (GIA)

Engagement Series "Passenger Side Engagement"

Hello all, 

Happy Valentines Day!  I wish you all a lot of chocolate, roses, and diamonds!

I am going to be posting a two week series titled, "Passenger Side Engagement".  This will be a ride in the passenger seat of the engagement experience from both men and women's point of view.  I will discuss the topics that men need to know to get the best possible outcome...her to say, Yes!  Also, I will discuss topics that women need to know to get the best possible outcome for them...the engagement of their dreams! (or an enormous diamond)

This week is going to be directed to the guys!  If you haven't proposed yet, then listen up!  I will be giving you an inside look at the whole process from figuring out what she wants, getting the best deal, and how to pop the question.  Warning, tuning into this blog will lead to a better knowledge about diamonds and jewelry.  This may lead to a happier relationship and many happy endings!  Like in cartoons of course.   Again with your head in the gutter!  

Lady's, please share how you were proposed to, and if it hasn't happened yet please share ideas for the guys on your ideal proposal.  Would you like it more intimate, in public, or with family, etc.  

Also, If you could choose, would you like to be a part of the engagement ring selection or be surprised?

**Tonight I will be announcing the (3) winners of the pearl earrings and necklace.  Thank you all for the great comments, recommendations and support.

Stay tuned, three of you will be adding some pieces to your collection! 

Amir Chokr Gemologist (GIA)