A huge gem stone which could become the largest polished round diamond in history has been discovered.
It is one thing to buy jewelry because you like it, but a whole different matter when you want to make a statement – a fashion statement, that is. Recognizing that consumer tastes shift on a whim, jewelry designers are constantly developing new lines of fashion jewelry and keeping a pulse on shopping trends to bring to you diamond jewelry which is stylish, unique, and so very satisfying.
We`ve been following these trends for many years and have noticed that customers are always looking for the newest, brightest, biggest, and most beautiful diamonds. Just what are the current trends? Read on and we`ll explore what is hot today!
Multiple Diamonds, Not Just One – Diamond solitaire engagement rings remain popular, but lots of buyers are choosing three-stone rings featuring a large center stone flanked by a pair of smaller diamonds. And, oftentimes these stones are quite big – no minimalist look here because its show time when sporting three-stone rings.
One Carat Will Just Not Do – Diamonds under one carat will always be popular, but larger stones containing three carats or more are gaining with couples who want to flash some bling. Five carat diamond solitaires were never very common, but a growing number of customers want the biggest stone that they can get.
White Diamonds Are Beautiful, But Colored Diamonds Are Awesome – White diamonds remain the most favorite diamond color sold, but fancy colored diamonds are prized for their scarcity. Pink is very trendy, but so are other rare colors including green, blue, orange, purple, and black. The rarer the diamond`s color, the more that these stones will cost. However, yellow isn`t a color that diamond buyers want as it is considered undesirable, therefore not something to be prized.
Some Settings Never Change – More than two thirds of all diamond engagement ring metals are yellow gold, but there is interest in white gold and platinum. Platinum is by far the priciest, but it is prized by those who like to flash around their big stones and expensive bling.
Fashionistas – Not content with buying store brand diamond jewelry, consumers continue to flock to leading designers to see what they have to offer. Danhov, Leon Popov, and M. Geller are some of the top names in fashion jewelry today, offering a wide range of beautiful rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, and more. Today`s savvy consumers are just as likely to buy their jewelry by the name as they are by its style and price.
Of course, buying any type of jewelry is a personal decision one based largely on your tastes and flair for drama. Consumer tastes may be changing, but savvy jewelers serve all types of shoppers from the traditional buyer to the celebrity diva.
Inasmuch as jewelry trends come and go, silver jewelry remains popular across all economic and fashion spectra. That elegant pair of glimmering sterling silver drop earrings once prized by your late grandmother looks great today whether you wear them casually or put them on for a formal occasion.
Of course, not everyone is fond of estate jewelry, preferring to buy jewelry that is new and exciting, especially something designed by one of today`s contemporary artisans. It is these same designers who are seeing a mini boom in business today as shoppers discover the value of owning quality sterling silver and at prices much lower than gold. Tight economy or not, if your creations are especially attractive, you`ll catch the attention of savvy buyers.
Selecting A Designer Artisan
Hot Diamonds is one such designing team producing some of the most sought after sterling silver pieces of our time. Don`t let the name fool you, Hot Diamonds does feature at least one small brilliant cut diamond in every piece, but the accent is just as much on the metal as it is on the precious gemstones. You can find earrings, bangles, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and rings featuring contoured shapes and fluid lines with a contemporary twist.
Each Hot Diamonds piece is part of a wider style line with such names as “just add love” or “back to nature” and “moonstruck” among others to captivate the imagination of buyers. For instance, the “just add love” line features modern and whimsical hearts and stars, an inviting style prized by young adult buyers. The “after hours” line represents the designers` evening wear collection, just perfect for a night out on the town for varying levels of formality.
Understanding Sterling Silver
Why should you choose sterling silver? Well, if you research the properties of silver you`d quickly realize how soft silver is by itself. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% silver with the remaining 7.5% copper or some other metal. That is why you`ll find silver flatware pieces, even jewelry, well over a century old in excellent condition: durable sterling silver is one metal that can stand the test of time.
If you were to choose earrings made of virtually pure silver, you`d risk having them break in short order. Always buy jewelry with an eye to have it last to ensure that your investment is worthwhile and can retain its look.
Shopping For Sterling Silver Jewelry
A big trend for sterling silver fans is to visit estate sales to see what jewelry buys can be had. If you`re a fan of antiques, you`ll find the best buys at these types of sales, particularly those managed directly by the family. When an auctioneer or estate planner is brought in, prices are often marked up to cover their costs much as an antique retailer would have to charge more to cover her overhead.
For new sterling silver, your options are quite broad from flea markets to mall jewelry stores to online merchants. At flea markets you risk dealing with someone who may not be able to vouch that the earrings or pendant you want to purchase are, in fact, sterling silver. With a mall jewelry store, the merchant can attest to what they`re selling, while offering a guarantee. If shopping online, make sure that you deal with a reputable jeweler; you could save a lot of money if you find the right retailer as internet stores typically have a much lower overhead and savings are passed on to you in the form of lower prices.
Regardless of where you purchase your sterling silver, you`re buying classical jewelry with a strong, contemporary appeal. Whether choosing antique or contemporary sterling silver earrings, pendants, bangles, rings, necklaces, or bracelets you can reap the satisfaction of finding and wearing one of the finest of all metals.
If you`re planning to propose marriage over the coming weeks or if you are a woman who expects your man to ask for your hand in marriage, then you`ll need to have a diamond engagement ring with you in order to set the right mood. Not just any diamond engagement ring, mind you, but the one that you`ll be pleased to present and something she`ll be thrilled to wear.
Shopping For The Perfect Diamond Engagement Ring
So, where do you shop for a diamond engagement ring? Traditional jewelry stores have faithfully served customers for generations, but they no longer dominate. Instead, customers are turning to the internet to find retailers who can offer high quality diamonds at reduced prices. With the economy being tight right now, these types of savings are all the more attractive.
When shopping via the internet for an engagement ring, consider the following before purchasing from any company:
Deal Direct – Lots of storefronts have popped up over the years, many are selling the same quality rings as those found at your mall jewelry store. However, some of these retailers are selling their products as a third party, meaning they`re acting as middlemen. That translates into a price mark up, adding to the cost of your engagement ring. Where possible, deal direct or through the retailer`s affiliate sites.
Rate Rings – When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, you might be overwhelmed by the many choices out there. To narrow down your selection, create a rating system of what is important to you in an diamond ring:
1. Price – What is your budget for the ring? Paying the equivalent of at least two weeks of you salary is a good measuring tool.
2. Band – What type of metal will you be choosing? White gold, yellow gold and platinum are the most common choices with platinum costing the most.
3. Setting – Will you be choosing a diamond solitaire, a ring with sidestones, or some other arrangement?
4. Miscellaneous – The shape of the stone and the number of prongs to hold the diamond in place are also to be considered. Finally, don`t forget to find out what her ring size is before you place your order.
Shop Secure – Though the internet has been proven to be a secure way to shop, you can ensure that your buying experience is a good one by patronizing a website that offers a secure checkout. This means that one of two things must be present: when checking out, the company`s web address adds an “s” to the http portion of the web address (for example, https://www.jamesallen.com) or a tiny closed padlock will appear at the bottom of your web browser. If neither is present, then you could be vulnerable to having your personal information stolen.
Miscellaneous Musings – Of course, you`ll want to make sure that your retailer offers a guarantee, preferably one where you can return the ring, if needed. Further, what sort of shipping arrangements do they have? Will you be charged taxes on your diamond engagement ring? And, can the company be reached via a toll free number? You want to have the ability to speak with a representative too, someone who knows rings and can help you out.
You`re Ready To Propose!
Once the engagement ring has arrived and you`ve inspected it, then it is time for you to propose marriage. For tips on how to propose, please read our articles “Summer Marriage Proposals – Setting the Right Mood!“ and “How to Propose Marriage This Christmas” for those details.
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"Everybody knows guys like guns and girls like diamonds so I figured I would mesh the two together this year. I've had wives sending in their husbands," Zinn said in an interview with WEAU news.
According to Zinn, a $400 pair of diamond earrings earned the customer any gun in the store worth under $300. A more expensive pair of diamond earrings earned the customer an even bigger gun.
The special diamond earrings offer ran through Valentine’s Day.
MINTEK,
MINTEK will be working in conjunction with the South Africa Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR) on the project. Ashok Damarupurshad, Strategist at SADPMR, further clarified the goal of geochemical fingerprinting for individual diamonds. “If proven to be successful, diamond fingerprinting would help to reduce theft and illegal mining and help prevent ‘conflict diamonds’ from entering legitimate trade, which is the objective of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.”
The study will focus on both the physical and chemical properties of diamonds. Mintek is aiming for a comprehensive database of South African diamonds within 3 years.
