The Guy Test-Drive February 20, 2007
Posted by Jill Renee in : Engagement Rings , add a commentBefore you begin dreaming about that engagement ring and wedding bells, you may want to make sure you’ve found your right guy type.
If you’re out on the dating scene and you’re not quite sure which guy is the type of guy you’re looking for, you can always start with a list of the qualities in a man that you are looking for. Oprah’s recent show about a movie called “The Secret” discusses how we manifest our own destinies by where we decide to focus our efforts.
So, if you’re looking for that perfect soulmate, begin to narrow your search with this article from iVillage. The different types include:
Mr. Nice Romantic Guy: this is the guy who does the flowers for no reason and runs you a bubble bath without you asking him to (Johnny Depp)
Mr. Big Shot: this is the guy who always comes correct with the bling (Donald Trump)
Mr. Sexy Older Guy: make sure this guy is not your futile attempt to resolve any daddy issues, but this is the guy who can expand your horizons because he has a lot of life experience (Sly Stallone)
Mr. Man’s Man: this is the guy who’s diet consists of steak, football, beer, pizza and more steak (Craig T. Nelson’s character on the sitcom “Coach”)
Mr. Fun Social Guy: this is the popular guy whom everybody loves, who you KNOW you’ll have fun with, no matter what you’re doing (Diddy)
Read: The 5 Guys Every Girl Should Date Before Settling Down
Palladium Jewelry February 6, 2007
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Palladium Jewelry , 7comments New Jewelry Metal Offers Platinum Quality at White Gold Price
By Jill Renee
DanforthDiamond.com has selection of beautiful Palladium Engagement Rings. You can also find matching Palladium wedding bands.
View our entire stock of Palladium Jewelry
There is a new jewelry metal on the horizon – palladium. As a platinum group metal, palladium offers customers a host of benefits that white gold and platinum can’t touch. Are customers ready for a white metal that is less expensive than platinum and hypoallergenic unlike white gold? Many jewelers and jewelry stores are banking on it.
Palladium’s steel-white appearance makes it an attractive jewelry alternative to white gold and platinum. However, palladium was difficult to cast with and had not been fit for jewelry casting until recently. Innovations in developing a castable palladium alloy produced 950 palladium, which is ideal for jewelry. It is expected that, within the coming months, consumers will begin to hear more about palladium and its benefits; and palladium could very well be the next revolution in jewelry. Much of this relies on the fact that palladium is in the platinum group of metals and shares many of the same attributes as platinum – high purity, good luster, and white appearance.
Palladium versus Platinum
Much of platinum’s cache is due to its purity. Jewelry cast using pure gold (i.e., 24K) is soft and subject to damage, which threatens the overall look and luster of the jewelry piece. To combat this, gold is commonly mixed with copper or silver to strengthen it. The concerns over gold’s softness are why gold jewelry is typically crafted using 14 or 18 karat gold. Palladium is attractive to consumers in the same way as platinum because it is a purer material that is not fabricated or man made.
Another benefit of palladium is that it is over 40% lighter than platinum, a characteristic of palladium that has jewelry designers excited. Weight is a consideration that is especially important in earrings as heavier metals and bigger designs can stretch the ear lobe and be too heavy to wear. Larger stones can be set in a palladium design and, because it is less dense, the piece won’t feel overly heavy to the wearer.
The biggest downside to platinum is its price. Often, consumers seeking that white-metal appearance had to settle for white gold or sterling silver because of platinum’s high price tag. Palladium is set to take a large share of the market because of its affordability. Palladium is less expensive than platinum and white gold – a trend that should continue for the near term.
Palladium versus White Gold
Why is palladium more desirable? Unfortunately, white gold jewelry is manufactured using alloys containing nickel and up to 10% of the population experiences an allergic reaction to contact with nickel. Palladium is hypoallergenic so there are not the allergy concerns that plague white gold.
Also, palladium is harder than white gold making it more durable and less likely to mar. Durability is an issue particularly when it comes to mountings. If a gem stone is set using mountings made with a softer metal, the likelihood that one of the prongs could fail and the stone could fall out is higher. Often jewelers will use a harder metal in a ring setting to combat this but with palladium the entire jewelry piece can be made with the same metal.
A Growing Market
At this time refiners are working to provide 950 palladium to jewelry manufacturers and designers and many stores are set to educate consumers on palladium. All are expecting palladium to find a market as messages about its lower price and platinum-like characteristics are presented to consumers. The demand for palladium jewelry will dictate how quickly it is integrated into designer’s product lines and jewelry stores catalogs. Palladium will likely be used in the same jewelry categories as platinum, especially engagement rings and wedding jewelry.
Check Your Relationship Compatibility February 5, 2007
Posted by Jill Renee in : Proposing Marriage , add a commentYou’re in love, and you want it to last. Whether you’re looking at engagement rings, or you’ve must received the diamond engagement ring of your dreams, Make sure that you and your beloved see eye to eye on the most important aspects of your relationship before you cross the threshold of marriage.
When it comes to the future of your relationship, theknot.com advises that sometimes questions are the answer. In “Proposals: Are You Ready for Married Life,” author Alison Salat Bernstein tackles the key areas of marriage: your relationship dynamic, sex, money and family goals.
Proposals: Are You Ready for Married Life?
By: Alison Salat Bernstein
You’re about to take the plunge — but you both need to think about some things first, if you haven’t already. Here’s a checklist…
So you’re in a relationship, and you’re thinking about taking the plunge of all plunges — marriage! How can you be sure, really sure, that you’re making the right decision? Well, you can’t. But we’ve come up with a list of issues to help you with the big questions. Read through them and see what you think.
Read more of: “Propsals: Are You Ready for Married Life?“
Great Ideas for Celebrating Valentine’s Day, Whether or Not You’re in Love February 2, 2007
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Romantic Tips , 3commentsYou Don’t Need a Valentine to Enjoy the Most Romantic Day of the Year
When you think of Valentine’s Day, typically your thoughts venture toward valentine gifts and all things heart-shaped candies, chocolate, balloons, greeting cards, jewelry, etc. – and couples deeply in love gazing into each other’s eyes.
Because Valentine’s Day is for lovers, right?
Actually – no. Ladies, there is joy to be had on this infamous day of pink and red, no matter your ‘couples’status. Here are some fun ideas for the annual day of love that cover the spectrum of companionship: single, dating, committed relationship, or recent break-up.
If You’re Single . . .
Don’t allow yourself to be one of the cynical singles who scowl at any hint of Valentine’s Day decorations or gifts. Instead: embrace the day!
That’ right. We’re in the new millennium, a time when being single is fabulous. Sex & the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made being single more appealing than ever before. You don’t have to wait for a significant other to get you a gift – buy it yourself! Few things make a girls’ heart flutter more than Valentine’s Day jewelry. From a modest bracelet to a diamond ring one of the joys of being single is you can give yourself the gift you’d be giving your significant other. (more…)
