Tidbits Archives
Having Trouble With My (Computer) Mouse Today
I've been having trouble all day today with my computer mouse. One second its working fine and the next second the mouse just shuts down on me?? Its been extremely frustrating trying to get anything done.
Do you think my mouse is just plain fed up of being manipulated and is giving me a taste of my own medicine?
My mouse is too smart??
Who Can Talk Diamonds When You're Buried In Snow!!
This past weekend the Tri-State area was hit with the first real Blizzard of 2005!
We had about 14 inches of snow!
It took me an extra 45 minutes to get to the office this morning (New York City Diamond District) due to the weather.
Valentine's Day Ads. For Dummies. (20 Days Left, Guys).
Diamond Billboard by Lorena Bobbitt.
For all the dummies out there who never heard about getting their woman some diamond jewelry for Valentine's Day; This billboard ad was made for you!
Valentine's Day is February 12
GIA Education Updates
GIA lists new night classes and other new class openings for interested students. You will notice them at the bottom of the page in this link.
Coffee is Ki$$ing Me!
How many of you guys go throught the same routine every morning; your'e on the way into the office and you grab a cup of coffee at the local Starbucks.
Well, this morning I actually did the math and it dawned on me that I'm shelling out an absolute fortune of money for my pricey Starbucks drinks!
Over Priced
Starbucks ought to have a picture of me in their window as the featured customer of the month at the rate I'm going.
My Picture in the window!
I gotta cut down on these coffees quick!
Blogs Are All The Rage!!
I was extremely happy to see this recent article.
Blogs that offer pertinent and up to date information for any industry as well as personal blogs, are making a huge impact in cyberspace!!
The key is to keep the info. fresh, interesting, and on target.
I hope you all have a great weekend!!
Diamond "Stars" In My Eyes.
Illinois lawmakers are currently debating a bill that could outlaw the practice of surgically implanting jewelry in the eye.
Chicago State Representative Kevin Joyce has sponsored a proposal that will keep doctors from performing the procedure in Illinois, reports The Chicago Sun-Times.
Developed in the Netherlands in 2002, about 100 people in Europe have opted for the procedure, but the practice has taken place just a few times in the United States, according to the Sun-Times.
Proponents of the procedure, which involves placing a metal charm in the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye, claim the practice is as safe as wearing contact lenses. But some ophthalmologists worry the implants could pose risk of irritation and infection, possibly effecting the wearer's vision.
Wearers can have the jewelry surgically removed if they later choose they no longer want eyeball jewelry.
What will they think of next?
"Love" Is In The Air
Korean electronic company LG Telecom is offering a pair of special telephone handsets decorated with 24 diamonds, to celebrate the luckiest couples contest. When the two cell phones are placed side-by-side, the diamond design forms the shape of a heart.
The company is inviting 100 couples selected from its subscribers to the White Day party at Grand Seoul Hilton on March 14, 2005, and will award the winning couple with the diamond couple cell phones.
Cute.
St. Patrick Day Parade Outside My Window!!
Help!!!
I cannot hear myself think!!
If you call our offices today looking for a diamond, don't think that we employ a full time band playing music in the background.
What you are hearing is the St. Patrick's Day Parade going on right outside my window. (We are located right off 5th Avenue in the N.Y.C. Diamond District)
Our Diamond offices and showrooms are located high above the street. However, this does not diminish the tremendous amount of noise filtering into our offices from down below.
I hope everyone has a great time today, but for the sake of my sanity I hope the parade ends soon.
Oh... and if you happen to be jealous of my excellent view to the parade; don't be.
This is what I've got to look at:
See any familiar faces???
These Gas Prices Are Absurd!
What is going on with these astronomical gas prices???
It has become cheaper to buy a certified loose diamond then a gallon of gas these days!!!
I found a few illustrations that pretty much sums up the gas situation these past few years!
Show me the Money, Honey!
More than three-fourths of jewelry store workers say that good pay from an employer will keep them from looking for a new job, according to a new study from Diamond Staffing Solutions.
The jewelry industry staffing agency surveyed about 100 of its job candidates to find out what factors would cause them to remain with a store or to leave.
Asked to list the five most important factors to remain on a job, respondents named:
Good pay/ compensation: 77 percent
Opportunities for career growth: 66 percent
Challenging, rewarding or interesting work: 65 percent
Good benefits: 55 percent
Recognition/ respect from the company: 42 percent
Asked to list the top five reasons they would leave a job, respondents cited:
Insufficient pay/compensation: 67 percent
Insufficient opportunities for career growth and advancement: 58 percent
Insufficient recognition/ respect from company: 38 percent
Work isn't challenging, rewarding or interesting enough: 35 percent
Job instability: 34 percent
So what else is new?
Ladies: Would You Accept A Diamond From A Math Professor?
A study conducted by two Math Professors, Peter Sozou and Robert Seymour of the Center for Mathematics, University College of London was published this week in the Proceedings of The Royal Academy .
In their experiment they set up courtship as a sequential game and asked the question; What are the characteristics of a good courtship gift?
Their model was structured like this: The male offers a gift to a female; after observing the gift, the female decides whether or not to accept it; she then chooses whether or not to mate with the male. In one version of the game, based on human courtship, the female is uncertain about whether the male intends to stay or desert after mating. In a second version, there is no paternal care but the female is uncertain about the male's quality. The two versions of the game are shown to be mathematically equivalent.
Expensive investments during courtship does less to convince the woman of the man's long-term intentions and whether he'll stick around once there are kids.
Theoretical modeling put courtship as a sequential game, and concluded that an expensive night-on-the-town was a sounder investment than expensive jewelry, according to Sozou and Seymour.
So, Ladies, are these academics on target and which would impress you more about the guy? An expensive one time weekend trip to Paris or a big Diamond Rock?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Holidays to one and all. Best Wishes.
Eat well today, stores open at 6 A.M. tomorrow!!
And of course, the Internet is open 24/7.
Gem of A Bridal Gown! Most Expensive In U.S.
Most Expensive Bridal Gown (on record) To Be Worn In U.S.!!
When his little girl asked her dad for her dream wedding gown one Brooklyn father just could not say no. Even when the price tag for the schemata was a whopping $300,000! Anthony La Bate of Francesca Couture has been charged with the task to design what is most likely the most expensive wedding gown ever worn in the U.S.
The bride (whose name remains a mystery) has commissioned a dress encrusted with 1,100 diamonds totaling 300 carats and 3,000 Swarovski crystals all combined with 50 yards of silk organza. The wedding, scheduled to take place in New York in late summer, will definitely be one in which no guest will out sparkle this bejeweled 23 year old bride.
When the bride - whose father paid for the dress - called La Bate, she asked for an "over-the-top magnificent wedding dress."
"I've never heard of a gown at this price before in the U.S.," said La Bate. "I've designed gowns with semi-precious stones before, but never diamonds." And so when La Bate suggested using diamonds, "She said no problem... when I told her the value came out to $300,000, she was cool with it."
But the bride isn't cool with the world knowing who she is just yet. "She's a little shy and doesn't want to deal with any of this at the moment," said La Bate. "She comes from a great family."
The silk gown (pictured below) is in two pieces, with a diamond-adorned bodice that flares out like two leaves. The bottom of the dress is a detachable ball gown, which contains 50 yards of bias-cut petals in six tiers of scalloping, that the bride can take off at the end of the ceremony - so she isn't weighed down.
One of a Kind Bridal Gown
Each diamond was individually hand-stitched on the fabric. If they were to be replaced by crystals, the value of the dress would drop to $30,000, said La Bate.
On average, brides will spend anywhere from $500 to $12,000 on a gown. Further establishing this gown as one of the most expensive ever made in the US a rep at Saks Fifth Avenue bridal, which carries top bridal gowns priced from $3,000 said, "I've never heard of a gown of that price, not even from the highest couturier in the world."
(Source: IDEX Magazine)
St. Patricks Parade in The N.Y.C. Diamond District..Help!!
Hey Folks,
Happy St. Patricks Day to you all!
Unfortunately for me this day isn't going to well.
I'm sitting here in my office high above the street level in the heart of the N.Y.C. Diamond district where we have our diamond offices and showroom. I'm trying to do some work today on our diamond website before the weekend.
For anyone familiar with the famous diamond and jewelry district of New York City, we are right off Fifth Avenue and smack in middle of the yearly festivities of the St. Patrick's Day parade.
The noise is so loud I can hardly hear myself think. This is getting to be a yearly occurence...see my similar blog posting on St. Pat's day of last year over here.
So you might be thinking..well at least I can go downstairs and enjoy the view, no?
NO! I finally decide to go downstairs and get a coffee from the corner stand to ease my throbbing migraine. Well, the stand isn't there today (probably sent away by the cops), instead I am greeted at the corner by this:
Moral of the story; don't ASS-ume until you see the facts!!
Enjoy the weekend!
Diamond Identification Method for Consumers: Bring Napkins
The Financial Times of London reports on a novel way to identify Diamonds from fakes:
It is said that Alexander the Great found a valley full of both diamonds and poisonous snakes. No one could work out how to retrieve the jewels until Alexander had the idea of throwing down raw meat, to which the diamonds attached. When eagles flew down for the meat, Alexander's men just had to follow them to their nests.
It sounds like fantasy but diamonds are attracted to fat, and the story reminded people how to tell real diamonds from fakes. De Beers still practise Alexander's trick in their South Africa mines today: They use "grease tables" and only the valuable stones stick.
Today, most engagement rings are diamond but after the war, people wanted holidays, cars or colorful gems to celebrate a future marriage.
In 1947 a New York copywriter, given the task of finding a slogan for her client's product, stayed late in the office. "I put my head down and said: 'Please God, send me a line.'" Then she scribbled: "A Diamond is Forever" and the rest is History.
Diamond Bling Bling...For Your Teeth!!
This link is a must read!
Diamond Cleaning: Use Efferdent and Smile!
Saw this humorous posting today on Bridal Blog
Here's her story:
I keep meaning to stop in at a jeweler to have it professionally cleaned, but my mother-in-law to be (MILTB) told me this ridiculous slash terrifying story where she swears a friend of a friend of her cousin Phyllis did just such a thing and had her ring replaced with a fake. I realize that the chances of this story being true are infinitesimal, but I’ve yet to stop in and have it done, so clearly there is a tiny part of me that truly believes Phyllis’s friend’s friend. My MILTB went on to say that the BEST and ONLY means one should be using to clean a ring like mine is Efferdent—as in denture cleaner Efferdent.
So, today I did it. I walked into Duane Reade with purpose and conviction, found a box of denture cleaner and bought it. I was so excited to come home and try it out, I could barely contain myself. I heated up some water in a small teacup, dropped in the efferdent tablet, plopped in my ring and stood there watching the water fizzing for five long minutes. Even my dog looked up at me as if to say “you’ve officially crossed the line.”
When I couldn’t handle the suspense for one second longer, I fished my ring out of the icky blue solution, rinsed it off and Bing. Bam. Boom. Seriously, WOW. I may have been temporarily blinded. Dammit all if my ring didn’t look just as sparkly and shiny as the day I got it.
Now I just wonder if an Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner can have the same cleaning results for dentures?
Smile!
David Yurman Jewelry: Evolution of a Jewelry Designer.
The Orlando Sentinel has an interesting feature on David Yurman today.
David Yurman jewelry is like your favorite blue jeans -- only much more expensive. The jewelry is "comfortable," says Yurman, 63, who recently visited his new boutique, which rubs shoulders with Cartier and Tiffany in Orlando's Mall at Millenia.
The jewelry is also versatile, he says. "You can wear it anywhere, day to evening." Just like blue jeans.
It wasn't always that way with jewelry. Before the 1980s, when Yurman's now-iconic cable bracelets became the most coveted, and copied, arm candy in the United States, there were two kinds of jewelry: Costume for everyday wear, and fine jewelry for special occasions.
The relaxed elegance of Yurman's designs bridged the divide. The jewelry is classic but with a modern twist that gives it go-anywhere elan.
Fashioned from gold and silver, many pieces also feature coral and turquoise, a sparkling array of gemstones and Yurman's current favorite, South Seas pearls. Signature motifs include a squared "cushion" shape, a hook-and-eye closure and the widely recognized twisting "cable" pattern.
The designs are "a combination of art, fine jewelry and fashion," says Yurman, who wears several of his creations: A ring, a bracelet and a square-faced watch.
Dressed all in black, his thick white hair swept straight back, his chin fashionably stubbled, he looks every inch the artist from Tribeca, the New York neighborhood where he and his artist wife, Sylvia, live and work.
Before designing jewelry, Yurman was a sculptor, hanging out with prominent Beat artists of the 1960s; writer Norman Mailer, painter Franz Kline, sculptor Ron Boise.
"I did these funny little silver angels," he says.
It was one of those angels, fashioned into a belt buckle, that sparked his career as a jewelry designer.
The buckle was a gift to Sybil, his girlfriend at the time. She wore it to an art opening, where it caught the eye of the gallery owner. He asked if it was for sale. Yurman said no, but Sybil said yes -- and within weeks they found themselves in the jewelry business.
Ever since, they've had good-luck angels perched on their shoulders. Their collections are in more than 450 stores around the world, and David Yurman is one of the best-known luxury brands on the planet.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Barbra Streisand wear the jewelry; Steven Spielberg and Kevin Spacey the watches; hip-hop moguls Jay-Z and Damon Dash the men's designs. Their ad campaigns have featured models Amber Valetta and Kate Moss, and the company's newest "face" is Naomi Watts -- who recently flashed Yurman earrings of rose quartz and diamonds at the Oscars.
Orlando real estate agent Virginia Morales, 49, collects Yurman bracelets. "I wear three, four at a time," she says. "My husband always knows what to give me for my birthday, anything David Yurman."
Since founding their company in 1980, the Yurmans have worked as a team.
"I have the vision; I design the collections," explains Yurman. "My wife does the styling and merchandising."
Their son, Evan, is part of their ever-expanding creative team. And let's not forget the lawyers.
The couple's designs, which range from about $300 for a simple bracelet to more than $7,000 for a multistrand couture necklace, are among the most copied in the world. Yurman is not flattered by imitators and spends $1 million a year protecting his brand.
"Copying is stealing," he says. People who wear copies are deceptive. "And that's not cool."
Worse, he says, they are supporting counterfeiters who may pay no taxes, have ties to illegal operations or use child labor.
As his company grows, Yurman finds himself more in the role of executive than artist.
"It's less like playing an instrument, more like being the leader of the band," he says. "I'm about ready to do more art work."
But that is not likely to happen anytime soon. First, he plans to introduce a line of Yurman eyewear and a Yurman fragrance, followed by Yurman handbags and luggage.
No wonder he believes in angels.
Lose Your Engagement Ring, Diamond Ring, Wedding band? Try This Internet Lost & Found Website!
The Associated Press today reports an item of interest: There is now an Internet Website where you can post your lost Engagement Ring, Diamond Ring and Wedding Band.
Maureen Silliman felt her empty pocket and gulped: Her new $300 iPod must have bounced out as she ran to catch a train.
While she sobbed, her boyfriend suggested a message on the lost-and-found section of Craigslist, an online bazaar of classified ads.
"No," the 24-year-old Silliman said. "Nobody would ever turn in an iPod."
Her boyfriend posted the message anyway. Within 24 hours, Silliman's iPod was back.
In an increasingly cynical world, there are still places where people try to do the right thing. Everyday on Internet message boards, honest folks post notes about valuables they found: cash, bank cards, diamond bracelets, engagement rings, wedding bands, digital cameras, and even a cockatoo valued at $1,200.
In turn, when there is no place left to look for something missing, the desperate sometimes take the longest of longshots and look online themselves.
Occasionally, it works for both sides. People such as Silliman get back their iPod, still loaded with Radio Head and Broken Social Scene.
The impulse to be honest doesn't surprise Lawrence M. Hinman, the director of The Values Institute at the University of San Diego.
"I think we perceive ourselves as being much worse than we actually are," Hinman said. "There are people who live lives of quiet honesty."
Take Monique Peddle, 48, in Hollywood, Fla., who posted a note online when she found a diamond studded gold bracelet that she could have just as easily slipped quietly in her pocket.. Or Blake Facente, 30, who also turned to Craigslist when he discovered a Dell Inspiron laptop leaning against his building in San Francisco.
The same for Agnes Satoorian, 27, who climbed into a cab in Boston last month and found a pricey digital camera that another rider had left behind.
"I know that pain," said Satoorian, who had recently lost her own camera loaded with sentimental pictures. "I decided I would try to make it right for someone."
Craig Newmark, the namesake and founder of Craigslist, said that the company added the lost-and-found message board in March 2003 after they noticed a proliferation of people looking for things that they were missing.
"The culture of trust is key, and the fact is that we work really hard at that," said Newmark, 53, who now has Web sites in 190 cities that boast more than 10 million users a month.
That means everyday there are new lost-and-found posts. Like the drawer in a school secretary's office where missing scarves wait to be claimed, the message boards accumulate a disparate collection of goods.
Some are outlandish.
The three teeth -- including a molar with a filing that needed replacing -- pick up in downtown Honolulu. The $100 bill found on a sidewalk on the Las Vegas strip. The man in Copenhagen who lost his ex-wife. Or the New Yorker who misplaced her clean-shaven cowboy and implored: "If found please send him to Queens."
In the lost column in Dublin, Ireland, a post under the heading, "$1 Million US reward," has a link to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted poster for Boston fugitive mobster James "Whitey" Bulger.
"I just want him caught," said the post's author, reached through e-mail, who declined to elaborate or give his name.
Other posts are authentic, and even touching.
The 39-year-old woman in Frankfurt, Germany, looking for her birth mother (Bridgitte Siglinde Stolba). The Homestead, Fla., mother searching for a lost dog named Sparky that detects her 17-year-old epileptic son's seizures and barks for help. The 1-carat diamond engagement ring that slipped off a woman's finger in the hills outside Berkeley, Calif.
Success of the Lost and Found is difficult to measure. Craigslist does not track its sites, and the free posting are only valid for 30 days.
But as stories about triumphs like Silliman's iPod circulate, more people keep playing the odds.
Last Fourth of July, scuba diver Stephen Klink found a solid platinum men's wedding band buried in sand beneath 30 feet of water off Cape Cod. Klink, 36, recently posted a note on the Boston-area Craigslist.
"It's a long shot, but I figured it's worth a try," Klink said from his home in Hillsdale, N.J. "Some married guy somewhere is getting whopped on because he lost his wedding ring."
Hey Guys: Can Diamonds Buy Women Love? Guess Again.
Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend. Right?! Well, fellas, not according to a survey just released by True, an on-line relationship service. They found (surprisingly?) that women value Love and a long-term committment-relationship more than diamonds and jewelry.
Read the results of their survey here: Love Or Diamonds?
Diamonds are Everywhere!
Diamonds are now everywhere!
There isn't a commodity on this earth that cannot be used or manipulated to market this "woman's best friend".
Ever hear of "diamond earphones"?
Check out the scoop here!
Have A Hurricane, Get A Diamond.
Suffer the devastating consequences of a Hurricane, like Hurricane Katrina?
Apparently some New Orleansians didn't let that bother them.
No Home? No car? No clothes? No problem! Gonna get me some diamonds with that there FEMA money.
Bush's fault, of course! Of course!
Hurri-Cane me a Diamond Ring, Please!
Sometimes Diamonds Are Better Left Home.
Just Bring your American Express Card.
Leave Your Diamond Jewelry At Home
Gals, Looking To Marry A Sugar Daddy Millionaire? Go To Ireland.
The Irish Times reports today that Ireland is now the second wealthiest nation in the world with more than 30,000 millionaires living here, according to new research published by Bank of Ireland Private Banking.
The average personal wealth per head of population in the Republic is nearly euro 150,000, the "Wealth of the Nation" report found. This is higher than average wealth of euro 137,000 in the United Kingdom and euro 129,000 in the United States.
Only Japan has higher net wealth per head of population than the Republic at euro 206,000.
Net wealth in the Irish economy has grown by 350 percent over the past decade - three times faster than the rate of growth in Britain. The growth rate takes into account the increasing levels of household debt in the economy.
Out of the estimated 30,000 millionaires, some 300 individuals are thought to have a net worth of more than euro 30 million. A further 2,700 people are reckoned to have a net worth of euro 5 million to 30 million. Bank of Ireland's definition of millionaire excludes people's main residences. If these were included, the number of millionaires in the country could be as high as 100,000.
Irish wealth is "disproportionately" skewed toward property, with 71 percent of total wealth invested in the asset last year. Some 16 percent of Irish wealth is invested in equities, while 10 percent is held in cash and 3 percent is invested in bonds.
Bank of Ireland forecasts that, by 2015, property will be less dominant. It predicts that the breakdown of investment will shift to 61 percent in property, 22 percent in equities, 12 percent in cash and 5 percent in bonds.
The move away from property will be prompted by "more realistic" property prices, while an ageing population will show more interest in investment and pension funds.
Most of the Republic's wealth is "new money" created by people's willingness to borrow to invest further, according to Mark Cunningham, Bank of Ireland Private Banking's managing director.
"It has been entrepreneurial and more risk-orientated than many other developed countries where inheritance features more prominently," he said.
Personal disposable income in the Republic has doubled over the past 10 years, and is forecast to double again over the next decade. The annual level of personal savings stood at euro 10 billion at the end of 2005 and this is forecast to increase to euro 13.5 billion by 2010 and to euro 24 billion by 2015.
Debt as a percentage of disposable income has increased from 89 percent to 140 percent in the past five years. But O'Sullivan said that neither the absolute level of borrowing nor borrowing levels relative to overall wealth were ahead of international norms.
Moissanite Sales Drop.
Charles & Colvard reported that Net sales during the second quarter slid 8.5 percent to $8.513 million, however the company drove up profits 48 percent to $1.096 million. Cost of goods dropped 34 percent to $2.13 million and operating expenses fell 2.6 percent to $4.71 million.
Bob Thomas, president and CEO said that while revenues fell during the second quarter the year-to-year comparison was difficult due to a large order by K&G Creations in 2005 required for the rollout of moissanite products into Finlay store locations.
Charles & Colvard's domestic sales in the second quarter decreased 15 percent to $7.2 million. International sales for the second quarter increased 59 percent to $1.3 million.
Shipments for the quarter dropped 5 percent to 51,100 carats.
Thomas said that Charles & Colvard expects to increase the number of doors with Finlay and introduce an exclusive collection of jewelry inspired by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. "We believe that we are positioned for a strong Christmas holiday season. We also expect an initial shipment of moissanite jewelry into approximately 170 doors at a major, national retail chain which has over 700 retail locations as well as a test of 22 doors at the jewelry counter of a major, national retail chain that has over 900 locations," he said.
For the first half of 2006, Charles & Colvard reports net sales declined 19.5 percent to $16.530 million and profits fell 4.8 percent to $2.620 million.
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.
Wedding Ring History.
Did you know that:
• The first finger rings appeared in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago. To the Egyptians, a circle, having no beginning or end, signified eternity. Numerous 2,000-year-old rings have been unearthed at Pompeii, buried and preserved by lava flow. Early Hebrews placed the wedding ring on the index finger. In India, nuptial rings were worn on the thumb.
• In the Third Century B.C., Greek physicians believed that the vein of love, ran from the third finger directly to the heart (they didn't count the thumb). So it became the logical digit to carry a ring symbolizing affairs of the heart.
• On Aug. 17, 1477, Mary of Burgundy became the first bride-to-be to receive a diamond engagement ring. Fearing rejection, her betrothed, Maximilian of Austria, heeded counsel that the diamond would impress her.
• By the 17th Century, diamond engagement rings were all the rage in Europe. A bride's status was greatly reduced without one.
From Our Can You Believe This!! Dept.
MarketWatch reports that Ryanair Holdings Plc, Europe's largest low-cost airline, gave the U.K. government an ultimatum on Friday: lift restrictions on carry-on luggage and ease other security measures within seven days or risk being sued for compensation.
The Dublin-based airline sent the demand to Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander and urged him again to send army or police personnel to assist front-line security staff if the government insists on requiring that 50% more passengers than normal are body-searched.
Ryanair said that if security were restored to normal International Air Transport Association (IATA) levels within a week, then the airline would "not make any claim for compensation which it is entitled to under the provision of section 93 of the Transport Act 2000."
'We are now body searching five- and six-year olds flying to Spain for a vacation with their parents. We're not adding to security, we're adding to public hysteria.'
Chief Executive Michael O'Leary once again called the new security measures, which forbid passengers form taking liquids, perfume and cosmetics through security and restrict the maximum size of carry-on bags, "nonsensical."
"We are now body searching five- and six-year olds flying to Spain for a vacation with their parents," he said.
"We're not adding to security, we're adding to public hysteria," he added.
O'Leary said the U.K. government is handing terrorists a victory by allowing the new security measures to disrupt travel.
"They must be rolling around the caves of Afghanistan laughing at the British people and the British government," O'Leary said.
Hey O'Leary! Lay off the sauce, will ya. Did you notice that two of the terrorists caught by British Police the other week were a young Muslim couple with their 6 month old baby that they were going to blow up on the plane. Just make sure to do whatever is necessary to keep your passengers safe and insure that the terrorists don't indeed have the last laugh.
Prospecting for Diamonds In The U.S.A. A Lost Pastime Returns.
Prospecting for Diamonds, Diamond Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands, and Jewelry has returned with great popularity.
The story is here: Diamond Treasure Hunt
How Do I Clean My Diamond Engagement Ring?
Is a question we get all the time.
Our answer is that while Ultrasonic cleaners are the rage today with manufacturers touting their magical cleaning prowess, they are expensive to purchase, expensive to maintain (you have to change the dyed/perfumed alchohol cleaning fluid constantly...also expensive), and the violent shaking and spinning inside the machine's container while cleaning has been known to loosen the diamond(s) on your ring to the point where you'll be at the office, a party, or some other corporate or social function, look down and find to your horror that your diamond is gone.
We've found the best cleaning solution to be isopropyl (rubbing) alchohol ($1.59 at your local drugstore) and a small bristle brush (from any shaving kit) with medium to hard bristles.
Soak your ring for 1-2 minutes in the alchohol, then brush vigorously with the brush, especially in between the prongs and on the undersides of the basket and shank, re-soak for another two minutes and pat dry on a kleenex. Will look like it just came out of the factory.
You should this at least once every 48 hours. In addition you should check to see if your diamond is securely held within the prongs. Take your thumb and forefinger and place at opposite ends of the girdle. Very gently try to move the diamond. If there is even the slightest "give" it's a sign that the prongs need tightening. Another test is to hold the ring up to your ear and shake. If you hear a Rattle 'N Roll, it's time to tighten those prongs.
Quantum Computers Wear Diamonds, Too.
Interesting article on the role of Diamonds on Quantum Computers.
That's A BIG Diamond!
Novosti News reports that Moscow residents and visitors will soon have a chance to see the third-largest diamond found in Russia after authorities in Siberia's main diamond-bearing region sold it to the national fund of gemstones and precious metals.
Vladimir Rybkin, the head of the collection, said Monday the 298.48-carat diamond was valued at "several million dollars." But he declined to name the price at which the stone had been bought from the government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), which owns the mining company that unearthed it in July 2004.
The new acquisition will be displayed to the public in Moscow's Kremlin Armory Palace, where the Diamond Fund, started by Tsar Peter the Great in 1719 as a royal jewelry collection, is now housed.
"There has never been the desire to sell such stones in our country's history," Rybkin said.
The fund's largest Russian diamond, of 342.5 carats, was uncovered in 1980 and the second largest, weighing 320.65 carats, emerged nine years later. Other highlights include the diamond-encrusted coronation crown of Catherine the Great and the 190-carat Orlov Diamond, given to the empress by her lover Count Grigory Orlov. The collection also boasts the world's largest sapphire and Easter eggs designed by imperial jeweler Carl Faberge.
According to Russia's Finance Ministry statistics, Russia is the leading producer of diamonds by volume and second to Botswana in terms of value. Some 99% of Russian diamonds are mined in Sakha.
New York's Diamond In The Rough
Is the Naked Cowboy who you'll find everyday in his Jockey briefs, strumming his guitar on the traffic island on 45th Street and Broadway to the admiring ogles of his many female fans.
Certainly ends our day on a bright note.
His story is here.
N.Y.C. Diamond District Mostly Closed In Observance of Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana, which marks the new year on the Jewish calendar begins this Friday evening.
Many diamond and jewelry stores here in the N.Y.C. diamond district will be closed in observance of the Holiday, begining tomorrow morning through Sunday evening.
Google has a really cool logo with a Shofar in honor of Rosh Hashana
See it here. http://www.google.co.il/
Inspiration for this blog entry taken from Barry of CartoonBarry!
Custom Diamond Jewelry...Made With Wood??
I just saw a recent article in an industry magazine that deals with a new and very cool phenomena in the world of diamond jewelry.
Wood- from ebony to exotic African species- has become a suprisingly popular look in fine jewelry.
Many upscale, luxury diamond jewelry designers, are incorporating wood into their diamond jewlery creations. IWC, the Richemont-owned watch brand known for its upscale sport watches, has a new watch style that features timbers from the decks and othe parts of the Calypso, the famed research vessel of pioneer marine researcher Jaques Cousteau. IWC chose the case back of the watch to house the ocean going memorabilia.
The famous Calypso
The limited edition Aquatimer chronograph "Costeau Diver" watch also has a silhouette of the Calypso stamped into the wood. Costeau's widow has released sections of the ship for use in collector memorabillia in order to raise funds for the Cousteau foundation.
IWC "Costeau Diver Watch
This company manufactures mens cufflinks made out of wood from various ballparks, including Yankee Stadium.
This company manufactures some beautifully crafted writing instruments made from a combination of exotic woods and precious metal, like gold or platinum!
Gorgeous Pen made From Exotic Wood and 24 Carat Gold!
This stuff is really incredible! I always thought it would be interesting to fuse the desireability, beauty, and aesthetic value of exotic woods with the timeless appeal of diamonds and precious metals, in custom jewely creations!
These companies are finding that there is indeed a niche market af savvy consumers who appreciate these unique jewelry pieces.
Ashley Judd Teams With Jewelry Designer, H. Stern
Actress Ashley Judd is the new face of H. Stern. The star reinforces the brazillian jeweler's ongoing international branding campaign, dubbed "Part of You", which spotlights bonds between "strong, powerful, and sensually modern women" and the jewelrs she must have. (sheesh... howzat for marketing fluff!!)
Judd gushed about H. Sterns jewelry in this interview.
Ashley Judd at the H. Stern Inaugural Party.
You Choose The Topic At DiamondVues.com!
Check out this awesome new poll I was able to access courtesy of PollDaddy, and through Barry of CartoonBarry
Basically, you pick the topic to discuss!
Please vote and see the results!
Spend More On Your Diamond Or Your Wedding Gown?
Here are the results of a recent survey conducted by a local bridal website. Pretty cool stuff!
The Weekend Never Looked This Good!
What a hectic week!
Crazy amounts of orders to get out with all manners of custom rings and engagement rings.
Tons of appointments to view loose diamonds in our N.Y.C. diamond showroom.
Everyone needs the diamond ring yesterday...and everyone's got a good reason for it.
From the couple who ordered a custom engagement ring last week, for their wedding this weekend (I kid you not)!....to the brave and honorable serviceman being deployed to Iraq next weekend and needs to present his gal with our Custom 'Tiffany' diamond enagement ring before he goes overseas.....
Then we had a power outage in our dedicated computer for our in-house Gemex BrillianceScope Machine and had to wait for a new power supply before we could re-calibrate the machine.... :( :(
Don't get me wrong, being busy is good.
Still, this weekend never looked better!!
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Diamond Vues.com Wishes Everyone a Happy Halloween!
The staff at www.DiamondVues.com would like to wish all of our readers a very Happy Halloween!
Halloween begins tomorrow evening and we hope all of you have a great time and encourage you to stay safe and sober!
We hope to welcome you back right after the Holiday with more updated information on all things related to diamonds and diamond jewelry, so check back with us soon!
Remember, don't drink and drive, and try to make sure you don't look like this pumpkin at the end of the evening!
Halloween Costumes Using Duct Tape?
Google today, has this realy neat image up for Halloween depicting a taped-up and mumified Google Icon.
Then, I turn on the radio and hear a news report on WABCvarious Halloween costumes that can be created using duct tape! I know that duct tape has many functions, but a costume wasn't on my list.
It seems many people disagree. Check out this Fox news report on Halloween duct tape costumes.
Barry Gutwein In Our Diamond Showroom
My Dad (Barry) met with a wonderful couple the other day in our New York City diamond showroom to showcase some of our beautiful loose diamonds. This couple researched our diamond company on the Internet and flew in from sunny Puerto Rico to meet us in New York!
The lovely couple stayed for awhile, wound up buying a gorgeous diamond and even took a picture with my dad (unfortunately, Carlos' absolutely beautiful fiancee was not in this particular shot)!
Here is the photo and the e-mail diamond testimonial that we got with it!
Barry Gutwein & Carlos
Barry,
Thank you! What a great experience we had. In the last couple of
months we had gone to a lot of different jewelers, but none had such
beautiful diamonds and the sales people where always very pushy. You
were very helpful in answering all our questions and never tried to
pressure us into buying anything, I appreciate that. We are extremely
happy with our purchase and can't wait for the ring to arrive. I will
definitely recommend you to all our friends.
Again thank you very much,
Carlos
Tripping On Fresca At The Office!
We go through alot of soda cans here at the office every week.
Between meeting with clients in our showroom (sodas are gratis...diamonds are not ;)), and our own consumption, we need to stock a decent amount of soda cans.
The problem is, my Dad has no clue what a "decent stock" ought to look like, so instead he just has a boat-load of soda cans ordered!
The other problem is that Dad really likes Fresca so that's all we have! The rest of us in the office like Fresca too...but I think it might be time for a change.
I guess this means were gonna order a boat load of diet coke for next week!
I'll know we need serious help when there are more soda cans than diamonds flying around here!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Today Is My Birthday!!!
Today I turned 28.
I was born on November 20, 1978.
Methinks I'm gonna ask Dad for BIG diamonds to set in a pair of cufflinks!
....or maybe a vacation! ;)
Trendy Mall Stores Changing Their Facade
New York Times reports that in mall stores across the country, the floor to ceiling glass storefront is giving way to elaborate walls that make it impossible to see inside.
Intrigued by a store they cannot see into, connsumers walk in to solve the mystery and stay to shop.
Executives of hip retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch have already noted and mentioned the effectiveness of this game plan!
Architects note, however, that opaque storefronts could prove disasterous for retailers that must appeal to multiple generations.
I guess you could say, this brings to new meaning to the term "window shopping"!
Chocolate Sprinkled in 24kt. Gold Flakes!!
...And you thought Godiva manufactures expensive chocolate!!
This company manufactures swiss chocolates which are sprinkled in 24 karat gold flakes and come in two sizes: "Celebration" and "Intimacy" which sells for $99 (8 pcs.) and $37 (2 pcs.) respectively.
You can even customize the box with a special message!
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.
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!!
Enough Of The Retarded Diamond Ads
With Valentine's Day just behind us, I cannot help but think back to some of the incredibly cheezy diamond ads we have had to endure by the likes of Debeers.
Obviously, ya gotta give Debeers some credit for their consistent and effective marketing of diamonds to the general public.
Via their website, a diamond is forever they have effectively created and promoted an aura of magic around the notion of purchasing diamonds and diamond jewelry as the ultimate expression of love.
However, some of their ads (especially for Valentine's day) leave much to be desired.
It's almost as if they specifically hired a marketing guy who prefers tacky and tasteless ads...
Here are some of the recent "ads" from Debeers....
If this rubbish passes for an advertisement...heck...I'm in the wrong business!!
In my humble opinion, effective advertisements, for any product, are the ones that are both "catchy" and memorable, not blase and forgettable.
Here are a few examples...I hope you will agree!
In a Podiatrist's office:"Time wounds all heels."
On a Septic Tank Truck in Oregon :"Yesterday's Meals on Wheels"
At a Proctologist's door:"To expedite your visit please back in."
On a Plumber's truck: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee :"Invite us to your next blowout."
At a Towing company :"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
On an Electrician's truck:"Let us remove your shorts."
On a Maternity Room door: "Push. Push. Push."
At an Optometrist's Office"If you don't see what you're looking for,
you've come to the right place."
On a Fence:"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive."
At a Car Dealership:"The best way to get back on your feet - - -
miss a car payment."
Outside a Muffler Shop:"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
At the Electric Company:"We would be de-lighted if you send in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be. "
In a Restaurant window:"Don't stand there and be hungry, Come on in and get fed up
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:"Drive carefully. We'll wait."
At a Propane Filling Station,"Thank heaven for little grills"
And don't forget the sign at a Chicago Radiator Shop:"Best place in town to take a leak."
Our Diamond Gemex Reports Lost In The Mail??
As we have the Gemex Brilliancescope technology in-house, many of our loose diamonds get evaluated on the machine and an official, validated Brilliancescope report registered, (issued) printed, and mailed to us.
A Gemex diamond light performance report adds value to your loose diamond
A validated diamond BrillianceScope report
Recently, we have experienced some delay in getting our printed and validated reports in the mail.
This has been somewhat of an inconvenience for us since loose diamonds have sold and shipped out without a Gemex report, which had not yet arrived and therefore had to be mailed under seperate cover.
When I inquired as to what could possibly be causing the delay, I was told that stuff "gets lost in the mail all the time".
So I'm wondering....how could stuff simply "get lost in the mail"....???
Truly......how difficult is it for the mailman to just pull the envelope out of the mailbox, put it on the truck and deliver it on time??
After seeing this cartoon, I'm thinking anything is possible!!!!
This Teacher Should Be Tarred and Feathered.
It's not often that we blog on news items that are not directly related to Diamonds and Jewelry but this item on todays wires made us sick to our stomachs and is good reason for instituting strict screening hiring measures.
The link is here: Teacher Run Amuck
Diamond Shirt Modeled in Milan
While everyone was having a great time at the recent Oscars, a diamond top worth $1.3 million was featured during Milan fashion week. It is represents a partnership between Gianfranco Ferré and Dalumi. The sheer black top is covered with more than 900 diamonds weighing more than 300 carats. The outfit was modeled by singer Skin and also featured tuxedo pants and a silk cape.
Week-End Tidbit
Age is a State of Mind.
$25,000 Loose Diamond Pulled From A Shower Drain!
This $25,000 diamond was pulled out of a jail drain!
ORANGE — The $25,000 diamond sat undiscovered in a bathroom drain at Theo Lacy Jail for more than a year.
Hundreds of inmates showered and shaved in the Theo Lacy shower but only one – a suspected jewel thief – knew the nearly perfect 2-carat rock lay just below the surface.
Snatched out of the Jewelry Express in the Westminster Mall in April 2005, the diamond had been swallowed and regurgitated over and over by Bret Langdon, a suspected jewel thief, as he moved around in the jail system. Since his last move, it had been in the drain for 14 months.
A signed court order presented Wednesday forced deputies to search a specific shower drain for the diamond.
As they searched through the muck – they fished out the rock – a brilliant round cut. Langford confessed the diamond was his; he had been keeping it with him for almost two years while waiting for trial, Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino said.
Read the full awesome story here.
Thoughts of A Blogger | When is Blogging, Too Much?
I've been having a really great time blogging on our Diamond Vues Blog and most recently, on our new Excel Diamond Diamond Tips Blog.
In fact, I'm having so much fun blogging, I actually find myself in the "blogging spirit" most of the day. If I'm not writing a blog, then I'm researching an appropriate topic for a blog...
So how much, is too much?
I guess if you feel the need to copy this bloggers ingenious scheme to stay in front of the computer...you have a pretty significant problem!!
Fortunately, I'm not there yet.
I'm afraid some of my blogger friends might be though......
Starbucks "Free" Coffee? Not!
A couple of years ago I blogged here regarding my expensive addiction to Starbucks coffee.
Overpriced coffee
Unfortunately, since that time I have not been able to kick the habit.
Well, this morning on my way to work I get a phone call from my Dad telling me that Starbucks is giving out free coffee from 10-12 in the afternoon.
So I show up at about 10 minutes to ten and get served at about 5 minutes to 10. Here I am ordering a grande decaf (my second coffee of the morning...it's all in the mind..;-)) for 2 bucks and change.....it's free though..right?
Wrong!
She charged me full price when my watch read 1 minute to 10 o'clock!!! (I think my watch might be 30 seconds fast...)
I ask what happened to the "free coffee" promo. and she says "I'm early"!!!
'Twas the worst coffee I ever had...:-((
The moral of the story is, you cannot beat the system!
Luxury Blogs | Add Your Name To The List!
Andrew from Janus Thinking referenced an excellent blog from Paul Johnson at A Luxury Travel Blog with this " L-list" of Luxury Blogs.
This is basically a compilation of popular blogs for all things related to luxury items, products, and services.
A Luxury Travel Blog
B Glam
blavish
Blog-Tique
Born Rich
Deluxe Blog.it
DiamondVues
Foodaholic
Glenn O’Brien’s Style
Good Luck Deluxe
GourmetStation
High Chic
I Love Bling
Living the Luxe Life
Lussorian
Luxist
Luxury Home Digest
Luxury Housing Trends
Luxury Portfolio
Luxury Reviewer
Luxus.fr
Restaurant Girl
Social Diva
Sybarites
Tango Diva
The Delicious Life
The Informed Traveler
The Lobby
Vagablond
Vinography
Wine Camp Blog
Wine Goddess
If you wish to add to this growing list of Luxury Blogs, follow these instructions:
- Write a post.
- Copy/paste the link list (and these instructions!) from the post you’ve discovered the L-List into it.
- Make sure the links are active and correct.
- If your blog is on the list, remove it… it’s not a self-promotion post. As Tim Fehlman (Z-List) said : “Don’t worry, because if your name is on mine, it’s on others and will spread.”
- Add your favourite luxury blogs on to the list.
- Add the URL of the blog where you’ve discovered the L-List as well.
- Publish the post.
- People will notice the L-List and continue it.
Jewelry Designer's Dog Saves Her Life!
They say "every dog has his day".
For Toby, a golden retriever from Calvert, that day came yesterday.
This courageous canine literally performed the Heimlich maneuver on owner Debbie Parkhurst, a Clavert based jewelry designer.
Toby and Debbie after the heroic rescue.
Read the full incredible story here.
Cardinals' Staff Gets 2006 World Series Rings!
Read about it here:
Why I Blog on Diamonds and Jewelry?
Barry Schwartz just tagged me asking me why I blog. Here are some reasons I can think of right off the top of my head:
1. We are passionate about diamonds and jewelry and cannot get enough information for ourselves. This has us scouring the industry for news, updates, and information. It is a small hop and a skip from there to actually collating this info. into a cohesive blog.
2. In addition to our e-commerce diamond & jewelry website, our Signature Ideal Diamond Information website, and other diamond websites in cyberspace where we contribute our time and expertise, our blog allows us the flexibility of sharing a varied level of information and data on the things we know best!
3. A blog is so much more impersonal and less formal than a regular website. It reads better. It engages the consumer and it sends the message that you don't have to actually be in the market to "buy" something in order to enjoy information on diamonds and jewelry. Many people are scared to browse an e-commerce website for diamonds and jewelry simply because they are scared to get "pitched" before they might actually be ready to buy. By enabling the reader to sift through interesting postings related to diamonds and jewelry, we give people the opportunity to get comfortable with our industry and with buying on the net in particular.
Buying diamonds or jewelry on the net from a reputable jeweler is not scary proposition. Indeed, the age of the Internet, its ability to add value and empower the consumer with real knowledge and info. has completely changed the face of the diamond industry.
4. I respect and appreciate successful diamond and jewelry designers, companies, and brands who have distinguished themselves in our industry. These are people who are passionate about what they do and about making customers happy. They are perfectionists in their work and they deserve credit and kudos for enriching our industry and the customer experience.
Our blog gives me the opportunity and platform to recognize their contributions in my "Diamond Stars" and "Diamond & Jewelry" websites sections.
5. I enjoy helping people learn about loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. People buy this stuff during an emotional high point in their lives and it makes me happy to play a small role in their momentous occasions.
6. A blog enables me to create my own community in cyberspace where I get to "meet" wonderful and interesting people who share a similar interest and passion. It also allows us to converse with experts in the industry who are at the top of their game. This is a really cool way of leveraging the powerful net and we are loving it!
7. Finally, I'd be remiss (and intellectually dishonest..;-)) if I didn't also point to the fact that our popular diamond and jewelry blog helps us showcase some of our own talents..;-) and certainly sends some traffic to our diamond and jewelry store.
That's all I could think of for now!!
Loose Diamonds Found in A Rug
Found this really cool story about a jewelry store owner who found two missing valuable diamonds in a rug during his recent store renovation.
"Diamonds in the Rug"
Light Blogging During Passover and Easter
We will be light on the blogs and postings over the next several days as the Passover Holiday continues through Tuesday, April 10.
Our offices and factory will be closed on Monday and Tuesday in observance of the Holiday and we reopen on Wednesday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m.
We would like to wish all of our friends, readers, and subscribers a joyous Easter and a Happy Passover.
Please enjoy your Holidays with family and friends and we look forward to blogging again in earnest as soon as we get back!
There Is A Rat In The New York Diamond District
As if the New York City Diamond District where I work isn't already interesting enough, its just become even more bizzare.
Tourists who flock to our diamond and jewelry district located between 5 and 6 avenues and 44 - 48 streets will experience a cacophony of sites and sounds, with jewelers, brokers and major bling-bling all vying and competing for your attention.
Now there is something else too.
A huge RAT!
For the past several weeks this ugly rat has dominated the diamond district (46 street between 5 and 6 avenues) where it stands adjacent to a building renovation in progress (something about an unhappy labor union...).
I snapped this picture for you!
This Guy is A Great Matchmaker! | Get Engaged With Mr. Cupid!
I just found a few of the most hilarious videos from Cupid, the overstressed matchmaker.
In fact, I used him as one of my "dont"-s for my blog entry today on
10 Ways NOT To Propose To Your Girlfriend!!
Here is a hilarious rap video from the world funniest matchmaker!
Watch the video and get engaged with Mr, Cupid!
Brittany Murphy Gets Married...With Two Diamond Engagement Rings!!
Brittany Murphy, surprised everyone with her recent secret wedding to screenwriter Simon Monjack.
Obviously, the reason it was surprising to hear about her secret wedding is because Brittany is not supposed to get married!
This is the same gal who got engaged to Joe "whatshisface" Malcuso, a $35 an hour stage hand, last year. She was engaged for about a minute and a half (or was it 6 months..) and then broke up.
Brittany with her latest Ex...Joe Malcuso.
Before that, she was engaged (briefly) in 2004 to her manager; another no-name guy.
Before that, she was hooked up with rapper Eminem, and before that,.... well... probably with anyone in pants....
So, it's interesting to see her finally "settle down" with another no name person who apparently "writes" screenplays...whatever.
This no name guy, whose name is actually Simon Monjack (hmm.. Brittany Monjack) were married in their Los Angeles home several weeks ago in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their families.
Now here is the shocker....
According to jeweler Neil Lane, "the couple couldn't decide which ring they liked best, so they bought both. She got two big platinum and diamond cushion-cut whoppers – one big white and one big yellow."
I cannot help but wonder; who paid for these engagement rings??
Was it Brittany...or Simon, on his..err...."writers payroll"?
If it was Simon, my advice is don't throw out those receipts, you're gonna need them very soon for the return!!
Good Luck!
Rudy Giuliani Answers Questions About His Jewelry
Down in Huntsville, Alabama, last week, Rudy Giuliani was forced to answer questions about the gaudy World Series rings he's been wearing on the presidential campaign trail. "I paid precisely what anyone else would pay," he insisted, adding that he didn't get any of them until after he left office.
He was responding to a Voice story ("The Yankees' Clean-up Man," May 9–15) that charged him with taking the rings while in office and failing to disclose them as gifts—both of which are violations of law that could still be prosecuted. He branded the Voice's revelations "a joke," though it was his contention that he paid full value for them—$2,500 for the 1996 ring in 2004 and $4,500 apiece for 1998, 1999, and 2000 rings in 2003—that had much of the sports-memorabilia world laughing.
Click here to read the full story.
Light Blogging During Holiday, JCK Show & Memorial Day Weeekend
Next week is gonna be a light blogging week for us.
Here is why:
1. The Jewish Holiday Of Shavuot begins at sundown on Tuesday night and ends on Thursday evening. Our offices and factory will be closed during this time.
2. The annual JCK show is coming up.
3. We will be closed on from Friday through Monday for Memorial Day weekend.
We are gonna try to blog as much as possible during this hectic schedule, but it is definitely going to be slower than our usual 3-4 daily postings.
I wish you all a great weekend!
Back After The Holiday. Let's Talk Diamonds & Engagement Rings!
We are back in full swing from our extended Memorial Day weekend vacation!
I am excited to get back to blogging about one of my favorite passions; beautiful diamond and engagement rings!!
We are gonna cover all the hot topics, including current engagement ring trends, branded diamonds, luxury watches and MUCH MORE!
Stay tuned!!
Let's talk diamonds!!
Japanese Hotel Loses $1.2 Million Gold Bathtub
Barry reports today that a glittering bathtub made of gold, worth Y120 million ($A1.21 million) has been stolen from a resort hotel near Tokyo.
A worker at Kominato Hotel Mikazuki in Kamogawa, south of Tokyo, notified police the fancy tub was missing from the hotel's guest bathroom on the 10th floor of its building, according to a local police official.
The round tub, 1.21 metres in diameter and 71 centimetres tall, was made of 18-karat gold weighing 80 kilograms, the official said.
The tub, flanked by two crane statues, has been a main feature of the hotel's shared bathroom.
Visitors can take a dip in the tub, but it is only available a few hours a day "for security reasons," the hotel's website said.
Someone apparently cut the chain attached to the door of a small section of the bathroom where the bathtub was placed, but not riveted, and made off with the tub, the police official said.
The cranes were left untouched.
"We have no witness information and there are no video cameras," the official said.
Anyone seeing a gold bathtub being lugged around the streets of Tokyo, is urged to contact local authorities immediately...;-)
All The Jewelry In The World At Your Fingertips! The Perfect Husband!
My Sister In-Law sent me this really funny link this morning, which I embedded on You Tube (I subsequently found it plastered all over You Tube...).
For all of you diamond and jewelry lovers out there and all you gals who have specific ( and usually substantial..;-)) diamond engagement rings on your dream "wish list", this guy would make the Perfect Husband!
The Wedding Must Go On!
Today's Tidbits:
The $1 Million Dollar Diamond Ice Cream Cone
One of the coolest "blinged out" items to be featured at this year's diamond and jewelry show in Las Vegas, is the $1 million dollar diamond ice cream cone created by ideal cut diamond manufacturer, Lazare Kaplan for the Bruster's ice cream company.
Th diamond cone was created as a replica to the original ice cream cone by this company.
I literally flipped out when I saw it!
We don't sell ice cream cones, but we do sell beautiful loose diamonds and gorgeous diamond engagement rings.. Of course you cannot eat them like an ice cream cone. However, a beautiful diamond engagement ring sure lasts a heck of a lot longer!
The diamond cone consists of nearly 20 troy ounces of 18k white and yellow gold, 548 round Lazare Diamonds, 87 Lazare square emerald cut diamonds, and one breathtaking 5.63 carat Fancy Intense Yellow radiant cut diamond. The 152.16 carat total weight one-of-a-kind piece has a retail value of $1 million and is for sale!
"At Bruster's we're dedicated to providing a superior ice cream product in a fun, social environment," said Jim Sahene, CEO, Bruster's Real Ice Cream. "Bruster's creation of a $1 Million Cone symbolizes the outstanding quality of our ice cream, and its sale provides the platform to speak about the positive impact of one-on-one mentoring relationships like those cultivated by Big Brothers Big Sisters."
Read the full press release and watch the video here.
First Robot To MC A Wedding
Hanool Robotics said Tiro the robot was the first ever to assist at the civil wedding ceremony for Seok Gyeong-Jae, one of the engineers who designed it, and his bride on Sunday at Daejeon, 130 kilometers (78 miles) south of Seoul.
The firm claims it is the first time a robot has been used as master of ceremonies for a wedding.
After its marital duties are completed, "Tiro will be upgraded so that it can be used for various purposes," Hanool official Kim Dae-Hyun told AFP.
Via: Physorg
We Are Back From Vacation!
Hi Folks!
We are officially back from our vacation and are back in full swing!
Of course this means we will shortly be back to posting consistently here on Diamond Vues, regarding the latest happenings, trends and hard hitting information related to the diamond and jewelry industry (online and offline!)
Stay tuned...and as always..THANKS FOR READING OUR BLOG!
Want Your Diamond To Sparkle? Keep It Clean!
One of the biggest mistakes women make is not cleaning their diamond rings.
Diamonds have a tremendous affinity to the oils of our skin. They are also the center of gravity for the collection of every piece of dirt and grime a woman will come across during her daily routine.
Any time you cook, eat, wash dishes, handle food, etc. the dirt will get trapped in your diamond engagement ring and cake up the stone.
Very soon, you will find that the beautiful and sparkly diamond you purchased will appear dull and lifeless.
How could that be?
Very simple.
Think of the following analogy:
You take a transparent window that has the potential to let sunlight stream into a room, illuminating it beautifully. Now you pull a shade over the window, effectively blocking all sunlight from entering the room. Is there something wrong with the window? Did something happen to it? Of course not! You are simply preventing it from letting in the light.
It is exactly the same with your diamond engagement ring, just in reverse!
A perfectly cut Ideal diamond engagement ring, will refract maximum light entering the stone back out to the eye in a dazzling display of brilliance. However, if the stone is caked with dirt and grime, you are literally "pulling a shade' over the diamond and preventing the stone from refracting the light properly and effectively.
As a result, the diamond will "appear" dull and lifeless until you bother to clean it, bringing back its original beauty and brilliancy.
So how do you clean your diamond ring? Well, my Dad blogged on this some time ago over here.
How about the "no-no's" when it comes to properly maintaining the hygiene of your diamond engagement ring..;-)??
Are there any specific activities you ought to avoid?
Well, I just saw a really cute posting by Sean Dunn of J.R. Dunn Jewelers, with a list of items to avoid when attempting to keep your diamond ring clean!
How About Crocs Covered In Diamonds!
Well, I just stepped out of a meeting with the CEO of Excel Diamonds (who happens to be my Dad and a frequent contributor to these boards..) to discuss some of our new projects and initiatives.
Somehow, we got to talking about the highly publicized and cultish "foot fetish" craze, known as "Crocs"
We were talking about how this company managed to take a bland and rather non-descript pair of cheap plastic slippers and turn it into something of an icon in the world of footwear.
Indeed Crocs is one of the fastest growing companies in the world.
One thing lead to another and we started talking about effective marketing as it pertains to the diamond industry..
My Dad, Barry Gutwein is from the "old school" in the diamond industry. As a master diamond cutter with over 25 years experience in cutting diamonds (before launching his own diamond company and store), my Dad has a tremendous respect for diamonds as one of the most magical and beautiful of G-ds creations ("Crafted by G-d and perfected by Man").
He therefore has a particular disdain for the way diamonds today are sometimes incorporated into the cheapest and most mundane products.
It was within this context that he suddenly came up ith the idea of "blinged out Crocs"!!
Why not take the already popular and cultish Crocs and cover the top with diamonds integrated within the plastic, for all the Croc lovers who desire something a bit "extra"??
Heck, everything today can be "blinged out" with diamonds.
Indeed, many of the most ridiculous products on this planet are already available in "bling format" for people who have nothing better to do with their cash.
I though this was a great Idea!
If you folks agree, let me know.
Oh...and since we don't plan on running with this idea...in the event that any of you do decide to market "blinged out Crocs", don't forget to give us some kudos and love! Tell everyone you got the idea from Diamond Vues!! ;-) ;-)
Got Love On The Brain? What Is Love?
Possibly more than any other industry, the diamond industry caters to people who are "in love".
You fall in love, get engaged and buy an engagement ring.
Getting married? Well, of course you need a wedding band which is the symbol of love and commitment.
Are you celebrating an anniversary, a birthday, the birth of a child or some other important milestone? There is a good chance you will purchase some beautiful jewelry for your significant other, as an expression of your love, appreciattion and devotion.
So what exactly is "love" anyway?
Sean and Valerie are clearly in love
Here is a recent article from the LA Times with an in-depth analysis and explanation of what "love" really is, as an emotional, physical and physiological process.
Really cool stuff!!
Read up and get a handle on LOVE!
World's Tallest Man Marries A Very Short Woman
Dreams do come true!!
After a long and painful international quest for love and his dream bride, the world’s tallest man recently began a life of wedded bliss with a shop assistant from his home town in Inner Mongolia.
Bao Xishun, the 7ft 9in (2.3m) herdsman tied the knot at the tomb of Kublai Khan in northern China. The 56-year-old titan bore a lovestruck grin as he gazed the long way down to Xia Shujian, his 29-year-old bride, who comes up to her husband’s elbow.
Read the full story here.
Bao was quoted as saying, he hopes someday to have tall children who become basketball hoop stars.
I cannot help but wonder about all of the little deatils...
For example, the climate control in their home; ....he's always gonna be hot and she's always gonna be cold!
Just goes to show that true love conquers all!
Diamond Dust & Cigarette Smoke: What A Killer!
I was out today running some errands, including picking up this gorgeous and just completed diamond engagement ring from the factory.
Anyway, up in the diamond shop somebody at the bench was breaking rules and actually smoking at the diamond wheel (against all the rules, including those of the building management)!!
Between the lingering diamond dust (which is never entirely sucked out by the exhaust) and the cigarette smoke, It was literally enough to make a person pass out!!
It was just incredible that nobody said anything!
I mean, it's hard enough to sit all day cutting diamonds. Having to deal with clouds of cigarette smoke on top of that, is just absurd!
Smoking is bad enough, why compound it with the diamond dust from the cutting wheels.
Maybe I 'ought to hang this sign up in the shop??
You think it might help??
Use The Internet Before Buying A Diamond Ring
I have blogged many times regarding the beauty of using the power of the Internet to make a diamond or jewelry purchase.
The Internet empowers consumers with important, crucial, and relevant information, regarding loose diamonds, engagement rings, jewelry, and precious metals.
Consumers get the latest information on styles, jewelry designs, designer jewelry companies, a loose diamonds characteristics..and so much more.
The "price factor phenomena" with the way the Internet brings profit margins down in every conceivable industry, is also a boon for conumers, who will either choose to buy (diamonds and jewelry)on the net, or use the Internet's lower prices as leverage with their local (jewelry) stores.
However, there is yet an additional benefit in using the power of the Internet when in the market for loose diamonds or diamond jewelry.
This is the aspect of Research.
The Internet is a wellspring of feedback and information on companies in every industry.
Even jewelry stores who do not have an Internet website (and certainly those who do..) have customers who have left feedback on the net.
On the Internet, there are diamond and jewelry discussion groups and forums, where consumers leave feedback for companies they have purchased from.
Simply conduct a Google search for the jeweler you are contemplating doing business with. Chances are, you will find the "good, bad, ...and maybe even the ugly".
It is all there for you to digest and collate.
From excellent testimonials and accolades, to (sometimes) bitter complaints, and yes; even the lukewarm and minor issues...it is out there for all to see/read.....
Beautiful Wedding Pictures From One Of Our Couples!
Mary & Joe, who purchased their engagement ring and diamond wedding rings from our company, just sent us these gorgeous photos of themselves at their recent wedding!
Congrats to both of you on your marriage!
You guys make a stunningly beautiful couple!!!
N.Y.C. Diamond District Rat Race
Well, the summer is officially over and the annual diamond industry vaccation (July 1 - 14) and trade shows are already a distant memory. Things are really starting to heat up again, here in the New York City Diamond District.
I kind of enjoyed the relative quiet and tranquility the summer months brought to the district.
Nobody was in a rush and it was actually fun walking the street.
Now everyone is back from vacation and ready to rumble.
47 street is the "eye of the storm" all over again, with people running and going in a cacophony of flying bodies...
Walking on the street is like an adventure; you don't know whether you're gonna come back in one piece!!
Why is everyone in such a rush, why the frantic running and stumbling, and what ever happened to manners??
Perfect Ilustration of the N.Y.C. Diamond District, this time of year.
We Will Be Closed For The Jewish Holiday Of Sukkot
Our offices and factory will be closing this evening (Wed. September 26) and reopening on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
We are closed in observance of the beautiful Jewish holiday of Sukkot, when we rejoice with our creator.
On Sukkot we eat in the Sukka.
A Sukka
During this time, we will not be updating this blog.
We wish all of our friends who are celebrating this wonderful holiday a happy and joyous holiday in the company of friends and family.
Of course to all of our friends, customers, and loyal readers, we wish you all the best of health and happiness, now and always and look forward to greeting you when we get back!
We Are Back....For A Few days!!
Hi Everyone!!
Well, we are back from our Sukkot Holiday observance...however, only for a few days!
Why?
Well, the culmination of the Sukkot Holiday festival (the longest on the Jewish calendar) begins this Wednesday evening, Oct. 3 and through the 7th (We re-open on Monday morning, Oct 8, 2007), when we will be closed again in observance of the end of Sukkot (which is called Shemini Atzeret)
The highlight of Shemini Atzeret, is Simchat Torah, when we dance and rejoice with the Torah!
A closed Torah Scroll
All Work No Play
We get diamonds shipped in to us every day from various wholesalers and diamond manufacturers.
We do not "drop-ship" diamonds. Rather, we only sell diamonds we have first personally inspected and evaluated in our fully equiped gemological laboratory.
Some days are busier than others!
This week we had 10 different loose diamonds sent in to us on Tuesday alone!
Here is photo I snapped of my Dad (Barry G.) louping a diamond in our lab about 1 hour ago.
Family Jewels Found In Landfill! {Video Coverage}
This incredible story published today in Peoples Magazine (Online) is an absolute must read!!
Judah Gutwein Quoted On Luxist
In this recent article entitled "What is the future of diamond buying" by Deidre Woollard on popular luxury website, LUXIST, I was quoted with respect to this blog entry I wrote on Blue Nile.
Cool!
Too Many 'Yes' Men In The Diamond Business?
There is an old but true piece of advice that goes as follows:
"To be successful in any endeavor you cannot simply surround yourself with 'yes' men."
What this means (loosely translated) is that in order to succeed, you sometimes need the objectivity that can only be provided by those whose perspectives and opinions are not influenced by the desire to tell you what you wish to hear, but rather, what they actually feel you need to hear.
It is my experience that the diamond business in particular is full of these 'yes' men.
These are the salesmen and women, the managers and directors, the diamond buyers, the brokers, the jewelry reps. and all those whose positions, purchasing habits, etc. are completely skewered by the desire to be 'yes' men to the person(s) who pays the salary...
This is true on the Internet as well. There are 'yes' men in the data entry department, the IT dept., SEO dept, graphic design dept., programming dept.
Basically, there are 'yes' men all over, who ultimately do a disservice to themselves, as well as to the people who pay them.
Simply "going with the flow" is not always prudent or advisable. "Safety in numbers" is largely overrated!
Always Strive To Be Number One!
"Always reach higher and strive to be number 1"
Certainly, this is a motto to live by.
There are a million jewelers, diamond wholesalers, diamond retailers, diamond vendors, diamond cutters, e-commerce diamond and jewelry websites, jewelry designers, jewelry purveyors, diamond industry bloggers, etc.
However, there is only one YOU!
We all have something unique to offer..and that usually begins with ourselves!
Sell yourself, your expertise, your knowledge, your commitment, your very own niche.
Remember, there will never be another you!
Hey, in that case, it's easy to be numero uno since there is no competition!
Why Men Have Commitment Issues
When it comes to making a commitment in a relationship, men sometimes find themselves at a total loss.
The disillusioned partner will often wonder whether she did anything wrong and what she could do to help rectify the situation.
The problem is, if you cannot understand the cause/root of the problem, how can you try to fix it?
Indeed, half the solution to a problem is to understand what the problem is in the first place.
To this end, Lilly Calandrello, who is a personal growth expert, MS, MA shares
"Men's 7 Secret Commitment Fears".
Indian Man Marries His Dog (True Story)
True story folks:
Barry reports, a man in southern India married a female dog in a traditional Hindu ceremony as an attempt to atone for stoning two other dogs to death — an act he believes cursed him.
P. Selvakumar married the sari-draped former stray named Selvi,
The story goes as follows:
On the advice of an astrologer. Selva Kumar of Southern India, 33, tied the knot with a 3-year-old bitch called Selvi to get rid of a curse for killing two dogs 15 years ago.
Within four days of killing the animals, Kumar started suffering from paralysis. Medical treatment led to no improvement so he saw a local astrologer who told him the curse would be lifted if he married a bitch. The groom wore a white dhoti and shirt while the bride was dressed in a pink silk saree for the wedding ceremony. The ceremony ended with Kumar tying the Hindu ‘sacred thread’ around the dog’s neck and vowing to take care of his wife forever. ananova
Unfortunately, we did not get to make the sale on the diamonds and rings...;-)
Longest Wedding Dress Train Ever! {Pics!}
A couple showcases what is reportedly the longest wedding dress in China. The bridegroom has contracted a local tailor to make the 200.8-meter-long dress. [Photo: eastday.com]
A bride in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou recently walked down the aisle wearing the country's longest wedding dress.
Her fiancee contracted a local tailor to make the wedding gown, with the dress' train stretching for 200.8 meters, Guangzhou Daily reported.
The bridegroom says the length echoes the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
It has set a new domestic record, grabbing the title from the previous holder at 99 meters.
Hmm...I wonder how she got into the car???
Via: English.cri
Happy Holidays From Diamond Vues
We would like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!
We will be away Thursday November 22 - through Sunday November 24.
We'll be back in full swing on Monday, November 25.
See you then!
Diamond Selling Season Finds Me Too Busy To Blog?
So what happens when you are too busy to blog?
Well for one thing, I personally become frustrated.
I love blogging and enjoy researching the happenings and goings on in the diamond industry and community.
Unfortunately or fortunately (:-) :-), we have been incredibly swamped these past few days with incoming Holiday orders for loose diamonds and engagement rings specifically.
I simply have not found enough time to blog as I should.
What should I tell you; people are finding love and are committing to a life together during this holiday season. THERE IS LOVE IN THE AIR and engagement rings are flying out the door!!!
YAY!
So in the meantime, here is an awesome read on the results and analysis for sales with respect to the diamond industry and jewelry websites, re: this past 'Cyber Monday.
I promise to make a concerted effort to blog more during this season.
..no, this is not a new year's resolution...just yet. ;-)
I will find time......
Only In New York City!!
Very Weird.....
Didn't bother to find out what this was all about......
We Wish You All A Happy Chanuka!
To all our friends who are celebrating Hanuka, we wish you a happy and enjoyable Holiday!
I'm Thinking About A New Handle For The Door Of Our Diamond Showroom
Looks inviting, no?
Think it might encourage sales?
:-) ;-)
Happy New Years!!!
To all our friends and readers, we wish you a very Happy New Year full of health and Happiness for you and yours!
Kindest,
The DiamondVues Team.
The Diamond & Jewelry Magazines I Read
I once got tagged with a question regarding the magazines I read.
I read many magazines for the purposes of keeping up to speed with the news, happenings and developments in the diamond industry.
Here is a collage of some of the magazines that come across my desk.
Google Celebrates 50 Years of Lego!!
After a completely hectic and draining day at the office, I need to pause for a humorous interlude!
Search Engine Roundtable covers Google's celebration of 50 years since the inception of the Lego company with this funky Google logo of the day!
Of course Google's obsession with Lego is well documented.
Heck, half of GooglePlex is covered in Lego and Lego related themes.
They seem to live vicariously through Lego!
These two Google founders are absolute geniuses.........who never grew up!
So who gets to laugh all the way to the bank?!
A One In A Million Shot!
This authentic, unedited and actual photo of three birds in flight during a beautiful sunrise, is GOD's way of saying "have a nice day"!
Let me wish all of you a very nice weekend!
Spring Is Finally Here!!!!
Spring is finally here and everything is coming into full bloom!
Spring time means more engagements!
More engagements means more sales of fabulous diamond engagement rings!!
From us to you, we wish you all the best!
Light Blogging During Our Summer Vacation
As some of you may already know, the diamond industry has a tradition of going on vacation during the first two weeks of July when things typically slow down.
During most of the year, the New York City Diamond District resembles an absolute rat race with people running all over the place. The stakes are high and competition is fierce. Although we are largely unaffected by the goings on on the street level (we exist in cyberspace and are located 9 stories above the street level in the N.Y.C. Diamond District), we usually feel the vibrations up here!
With the nature of our industry and the strain it places on the jewelers, vendors, dealers, brokers and manufacturers, we all rely on this vacation as a time to re-energize before it's back into the daily grind as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season.
Our company will be closing for the first two weeks in July when we will be away on a much needed vacation. During this time, you won't see any updates to this blog.
While it's really tough for us to be away from our computer screens for any lengthy period of time, we recognize the need to get away for just a bit.
See you all when we get back and we hope you all enjoy your own vacation time!!
Yes, it's tough....but everyone needs a break!
The $40,000 Funeral
Jim died.
His will provided $40,000 for an elaborate funeral.
As the last guests departed the affair, his wife Sharon turned to her oldest and dearest friend. 'Well, I'm sure
Jim would be pleased,' she said.
'I'm sure you're right,' replied Brenda, who lowered her voice and leaned in close.
'How much did this really cost?'
'All of it,' said Sharon. 'Forty thousand.'
'No!' Brenda exclaimed. 'I mean, it was very nice, but $40,000?'
Sharon answered, 'The funeral was $6,500. I donated $500 to church. The whiskey, wine and snacks were another $500. The rest went for the Memorial Stone.'
Brenda computed quickly. '$32,500 for a Memorial Stone?
How big is it?'
/
/
/
Toddler Flushes Moms' Ring Down The Toilet!
The cutest little toddler flushed Mommys rings down the toilet.
Cute.
Methinks Mom 'ought to be more careful before she leaves her jewelry sitting pretty on the edge of the bathroom sink, with the door ajar and a curious toddler roaming the house and 'doing his thing'!
Watch the clip and see what happened!
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/bizarre&id=6826047
www.squarepegweb.com / www.e4mediagroup.com Did Not Create Our Website!
Beware of SquarePeg Web Design - Square Peg Web Design Are Crooks!
Recently, it was brought to our attention that a web development firm called www.squarepegweb.com - which seems to be a subsidiary of www.e4mediagroup.com was showcasing our company www.exceldiamonds.com, in their portfolio section, promoting us as "one of their clients".
We are not clients of theirs and actually never even heard of them until this screenshot below was sent to our attention:
Naturally, we immediately contacted Square Peg Web Design and were told that they outsource to an Indian company who actually creates much of their work and who they claimed was responsible for fraudulently claiming that they had created our website.
We talked to Square Peg and they immediately took the site off their portfolio. They further apologized for not doing their due diligence in order to ascertain and validate whether our website (and perhaps others?) was actually designed by this "Indian Designer".
Was this an honest mistake on the part of www.squarepegdesign.com?
We'd like to think so.
Sadly, it seems that Square Peg Web already has a reputation for shady practices.
In fact, upon further review of their website, they make a big to do over here about the importance of hiring a web designer who will actually do the work in-house and not outsource it...yet.....Square Peg Web Design is not only guilty of outsourcing themselves...what's even worse is that they didn't even design their own website!
Instead, they purchased a boiler plate solution from another company!! Click here.
...Just boggles the mind....
Very unfortunate.
Read more, here.
