How to Buy An Engagement Ring: October 2011

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.

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

Nice Engagement Ring Video

So cool!!

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

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?