There are many ways to be a good neighbor. And one Pittsburgh jeweler is showing their thanks to the community with a special treasure hunt. The prize? A 1.5 carat diamond ring! Now we knew that we had your attention! The Shadyside’s Henne Jewelers’ treasure hunt will be held on May 22^nd.

The glittery, shiny prize is a Mark Patterson diamond ring of 1.5 carats with a value of $15,000. To join the jewelry store’s treasure hunt, simply register at their website, www.HenneDiamondDash.com. We’re sure they’ll see a great response from the community!

What a thoughtful (and glittery!) way to thank the community. They’ve even gone hi-tech with their treasure hunt, allowing contestants to send in treasure hunt questions via their cell phones through texting.

Here are some tips to be a successful treasure hunter. To win a treasure hunt takes a bit of luck as well as skill, but our tips can certainly put you ahead of the pack. Good luck on your way to finding glittery, lovely baubles!

1. Follow the rules. If the diamond treasure hunt says to show up at 9am then come just a little before this time so you are there right on time. Make sure to allow a little extra time for a big crowd, parking your card and registering if you haven’t taken care of that yet. All of the rules exist for a purpose. Not following them can keep you far, far away from the all things glittery and shiny!
2. Wear something cute and comfortable. A treasure hunt is both a mental and physical activity. You need to figure out the clues logically and creatively and also walk (or drive) to different places. Make sure your outfit is comfortable and cute and that you’ve got the right shoes on for walking. Now why should your outfit be cute too? Probably because you’ll be photographed as the diamond treasure hunt winner!
3. Bring a bottle of water and an easy to eat snack with you. There’s nothing like being involved in something exciting like a diamond treasure hunt and realizing that your stomach is rumbling. Have a hearty breakfast like yogurt and fruit or oatmeal and then pack a bottle of water and an easy to eat and very portable snack so you’ve always got something quick to eat that will give you energy. Good choices are protein bars or fruit or dried fruit and nuts.
4. Remember to charge your cell phone, bring a tiny notebook and pen and other practical items with you. Read the rules carefully to see if there are any items you should bring with you. For some treasure hunts, you will actually find the item itself. We have a hunch this jewelry store will hide something to represent the diamond ring and then you trade it for the ring itself. But bringing a clean sandwich baggie along with you to put clues in, a tiny notebook and pen, a mini calculator and a charged cell phone could all be great ideas. The more prepared you are, the better a time you will have.
5. Remember a diamond treasure hunt is all about the fun of the prize. There will be lots of people to enter and only one winner. It’s okay to get your hopes up, just don’t get them up so high you’re disappointed to not win. Then again, it will be quite helpful to know which finger you would put the ring on and what your ring size is…

Source: http://www.wpxi.com/entertainment/23316155/detail.html

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The Cullinan Diamond Mine, once owned by the famed DeBeers company, in South Africa has done it yet again! Way back when, (in 1905), its namesake; the so-named Cullinan Diamond was discovered. Eventually, becoming part of the British crown jewels, this diamond ‘fit for a king’ (or queen) weighed in at an almost unimaginable 3106 carats!

Now, let’s fast forward a hundred years or so plus (specifically 2008); and out of the same mine comes another beauty…this time, in the form of a high-quality 101.27 carat stunner. No stranger to producing diamonds of great importance (not to mention…with considerable regularity), Cullinan’s very latest breathtaking gem, unearthed by The Petra Diamonds group, and weighing in at an astounding 507.55 carats (nearly the size of a golf ball), was discovered on Thursday September 24 2009…along with three ‘smaller’ stones in comparison; weighing 168.00, 58.50, and 53.30 carats respectively.

While each of the diamonds is currently undergoing intense analysis, the largest one has garnered the most attention, and is under the closest scrutiny; as it has the possibility of being considered to belong to the rare Type II diamond type. Diamonds of the Type II distinction have characteristically minimal traces of nitrogen (a contaminant), and are known for their exceptional clarity and transparency. It is not to difficult to understand why The Cullinan Diamond Mine is widely recognized as being amongst the three top producing diamonds mines in the world.

With a solid track record like theirs, one can only wonder and imagine what other hidden treasures Cullinan will unearth next…and where?

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Naked Hope Diamond

On a cool Wednesday, September morning in 2009, the Hope Diamond was presented to the press (and to the public) in her original, unadorned state. For the first time in the 50 years since she first went on display, the beautiful 45.5 carat blue lady appears, well… “naked”. Meaning that, for many “after-1960s” born members of this world’s population, an opportunity will be provided to see what she looked like prior to being set in platinum, laid in a setting of 16 white diamonds, and dangled from a 45 diamond necklace.

She will remain “naked”, in all her blue glory throughout the upcoming winter. But please be assured that blue is simply her color and not her mood; as she excitedly awaits the completion of her new setting, “Embracing Hope”. After polling more than 100,000 voters, this setting was chosen to be the favorite out of three possible candidates. From start to finish, Harry Winston Diamond Corp. has been in charge of the preparation of this fine, as well as world-famous, National Gem. Ribbon-like in appearance, the new “Embracing Hope” setting will be a temporary one; as its major purpose is to be showcased during a documentary sponsored by the Smithsonian entitled “Mystery of the Hope Diamond”.

The documentary is scheduled to premier in April 2010. No doubt, many will find the story of the Hope Diamond fascinating, as it is followed from its humble beginnings, to its rightful place in today’s modern history. For many, it should bring back memories of times gone by, and for others, the beautiful Hope Diamond will be a treasure to be discovered yet anew.

source, article by DanforthDiamond.com, experts in diamond engagement rings.

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Micro-set diamonds can, at times give the illusion that the diamond it surrounds is much larger. Micro-set diamonds are very tiny diamonds that are individually set. These diamonds are so small, in fact, that using a microscope is required to precisely place them within each small prong. The process involved in creating a micro-setting has been said to be a bit more intense than that of creating a pavé diamond setting.

When combined with larger gems, the result is oftentimes a creation that is absolutely stunning! Aside from giving the appearance of a larger carat size; micro-set diamonds can often provide a perfect “frame” for showcasing a gem of high quality

Depending on the quality of the diamonds and/or skill of the jeweler; jewelry that employs the use of a micro-set could, quite possibly be held under closer scrutiny. A poorly constructed micro-set diamond jewelry piece could prove to be somewhat difficult to repair; and in the long run…especially costly. That being the case, some purchasers have insisted that prior to buying jewelry with this kind of setting, it first be placed in an ultrasonic machine. The reason? To see if it can withstand the vibrational waves used for intense cleaning. Ultrasonic machines use either a mild cleaning solution or warm water ONLY, and so the vibrational energy used by the machine should NOT be able to easily dislodge any well constructed jewelry piece. It is at this point where many decide whether or not to proceed with the sale.

Although diamond rings are the usual way that micro-setting is employed; pendants, bracelets and brooches can also be created this way, oftentimes with absolutely spectacular results! Wow!

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Picking out a diamond engagement ring is a very exciting and memorable experience. The more you know about diamonds the better you will be at finding the perfect diamond to fit your budget. To be able to choose a good quality diamond you must first understand the 4 C’s. The 4 C’s are cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

When a jeweler talks about a diamond’s cut they are not referring to the shape. The shape refers to the general appearance of the diamond. They are talking about the angles and proportions that are made when a rough diamond is transformed into a polished diamond.

The cut is probably the most important and the hardest to figure out when it comes to choosing a diamond.  The brilliance of the diamond depends heavily on its cut. The cut gives a diamond the brightness that shines throughout the diamond. Because the cut is so important there are several grading methods that have been developed to help determine the cut.  The grades are Ideal, Very Good, Good and Fair/Poor cuts.

The Ideal cut is intended to maximize brilliance and usually is more expensive.  Very Good cut diamonds will reflect most of the light that enters them creating a good deal of brilliance. The Good cut diamond can offer an excellent cost savings to you if you are trying to stay within a budget. The Good cut offers quality and beauty for a reasonable price. Most reputable jewelers stay away from cuts that are Fair to Poor, because this cut only reflects a small portion of light.

Most diamonds will contain some type of flaw or inclusions that happened during the formation process.  The number, size and visibility of these flaws determine the clarity of the diamond.  Diamonds that have less flaws or imperfections will create more brilliance and therefore are highly prized and pricier.

When it comes to diamonds, no color is the most desirable. This is because it allows the most reflection of light.  When jewelers are grading the color of a diamond, they refer to a professional color scale.  The scale begins with the highest rating of the letter “D” for colorless and a color scale continues all the way to Z. You will notice that there may be a very faint hint of yellow apparent in diamonds graded J through M. These grades of diamonds look very nice in a gold setting.

The carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured.  Large diamonds are less common than small diamonds. The larger the diamond is, the higher the price.  To decide on the carat size you first need to determine your budget.  Deciding on the carat size is about striking a balance between size and quality.

These are just a few things that you should know when you are deciding on which diamond engagement ring to buy the love of your life.  It’s wise to shop around and do your homework and learn all you can about diamonds and pricing.  This is just a simple overview to give you an idea of what you need to look for.  You can do your own research and find out more about the 4 C’s and Diamond Certificates so you can make a knowledgeable decision on the ring for your fiancé.

by Lawrence Reaves

Photo by paulmcdee

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Nightingale of Kuala Lumpur

Just in time for the wedding season: Designer Faisol Abdullah is in the process of creating the ultimate dream diamond dress. The dress, festooned with 751 diamonds, is estimated to be worth an eye-popping $30 million! It has been named “Nightingale of Kuala Lumpur”. Highlighting the taffeta and silk creation, is a humongous 70 carat pear-shaped diamond, perched “smack dab in the middle” of the gown’s bodice. Further adding to the drama, is a voluminous diamond sprinkled train. The perfect wedding dress! (If only there were a diamond necklace and tiara to match)

Diamonds for the gown were furnished by the famed house of Mouawad. Although, under normal circumstances, it would take several months to obtain diamonds in this quantity and of this quality, Mr. Mouawad just happened to have had plenty of them stored hither and thither in various storehouses; thus enabling quick and easy access.

At the time of this writing, designer Abdullah is still said to be putting the finishing touches on his creation. Commissioned by Nancy Yeoh, CEO of STYLO, the diamond studded dress is scheduled to make its debut and headline in Malaysia, at the STYLO fashion festival; beginning sometime in April. Ms. Yeoh is anticipating that it will appeal to, and be worn by, some of the most prestigious personages of this planet. To ease any potential buyer’s guilty conscience, it sure helps to know that five percent of the sale price has been earmarked to go to a specific charity.

So far, a buyer has not yet been found for this fabulous (but frivolous) confection. Since it can be universally agreed upon that the price is “out of this world”, Ms. Yeho may want to extend her marketing efforts to include inhabitants possibly existing on any of the other eight planets in the solar system. That way, she may have at least a remote chance of making a speedier sale. And so we ask: Any takers?

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The 81^st Academy Awards are now over; and let us first say that we were not disappointed. The gowns were beautiful and the jewelry spectacular! Let’s review some of the highlights:

Amy Adams (Best Supporting Actress nominee) chose to wear a draping Fred Leighton creation composed of sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. This fabulous necklace just happened to be also set with 39 carats of diamond shimmer!

Heidi Klum and Beyonce both elected to wear jewelry borrowed from the Lorraine Schwartz collection. Beyonce, in gold diamond leaf; and Heidi clad in close to a million dollars’ worth of the sparkling baubles.

Penelope Cruz, of course, “took the cake,” with her haul of Chopard diamonds. Estimated worth? $3 million dollars…the diamond necklace alone weighing 69 carats. Kate Winslet also showed her affinity for Chopard; accenting her outfit with a beautiful diamond bracelet.

Halle Berry‘s jewelry of choice? H. Stern diamonds. The fun and perky Marisa Tomei took the “retro route”; with her selection of diamond jewelry hailing from various decades: A 1941 Van Cleef & Arpel sapphire and diamond bracelet, a diamond ring from the 1960’s, and diamond earrings representing the early 1970’s.

We, of course, had initially predicted that many of the jewelry selections worn by the majority of the attending celebrities, would be understated pieces. And, true to our prediction, many came through wearing just what had been expected. However, to be perfectly honest, it sure was nice to see the occasional, fantabulous “over-the-top” eye-popping bling. The 81^st Academy Awards? … This year? A success.

‘twas a feast for the eyes!

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King's Button iPhone

For Pete’s sake!

Famed Austrian designer, Peter Aloisson, best known for his unique talent of morphing extreme luxurious design with functionality, has done it again. It seems that this creative gentleman has come up with what is now called the world’s most expensive phone. The fully operational Apple iPhone 3G, has been dubbed the “King’s Button”.

Now people…, this is some button! The “button“ referred to, is a 6.6 carat diamond located on the home function. While most practical, mere mortals among us would say that this is equivalent to the carat weight of at least six nice sized engagement rings; it can be noted that this headline grabbing phone button alone, possesses enough star quality to shine within its own right!

Still yearning for a bite of the “Apple™?” No worries. A “stripped down” version of the iPhone 3G can be obtained for a few hundred dollars or less.  However, encased in a combination of yellow, white, rose 18 karat gold, and sprinkled with a dash of over 130 diamonds;  who can resist the glorious “King’s Button” version?  It can be all yours…. for a mere 2.5 million U.S. dollars. So now, how do you like them “Apples™”? Since such a hefty price tag would render the average person speechless; it is not quite clear what else there would be to talk about, after carrying around one of these “babies” in your pocket or purse! The only words we could come up with were: Ka Ching! Ka Ching!

Or… if you like it, and can buy it…put a “ring” on it. Oh , Oh, Oh…..

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Wow! How many carats is it? Upon seeing a spectacular diamond or other precious stone, this is, quite naturally, among one of the first questions that any curious gem lover will ask.

Carob Pods

Have you ever wondered where the term “carat” originated? It actually has a very interesting background…Many, many years ago, in the far away land of the Mediterranean, it was discovered that the weight of a single carob seed appeared to remain fairly consistent from seed to seed.  And so…, the weight of a carob seed became kind of a pre-industry measuring method. (As a side note: carob beans are often used as a substitute for chocolate.) Read more about the history of diamonds.

Time passed, and soon tiny variations in the size of carob seeds were noted, commented on, and challenged. As the demand for more accurate and scientific measurements became internationally necessary, the industry dealing with precious stones adopted a more uniform and standardized way of measuring diamonds and other precious stones; until eventually, around the year 1913, the metric weight of a carat officially became 200 milligrams. Of course, each and every diamond can not be measured in full carats. In fact, the average diamond purchase tends to be within the 1/3 carat range. This is where the interim measurement weight of “points” comes in. It takes 100 points to equal a carat. For instance: a ¾ carat diamond would be 75 points, a ½ carat diamond, 50 points, a 1/4 carat diamond, 25 points… Well, you get the picture.

Now, isn’t it nice to know a little bit about the background of diamond weights and measures?

By the way: While carob seeds may be, to some, a suitable substitute for chocolate, there is absolutely no substitute for the twinkle that a only a beautiful diamond can provide.

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