• 5 Ways to Spot A Fake Diamond

    0 comments / Posted by The Ornamentalist

    “How do you tell the difference between a natural diamond and an artificial stone?”....This is one of the most common questions that we, along with many other experts, are asked. Well, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that it is nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye. But the good news is that there are a whole bunch of tests that you can do yourself to make sure you aren’t duped into buying a fake stone.

    1. Inspect your diamonds with a jeweller’s loupe.

    Firstly, a loupe is a magnifying glass that is used by jewellers to view gemstones and their setting under 10x magnification. Because real diamonds are created by the forces of mother-nature they will have sharp edges and carry tiny inclusions within their structure. When you compare a real diamond to a fake stone, the fake will be absolutely perfect i.e. no inclusions and rounded edges.

    Now, we would like to caution you that there are diamonds that are Lab-grown, and they too have perfect internal structures. So before you go throwing away perfect gems, you might want an expert to have a closer look at it.

    2. Check the quality of the setting and look for metal stamps

    When you’re inspecting the setting, you will notice tiny etchings that will state what metal is used, like 9K, 14K,and 18K for gold, and 0.925 for silver. If the piece is plated, then it’s most likely that the stone isn’t a diamond. Because why would anyone mount a brilliant stone in cheap metal? You should also check the quality of the setting. If the setting is poor, that probably means that the diamond isn’t going to be real either.

    3. Fakes fog up

    Just like a foggy bathroom mirror, a fake diamond will fog up when you breathe hot air over it. But a real diamond will not have the same reaction. In fact, it won’t even fog up slightly; instead it will disperse the heat instantly.

    4. Try the rainbow test

    Many of us tend to think that diamonds sparkle like rainbows, but they don’t. Diamonds actually have a sparkle that is unique to them. On the inside, you will see a gray and white sparkle called brilliance while on the outside it will reflect rainbows on other surfaces (this dispersion of light is known as fire). But if the stone throws rainbows on it’s inside, then it’s a sure sign that the diamond is a fake.

    5. Test the stone’s refractivity

    Fakes can imitate a diamond's brilliance, but when it comes to refraction it is much lower than a natural diamond. Diamonds sparkle because of the way they bend light. Like if you rest an unmounted diamond on a sheet of paper, light will scatter inside it preventing a black reflection. But a fake will simply behave like a piece of glass; you’ll be able to see right through it , and maybe even read through it, depending on its size. If your stone is mounted, you can test its refractivity by simply looking through it; if you can see all the way down till the mount, then the stone probably isn’t a diamond.

    At Radiant Bay, to assure you of the highest quality, all your precious treasures are certified for diamond quality and hallmarked for gold purity.

    Want to know more about how to care for your jewellery? Tell us what you would like us to write about next, in the comments.

    The Ornamentalist is a blog by Radiant Bay with a mission to bring you expert opinions, news, ideas and inspirations about fashion, jewellery and all its nuances. Subscribe with us TODAY!

    Read more

  • Fine Jewellery & Imitation Jewellery... What is The Difference Between Them

    0 comments / Posted by The Ornamentalist

    Jewellery has been around for many years, influencing cultures and inspiring many modern designs. Roam the streets of Colaba or stroll around the Delhi promenades, no matter where you go you will still find a distinct number of men and women who have an unmistakable fetish for jewellery.

    Jewellery was first developed as pieces of treasure that were crafted specifically for royalty and aristocrats. But over time, to make jewellery less expensive and more accessible, imitation jewellery was developed. 

    Now, although imitation jewellery serves its purpose as low priced copies of popular jewellery brands, there are major differences between imitation and fine jewellery.

    1. Have you ever noticed the green discolouration on your skin after you have worn a piece of imitation jewellery? That’s because imitation jewellery is made from zinc or lead. When the metals mix with your skin, the chemicals lead behind this green impression of your jewellery.
    2. You will notice that after a couple of times, you end up with jewellery that has blacked. Now this does happen to silver jewellery, but it can be recovered by simply cleaning it. But with imitation jewellery oxidization of the metal will mean that it is time you throw it away.
    3. Imitation jewellery is low priced because of the quality of metals, and also the gemstones used to make it. The gemstones used on imitations are usually plastic or cubic zirconium. Compared to natural diamonds, plastic and cubic zirconium has a very glassy effect, and has a comparatively duller sparkle.
    4. Some of you may find that when it comes to fine jewellery that it tends to be heavy on your pocket. Even though this may be true, the value of gold is always increasing every year, so you can not only recover the money spent on your gold jewellery, but also make money off it.
    5. Fine jewellery made from precious metals such as gold and platinum if cared for properly can last long enough to become family heirlooms. This isn’t really possible for imitation jewellery, because the metals from which is made are comparatively weaker that precious metals.
    6. Many tend to be allergic to different metals and alloys used to make imitation jewellery. This is when some end up with red and itchy skin. But gold, silver and other precious metals have hypoallergenic properties. This means that the wearer’s skin will not react to the metal of the jewellery.

    Shop at Raditant Bay(link) and continue in your endeavour of constant experimentation with jewellery.

    Read more

  • Navratri-Victory of Good Over Evil

    0 comments / Posted by The Ornamentalist

    India a land full of festivals. Being a highly spiritual country festivals are at the heart of the people. There are many popular festivals in India.

    Navratri is one.

    Meaning

    Navaratri is a festival dedicated to worship the Hindu deity Maa Durga (Maa Amba). Nava meaning Nine and Ratri meaning Nights. Navaratri represents a celebration of the Maa Maa Amba. Navaratri or Navadurga Durga Parva happens to be the most auspicious and unique period of devotional sadhanas and worship of Maa Amba of during these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.  Navaratri is an important major festival and is celebrated all over India and Nepal. Diwali the festival of lights is celebrated twenty days after Dussehra. Navratri festival is celebrated twice in a year with great devotion and fervor in all over India. First time it is celebrated as Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri in March-April and second time as Sharad Navratri in the months of September-October. During Chaitra Navratri ninth day is celebrated as Ram Navami while after Sharad Navratri next day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami, the victory of good over evil.

    The five types of navratri are as follows:

    They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharad Navaratri, the Paush/Magha Navaratri and the Magha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharad Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are the most important. The other two are observed by shaktas only.

    1. Vasanta Navaratri: Vasanta Navaratri, it's nine days are dedicated to the nine forms of Maa Amba in the month of Chaitra(March–April) and is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Chaitra. The beginning of this Navaratri also marks the start of the new year as per the Hindu mythological lunar calendar (Vikrami Samvat).
    2. Ashad Navaratri  : Ashad Navaratri, also referred to as Gupta, Gayatri or Shakambhari Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Maa Amba in the month of Ashadha(June–July). It is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon). This is mostly observed by shaktas (hindu devotees of maa amba) only
    3. Sharad Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navaratris. It is simply called Maha Navaratri (the Great Navaratri) and is celebrated in the 'pratipada' (first day) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. Also known as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad(beginning of winter, September–October).
    4. Pausha Navaratri: Paush Navaratri is observed during the PaushaShukla Paksha, the waxing phase of moon, in the month of December–January.
    5. Magha Navaratri: The Magha Navaratri is also a kind of Gupta Navaratri. The waxing phase of moon in January–February marks the beginning of Magha Navaratri.
           Sharad Navaratri is the most popular one.

    Sharad Navratri (Maha Navratri)

    In eastern India, the festival is celebrated as Durga Puja. Huge statues of the Maa are made and immersed in the holy Ganges River. The festival is an extremely social and theatrical event, with drama, dance, and cultural performances held throughout the country. People worship the Maa where  they keep fast during the day and then they play garba at night.

    Navratri celebration and worshipping style is different in every state of India but the devotion is same. It is celebrated widely in every part of India with great enthusiasm with a different name of Maa, like in Gujarat devotees worship as Maa Jagdamba while in West Bengal it is named as Maa Durga. In Kolkata people build huge Pandals at various places for Maa Durga and set up great idols of Maa Durga for worship. In Gujarat, Dandiya and Garba are the two popular dance forms which are performed by the people during Navratri festival.

     

    Here’s a list of dates followed by name day and which colour to be wear:

     

    Day

    Date

    Color

    Pratipada

    October 1st 2016

    Saturday

    Grey

    Pratipada

    October 2nd 2016

    Sunday

    Orange

    Dwitiya

    October 3rd 2016

    Monday

    White

    Tritiya

    October 4th 2016

    Tuesday

    Red

    Chaturthi

    October 5th 2016

    Wednesday

    Navy Blue

    Panchami

    October 6th 2016

    Thursday

    Yellow

    Sashti

    October 7th 2016

    Friday

    Green

    Saptami

    October 8th 2016

    Saturday

    Peacock Green

    Ashtami

    October 9th 2016

    Sunday

    Purple

    Navami

    October 10th 2016

    Monday

    Sky  Blue

    Dasami

    October 11th 2016

    Tuesday

    Pink

     

    Some Key Points to Remember for Navratri:

    • Sustaining only on fruits and milk for the entire fasting period.
    • Involving yourself in prayer or 'prarthana' and long meditation sessions.
    • Keeping awake all night and participating in 'bhajans' along with family members.
    • Keeping the mind focused on spiritual activities by reading 'Maa Durga Shaptashati' and listening to 'vrat katha' or stories/episodes relating to the nine forms of Ma Maa Durga.
    • Wearing different colors each day to honour Ma Maa Durga's nine forms, such as red on the first day.
    • Tying a garland of fresh flowers every day to the idol/photograph of Maa Maa Durga.
    • Doing charity which includes donating food to the needy.
    • Thinking pure thoughts during the auspicious period. Eating only one meal a day, a vegetarian preparation without onion and garlic.
    • Lighting 'Akhand Jyot' or a constantly burning 'oil lamp' in front of Maa Maa Durga's idol or picture for the entire period.
    • Planting nine varieties of food grains to appease the nine planets.
    • Performing 'arti' in front of the idol/photograph of Ma Maa Durga.
    • Abstaining from wearing leather shoes, shaving, paring nails or cutting hair during this period.
    • Avoiding wearing black colored clothes.
    • Inviting married women and seeing them off with auspicious betel nuts and coconut.
    • Honoring Maa Durga Ma's nine forms by worshipping nine girls and preparing special meal for them.
    • Coinciding the day of starting new ventures or new purchases with Ashtami (eighth day)/Navami(ninth day).
    • Choosing to fast only on the first, fourth and seventh day of Navratri festival.

     

    Garba

    Garba is a Gujarati folk dance celebrated in Navratri, a celebration lasting nine nights. Garba songs typically revolve around the subjects of Lord Krishna or the nine Maaes. Sanedo is an example of a very popular song. Garba styles vary from place to place in Gujarati

    Garba is a form of dance which was originated in the state of Gujarat in India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha (womb) and Deep (a small earthenware lamp). Many traditional garbas are performed around a centrally lit lamp or a picture or a statue of Maa Amba. The circular and spiral figures of Garba have similarities to other spiritual dances, such as those of Sufi culture. Traditionally, it is performed during the nine-day Hindu festival Navratri.

    Modern garba is also heavily influenced by Dandiya Raas,a dance traditionally performed by men. The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy dance that is seen today.

    Garba and Dandiya Raas are also popular in the United States where more than 20 universities have Raas/Garba competitions on a huge scale every year with professional choreography. Garba is also very popular in the United Kingdom where there are a number of Gujarati communities who hold their own garba nights and widely popular among the Gujarati community even in Canada, where the largest navratri festival in the western world is held annually in Toronto. They say "Ae Hallo" for fun, which means "Come on! Let’s start!".

    How People Dress During Navratra’s

    Both men and women usually wear colorful costumes while performing garba and dandiya. The girls and the women wear Chaniya choli, a three-piece dress with a choli, which is an embroidered and colorful blouse, teamed with chaniya, which is the flared, skirt-like bottom, and dupatta, which is usually worn in the traditional Gujarati manner. Chaniya Cholis are decorated with beads, shells, mirrors, stars, and embroidery work, mati, etc. Traditionally, women adorn themselves with jhumkas, necklaces, bindi, bajubandh, chudas and kangans, kamarbandh, payal, and mojiris. Boys and men wear kafni pyjamas with a Ghagra - a short round kurta - above the knees and pagadi on the head with bandhini dupatta, kada, and mojiris. There is a huge interest in Garba among the youth of India.

    The traditional costume of the Garba dancer is red, pink, yellow, orange, and brightly colored Chanya choli or ghagra choli; odhini with bandhani (tie-die), abhla (big mirrors) or with thick Gujarati borders. They also wear heavy jewelry, such as 2-3 necklaces, sparkling bangles, waist belts and long oxidized earrings.

    Read more

  • 5 of The Biggest Trends From LFW To Try This Festive Season

    0 comments / Posted by The Ornamentalist

    5 ways to style trends from Lakme Fashion Week Festive/ Winter 2016
    Before you go picking out clothes in preparation for the festive season, why not try one of the trends spotted on the runway at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015

    Read more

  • What to Wear to Your Best Friend’s Wedding

    0 comments / Posted by The Ornamentalist

    what to wear for your best friends weddingDressing for your best friend's wedding is a tricky task. Though the role of 'Maid of Honour' calls for being part organizer, part emotional lifesaver while looking your best, you don’t want to overshadow the bride on her big day. Read on to find more about how dress for your best friend's wedding

    Read more