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Picking the Right Diamond and Ring Setting October 11, 2007

Posted by jflynn in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Palladium Jewelry, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

Deciding to propose to the special somebody in your life is a huge decision, one that will lead you down a path of even more decisions. Of course, the first thing that needs to be decided after you’ve decided to propose is what type of engagement ring to get. Between diamonds and settings there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. Hopefully this can be cleared up.

The Diamond

While you’re probably more than familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, there are other things to consider when choosing a diamond, chief amongst them, the shape. Here we’ll focus on the shape and two of the C’s; cut and carat. Clarity and color can be saved for another day.

The Shape
With so many shapes out there it can be confusing as to the actual differences, so let’s simply talk about each of them and their individual merits.

” Round” the most basic of diamonds, and the only shape not considered “fancy,” this shape is very much how it sounds – a rounded diamond in the shape of a circle.

Princess Shape“Princess” arguably the most popular shape, this squared diamond has only grown in popularity while still being a relatively new shape. The princess diamond tends to find its way into solitaire engagement rings more than any of the other shapes.

Emerald Shape “Emerald” a rectangular shaped diamond, this shape is reflective of a classic and aristocratic elegance. Unlike other diamonds, the emerald shaped diamond is not a brilliant cut but rather a step cut, being comprised of larger, planar facets that resemble stair steps and act like mirrors.

Marquise Shape “Marquise” long and slender, this shape, originally commissioned by Louis XIV of France, is wonderful for maximizing the carat within the setting. The marquise shape will accentuate the length of the fingers and works well on a person with longer fingers.

Oval Shape “Oval” as the name implies, this diamond shape is a very simple oval. This shape works very well with smaller hands and shorter fingers, giving them the illusion of added length.

Pear Shape• Pear – a hybrid shape combining the best elements of the oval and marquise shapes, it resembles nothing so much as a teardrop. Typically used in pendants and earrings, this shape compliments short to average length fingers, helping to give the illusion of longer fingers much like the oval shaped diamond does.

Heart Shape• Heart – essentially a pear shaped diamond with a cleft at the top, the heart shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of romance. This shaped diamond is frequently seen in pendants but is more than acceptable as a choice in a ring.

Radiant Shape• Radiant – this square or rectangular shaped diamond does an excellent job of combining the elegant and classic appeal of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round shape.

Trillion Shape• Trillion – a wedge of brilliant fire, the trillion shaped diamond was first developed in Amsterdam. Traditionally a triangle shaped diamond, the amount of point at the corners is often open for interpretation, but these diamonds work well as both a compliment to a center stone, a unique center stone in themselves, or as a pair of earrings.

Baguette Shape• Baguette – very reminiscent of the emerald shaped diamond, this shape of diamond is frequently used as side stones to a larger center stone. Much like the emerald shaped diamond, the baguette shape doesn’t feature nearly the sparkle of brilliant shaped diamonds, but does offer a classic beauty that is hard to match.

The shape is only the first part of what to look for, at least initially, when considering a diamond for an engagement ring.

The Carat
Carats are essentially a way to measure the weight of diamonds. While the use of the carat measuring system may date back to ancient Oriental bazaars and the carob seed, in the present we know that the more carats in the diamond, the bigger it is.
While the size of the diamond that you get can be determinate on a number of factors, not the least of which is cost, the Setting and Mounting that you choose can also have an influence on the size of the diamond that you get for your ring. (more…)

Journey Diamond Necklace October 2, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Jewelry, White gold , 1 comment so far

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s never too early to start finding that perfect gift for the special woman in your life. To show her that you really care, I can’t help but to recommend the Journey Diamond Necklace. The story of the Journey Diamond Necklace is simple and beautiful – love is an adventure and a journey, one that grows and changes over time. Each diamond in the Journey Diamond Necklace graduates from smaller to larger, each one representing your love as it is ever expanding and ever changing.

I invite you to celebrate your love, its past, its present, and its future with the Journey Diamond Necklace offered by Danforth Diamonds. Designed with a beautiful 14k white gold pendant, each of the diamonds have a clarity of I1 and a color of H-I. With a total carat weight of .50 carats, this is a necklace that will draw the attention of everybody in a room.
Show her how much you really care by taking my advice and looking at the Journey Diamond Necklace from Danforth Diamond. It really is something to behold.
Jill Renee

Proposing at the Holidays September 24, 2007

Posted by jflynn in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Holiday Proposals, Proposing Marriage, Romantic Tips , add a comment

If you are planning to propose this holiday season here is a great idea. It takes a little planning but you will be a superstar fiancé by Christmas Day!

Advent Calendars are a wonderful holiday tradition.

Although the traditional calendar is a wooden box etc Use your imagination and create your own. Wrap twenty four small packages and number them with the corresponding date of the month..have your girlfriend open package number one on December 1 and so on…on December 24 or 25 put your engagement ring in the package. If you are afraid she will peek wrap an empty box and arrive with the “real” package in your pocket. Tell her you forgot to include the gift and pop the question!!

Here are some ideas for the twenty five packages:

Selling jewelry over the internet has been a wonderful adventure this past year. Although our company was launched in December 2005 things did not really get rolling until this past year. As a matter of record I felt a little like the Maytag repair man for the first year! Although I have been in and around the jewelry industry for most of my life; selling through this new medium has been wonderful. One of the best parts is not having to get dressed up in heels to go to work. I can sit at my computer and converse for hours with my customers and potential customers. Now that is the BEST part. I have gotten to speak with and sell to people all over the world and it amazes me at how similar most of us area we all want to be treated with respect and honesty and we all are so happy when we are in love. Especially when we are preparing to get engaged!! It’s one of the most wonderful times whether you are young or old it does not make a difference! That’s why we make sure each ring is made with tender loving care. One of our mottos is that we need to be sending out good karma with every ring so that the good karma comes back to us! This has its ups and downs because we will not ship a ring unless it’s perfect. We are a company that is heavily female and we all love jewelry so if we wouldn’t want it we won’t sell it to our customers. Our production team has accused us of being perfectionists and that’s how we like it. Even I have been disappointed when I have ordered potential product for the website. It looks beautiful in the pictures but when it arrives its very lightweight and flimsy or the necklace or earrings don’t look or sit right when being worn (we try everything on!). This type of product never will show up on the Danforth website. As this year comes to a close I wanted to thank each one of our wonderful customers (yes we do have the best customers) for a successful year. I wish you all the happiest and healthiest of New Years!

Best Wishes,
Jill Renee

Save Big Bucks When Shopping on the Web January 3, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

When shopping for gifts, whether for ourselves or someone else, all of us are looking to save a few dollars. No matter what you’re shopping for, from a diamond engagement ring for popping the question to a scarf for Grandma – you will save big bucks by shopping online.

The key to maximizing your savings is knowing where to look to find the best bargain. And comparison shopping, by visiting various websites, is the only way to go. Instead of fighting the hustle and bustle that comes with comparison shopping at various brick-and-mortar locations, you can find better pricing options and cover more stores with the click of your mouse.

In the past, shipping and handling fees may have deterred you from shopping online, but retailers have started minimizing or waving those fees for customers who spend a certain collar amount. And while major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Macy’s have online websites, you may be able to stretch your dollar further by shopping with other established, smaller E-tailers.

Here are some examples of price comparisons between different websites and traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. (more…)

Your Diamond Personality December 11, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Wedding Jewelry , add a comment

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, yes, ladies. The beloved diamond engagement ring. The starting point for the transition from the boyfriend/girlfriend journey to marital bliss.

Let’s face it – we’ve been admiring the beauty and brilliance of diamonds since we were little girls. But do you know your diamond personality? Given that you’re going to be wearing this ring for the rest of your life, you want to be careful about what type of ring your request from your beau.

In Randi Molofsky’s book, A Girls’ Guide to Buying Diamonds, he offers advice for women on finding the right diamond ring. With the trend of women buying the right-hand diamond ring for themselves, the purchase of the diamond ring is no longer restricted to couples on the road to marriage. His book is a great resource whether you’re buying the ring for yourself, or you’re helping your significant other choose a ring for you.

Check out this article on iVillage.com, “Find the Perfect Diamonds for Your Personality”, that matches personality types with different types of diamonds. As diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you want to make sure that your best friend is one you’ll want to keep around for a lifetime, right? This is a fun article.

(more…)

Romantic Christmas Gift Ideas She’ll Love November 9, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Romantic Tips , add a comment

The spirit of the holiday season is a time when we attempt to extend a little more kindness to our fellow man (or woman), create memories with our families and express our love and gratitude through gifts. But finding that one Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend, fiancée or wife can be a daunting task when faced with the incredible number of options out there.

If you’re just stumped and can’t quite decide on what to give her, but you are looking for romantic Christmas gift ideas that will sweep her off of her feet, keep in mind that the best Christmas gift ideas require some time and effort on your part.

Here are some ideas that go beyond the impersonal gift certificate or typical scarf to get you thinking about some alternatives that may put a sparkle in her eye this Christmas.

A Christmas Engagement

There are few romantic Christmas gift ideas that can top getting engaged over the holidays. You are giving her the gift of your love and commitment, and her finger is decorated with a beautiful testament to your feelings for her. (more…)

Intimacy of Diamond Engagement Rings June 23, 2006

Posted by in : Diamond Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Romantic Tips , add a comment

Selecting a diamond ring for her is a daunting task. Most men wander down to the local jewelry store hoping to find something in their price range. This is a shortsighted mistake, which results in years of regret. A better way to search for the perfect diamond engagement ring is by shopping online.

Online stores carry diamond engagement and wedding rings from some of the world’s top jewelry artists at 30 – 40% less than the generic designs carried by local brick and mortar jewelry stores. The designs at online stores express the different personalities and artistic designs of the artists.

The look of wonder and excitement that brightens a woman’s face as an artistically designed ring slips on her finger remains in the memory for decades to come. A diamond engagement ring is a pledge of love. An artistically designed ring, one that set’s the ring apart from all the Bride’s friends and family member’s, is a gift that will remind her how much she is loved for years to come.

If you are looking to buy a diamond engagement ring or other diamond earrings, be sure to check out DanforthDiamond.com before making your jewelry purchase ¬ you will save money on a quality ring. You will also find some romantic ways of delivering the ring.

The way a diamond ring is presented is as vital to the magic of the moment as the ring itself. The new designs, where the band is not closed, lend themselves perfectly to weaving the stem of an orchid or calla lily through. These flowers are the ‘in’ flowers used by Wedding designers and planners.

Take a little time to think about how important the ring will be in the future, and then go to www.danforthdiamond.com and read the romantic tips, and advice for avoiding proposal blunders. You’ll never regret it.

Choosing a Diamond Engagement Ring May 31, 2006

Posted by in : Diamond Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry , add a comment

This is a post from a fellow blogger, rating her experience with Danforthdiamond.com.
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Take a look at these Diamond Engagement Rings and tell me if you’ve ever seen a selection of 18k yellow gold rings in a store that allowed you to choose the arrangement, diamond shape, and carat, for a price this low. I must have spent 1/2 hour learning about diamonds, looking at all the terms, for clarity, brightness, color – I never new that yellow diamonds were flawed. I always thought the yellow ones were more expensive.

I will admit that I looked at the stone in my engagement ring, to compare the quality my husband bought me ten years ago. Of course it was beautiful – what can you expect from a Welshman. But, if he knew of this site then I would have had something stunning. Not only is the price 30 – 40% less than in ‘brick and mortar’ stores, but they let you choose your diamond by size, quality, brightness, carat, and price. You just keeps selecting what you want until you are at the page that has your diamond on it. I must admit that it made me wonder if a couple other pieces of my diamond jewelry were not quite up to the grade the sales clerk promised.

There is also a great selection of other diamond jewelry on their site.

It could be because I am a woman and love diamond. It could be the guarantee, low price, and free shipping. It could be that I found a couple potential gifts for myself, but I had to rate Danforth a ten on my scale.

Mother’s Day Jewelry Gifts on Sale April 28, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Diamond Jewelry, Jewelry, Press Releases , add a comment

Mother’s Day Jewelry Gifts on Sale at Danforth Diamond
All sterling silver jewelry and key rings are 25% off regular price for Mother’s Day at Danforth Diamond (http://www.danforthdiamond.com).

MIDLOTHIAN, VA (PRWEB) April 28, 2006

Danforth Diamond announces price reductions on their entire collection of sterling silver jewelry in time for Mother’s Day. Now through May 14, 2006 all sterling silver bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and key rings are an additional 25% off the already-low Danforth Diamond price. Please visit to view some of their featured Mother’s Day Jewelry.

Shopping online offers consumers the ability to compare products and prices with a click of their mouse. Danforth Diamond jewelry is already 40% off the retail prices found in jewelry stores and further reducing the sterling silver collection represents a significant savings for Mother’s Day gift buyers.

Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond, explains,  “Having a Mother’s Day sale is a way to help people find the right gift for mom. We want to reward our loyal customers and introduce new customers to Danforth Diamond. The sale has been in progress since mid-April and has received positive feedback from returning customers as well as first-time buyers.  “Our quality jewelry at competitive prices attracts Mother’s Day gift buyers and our helpful customer service is what makes them repeat customers, Ms. Renee says.

The Danforth family developed the Danforth Diamond website to offer high quality diamond engagement rings and jewelry online. Their Mother’s Day jewelry sale is a part of their commitment to giving customers a break from the high cost of traditional retail.

About Danforth Diamond
Danforth Diamond is an online retailer of fine jewelry with over 50 years in the jewelry business. Their website offers gold and silver earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings at prices better than consumers have come to expect without sacrificing quality. Danforth Diamond can be found online at http://www.danforthdiamond.com/.

Company Contact:
Jill Renee

http://www.danforthdiamond.com/

Phone: 877-404-7464

Press Release Contact:
Alyssa Duvall
http://www.bigoakinc.com/

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Choosing Colored Diamonds – Fancy Diamonds April 26, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Jewelry , 1 comment so far

If you have been thinking about and wishing for a beautiful colored diamond read this article first! Colored diamonds are the next big trend in jewelry design. The spectrum of colors is as big as your imagination. Choosing what’s right for you can be overwhelming in today’s diamond market. This article will address a few important factors to consider when buying a colored diamond for yourself or a loved one. It is important to know the difference between colored diamonds that are formed naturally and ones that are man-made.

Natural colored diamonds are very rare and fetch very high prices. Colored diamonds that are formed in the earth by nature come from three sources. The first method is when a foreign element is introduced to the carbon material that a diamond is made from. For example nitrogen can cause a diamond to have yellow or orange hues while boron can make it blue. The second method by which diamonds get color is when pressure compresses the carbon and creates a red, pink or purple hue. Lastly, natural radiation deep in the earth generates diamonds with colors of green or blue. Green, red and purple diamonds are considered very rare and command huge prices. Indeed there are only six naturally formed red diamonds currently in the market. One can only imagine the prices these stones will fetch. Natural colored diamonds are so rare that there exist at least 10,000 colorless stones for each stone with color.

Colored diamonds can also be made in labs. There are a variety of methods used to color diamonds. Some of these stones are purely synthetic, meaning they were totally created in a lab. They are formed from carbon just like the real thing. However, these stones can be formed in a matter of weeks where as it takes thousands of years for natural diamonds to be formed. These type of synthetic diamonds are so similar to the real thing that only high tech equipment that can detect subtle differences in the crystal formations within the stone can detect that their fake.
Another man made method to produce colored diamonds requires a natural diamond that possesses an unattractive color. These stones are irradiated. Irradiation is a process in which a diamond is exposed to a source of radiation which will change the position of atoms within the stone, which will cause its color to change.

Treated or synthetic diamonds may look very appealing to the consumer because of the price and uniformity of color; however, these diamonds have no value to the serious buyer and have little resale value. Therefore, if you are purchasing a colored diamond for investment it is vital to obtain certification from the diamond seller. The certificate should come from a reputable laboratory and contain the origin of the stone and the natural origin of the stones color.

Grading colored diamonds presents another set of unique issues for the buyer. Colorless diamonds are graded on the 4 C’s: Cut, Carat, Clarity and Color. Colored diamonds are also valued based upon the 4 C’s but another factor weighs most heavily on the value of a colored diamond. This factor is based upon the hue and rarity of the color. Indeed a rare color of diamond will garner a much higher price than a colorless stone of many more carats. Colored diamonds have three characteristics by which they are graded. These are hue, tone and saturation. Hue refers to the dominant color of the stone, tone refers to the light within the stone and saturation refers to the intensity of the hue. Be sure to look for these factors in the diamond certificate.

Having knowledge about the differences between natural and synthetic colored diamonds will help you to choose the diamond that’s right for you. One thing is certain in today’s marketplace jewelry designer’s are using colored diamonds to create beautiful and unique designs that consumers will want to own.