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Win Up to 5 Pieces of Jewelry and a 1.00ct Diamond in Danforth Diamond’s Super 6 Sweepstakes September 21, 2011

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry, Win Diamond , 44comments

Diamond Danforth Diamond, your online engagement ring expert, is launching a facebook sweepstakes beginning September 19, 2011. Five lucky winners will receive fun and elegant silver or gold pieces from Danforth Diamond’s jewelry collection. A grand prize winner will receive a one carat cushion cut diamond!
Danforth Diamond offers a wide selection of classic solitaire, three stone, antique and designer engagement rings which are all offered in 14K gold, 18K gold, platinum and palladium. Even with this great selection of engagement rings, Danforth Diamond knows the importance of educating their customers on metal properties, the 4 C’s of diamonds and other tricks of the trade. Now, with a presence on Facebook, Danforth Diamond provides a social platform for customer’s that want to share their jewelry knowledge and buying experience
“Our goal with the extensive Learning Center on Danforth Diamond is to educate our customers on metals and diamonds so they can purchase with confidence,” said Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond. “Creating a vibrant facebook community will create a platform where our fans become teachers. We can’t think of a better way to create an excited fan base of jewelry fanatics than by giving away five pieces of jewelry and a 1.00 carat cushion cut diamond with almost perfect criteria!”
The one carat cushion cut diamond has an ideal cut with G color and VS1 clarity. There is no fluorescence, and it is GIA certified. The retail value of the diamond is $5,585. The first five prizes include a sterling silver bracelet with butterfly charms valued at $150, a sterling silver bracelet with three stretched oval gold dust links valued at $185, 14K two tone gold hoop earrings valued at $460, a sterling silver bracelet with ladybug charms valued at $230 and a 14K white gold diamond cluster necklace valued at $600. Drawings will occur every Monday for 6 weeks starting on October 10th! The grand prize winner will be drawn on November 14th and the winner will take home the diamond! To view all of the prizes please visit danforthdiamond.com.
Drawing will occur every Monday for 6 weeks, starting on October 10th! The grand prize winner will be drawn on November 14th and the winner will take home the 1 carat diamond!
To view images of the prizes, please visit http://www.danforthdiamond.com/super-6-sweepstakes.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! Jill Renee

Holidays are a Perfect Time to Get Engaged! December 1, 2010

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Canadian Diamonds, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Eco-Friendly Jewerly, Engagement Rings, Holiday Proposals, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

The holidays are a perfect time for couples to get engaged. Usually, the holiday season brings visits from far away relatives and friends and they present a great opportunity to share the happiness of being newly engaged and to show off the engagement ring!

 This season some celebrity couples have jumped on the holiday engagement bandwagon. Prince William and Kate Middleton kicked off the season followed by Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson. Much has been made about the Jessica and Nick engagements following one another so closely but I say so what. Let’s all try and play nice and wish them both some happiness. Poor Jessica has been under the microscope with every relationship she has had since the break up with Nick.  If she has found some happiness with Eric, that is great news!  I just can’t stand these nasty bloggers who seem to enjoy watching other people suffer. By the way how do they know who paid for the engagement ring and why do they care?

The holidays are supposed to be about good will so celebrating a happy occasion like getting engaged is a perfect fit. If you are planning on getting engaged this holiday season be sure to leave plenty of time to order the engagement ring and eliminate any stress involved with such an important purchase. Be sure to read up on choosing the right engagement ring settings and picking a perfect diamond.  Once you have done all your homework pick a good time to pop the question and have some fun!

How to Recognize Canadian Diamonds January 6, 2010

Posted by Jill Renee in : Canadian Diamonds, Diamonds , add a comment

Canadian diamonds provide a new alternative to people who want to buy diamonds, but are not comfortable with buying pieces that are potentially “conflict diamonds.”  A “conflict diamond,” by the UN’s definition, is a diamond mined by a non-legitimate government force in order to fund a rebellion.  Additionally, some people are still concerned about the legitimate governments that deal in diamond mining and production, because there is a lot of talk about human rights violations in those circumstances as well.

While diamond production and mining has become far safer and more politically-correct in the past few years, one way to be absolutely sure that no wrong has been done by producing the diamond you buy is to seek out a Canadian diamond.  Canadian diamonds account for only 15% of all the diamonds in the marketplace, but they account for 80% of all Excellent and Ideal cut diamonds.

Other diamond miners and producers have caught on to the popularity of Canadian diamonds, and have tried to mislead consumers by marketing their diamonds (mined in places other than Canada) as Canadian diamonds, so there is a little confusion in the diamond marketplace about how to recognize a Canadian diamond.  There are only two ways to be sure.

One way to be sure is the GNWT Certificate of Authenticity.  The GNWT (Government of the Northwest Territories) certification system tracks the diamond all the way from extraction from the ground to its velvet cushion at the jeweler’s.  This is important, because some diamonds mined in Canada are still sent to Asia or Africa for cutting and polishing – which gets you back into the sticky questionable human rights territory.  GNWT-certified diamonds guarantee the diamond in question was mined in Canada, and handled ethically (most likely in Canada the whole time) all throughout the process.

The certificate bears the GNWT’s polar bear insignia and includes a Gemprint of the diamond.  A Gemprint is just what it sounds like – it is a “fingerprint” of the diamond:  a digital scan of the landscape of the diamond so you can be sure the diamond you’ve bought is actually the diamond that is certified.

To take the precautions one step further, each Canadian diamond that is mined, cut, and polished in the Northwest Territories of Canada come laser-imprinted with a unique serial number.  The number can only be seen with a microscope, so no worries about staring into your pretty gem and seeing somebody’s serial number.  The number is etched into the girdle of the diamond (which is the “rim between the flatter top and the pointed bottom”) and is proof-positive that the diamond is legitimately a Canadian diamond.

Again, while diamond mining and production practices have improved a great amount in past years, the extra piece of mind obtained from buying a Canadian diamond can make all the difference for someone who still has questions or concerns about typical diamonds that are mined in the usual places and could potentially be in league with those who have questionable business practices.  Additionally, Canadian diamonds are some of the cleanest, brightest, most perfect diamonds on the market.  Isn’t your special someone worth the extra effort?

You Find it You Keep It – Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park August 26, 2009

Posted by Jill Renee in : Diamonds , 1 comment so far

Crater of Diamonds KidsAlmost every day, people find an average of two diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. When they find them, it really is a case of “finders, keepers” because the park’s policy is and has always been that if you find something there you can keep it for yourself – even if it’s very valuable.

The park is situated over a natural tunnel-like tube called a lamproite volcanic pipe; a geologic formation that is the result of a prehistoric volcanic explosion. That makes for some good diamonds. The lava reacts with the carbon and all the pressure combined with the heat makes the carbon atoms line up in such a way that makes diamonds.

Because of that long-ago volcanic explosion, Crater of Diamonds State Park is chock-full of diamonds. It is also the only chock-full diamond site that is open to the public. Not only will you find diamonds there, but also other gemstones and minerals. It’s a fun place for a day of digging, and you can come up with amethyst, agate, garnet, quartz, and diamonds, of course.

While you might only find a few keepsakes, a couple of people have really done well digging in the treasure-filled dirt at Crater of Diamonds. The first was a farmer who dug at the site before it was ever a state park. His name was John Huddleston, and he was the first person to ever find a diamond at its original source – other than in South Africa. The original source just happened to be on his own farm, which he promptly sold to some investors who tried to mine it commercially.

ark_crater_of_diamonds.16264734_stdThat did not work out so well, though the town did boom because of all of the diamonds and diamond potential. The boom didn’t take either, and most of the boomtown area is now pasture. The crater itself and the surrounding lands became Crater Diamonds State Park, property of the State of Arkansas in the spring of 1972. Since then, some pretty impressive diamonds have been found, though none rival the first few beauties.
A 17.86-carat canary yellow diamond is on display in the National Museum of National History. It was unearthed by Lee J. Wagner in 1917. He worked for the Arkansas Diamond Company, a company owned by the investors that owned the land at that time. In 1924 the Uncle Sam Diamond, which is the largest diamond to ever come out of North America, was uncovered on the land. It was a whopping 40.23 carats. Wesley Oley Basham, a worker at the Arkansas Diamond Company, found it and it went on to belong to a public owner. The Arkansas Diamond Company obviously did not have the same “you find it, you keep it” policy that Crater of Diamonds State Park does.

Some diamonds that have been found on the land in more recent times (since it because a state park) have been quite valuable. Most notable, perhaps, is not the biggest. The 3.09 “Strawn-Wagner Diamond” is the most perfect diamond ever found. Meaning that after it was cut into a 1.09 carat diamond the American Gem Society graded it a “perfect” 0/0/0. It was the first ever diamond to receive that type of rating. Mrs. Strawn must have been pretty generous, because the diamond is on exhibit at the park itself.

Sometimes diamonds are not a girl’s best friend, it would seem.

Diamond Cutting May 10, 2009

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

When a diamond is first extracted from the earth it looks just as any other pebble or piece of rock you may have picked up on a beach and thrown into the sea. Many people never realize the fiery, brilliant stone they are wearing was formed at least 50 miles below the surface of the earth under the most intense pressure and extremes of temperature which compressed humble carbon atoms into a particularly strong atomic formation which gives diamonds their quality of strength and fiery beauty.

In order to bring this beauty and brilliance to the fore, the rough diamond must be cut and polished and how this process is performed will impact directly on how a diamond will look; a wrong cut will destroy the value of a stone and diminish its beauty while a good cut will enhance and amplify one of the world’s most beautiful gemstones and certainly, the most valuable.

Cutting a diamond is a highly skilled art form and requires a superb craftsman to perform the process. For some, cutting a diamond is a highly stressful experience, even for those watching – one slip, one unnoticed flaw in the planes of the diamond structure or a mistake made in the choice of cut to apply and the stone can become a worthless piece of rock; so important is the cutting process that over 40% of the value of the finished stone is applied by the cutting process.

There are many different types of diamond cut and which is applied to a rough diamond will be determined by the overall size, weight and shape of the rough diamond as well as the intended use of the stone – many diamonds never become part of a jewelry collection and instead, end up being used in industrial processes using their hardness for forming the points of drill bits for instance.

Common diamond cuts include:

By far the most popular cut is the Princess Cut, usually with the stone used as the centerpiece for a solitaire ring, very frequently the choice for an engagement ring. The Princess Cut provides a sparkling effect but uses a more contemporary square style. The Emerald cut provide an elongated rectangular shape which together with the Pear Cut look perfect on long fingers; the shape of the diamond you choose will be influenced by a sense of style and also the size of your lady’s hand and fingers. Using an elongated diamond shape (Pear or Emerald) will look better on a hand with short fingers because the shape will accentuate them; a long fingered lady is fortunate in that she can get away with any bold style of diamond ring!

The diamond cut is the only man-made part of the process which directly impacts the value of a stone – the other factors are the Color, the Clarity and the Carat (weight) which with the Cut are known collectively as the “Four C’s“. Combined together, the Four C’s are used to classify and grade a diamond for quality and in turn, to determine its value.

Read more about Diamond Cuts.

Colored Diamond Information March 11, 2009

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Diamonds , add a comment

What is a colored diamond?

When Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez, the act generated the expected amount of media attention. However the majority of that coverage wasn’t focused on the total number of the couple’s prior marriages, or that “Bennifer” name smashup the couple had been adorned with. No, the focus of the majority of mass speculation was the color of Jennifer’s diamond.

They Come In Pink?

Ms Lopez’s engagement ring was topped with a tremendously large 6-carat pink diamond.  The word that people seemed to cling to was pink. The realization that diamonds come in colors started to spread, contradicting everything taught about diamond color: the closer to clear, the more valuable the diamond. Was Jennifer’s “pink diamond” actually a diamond?

Are They Still Diamonds?

In a word, yes. While the common color grading scale used for diamonds runs from D (completely clear) to Z (obviously yellow) there is an entire subset of diamonds which fall beyond the Z rating into the umbrella grade of “Fancy.” Fancy diamonds still hold all of the other characteristics of a traditional white diamonds – the hardness, the technical measure of clarity, the cut, and carat are all the same.

A Scale All Their Own

Colored diamonds that fall outside of the white grading scale, still have to have a subjective color grade assigned to them. However, the grading scale for colored diamonds is considerably easier for the layman to understand. Colored diamonds with the faintest hints of color are given a grade of Faint.  Lightly colored diamonds are either Very Light, or Light. The bolder colored diamonds, your truly fancy gems, are graded along a scale ranging from Fancy Light to Fancy Dark, with Intense, Vivid, and Deep breaking up the middle.

A Stone of Many Colors

As you might have guessed, pink isn’t the only color for diamonds. The infamous, and rumored to be cursed, Hope Diamond is a 45.52 carat dark grayish blue diamond. Canary diamonds are a brilliant yellow. Both brown and black diamonds are both real and growing in popularity lately. Other colors include orange, red, green, and purple. According to the Gemological Institute of America and the International Gemological Institute, there are 27 official hues which span the color spectrum, and there are diamonds to fill each of those hues.

Not to Get Too Technical

How those diamonds gain those hues is a bit of a technical process. Essentially, when the diamonds are forming from pure carbon, the molecules arrange themselves into a cage called a crystal matrix.  As the diamonds are crushed under the earth’s pressure, that matrix closes in on itself. Occasionally, during that process, atoms from other elements such as boron, nitrogen, or hydrogen, will be trapped inside of those diamonds as their respective matrices close. The end result is the colored diamond. As one would rightly assume, when multiple gases are trapped in the diamond, you get diamonds of blended colors, like pink champagne diamonds.

Still Really Rare
While color is certainly one reason why people prize fancy diamonds, it’s certainly not the only one. Fancy diamonds are exceptionally rare. Colored diamonds, with a Fancy or deeper color grade, account for a mere 1.8% of the entire world’s diamonds. When that percentage is broken down by color, those percentages get even smaller.  Canary diamonds, diamonds which are known for their brilliantly yellow hue, account for less than 0.1% of the world’s diamonds. Factor in the other common diamond factors – the size of the stone, the inherent shape, and the sense of clarity, and colored diamonds of significant size and quality get even rarer still.

Why Choose a Colored Diamond?

Colored diamonds aren’t for everyone or even for every type of jewelry. However, they do have some very strong selling points. The rarity of colored diamonds makes them special. The variety of colors means that colored diamonds can be used to convey not only the emotions associated with a traditional diamond, but also to cater to the specific tastes of the recipient. It’s those strengths that allow colored diamonds to fill jewelry niches that traditional white diamonds could not. In the end, a colored diamond provides a new and unique spin on a familiar and classic idea.

Crazy Diamond Studded Gifts January 27, 2009

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The World’s Most Unique Diamond Gifts

Everyone has someone on their holiday shopping list that is difficult to shop for, be it because they’re incredibly unique or they simply have everything. Because of this, gifts must be hunted for months in advance. Keeping in mind that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner now is the time to start looking for the perfect gift of diamonds.  While the best solution for the unique gift-recipient is to simply get to know them better, the gift for the person who has everything is a bit easier. The trick is to buy a truly one of a kind gift.

FOR THE MUSIC FAN OUT THERE

White ear buds proved to be a major marketing victory for Apple and the iPod. The more discerning shopper, however, might want to push the limit a bit, choosing to sport a pair of 18 carat gold plated ear buds. These truly unique devices can be purchased for £3,500, or about $5,300. photo credit

FOR THE TECHNOLOGY FAN

Should your difficult recipient be a fan of the high tech gizmos, constantly buying the latest and greatest in shiny devices that whiz and blink, attempting to buy them anything tech-related can be a difficult task. A much wiser decision is to appeal to the tech lover’s sense of nostalgia. That is, go retro. Simply buying older technology is a bit passé, so, for the sake of a good gift, it’s best to spice retro up with a touch of diamonds. Take, for example, the gold-plated, diamond-studded original Gameboy, retailing for $29,500. photo credit

If the tech fan in your life is not into video games, it’s a safe bet that they love their computer. And every computer eventually needs a new mouse. Giving a mouse as a gift might sound a bit mundane, but this mouse is anything but. According to Pat Says Now, the Swiss manufacturer of the mouse, this device is cast in 18 carat white gold and is set with 59 brilliant cut diamonds in either a flower or scattered design. The modern, 3-button, optical wheel mouse can make the perfect gift for a mere $24,180. photo credit

Read the full article: World’s Most Unique Diamond Gifts

Diamonds, World Domination, and You! December 5, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Diamonds , 3comments
Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Today, we are all well aware that a diamond, being forever, is the perfect statement of love. From romantic gifts like a tennis bracelet to a sign of devotion like the Black Tie diamond ring, nothing quite seals the deal like a diamond. However, for you aspiring super villains, the diamond is equally irreplaceable on the path to world domination, able to aide in everything from doomsday devices to bribes, and even henchman payroll. For you, the super villain, the diamond is not just a sign of power, but also a means to procure it.

Let’s take Ernst Stavro Blofeld as an example. In the years following World War II, Mr. Blofeld assembled the well-known international terror organization SPECTRE. For a while it seemed that Mr. Blofeld would have to make himself content as mere administrator, forever to remain the man behind the scenes. He was becoming a cliché, the man in the chair with the white cat. Mr. Blofeld needed something to push him over the edge from villain to super villain. As the dramatic Hollywood reenactment, “Diamonds are Forever” showed, it was the diamond that proved to be the catalyst for Mr. Blofeld’s success.

Blofeld recognized that the diamond has certain intrinsic properties that lesser materials simply do not possess. For his space-based laser system, he knew that the diamond’s unique ability to serve as a refractory accelerator in a death ray was something that could not be fabricated or faked by any material known to man. The diamond, or in this case, many diamonds, were the only solution for turning his dream of world domination into a reality.

However, death rays and other doomsday devices are not the only uses for diamonds that a modern super villain has. Since, by definition, a super villain must be a traveler of the world, you often find yourself on the move. Travel, of course, brings the need to juggle multiple forms of currency. Switching from Dollars to Euros to Yen is a pain, and a good way to lose money through unfavorable exchange rates and fees. Diamonds, being universally valuable and with a largely stabilized global price, come in handy here. With their value largely based on size and quality, diamonds themselves can function in lieu of currency, making a villainous organization more efficient and thus more productive.

Remember, just as every diamond is unique, so is the diamond solution for every super villain. Some of you will surely need only large, fancy-colored diamonds while others can carry on with small, industrial stones. The majority of you, however, will find your own comfort zone somewhere in the middle. Don’t be afraid to experiment with how to incorporate diamonds into your organization for maximum effectiveness. After all, the world’s domination depends on it.

Diamonds Galore is both a leading expert in diamonds and member of the League of Supervillains. She travels the world lecturing on everything from engagement rings to weather devices. Ms. Galore also works as a consultant for Danforth Diamonds. Despite persistent rumors, Diamonds Galore is most certainly not Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com

The Diamond Anniversary Ring: A Milestone, An Anniversary and A Promise August 25, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Diamonds , add a comment

Before anything else, congratulations are definitely in order to the both of you for maintaining a happy and successful marriage. As we already know, it takes more than just a little hard work and patience to make a marriage work, especially in such a treacherous, divorce prone society. That is why celebrating the milestones in your relationship, big and small, are so important. When the desire to reinforce your love calls, what better way to express your eternal love for her than through a beautiful, exclusive diamond anniversary ring?

The anniversary ring, also called an “eternity” ring is a symbol of everlasting love. The symbolism is inherent to its design and can be found in a wide variety of beautiful styles. Though usually set with diamonds, stones as well as settings can vary greatly. Anniversary rings can fall along the lines of the wedding set or take on an entirely different look, depending on your individual preference.

Some of the more popular styles include the traditional anniversary ring, which have channel set diamonds across the top half, the “full” anniversary rings, which have stones all the way around the band, and the three stone anniversary ring. Your style of choice should depend on your unique milestone occasion and most importantly, your wife’s personal taste. Regardless to which style you choose, your ultimate goal is to capture the romantic meaning behind the ring. Anniversary rings are designed to compliment the existing wedding band or engagement ring that a woman has worn for years, symbolizing commitment, partnership and promise for many years to come. It is those aspects in marriage that make an anniversary ring a symbolic reflection of your steadfast commitment to each other.

Of course the difference between 25 years and 10 years is significant, so you’ll want to shop appropriately. The price of anniversary rings can depend on a number of factors such as style, design and originality. However, price should be an insignificant factor since it is merely the thought, consideration and sentiment that hallmark’s this milestone gift, making it so very special.

Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store offering engagement rings and expert engagement proposal ideas for your special day. You may view the wide selection of Danforth Diamond’s wedding rings and diamond anniversary rings online – www.danforthdiamond.com

Conflict-Free Diamonds, Recycled Rings & Green Jewelry Advice June 23, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Diamonds, Green Weddings, Jewelry, Palladium Jewelry, Q&A from Jill , 1 comment so far

I received an interesting set of questions from a concerned gentlemen. I felt sharing my answers would help others who have similar questions about conflict-free diamonds, recycling and other green issues.

Hello, I feel a bit guilty writing to a Diamond jeweler for advice on this subject, but please honor me with a sincere response. I found your contact information on a “Green” wedding site and read a bit about materials and stones.

My dilemma is simple. My girlfriend is very passionate about preserving the environment and has expressed great concerns through out our relationship about sources of diamonds, gold, silver, mining impacts on the environment and every other subject you can imagine on precious stones and metals.

I absolutely do not want to ruin a proposal with a ring which even remotely represents “conflict” in her life. I read a bit about palladium?

Is it manufactured? Mined?

What about alternatives to “true” diamonds? Are other engineered stones appropriate?

Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Dear Earth Wise Friend,

Your dilemma is not so unusual and I have been wondering what I can do to be a responsible member of our fragile planet in regards to jewelry and diamonds.

Recently, one new option has been brought to my attention. Some jewelry manufacture companies have been using recycled precious metals to make their jewelry. This metal was previously mined and made into jewelry and then remelted and turned back into pure metals to once again be alloyed and used. The challenge here is to choose a responsible refiner who only uses earthwise methods for refining. In the past harmful chemicals were used in this process but now new methods have allowed the refining process to be clean and environmentally friendly.

Palladium is a metal that is also mined from the earth but the company that mines the Palladium that we use is right here in the USA and they are earth friendly. We can also purchase recycled Palladium.

I am making a decision to offer a line of rings that are made from recycled metals only. These rings will require no mining to get the metal. The metal will be totally recycled. I think your girlfriend could feel proud and good about wearing one of these rings.

As far as diamonds go. I am committed to sell only conflict free diamonds from responsible vendors who comply with the Kimberley Process and all of their guidelines.

Another option would be to purchase a synthetic diamond. Charles and Colvard is a company that sells moissanite which is man made silicon carbide that closely resembles a diamond. You can easily research this online. Of course there are other man made options that you could also use.

If you would like to purchase a recycled ring let me know and I can help you with the setting. I only sell conflict free diamonds so I cannot help you with the synthetic stones. Hope this helps you with your decision.

Thank you and Best Wishes, Jill Renee