February 2007 Archives
Go Platinum For Valentine's Day!
GO.....................
Valentine's Day proposals are sure to translate into June weddings or marriage ceremonies later this year. To help make the jewelry portion of the wedding go easier, the Platinum Guild has created the 2007 Platinum Bridal Toolkit.
This 10 page booklet has a number of helpful features, including ways to budget for mens platinum jewelry and womens platinum jewelry. There is even a section on wedding jewelry trends and a celebrity styls section.
For more information go to www.preciousplatinum.com
Click on the the Bridal Guide option from the menu.
Buy Your Gal Beautiful Jewelry For Valentine's Day!!
Guys,
We go through this every year....
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and it really tends to confuse us "men who are from Mars".
Sure it's a day for emotional expression and appreciation.
However, many guys get it completely wrong...they are just totally on the wrong "emotional" train.....
Allow me to explain with this illustration:
'aint that the truth...
This mindset is going to get you in trouble all over again.
Your gal is waiting for that elusive gift and she has something very specific in mind...
Flowers???............don't even think about it!!!
You won't get away that easy...
Let's face it..your gal is thinking JEWELRY.
So you think..o.k., I'll buy her a cheezy gold band from JC Penny...shouldn't cost more than a few dollars....
Think again...this next illustration could be you....
Scratch that idea.....
Bottom line is, you owe it to your gal to buy her something nice, something memorable, something significant.
This does not always have to translate into big bucks.....it is true..that "it is the thought that counts".
However, this only applies when you actually spend two seconds thinking outside of...er...the box.
You cannot go wrong this Valentine's Day with a nice piece of diamond jewelry for your significant other....
Best of luck!
Gold Is Rising!
You've probably been too busy to notice but Gold is rising.
After hitting $700/oz. in mid-late 2006, Gold retrenched to the low 600's.
Gold is moving up slowly, quietly and closed today at $656/oz. Analysts are turning bullish and forecasting a breakthrough through $700+ in the near term.
Designer Diamond Engagement Rings by Kelege
Diamond engagement rings by designer Jack Kelege has been catching my eye recently.
Beautiful diamond rings by Jack Kelege
This guy has some really beautiful and unique engagement ring designs and does a superb job of mixing precious metals with precious gemstones!!
We wish him the best of luck and applaud him for his beautiful and tasteful diamond jewelry designs!
Please visit www.jackkelege.com for more information.
Jeter Launches Movado Series 800 Chronograph
Baseball superstar Derek Jeter, of the New York Yankees, recently hosted the launch of Movado's new series 800 Chronograph at Macy's Herald Square flagship store in N.Y.C.
Fans and watch enthusiasts lined the aisles to get a Movado series 800 baseball cap and to shake hands with Jeter.
Those who bought a series 800 watch that day were invited to a private cocktail reception with Jeter.
The event also kicked off a monthlong charitable initiative by Movado for Jeters Turn2 foundation.
Diamond Internet Retailer Abazias.com Looking to Sell Out.
We noted with interest last weeks announcement by one of our colleagues, online diamond retailer Abazias.com that they have initiated a formal process to explore a variety of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including a potential sale of their company. In this statement released on January 31, Abazias.com said it retained Cantor Fitzgerald to act as its exclusive financial advisor in order to examine a range of short and long-term options.
Abazias reported that fiscal 2006 sales increased 58 percent to $4.8 million at Abazias, while the company reduced its loss by 68 percent to $139,613.
We can't say that we're surprised by Abazias move. While Abazias claims to list over 80,000 diamonds, few are actually in-house with them but are based on lists that are supplied to them from Manufacturer/Wholesalers. Diamonds are directly drop-shipped to you the retail consumer by the Wholesaler. Buying blind in this way has it's shortcomings as a diamonds brilliance and sparkle cannot be solely determined just from a Lab Grading report.
Today, Consumers shopping the Internet for Diamonds are more savvy and educated about the 5 C's, including a diamonds Cut Quality and are demanding more information from vendors such as Photo's, Cut Quality Analysis, and measurements of light performance. Supplying consumers with this type of information demands considerable investment in technology and manpower.
We believe that with consumer diamond edcuation spreading and increasing that this announcement by Abazias is just the beginning of a shakeout in the world of diamond e-commerce websites and that other drop-ship diamond e-tailers will also soon come to the realization that diamond drop-shipping is a dead-end road and they will either improve their educational services to the consumer which includes in-house evaluation and testing of the diamonds they sell or bail out.
We wish our friends at Abazias.com the very best of luck as they embark on this new initiative.
Are Hearts on Fire Diamonds Worth The Huge Premium??
Are Hearts on Fire branded diamonds worth the inflated price tag?
Hearts on Fire Diamonds trademarked logo.
We get asked this question all the time.
Indeed, there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to this question.
Hearts on Fire loose Diamonds are assuredly beautiful diamonds by any estimation.
Whether they are actually the "best", depends on the age old struggle of psychology/emotion versus rational/practical considerations.
While it has become quite clear to today's savvy diamond shopper that there are entirely comparable loose diamonds available on the market (any super ideal cut diamond) today at much lower prices than Hearts on Fire Diamonds, the reality is that many people will still opt to buy the more expensive branded Hearts on Fire Diamond, opting for the psychological comfort of the marketing fluff and brand name recognition.
One must look no further than their thriving business model as a testament to the success of the Hearts on Fire Brand.
One thing is quite certain however; the success that the expensive Hearts on Fire Diamonds enjoy in the store-based (traditional "brick & mortar" jewelers) jewelers, would never translate on the Internet where diamonds of similar and better cut quality and beauty are sold every day at a fraction of the price of any comparable Hearts on Fire Diamond.
Here is a previous blog entry regarding the Hearts on Fire Diamond brand:
Why do people buy Hearts on Fire Diamonds???
So are the Hearts on Fire diamonds really the "most perfectly cut diamonds in the world"?
If you, the consumer says yes, that is all that really matters.....
SuperbCert Diamond Competes With Solasfera, Hearts on Fire, and Wins!
We just got a beautiful testimonial from one of our satisfied customers for our exclusive SuperbCert Signature Hearts & Arrows Diamonds. In fact, the testimonial is so nice and based on extensive and exhaustive research I feel compelled to share it here on our diamond information blog for our many Diamond Vues readers.
The fact that I have also received permission to share a few photos of this beautiful and photogenic young couple, is an added bonus and icing on the cake!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Barry,
I hope you are doing well. Everything went great and she said Yes :-). She loves the diamond :-). I think she has decided that she wants a different style setting than the Tiffany though. Even though she thinks it's beautiful she has her heart set on a different style, so I will confirm with her today, since I think today is our 10th day, and see what she wants to do. I love the simplistic elegance of the Tiffany and the fluted prongs, and the way it draws attention to the center diamond, but I guess she's the one that has to wear it.
Since we have been looking at settings the past few days it has given me a chance to compare the Superbcert with all of the other diamonds on the market that claim to be the best in the world, and the Superbcert blew them all out of the water!! I was able to compare it to the Leo, Peerless, Solasfera, Hearts on Fire, and AGS000 and GIA EX EX ideal cuts.
The Superbcert gave off more light than all of the other diamonds, even though they were loose and hers is mounted.
It was most apparent while the diamond was moving. One thing that really stood out to me was the color difference. Even when we would compare it to an equivalent F VS2 the Superbcert was noticeably whiter against all of the best branded cuts out there. It even looked whiter than the E's we saw.
It was particulary impressive when the Superbcert was better than an equivalent size Hearts on Fire that cost $30,000 vs. $11,800 for the Superbcert!!
Actual Photo of this SuperbCert Diamond in the SuperbCert Tiffany Channel Diamond Replica Ring.
We took the ring to be appraised by a Gemologist that has been doing appraisals for 34 years, and he said that it was cut as closely to ideal as you can get, and he appraised it for $18,000.
At all of the retail stores in the mall that we saw, a similar diamond would have been at least $6,000 to $10,000 more. So we are both very happy, and I think that not only did we get the most beautiful diamond there is, but we got it at a phenomenal price.
Also, everything that we received was top notch quality and class. The ring box is beautiful and really complimented the diamond and platinum. I also enjoyed the toolkit and I spent at least several hours being fascinated with examining the Superbcert and the two CZ's. Even the brochure was great! She wanted to know why I was so obsessed with comparing the diamond to all of the other ones out there, and one night she read the brochure and then understood why, because I wanted to get her the best because she is the best :-).
I proposed at the Drake hotel in downtown Chicago. The Drake is an older hotel with much history and is very elegant and romantic. She thought we were just going there for a weekend getaway, and thought that I would propose on Valentine's day instead. When we first arrived we went for afternoon tea which is a tradition at the Drake. They have a harp player there and the setting is relaxing and beautiful. Afterwards we had to find a store that sold camera cards because she forgot hers, and I was a little nervous walking around downtown chicago knowing that I had the ring in my pocket. We got back to the room and got ready for dinner, which was a surprise since she didn't know where we were going. Right before we left I told her I had a surprise for her and I gave her a box of gold covered chocolates (I saw them on one of Judah's blog posts, and even though they were ridiculously expensive, I thought it would make for a memorable experience. Thanks Judah :-)). With the chocolate was a card that said "Happy anniversary, I want to show you how much I love you so go to www.joeloveslisa.com and watch and listen. This was a website that I made for her that had pictures and songs of us throughout our dating. You have to click the heart to start the slideshow playing.
After she watched the slideshow I told her that I had something else for her. I then presented her with a long white box. She opened it and saw a preserved rose plated in platinum. It was in a presentation case and on the top of the case I had a plaque inscribed with "I love you endlessly and eternally, Will you Marry Me? Joe" She didn't see the plaque at first and when she turned it over she got the shock of her life :-).
Lisa with Her Rose
I then knelt down and asked her to marry me and presented her with the ring and she said yes. After that I then told her I had one more thing. She had always jokingly said that if I ever proposed that her dog needed a ring too, LOL, so I found a stuffed dog toy engagement ring in a stuffed toy box and presented it to her with pictures of my dogs inside, LOL, and we got a good laugh out of it. After that I told her where we were going for dinner which was the Green Dolphin jazz club where we had first met. I then told her that not only were we eating there but that Lynne Jordan, her favorite singer, would be there, so she was very happy. We had dinner and then we went and listened to Lynn. Lynn made an announcement that we had just got engaged, and she dedicated a song to us that we got up and danced to alone in front of everyone there. We then stayed a while and listened to music and had some champagne and apple martinis. We got back to the room and opened the door, and she saw a trail of rose petals that led to the bed and they were arranged in a heart pattern on the bed. I had the concierge arrange it while we were gone :-).
Joe & Lisa...what a stunning couple!
I really appreciate all of the help and honesty that you and Judah gave me, and I appreciate the extra effort you guys made in getting the ring done so that I could present it to her on the special day that I had planned. Even though I bugged you guys mercilessly with questions on diamonds, settings, and when the ring would be done, you never lost patience with me and were always willing to help and talk. I have an industrial equipment business that has a website, and I have learned a lot from dealing with you guys about how to bring a personal touch and excellent customer service to such an impersonal medium as the internet. I'm starting to incorporate these things into my business and I'm already seeing positive results from it. Who knows, maybe with incorporating the things that I learned from you guys it may pay for the ring, LOL.
Thanks,
Joe
P.S. I'll send the pics in a separate email in case the size is too big. Also, I'll post a testimonial on Diamond talk tomorrow so that everyone can know what a great diamond and buying experience I had :-)
Naomi Campbell Helps Launch New Jewelry Line By Mont Blanc!
Montblanc hosted a gala "The Night of Stars" to celebrate its launch of a new diamond jewelry collection in Chamonix, France.
The Montblanc gala featured supermodel Naomi Campbell who presented the "Etoile" necklace and earrings worth approximately $4 million.
Naomi showcasing Mont Blanc Jewelry
Naomi wearing a Mont Blanc Watch
The Montblanc Diamond Jewelry Collection features four collections with more than 65 pieces of 18-karat gold studded with precious diamonds. The collection is now available for purchase beginning February 3, 2007 at Montblanc boutiques across the Country.
Well......
Naomi Campbell in the news promoting beautiful designer jewelry from Mont Blanc, sure beats Naomi Campbell in the news for a latest arrest as a result of beating someone to a pulp!!
Naomi Campbell during her most recent arrest in N.Y.C.
Super Sunday "Super" for Jewelers.
Supermarkets and electronics stores are not the only retailers that benefit from Super Bowl Sunday, according to a study released last week from Visa USA.
The study finds that jewelers and florists also see a boon in business. Both businesses experienced more than a 30 percent increase during Super Bowl weekends in 2005 and 2006, compared with other weekends.
Visa Senior Vice President for Business and Economic Analysis Wayne Best said in a statement that Visa expected to see sales increases at retailers that sell chips, dip, beer and televisions, but did not expect the hike in jewelry and flower sales.
Stats for Super Sunday 2007 should be released very soon.
You Can Get SCAMMED On Ebay!
Ebay is a popular internet site for purchasing all kinds of items. It has attracted its share of thieves and scammers ranging from shill bidders, bogus auctions, and manipulated feedback to make the Seller look good.
Here is the latest scam as reported by first person account. Brazen and Scary. Read it and be careful if you're going to shop on Ebay.
Diamond Engagement Ring Tale: How Do You Spell "Gratitude"?
WINS 1010 NewsRadio reports this morning that a Queens taxi driver returned a black travel bag carrying 31 diamond rings to a passenger -- after she paid him a 30-cent tip on a nearly $11 ride.
Hours after Chowdhury Osman had dropped off the passenger, he returned the bag to her, which she had left in the taxi's trunk.
Osman told the Daily News that he never even thought of keeping the gems. He said that he wouldn't take another person's property or money to get rich.
Osman had drive the woman from the Hilton New York to an East 35th Street apartment. For a $10.70 fare, she gave him a $20 bill -- and asked for $9 back.
The woman, who was not identified by the Daily News but told a reporter that she was a jeweler, offered Osman a $100 reward.
He begrudgingly accepted the money -- for the lost fares from tracking her down and returning the bag.
Nancy Pelosi Responsible For A Huge Spike In Pearl Jewelry Sales!
Maybe it's just because she is the first female speaker of the house...who knows..
..but Nancy Pelosi's wardrobe has been getting a ton of attention of late with most of the discussion revolving around her signature strand of South Sea Cultured Pearls, which are estimated to cost around 80k!!
Many bricks and mortar, as well as internet jewelers are now reporting a very profitable Holiday selling season for pearl strands and pearl jewelry which they are clearly attributing to the new speaker of the house, who has just made Blackwell's best dressed list.
So there you have it......Nancy Pelosi is literally driving sales for timeless pearl strands and pearl jewelry!
Master Jeweler & Designer Wins Prestigious Award
The recent 2007 Spectrum Awards Competition for the jewelry industry, showcased some of the best, finest, and most unique designs in colored gemstone jewelry.
One particular jewelry designer who immediately caught my attention, is master jeweler Alan Friedman.
Friedman won an award in the mens jewelry category for first place, second place, and third place!!
Here is a photo of his third place winner; a beautiful pair of cufflinks with 14 blue sapphires set in 18kt. red and white gold.
third place winner
This guy is the real deal and deserves an honorable mention in my "Diamond Stars" category as a master jeweler and designer who is at the top of his field in creating breathtaking custom diamond jewelry.
Check out these two incredibly beautiful custom made diamond rings, also by Alan Friedman.
Breathtakingly beautiful diamond jewelry by Alan Friedman
Chopard Moving To Bigger NYC Space
Chopard, the 147-year-old family owned watch and fine jewelry company, will open its new international flagship boutique at 709 Madison Avenue, New York City (not too far from where we are in the heart of the NYC Diamond District) in the fall of 2007.
Chopard's current NYC flagship home.
The new store, in a corner location at 63rd street, will have more than triple the retail space of the current boutique at 725 Madison Avenue and will be one of the largest Chopard boutiques worldwide.
Renowned architect and interior design hall of fame designer Thierry W. Despont has been commissioned for the project. "It is a spectacular space on one of the most important retail corners in New york City," described Marc Hruschka, Chopard's president and CEO.
See This Video: Diamond Engagement Ring Proposal.
Our friend Barry Schwartz of Cartoonbarry fame CartoonBarry brought to our attention this great and very recent diamond engagement ring proposal by Rand Fishkin!
Rand's saga began a while back when he launched his website www.mysuperproposal.com in an effort to snag an ad spot for this past weeks Super Bowl game (Colts vs. Bears) which boasts a whopping 93 million viewers. His website became hugely successful and sparked an almost cultish interest and following all over the country. It seems everyone was hoping his ad would air during the Super Bowl game....and it almost did!
Things fell apart at the last minute and the proposal you see here aired instead during a popular T.V. program Rand's girlfriend was tuned into at the right moment!
Read the entire story and this guy's incredible journey here.
You guys getting closer to popping the question to your Gal might be able to pick up some pointers from this Video. Enjoy!
Or, If you're not too impressed with what this guy did...airing out his private moment for the entire world (as he hoped..) to see, you'll find you have much in common with this slightly different perspective....
Now check out her reaction!
Super Cool!! Thanks, Barry S!!
How You Can Scam A Telemarketer!
Are you tired of getting spam calls from telemarketers who offer you everything from free cable T.V. to free diamond jewelry?
Well here is a really cool way to turn the tables back on them!
Check it out!
http://consumerist.com
/consumer/tom-mabe/tom-mabe-pranks-telemarketer-with-own-death-206986.php
How about those nagging and confusing bills we get from the bureaucrats at Verizon, PSE&G, or any of those other big companies...wanna get back at them?
Shawan Hogan dug up this awesome graphic illustrating what happened when an engineer got ticked off by a typically convoluted Verizon phone bill...LOL!!
Chinese Millionaires!?
Used to be a distinct oxymoron under the old Communist regimes and grist for jokes by Leno and Letterman but no more. Chinese Millionaires are growing by leaps and bounds in the new capitalist economic system and this is causing a major rift and jealousy among the have-nots. Here is a report that appeared yesterday in the Indo-Asian News Service about this new trend in Chinese society. Should be noted that many diamond and manufacturers have built state of the art factories on the Chinese mainland in order to take advantage of the highly motivated and intelligent labor force and cheap working wages.
We recently blogged about China becoming an emerging economic power with our focus on the diamond and jewelry industry. Read it here: China Rising!
Anytime there is a seismic shift in economic matters, there are growing pangs and adjustements. Here is the Indo-China News Service report.
___________________________________________
Mr. Lai is on the horns of a dilemma as he stands amid what may be the most dazzling collection of luxury goods gathered under one roof in modern China. Should he listen to his wife and buy the $750,000 Rolls Royce Phantom or should he listen to his instincts and stick to his modest Mercedes Benz?
"It's not the money I'm worried about," says the 43-year-old head of a major textile company. "It's just that if I drive a car like that, we'll need a bodyguard too. When they see you inside a Rolls Royce, some people hate you and you need protection."
Next to him, in an exhibition hall filled with diamonds, sports cars, boats and diamond-studded mobile phones at China's first major luxury goods exhibition, Lai's 28-year-old wife is gently caressing the wing mirror of the gleaming maroon Phantom. It looks as if she will get her way.
In nearby Shenzhen, where a parallel exhibition is being staged, Xhang Ming is in a black mood after having spent two days watching the wealthy browse among Bentleys and jewellery that he could not afford in a lifetime's labor.
"I hate these people," says the 28-year-old security guard, paid $4 a day to patrol with dozens of other uniformed guards for the three-day event. "Everyone knows that none of them get their money honestly."
He gestures towards a circular Hastens bed from Sweden at the center of the hall with a price tag of $49,000. "It's disgusting," he sneers. "In my hometown in Hunan province, you can buy three apartments for that money. How could anyone spend so much on something like that?"
In today's China, the answer to his question is "very easily." There are legions of nouveau rich in the world's fastest growing economy who can afford to do much more than spend the price of three rural homes on a single bed.
This is the brash new China, where more than 20 years after former leader Deng Xiaoping announced that to be rich was glorious, thousands of people are gloriously rich - and they want the freedom to flaunt their wealth in public.
Millionaires from across the nation in December descended on the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangdong for the two fairs aimed at showing them ways of spending their newfound fortunes and taking some of the stigma out of being filthy rich in China.
Wealthy guests - personally invited from the 27,000 people in China now worth $6 million or more - spent $12 million in Shenzhen alone in two days, and donated hundreds of thousands more at charity auctions held to raise money for orphaned children.
Most of China's super-rich are young - in their 30s and their 40s - and driven by a desire for opulence. At the same time, however, they are fearful of the reactions to their extravagance.
Most of China's 1.3 billion people still scrape by on no more than a few hundred dollars a year while a small elite are yuan billionaires worth a minimum of $13 million - and more than 90 percent of them are the children of senior Communist party officials.
Not everyone is wary of being ostentatious. Li Cai, the ebullient 37-year-old head of the Guangzhou Yulong Tenggao Electronics Company, who took one look at a light aircraft as he toured the Guangzhou fair with his partner then signed up for a $50,000 membership in a private flying club, exclaiming with a broad grin: "It's so cheap.
"I would like to buy a boat while I'm here too if I can find one."
The twin cities of southern China were chosen for the luxury goods' exhibitions because they have a more liberal attitude to wealth than Beijing, 2,000 km to the north, and also because Guangdong is the nation's richest province.
Some observers see the widening rich-poor divide in China as a powder keg that could ultimately bring down the ruling Communist party. There have already been widespread anti-corruption riots in rural areas as anger mounts over the gulf in earnings which has seen the difference between urban and rural incomes increase 16-fold since 1990.
"Luxury is still a dirty word for many people," said exhibition organiser Liu Jidong. "There is still a big gap between the rich and the poor in our country but maybe if people learn more about these luxury products, they will begin to believe that if they work hard, they too can enjoy these better things in life. This kind of event might encourage them."
The highlight of the Shenzhen fair was a $400-a-head televised dinner and millionaires' auction for 800 invited guests, to raise money for underprivileged children.
"The idea of the auction is to show that rich people really care," said Liu. "If they do things like this more often, maybe the poor people will not envy them."
Outside the auction venue, migrant worker Wang Guihua, 35, laughed bitterly when told of Liu's remarks.
"Doesn't he understand we belong to different worlds?" she asked.
Stunning Diamond Jewelry By Rina Limor of J.R. Gold
Recently, I've come across some really exquisite jewelry designs by jewelry designer, Rina Limor of J.R. Gold Designs.
Rina Limor - Jewelry Designer
Her expertly crafted diamond jewelry is so unique and tasteful, it is almost incomparable even amongst competing designer jewelry creations.
We wish J.R. Gold designs the best and hope you'll check out their beautiful designs on the web.
Stunning pearl and 4.89 carat diamond bracelet by Rina Limor
Price: $17,760.00
Blue Topaz & Diamond Fashion Earrings by Rina Limor
Price: $2208.00
Some Very Unique Diamond Jewelry For You!
Did you ever wonder what a piece of diamond in the rough looks like?
Wonder no more.
This company manufactures one-of-a-kind diamond in the rough jewelry creations, which combines natural polished diamonds with rough uncut diamonds to a beautiful effect!
This beautiful and interesting diamond ring above, features a huge uncut diamond in the rough, flanked by a wrap of polished micro pave set diamonds.
This ring was sold by Bergdoff Goodman this past holiday season for a whopping $100,000.00 to a private customer.
The company, Diamonds in the rough jewelry which introduced their jewelry collections to customers in Las Vegas in June, during the jewelry industry's biggest buying week, indicates that the response from retailers in New York, Shanghai and Sardinia has been overwhelmingly positive.
Some observers might be stumped by the quick success of a high-priced selection of uncut diamond jewelry.
However, among luxury jewelry shoppers and consumers, there is no denying the growing appeal of jewels that defy the traditional sparkle effect, in favor of an earthier, more organic appeal.
Here is a great article on this jewelry collection by Victoria Gomelsky of The International Herald Tribune.
Jewelry For The Geek In You.....
Honestly, I don't know what to say about this one..other than to give you the link so you could see for yourself....
If you happen to be a science buff (or a geek...) you might just appreciate this jewelry stuff.
SuperbCert -Exceldiamonds 'Tiffany' Solitaire Engagement Ring Is The Best On The Market
We just got this awesome testimonial from a customer of ours who recently purchased our famous SuperbCert-Exceldiamonds Custom 'Tiffany' Inspired Classic Solitaire Replica Diamond Engagement Ring.
This guy not only compared our SuperbCert 'Tiffany' Classic Soliatire Ring against some of the better known Tiffany replica engagement rings on the market, he actually took one of them for a test drive before returning it for a refund and purchasing our Tiffany replica engagement ring instead!
The ring he returned in favor of our own SuperbCert 'Tiffany' setting, was a 'Tiffany' inspired engagement ring by Whiteflash.com
The following testimonial was originally published on pricescope.com and is located right here.
Kudos are due to WF, BTW, for providing this customer with a beautiful diamond and excellent customer service! It's really nice to see 2 reputable diamond Internet vendors (our company & WF) working together to provide a mutual customer with an excellent shopping experience!!
Here is this gentelman's experience, completely in his own words:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been laying low the last few weeks, just lurking on Pricescope. The reason for this is that I had my fiancé’s setting changed, and I was trying to avoid thinking about diamonds, her ring, settings, etc, while the ring was being redone. I’m rather thorough, so I’ve typed the full history of my ring buying experience here. If you just want to see the pictures, scroll down to the bottom. If you want to read of my experiences with SuperbCert and Whiteflash, please do… The pictures at the end are worth the wait!
As some of you know, I had a fairly lengthy search for the perfect diamond and setting. I started my search last September and finally made a decision around Christmas time… Here is the thread I posted a few days after we got engaged:
http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=55690
As the title of my thread states, I just got my ring back today from SuberbCert. I had them reset my stone with their Tiffany setting. Before I go any further, a brief history of how I got here for those unfamiliar with my story…
I had debated for months on the setting almost as much as the stone. I wanted a 6 prong Tiffany Replica, and looked closely at the SuperbCert (Excel Diamonds) setting, as well as the Whiteflash and Nice Ice Tiffany reps. The SuperbCert setting was always my first choice—I felt it was the closest match to an actual Tiffany band, and the fact that each ring was made to order really impressed me. I also like how they make the matching Tiffany eternity band. This was the combination that I’d always envisioned for my fiancé.
Anyhow, after months of kicking tires, and over analyzing things to death, I realized that I needed to go ahead and pull the trigger, or I’d miss my self-imposed New Year’s Eve deadline to propose. I looked at a few stones with Barry at SC and spoke with Whiteflash about a few stones as well. Eventually, I settled on a stone from Whiteflash (an AGS-certified, 2.37ct, E, SI1, round brilliant). At that point I’d made up my mind that whoever I bought the stone from, I was going to have Superbcert/Exceldiamonds make the setting, as theirs was clearly my favorite. Unfortunately, I soon realized that in order to get the ring in time for NYE, I was going to have to go with a single vendor. After some thought, I determined that the stone was more important than the setting. I chose my first choice of diamonds and second choice of settings, and ordered the diamond and 6 prong Tiffany setting from Whiteflash.
Before I go any further, I must preface things by saying that I could not be happier with the customer service I received from WF. Leslie and Vera were incredible at dealing with my idiotic questions, constant changing of my mind and general uncertainty of just about everything. I ordered the ring from them while I was on vacation in Hawaii, and actually faxed them the paper work from the hotel. They turned the ring around in record time, and it was waiting for us at the FedEx station in New Jersey when we got back from our trip. The ring was fabulous—and my fiancé was blown away by it the next day when I proposed to her.
However, I wasn't 100% happy with my choice of the Whiteflash 'Tiffany' setting. It’s a gorgeous setting, however, it’s just not the right setting for me. I started getting buyer’s remorse (as I frequently do when I make large purchases) and could not stop thinking that I should have bought the Superbcert setting instead. I contacted Barry at Superbcert after the New Year and told him that I had purchased the ring from WF instead, but was having second thoughts about the setting. He was understandably disappointed that I did not purchase everything from him, however, he truly surprised me when he accepted my mea culpa and agreed to set the stone I had purchased from WF in their Tiffany setting.
I was nervous about calling Whiteflash to return the setting. Like most of you, I have had a few run-ins with Best Buy or other giant retail stores, trying to exchange things. Often “no questions asked” return policies are total BS—and are generally met with disdain, dirty looks, and often the returns are rejected for some technicality. I had WF shave the band down to make it thinner and was nervous that this would disqualify me from any refund. I have to say that WF was amazing at handling my return. I called Vera directly and explained that I was very happy with the ring, but that I really wanted the Superbcert setting and was going to make the change. I also asked if WF could laser inscribe the stone for me after they unmounted it. In addition I asked that they ship the stone directly to Superbcert for me, so I wouldn’t have to pay shipping twice on the stone. Surprisingly, Vera said “no problem” to all of my ridiculous requests!? What happened next was truly impressive. I shipped the ring back to WF on Monday. They received the ring on Tuesday. They also unmounted the stone, laser inscribed it and shipped it out overnight to SC in the same day! Pretty amazing. Vera actually called the woman who does the laser inscribing into the office on her day off, so that they could make sure that they got the ring shipped out that same day! Wednesday morning I emailed Barry in NY and verified that they’d received the stone, which they had. Now it was time to wait!
I received the ring back this AM from SuperbCert, about 3.5 weeks after they’d first got it… And let me tell you, it was well worth the wait! The ring is GORGEOUS. The package arrived at my office via UPS this morning about 10 AM. I immediately drove into the city to my fiancé’s office and met her for coffee and gave her the ring back. She’s been in minor depression with the ring gone. I proposed, gave her a fantastic ring, and then took it back a week later to have the setting changed. Hah! During the last 3.5 weeks, we’ve gone to a 30th birthday party, 2 weddings, and a baby shower. What a time to be without her ring! Anyhow, we survived it and she is blown away right now!
We went to Tiffany’s after work with the guise of searching for an eternity wedding band. Their salesman asked which Tiffany’s location we purchased Lin’s engagement ring from ( I lied and told them the 57th street location in Manhattan)! I then matched it up with the Tiffany eternity setting (it fit perfectly) and even had them take out one of their 2.0ct engagement rings to “see what it looks like with a smaller stone.” With the 2 rings side by side, Lin nudged me and smiled, and the salesman remarked how my ring was much nicer than the one he took out. The stone was not only larger, but better quality. Ha! At no time did he think it wasn’t an actual Tiffany setting… shhhh
Ok, so that’s just about the end of my LONG story about my quest to find the perfect ring for my amazing fiancé. This was my first diamond buying experience on the Internet (I buy a ton of other stuff on the Internet all the time), and for some reason I was much more timid than I normally am (which is saying something). I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered a resource like Pricescope, and had the unusual experience in working with 2 top-notch vendors in Whiteflash and SuperbCert!
Thanks to everyone that’s helped me along the way…. And now, onto the pictures!!! Oh, and sorry for the poor picture quality... I'm borrowing a friend's digital camera, since I er, misplaced my charger for mine. Oops... I'll take some better ones tomorrow, when there is some actual daylight!
What Is Moissanite? - Here Is Your Definition.
Many guys and gals are asking us for an alterantive (a.k.a. cheap fake...) to real polished diamonds.
While some have turned to cubic zirconia jewelry, many are asking about Moissanite.
Moissanite, is a lab created material that was made and developed with the purpose of mimicking certain qualities found in a natural diamond.
Here is a brief but informative article on Moissanite..
One well known company that manufactures Moissanite jewelry is Charles & Colvard
One of the negatives of Moissanites that it tends to give off a green tint and hue.
Jewelers Get These Tips For Increasing Holiday Sales
Jewelry shopping for Valentine's Day is begining to heat up!
Here is a memo that was recently published to help jewelry stores and websites reach out to the public and increase their bottom line for this Valentine's Day.
Remember; "forearmed is forewarned"!
Don't forget however, although this insider memo may help you resist the moves of your local jeweler.....it certainly won't score you any brownie points with your better half...... :) ;)
"Heat up Valentine's Balance Sheet"
Mine customer lists
Reach out to recent engagement ring or anniversary gift buyers with Valentine's Day ideas.
Work with local vendors
Cross-promotions with community choclatiers or florists can benefit all.
Stock up on lower price points.
Most retailers say Valentine customers tent to seek out cheaper jewelry, more friendly on the wallet.
Don't forget about the other women
Before completing a sale, ask about additional jewelry gifts for mothers and daughters.
Sell to women
Don't forget to target women buying jewelry and watches for the men in their lives.
Diamonds are This Dog's Best Friend!
This Dog got his proverbial paw caught in the cookie jar!!
Read about it here.
The Ideal Scope - What Is It?
Since we feature actual Ideal Scope Photos on our website for each of our featured loose diamonds, it would be appropriate to give a short explanation of what the Ideal Scope is all about.
The Ideal Scope
The Ideal Scope, which was developed by Mr. Garry Holloway is based on a principle discovered by Mr Okuda in the 1970’s. A 10x lens with a hot red / pink reflector in front of the loose diamond has a central viewing hole, which allows you to see just how much of the red/pink light refracts back from the diamond.
The instrument is a simple brilliance gauge; white areas in a diamond show light transmitted from behind the diamond; often called leakage - the enemy! The blackness of the lens mimics an observer's head blocking out the light. The most brilliant diamonds look bright pink/red with a black star and minimal white or pale areas. Most ideal cut diamonds have small ‘V’ shaped white leakage features at the girdle.
Invented originally for brilliance assessment, the ideal-scope shows a diamonds symmetry. Diamonds with perfect symmetry and good proportions show a black eight-pointed star. Hearts and Arrows (and H&A’s viewers) are a by-product of Mr Okuda’s discovery.
Excel Diamonds - On Buying A Diamond Over The Internet
We get customers every day who are comparing traditional bricks and mortar jewelers with our diamond and jewelry internet store.
Traditional store
...or Internet website?
The age of Internet shopping has fostered demand for ways to guarantee, showcase, and quantify a diamond’s optical beauty and cut precision before the buyer ever sees it live and in person. This is why diamond internet shoppers often know all about hearts and arrows diamonds, a loose diamonds important cut proportions, and superideal diamonds like SuperbCert Branded daimonds' which are graded by GIA and AGS; the top two diamond laboratories in the world.
Most consumers shopping at a traditional retail jewelry store have almost no knowledge of what really makes some loose diamonds beautiful and dispersive, while others look like frozen spit.
An important distinction between buying diamonds in a store and buying diamonds online is that when you buy with a reputable Internet diamond store, you are always guaranteed a diamond grading report from a prestigious grading laboratory. You will also get a plethora of scientific data and proof of any diamonds light performance and cut quality. This data will include actual magnified photos, hearts & arrows diamond photos, and ideal scope images for every listed diamond on our website.
We all know how the live retail jewelry stores use high intensity halogen bulbs and blazing lights to make the crummiest diamond jewelry look good.
However, that should not distract or deter you from demanding the important and crucial documentation that proves and supports the value of your significant purchase.
As a result of the explosive growth of Internet diamond sales, consumers are becoming more educated about diamond quality and beauty and are demanding this information from diamond vendors before they make a significant purchase.
This is why some of the highest quality and most brilliant loose diamonds in the world are being sold on the internet today.
Hearts and Arrows Diamonds: A History and Tutorial
What are Hearts and arrows diamonds?
Overview & history on the hearts & arrows diamonds
In the 1980s Japanese diamond cutters began to produce loose diamonds cut so exquisitely and precisely that facet reflections would overlap, creating patterns when seen through reflecting viewing devices. The cutting technique used to create this pattern was refined and perfected to an exacting science before ultimately being adopted by other diamond cutting facilities.
Hearts & Arrows diamonds reached the US shores in the late 1990s and were immediately embraced by the diamond industry as well as the diamond buying public for their unique optical beauty and dazzling brilliancy. The fact that the hearts and arrows diamond cutting parameters were indicative of the finest in precision cut loose diamonds furthered their broad appeal and demand. Today, these diamonds are often known as superideals (the SuperbCert diamond is an example of a branded, superideal hearts & arrows diamond).
How are the hearts and arrows viewed?
A loose diamonds hearts & arrows patterning can be viewed through a hearts & arrows viewer! A hearts & arrows viewer is a rather simplistic device which acts as a reflecting tool for a diamonds (internal) optical symmetry. When you look at a loose diamond under a hearts & arrows viewe you will see arrows spreading outward in the crown of the diamond. Now, simply turn the H&A diamond over and you will notice a circle of perfectly aligned and symmetrical hearts appear in the diamond pavilion.
The beauty of the H&A viewer, is the way it accurately discriminates against diamonds that don't quite achieve true hearts and arrows perfection. In order for a loose diamond to be considered a true superideal hearts & arrows diamond, All facets must be perfectly aligned and in sync with one another. If any part of the loose diamonds facets is even slightly misaligned or asymmetric, the patterns will become uneven and distorted.
Are all H&A diamonds created equal?
Because there is no accepted laboratory standard for optical symmetry/hearts & arrows patterning, many companies manufacturing loose diamonds of excellent cut precision will call their diamonds H&A diamonds H&A diamonds, even though their stones do not achieve perfect hearts and arrows patterning each and every time.
As a by-product of this, you have many companies calling their diamonds "hearts & arrows diamonds" when they are really not true and perfect hearts & arrows stones.
While these diamonds may certainly be of excellent cut quality and light performance, if their are uneven arrows or misaligned and distorted hearts, it cannot be considered a true hearts and arrows diamond.
As a result of this, many "H&A diamonds" may have very good symmetry in the diamonds cut, but not all are cut to ideal cut parameters which would result in maximum light performance. This is largely due to the ever increasing popularity of the hearts and arrows diamonds which has some factories literally "cutting corners" (pardon the pun ;)) to produce these diamonds.
Does the symmetry grade on a lab report affect/effect hearts & arrows cutting precision?
The answer is NO.
Because a loose diamonds lab report designation for symmetry grade is derived differently than the standard for actual optical symmetry, one is completely independant from the other.
The Benefit of Buying Hearts and Arrows - Ideal Cut Diamonds.
Allow me to share a story with you;
A gentleman walks in to a local jewelry store looking to buy a diamond engagement ring for his fiancée. He sees a round wholesale diamond in the showcase that looks absolutely brilliant. The customer goes ahead and purchases the diamond assuming that it will look as stunning on his fiancée's finger as it did in the store. The poor guy gets home and excitedly opens up his package to take another look, and lo and behold; the diamond ring that looked so sparkly in the store now appears completely washed out and opaque. Not only is the diamond not brilliant and fiery but he can actually see what looks like "dirt" in the center of the stone that had definitely not been there in the diamond store.
He has no idea what happened to the diamond, but he knows that he cannot present this wedding ring to his fiancée. So he runs back to the store only to find out that this discounted diamond was part of a wholesale diamond section marked as "final sale" only.
He is now literally stuck with a diamond that is absolutely not what he thought he was getting when he paid for it.
Does this story sound familiar to you?
The question here is; why do so many loose diamonds and diamond jewelry items look absolutely brilliant inside the store, only to appear completely dull and lifeless outside the store?
The answer to this question is actually one of the oldest tricks being used in the diamond and jewelry industry. Diamond outlets and jewelry stores use high powered halogen lights that they strategically position inside the diamond showcases as well as over the countertops. These high intensity lights make all of the loose diamonds, diamond rings, and diamond jewelry look sparkly and brilliant. The unsuspecting customer will buy a loose diamond or diamond ring based on this effect, only to be severely disappointed when it is often too late.
This brings us to the following obvious questions:
Why do many diamonds that are graded with an excellent color and clarity grade still appear completely dull and lifeless when looked at in real life lighting conditions?
Why are there certain diamonds, like hearts and arrows - ideal cut diamonds, that display an incredible amount of brilliance and fire in ALL lighting conditions, from a jewelry store to a dimly lit restaurant or parking lot, regardless of their color and clarity grade?
How can you as a consumer insure that you are buying a loose diamond or diamond ring that will absolutely explode with brilliance regardless of where you will take it?
The answer to these questions is the focus of this post
The "Magic" of Cut
The SuperbCert Diamond - A Hearts & Arrows Super Ideal Cut Diamond
Only the cut of a diamond-its depth and width, as well as the size, shape, angle, and positioning of the diamond facets will determine its brilliance.
Of all the characteristics of a diamond that determine its value or rarity, "cut" is the one thing that is entirely manipulated by the diamond cutter and will make the difference between a visually brilliant diamond vs. a diamond with a dulled appearance and poor brilliance.
A diamond can have a perfect color and clarity grade but if it is poorly cut it will look like a piece of cut glass; dull and lifeless.
Conversely, if a loose diamond has been properly cut, it will achieve maximum brilliance regardless of its color and clarity, and will actually look more beautiful and brilliant than a poorly cut diamond of better color and clarity, for less money.
Here is how it works:
Light is constantly entering into the diamond through the table, which is the largest facet of a diamond or gemstone. Once inside, the light will travel within the stone by way of reflecting off of the round brilliant diamond's 58 facets which essentially act as a collection of mirrors. In a perfectly cut diamond the light will then refract and exit back out through the table to the eye in the form of brilliance. A perfectly cut loose diamond is therefore going to be the type of diamond that will display incredible brilliance in any lighting environment as it will essentially generate its own light.
In a diamond of poor cut quality the light will be misdirected when entering and exiting the stone. Instead of the light being refracted back through the table to the eye in the form of brilliance, it will be lost through the sides or escape from the bottom in the form of leakage. A poorly cut loose diamond is therefore going to be the type of diamond that will need to rely on the halogen bulbs of the jewelry stores to make it "appear" brilliant, but will be accurately exposed when removed from the lights as a result of its poor light refraction.
All ideal cut round diamonds will have awesome light return. The benefit of Hearts & Arrows and ideal cut diamond patterning is in the way it performs in all environments and lighting conditions.
Your Diamond Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and Wedding Bands Will Get More Expensive.
That's right.
Buying your gal a diamond engagement ring, wedding ring, and wedding band will become more expensive if present trends in the precious metals sector continue.
Due to the falling dollar, Precious metal prices are climbing. Gold is at $675/oz, Platinum is up 11 dollars today at $1211/oz, and Silver is up to $14/oz.
Analysts predict continued increases in Precious metals pricing as the Dollar continues being weak. As a result, Jewelry manufacturers will have no recourse but to increase their prices. Indeed, Jewelry designer Vatche Diamond Engagement Rings has already increased their prices by 4% as of February 1st.
How To Sell Your Diamond Engagement Ring
Did you ever find the love of your life, get engaged, proposed with a gorgeous diamond engagement ring, and subsequently broke up?
Well, for many of you who did, it is often an agonizing question of what to do with the old engagement ring. Many people who get stuck with a valuable diamond engagement ring from a previous engagement cannot psychologically and emotionally wrap their minds around the idea of recycling the diamond ring for the next woman. Indeed, both men and women share very strong feelings about not using the old engagement ring for the new gal.
Bad vibes...
Bad karma...
Recycled goods...
No sentimentality....
Whatever the motivation...the arguements to be made both ways are many and varied.....
So what do do with a diamond engagement ring you no longer have any use for???
A gentelman recently had the very same problem..
Here is what CNN reports: (CNN) — Joshua Opperman thought he’d met the woman he’d marry and spend the rest of his life with. But when they broke up a few years ago, he was left with a broken heart, an expensive ring and an idea that he’s turning into a business.
Opperman said he was depressed after the split and even more depressed when he tried to sell the engagement ring he’d spent most of his life savings on.
“I tried to sell the ring back where I bought it and they wanted to give me 32 percent back,” he said.
The 29-year-old real estate broker decided to open the online jewelry auction site “I Do … Now I Don’t” after reading an article about other people in the same predicament.
Here is the ingenious solution he came up with.
Guide To Choosing A Diamond Setting - Styles and Descriptions
What is a diamond bezel setting?
Diamond bezel setting
A bezel is a circle of precious metal that wraps around the loose diamond. A diamond bezel setting is quite popular and is often used for diamond pendants.
The bezel is secured to the top of the diamond ring and adds height and another dimension to the diamond setting. A bezel is sometimes 'split' into two halves around the diamond. This is called a half bezel diamond setting.
This technique is often used for a fancy cut diamond -- with precious metal around the wide curve and a section of precious metal ensconsing the narrow end.
What is a Pave diamond setting?
Pave ring by Vatche
When the surface of any diamond ring seems to be covered with clusters of tiny diamonds, the technique is called Pavé which literally means paved. This moniker is entirely appropriate given that the surface looks like a typical paved street of cobblestones.
These smalls diamonds are inividually set by hand in tiny holes that have been carved out of the ring shank. The diamonds are set in rows, so that they occupy the entire space of the diamond ring. The better the cut quality of the diamonds, the better the brilliance and beauty of the completed diamond ring.
Each tiny diamond, often weighing just a few points in carat weight, is traditionally cut with 58 facets and set in its hole. Small metal bits from the top of the ring are pushed over the diamond to secure the stone in place.
The Pavé technique is a demanding technique that is successfully accomplished in the hands of a patient and extremely skilled diamond jeweler.
The price and cost of any pave diamond setting is largely influenced by the incredible amount of hand labor that goes into the production of a jewelry item of this nature.The better the skill of the jeweler, the better the overall design will look, with a seamless beauty of dazzling diamonds throughout.
What is a channel diamond setting?
Channel diamond accents on a custom SuperbCert - Excel Diamonds Tiffany Setting
Channel diamond settings are most often used in the form of diamond eternity rings and bands. Channel settings feature smooth and elegant lines that contrast and support the beauty of any well cut diamond.
Channel settings have the ability to protect the integrity of your diamonds in a way that not mny other diamond settings can. Since none of the diamond edges are exposed, they are not subject to hard knocks and abrasions.
What is a bar channel diamond setting?
Bar channel diamond rings by Vatche
A variation of the channel diamond setting, is called the bar channel. Here, there is also a separation of precious metal between every diamond in addition to the channel on the sides of the ring.
The diamond cluster setting is a diamond ring where the stones are arranged in the form of a stylized flower, or done in a very specific type of arrangement using small diamonds of equal carat weight.
Diamon cluster setting
Although there are other styles of diamond settings, the few styles above are considered the most popular and are most often used in diamond jewelry creations