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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Bachelor fans this season are looking forward to what appears to be the most dramatic and exciting final rose ceremony ever on ABC’s The Bachelor reality show. While the show won’t appear for another week, spoilers are now appearing on television related blogs and fans are wondering exactly which lovely lady will be receiving that final rose and *gasp* that much sought after diamond engagement ring. Do you have any guesses?

Jake Pavelka Bachelor

Jake Pavelka is a very tempting bachelor and it is easy to see exactly why so many women have hoped to have that final rose handed to them. With a charming smile and piercing blue eyes, this good-looking pilot from Texas sounds like the perfect sought after single man so many women hope to find. A very good catch indeed! Now we are down to just two women considered to be the future Mrs. Pavelka. Here’s hoping Jake finds the love of his life on the Bachelor and hands this diamond engagement ring to the perfect lucky lady of his dreams. Many may remember Jake as he did appear on an episode of The Bachelorette and have a date with Jillian Harris. He was a “fan favorite” as the great guy with lots of honesty and an open heart. But Jillian rejected Jake and chose another guy instead. What was she thinking we wonder???

Vienna is one of the young women in competition for Jake. According to the ABC site for The Bachelor Jake himself says this about Vienna: “She’s the life of the party. She’s very blunt and very honest about her intentions. She’s intense.”

Tenley is the other young woman competing for Jake. A 25 year old college administrator, she’s hung high hopes on Jake. According to the ABC site for The Bachelor, Tenley says, “Jake is the first man I’ve kissed since my ex-husband.”

So far spoilers and hints from the show are leaning towards Vienna as the one who will be wearing the diamond engagement ring on her finger. With the other bachelorette Tenley sent home to polish off a tub of ice cream to drown her sorrows.

The last episode showed Bachelor Jake Paveka looking at Vienna’s hand and asking which type of engagement ring she liked. While this seemed a bit over the top, and giving away the ending of the show – he probably asked the same question of Tenley and they simply didn’t air that part. We’re wondering if they showed this part with Vienna to keep us guessing who wins or to surprise us with a different bachelor than the one we think is going to win.

The show’s host Chris Harrison asked Pavelka if he was pleased with his final decision, viewers saw him answer “yes.” Apparently in reality there was a long pregnant pause before Pavelka answered the question. Leaving us to wonder about his decision and this final rose ceremony with the much sought after diamond engagement ring. Oh the tension and excitement is building! We don’t think we can stand it much longer!

Now we wonder if Pavelka chose a bachelorette and now regrets his decision. Who do you think he chose – Vienna or Tenley? And if he chose one of them, do you think he regrets his initial decision and wishes he chose the other one? Tell us Bachelor fans – who do you think is going to be handed that final rose and get that wonderful, sparkly diamond engagement ring on her finger? At this point…time will only tell…

Diamond Advice

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Let me tell you a story. This author’s story:

On our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband bought me a beautiful anniversary band; one center marquise diamond, flanked by two smaller marquise diamonds on either side. Fast forward three years later…

Getting ready to go to work on the first day after maternity leave…Dressed in a black skirt, and feeding my newborn a bottle; for some reason, I decide to look down at my ring finger. To my absolute horror, I discovered that the middle diamond was missing…Originally secured by two, apparently fragile prongs, a big gaping hole lay where there had once been a marquise stone. Panicked, I didn’t move. Suddenly, looking down, out of the corner of my eye, as I held my small son in the crook of my arm, I caught a small sparkle of light refracted from the loose diamond that sat squarely in the middle of my lap. Had I not looked down; or had I not worn a black skirt that particular morning, all would have been lost. I quickly snatched up the diamond and took the ring off. My husband took it to the jeweler later to have it re-secured.

A few years later, I lost the diamond again. Unfortunately, this time, it was not recovered. Is there a lesson in this? You bet. Prong settings do make a difference! Please keep the following in mind:

• A thin prong with a “hook” configuration can be easily pulled away. This configuration is not advised.
• Prongs should hold the diamond securely and have virtually no “wiggle room”
• Four prongs are more secure than two. Six prongs are more secure than four
• Have your ring examined by a professional jeweler at least yearly

It is hoped that my personal tale of heartache will not be yours, and also to serve as a reminder that it is possible to have the right diamond ring….but with the wrong prong. Check with your trusted jeweler to discover which prong is best for you.

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Many of us may still be trying to decide what to give to a special Mom, graduate, or Birthday Girl. The gift of a diamond necklace is certainly one that can be considered. You will find that diamond necklaces are available in quite a number of styles and prices. Whether it be a circle of diamonds captured in gold, or a diamond floating heart pendant; a necklace of this kind is perfect for a lady of any age. The design can either be one that is classic or contemporary; multi-diamonded or single stoned. A puffed heart diamond pendant can be fun and flirty; whereas a flat diamond heart may appeal to a more conservative lady.

A diamond journey pendant necklace can also be a nice jewelry piece to give your beloved in recognition of a special anniversary; especially to commemorate a milestone year. Three-stoned pendants are perfect gifts for symbolizing a couples’ past, present, and future relationship.

And now for the ultimate: A diamond eternity necklace is sure to take the breath away of any woman who is fortunate enough to receive one. The necklace’s diamonds can be set as close or as far apart as taste and/or budget will allow.

If a diamond necklace is your choice, please make sure that the setting is one that complements the wearer. Will it be: Yellow gold? White gold? Silver? This will depend on personal tastes, lifestyle, as well as the skin tone of the recipient. Care should also be taken that any hardware (especially the clasp) is able to hold the diamonds in place attractively, as well as securely. Your reputable jeweler should be able to assist you in addressing all of your diamond selection needs. With a little effort, you will find that the perfect beautiful necklace is just waiting for you to discover.

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Spring is in the air, and along with the impending warmer weather season, comes thoughts of flowers, love and feelings of sentimentality. For those who may be in the market for a type of engagement ring that has the ability to easily stir up a lively conversation; or a diamond that readily brings Cupid to mind; a Hearts and Arrows diamond may just be the thing to suit your fancy. (Yes, there really is such a thing. ) A Hearts and Arrows diamond is a brilliant round shaped diamond that, when looked at from the top, reflects the likeness of arrows. When turned over, and viewed from a totally different angle, the display has a distinct similarity to the appearance of hearts.

The history of the Hearts and Arrows diamonds cut is quite interesting. Originally discovered in Japan during the 1980’s; and warmly accepted in the United States during the 1990’s, it is so named due to the unusual pattern it displays when placed under a special diamond viewer.

This particular cut, known for its precise symmetry, takes more than double the amount of time to cut and polish, as it would take to produce a similar sized regular round brilliant diamond cut, so expect the price to be at least comparatively higher.

Only a small percentage of diamonds produced today can be termed as authentic Hearts and Arrows. While checking the background and authenticity of any diamond is always a wise thing to do, this important step becomes particularly important when selecting any specialty diamond pieces. This means that any purchaser would need to take the necessary steps to ensure that any diamond labeled as such, has the characteristics of a true Hearts and Arrows diamond, because after all, a true love deserves to be recognized with a true diamond.

Happy Spring from Danforth Diamonds, who believe in helping you find the perfect diamond.

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Black Diamonds

The black diamonds known as carbonados got their name for their carbonized, or burnt, look. Source: PBS.org

Still looking for a unique and unusual jewelry gift for Valentine’s day? If so, you may want to consider a gift of a Black diamond jewelry piece. Black (or carbonado) diamonds can be found only in certain parts of Central Africa and Brazil; and are usually smaller in size than your typical white diamond. You will find that Carbonado diamonds also have a few of their own special characteristics. This, in itself would make for an interesting discussion; as we could go into a rather lengthy scientific explanation as to how they are discovered and formed. However, for the time being, we’ll leave out the science, and just focus on what sets them apart and makes them nice to look at.

Because of the inclusions of other minerals within them, Carbanado diamonds tend to have quite a different look…, an unusual luminous quality being among them. Most will agree that this feature only adds to their exceptional appearance, and gives them their own unique identifying marks.

A jewelry piece composed entirely of Carbanado (or black diamonds) can be a stunning choice; but since this type of diamond is pretty much a new arrival on the popular jewelry fashion scene; many who are not quite used to seeing them, may choose to select a diamond jewelry piece where they are used as compliments to other gems. For instance: How about a setting with an alternating patterning of black diamonds, white diamonds? Whatever you choose to do, take care that your decision rests on a jewelry piece that you are proud to give, and most of all…make sure that it reflects the warm spirit of the occasion. In other words: Put your heart into it.

Happy Valentines Day!

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While Valentine’s day brings its own unique pressures, it is always a wise move to use any declarations of affection with extreme caution, especially when a relationship is at the unsure “I *heart* you” stage. This one can be tricky. And so, with this, we admonish you to use “I like you” , “I love you” or “I *heart* you” with care.  Because, after all, there is life after Valentine’s day. Consider yourself warned. After this, you’re on your own.

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