Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Diamonds from Sierra Leone

Checkout this video for why synthetic or man made diamonds might be the best route:

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Celtic Engagement Rings?

Looking more and more into Celtic Engagement Rings.  What do you think?

Monday, January 23, 2012

Tungsten Wedding Bands For Men?

Men put on a wedding band upon their ring finger to flaunt to everybody that they have given their affection for their bride. It is a happy showcase of being wed. The ring might be made from numerous things, including gold, platinum, and tungsten, the later being very popular and the point of this article.  When it comes time to buy a diamond engagement ring, check out the men's wedding band styles at the jeweler.  You can even try on the different metal styles to see which one(s) you like best.

Tungsten, which is chemically labelled as wolfram, is present in the periodic table of elements using the compound icon of W.

It can be believed to have a very, extremely high melting point. Tungsten in fact combines a couple of Finnish terms, which you ll find are then simply translated to read strong marble. Tungsten wedding bands can be four x stronger versus titanium and 2 times as rigid as steel. It's viewed as being very difficult to grind tungsten, so tungsten bands functions well for people with more lively way of life. Tungsten features its great solidity when it is united with carbon alloy creating into Tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide is widely used in mining device randy rocket engines. It possesses a hue clone of steel and can be perfected to become shining and reflective.

 Tungsten has a finish that would involve minor on no mending through the years, therefore may be a very affordable purchase for the partner to be.Tungsten can be covered with real vapor deposition (PDV) coatings to generate a sumptuous black onyx color. If you happen to see onyx ring on a man's hand, it is almost always a Tungsten ring encrusted using this technique. Also it can be united or inlaid with gold or silver or platinum to develop contrast or get the ring a lighter white color. Since the ring is mostly tungsten, this could be an extremely economical method to implement platinum within your ring without spending all of your money.

A particular negative that has come out with regards to investing in a tungsten ring for your wedding band is, if serious injury occurs, that it is difficult to get off. Contrary to what is sometime said of it, Tungsten can simply be removed at any jewelry retailer, hospital or by breaking it using vice grip pliers. An expert should commonly take it off though, otherwise further bodily injury may occur. It is recommended to note right now that taking off the wedding band requires breaking it, so you'll need to purchase a brand new one from scratch. Gold, by way of example, could possibly be removed and then re-melted back into a ring once your injury heals for minimal cost.

So, to conclude, tungsten is almost always cheaper than gold or platinum engagement rings, while often a little more high priced than sterling silver. It is a very hard, strong metal, which does not scratch easily but will often be difficult to reshape or remove in case of injury. Finally, it is a hypoallergenic metal, so if you or your spouse to be are allergic to silver or gold, than tungsten just might be the right metal choice for you.  Also checkout this article on the most popular diamond shapes

Thursday, January 19, 2012

To Buy a Diamond or Not To Buy A Diamond, That IS the Question

Do you want to go buy a diamond engagement ring?  Good for you!  It's an exciting purchase and a big deal for any of us.

Almost everyone in the world likes the thought of matrimony. Dedicating to every person for the remainder of your life is a fantastic thing. Studies have proven that espoused people, as a whole, are more satisfied than non married individuals. You can even find tax burden incentives in most nations to obtain married. The majority of folks start the road towards marriage buy purchasing a wedding ring, and taking it during the proposal.

Whenever something that comes from the earth is coveted, than people are inclined to fight over the attack. Diamonds only grow in certain countries, under very specific conditions and circumstances. As these expensive stones have become rare, it means that wherever they're found individuals will rush to handle northern california. Add something with out a lot of money by using a precious natural resource on that, or corporations can do anything to have it. That creates plenty of problems, and men and women purchasing these stones helps cause those problems, basically because they design the demand that creates the market place. Without money of course there isn t any market, and in consequence no conflict would occur.

An undeniable fact that men might consider before purchasing their girlfriends a diamond ring is that rings have become expensive. The majority of men cannot truly afford a considerable ring. In fact, because so many individuals are in debt right now days, whether with their mortgage repayments or car payments or personal credit card debt, they must really concern yourself about repaying those accounts before selecting one thing may cost them thousands upon hundreds of dollars. That quantity of finances should not be taken lightly. People should not buy a diamond engagement ring (well first, without reading this engagement ring buyers guide that pulls them even further into insurmountable quantities of debt. That is not the practical way to make progress in daily life.Another criteria for those to contemplate is that the diamond industry, at least in the past, has long been attention to cause many wars as well as other conflicts within a third world.

One more choice to consider is putting your cash you'll allocate to this type of in a good cause. There are numerous people who are hurting to choose from who require help. You might consider using your hard earned dollars for all time instead of on purchasing a conference product as well. One more thing you could make use of the bucks for is the actual marriage event. Spending some huge cash for the ring early on might not exactly seem sensible.

Already Bought That Engagement Ring? It's Time To Propose!

Sure, this bog is mostly focused on helping you to buy an engagement ring, but hey, that is only a means to an end...right?  After all, once you buy the ring, it's time to PROPOSE!  Scared?  Don't be, here's some pointers:

As soon as you have bought any kind of ring and so are all set to propose, operate in all of the great times you encounter spent together, as well as some of this favorite memories. This memory requires to trump all those, so make certain to help it become special. Here are four great ideas for only a creative proposal. First, consider recreating your first date, which has a twist. In fact, combine a couple of your first dates into one supper date, that culminates together with the proposal. The most effective proposals are incredibly personal, and recreating a primary date blends two happy memories into one giant one. Ensure you develop on your first date, perhaps going to your beginning restaurant but ordering champagne and surprising her with flowers. Not merely complete recreate the initial date...you should splurge a bit! Second, consider taking your proposal above the sky.

 Running a helicopter tour of this local city or going skydiving are two instance with this idea. Experiences with great views are wonderful and might lead to the ideal memory. Without a doubt, make sure she is at ease the thought of jumping away from an airplane before you take her skydiving, as there's nothing scaring the daylights from her to get her to say no to a proposal as a near death experience. If your local city has to go to veranda within this tallest or most famous building, this is the best, safer option too for your less adventurous. Third, consider doing something festive. Could it possibly be winter? Try ice skating. Summer?

How about the coast or a water park? If it's fall, thank a picnic with a color changing tree may be an ideal ticket. Woman really appreciate the tiny things, and using the season is a great, small think you can do to get the memory really special. Fourth, and at last, you could consider involving her lovely family. She likely has many people in her own life who will be vital that you her the lady may want to share this special day from her life with. You may actually have her family surprise her at the restaurant when you finally propose, otherwise you could have a surprise party with all her friends. The ideas you generate her are nearly endless.

 Obviously, there are several good options to generate proposal special. Just be sure that for which you make it special for her and you might do fine.

There are lot of good options for you.  Buying the ring has more tips on how to propose on their site, and  there are some other good articles as well.
Here are some other good resources for you:

A squidoo lens on the most popular diamond shapes
An article on legal issues around the engagement ring
An article on conflict-free diamonds

Good luck!!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Cool Engagement Ring Video

Check it out.

Cool Engagement Ring Video

Check it out.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OiDWh96GlOU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Some Articles on Diamond Rings

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?

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 

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

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

  1. Princess
  2. Emerald
  3. Marquise
  4. Round
  5. Oval
  6. Radiant
  7. Trilliant (Triangle)
  8. Pear
  9. Baguette (not as sparkl-y)
  10. 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?

Military Proposal Video

Since I shared that other proposal, wanted to share this one too:

Checkout this Proposal!

Very cool proposal by a filmographer in the park:


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: