Signs of Affection - Diamond Earrings November 14, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Diamond Jewelry, Romantic Tips , add a commentSimple, yet elegant. Diamond earrings are instantly recognizable for their unique sparkle and their ability to mesmerize onlookers without calling undue attention to themselves. After dating someone for several weeks or months, you may want to give her a symbol of your affection. Something to let her know that she’s special to you. Diamond earrings can make the perfect gift. They have a natural versatility and can be worn with virtually any outfit or dress. But, buying them can be a challenge for those who have never done so. In this article, you’ll learn about the cut, clarity, and color of diamonds, as well as how to buy them as a gorgeous gift when you are on a budget.
When You’re On A Budget
Despite what some people believe, diamond earrings are not necessarily expensive. While some can cost over $200,000, others can be purchased for as little as $225. The price you can expect to pay will depend largely upon the carats. There are also other factors that can influence the price, including the cut, clarity and color of the diamonds used in the earrings.
There are a number of places from which you can purchase diamond earrings. You are unlikely to find the best deals at high-profile shops such as Tiffany’s. Instead, check with the jewelry shops in your area. They may have the earrings you need on consignment. Also, check estate sales. Don’t be put off by the prospect of buying used diamond earrings. Age and use have no impact upon the perfection of a diamond’s cut, clarity, or color.
Cut And Clarity
All diamond earrings use stones that have been cut and polished according to certain precise guidelines. For example, a Round brilliant typically has 33 facets on the top half of the stone and 24 facets on the bottom half. The purpose of these guidelines is to help ensure that the stones can scatter light properly. The more precise the cut, the more sparkle the diamond earrings can offer. The precision of the cut will have an impact on the stone’s value. Keep that in mind when purchasing the earrings for your dating partner.
The clarity of the diamond reflects whether flaws exist within the stone. Most diamonds have inherent flaws. Like the cut of a stone, a diamond’s clarity can have a significant impact on its value.
Does Color Matter?
Colorless diamond earrings will allow more light to pass through and scatter than those with some grade of color. They are graded by their level of whiteness, starting from “D” and progressing through “Z.” As you may imagine, the less color the stones have, the more valuable they are. It is important to note that stones graded “G” will have no color that is perceptible to the unaided eye. Buying diamond earrings with a “G” grade for your partner will help you save money without sacrificing obvious quality.
The Perfect Gift
Diamond earrings make a perfect gift for your partner for a number of reasons. First, they are comparatively inexpensive. Through careful, educated shopping, you can find remarkable deals. Second, they look gorgeous and can be worn as part of any ensemble. Last, and most important, giving your partner diamond earrings communicates a level of commitment and love. Simple diamond stud earrings will last a lifetime and serve as a memory of your adoration and dedication to your relationship with her.
Most people are familiar with the saying “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Diamond earrings may be one of the best ways to say, “I love you.”
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
The Four C’s of a Diamond - Color November 13, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds , add a commentFor a diamond, color, is one of the four major qualities that is used to determine the overall value of the stone. Color is grouped with carat weight, clarity, and cut to create the Four C’s of a diamond. Unlike the remaining C’s, however, the color of a diamond is one that is often hard to determine and is not measured on a firm, quantifiable scale as several of the others are. Rather, color is judged on a gradient scale ranging from letter D to letter Z.
The Diamond Color Scale
D through F – Colorless
G through J – Nearly colorless; requires a loupe to determine color when unmounted
K through M – Possesses a faint yellow tint, usually requires a loupe to detect
N through R – Possesses a slight yellow tint which can be detected with the naked eye
S through Z – Obviously tinted yellow even when mounted
Color and Price
As one would expect, the closer a diamond gets to color grade D, the more expensive that particular gem is going to be. The jump in price per carat per color grade can easily be a thousand dollars. This means that a diamond can get expensive in a hurry.
Match Your Setting with Your Color Grade
Perhaps the most important factor in determining what color grade is the best for a particular shopper is what type of metal on which the diamond is going to be mounted on in a diamond ring, earrings, or other pieces of jewelry. Yellow gold can seem to amplify a lower grade diamond’s yellow tint. Platinum or white gold can help by removing that yellow frame of reference. This means that, unlike carat weight or clarity, the buyer has a little wiggle room when deciding on diamond color. However, for most buyers, a diamond in the range of J or K is usually fine especially when setting on a whiter setting. For yellower settings, a H or an I can be considered ideal.
Determining Factors
Obviously every diamond is unique. So, when you’re shopping for diamonds, color has to be weighed as a determining factor, and not necessarily a deciding one. Color must be considered along with the rest of the Four C’s to create a list of requirements for the perfect diamond based on the needs of you the shopper.
We know that most people do not make a habit of shopping for a diamond, so feel free to contact your diamond specialist here at Danforth.
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
The Commitment Mystery November 7, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Romantic Tips , add a commentAfter you have dated someone for several months, it is natural to wonder about your relationship’s level of exclusivity. After all, most long-term relationships seem geared toward commitment at some level. However, left unspoken, many people have a tendency to think that their partners feel the same way they do. They are often surprised to discover that their partners feel differently.
Are you and your dating partner equally committed to each other and to your relationship? In this article, we’ll explore how your past relationships may signal your own inherent aversion to commitment. Plus, we’ll describe a few of the obstacles on the way toward enjoying an exclusive, loving relationship.
Is Your Past Telling?
When pressed, most people will claim that they would like to pursue a committed, loving relationship with someone who feels the same. However, our past relationships often betray our claims. That is, the people we have dated in the past may have exhibited behaviors that seem inconsistent with a committed relationship. When there is a trend of such behaviors, it may imply that we are not looking for commitment.
For example, assume that you have dated a string of people who have been consistently unfaithful. Rather than leaving them, you have remained in those relationships until they have imploded of their own accord. The willingness to stay may be mistaken for commitment, but can actually imply a self-sabotaging tendency.
Ghosts Of The Past
The older we get, the more emotional baggage we carry. Ideally, we are able to dispel most of it and get on with our lives. However, many people collect the baggage from the past and carry it with them into new relationships. Unresolved, this baggage can sabotage the new relationship. Unless we take the necessary time to resolve past transgressions, forging a healthy commitment with another person is unlikely. In effect, we need to achieve closure and leave the ghosts of the past in the past.
Fulfillment, Then Commitment
Nobody else can make you feel fulfilled about yourself. It comes from within. Seeking it from someone else puts undue (and unfair) strain and pressure on that other person. That said, once you feel okay with who you are as a person, it is much easier to develop a loving relationship that is built upon mutual commitment.
At this point, you should look for consistencies between you and your dating partner. Do you share the same ideals about morality? Are your long-term goals and desires compatible? Is your partner coping with any personal issues such as addictions, health concerns, or other problems? Uncovering the answers to these questions is the next step toward a committed relationship. And it requires communication.
Being Upfront With Your Partner
In dating relationships, many people have a tendency to avoid direct communication about issues. Exclusivity and commitment are good examples. Sometimes, one partner assumes the other feels the same about the level of commitment - or, lack thereof - in the relationship. Other times, one partner may fear the answer and simply avoid asking. In both cases, the ambiguity can create a major problem.
If you are in a relationship and want it to be exclusive, you need to be upfront with your partner. Maybe they feel the same as you; maybe they don’t. But, uncertainty will only exacerbate the issue. Assuming that you are ready for a commitment, clearly communicating as much to your partner is the surest path toward enjoying a fruitful, loving relationship with each other.
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
Four Thoughts for a Successful First Date October 31, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Romantic Tips , add a commentSome of us may be comfortable around our friends and loved ones, but that can be a different story on a first date which is time spent with someone we don’t know. There is a lot of uncertainty. There may be personality conflicts. Or, we may embarrass ourselves during the date. In the end, most of our nerves come from lack of familiarity. That is, we don’t know what we don’t know. But, if we can control our nerves and plan ahead, we can more easily enjoy ourselves. Below, we’ll explain the importance of planning a first date, the art of conversation, and keeping an open mind about the future.
These romantic tips provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts.
Planning A Simple Date
Typically, whomever asked the other person out on a date has the responsibility of planning it. A lot of people, men especially, plan extravagant first dates in order to impress the other person. It’s unnecessary. In fact, planning such a date can create an artificial sense of pressure on both partners.
Plan something simple to do that will leave plenty of opportunity to have a conversation. Lunch is great; movies are not. Visiting the zoo can be a good idea; a stage production is decidedly less so. The point of going out for the first time is getting to know each other. The only way to truly do that is by talking.
Being A Good Conversationalist
The art of conversation involves more than merely talking to someone. It is a “give and take” process whereby you are sharing things about yourself while giving your dating partner room to share, also. Too often, people on first dates either bombard the other person with a relentless monologue or they simply clam up. Remember, first dates are built upon conversation. It is the best way to share ideas, stories, and goals while getting to know each other.
That said, there are some topics that should be left for later. For example, there’s little value in talking about your past relationships. And discussing political or religious ideas may cause more harm than good on a first date.
Keep An Open Mind
Chances are, your dating partner won’t be perfect. Neither will you. And while first impressions are powerful, they may be misleading. For example, if your date seems distracted, it may not imply aloofness. It may be due to something that happened during that day. Keep an open mind.
What’s more, it’s unreasonable to expect your date’s long-term goals will perfectly match your own. For example, if your date wants two children and you want four, that is hardly a dealbreaker. Time spent together has a way of motivating people to modify their long-term goals.
Is There Potential?
The objective of going on a first date is to discover whether the potential exists for a romantic relationship. It’s likely that you are already attracted to the other person. Now is the opportunity to see whether there is more than mere attraction. Shared ideas, mutual interests, and similar goals can help pave the way toward enjoying each other’s company over the long-term.
First dates can be both nerve-wracking and rousing. The excitement of spending time with someone new can cause unnecessary pressure. By planning ahead, being a good conversationalist, and keeping an open mind throughout the date, you can enjoy yourself while gauging the level of mutual interest. Millions of successful relationships have begun the same way.
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
How to Approach the One - Essential Guidelines October 24, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Romantic Tips , add a commentFrom Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts.
A date will never happen without making the first contact. You can glance and gaze at another person across a crowded room all night; if neither person approaches the other, the attraction will never lead anywhere. Often, fear and anxiety hold people back and prevent them from interacting with each other. It’s understandable. Nobody enjoys the prospect of being rejected by someone they have never met. It is much easier - and safer - to stay planted in our seats. Unfortunately, if you want to meet the person to whom you feel attracted, you will need to get up, walk over, and introduce yourself. In this article, we’ll describe how to make the first contact on the road to starting a romantic relationship.
Getting Over The Fear
Most of us fear the unknown. The tendency is based upon our survival instinct. The things we are unfamiliar about carry an inherent possibility of danger. So, we naturally avoid them, unless properly motivated to do otherwise. But, this fear can actually paralyze us and prevent us from meeting new people. This is the reason why millions of people resist the urge to introduce themselves to strangers.
If you see someone that you are attracted to, yet hesitate to make contact, you need to examine your fears. Are your fears valid? Most of the time, we simply fear being rejected. If we accept rejection as an ever-present possibility, the idea of approaching someone to whom we’re attracted becomes easy.
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
Initial Attraction - Played by the rules October 17, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Romantic Tips , add a commentThe laws of initial attraction are universal. They ignore the restraints of culture, gender, and language. For most people, being attracted to another person is based upon how that other person looks. We are, by nature, drawn toward those who are physically attractive to us. When we gather the courage to act on that attraction, it can spark the beginning of a romantic relationship.
Occasionally, you may hear people claim that looks are not important to them. While that may suit their ideal about themselves, it ignores our basic human instinct. In truth, all of us are initially attracted to other people for the same reason: because they look good to us. Below, we’ll explore what happens during the first glance that sparks our interest in others. We’ll also take a closer look at the role that physical chemistry and sexuality play in attraction.
First Glance
Each of us has experienced the sensation that goes through our mind and body when someone catches our eye. It begins with a fleeting glance. Often, our eyes casually drift across another person while scanning a room or watching others. In that moment, attraction is instantly triggered. No matter where we look afterwards, something about that other person draws our attention. The initial attraction tantalizes our curiosity. At the same time, we become acutely aware of our own appearance to others. We struggle to keep calm even as we become increasingly self-conscious. Soon, the first glance gives way to a second and third.
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
How World-Class Jewelry Thief Was Caught October 9, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Jewelry , add a comment
Since the Middle Ages, Antwerp has stood as the capital of the world’s diamond trade with specialists perfecting the art of cutting and polishing the precious stones. And due to the huge trade that flowed through the city, Antwerp was largely regarded as a pipe dream, the criminal version of the hitting the lottery and with about the same odds of success. Buried in the heart of the city, the Antwerp Diamond Center is locked down in all the right ways. Armed guards control who gets in and out. Movements are constantly covered by electronic surveillance. Keys are monitored. Goods are compartmentalized. Barricades control vehicle access. By all means, the Diamond Centre was the last place anyone wanted to steal diamonds, the stakes were too high.
The School of Turin
A group of largely Italian professional thieves, known as the School of Turin, decided that hitting the Diamond Centre was not only feasible, it was their goal. The group knew that with heightened security and the reputation that the Diamond Centre had, that security at the Centre was likely to have a major vulnerability - complacency. The extreme level of security also meant that the Antwerp Diamond Centre would be no simple smash and grab. No, it would take planning, a great deal of planning. Member Leonardo Notarbatol took an inside job as a diamond merchant, giving the School of Turin unprecedented access to the inside of the Antwerp Diamond Centre and the 160 security boxes of diamonds, jewels, and other riches that it contained. The rest of the team split themselves up and organized by specialties - safe crackers, alarm experts, getaway drivers. The plan started to shape up in a way that would make most Hollywood screenwriters jealous - the School of Turin was turning a job on the Antwerp Diamond Centre into Oceans 11 without the banter.
Breaking In
At approximately 7:00 pm local time, on Friday the 14th of February, 2003, the group known as the School of Turin was beginning the active phase of the largest diamond heist the world has ever seen. Notarbartolo reportedly had remained in the vault that Friday night when the security doors closed automatically at 7:00 pm. Several hours later, the elevator leading down to vault was purportedly used by three other members of the School. The motion detector at the foot of the elevator has already been disabled by an application of spray silicone, and the vault’s light detector had been rendered useless with a simple piece of tape. With all of the prep work done, the School of Turin found themselves alone with the vault of the Antwerp Diamond Center.
Read the rest of this article about this amazing jewelry heist. Provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts.
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
Purchasing Ring Insurance: The Right Decision September 29, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Jewelry Care , add a commentHave you ever thought about purchasing insurance for your ring? If you have insurance for your home and car, would it stand to reason that you should also insure your jewelry? I’m sure you value your jewelry as much as you value your home or car, if not more, but buying insurance for a ring is not necessarily an easy decision for everyone. Many factors need to be weighed.
There are two main ring insurance policies: a floater insurance policy and a standalone policy. In a floater policy, if something happens to your ring, you either get the value of your ring back in money or you are given a brand new ring. A standalone policy has a very important difference. In a standalone policy, a jewelry appraiser will appraise the value of the ring. Some policies will also cover damage .You can purchase your ring online and it often comes with an appraisal or you can ask your local jeweler for an appraisal referral. You will get the appraisal value of the ring if you need to replace it.
There are several different insurance options, and it is best to read all the details of your policy because they will change from company to company and state to state. A general guideline is that the insurance should cost about $10 for every $1000 dollars of value. For example a $10,000 engagement ring should cost about a $100/year to insure.
You could of course choose not to insure your ring. This is a gamble, but it obviously is the least expensive option, and if you plan on taking extremely good care of your ring, then it may be the best one for you. The odds of a ring being stolen or lost are very low but it does happen. I think everyone knows someone who has lost a piece of jewelry either through theft or accident.
If you can afford to replace your ring without having insurance, you may want to go without it. However, this is not something I would recommend. I have accidentally thrown away a very expensive watch and lost a ring in the ocean when a small child was squeezing my hand! I was very happy to rely on my insurance policy both times.
Another way people damage their ring is with chemicals. It is always best to remove your rings and all jewelry if you believe you are going to be around chemicals or paint. It is best to not attempt to paint your home with a sapphire and diamond ring on your finger. You’ll just be asking for it to get damaged. So if you believe in finding a practical solution to the question of whether or not you should insure your diamond ring, you may find that the solution that fits you best is to not get your ring insured at all. But if you want to remain on the safe side, then by all means, purchase ring insurance.
And be sure to check out our selection of diamond engagement rings so that you can determine what ring you wish to purchase that insurance for
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
How a Diamond Ring is Made at Danforth Diamond September 16, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Jewelry , 2commentsAt Danforth Diamond, all of our engagement rings are made to order. A skilled jeweler crafts each and every engagement ring and you will see the difference in our product. Because of this, most of our engagement rings take seven to ten business days to produce. Watch the video below to see the Birth of Your Ring!
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
Danforth Diamond Offers Eco-friendly Jewelry Made from Recycled Gold, Platinum & Other Metals September 16, 2008
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Jewelry, Eco-Friendly Jewerly, Press Releases , add a commentHarmony Recycled Precious Metals used to manufacture green engagement jewelry – everything from recycled platinum engagement rings to recycled palladium wedding bands for women & men.
Midlothian, VAÂ September 16, 2008 — The extensive collection of engagement rings and wedding rings offered by Danforth Diamond are now made from 100% recycled precious metals. Danforth Diamond partnered with jewelry manufacturer, Hoover & Strong, an industry leader in eco-friendly jewelry manufacturing and refining, to provide a green jewelry option to the marketplace.
 The timing of those requests was uncanny and they confirmed a need for eco-friendly jewelry that wasn’t being met  |
As jewelers seek ways to be more eco-friendly and find alternatives to mining, recycling precious metals has become increasingly popular. With the slogan “Our jewelry is refined – not mined” Danforth Diamond emphasizes that while mining displaces earth and upsets the ecosystem of the area being mined, refining precious metals uses far fewer resources and has a lesser impact on the environment. “There is no difference between recycled metal and newly mined metal,” states Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond. “Both offer the same quality, durability, and shine. I believe this isn’t a trend; it’s the new way of doing business. There is no reason why all jewelry can’t be made from recycled material.”
Harmony Recycled Precious Metals takes unwanted or damaged jewelry, shavings and metal lost during the jewelry manufacture and crafting processes, and scrap precious metals from industrial uses and recycles them. The metals are melted down to separate them – the precious metals are separated from alloys that were added to provide strength or shine – and then all are reused in the manufacturing of new “green” jewelry pieces or other items.
Approximately 90% of the products on the danforthdiamond.com site carry the Harmony Recycled Precious Metals designation.
Prompting their search for a jewelry manufacturer who uses recycled metals, Danforth received several emails from customers and comments on the Danforth Diamond Blog asking about recycled metal jewelry options. “The timing of those requests was uncanny and they confirmed a need for eco-friendly jewelry that wasn’t being met,” Jill Renee said.
The use of Harmony Recycled Precious Metals reiterates Danforth Diamond’s commitment to people- and earth-friendly jewelry. They are a member of StopBloodDiamonds.org and are in compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme which certifies the origin of diamonds to make certain they are ethically sourced and conflict free.
Jill Renee added, “Danforth Diamond’s commitment to our customers is to provide engagement jewelry pieces that are as socially and environmentally responsible as they are beautiful.”
Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.
