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TutorialsLuxury Watches as an Investment?While the banking crisis continues and the stock market declines precipitously, some investors are finding a refuge in some surprising places. Fine mechanical timepieces made of precious metals now have an appeal that extends beyond the collector’s desire for aesthetics and craftsmanship. These watches increasingly represent a long-term investment opportunity for those who understand the industry and have an eye for value. WatchesYour Watch: When Should You Send it in for a Tune-Up?A modern mechanical timepiece is an amazing micro-mechanic marvel that typically beats at a rate of more than 20,000 pulses in a single hour. Multiply that by 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, day in and day out for 3 years and your watch may well have ticked a staggering 571,334,400 times barely missing a beat! GemstonesSapphires: Every Color of the RainbowSapphires have long since been part of the big "Three" when it comes to the most beloved gemstones, ruby, emerald and sapphire. No wonder the most royal of sapphires, blue has made it's way into crown jewels, museum artifacts and even royal engagement rings. The 4 C'sThere is Nothing Quite Like a Diamond.From deep inside the earth comes a cherished object of adornment that is the hardest natural substance with the world’s best conductor of heat- five times more effective than the next best - silver. It is found in the most remote places on earth and takes about one ton of rock to recover less than half a carat of rough, making it the rarest and most desired gemstone in the world. No wonder it’s a symbol of commitment, longevity and love. Fancy ColorsFancy DiamondsFancy diamonds are graded by two factors. The hue such as blue, yellow, pink, champagne, orange and the intensity. Grading is different with fancies than white diamonds. Faint to fancy vivid with fancy vivid being the rarer of the stones. 1. Faint
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