When you think of diamond jewelry you don’t really think of places like Wal-Mart do you? Going to a discount department store for your diamond jewelry is like going to your local dollar store for a car. It’s just not something you want to do. Why you ask? Well, it’s just basic common sense. Now, that’s not to say your discount department stores don’t have their uses. After all, everyone needs household goods and groceries. But come on, don’t you find it odd when the place that you buy your toilet paper from also offers “quality diamonds” at discount prices?
So when you are searching for that perfect engagement ring, wedding ring, anniversary ring or “just because I love you” diamond jewelry, don’t head over to Wally World. You’re going to be spending a pretty penny on your precious gems, so buy them from some place that you can be assured is a reliable and dependable diamond dealer. Someplace that can present you with any certifications, appraisals, etc that you need.
Here is a little information about some of the leading diamond designers.
De Beers — Who hasn’t gotten their catch phrase stuck in your head? “How else can two month’s salary last forever?” Well, if you really want an answer to that question, that depends on who you ask. If you pose that question to some women, they will more than likely sigh and hold out their left hand, imagining the beauty that will one day be bestowed upon them. If you ask some guys, they’re liable to swallow their tongue and head on down to Bass Pro Shops where they can promptly show you just what “two month’s salary” can buy.
Catch phrase aside, De Beers does know diamonds. Interestingly enough, De Beers isn’t one company. It’s actually a group of companies that trade in diamonds. These companies deal with more than 40% of the world’s diamond production. The Diamond Trading Company, or DTC, is the sales and marketing arm of De Beers. “A diamond is forever” is yet another catch phrase that was coined by DTC way back in 1947. While it may prove difficult to find out just what kind of profit the company brings in each year, with an estimated $150 million spend on advertising alone, one can only imagine.
Harry Winston — Harry Winston is definitely on the list of top diamond designers and retailers. Actually, you could probably find many people who would say that this company is the most famous name in diamonds. The company is named after its founder, Harry Winston who at one time famously quoted “People will stare. Make it worth their while.”
If you want to see some of the diamond jewelry offered by Harry Winston, all you have to do is turn to the pages of your favorite fashion and/or entertainment magazines. Remember that giant pink diamond ring that Ben Affleck gave his beloved Jennifer Lopez as an engagement ring? That was a Harry Winston piece. The song, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” that was famously sung by Marilyn Monroe? Harry is mentioned in there.
Harry Winston is a commonly uttered phrase in Hollywood, especially when awards shows come around. You will probably find more Harry Winston pieces sparkling down the red carpet than any other diamond designer. Take this year’s Oscars for example. Anne Hathaway wore a stunning pair of Harry Winston, 10-carat cushion cut drop earrings valued at more than one million dollars!
While Harry Winston is popular in Tinsel Town, they do have some more famous diamonds in their history. A perfect example is the widely known Hope Diamond. Yes, this exquisitely huge blue diamond is on display at the Smithsonian; however, the museum received it only after Harry Winston donated it to them back in 1958.
Chopard — Chopard is a jewelry and watch company founded back in 1860 by a then 24-year old named Louis-Ulysse Chopard. The company initially started out making luxury watches, but started to add jewelry, specifically women’s jewelry, in the 1960s and 1970s. The company has production sites in Germany, Geneva and Switzerland and has their products distributed through 13 subsidiaries that are all over the world. As far as retail locations go, Chopard has themselves covered with more than 90 brand boutiques (with more opening this year) and thousands of authorized retailers worldwide.
If the name Chopard isn’t familiar to you, you would probably know some of their pieces by sight. Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard (who won an Oscar that night), Hillary Swank, Dixie Carter and Marlee Matlin were just a few of the lovely ladies of Hollywood that were adorned with Chopard diamonds at this year’s Academy Awards show. Women weren’t the only ones spotted with Chopard diamonds. Steve Carrell was showing off the company’s Happy Diamond cufflinks that he was wearing.
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