Real Or Simulated Diamonds – Can You Tell The Difference

Written by Lee Dobbins


Continued from page 1

So how do you tellrepparttar difference? Since you need specialized equipment and training,repparttar 105731 average person cannot tellrepparttar 105732 difference between a real and simulated diamond, unless it is of terrible quality. The best way to protect yourself when buying diamonds is to buy from someone you trust. The other thing is to educate yourself aboutrepparttar 105733 4 C’s of buying a diamond so you will know what to look for when you do go shopping.

These 4 C’s – color, clarity, cut and carat weight are what determinerepparttar 105734 value ofrepparttar 105735 diamond. You may pay less for a large diamond that does not have good clarity, cut or color then you will for a smaller diamond of better clarity, cut and color but is it really worth it? The answer is mostly a matter of personal preference but if you deal with a jewelry you can trust, he or she can guide you as torepparttar 105736 best value forrepparttar 105737 money whether you decide to buy a real or simulated diamond.

Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of Artisan Jewelry Online where you can learn more about the 4c’s of buying a diamond.

Feel free to reprint and distribute this article as you like but please do not change the article and you must include the resource box with all it’s active links.


Bulgarian Property Market Insight

Written by Steve Avery


Continued from page 1

‘Don’t expect, though,repparttar ambience ofrepparttar 105730 south to become like that ofrepparttar 105731 north. When I discussedrepparttar 105732 subject withrepparttar 105733 Chairman ofrepparttar 105734 Bulgarian Foreign Investment Agency last year – an extremely intelligent and able young man, I must add – he told me in no uncertain terms that he did not wantrepparttar 105735 south to become likerepparttar 105736 north. His very words were: “We don’t want another Benidorm.” So, prospective property purchasers need to bear this in mind, and balance their desire for more capital growth, or their willingness to accept less, withrepparttar 105737 different rental market appeal ofrepparttar 105738 two regions, along with their own taste in holidays.

‘There is one highly significant factor, however, which very often goes unnoticed until it is too late; and it applies torepparttar 105739 whole coast. Most people don’t know that it freezes onrepparttar 105740 coast in winter. When they seerepparttar 105741 coastal resorts basking inrepparttar 105742 hot summer sunshine, it’s difficult to imagine snow onrepparttar 105743 ground. The entire coast simply shuts down inrepparttar 105744 winter, and nothing happens. It’s a dead as a doornail. Therefore, rental income can be fairly assured for 15 weeks, possibly 20, plus some odd bits inrepparttar 105745 shoulder seasons of April and October. The coast has a five-month season from May to September, compared to nine months inrepparttar 105746 ski areas. Those people buying only for rental income, therefore, would findrepparttar 105747 mountains far more lucrative.

‘Rents vary greatly, and depend on many factors, most of which should be obvious: location, size, view, amenities. The standard of finish andrepparttar 105748 condition ofrepparttar 105749 property can also determine your market quite radically. To appeal to west Europeans, and to commandrepparttar 105750 highest rents, your property must be well finished and appointed, and be in tip-top condition. If it is not, you still have a market for east Europeans, who tolerate less salubrious surroundings because they pay much less, usually about half ofrepparttar 105751 west European rates.

‘Generally, summer rental rates onrepparttar 105752 coast equate to winter rates inrepparttar 105753 ski resorts, both seasons being about five months. Remember that you also have about four months’ additional rent, though at lower rates, duringrepparttar 105754 summer inrepparttar 105755 mountains. These rates should increase gradually, asrepparttar 105756 Government programmes to makerepparttar 105757 ski towns more popular for summer holidays make their mark.

‘There are several Bulgarian agencies willing to manage your rental properties for you. Expect to pay about 20% ofrepparttar 105758 rent as a fee.”

What about properties inrepparttar 105759 countryside?

“Not a serious contender inrepparttar 105760 ROI stakes, I think. Not if you considerrepparttar 105761 effort involved. You can pick up property very cheaply indeed inrepparttar 105762 inland areas, away fromrepparttar 105763 resorts. Almost always it’ll need some kind of work; anything from a face-lift to demolition. There’s often no inner staircase torepparttar 105764 bedrooms, no bathroom, andrepparttar 105765 toilet is in a shed inrepparttar 105766 garden. This kind of property is great for buyers who want to get away from their homeland, and disappear inrepparttar 105767 beauty of nature permanently. As a business, it could appeal to self-builders or DIY enthusiasts, prepared to do it for fun, and accept a low return on their financial and physical investment. As for rental income, forget it!”

Andrepparttar 105768 cities?

“Again, there are differences, even between cities. The prime city is, of course, Sofia,repparttar 105769 capital. Buyrepparttar 105770 right apartment here, inrepparttar 105771 right area, and you can expect a guaranteed rental return of about 12% per annum. The flavour ofrepparttar 105772 month is gated communities, particularly inrepparttar 105773 south ofrepparttar 105774 city. The diplomatic residential district of Vitosha is one ofrepparttar 105775 best bets. There is a ready demand for luxury accommodation from diplomatic staff and executives seconded by foreign companies, usually on a long-term basis, and this demand should increase as 2007,repparttar 105776 year of Bulgaria’s accession torepparttar 105777 European Union, approaches. Although you should expect to pay high for such properties by Bulgarian standards, it’s still onlyrepparttar 105778 price of a tarted-up Victorian terraced flat in a UK provincial town.

‘There’s virtually no market for tourist rentals in Sofia, as it’s probablyrepparttar 105779 least interesting European capital city. It’s also very polluted, although they are trying to clean up their act, ready for EU entry in 2007.

‘Plovdiv,repparttar 105780 country’s second city, is much more pleasant. It has a quaint old town, as well as modern business districts. It therefore bridgesrepparttar 105781 gap between business and tourism, as far as rentals are concerned. Plovdiv is connected to Sofia by an excellent motorway, on which you can keeprepparttar 105782 pedal torepparttar 105783 metal, if you’re prepared to risk an on-the-spot fine of 50 Leva (about £18).

‘Veliko Tarnovo is probably Bulgaria’s most touristic city, with its citadel and mediaeval ramparts. Most people who buy property here do so to make it their main home. The city itself is beautiful, and it has everything a townie needs. Drive a short distance, and you’re in some wonderful countryside. You couldn’t really make a good living from rentals, but it’srepparttar 105784 perfect place to retire to.

‘There’s one more thing which is important enough to mention: Mineral baths. These exist all over Bulgaria,repparttar 105785 most significant being at Narechen, south of Plovdiv, and Momin Prohod, near Kostenets. Scientific studies rank Bulgaria amongrepparttar 105786 foremost in Europe for hydrothermal, bioclimatic and mud treatments, sea cures and other health resources. Bulgaria is a world leader with its exceptional diversity of medicinal herbs andrepparttar 105787 excellent curative properties of its apian products. Any property near a spa should attract a premium to its sales or rental value.”

Full details aboutrepparttar 105788 ‘Super Borovets’ project, price madness in Bansko, golf developments in Bulgaria, and new apartments in Bansko and Borovets can be seen atrepparttar 105789 BulgariaProperties.net Ltd web site www.BulgariaProperties.net. Or you can e-mail advice@BulgariaProperties.net, or callrepparttar 105790 company at +44 (0)871 226 2296 to order a free 28-page hand-out, or just for a chat, if you prefer. They always have time for you.

This article is the copyright of Steve Avery, of BulgariaProperties.net Ltd. All rights reserved.


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