The “Diamond Dip” is an annual part of the South Carolina Oconee Medical Center fundraiser. This year however, they have a bit of a mystery on their hands. The winner of a 3K diamond has not come forward for their lovely prize!

This is a real diamond

Turner’s Jewelry in Seneca, South Carolina gave the beautiful diamond for the South Carolina Oconee Medical Center Fundraiser. The glittery fundraiser attracted hundreds who were thrilled to dig through a bowl of “gems” and select one – with the hope of finding a genuine 3K diamond hidden somewhere in the bowl. The bowl was filled with hundreds of cubic zirconium “gems” – as we diamond lovers know these can look lovely and sparkly – but just are not the real thing!

To us this sounds like a fun and exciting game. Digging through a bowl of sparkly wonderfulness – there is nothing quite like it. Imagining if you could win a big and beautiful 3K diamond – all while helping a local charity continue their good works in your community. Sounds like a complete win-win situation for everyone concerned!

After guests dug through the bowl, Mark Turner and his staff from Turner’s Jewelers would use an electronic tester to confirm each “gem.” But at night’s end there was no winner – and in going through the contents of the bowl they also discovered that the diamond was missing! This means that some lucky winner may have the diamond – and simply doesn’t know it.

We hope all of those guests from the South Carolina Oceanee Medical Center event check their purses, pockets and other locations for those “gems.” One of them could be that winner. Take it back to Turner’s Jewelry for confirmed testing – then you’ll know for sure if you’ve got a winner on your hands!

Try our tips to tell if a diamond is real:

• Shine a light through the stone. If you can just see a “halo” around the edges, this is probably a diamond.

• Diamonds are strong heat conductors. Breathe on the diamond and see if it “fogs.” You won’t see condensation from the fog on a diamond.

• Remember: A jeweler at times cannot tell the difference between a genuine diamond and a “cultured” diamond. Careful examination and new tests done by jewelers can help prove it is genuine.

Part of the fun of this prize of course is that this diamond because so very much “your own” in every way. You’ve won it and hand-selected it. Or some might say that it hand-selected you! The idea that you found it in a bowl of cubic zirconias – makes one feel very lucky indeed. Would you have jewelry made for yourself? Or would you give it as a gift to that special loved one in your life? Or would you save it for someone special that you haven’t met yet?

Diamond lovers – we have to ask: what would you do if you won a beautiful 3K diamond? Would you have it designed into a pendant? Ring? Purchase another lovely sparkly diamond for matching earrings? Or create some magnificent sparkly custom diamond jewelry of your very own? There are so many fun decisions to make for that lucky winner! Let’s take a moment and imagine for ourselves – what would we do if this was us. What would you do if you discovered you’d won a stunning and sparkly 3K diamond?

Source: http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/english/News.aspx?boneId=918&objid=6529, http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-you-tell-if-a-diamond-is-real.htm

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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!

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Commonly known in the industry as “treated diamonds“ or “enhanced diamonds“, many less than perfect diamonds on the market have been given such overhauls, so as to improve their appearance, both outwardly and inwardly.

The procedure(s) involve processes designed to downplay any visible inclusions or any other imperfections that most natural diamonds are prone to having. Infrared laser treatments, which are now readily available, can be used to improve a gem’s clarity, as well as change the color, if so desired. If done correctly, many of these treatments are foolproof enough, so as to often result in the diamond’s obtaining a higher grade! Oftentimes, only by looking at them under a high powered microscope, can the diamond’s secret be revealed. As to be expected, diamonds that have undergone this type of process are not as resilient as diamonds left in their natural state. In fact, some have, in a few instances, “cracked” under pressure.

While this may appear to be a breakthrough for the modern jeweler, many “old school” gemologists and fine jewelers are purists, and so vehemently oppose using any of these processes; as they believe that any “enhancements” should be a direct result of the diamond cutter’s expertise, used in combination with the diamond‘s own natural qualities.

While it is not illegal to sell “enhanced” diamonds; by law, (specifically by the United States Federal Trade Commission), a jeweler is under obligation to disclose to any potential buyer that the gem has indeed been enhanced.

What you, as a consumer need to know is this: This may just be the type of diamond that you are looking for! Do your homework! Be aware of what you are purchasing! You may find that, as long as all is disclosed, you may be surprised .

Instead of being tricked…you may be in for a treat!

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The presentation of an engagement ring is one of the monumental steps taken in the transformation of a relationship; immediately elevating it from an informally casual, to a decidedly serious stage. With so much time, money, effort, and emotion put into the selection and purchase; it only stands to reason that the presentation should be just as memorable and just as charming.

Each engagement should be special; and each day usually finds many a prospective groom wracking his brain in the pursuit of discovering that one unique or novel way to make his all-important presentation a memorable one. Along with the usually expected special dinner or surprise location, we have discovered yet another clever way to present an engagement ring…to supplement the surprise factor… in one of the most charming ways possible… a lighted ring box.

What nicer way could there be, than to be presented with a sparkling diamond engagement ring by a dimly lit restaurant table side; or on a darkened night beneath a shimmering moon. Yes, believe it or not, there are ring boxes available that are fitted with LED devices; specially designed to illuminate the engagement ring at the precise moment the box is opened. One will find that boxes of this type are available in price ranges that are surprisingly affordable. Do you prefer velvet or leather?

Of course, the cost is largely based on the materials used; and so varies from vendor to vendor. Also, please in mind that it should complement the ring and not detract from it, and that real radiance emanates…through love.

Diamond Advice

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