Palladium Jewelry: The Inexpensive Treasure August 17, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Palladium Jewelry , 2comments
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.
Which Engagement Ring Design Best Suits Her Style? May 18, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry , add a commentChoosing an engagement ring
The first consideration when choosing an engagement ring style is your loved one’s lifestyle.
Is she very active? Will her engagement ring need to stand up to an adventurous lifestyle of mountain climbing?
If your beloved is very active, you should probably stay away from stone shapes that are easily chipped or broken. Pear and Marquise shaped diamonds contain points that can easily chip. High settings are also more inclined to suffer damage from hitting hard surfaces and catching on everyday objects and clothing.
However, if your fiancé has her heart set on a shape or style of ring that is among the more fragile and she has an active lifestyle, make sure you order a “V-end” prong setting which will protect the points of the diamond.
Determine How It Will Look On Her Hand
Are her hands small, and are her fingers short? Or does she have a long and slender hand? These are questions you will need to consider when choosing your engagement ring style.
Pick The Diamond Shape that’s Right for Her
A broad banded ring will not flatter a small hand with short fingers, however, it will balance the proportion of a long slender fingered hand. A small ring will make a larger hand appear bigger and most women do not like that! Hand size and proportion are very important when deciding on the engagement ring. Take a good look at your loved one’s hand and decide what size of engagement ring will look best. You can still choose from all of the styles, but you must keep proportion in mind.
Finally, remember that you will purchase a wedding band to be given on the day of your marriage. It is important that the engagement ring and wedding band complement one another. We offer a wide variety of wedding ring sets to make this process effortless.
Selecting a Diamond Within Your Budget May 18, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamonds, Jewelry , add a commentThere are four factors diamond experts consider when valuing a diamond. They are Cut, Color, Carat Weight and Clarity. These four factors add up to the final cost of the diamond. Which is the most important factor for you to consider? Most experts believe the cut and proportion are the most important factors in determining a diamond’s value. They are what give the diamond its sparkle and brilliance. That is why we only sell good or better cut diamonds at DanforthDiamond.com, not cheap diamonds that have no luster. The brilliant shine from our expertly cut diamonds will add sparkle to your life for eternity. That being said, you will need to consider the other factors when choosing your diamond and we have included a brief summary below.
Remember, the most important factor is your own personal preference and taste.
Read the entire article on choosing a diamond within your budget.
Need Expert Guidance on Choosing an Affordable Engagement Ring?
Questions about Buying Diamonds?
We are here to help you via phone, Mondays-Fridays, 9AM-9PM EST. Please call 1.877.404.RING toll-free. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 001.804.794.1118.
Or, email us ANYTIME at experts@danforthdiamond.com. It is our goal to respond to your email within one business day.
Danforth Diamond Customer Satisfaction April 26, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Jewelry , add a commentAnother actual email correspondence between Danforth Diamond and a satisfied custom
I am just following up on my order….I haven’t seen the deduction from
checking account (debit charge) yet and I wanted to make sure you have
the order and that I can still expect the same approximate arrival
time.
– Customer
experts@danforthdiamond.com wrote:
Yes it has been billed and the ring turned out beautiful! I
think you will be pleased. Thank you again for your business. Sincerely,
Jill
Jill…
You HAVE to know you have a repeat customer with the way you’ve taken such great care of me! Presuming she says yes……There will be wedding rings to purchase as well, and I WILL be coming you folks for that. Thanks for such great customer service!
– Customer
experts@danforthdiamond.com wrote:
Hi,
How did it go?/ I hope she was over the moon with happiness. I have
the GIA certificate for the diamond and I am popping it in the mail today,
so be on the look out for it. Best Wishes, Jill
Actually, I’m headed down this Saturday to get the answers to your questions…But judging from what I’m taking down there with me, in this box, It will MORE than make up for anything I might happen to goofup along the way! The engagement ring is fantastic!
Thank-you!
Choosing Colored Diamonds – Fancy Diamonds April 26, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Jewelry , 1 comment so farIf 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.
Why Buy A Diamond on the Internet? March 29, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Jewelry , add a commentBuying a diamond on the internet.
Jewelry stores do provide a personal buying experience on a one-on-one basis, however, do you really need to pay 30-40% more for this service?
Conversely, is the risk of being unhappy with your diamond purchase greater, without seeing it first?
Danforth Diamond responds to both of these questions noting that the average length of time spent on our website is 2 hours, longer than you would generally spend on a jewelry store visit. Also, most busy jewelers would be unable to devote that much individual time to only you.
We draw upon our over 50 years in the diamond and jewelry business to provide a complete and thorough education to assist you with your diamond and diamond jewelry purchases.
And remember that our site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for you to explore when it is convenient for you.
Our lower overhead on the Internet will enable you to buy a 30-40% better valued diamond. Your extra purchasing power will allow you to upgrade your clarity, color, cut, or carat weight, lowering your chances of being unsatisfied. Our inventory of stones and styles are far mhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifore extensive than most stores, and our diamonds are certified by world-known independent laboratories.
And furthermore, we offer a no risk 30-day unconditional money back guarantee.
We understand the concern that the Internet has anonymous and short-lived businesses, but so do traditional brick and mortar establishments. However we are long established jewelers that can now offer you exceptional product at great prices through the Internet.
Our goal, at Danforth Diamond, is to become your local “internet” jeweler. We want to provide great product and service with your first purchase, hoping you will feel comfortable to visit with us again for all your future anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations.
Buying Jewelry Online: How To Choose The Right Company March 8, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Jewelry , add a commentBy Jill Renee
For anyone looking to purchase fine jewelry, online shopping can be a great way to find the right piece at the right price. There can be many advantages to buying fine jewelry online – with savings being one of the major factors. Reputable online jewelers usually have much lower overhead costs, and can pass those savings on to the consumer. Another advantage of buying fine jewelry online is convenience – you need travel no further than your computer to choose your jewelry and make your purchase. This being said, there are things you need to consider in order to make your fine jewelry purchase a positive experience.
Choose a Jeweler You Trust
The first thing you need to do is find an online jewelry store that you can trust. You will have to do a little bit of detective work in order to eliminate the less desirable companies and end up with a list of jewelers that you feel confident doing business with.
Find out if the website is secure. The jeweler’s website should have 128bit SSL security. This is an absolute must when you are purchasing online, since you will most likely be using a credit card or supplying your bank account information. Somewhere along the line you will be supplying information about yourself, and the 128bit SSL security will ensure that no unauthorized party can get access to your information.
Also, any diamond you buy, whether it is online or from a store, should come with a diamond certificate. The Gemological Institute of America independently certifies diamonds providing information on a diamond’s characteristics such as color, clarity and size. This is your best way of knowing the quality of the diamond you are buying.
The Online Jewelry Store Should Provide Excellent Customer Service
This cannot be stressed strongly enough. Before you make a fine jewelry purchase from a website consider contacting the jeweler’s customer service department by email and by phone. When talking to a customer service representative, ask questions and pay close attention to the responses you receive. If the rep seems irritated with your questions or is spending the entire phone call trying to rush you into buying a product, consider that a “red flagâ€Â.
If you contact them by email, check to see how quickly they reply. It should take them no longer than 48 hours during the business week – within 24 hours is the ideal. Look for professionalism and a helpful attitude in their emails.
The Website Should Be Informative
The jeweler’s website itself should have information on how to buy a quality diamond, the different types of precious metals, etc. They should have a wide variety of choices, and be able to help you find what is right for you. By providing you with information the company is helping you make an educated purchase.
Look for Quality Craftsmanship
What the Internet can offer you is the chance to shop several stores without having to drive all over town; this allows you to choose a company whose fine jewelry shows attention to detail and craftsmanship.
The Return Policy Can Be Important
What if you receive the jewelry and are dissatisfied? Review the company’s return policy before you buy so you know what rights you have if you want to return your fine jewelry purchase.
See If They Offer Extra Perks
Things like free shipping add up to big savings. If the online jeweler is located outside of the state you are buying from you pay no sales tax. Free shipping combined with no sales tax can make a big difference in your bottom line. Some companies offer a discount on your next purchase. This can also save you big money. If a company is offering these or other incentives, they will likely have this information throughout the site and in their shopping cart.
Your Jewelry Purchase Should Provide Good Value for the Money
When buying fine jewelry, you are getting a piece that will last a lifetime and become a family heirloom. Look for fine jewelry that offers the best value which is not only determined by how much the jewelry costs but by the quality of the piece and the materials used.
Online jewelry shopping offers convenience, selection and value. Consider the factors above when making your next fine jewelry purchase so you find the online jeweler that is right for you.
About the Author
Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store specializing in fine jewelry and diamonds – on the Web at http://www.danforthdiamond.com/
Buying a Diamond: The 4 Cs: Color February 23, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Diamonds, Jewelry , add a commentDiamond Color – Why it’s Important
The term “color” in diamond buying is really the opposite of what you may think. When making your selection, you’re not actually looking for the presence of a particular color. Instead, your ideal diamond will have as little color as possible. Most diamonds appear icy white, but many have tiny hints of color, usually yellow.
The closer to white or “colorless” the stone appears, the more valuable it is. Colorless diamonds are extremely rare, and therefore very valuable. The reason – the absence of color allows more light to pass through the stone. As more light enters, more light also exits the diamond, thereby emitting a higher level of sparkle or “fire”. However, there are no hard and fast rules for what color makes a diamond beautiful. Color characteristics in diamonds are a result of composition and will not change over time.
Diamonds were formed under intense heat and pressure. Colorless diamonds are composed of pure carbon. Traces of other elements incorporated into their atomic structure account for the variances in color. A single change in color grade can significantly affect a diamond’s value.
The color of the setting is also very important. A white diamond looks best in a white setting. This is why our engagement rings are offered in white gold or two tone, a yellow ring with a white gold setting.
Read the rest of the article to learn about the color of a diamond…
A man’s guide to buying jewelry February 8, 2006
Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamonds, Jewelry , add a commentNeed help deciding on how to buy jewelry? If you are a man, the answer is probably yes.
If you are buying jewelry for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, ask yourself: Would you buy a plasma TV without doing research?
Now, ask yourself: Have you ever put that much thought into buying jewelry?
You probably know as much about buying jewelry as you do about rocket science.
Take these tips from Pensacola jewelry designer and metalsmith Rocky Hard, owner of Rock Hard Designs, to ensure your sweetie will squeal with delight on Valentine’s Day.
Look at what she’s wearing. “Is she wearing yellow gold? White gold?” Hard said. “Does she like colored stones?”
Another place to look is her jewelry box. But beware, there might be pieces in there that she hasn’t worn in years or doesn’t particularly like. Try to take note of the items she wears frequently.
When snooping, look for her ring size and try to determine the necklace length she prefers. Need a ring sizer, you can order a free ring sizer at DanforthDiamon.com
Also, look for items that could use a complementary piece. If she has a pearl necklace, but no earrings to match, maybe that’s your perfect gift.
Ask around. If you’re still confused, it never hurts to ask for help from her mother, sister, best friend or even her jeweler if she’s a regular at the store. They should be able to clue you in on her likes and dislikes.
Do your homework. Know, without a doubt, what her birthstone is if you’re planning to buy a birthstone piece. Educate yourself about jewelry quality and craftsmanship so you can purchase something that will last.
Choose a reputable jeweler. If you aren’t experienced with buying jewelry, you’ll want to make sure that you buy from someone who isn’t going to rip you off. Be sure to shop around for price and service. Go with someone who is willing to spend time helping you decide.
“Don’t fall for the sales,” Hard said. “The reality is, the price of diamonds and gold is fixed because of demand. … You can’t just go out and get it for nothing.”
KrisThoma@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
Valentine’s Day Marriage Proposal Ideas January 20, 2006
Posted by in : Buying Engagement Rings, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Proposing Marriage, Romantic Tips , 1 comment so farIf you’re ready to propose to your sweetheart there is no better day than Valentine’s Day; this day is devoted to lovers and romance. A Valentine’s Day proposal is every woman’s dream and will surely get you an enthusiastic “yesâ€Â! Here are some ideas to help you create a romantic Valentine’s Day proposal:
• Cook her a romantic dinner for two. Tie the diamond engagement ring, using ribbon, to the stem of a glass of champagne or sparkling cider.
• Take her out for dinner at your favorite restaurant and arrange with the waiter to display the ring in a box as one of the choices on the dessert tray, or write “Will you marry me?” in chocolate sauce on the rim of her dessert plate. Remember to make your reservations early in the month because restaurants are very busy on this night and you will need the staff to help with your special arrangements.
• Rent a limousine. Propose to her in the limo on the way to or from your special evening. Be sure to bring champagne or sparkling cider to celebrate.
• Rent your favorite romantic movie. Make it special with homemade popcorn and her favorite movie treat. Tell her you want your own happy ending by proposing as the credits roll at the end.
• Give her three roses: Tell her one represents the past, one represents the present and the last one (with the ring tied to it) represents the future. It is estimated that 110 million roses will be sold for Valentine’s Day so be sure to order your roses early for the prettiest petals.
• Turn out all the lights in your apartment or home. Make a trail with candlelight leading her to your engagement ring.
• Send her on a treasure hunt. Provide clues all over town to your favorite spots or just around the house. The last hint should lead her to you, with the diamond engagement ring in hand.
• Create a special book filled with pictures of the two of you. On the last page include a photo of a bride and groom and paste pictures of your faces on the bride and groom with “Will You Marry Me?†written at the bottom.
• Buy 13 days worth of small gifts and wrap them individually. Number each package 1 though 13 and insert a note with each gift. The notes could be 13 reasons why you love her. Tell your sweetheart to start opening the packages on February 1 and on Valentines Day give her gift number 14 in person. Write “Will You Marry Me?†on the last note.
In order to make your Valentine’s Day proposal perfect present your sweetheart with a beautiful diamond engagement ring. And remember, no matter how you say it, your marriage proposal is going to be a special and memorable moment in your relationship.
