What makes a colored diamond worth so much?

There are a few factors that make some diamonds stand out. Specifically, colored diamonds are often worth large sums of money. They are rare, especially when they are naturally colored as opposed to being colored in a laboratory. Besides clear/white-colored diamonds, some diamonds are mined as yellow and some are mined as red. Colored diamonds should not be confused with other gemstones—only one in 10,000 mined diamonds are colored. This makes them very rare and thus, very expensive. In addition, the rarity of color, the strength of color, the size of the stone and the shape of the stone can help determine a colored diamond’s price according to the Natural Color Diamond Association

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Rarity and value

Rarer colors, such as red, purple and orange are even rarer than brown, grey and black diamonds. Some of the rarest diamonds may sell at a rate of $1,500,000 per carat where as some of the more common colored diamonds may sell at $2,500 per carat!

Strength of color

A laboratory can measure how strong a color is. Some diamonds are blends of colors, so a lab would measure how intense one particular color is. More intensely colored diamonds may be worth more.

Size

Diamonds that are large can be considered rare, but not always. If one diamond is so large that the color intensity or the colors vary within the stone, then it may be worth less than a diamond that is equally intense throughout.

Shape

Some diamonds are hard to cut due to their shape. If a jeweler chooses to cut a diamond a certain way, then a large percentage of the stone may go to waste, making the diamond less valuable. But, if the jeweler decides to cut it another way that avoids loosing material, then that other shape may be less valuable because that shape is less desirable .This puts the jeweler in a Catch-22 situation. In the end, some shapes are more valuable than other shapes of comparable size.

Natural pearls vs. cultured pearls vs. fake pearls

Often, people perceive natural pearls to be worth more than cultured pearls. Still, both can look beautiful. There are differences in how the two types of pearls—natural or cultured—form. There are also tests designed to test what type of pearl you have. You can also bring the pearls into a store for an expert opinion.

The origins of the pearls

Fake pearls, man-made or imitation pearls, are made to fool the human eye. They should look similar to real pearls and are made when layer after layer of varnish is applied over a small object, such as a bead. When the varnish dries, according to a Webpage on pearlsofjoy.com, the cultured pearl can show a pearly luster and even iridescence in the light.

A naturally formed pearl is made within an animal, called a mollusk. Mollusks are sea creatures with two shells and one example is a mussel.  This type of pearl is the most expensive. Divers need to retrieve the mollusk and the pearl, so out of all pearls, it is the rarest.

Cultured pearls are made by “farming” mollusks and placing a bead or other small object in the mollusk in hopes of it growing a pearl.

Differentiating pearls

There are a variety of tests to determine what type of a pearl you have. A few listed on Pearls of Joy are:

·         Fake pearls feel lighter than real ones.

·         Fake pearls do not have bumps or ridges on the drilling hole. It might take a magnifying glass to notice this.

·         When comparing pearls on a strand, fake pearls will show no difference in color.

Choosing between platinum jewelry and white gold jewelry

There are many differences between white gold and platinum as precious metals for jewelry. When choosing a piece, there are a variety of factors to consider. This guide explains them from allergy to cost.

Differences between the two metals

One essential consideration is weight. Suppose you are getting your wedding ring. Would you like a light ring or a slightly heavier ring? Because platinum is more dense than gold, a platinum ring will be heavier. If you are considering the two metals, make sure you try both on in the store.

Even cleaning the jewelry should be a consideration

Another difference to consider is maintenance. Every few years, white gold needs to be re-plated. To make white gold shinier and whiter, jewelers often plate it with rhodium. This repair is inexpensive, but to keep your ring or earing bright, do not forget about this. Platinum is an easier metal to take care of. One only needs to have it professionally shined every few years. This is a fast and easy process, and depending on the composition of the platinum, it may not even be necessary.

These jewelry repairs will prevent white gold from loosing its shine and will keep the platinum from returning to its original grayish color.

Cost

Platinum costs more than gold, in part because more gold is mined per year than platinum. Additionally, because precious metals are sold by weight and a platinum piece of jewelry weighs more than the same piece made of white gold, platinum is even more expensive than white gold.

Allergies

If someone is allergic to nickel, then he or she should not wear white gold jewelry. That is because nickel is sometimes mixed with yellow gold to form white gold. It is possible to find nickel-free white gold, however, so be sure to check with your local jeweler.

Understanding LCD, LED and Plasma televisions

When researching TVs or making a purchase, there will be a lot of jargon thrown around. However, shopping for electronics need not be complicated as explained by Home Theater Review.

You might hear the following four abbreviations and terms: plasma, LED, HDTV and LCD. These acronyms each stand for different types of technologies within the television itself. The first helpful hint about TV-buying is to know what these abbreviations stand for.

·         LED stands for Light Emitting Diode.

·         LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display

·         HDTV stands for high definition television

Plasma televisions were the original flat screen high definition television (HDFT). One important factor to consider when purchasing a television is how well the TV will be “lit up” and how well it can display a wide range of colors. Plasma TVs do not need backlighting to show bright colors and white and to show dark colors and black.

However, prices fell to a degree once LCD televisions became more popular and more widely available. They were the way of the future. LCD televisions are generally lighter and thinner than plasma TVs. The display of an LCD TV must have a backlight, as it generates color but not light. Traditional, cheaper LCD TVs use CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent) materials to create light for the television. LCD televisions backlight by LEDs are bright and have great contrast, meaning they show a variety of colors. Currently, they are the choice television.

It is always recommended to research what televisions are out there. You should also make every effort to see them for yourself in a store before choosing one. There are many high definition TVs now, and its clear the LCD TVs have replaced plasma screens as the best option. Manufacturers make many more LCD TV models than plasma ones. LCD versions use less energy than plasma TVs and LED-type screens, in particular, use the least amount of electricity, which saves money in the long run. In the end, however, choosing between television sets is a personal choice.

Pawnshop regulations prevent the pawn, purchase and sale of stolen goods

Pawnshops and stolen items

Pawnshops are not allowed to buy stolen goods or allow customers to pawn them. This is an issue that relates to morals and rule of law. Additionally, it is a business issue. No pawnshop wants to buy stolen items. One reason is that if a pawn does buy a stolen item and then the police locate it, then the pawnshop would have to hand over the item, even though they have paid for it and cannot sell it. Therefore, pawnbrokers take precautions so that they do not buy and deal stolen items. Around the country, cities, counties and states are constantly revising their laws and regulations to prevent crime and to prevent pawnshops from accidentally buying stolen items.

 New regulations that some pawnbrokers must follow

One state just passed new laws to deter people from attempting to sell stolen items to pawnshops, according to NBC 12. First, pawnshops will be prohibited from buying items that are missing their serial number (provided that they should have had one originally). That is because thieves may scratch or file off a serial number of an electronic item, such as a phone or laptop, so that it cannot be identified. Chances are that if an item has no legible serial number, it is stolen. Additionally, pawn brokers must keep photo IDs of customers that pawn or sell items on file, in case the police need it for an investigation.

One other city now requires pawnshops to send digital photos of items pawned and bought to the police as reported by the Sun Journal (New Bern). Advanced technology can help law enforcement agencies complete investigations more effectively and even successfully. This city also asks pawnshop owners to compile a list of transactions daily.

Another state has enacted a similar law that also requires pawnshops to provide police with records of certain transactions daily according to Arkansas Online. No one wants his or her stolen possession to be pawned, held and/or sold. Therefore, these types of laws are appropriate in preventing errors and aiding the police when an item has been stolen.

How do the iPhone5s and the Samsung Galaxy S4 compare?

Apple recently announced the iPhone5s and the iPhone5c, with the “s” model being the superior of the two. This new phone builds on the iPhone 5 which came out one year ago. There are many fans of the iPhone and many fans of Android phones. The Android phone that is most similar to the iPhone5s is the Samsung Galaxy S4. Which phone is better? The International Business Times writes in a September 10, 2013 article that there is not one winner. Rather, it is a matter of preference. Each phone is excellent and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Still, it is worth reviewing the key specifications of each phones main features.

Phone dimensions

The Galaxy’s screen is larger than the iPhone’s screen. There is in fact a one-inch difference. The Galaxy measures 5” and the iPhone measures 4”. Additionally, the Samsung screen is a higher resolution screen. In fact, it is a full HD screen, but at such a small size, some may not notice a large difference between the two.

Another difference is the look of the phones. The Galaxy phone has a plastic casing, but the iPhone is made out of a metal body. Metal may sound like a better idea to some, but others may like the plastic.

iPhone performance vs. Galaxy performance

Apple is using a better processor in this version of the iPhone than the older version. Apple has not given exact specifications of the processor and the RAM. The Samsung Galaxy has a 1.6Gz processor and 2GB of RAM. The IB Times notes, however, that once phones are very fast, slight differences between models do not make a difference. Rather, software efficiency is what makes the difference.

Phone software

The Samsung phone runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean). This software is familiar to many consumers because it is used on other phones. On the other hand, the iPhone’s operating system, iOS7 is brand new. It is a major redesign of all of the iPhone operating system. It should be easy to use even though it will be a redesign.

Verdict

Each phone’s cameras are different. The IB Times did not yet test the iPhone, but it seems like the iPhone camera is better. The specifications of each phone are impressive, so one is not significantly better than the other. It is recommended that one try out the phone before purchasing at a store, which can include a pawnshop. Pawnshops sell phones at competitive prices. Consumers should pick a phone with the help of a live sales expert.

Pawnshops expand their services

Some pawnshops have begun to offer convenient financial services in addition to pawn loans, according to an August 25, 2013 New York Times article. As the number of pawnshops increases, each shop is vying to get more customers and additional financial services are one way of doing so.

Getting customers into the door

The lure of check cashing, wire transfers, prepaid cards and, sometimes, lines of credit services are more than enough to get consumers into the door of the pawnshops.

More customers means more revenue

Pawnshops that attract more customers will undoubtedly conduct more business by issuing more pawn loans and selling and buying items, such as jewelry and electronics. These shops now have two types of income and can make more money with both services. The article mentioned that the National Pawnbrokers Association states that there is a wide range in interest rates on pawn loans—from 2.5% to 25%. The higher the percentage, the more money the pawnbroker will make from the loan. Generally, financial service fees bring in less money than pawn loans.

When are pawn loans the best option?

Pawn loans can be helpful for those who cannot obtain a bank loan or a line of credit due to a poor credit history. This type of loan is based on collateral. That is, if someone decides to pawn a watch, the collateral, then they will have a set amount of time, usually between one and four months, to pay back the loan for that watch with interest. People are able to obtain these pawnshop loans without a great credit record. Even if someone has a credit card, the interest rate on his or her credit card may be higher than the interest rate on a pawn loan, making pawning a preferable option.