Diamonds

Diamonds are the ultimate symbol of love and romance.  Like true love, a diamond’s light and brilliance will not diminish with time.

The word diamond originates from the Greek "adamas," meaning indomitable, diamonds were believed to offer protection and strength in the face of adversity.

The earliest written account of diamonds dates back to around 500 BC and until the 18th century the only diamond mines were in India.  The first recorded use of a diamond in an engagement ring was in 1477 with the engagement of the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian to Mary of Burgundy.

The Modern Era
In the 19th century the combination of newly discovered mines and developments in diamond cutting and polishing, gave birth to the solitaire engagement ring.The Tiffany mounting, introduced in 1886, maximized the diamonds brilliance by raising it up from the band. The design permitted greater amounts of light to enter the gem, allowing it to exhibit maximum brilliance.The Modern brilliant cut—In 1919 Marcel Tolkowsky published his determinations for the ideal diamond cut, designed to release the maximum "fire" in a diamond.  Within 5 years of his publication jewelers throughout the United States advertised diamonds cut to Tolkowsky's "Ideal" cut.  Even today, jewelers still refer to Tolkowsky and advertise their cuts as "Ideal."

Purchasing

Buying a diamond can be a significant purchase—both emotionally and financially.  If you choose a qualified jeweler, learn the 4Cs of diamond quality and ask for an independent grading report—buying the diamond of your dreams will be worry-free.

The Holiday Season Is A Time For Buying Diamonds

The holiday season beginning from Thanksgiving until Christmas and the New Year is a time of rejoicing and giving thanks to the blessings we’ve received throughout the year. It is the perfect time for gift giving as a way of showing our love and care to special people in our lives. The holidays are just the right time to reflect on important relationships and find ways to enhance them through gift giving and diamond jewelry.

Engagement month

 

In the United States, December is the most popular month for getting engaged. A 200 4study from the Conde Nast Bridal Group revealed that 19 percent of couple become engaged during the holidays. This is more than the figures in November and January combined and greater than those getting engaged and married during the love month of February. On the contrary, this month is not so much preferred for weddings as only about seven percent of American couples choose to tie the knot during this merry month.

Experts believe that many soon-to-be bridegrooms find the very busy and exciting holiday season as the best opportunity to stage a memorable event with lots of witnesses. With parties already planned and the Christmas tree put in place, there couldn’t be a perfect setting for proposing marriage than this one.

Another perfect reason for men to splurge on a diamond jewelry for the woman they love is the fact that they’re getting their year-end bonus during the month of December. With this expectation of getting a big sum of money, some men are confident enough to get a diamond as a romantic gesture. In fact, about 25 percent of all diamond purchases in a single year are made during the holidays.

Jewelers are also one in saying that Christmas is indeed the number one day for engagements. It is the time when you are thinking about the important people that give meaning to your life. People tend to be emotional at this time and where engagement is concerned, many would like to share this important event with their family and close friends.

The wedding industry also gives its full support to the idea that December is the month for marriage proposals. Bridal magazines publish special holiday issues while web sites with wedding themes list ways to help people propose during the holiday season.

Diamond sales

During the 2004 holiday season, sales of diamond jewelry and loose diamonds leaped. A National Jeweler’s year-end sales survey that polled about three-quarters of jewelers in the retail jewelry business reported that in the same year, diamond sales were flat or up from 2003 while 83 percent of sales of finished diamond jewelry went up or maintained its sales figures. Additionally, the survey also revealed that consumers then were in search of larger stones.

As for Thanksgiving, diamond sales are also said to be on the upswing during this time. There are some men who feel that this occasion is far more important than Christmas and thereby the ideal time to propose marriage to the woman of their dreams.

Know what to buy

A diamond jewelry purchased during the holiday season will surely be a real treasure. Depending on your purpose of giving the gift, your diamond jewelry can be a ring, pair of earrings, pendant or bracelet. It’s vital that you know what you want.

Let’s face it, every person has his own personal style and that is why there are numerous diamond jewelry of various designs and sizes available today to provide consumers a wide choice in picking the piece that suits their lifestyle. If it’s for personal use, ask yourself if you prefer the classic, contemporary or vintage style.

What about the metal? Do you like gold, platinum or silver or would you like a mix of the metals? In considering the design, which do you prefer, bold diamond jewelry or a just simple piece? Do take into account the size as well. Do you want a big diamond or a cluster of small stones or a mix of the large and smaller sizes?

Shape, size, setting

Today, consumers have a wide choice in buying their diamond jewelry. Popular diamond cuts are the round brilliant, heart, oval or marquise, princess, emerald and pear.

Colors are not a problem because apart from the natural colorless diamonds, fancy colored stones are also sold these days in most jewelry stores. Giving the special woman of your life with her favorite colored diamond during the holidays will be a romantic act she will never forget. For men who still don’t have an idea of the ring size of their lady love, it would be ideal to buy a loose diamond first and then shop together for the setting that she prefers. She would greatly appreciate the fact that you are giving her the opportunity to choose the best jewelry setting she likes.

Your best source

While the holiday season is getting busier with everybody shopping for Christmas gifts, you will have to find time yourself to be able to buy that diamond jewelry for your loved one. There are many sources from where to get that precious stone. You can choose to visit the retail stores that are near your place or for more convenience, you can always shop in the comfort of your home through the internet. Most major diamond retailers have an online presence as well as online jewelers that are purely based on the internet.

Be sure to compare prices first before deciding on the final store. You can also opt for the store that offers guarantees and return privileges. With this offer, you have every opportunity to return the product and get your money back should the stone possess some flaws or damage. It’s great to give gifts to our loved ones during the holiday season and a diamond jewelry is worth your every penny. It is not only the most coveted stone but one that also lasts forever.

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