As world markets remain unstable, some investors are turning to tangible goods as a proven method of securing their wealth. This means they are purchasing real estate, art, precious metals and precious stones, such as diamonds, in larger numbers than ever before.

Do you have to be a billionaire investor to purchase stones with enduring value? Absolutely not! Almost any budget can afford a good diamond that will only increase in value as the years pass. The key to purchasing a diamond with investment value is to be aware of a few important factors around what brings especially higher values to a diamond.  Continue reading »

If you’ve heard how cubic zirconium looks as good as a real diamond, and that is tempting you to buy it instead of a genuine stone, you need to hear the rest of the story. Do some research first, to compare real diamonds to synthetic diamonds before you drop any cash on either one. There are differences in hardness, the way light reflects on the material, and the value of the gemstone. The last thing you want to do is pay top price for a simulated diamond that has no secondary market value whatsoever, meaning no one will ever buy this type of jewelry on the secondary market, unlike genuine diamond rings. Continue reading »

The holidays are around the bend and if you want to avoid the holiday crush in traffic and shopping, just opt to go online. It’s far easier to view the selections online, and make your purchases, and it’s even less expensive. Online retailers can offer prices that are hard to beat in retail stores. You won’t feel pressured into buying anything, and you can pick out exactly the jewelry you want at the price you want, without having to get in your car to go to the local mall. Even if you’re shopping for men or for women, for jewelry designs with diamonds or other gemstones, you are going to be glad you checked out the selection online early, to get them shipped in time to wrap them up for Christmas. Continue reading »

No one would consider giving their loved one a fake engagement ring, but at other times fake can be fabulous. Most people don’t know how to tell a diamond from cubic zirconia, so when it doesn’t matter, you can opt for fashions that save you a little money, but don’t necessarily sacrifice the bling. You may be surprised to find out that fake diamonds come in many varieties. They’re not all cubic zirconia. Faking diamonds started out with glass reproductions, became more sophisticated over time, until new synthetic diamonds came on the market that are diamonds cultured in the lab, instead of nature.  Continue reading »

Each year the holiday season seems to sneak up on everyone. Soon there are only a few days left to complete shopping and holiday preparations, and last-minute spending can send anyone’s budget spiraling out of control. One method of conquering this problem involves planning, and there are many places to look for holiday shopping guides and suggestions that will help to conquer even the longest “to do” list. Continue reading »

The First Lady Michelle Obama has proven to have well-balanced and simply elegant fashion sense. A quick review of some of her fashion choices shows how successfully she employs diamond stud or drop earrings at many events; both formal and casual.

Other fashionistas throughout the ages have come to rely on diamond stud earrings to provide both elegance and simplicity to their ensembles as well. In fact, the Glamour Magazine “Women of the Year Awards” for 2008 saw almost no other earring style among the many guests and recipients than small diamond studs and drop earrings.

Why are diamond stud earrings such a continual choice? There are many reasons that women choose them, including their universal appeal, durability, flexibility, value and simplicity. Continue reading »

When you walk into a diamond jewelry store, you are preparing to spend quite a lot of money on a diamond ring, diamond necklace, or beautiful pair of diamond drop earrings. You are looking for substantially sized diamonds that will catch everyone’s eye and make you feel proud every time you see them.Shopping for loose diamonds is the best use of your budget. In diamond jewelry, the stones cost the most money, and having a setting custom-designed just to your specifications makes the piece of diamond jewelry even more special and does not add significantly to your cost. Buying loose diamonds is a great way to spend just the right amount of money for the most exquisite stone.

But how do you know the diamonds you are looking at are actually genuine diamonds? The fakes look very good, sometimes better than actual diamonds to the untrained eye. You must test the stones you are considering to determine if they are real. Continue reading »

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Diamonds are forever. Diamonds are a good investment. Which statement is true? Diamonds are a good investment. This most certainly is true.They are not all glitz and glamour. They are a rock solid investment. The diamond market is not one that regularly makes news headlines because it is crashing. They are long lasting items. True, they are perishable but so is your home and it is still a good investment. Isn’t it?

The collapse of the housing market in the US last year set off a chain reaction in the global economy. People now are beginning to feel the impact. The millions of displaced Americans certainly felt the impact as they were forced from their homes by foreclosure. The banks still own most of those homes as the market has withered up this year. Your house may be lost to foreclosure but you can still own grandma’s diamond brooch. Continue reading »

You have probably heard of instances of pet owners spoiling their pets, but have you ever seriously thought of giving a dog a diamond? A well known scripture in Matthew 7:6 says not to “throw pearls before swine“, and as scientific studies have shown pigs are thought to be smarter than any cat or dog walking around today. So then how then does one rationalize the idea of giving a dog or a cat (or any other type of animal) a diamond-encrusted gift? Continue reading »

Diamonds are most frequently seen in jewelry that is meant to symbolize something that endures throughout time. As the markets and economy fluctuate, sometimes enough to cause great distress, the temporary nature of the most popular types of investing is made painfully clear. For many years, the wealthiest of the wealthy put their money in precious metals and gems. Where gems are concerned, there are none more precious than diamonds. Continue reading »