Diamond Buying AdviceDiamond Advice and Information on Choosing a Diamond

Did you think that the world’s only diamond mines were located in South Africa? Well, here’s a bit of news for you…Crater of Diamonds State Park, located in the state of Arkansas, USA, is the world’s only diamond-producing site that is open to the general public.

The park was once owned by a farmer; a Mr. John Huddleston, who found the first diamonds in 1906. After a series of failed attempts on his part to turn the land into a profitable business venture, the mine eventually became a state park in 1972.

Visitors are invited to search within its 37 ½ acres for gemstones that they can keep for their very own. The park has a “finders keepers” policy; which means that any treasure unearthed (regardless of value) immediately becomes the property of the one finding it.

In this same park, in April, 2009 a 5.75 carat white diamond was found by a Mr. Mike Burns. As recently as this past October 30, Mr. Billy Moore of Murfreesboro, found yet another sizable gem; a 3.2 carat stone. Mr. Moore had first mistaken it as a crumpled up chewing gum wrapper. Diamonds of various other colors can also be found on the property. Yellow and brown diamonds, as well as other types of stones have also been unearthed. Peridot, jasper, quartz, amethysts…have all been found on this same site.

Feeling lucky yet? Then pack your pickaxe and head for Arkansas. Who knows? Aside from having a great adventure, you just may discover that treasure of a lifetime!

On a cool October day in 2009, the 32.01 carat diamond ring that wealthy billionaire Leonore Annenberg purchased for her 90th birthday, was auctioned off. Christie’s had been given the task; and successfully sold it for $7.7 million; a considerable hike from the expected pre-sale estimate of $3million to $5million.

Prior to her death in March, 2009, it must be noted that Mrs. Annenberg had been named an ambassador during President Ronald Reagan‘s first term; serving as U.S. chief of protocol. Mrs. Annenberg and her billionaire husband, The Honorable Walter H. Annenberg, had also been very involved with the arts and with education.

Annenberg diamond

The exceptionally gorgeous, square shaped diamond ring, designed by Manhattan jeweler David Webb, is colorless, flawless, and roughly the size of a walnut. It is said to be the absolute epitome of what one would consider to be the perfect diamond, in that it incorporates the very best of the 4 C’s (Carat, Clarity, Color, Cut) On either side of the huge and breathtaking center stone are diamonds that are 1.61 carats and 1.51 carats respectively. Leonore was able to enjoy wearing her gift to herself for a little over a year before she died at the ripe old age of 91.

On the day that Mrs. Annenberg received it, it was delivered by armed guards to her home in California. It has been said that she was delighted whenever visitors would admire it. (Who wouldn’t?!).

Although the name of the purchaser was not disclosed, it is only hoped that this beautiful diamond ring brings as much joy and delight as it did to Mrs. Annenberg.

May she rest in peace.

Great news is on the horizon for the technologically savvy person in search of the perfect diamond engagement ring. It seems that diamond daydreaming (or providing hints for that special someone) has now been elevated to the point of being at least one step closer to reality. This past summer, an Apple iPhone application was released to the public that will more than likely have great appeal to diamond engagement ring daydreamers, as well as to those who would like to try before they buy. And the best part is this: It is absolutely free!

How does it work? First, a picture of your hand, taken by an Apple iPhone camera is downloaded. The application, named “Live Diamond Tryon“, was developed to allow a user to virtually design a diamond engagement ring in any and every configuration possible! Even more fascinating, is the fact that the resulting virtual ’ring’ image, when laid on top of the picture of the hand, will appear in the correct proportions; as if in actual size.

Meaning…one would be able to have an eerily close idea of what it would feel like to be wearing “the real thing”. This application is so ’smart’, that it even has the ability to show the ’ring’ at different angles; enabling it to sparkle, shine and behave closely in the same manner as its genuine counterpart. Carat size (up to 5), shape, settings….each of these can be virtually chosen and assembled within the privacy of one’s own home or office. Or…if one is brave enough and wishes to do so, the resulting captured image can also be “facebooked“, “twittered“, “myspaced”… you name it. So now after you have created the perfect ring , what next? Only your trusted jeweler has the ability to make your diamond dreams come true. In the meantime… “You can’t touch this!”

Hammer time!

“Pssst…I just happen to have a few extra “diamonds” swishing around in my purse. Wanna buy one?”

What may appear to some as being an unlikely (as well as outrageous) scenario; actually happened to someone recently in the Silicon Valley. It seems that there are currently scam artists running around, casually attempting to do this very thing; in at least one case, with apparent success In this particular instance, the victim happened to be an elderly woman whom one of them approached to ask for directions. Working in tandem with a male accomplice; a female scammer produced five “diamonds” from out of nowhere and offered to sell them to the elderly woman. The male accomplice coincidentally had a friend in a nearby Medical Center (who just happened to be an “appraiser”). After taking them in to his friend, he came back in with the “official” price. The “appraiser” had placed a value on the gems as being slightly over $10,000 each. However, the female scammer offered a discount, in that she would settle for a price of $7,000 each. After a little more back and forth discussion, an even lower price of $6,000 was soon settled upon.

The male accomplice then convinced the elderly victim to share the cost of one of the diamonds with him. She would pay half ($3000), and he would pay the other half. The woman then withdrew $3000 from her bank, handed it over to the man, and then gave his accomplice a ride to a shopping center. The man promised to wait for her to come back; after assuring her that he would have the diamond when she returned.

Of course, when she did return, he was nowhere to be found. As of this date, these persons have still not been apprehended.

Sadly, this is apparently not an isolated incident; and so we offer the following sound advice: Whether in-person or online, seek only a trusted jeweler, or certified appraiser when purchasing fine jewelry. Safeguard your assets, as well as your peace-of-mind .

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_13359685?nclick_check=1

Once upon a time, in the faraway land of the U.K. there once lived a dashing gentleman by the name of Robert Charlton. Mr. Charlton was very fortunate in business, as well as a collector of all things fine and beautiful; women being among them. Unfortunately, Mr. Charlton was a married man.

A framed photo of Robert Charlton in the Kibworth Golf Club, Leicester Photo: JR-PHOTOS.COM

Fortunately, however, for his wife, Elizabeth (dear woman) he was also a man of conscience; conscience to him translating into jewelry…fine jewelry…diamond jewelry. As Mr. Charlton happily philandered his life away, and indulged in as many dalliances as his generous heart desired; the courageous and long-suffering Mrs. Charlton turned a blind eye and sought comfort in rolling around in the countless pieces of jewelry… rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces galore, he gave to her as peace offerings.

Mr. Charlton eventually passed away in 1979, at the ripe old age of 63, leaving Mrs. Charlton to grieve in her sea of carats. As each of us know, most fairy tales do not last forever. She eventually died at age 90, leaving the cache of jewelry marking her husband’s infidelity to her beloved daughter Marie. Marie, in turn, ended up selling over 40 pieces of the sentimental jewelry for £286,000.

Among the pieces were: A 32 carat diamond necklace, a large solitaire diamond pendant and a huge diamond solitaire ring. It also seems that Marie inherited her mother‘s same ‘blind eye’ as she too appeared to be aware of her father’s affairs. What a shocking and tragic trail he left in his wake; eventually leaving both his wife and his daughter to cry “all the way to the bank” (or to the appraiser). Take note girls and see what real trouble looked like just a few short decades ago: A real Mr. Irresistible! The End.

Whether we like it or not, it appears that one of the most historically well known diamonds in world , the beautiful Hope Diamond, will be soon getting a makeover. Famed jeweler, The House of Harry Winston has decided that the diamond, which is now languishing , lonely and bored behind a thick, bullet-proof glass case in the Smithsonian Institute, is long overdue for having a cosmetic overhaul.

The Hope Diamond, is not known for being a party gal; as she has never, in her most recent past, been seen around town being wined and dined by any of the well-to-do Washingtonians. Although the striking deep blue 45.52 carat beauty has been said to be technically owned by The House of Winston; in recognition of the 50th anniversary of its being donated to the Smithsonian Institute, they are kindly requesting that the American public vote on one of three possible new and exciting setting choices.

They are: “Journey of Hope”, “Embracing Hope”, and “Renewed Hope”.

According to the information last made available, we will have until September 7, 2009 to cast our vote. Given the infamous history and nature of this particular diamond, we are not sure who would volunteer to wear it. Just think about it; would you? Up until now, the plan for the dramatic ‘reveal’ has been set for March 2010. However, those who like the setting ‘just the way it is, thank you’ will not have to worry, as this reset is temporary and does have a “Cinderella-like” timestamp on it. At the close of 2010, she will revert back to her original, ho-hum circle of white diamonds setting, and then back to her place behind a Smithsonian plate glass window to continue being “all dressed up and nowhere to go”.

Source

Do you like wearing diamonds but don’t want anyone to see them?

As unbelievable as it may seem, there are really people who exist on this planet who feel this way. There actually exists jewelry designers who have crafted their ring and necklace designs with secret compartments containing the precious stones. We know…by now, you are scratching your head and saying, “huh?” Why in the world would a person want to wear diamonds and not let them be seen?

Apparently, this is the “answer”: It seems that there are a few of those among us; secret diamond wearers if you will; who like the feeling of wearing such expensive baubles, but do not necessarily want to invite casual onlookers. And so, as a repellent, they cleverly choose to wear their diamonds on the inside of their jewelry. One such design has an inscription on the outside that reads: ‘Diamonds inside’. The diamonds can only be seen by peering at them through little pricks in the metal or via a tiny little glass window located on the inside. However, the wearer is always kept aware of their presence with the soft swishing sound that they make as they move around encased in their enclosed ’prison’. Pretty nifty, huh?

Lest you think that this is an isolated anomaly; research will show that there are actually a number of designers who do this on a regular basis. There also appears to be a somewhat less frivolous reason for doing so in a few cases. It seems that sometimes a designer will incorporate a few precious stones under the band of a particular style of ring as a trademark. In this way, it discourages counterfeiters who attempt to make copies, but are unable to foot the expense of the surplus jewels.

One thing you can know for sure: This diamond lover prefers to wear hers on the outside.

LifeGem, a Chicago based human hair remains recycler, has somehow obtained the honor of converting some of “The Gloved One’s” remains into diamonds! Yep, that’s right. You may recall that during Michael Jackson’s filming of a Pepsi commercial in 1984, his hair caught fire. Well, someone had the foresight to gather the singer’s singed locks and put them into safekeeping for ‘whatever‘. In a strange twist of fate, ‘whatever’ has appeared in the form of a visionary who foresaw a touching (and let’s not forget profitable) opportunity.

The visionary’s name? John Reznikoff. This is the same man who was able to obtain some of Beethoven’s hair. Beethoven’s ‘hair diamonds’ were sold for $200,000 on eBay. (One has no choice but to wonder how he makes these connections). LifeGem’s top representative, and CEO, Mr. Greg Herro, has confirmed that the now deceased Jackson’s burnt hair has the potential for producing approximately ten diamonds, each less than a carat in weight.

In a secret patented process, using intense heat, the hair will be reduced to carbon and then transformed into diamonds. This process is estimated to take somewhere between six and nine months. Seems the distribution of at least a few of the finished product has already been decided. The names of Jackson’s children, as well as parents have come up as being among the potential ‘lucky’ recipients.

Hmm…great minds think alike. Become the next visionary: Next time you go for a haircut, it might not be such a bad idea to ask the stylist to place your hair clippings in a ‘to go’ bag. One never knows…they may turn out to be diamonds in the rough.

Diamonds: Interesting facts

Diamonds are the symbol that we use to show are undying love for someone. They are the traditional icon of romance and love. Most people may be surprised to learn that the majority of diamonds that are mined today are used for industrial purposes and not for jewelry.

Historians believe that diamonds may have first been used for industrial purposes not for their brilliant sparkle and allure. Peter Lu a Harvard physicist and his colleagues discovered that in the late Stone Age the Chinese used diamonds to polish ceremonial burial axes. Today about 80% of mined diamonds are used for cutting, drilling, grinding and polishing.

Most people might be surprised to know that diamonds are not the hardest substance on Earth. Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral substance, but they are not the hardest substance known to man. A substance called Aggregated Diamond Nonorods is about 11 % harder than a diamond.

The first diamonds were discovered by Indians over 3,000 years ago. Diamonds didn’t get associated with love and romance until the 1940′s when the De Beers Company began to advertise diamonds as the perfect item for a wedding or engagement rings. They did an all out media campaign and soon people were buying diamond engagement rings all over the world.

It is believed that most diamonds are over three billion years old and most are formed more than 100 miles below the surface of the earth. Before the sixth century, India was the only known source of diamonds and was the predominant source for over 2,000 years.

The Romans believed that diamonds had the power to ward off evil and wore them as talismans. It is believed that they inherited this belief from Indian mythology. In France in the thirteenth century it was decreed that only the king could wear diamonds.

The Gemological Institute of America was founded in the 1950′s. It was the first internationally accepted diamond grading system. This system applied uniform criteria to grading the quality of polished diamonds. The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory Diamond Grading Report is the benchmark for the international gem and jewelry industry.

The Cullinan diamond was the largest rough diamond ever found and was 3,106 carats. It was discover in the Premier mine of South Africa in 1905.It was cut into nine major stones. The largest of the stones is the Star of Africa and is 550.20 carats. It is housed in the Tower of London and mounted in the British Royal Scepter.  The most recent diamond discoveries have been in the Northwest Territories of Canada and in Colorado. Explorers found diamond pipes in both locations in 1990.

It wasn’t until the late 13^th century that diamonds were used in European jewelry. Diamonds were initially used for engraving other gems including sapphire cameos. They were also used for drilling holes in hard stone beads.

Diamonds have been around forever and are cherished by all. Diamonds have an exciting and lively history. These are just a few of the fascinating facts associated with diamonds.

Photo by jurvetson

Remember, when you were growing up, the simple little disc charms that your mother wore? Remember how they dangled from her bracelet; set with tiny little birthstones, representing each one of her children, and how proud she was to show them off? Or how they were used to entertain a certain (hint, hint) wriggly toddler as he (or she) sat on her lap; or on occasion, jiggled around to soothe a crying baby.

Perhaps your grandmother or favorite aunt wore such bracelets themselves. Well now, there is a fresh twist on this timeless custom. One of the newest , as well as cutest, items to arrive on the sentimental jewelry scene has been: The Moppet. While the official definition of ‘Moppet’ refers to a beloved child, these particular Moppets are, affectionately worn; jewel (or birthstone) encrusted charms, representing the special (or beloved) little ‘Moppets’ in your life. They arrive in likenesses of either girls or boys. Some don baseball caps, while others are adorned in bows and pigtails. In fact, some even have cute little built-in “accessories” of their very own! These delightfully unique charms arrive in either silver or gold, and are designed to be worn dangling from a charm bracelet or suspended from a necklace. The faceless little darlings are so adorable, that one can almost picture a barely suppressed impish grin or giggle. Why not consider picking up one or two of them to give to a few of the special ladies in your life.

Moppets are provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts.

Oh, we almost forgot….the Muppets…What has one got to do with the other, you may ask? With the exception of extreme cuteness….Absolutely nothing! Let’s just say a little Moppet ;) told us to say this:

Minah Minah…