Check these articles out, interesting things on buying an engagement ring from around the web.
Diamond Shapes- What To Buy
Another on the 5 Most Popular Diamond Shapes
The Diamond Trading Company
Another Article on Diamonds in Africa
Lots of interesting information out there. What do you think? I think this Canadian diamond trade thing is particularly interesting, because DeBeers (also know as the Diamond trading company as linked to above) owns most of the diamonds now.
Does that take away from the benefits of buying from Canada?
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Interesting notes on Diamonds at Wikipedia
Ever wonder how diamonds are formed? Here you go
Most natural diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 120 mi) in the Earth mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the Earth). Diamonds are brought close to the Earth surface through deep volcanic eruptions by a magma, which cools into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites. Diamonds can also be produced synthetically in a high-pressure high-temperature process which approximately simulates the conditions in the Earth mantle. An alternative, and completely different growth technique is chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Several non-diamond materials, which include cubic zirconia and silicon carbide and are often called diamond simulants, resemble diamond in appearance and many properties. Special gemological techniques have been developed to distinguish natural and synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants.
And a few interesting articles
Most natural diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 120 mi) in the Earth mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the Earth). Diamonds are brought close to the Earth surface through deep volcanic eruptions by a magma, which cools into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites. Diamonds can also be produced synthetically in a high-pressure high-temperature process which approximately simulates the conditions in the Earth mantle. An alternative, and completely different growth technique is chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Several non-diamond materials, which include cubic zirconia and silicon carbide and are often called diamond simulants, resemble diamond in appearance and many properties. Special gemological techniques have been developed to distinguish natural and synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants.
And a few interesting articles
Thursday, November 3, 2011
From New York Times- Blood Diamonds
Interesting posts on a Zimbabwe diamond ruling:
Kimberley Process experts agreed this week to allow Zimbabwe to sell diamonds from the 140,000-acre field, in the country’s east, whose discovery in 2006 set off a chaotic diamond rush. The country has denied accusations of human rights abuses in the area, but it had been under sanctions since 2009 because of “significant noncompliance.”
From the New York Times
And here's our article on Canadian Diamonds, which of course are conflict free due to Canada's human rights processes
Kimberley Process experts agreed this week to allow Zimbabwe to sell diamonds from the 140,000-acre field, in the country’s east, whose discovery in 2006 set off a chaotic diamond rush. The country has denied accusations of human rights abuses in the area, but it had been under sanctions since 2009 because of “significant noncompliance.”
From the New York Times
And here's our article on Canadian Diamonds, which of course are conflict free due to Canada's human rights processes
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Good Article on Conflict Diamonds
Conflict Diamonds
From The UN's Site:
On 1 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, unanimously, a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict, breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict, as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts (A/RES/55/56). In taking up this agenda item, the General Assembly recognized that conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa, and underscored that legitimate diamonds contribute to prosperity and development elsewhere on the continent. In Angola and Sierra Leone, conflict diamonds continue to fund the rebel groups, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), both of which are acting in contravention of the international community's objectives of restoring peace in the two countries.
From The UN's Site:
On 1 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, unanimously, a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict, breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict, as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts (A/RES/55/56). In taking up this agenda item, the General Assembly recognized that conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa, and underscored that legitimate diamonds contribute to prosperity and development elsewhere on the continent. In Angola and Sierra Leone, conflict diamonds continue to fund the rebel groups, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), both of which are acting in contravention of the international community's objectives of restoring peace in the two countries.
A Successful Marriage
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
Mignon McLaughlin
Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_marriage.html#ixzz1bMM6gnfX
Mignon McLaughlin
Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_marriage.html#ixzz1bMM6gnfX
Canadian Diamonds and the African Diamond Trade
The great Hollywood movie Blood Diamond launched an international when it was produced in the 21st century, triggering thousands of woman across the globe to ask if their diamond, was truly‘conflict-free.’ According to UN Guidelines conflict-free these gemstones do not come from an area involved in war by factions that are fighting against internationally recognized political powers. Gemstone from conflict areas sell to big diamond businesses often give the required funds needed for the militant groups to take over the government. The movie depicts how this scenario plays out year after year.
As a smart purchaser, diamonds also come from other parts of the world. If you or your significant other is particularly hesitant about buying a diamond from or next to a conflict zone (remember that other parts of Africa were previously conflict-zones) in Africa, than one of these non-African locations may be for you. If you're ready to buy an engagement ring than make sure you make the right choice.
The latest and greatest no conflict diamond producing country is just above of the United States (where most of diamond jewelry are bought) in Canada. In the 1990’s in the Northwest district, diamond businesses were opened, under strict supervision, and companies have been pulling diamonds from the hills ever since.
In fact, the country is now the 3rd leading producer of diamonds across the globe. It actually mined more diamonds than all but two other countries.
Canadian diamonds besides just being sure-fire conflict free and sustainably mined, have a few other highly sought after characteristics.
These include: great clarity, high sparkle, and great cut characteristics. Many American jewelry boutiques are also now offering CA stones as a way to show to buyers that what they offer is certifiable conflict-free. Due to high demand, conflict-free diamonds like these are often more expensive than diamonds that come from Africa. This is also due to the fact that there are simply fewer diamonds from Canada, and that offering employees humane conditions {to work in|to do their job|to mine for diamonds| costs more money to the company. That cost, in some ways, is billed to the consumer.
If you’re the type of individual who is wanting to spend a little bit more for a product created by people in happier working environments, than a diamond purchased from a Canadian mine might just be the perfect buy for you. Want more engagement ring buying tips?
Thanks for reading, and make the right choice!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
All About Diamond Shapes
Shapes for Diamonds
Here are all the Shapes of Diamonds I've Seen Out There: Remember, Shape is NOT the same as Cut (of the 4 cs, which include cut, color, clarity, and carat)
These are my favorite in order
- Princess
- Emerald
- Marquise
- Round
- Oval
- Radiant
- Trilliant (Triangle)
- Pear
- Baguette (not as sparkl-y)
- Asscher
What are your favorites? I think that the princess cut is becoming more and more popular in the modern era. I'm not sure if antique engagement rings would really look good with princess cut (I think they need round diamonds) but some modern rings on blue nile and james allen look really really nice with a princess cut.
A lot of my friends have princess cuts, in fact I'd say more have princess than round, even though I know round is more popular
Here are the Top 5 Most Popular Diamond Shapes and here's a link to Blue Nile, where they have some good info on Diamond Shapes. If you're ready to take the leap and buy an engagement ring than that site just might be fore you
Finally, just in case you need a 4 carat emerald cut ring and want to spend almost 200k on it, Costco has one :)
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
A man reserves his true and deepest love not for the species of woman in whose company he finds himself electrified and enkindled, but for that one in whose company he may feel tenderly drowsy.
George Jean Nathan
Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_love.html#ixzz1bMLkPwbj
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
A man reserves his true and deepest love not for the species of woman in whose company he finds himself electrified and enkindled, but for that one in whose company he may feel tenderly drowsy.
George Jean Nathan
Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_love.html#ixzz1bMLkPwbj
Bye bye for now! Have a great afternoon
Some Articles, What if We Break Up?
Ah! I never thought about this, but what if we break up? Who gets the engagement ring?
Who Gets the Engagement Ring If We Break Up??
Here's some background that I found:
If the item is a gift than it, in most cases, becomes property of the receiver of the gift. If the item is conditional than it still belongs to the giver under the conditions under which the gift are given were met.
So, when a man asks a woman to marry him, gets down on one knee, and puts a ring on her finger, is that a straight gift or is it a gift that has a condition tied to it?
Who Gets the Engagement Ring If We Break Up??
Here's some background that I found:
If the item is a gift than it, in most cases, becomes property of the receiver of the gift. If the item is conditional than it still belongs to the giver under the conditions under which the gift are given were met.
So, when a man asks a woman to marry him, gets down on one knee, and puts a ring on her finger, is that a straight gift or is it a gift that has a condition tied to it?
Another Cool Engagement Ring
What do you think? I like the gold under the 3 stones. The accent stones may be a little big for my liking, but still a cool ring. I love the sides!!! Here's another cool one:
Thursday, June 30, 2011
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