One question that can stump customers searching for diamonds online regards the cut. While round-cut diamonds are timeless, there are lots of other options. Emerald, Asscher, and Marquise diamonds all look great in diamond rings. But it helps to know the difference and what to look out for when choosing the best.

Anyone looking to shop Emerald cut diamonds needs to be sure they aren’t actually after the sparkler Asscher cut. There is also the option to shop Marquise cut diamonds online for a whole other look, but what color and what kind of diamond?

Emerald Cut Diamonds for Boldness and Clarity

Emerald-cut diamonds make a big statement, especially when designing an engagement ring. These stones are characterized by their simple lines and clean look, with a strong rectangular shape. Often designers use the stone on its own on a thin band for enhanced visual impact.

 When choosing the best marketplace to Shop Emerald cut diamonds online, it pays for consumers to consider the clarity of the stone. There is a broad scale from included to flawless diamonds. I1 toI3 included diamonds will look too blemished for this cut. A VVS1 or VVS2 stone with imperceptible inclusions is much better. There are flawless diamonds at the high end of the scale, but they look much like the VVS1 stones to the naked eye.

Asscher Cut Diamonds for Extra Sparkle

There are similarities between the Asscher and Emerald cut diamonds because of their angular shape. However, buyers appreciate the Asscher cut for the step-cut design that allows for extra sparkle on an engagement ring. Search and buy Asscher cut diamonds online will shine brilliantly from any angle. Still, consumers need to be sure of getting something with the right color to enhance the look.

As with clarity, there is another scale for color. Anything from D-F is colorless while S-Z has a light color. This could be a yellow or cooler tone. While some feel that colored diamonds are a sign of poor quality, that isn’t the case at all. It is possible to find highly-valuable stones in a range of tones. The unique nature of the gem also allows for interesting personalized jewelry.

Marquise Cut Diamonds for Elegance and Quality

Then there are sleek oval-shaped Marquise diamonds for a completely different effect. This a great when couples want an eye-catching feminine stone that isn’t a typical round diamond. This is another way to ensure maximum sparkle.

Another consideration when Shop Marquise Cut Diamonds online is whether or not to go for lab-grown or natural diamonds. Natural diamonds are great for those that want the inclusions and fluorescence that you can get with mined stones. It gives them character and can look great on those quirky marquise diamonds. However, there are ethical considerations with mined stones.

The alternative is to go for a more conscientious choice with a lab-grown diamond. Creators simulate natural conditions with no need to exploit the earth or miners. These stones are often much clearer and colorless, which makes them great for those clean-cut emerald diamonds.

Buying Quality Diamonds with Ease from Rare Carat

With so many factors to consider when buying these different diamonds online, it helps to turn to a trusted online marketplace. Rare Carat makes the process really easy for customers with a step-by-step approach. After choosing the desired cut, users can then use the sliders to determine the ideal carat, clarity, and color.

This means the option of a VVS emerald diamond with a D-F color, or maybe a cheaper I3 S-Z marquise for something more unique. The customization options are broad and user-friendly enough that all customers should find what they are looking for. On top of this, all diamonds sold by Rare Carat are GIA-certified based on the 4Cs of diamond quality. The company works with trusted unbiased gemologists to help provide the best quality gems while expertly matching stones to buyers’ preferences. This includes both mined and lab-grown diamonds.

This level of commitment and transparency, in addition to their range of stones and user-friendly platform, counts for consumers. It is why Rare Carat has a 4.9/5 Trustpilot score and is America’s #1 source for diamonds.

The fourth Ghana Giving Summit has been held in Accra where leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have underscored the absence of a dedicated policy framework on philanthropy in Ghana. (more…)

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is a complex biological response that occurs when the body’s immune system detects and responds to harmful stimuli—such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a cardinal part of the body’s defense mechanism and plays a crucial role in fighting infections and promoting healing. When the immune system detects a threat, it produces various molecules; including pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. These cytokines help recruit immune cells to the site of inflammation and initiate the inflammatory response.

Demystifying the complexity of Inflammation

During inflammation, blood vessels in the affected area dilate, allowing more blood flow into the area. This is what causes the redness and warmth. Blood vessel permeability also increases allowing immune cells and fluid to traverse the blood vessels into the tissues causing swelling.

Inflammation also involves the activation of immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils (these are a type of immune cells; classified as agranulocytes and granulocytes respectively).

On the other hand, while acute inflammation is a necessary response to injury or infection, chronic inflammation can be deleterious, chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system remains activated for an extended period, even in the absence of a specific threat.

It can occur due to various factors, including autoimmune disorders, long-term exposure to irritants or toxins, or underlying health conditions.

It is very critical to note that chronic inflammation is the root cause of myriad diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Lastly, the symptoms of inflammation can vary depending on the affected area but commonly include pain, swelling, redness, heat, and loss of function.  

By Dynasty Health LLC:

Dynasty Health is a nutrition-based company based in the capital city of Ghana. Our aim is to harness the medicinal properties of food (nutraceuticals) and prevent all forms of chronic diseases using food (preventive medicine). Book a flexible health session with us: +233558343127 or https://wa.me/message/XWWOZSNZNYBBB1

The first ever Move Afrika event, last night in Kigali, was unlike any live show Rwanda has seen before. (more…)

The 2023 Governor’s Day Annual Bankers’ Dinner, organised by Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana), was characterised by optimism for the near and long-term prospects of the banking industry and the broader economy. 

This year’s event comes on the backdrop of what was in many ways a difficult year for banks but one that has witnessed a marked improvement leading to the end of the fiscal period. This year Governor’s Day celebration formed part of the Institute’s 60^th Anniversary events.

CIB Ghana President, Benjamin Amenumey, in his address, acknowledged the resilience displayed during the tough times, expressing confidence in a continued rebound throughout the coming year. “No one would deny that it has been a tough year but the rebound has been remarkable and I believe it is safe to say this points to what we should expect in the coming year,” he remarked. 

Similar sentiments were expressed by the President of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), Mansa Nettey. “As an industry we have all had an extremely challenging year and we are so glad that we have done to the end of 2023. Thankfully we have turned the corner as banks, and we are already seeing some positive signs. We are looking forward to 2024 with a lot of confidence and hope,” she said. 

Focus remains strong on ethics

While recognising external challenges persist, Chief Executive Officer at CIB Ghana, Robert Dzato emphasised the Institute’s commitment to aiding the industry in addressing internal issues, particularly ethics. “The Institute will allocate significant resources in the medium term to focus on ethical considerations, a central theme highlighted in our annual conference, which this year was called the National Banking Ethics Conference,” he noted. 

Mr. Dzato further highlighted the Institute’s integration of technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, to enhance learning outcomes and drive innovation.

Bank of Ghana comments

In alignment with the positive sentiment, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison reassured attendees of the economy’s upward trajectory, citing improvements in growth, declining inflation, and overall stability. 

“Let me assure you that the economy is on a gradual rebound. Growth is improving steadily, inflation is declining, the fiscal and external positions are improving, alongside relative stability in the exchange rate. Absent unanticipated shocks in the outlook, the continued implementation of prudent policies will further strengthen the recovery process and reinforce the disinflationary process. These conditions will improve the operating environment for the banking sector to remain stable and strong to support the economy,” he noted. 

He pointed out the Bank’s commitment to closely monitoring potential risks and taking decisive actions when necessary to maintain stability.

“This notwithstanding, let me use this opportunity to once again assure the public that, on the back of the DDEP and other risks that may emerge in the banking sector, the Bank will continue to closely monitor developments and, where need be, take appropriate and decisive actions to address same. Also, the Bank will ensure that depositors’ funds remain safe, and that the financial system remains stable and resilient,” the Governor added. 

Honours on the night

The night saw the acknowledgement of new Associates as well as three new Fellows of the Institute. 

The Fellowship awardees were Sina Kamagate, a Chartered Banker and Chief Internal Auditor at GCB Bank PLC; Kwame Achindiba Abbey, a Chartered Banker and Deputy Managing Director, Support at Société Générale Ghana as well as Michael K. Kondor, another Chartered banker with over 17 years of work experience in the banking sector at Ecobank Ghana Plc where he serves as a branch manager. 

About CIB Ghana

The CIB Ghana remains committed to its mission of advancing banking studies and overseeing the banking profession’s practices within the country. Recognised as one of the nation’s premier institutions for professional qualifications and financial education, the Institute serves as a pivotal professional entity for banks and other financial institutions. The Institute strategic objective is to produce trusted professionals for the financial services sector.

Its primary goal is to establish ethical standards and foster the development of skilled professionals, empowering banks to provide efficient and competitive services that meet or exceed the evolving needs of customers. Established through the Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana Act, 2019 (Act 991) by an Act of Parliament, the Institute, now named Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, boasts over 1,500 active Professional Members, 26 Corporate Members, and an impressive student membership exceeding 4,500 as of July 2023.