Friendship is something that we often take for granted. Over our lifetime, we meet plenty of great people that we become friends with, but often lose touch with them over time by no fault of either party. Life goes on and sometimes you just don’t have enough time to have a plethora of friends in your life. We go through life often complaining about our current and past friends and what they don’t do for us, which can truly be unfair. It also does not really tell the whole story. Sometimes, out of sight, out of mind is true when we are dealing with our friends and it is often hard to keep up with everything that goes on in life. When we consider those we work with, are they really our friends? There may be some diamonds in the rough, but in many circumstances, those people are our friends. We interact with them on a daily basis and go through some of the same types of stresses that we encounter. This work relationship can end up as a personal one if we find that we have certain things in common with our fellow co-workers.

Professional athletes are trained to be businessmen. Football players see their teammates as compatriots aiming for the same goal, to win. They will try their best to win games regardless of how they feel about their fellow co-workers. This is a way to isolate them just in case they get traded or leave the team. Many football players have a hard time identifying with other people on the same level as they do with fellow football players, so it does become somewhat difficult to separate oneself in a situation like that. They become friends with their teammates and often end up in a family atmosphere where they look out for one another. When you spend all that time together at practice and on the field striving for the same goal, it is bound to happen.

Such is the case of a recent mishap that took place in Miami with Kendall Langford. Kendall mistakenly went to practice with a $50,000 diamond earring still in place. The diamond ended up missing during practice and hi football family swooped in to help him try to find it. Even very rich football players can’t necessarily afford to go losing such expensive personal items, on or off the field. Nine of his teammates looked for the earring by crawling on the ground of the field. Using brooms and their feet, they kicked the grass looking for the precious stone, only stopping when they had to go to a mandatory team meeting. Although unfound, it is nice to know that teammates are not only in it to win it, but truly care about others and things they are going through. It speaks to the overall humanity of people and their innate interest to do good things for others, regardless of the amount of time and effort it may take on their part.

One of the best known substitutes for genuine diamonds is the cubic zirconia. This synthetic gemstone is very popular because it looks exactly like a real diamond and it is cheaper and more affordable.  No longer do people tend to think of them as cheap imitations. This is because of a number of reasons. Cubic zirconia is manmade and not mined. These gems are produced in a laboratory with a very high level of color, clarity and quality.

The cost of a cubic zirconia is just a tiny fraction of the cost of a genuine diamond of the same shape, size and dimension. If you are out to buy a stone that is as stylish and beautiful as the real diamond but at a lesser price then there is nothing better than a cubic zirconia. Besides, the difference is almost negligible and most people won’t even know!

Continue reading »

If you truly want to impress your partner or want to indulge yourself in some really classy jewelry then you can choose from exquisite beaded jewelry designs and matching diamond sets. These beaded wonders are sure to please all eyes that fall upon it and a matching diamond set will add value to your beaded necklace or bracelet.

Beaded jewelry can include beads made out of rare stones or glass in various colors polished to perfection. You can get readymade beaded jewelry through several designer stores or can even find several eye-pleasing designs in online stores. You could also design your own jewelry and get those designs executed by a competent beaded jewelry designer. If you are not constrained by a tight budget then you could incorporate a real diamond or even more as a centerpiece in your beaded creation, be it a necklace, a bracelet or a pair of earrings. On the other hand, you could freely incorporate lab created diamonds including cubic zirconia diamonds since they look exactly like real diamonds but cost only a fraction in comparison. This will enable you to embed many diamonds into your beaded jewelry and mix two designs to come up with your own individual creation that can be gifted to a loved one.

Continue reading »

The Kimberley Process is a group effort to keep diamonds sales from financing bloody wars and inhumane diamond mining practices. When consumers buy diamonds, they don’t want to fund terror or human rights violation, and any association with these activities can harm the diamond industry which has positioned itself in the romance industry. The Kimberley Process members have been very successful in keeping blood diamonds out of International markets, by banning the sale of diamonds from legitimate sales channels if violations to the code of ethics were determined to occur. Zimbabwe has had trouble with the Kimberley Process in the past, but is a member nation and has had its sales approved up until recently, when a new cache of diamonds were discovered in the Marange region.

Continue reading »

Tired of hitting the box stores to find one of a hundred copies of the same jewelry design? Modern diamond jewellery designs can often seem a bit mass commercialized when you’re looking for something truly unique. If you’ve got the money and the time, you can get some great jewelry pieces either handcrafted or recycled at your local jewelry store. Here’s a few ways to find some really unique jewelry designs. It does take time and some ingenuity, but it can often mean having a one-of-a-kind piece.

Continue reading »

Do you know what year do you buy diamonds on a wedding anniversary? It all depends! In the past, diamonds were associated only with the 60th wedding anniversary, however, in modern customs, they often can be presented at the 30th anniversary. People like to mark the passage of time and commemorate special occasions with a gift of jewelry, starting with the diamond engagement ring to mark the proposal.

Diamond Engagement Ring

The proposal is not complete without a diamond engagement ring. It’s a symbol that the suitor is serious and that the date is about to be set for the wedding. The custom started with royalty, but anyone can get in on the act now. In fact, it’s considered a bit uncouth if you don’t have a genuine diamond engagement ring to offer your bride-to-be.
Continue reading »

Diamonds may be forever, but often the settings aren’t. Diamond jewelry, high end engagement rings and pendants especially, should be cared for like any good investment. You wouldn’t carelessly leave your house or car dirty, just because you’ve gotten used to it being there all the time. However, many people forget about the care and maintenance needed to make their jewelry last a long, long, time. Here are some great tips for how to care for your find diamond jewelry.

Clean Gently

Every day you put on makeup and other types of products on your body. All that can land on your fine jewelry and cause it to lose the glow it had in the jewelry case. This doesn’t even account for the perspiration that comes off your body and also can bring dirt to your fine jewelry. The key is to take your jewelry off at night and clean it with a 100% cotton cloth before storing in a pouch or something while you sleep.

Beware the Environment

Some jewelry made of silver or gold can tarnish or pit due to the environment. If you’re getting into a hot tub, it’s a good idea to take off your jewelry first, if you’re unsure. Hot temperatures and a high level of chlorine can contribute to the rapid demise of your jewelry settings. If you have prongs or other delicate pieces on your jewelry, then don’t wear them when you’re playing sports either. They can get bent or broken very easily.

Don’t Use Abrasives to Clean Your Jewelry

You don’t want to scratch the surface of your setting or a semi-precious stone. Abrasives like toothpaste should be avoided. The best way to clean your jewelry is with jewelry cleaner or in an ultrasonic cleaner. If your jewelry has more than diamonds on it, be sure to that the method you use to clean it isn’t going to damage softer stones. Don’t use alcohol as that can damage some settings, and stick with water and gentle jewelry cleaners. You can have your jewelry maintained by your local jeweler should a clasp break or your white gold needs recoating.

Bored of the plain old princess solitaire? Jazz it up with a criss cross eternity band engagement ring. That’s not the only option out there either. Jewelers have really outdone themselves in the variety of ring designs out there for a new bride-to-be. Multi-stoned settings that allow you to add diamonds or other stones on either side of a central diamond are also fabulous. If you don’t want the eternity band, just use the criss cross in multiple metal colors. The designs out there seem to be limited only by the imagination.

Criss Cross Designs

These are very hot, for a number of reason. They can be fat criss cross patterns on the design resembling a knot or several thin bands that criss cross each other in a delicate look that seems almost fairy-like. You can add diamonds to criss cross pattern or use several metal colors. You can add diamonds and criss crosses and it looks like someone gave you a ring with x’s and o’s, a suitable symbol for kisses and hugs.

Multi-Stoned Settings

Multiple stones are also a great option when you can’t make up your mind. Maybe you want the traditional diamond, but want your birthstone or your children’s birthstones in the ring. After all, if this is your second time around, then it’s the joining of two families, not just two individuals. Some couples commemorate that by adding multiple stones symbolic of each individual in the family to the ring.

Eternity Bands

An eternity band is perfect for the woman that wants diamonds encircling her ring finger. It is definitely a very beautiful sparkler. Eternity rings not only symbolize love, but also commitment and endurance. They’re meant to show that the person is committed to you for an eternity and that their love will last forever. These rings are sometimes reserved for special anniversaries to commemorate the length of a relationship. Although they are equally good if you’re just getting married, as long as the there is a center stone to make it apparent it is an engagement ring.

Jewelry and diamonds are very popular amongst many different types of men and women from many different backgrounds. The styles that are popular are seen on celebrities and can often cost more than your average person can afford. There has been a trend where replicas and other similar lower cost designs have become even more popular than the costly originals they mimic. Although in many ways, replicas get flak for being mere rip-offs, they do allow many people to look fashionable and very hip for a fraction of the price. While replicas are available for many of the higher-end fashion designs, it is often one-of-a-kind items that deserve the replica treatment as it would be impossible to own certain pieces of jewelry that are considered historic.

QVC is a great place to get the latest jewelry designs on sale for much less than you would pay at a retailer at a mall or at a brick and mortar jewelry store. They can bring the latest designs right into your home and they have flexible payment options as well as an inventory that rivals anyone in the business. They have recently teamed up with the Smithsonian to offer consumers replicas of some of the most famous jewelry pieces that are housed in their museums. These replicas will allow you to own the Hope Diamond as well as the famed Marie Antoinette’s earrings. All of the replica pieces will be made with genuine gemstones and will mimic their famous counterparts in all of the possible details.
QVC will allow its viewers to own a part of history with this collection, keeping the interest and intrigue squarely focused on the originals. How amazing would it be to own a 75-carat replica emerald just like the one found on the belt buckle worn by a Turkish sultan? Well, you can among other designs, so sit back, relax and consider the possibilities.

Some people are purists and will only wear diamonds with diamonds. However, pearls are also a classic accompanying element in elegant jewelry ensembles. Today’s look is more eclectic and you can literally wear anything you want with diamonds, finding new looks that may not have even been possible in the past.

Pearls

For a classic match, cultured pearls and diamonds really complement each other. The soft glow of the pearl provides a perfect foil for the fiery sparkle of diamonds. You can have diamond and pearl earrings, or wear a diamond ring with a pearl necklace. You can have pearl bracelets with diamond clasps, or a diamond pendant hanging from a pearl necklace. It’s all stunning and very beautiful!

Semi-Precious Stones

You can even pair diamonds with your birthstone, if it happens to be a semi-precious stone. The two gemstones together complement each other. When the color to wear for the spring season is violet, then why not wear amethyst earrings with diamond chips? Gemstones of all types and colors look great with diamonds!

Natural Elements

Some stars in previous red carpet seasons took to wearing raw diamonds. These natural stones look even better with natural elements like shells. Just because you’re wearing a diamond doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Fresh water pearls are a natural element that look great with a little sparkle added to them also. This is particularly true of themed weddings like beach weddings or princess weddings. Add a little fun to your jewelry ensembles that make you feel quirky and alive!

Luxury Items

A put-together look includes the shoes, the purse, as well as the jewelry accessories. If luxury is what you’re going for, then invest in some designer goods to highlight the rich look of diamond jewelry. Go for other fancy colored diamonds to wear with your white diamonds. In some cases they’re less expensive, but still genuine diamonds! If you can’t afford that, there are always a few good lookalikes that cost less but still make you feel rich. A nice pair of sunglasses, with a few faux diamond chips in them, and you can now pretend you’ve hit the lottery.