The Underwoods Journal
Bride & Groom Gift Exchange
While not required, a gift exchange between the bride and the groom is a common tradition. The bride and groom exchange gifts the night before the wedding, the day of, or when they are heading off to their honeymoon. The gifts can be big or small, wedding related or something totally different. Here are a few ideas for those who are about to say, "I do!" Something for the wedding: Jewelry to match her dress A watch to match his tux Cuff links Handwritten letters Scrapbook A heart sewn onto the back of his tie A heart sewn into the lining of her wedding dress Something for the honeymoon A new pair of sunglasses A new swimsuit Snorkeling gear A camera for taking pictures of new memories Pre-book a spa treatment Underwoods has jewelry in all styles for women and men so you can find the perfect gift for your significant other on your wedding day. We'll help you pick the perfect piece so you can start making great memories right away. Looking for a ring with meaning? Explore men’s bands.
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Real Pearls vs. Fake Pearls
Pearls are so amazing because they are produced by a living creature - an oyster. Most of the pearls we see today are cultured which means that they are produced by oysters on an oyster farm. How can you tell if it's fake? That task is left up to certified gemologists because most of us would never be able to tell for sure. At Underwoods we pride ourselves on having the highest quality inventory. We only sell the best gems and pearls and provide the best for our customers. Drawn to color and character? Explore pearls.
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October Birthstone: Opal
The name opal comes from the Greek Opallos, which means "to see a change of color." Opals range in color from milky white to black with vibrant specs of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. The opal is composed of particles closely packed in circular arrangements which gives the opal its radiance. Each color shines and sparkles together to create a beautiful combination that is almost kaleidoscopic. In ancient times, opals were said to be the most mysterious stones because they were filled with the virtues of all the precious gemstones encapsulated within it. Opal is also one of the birthstones for the month of October and is a symbol of purity, innocence and hope. Those who are born in October are said to be imaginative, peaceful and even tempered individuals and the opal perfectly captures this quality. It embodies an essence of serenity and a delicate beauty which makes it one of the most unique birthstones. The value of an opal is based on how colorful they are. The are several types of opal each with their own beautiful qualities. • Boulder Opal • Black Opal • White/Milk Opal • Crystal Opal • Precious Opal • Fire Opal Underwoods has a wide selection of beautiful opal jewelry that makes a great gift for friends and family with October birthdays. Of course, opals make a great gift for anyone no matter what month they were born in. Drawn to color and character? Explore gemstone jewelry.
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Diamond Cut
The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its price because it affects all the other aspects (the 4 C's) of the diamond. Cut is also the most difficult aspect to grade. Diamonds are small and the clear edges are hard to see and measure so even some certified gemologists have trouble grading cuts accurately without extensive training and the aid of instruments. It's takes a lot of time, patience, technique, and talent to get it right. If a diamond is cut poorly it affects it’s brilliancy and the diamond is then considered less beautiful and, as a result, is less valuable. Unfortunately, many jewelers today are not adequately trained to grade diamonds correctly and they don’t realize that only a small percentage of the diamonds sold all over the world are properly cut. This is unfair to those who buy the diamonds because they trust the gemologist's grade of the diamond. It's too hard for an untrained eye to see the difference. However, Underwoods jewelers are properly trained to grade diamond cuts. You'll never have to worry about a misgraded diamond or a poorly cut diamond with us. Because of our dedication to quality products, we only accept 5% of the diamonds we are offered each year. We take the time to make sure that we only sell the best diamonds to our customers because we take pride in having happy customers with the most beautiful diamonds in the area. That’s also why our diamonds are so brilliant and dazzling. Underwoods diamonds are the cream of the crop! Make sure to stop by the store in Downtown Fayetteville and peruse our collections of diamond rings, earrings, necklaces and more. No matter what size diamond you are looking for, we can assure you that it will be the highest quality. You'll be proud to show it off to your friends and family. Ready to see Underwoods diamonds in person? Explore diamond engagement rings.
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Brilliancy
Many people think that diamonds with larger diameters look bigger. It seems like this would make since because the diamond has a larger surface area. However, this is not the case. Brilliancy, or brightness, is what makes one diamond look larger than another. The laws of physics tell us that as the brightness of an object increases, so does its apparent size. The precision of a cut is what determines how bright a diamond shines. So, theoretically you could hold two diamonds next to each other and the smaller one could actually appear larger if it is cut more precisely. Cut is also a larger factor in the price of the diamond that color, clarity, or even carat weight. Underwoods diamonds are known for their brilliance and shine. Out of all of the diamonds we are offered each year, we only accept the best 5% to carry the Underwoods name. Ready to see Underwoods diamonds in person? Explore diamond engagement rings.
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Who Can Sell Diamonds?
Learn why buying diamonds from a trusted jeweler matters and why Underwoods Fine Jewelers is a reliable source for diamond guidance.
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