Author Archives: DiamondStuds

The Beautiful and Bold Black Diamond

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Black diamonds captivate in these glamorous, eye-catching halo diamond studs.

Black diamonds have a bold, captivating look. Their rich, beautifully deep color lends an air of mystery and passion to every piece of black diamond jewelry.

While black diamond jewelry has been rising in popularity in recent years, many people don’t know much about the rare, unique black diamond. In this post, we’re answering all the most commonly asked questions about black diamonds. We’ll cover what gives black diamonds their color, the cost of black diamonds, the meaning of black diamonds, and more. Let’s take a closer look at the beautiful and bold black diamond.

 

What is a Black Diamond?

This bezel set solitaire ring features a beautifully bold black diamond at its center.

Black diamonds are a kind of colored diamond. Colored diamonds get their color from interacting with different minerals while forming over millions of years in the earth’s crust. In the case of black diamonds, the get deep their color from absorbing many tiny particles of black minerals (commonly, graphite, pyrite, and/or hematite).

Because black diamonds get their color from these many tiny black particles, most black diamonds used in jewelry have been heat treated, which evens out and enriches their coloring.

 

Are Black Diamonds Expensive?

These round black diamond studs, crafted from rare black diamonds and 14k yellow gold, have a surprisingly affordable price tag.

While black diamonds are very rare, they’re still one of the most affordable of all diamond colors. Wondering why? The reason is simply that, historically, black diamonds haven’t been as highly desired as other diamonds. But if you love the rich, bold look of black diamonds, this is great news for you, as you’ll find that they’re much more affordable than other diamonds. A black diamond usually costs less than half of what a similar quality white diamond would.

 

The Meaning of Black Diamonds

A round black diamond dangles from a 14k white gold chain in this luxe pendant necklace.

Black diamonds carry all the same meanings as white diamonds (such as love and faithfulness) but their color gives them additional meaning. Black diamonds also symbolize certainty, power, passion, and longevity.

 

Can You Use a Black Diamond in an Engagement Ring?

This black diamond engagement ring features a round black diamond set in luxe yellow gold

Yes! There are really no rules for what makes up your engagement ring. So, if you think a black diamond would be perfect for you or your partner, you should feel free to get a black diamond engagement ring.

And black diamond engagement rings, while historically uncommon, have recently become much more popular. Black diamond engagement rings have been worn by celebs like Carmen Electra and Kat Von D. And of course, famously, Carrie received a massive (and stunning) 5-carat black engagement ring from Mr. Big at the end of the film Sex in the City 2.

 

Black Diamonds: Style and Use in Jewelry

Two princess cut black diamonds are enclosed in yellow gold settings, which add a beautiful contrast to these bold black diamond studs.

One of the best things about black diamonds is their unique, stand-out look. Black diamonds add an eye-catching, mysterious edge to every piece they’re used in. Black diamonds also look beautiful with every precious metal. White metals, like white gold and platinum, compliment the cool look of black diamonds, enhancing their boldness. And warm-toned metals, like yellow and rose gold, provide a beautiful contrast that enhances the depth of black diamonds.

Want to see more of the beautiful and bold black diamond? Browse our full selection of black diamond jewelry.

What to Gift as a Push Present

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Have you heard of the “push present?” It’s a gift you give your partner to mark the occasion of your new child’s birth. Push presents are a thoughtful way to show your partner how much you appreciate her and how happy you are to be starting the next chapter of your life together. But what do people usually gift as a push present?

The most popular kind of push present is a new piece of fine jewelry. Fine jewelry is popular as a push present because it covers all the bases: it’s sentimental, beautiful, and practical. So, what kind of fine jewelry makes the best push present? We’ve put together this list of our top five favorite push present options.

1. Diamond Studs

These classic diamond studs feature 1 total carat of mesmerizing round diamonds.

Diamonds symbolize love, purity, and eternal devotion, making them the perfect choice to symbolize a new mother’s love for her newborn. They’re also, of course, incredibly beautiful, timeless, and chic. Diamond studs are a true “can’t miss” gift choice for a push present. They’re beautiful, sentimental, and something she can enjoy wearing every day.

 

2. Birthstone Pendant

This lovely solitaire pendant features a blue sapphire, the birthstone for September.

A birthstone pendant is a particularly thoughtful choice for a new mom. With this one, you can go one of two ways: choosing the mother’s birthstone or your new baby’s birthstone. Either way, a birthstone pendant is a beautiful, sweet push present choice that will let her know just how much you appreciate and love her.

 

3. RhythmRocks Diamond Pendant Necklace

This RhythmRocks diamond pendant necklace creates breathtaking brilliance.

You can never go wrong with diamonds. And the diamond necklace featured here is simply stunning. This pendant features a perfect circle of mesmerizing round diamonds. At the center of the circle lies a round diamond that is suspended within the pendant, allowing it to sway with the movement of the wearer. The unique design of this pendant allows its center diamond to catch incredible light, creating a dazzling display of brilliance.

 

4. Diamond Hoop Earrings

 

These luxe diamond and gold hoops offer a glam push present option.

If your partner loves hoop earrings, why not elevate her collection with this gorgeous, diamond-studded pair? In this design, 154 white diamonds shimmer along the interior and exterior of 14k gold hoops, which allows the diamonds to shine brilliantly from every angle. These hoops are glamorous and simply beautiful.

 

5. Cluster Diamond Earrings

These diamond cluster stud earrings are a glamorous yet practical push present option.

These cluster earrings are wearable, gorgeous, and sweet. In this design, each earring features seven round brilliant diamonds arranged in a shimmering cluster. This unique arrangement gives the illusion that the diamonds make up one larger diamond flower. On top of their charming, yet luxe, look, these earrings are also a practical choice for gifting to a new mom. Because these detailed studs sit close to the ear, there’s no risk of your new baby tugging at them, which means she can enjoy wearing them everyday.

Valentine’s Day Diamond Jewelry Gift Guide

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! And there’s no gift she’ll love more than a piece of luxe, precious fine jewelry. To help you choose the perfect new piece, we’ve put together this Valentine’s Day diamond jewelry gift guide, highlighting some of our most highly desired jewelry.

SALE ALERT: Order Soon! Take Advantage of Our Limited Time Valentine’s Day Diamond Jewelry Sale!

Right now, to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, we’re offering some can’t-miss sales! Our entire site is currently 20% off (plus, each purchase includes a free gift), and select V-Day Deals pieces are 40% off. All orders come with free guaranteed delivery by Valentine’s Day!

Baguette Diamond Huggie Hoops

valentine's day diamond jewelry

Baguette Diamond Huggie Hoops in 10k White Gold – 40% OFF!

These modern, brilliant huggie hoops are perfect for everyday wear. On each sleek hoop lies a row of gorgeous baguette diamonds, channel set in 10k white gold. These contemporary beauties add just the right amount of shimmer to elevate any ensemble.

Round Diamond Tennis Bracelet

valentine's day diamond jewelry

Round Diamond Tennis Bracelet in 14k White Gold – 40% OFF!

There’s no accessory more timeless than a diamond tennis bracelet. This chic tennis bracelet features two total carats of stunning white diamonds, which rest in prong settings along a 14k white gold bracelet. The settings used here give this chic piece an enchanting, scalloped silhouette.

Cushion Cut Diamond Studs

Cushion Cut Diamond Stud Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold – 40% OFF!

Create a memory that will last a lifetime by gifting these exquisite cushion cut diamond studs. These studs feature two cushion cut diamonds, which together total 2 carats, set in traditional yellow gold four prong basket settings. These settings allow for excellent light entry, enhancing the shimmering, fiery beauty of the featured cushion cut diamonds.

Round Diamond Studs

Round Diamond Stud Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold – 40% OFF!

If you’re looking for a can’t-go-wrong gift, look no further. There’s no piece of jewelry more elegant, beautiful, and wearable than a pair of round diamond studs. Round diamonds are the most popular diamond shape— and for good reason. They have a classic look, and they also have the highest brilliance of any diamond shape. In this featured design, two mesmerizing round diamonds have been set in four prong basket settings crafted from 14k yellow gold. These stunning studs are sure to dazzle this Valentine’s Day.

Halo Pear Shaped Pink Sapphire Drop Earrings

valentine's day diamond jewelry

Halo Pear Shaped Pink Sapphire and White Diamond Drop Earrings – 20% OFF!

These pink sapphire and white diamond drop earrings are endlessly romantic. In this design, two stunning pear shaped pink sapphires have been enclosed in dazzling white diamond halo settings. The halo set pink gemstones dangle gracefully from hoop enclosures set with gorgeous round diamonds. These luxe, unique earrings make a beautiful and thoughtful gift and the pink sapphires make it a perfect jewelry gift for Valentine’s Day. Browse our collection of  pink sapphire and diamond studs here.

Want to see even more dazzling pieces perfect for Valentine’s Day? Browse our Valentine’s Day Deals Page!

Diamond Grading: This is How Your Diamond is Analyzed for Quality

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diamond grading

Diamonds come with grading reports, which are an official grading of their qualities. But have you ever wondered how diamonds are graded? Or who grades them? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how diamond experts grade the 4Cs (color, cut, clarity, and carat) to determine a diamond’s quality.

Who Grades Diamonds?

First, let’s quickly talk about who grades diamonds. Diamonds are graded by diamond grading organizations like the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and EGL USA (European Gemological Laboratories). Using specialized equipment, diamonds are analyzed and graded for quality. Three of the 4Cs are somewhat subjective (cut, color, and clarity), while carat is an objective measurement of a diamond’s weight. The people who grade diamonds at these official organizations are certified gemologists who have been trained to use the proper equipment to analyze diamonds, then give them an accurate grading.

Now, let’s move on each of the 4Cs and talk about their scales and how appraisers use equipment to grade them.

Carat

While many people confuse carat with a diamond’s size, carat is a simple measurement of weight (though carat can give you a general idea of a diamond’s size). When analyzing carat, grading organizations use an extremely accurate electronic micro-balance machine to weigh diamonds to their fifth decimal place.

Color

Color is a measurement of how colorless a white diamond is. Diamonds are graded on a scale of D (completely colorless) to Z (lightly colored). To determine a diamond’s color, diamond graders place the diamond in a standardized viewing environment and compare each diamond to “color masters,” records of the color of each diamond color grade.

Because color is a subjective grading that must be done by the human eye, some organizations, including the GIA, have multiple graders evaluate each diamond independently. Then, the diamond is only assigned a grade when these separate graders have come to a consensus.

Clarity

diamond grading

Clarity is a measurement of how flawless a diamond is, both internally and externally. Internal flaws are called inclusions and external flaws are called blemishes. It’s extremely rare for diamonds to be be completely flawless, though many diamonds have flaws that can only be seen under magnification.

To determine a diamond’s clarity, grading organizations view diamonds under magnification, looking for inclusions and exclusions and any evidence of clarity treatments. Then, they rank them on the following scale:

FL – Flawless
IF – Internally Flawless
VVS1 to VVS2 – Very, Very Slightly Included
VS1 to VS2 – Very Slightly Included
SI1 to SI2 – Slightly Included
I1 to I2 to I3 – Included

Because clarity is a subjective grading like color, some diamond grading organizations such as the GIA also use at least two graders when determining clarity. The graders must come to a consensus about the diamond’s clarity before it is officially graded.

Cut

diamond grading

Cut is a grading of how well a diamond was cut, which has a major impact on how a diamond captures light. Cut is graded on a scale of excellent to poor. When analyzing cut, diamond graders calculate the proportions of each diamond facet, then determine how these proportions affect a diamond’s ability to capture light.

Cut is one of the trickiest of the 4Cs to evaluate, as it requires meticulous attention to detail and a high level of expertise. The data graders collect must be compared to millions of diamond cut proportions when determining cut grade. Because it is a complex process, diamond grading organizations have rigorous standards and practices in place for evaluating cut grade.

EGL vs. GIA: What’s the Difference?

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egl vs. gia

When buying a diamond, you want to always make sure it comes with an official grading of its quality. But there’s more than one organization that can grade diamonds. Many people wonder: does who grades a diamond make a difference? In this post, we’ll go in depth on two of the most popular grading organizations: EGL vs. GIA. We’ll talk a bit about the background of each organization, then go in depth on the potential differences in their grading reports.

EGL vs. GIA: The Companies Themselves

We’ll start by covering some basic background about these two organizations, starting with the GIA.

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is one of the most widely known diamond grading organizations in the world. (Fun fact: they created the 4Cs.) The GIA is an independent, non-profit organization that has many different grading laboratories over the world. While they have many laboratories, their grading practices are guided by strict standards, so their labs offer highly consistent results. They also have strict objectivity standards. All GIA diamonds are graded anonymously, so the grader cannot be influenced by the person submitting the diamond for grading.

The EGL (European Gemological Laboratories) is an independent network of gemological laboratories. There are different branches of the EGL in different countries, like EGL India, EGL Platinum (Israel), EGL Canada, and EGL South Africa. The United States branch of the EGL is EGL USA. Because the EGL is not as centralized of an organization as the GIA, reports from different countries can often be quite different. While EGL USA has a better reputation for grading more strictly, other EGL branches (namely, EGL Europe, EGL Canada, and EGL Israel) are known to almost always overestimate quality on their reports.

EGL vs. GIA: Grading Differences

So, let’s get into the potential grading differences in EGL and GIA grading reports. As we stated in the last section, the GIA has rigorous standards and practices in place for their grading, which are streamlined across all their labs. As a result, their reports are considered to be highly accurate and strict. On the other hand, EGL often grades a bit too high. Even EGL USA, which is known to have stricter standards than EGL as a whole, can grade a diamond one to two grades higher than it should be graded.

Keeping this in mind, let’s talk a bit about what this discrepancy means for you, the shopper, when considering EGL versus GIA grades.

Differences in Color Grading

The color of a diamond is a measurement of how white it is, with D being the best and Z being the worst. So, say the GIA grades a diamond as a G. That same diamond may be graded differently by the EGL. The EGL has a reputation for grading up to two grades higher on color. Because of this, the same diamond could be graded an E by the EGL but a G by the GIA.

Differences in Cut and Clarity Grading

egl vs. gia

The EGL is known to grade up to one grade higher on both cut and clarity. For example, a diamond graded by the GIA could have a VS1 grading for clarity and a Very Good for cut. That same diamond could be graded by the EGL as having a VVS2 for clarity and an Excellent for cut, one grading up for both.

Differences in Carat

While color, cut, and clarity are subjective gradings, carat is not. Carat is simply a measurement of weight and is the one “4C” that is not known to differ between the EGL and the GIA. 

What This Means When Shopping?

egl vs. gia

You should keep the differing grading standards of the EGL and the GIA in mind when shopping for a diamond. You might find that an EGL graded diamond with the exact same qualities as a GIA graded diamond is considerably cheaper. But remember that the EGL can skew high with their gradings. This doesn’t mean that you can’t buy an EGL diamond, just that you should take their grading standards into account. If you’re buying an EGL diamond, you may want to consider buying a grade or two higher to get the quality you want.

EGL vs. GIA: Your Choice at Diamond Studs

While Diamond Studs carries both GIA and EGL USA graded diamonds, we understand that some customers may prefer one over the other. That’s why we offer our customers the ability to browse based on grading organization. On our GIA & EGL USA Certified page, you can always select either organization and browse only the diamonds graded by the one you prefer. This tool is available as a part of our diamond sorting feature, alongside the other sorting tools for color, clarity, carat, cut, and price.

How to Get a Natural Yet Flawless Bridal Makeup Look

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One bridal makeup look that works for everyone is pretty, natural makeup. Choosing to go with a natural makeup look is a timeless option that will help you look like the best version of yourself on your big day. Here are some tips on how you can get the best natural, yet still flawless, bridal makeup look.

Remember That Less Can Be More

When it comes to special occasions, we often have the inclination to wear very heavy makeup. However, very full coverage makeup (especially foundation) can often look mask-like in photographs or make someone look older. So, if you want to have a fresh, natural bridal makeup look, it’s best to remember that less is more. Wearing just the right amount of makeup will help you look fresh-faced and beautiful on your big day.

See What Your Makeup Will Look Like In Advance

Whether you’re doing your makeup yourself or getting it done professionally, you should practice your wedding day look in advance. When practicing, either on your own or at a test with your makeup artist, there are a few things you should do to help you visualize how your makeup will look on the big day.

When doing a wedding makeup trial, be sure to look at your test makeup in natural daylight so you can really see what it looks like. Also, it’s a good idea to wear a white top and have your hair in a similar style to the one you’ll wear for your wedding. Doing these things will allow you to get a better idea of how your makeup will look on the big day and help you see if you want to make any adjustments.

Know That Blush Is Your Friend

One of the best ways to get healthy, natural looking makeup is through using blush. Blush gives the skin a rosy, pretty glow that is perfect for the blushing bride. So, even if you don’t normally wear blush, you should consider using it to round out your wedding look.

Double Check Your Foundation Shade

While you should pick your foundation shade (and test it) in advance of your wedding, be sure to make sure it still matches close to the wedding date. You could be a bit more tan or fair by the time the big day finally rolls around, so double check near your wedding to ensure it still matches and looks natural.

Go For Complimentary Accessories

If you’ve decided to go with natural makeup for your wedding look, make sure you compliment it with the right accessories. It’s a good idea to go with classic, simple jewelry that accents your makeup, rather than distracts from it. One option that works well with natural makeup is a pair of simple, yet glamorous diamond studs, which is a classic option that lights up the face. The right pair of diamond studs can really pull together your look, helping you look both pretty and polished as you walk down the aisle.

Hoop Earrings – Celebrities Are Bringing Back This Jewelry Trend

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Classic hoop earrings are back in a big way.

hoop earrings

Hoop earrings have been a jewelry staple since ancient times. While they’re always a classic option, they’ve recently been trending among celebs who can’t get seem to get enough of their glam and stylish look.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via Bravo TV

Bella rocking gold hoops with a casual white outfit and a little black bag by Christian Dior.

One of the biggest hoop earring supporters is model Bella Hadid, who seems to love wearing hoops both on the red carpet and in her street style.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via Style Bistro

Bella in some killer diamond hoops on the red carpet.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via Hearst Apps

Selena Gomez has always been a big fan of hoop earrings, particularly the diamond variety. Recently, she was seen sporting a small pair of white diamond hoops with her Oscar de la Renta two-piece dress at the premiere of her latest movie, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.

hoop earrings

Haley Baldwin has been seen wearing a number of hoop earrings lately, including these gorgeous oversized gold hoops that perfectly compliment her golden hair.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via Pinterest

Kerry Washington recently arrived at a Good Morning America appearance rocking some mod white sunglasses, a killer Johanna Ortiz coat, and large gold hoops.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via People

Jennifer Lopez, who has been wearing hoops since her fly girl days, recently rocked a more modern pair of diamond hoop earrings at an MTV appearance this summer. While her diamond hoops were a hit, her denim Versace boots caused a bit of a stir online, as they were a more polarizing accessory.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via Pop Sugar

New royal Meghan Markle was spotted wearing a chic, understated pair of gold hoop earrings at a Royal Foundation Forum event, which perfectly complimented her elegant belted Jason Wu wrap dress.

hoop earrings

Image Source Via Staticflickr

Rihanna has shown that she’s a big fan of colored diamond earrings, like these stunning yellow diamond hoops she wore at her Fenty Beauty Launch.

Whether they’re simple metal hoops or glamorous diamond hoops, this classic style is clearly having a major moment in 2018.

Top Christmas Gift Ideas for 2018

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There’s nothing better than finding a gorgeous piece of jewelry wrapped up under the Christmas tree. Luxury jewelry is a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Plus, it’s something that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Are you thinking of making someone’s day with a gorgeous new piece of jewelry this Christmas? Check out our top fine jewelry gift ideas for 2018.

Fine Jewelry Gift Idea #1: Round Diamond Pendant 

fine jewelry gift idea

A round diamond pendant is a great gift choice, as this classic design has an understated elegance that works with any style. For 2018, rose gold round diamond pendants are trending and classic white gold round diamond pendants are as popular as ever.

Fine Jewelry Gift Idea #2: Marquise Diamond Studs

If you’re choosing a gift for someone with distinctive taste, these marquise diamond studs are a gorgeous option. Marquise diamonds have an elegant and unique look, a look that stands out from the crowd. This unique look has led to marquise diamonds becoming a hot trend in 2018, making them a great choice for your fashion-forward loved one.

Fine Jewelry Gift Idea #3: Round Diamond Studs

fine jewelry gift idea

If you want a surefire hit this Christmas, go with a pair of round diamond studs. Diamond studs are classic, durable, and endlessly wearable— they’re something everyone should have in their collection.

Diamond studs come in many different varieties. The most traditional option is a set of round white diamonds in a white gold setting.

Yellow gold and rose gold are also beautiful options for round diamond studs.  If you aren’t sure which precious metal to choose, you can take a tip from the jewelry the recipient usually wears, as many women have a precious metal preference that’s easily to spot. Or, if she doesn’t seem to have a metal preference, you can choose your metal based on what you think would look best with her coloring (meaning her skin, eyes, and hair).

Fine Jewelry Gift Idea #4: Emerald Diamond Engagement Set

What’s better than getting an engagement ring for Christmas? Getting an engagement ring with a matching set of diamond jewelry. For a chic set option, we love this emerald diamond engagement ring paired with emerald diamond studs and an emerald diamond pendant.

Fine Jewelry Gift Idea #5: Diamond Hoop Earrings 

These ornately detailed diamond hood earrings are the perfect choice for the glamour-lover in your life. This gorgeous pair of earrings elevates the classic hoop earring design with shimmering pave diamonds and beautiful yellow gold detailing along the sides.

Fine Jewelry Gift Idea #6: Vintage-Inspired Trendy Marquise Cut Solitaire Ring

The marquise cut diamond ring is the perfect choice for a 2018 Christmas gift. This ring features a stunning marquise cut diamond set in a trendy yellow gold band. The design of this beautiful piece is vintage, fun, and trendy, making it the perfect gift for the fashionista in your family.

Want to see even more Christmas gift ideas? Check out our full selection of gifts for the holidays.

Diamond Spotlight: The Emerald Diamond

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emerald diamond

Emerald cut diamonds are endlessly elegant. They’ve been a top choice among style setters for decades— for example, they’ve been featured on the engagement rings of Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, and Elizabeth Taylor. While the emerald cut diamond has been enduringly popular over the years, this sophisticated diamond cut has been experiencing a spike in popularity recently, as many modern women have been drawn to the cut’s clean lines and vintage look. To celebrate the burgeoning popularity of this chic shape, let’s take a closer look at the emerald diamond.

The History of the Emerald Diamond

The emerald cut is one of the world’s oldest diamond shapes. This diamond cut features step cuts, or table cuts, which create large flashes of light. When table cuts were first invented in the 16th century, they were used on emeralds. This style of cutting a gemstone was perfect for the somewhat fragile emerald, as it put less pressure on the gemstone than other cuts.

While this cut was first used on emeralds, gem cutters quickly began using it on other stones, including diamonds. Though this cut has been around for hundreds of years, the moniker “emerald cut” wasn’t used until the 1920s, when the cut experienced an increase in popularity during the art deco era.

The angular, geometric shape of the emerald cut helped it become one of the top diamond shapes of the art deco period and it remains a top diamond shape to this day.

Emerald Cut Diamond Description

emerald diamond

The emerald cut diamond looks like a rectangle with cut corners. This sophisticated cut features 58 step cut facets and can vary in proportion, sometimes looking longer and sometimes looking more square.

The facet cuts used in the emerald cut diamond are designed to create a different light pattern than brilliant cuts. While brilliant cut diamonds (such as the round brilliant) are designed to maximize shimmer, the facets of the emerald cut are designed to display larger flashes of light, which creates its famous “hall of mirrors” effect. The emerald cut also shows off a diamond’s clarity, as it’s easier to see the interior of an emerald cut diamond.

In terms of style, the emerald cut diamond has a chic look. The large facets of the emerald diamond create clean, simple lines that gives the diamond an elegant appearance.

Emerald Diamond vs. Round Diamond Affordability

Because emerald diamonds are not as popular as round brilliant diamonds (the current reigning diamond cut), they’re often priced lower than comparable round diamonds, making them a good value. On top of that, emerald cut diamonds will actually look larger per carat than a round diamond. This is due to the fact that emerald cut diamonds have a larger table (that’s the technical term for the top of a diamond). So, while a 1 carat emerald cut diamond and a 1 carat round diamond may have the same mass, more of the emerald’s size is on the diamond’s top, making it look larger.

Buying An Emerald Diamond: Special Clarity Consideration

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing an emerald diamond is that this is one diamond cut where clarity is more important. Because the step cuts of an emerald diamond make it easy to see inside the diamond, you may want to avoid buying an emerald diamond with a very low clarity grading.

Luckily, since emerald diamonds are a better value than other shapes (and they look larger per carat than round diamonds), springing for a slightly higher clarity grading is easier to do than it would be with pricier shapes.

Experience the elegance of the emerald cut diamond: browse our emerald diamond studs or emerald diamond engagement rings.

Easy DIY Queen of Hearts Costume

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The Queen of Hearts is one of the most memorable characters from Alice in Wonderland, a story full of unique characters. Because Lewis Carrol’s book (originally called Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) has been adapted so many times, there are many different versions of the famously irrational queen. There’s the color blocked animated version, the quirky Helena  Bonham Carter version, the playing-card-like version from the original book’s illustrations, and many more.

Because there are so many different versions of the Queen of Hearts, when putting together a Queen of Hearts costume, you really just have to make sure you incorporate a few key elements. Which are: red and black coloring, a crown, and lots of red hearts. This fabulous (and easy!) DIY version from Make It Yourself Girl does all that and more. Let’s take a look at how you can make your own easy DIY Queen of Hearts Costume.

DIY Queen of Hearts Costume Step 1: Playing Card Crown

diy queen of hearts

This playing card crown is as adorable as it is easy to make. To make this, you’ll need:

  • A deck of cards (including the Queen of Hearts card)
  • Hot glue gun and glue
  • A red head band
  • Heart stickers or heart-shaped gems
  • Red and silver pipe cleaners

First, make the base and the rounded top. For the base, just place some cards down randomly and glue together using your glue gun. For the top, you’ll need to fan some cards in a circle and glue them together. After you have these two pieces made, glue them together, let them dry, then glue the base to your red headband. To cover the glue lines, wrap some red and silver pipe cleaners around the top of the crown.

Finally, glue the Queen of Hearts card to the front of your crown and decorate with as many heart-shaped stickers as you like.

DIY Queen of Hearts Costume Step 2: Card Neck Ruff

diy queen of hearts

Nothing says “queen” quite like a neck ruff. And what better neck ruff for the Queen of Hearts than one made from playing cards? To make this playing card neck ruff, you’ll need:

  • A deck of cards
  • A large sheet of red or black craft foam
  • A large bowl
  • A pencil
  • Hot glue gun and glue
  • A stapler
  • A red ribbon
  • A hole puncher
  • Scissors

To make this playing card neck ruff, you’ll first need to make something to attach your playing cards to. Trace the shape of the top two thirds of your bowl onto your large piece of craft foam, then cut out the shape. Next, round off the top edges of the foam piece with your scissors.

Now, it’s time to attach your playing cards. You’ll be doing two rows of cards. Using your hot glue gun, first do the outside layer, slightly overlapping the cards as you go. Next, do the inner layer the same way. If after your glue dries, you notice that your cards won’t stay put due to their weight, you can use staples along the bottom edge for reinforcement.

Finally, use a hole punch to make holes at both the inner sides of the front. Then, lace a ribbon through the holes and use the ribbon as a tie when you wear your card neck ruff.

DIY Queen of Hearts Costume Step 3: Heart Tutu

diy queen of hearts

For this part of your costume, you can go one of two ways: you can make your own custom tutu with many colors or you can get a store bought tutu and add heart embellishments. To go with the easier version, you’ll need:

  • A tutu in red, white, or black
  • Red felt (or red, white, and black felt if you want more colors)
  • Scissors
  • A small piece of cardboard
  • Hot glue gun and glue

To embellish your tutu, first make your hearts. Cut your piece of cardboard into a heart shape, then use it to trace out hearts on your felt. Cut out the hearts, then simply hot glue them all across your tutu!

DIY Queen of Hearts Costume Step 4: Accessories and Makeup

diy queen of hearts

For your Queen of Hearts costume, go with a heart-shaped accessory fit for a queen, like this shimmering heart-shaped necklace.

Make sure to also incorporate your heart motif into your makeup. An easy way to do this is to use red lipstick to make a heart-shaped pout (a la Helena Bonham Carter’s Queen of Hearts).  You could also try drawing a heart on your cheek or drawing a large heart around one of your eyes.