Diamonds, Jewelry, Gifts, and Information

Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday Coupons To Save You Money

2011-11-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Cathy,

Today is Small Business Saturday, so I wanted to present you with a coupon to help you save money. The coupon code is SBSat2011. If you use this code at our website you will receive an additional 20% off our already discounted prices.

I decided to give you this coupon which expires on November 27, 2011, because I know how hard you work and saving you money makes me happy too! In addition to the extra 20% off, you will also get free shipping on all your orders.

Also, I hope all you hard working men and women that help make this day great, know that you can use this coupon too...after all without you we wouldn't have Small Business Saturday.

PS: Cyber Monday's code is CyberMonday2011. Cyber Monday's coupon ends on November 28, 2011. Please remember if you have any problems using any code let me know so we can help you out.

Happy Holiday's!

Here is Your Black Friday Coupon Code - BlackFriday2011 - Save Money while you shop in your pj's!

2011-11-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

It's almost Black Friday!

As you know Black Friday is just around the corner, and what better way to spend the day then in your pj's shopping online, sipping a Hot Toddy or Herbal Tea and just relaxing after a filling Thanksgiving feast. It sure beats fighting the holiday traffic and the lines of shoppers!

So if you are looking for beautiful jewelry for the holidays, and you want to save more money on already discounted Jewelry and Gifts, use the coupon code below at our site by 11/27/2011 for an additional 20% off. Keep in mind that most items are already discounted 20-29% off all year, so this discount is an xtra discount just for you. Plus you get FREE Shipping on all orders too!

The coupon code is: BlackFriday2011

Happy Thanksgiving,
Kathie

PS: If you have any problems with the code please email us at info@diamondsandgifts.com.

What Is Good Customer Service - What Do You Do For Your Customers?

2011-09-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

I like to compare Good Customer Service to watering your garden; why you ask? It's simple, if you water your garden it grows, just like your business will with great Customer Service. If you don't provide great Customer Service it is like poisoning your garden; your business will die, slowly but die nonetheless! If you don't think so, ask yourself how you felt the last time you were treated like crap, (yes I said crap) at a store, at an online store, drive through, etc.

Maybe crap isn't the politically correct way, or the classy way, or the professional way to put it; but we all can relate to crap pure and simple. The bottom line is...would you go to that establishment again if you could avoid it? I know I wouldn't, and depending on what you sell, who your competition is, and how many stores carry what you sell, bad Customer Service can and will ruin your business whether you have a brick and mortar store, or you sell online only, or both.

In my opinion, some business owners who sell online only may not dwell on good Customer Service as much as their brick and mortar counterpart. Why? I think it is because they are not normally face to face with their customer. Let's be honest, it is much easier to write an email, then to look your customer in the eye and tell them they should have read your policies before buying.

So what is good Customer Service? A few examples of what we do for our customers are: we offer Free Shipping on all items, we stand behind our merchandise and offer a full refund return policy, you receive a Free Gift Box or Gift Bag with your order..these are just a few of our policies. I would tell you to ask yourself and your potential customers a few questions before you determine your policies.

Questions such as:

1.) When you go to any establishment why do you choose to go there?

2.) How do you like to be treated?

3.) Do you shop where shipping is free, or do you look at all the attributes of the business?

4.) Do you prefer money back or exchange only, or do you want a choice when you return an item?

5.) Can you return an item?

6.) Is quality more important than price, or does both matter?

It is important to really understand why you go back, and why customers go back over and over again to the same places, this information will help you determine your Customer Service Policies to put in place.

I know I was always raised with the saying "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar!" Something as simple as saying "Let me see what we can do for you", instead of " No we can't do that" makes a world of difference. Plus remember your good manners, look up the word if you don't understand manners! You know...thank you, you are welcome, I will be happy to, etc. To this day I will not go to a fast food chain by my house because they never say "Thank You" in the drive thru. I will not pay a dime to be treated with disrespect. I will even pay more for the same item if I am treated well.

To wrap it up, always treat people well, treat them as you would want to be treated when you shop online and offline. Never treat people like they are not important, do not be rude or demeaning. Send some type of small thank you with your orders. Do what you can within your means to go the extra mile, and as your business grows, expand on that.

I will end this with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "I will prepare and someday my chance will come." Is your business prepared when your chance to make a customer happy comes? Can your staff answer the question: What is Good Customer Service?

Hello, if you have any questions about the article please contact me anytime. I invite you to visit our store and while there register for our newsletter and we will send you a 20% off coupon for your use anytime throughout 2011. Also feel free to copy and use this article, we only ask that you keep the article as it is with no changes, and we also ask that you keep all links in tack. Thank you!

Get Your Coupon for Fine Jewelry Here!

2011-08-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

Coupon for 2011

This coupon code can be used multiple times throughout the rest of 2011. It is a perfect way to treat yourself or you can use it for the holidays too! Please share with family and friends.

Use code club2011 at diamondsandgifts.com for 20% off already discounted prices!

Jewelry with an Ash Holder - make Perfect Memorials

2011-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ash Holder Jewelry...

Jewelry Ash Holders are a way to memorialize a loved one, including a beloved pet that has passed. The Ash Holder is also a vessel that can carry your special memento too.

Jewelry Ash Holders from Deborah J. Birdoe are a very nice piece of jewelry, they also come in a key chain as well. The styles of cremation ash holders range in designs from a basic Cross, or Infinite design, to a Heart with Paw Prints.

Each design comes with a gift box, a funnel, and a card that has a quote from scripture and a word of inspiration. What a lovely and heartfelt tribute to life after passing.

Please sign up for our mailing list and you will receive a coupon for an additional 20% off already discounted fine quality jewelry and gifts. If you click here then go to the bottom left of the page to receive your coupon code.

Moissanite Engagement Rings - Are these Jewels Man's Best Friend?

2011-07-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a Beautiful Engagment Ring? One that will fit your budget, but say "I Love You" loud and clear? One that will make all her friends green with envy?

Well as you know Diamond Engagement Rings are normally what one selects when deciding to ask their true love to marry them. Diamonds are also the traditional gift for the 10th and 16th anniversary. Diamonds are brilliant, elegant, breathtaking, and I would venture to say we all want one someday!

However, what happens when you just can’t afford a stunning "to die for" Diamond Engagement Ring? What happens if you have to make a choice between a diamond ring, a down payment on a house, that once in a lifetime honeymoon, or the wedding? What do you do, beg, borrow, steal, go into debt, or do you look for an alternative?

So, the question I pose... Did you ever check out Moissanite Jewels, could this stunning Jewel be a Man’s best friend? Why, let’s face it times are tuff, but we still want to get the one we love a spectacular Engagement Ring. So what should you do? Well you can check out Moissanite as one alternative, or Moissanite with Diamond Accents. You can get a perfect ring within your budget that will make her so so happy.

We have sold many Moissanite and Diamond engagement rings and I have to say they are absolutely beautiful. If you are on a budget, or would just prefer an affordable alternative to a Diamond Engagement Ring so you can spend your money on something else...like a once in a lifetime Honeymoon Moissanite is one viable alternative.

My favorite is the Round Moissanite and Diamonds together, the center large stone is Moissanite and the accent stones are Genuine Diamonds...just beautiful. However, Moissanite by itself or with Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, or other Gemstones would be a lovely choice too.

Here is some Moissanite Information:

Refractive Index (brilliance) = 2.65 – 2.69 – Moissanite is brilliant and sparkles

Dispersion (fire) = 0.104 – Moissanite has more fire than other popular gemstones

Hardness (on Mohs scale) – 9 ¼ - Moissanite is harder than ruby or sapphire, and second only in hardness to diamond. Moissanite is resistant to scratches and abrasions

In addition, each Charles & Colvard Moissanite Jewel comes with the Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity & Limited Lifetime Warranty.

If you have a chance, take a look at Moissanite or Moissanite and Diamonds together and see what you think.

Gorgeous! Women's 14k White-gold Square Brilliant Princess-cut (11/2 CT) 06.50MM Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring

Polished 14k White-gold 1 3/4 CTTW Round Moissanite Engagement Ring Size 08

Polished 14k White-gold 2 1/16 CTTW Round Moissanite Engagement & Wedding Band Rings

Christmas in July Get Your 20% off Coupon Code Today!

2011-07-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

Christmas in July...

Take an additional 20% off your order at DiamondsandGifts.com, using coupon code xmasinjuly. The coupon code is good until July 31, 2011. The site is already discounted up to 30% prior to using the coupon. All you need to do is enter the coupon code xmasinjuly during check out, then press apply and the 20% will be deducted from your order.

You will find a beautiful selection of fine quality jewelry and gifts, from Money Clips, to Wedding Bands, Moissanite, and Diamonds, Rosary Bracelets, and Mother's jewelry too!

Also, you can re-use the coupon as many times as you like until July 31, 2011. So if your hot and tired, cool off with our Christmas in July sale today!

Rudolph & Frosty's Christmas in July

Christmas Sale in July - Marine Corp Stein * the Perfect Holiday Gift - Limited Edition !

Rosary Bracelets - Learn How to Pray The Rosary

2011-07-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Rosary Bracelets are a beautiful way to show your faith. You can find them made of Crystals, Gemstones, Pearls, and Gold too. Below you will find information on How to Pray The Rosary.

How To Pray The Holy Rosary (the Rosary Prayers are listed below)Say These Prayers…in this order while touching the Rosary Beads on your Rosary Bracelet or Rosary to help you keep track of your progress.

1. In The Name… IN THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (As you say this, with your right hand touch your forehead when you say Father, touch your breastbone when you say Son, touch your left shoulder when you say Holy, and touch your right shoulder when you say Spirit.)

2. I Believe In God… I BELIEVE IN GOD, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

3. Our Father… OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. Hail Mary… (say three times) HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

5. Glory Be… GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

6. O My Jesus… O MY JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.

7. Announce the First Mystery…

8. Our Father… OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

9. Hail Mary… (say ten times while meditating on the Mystery) HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

10. Glory Be… GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

11. O My Jesus… O MY JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.

12. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the “Our Father.” Then repeat 9, 10, and 11. Then follow with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same way.

13. At the end of the five decades say the Hail Holy Queen, O God Whose, In the Name… HAIL HOLY QUEEN, mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

O GOD, WHOSE only-begotten Son by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

IN THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (As you say this, with your right hand touch your forehead when you say Father, touch your breastbone when you say Son, touch your left shoulder when you say Holy, and touch your right shoulder when you say Spirit.)

The above information on How to Pray the Holy Rosary is provided by newadvent.org

Black Onyx and Gold Rosary Necklace

Rosary Ring 14k Yellow Gold Mens Womens Size 8

Get Your Discount Coupon Codes for Great July 4th Jewelry Sales

2011-07-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Today we are here to tell you about terrific July 4th Holiday Deals. Although these jewelry specials are great, please remember it is the patriots that gave us our freedom...so take the time to thank them during this independance day too!

Here we have an affordable Tanzanite and Amethyst ring that is the perfect everyday accessory. This piece of fine gemstone jewelry features one 5ct purple amethyst surrounded by 16 round brilliant tanzanites for a total gem weight of a 6 1/2ct. This is a large and elegant amethyst ring.

6 1/2ct Tanzanite and Amethyst Ring only $89.99 with code SAVE60 exclusively at SuperJeweler.com!! Offer ends 7/5

Why choose just one gemstone when you can get five for the price of one? This vibrantly colored multigem gemstone ring features citrine, amethyst, peridot, blue topaz, and rhodolite! Vibrant and springy, this piece of fine gemstone jewelry is great to wear all year around.

4 1/2ct Multi-Colored Gemstone Ring only $59.99 with code SAVE40 exclusively at SuperJeweler.com!! Offer ends 7/5

Also using the coupon code below you can save 10% on all orders at SuperJeweler.com until July 31st. Shop and save today.:

10% Off ALL Orders at SuperJeweler.com! Use Code SAVE10SJ at checkout to save. Expires 7/31/11.

Fantastic Savings every day of the year on fine diamonds engagement rings, earrings, bracelets, and more. We are a compensated affiliate. See for yourself why they are called SuperJeweler.

Discounted Jewelry - June Specials Ending Soon!

2011-06-21T05:08:00.000-07:00

Okay so you are looking for nice jewelry at terrific prices. Below you will find just that! Great looking jewelry, terrific prices, and FREE Shipping, so don't delay the sales on these fine pieces end in June!

Black Diamond Triple Heart Ring only $29.99 with code SUPER20 exclusively at SuperJeweler.com!! Offer ends 6/27.

Diamond Cat Heart Pendant only $24.99 with code 25SUPER exclusively at SuperJeweler.com!! Offer ends 6/27.

1ct Diamond Bracelet only $139.99 with code SUPER60 exclusively at SuperJeweler.com!! Offer ends 6/27.

10% Off ALL Orders at SuperJeweler.com! Use Code SAVE10SJ at checkout to save. Expires 6/30/11.

"As always all purchases from SuperJeweler.com include a lifetime warranty against the loss of side stones or damage to the jewelry's setting or center stone. They also include a one-year replacement guarantee against the loss of your jewelry's center stone."

Although we are an affiliate, the jewelry prices are great, the service is great, see for yourself.

The Pearl - The Birthstone for the Month of June

2011-06-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June, and it is a perfect choice for June Brides.

The Pearl: A Cultural Treasure through the Ages

Whilst the most desirable gemstones are natural gemstones this rule does not really apply to pearls. The chances of finding a natural pearl in a wild oyster is in the region of 1 in 10,000 and this pearl is unlikely to have the most favorable characteristics that we associate with good quality pearl jewelry.

It is for these reasons that most pearls used in jewelry today are cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are created by implanting an oyster with a foreign body (called a nucleus) such as a bead. Once detected the oyster's natural defense system creates a substance called nacre (a form of calcium carbonate) which coats the object. Over time these layers of nacre build up to form the beautiful and lustrous pearls that you will find in our range of pearl jewelry. Pearls are mostly classified according to the region of their occurance.

Akoya
(Grown in Japan and China)

Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan. They are the most lustrous of all pearls found anywhere in the world.

White South Sea
(Grown in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Phillipines)

White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific countries. They generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices because of their relative rarity and large size.

Tahitian
(Grown in French Polynesia)

Tahitian cultured pearls are grown in a variety of large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. Their beautiful, unique colors (which can range from light grey to black, and green to purple) and large size can command very high prices.

Freshwater
(Grown in Japan, China, and The United States)

Freshwater pearls can be found in bays and rivers throughout the world. They are easily cultivated from freshwater mollusks in China, Japan and the United States. Many are less lustrous than salt water cultured pearls but their low price, unique shapes and colors have made them popular jewelry items in recent years.

Mabe
(Grown in Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia and Australia)

Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shell of an oyster rather than within the oyster’s body. They generally are used in earrings or rings which conceal their flat backs.

Information provided by ADiamondGift education section.

Dura Tungsten Wedding Bands - A Wedding Day Alternative

2011-06-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

If you are planning your Wedding, you know there is quite a long list of items that you will need to purchase. One item is your Wedding Band. A wonderful, inexpensive alternative to Gold Wedding Bands is the Dura Tungsten line of fine quality bands.

Here is a little information on Dura Tungsten provided by Stuller, Inc.

"Imagine wearing a ring that is permanently polished and always looks brand new. Imagine a ring more durable than any other available on the market. Those are the qualities of our Dura Tungsten bands, formulated from our exclusive patent-pending process to be the best Tungsten rings in the world.

Dura Tungsten bands are guaranteed to hold their shape and shine indefinitely. If you find a single scratch on your Dura Tungsten band, we will replace it immediately. And for those whose skin is sensitive to certain metals, rest assured that Dura Tungsten jewelry causes no adverse effects. Dura Tungsten rings are quite simply a great investment all around."

I personally replaced my 14k Yellow Gold Band that I lost with a Dura Tungsten Wedding Band, and I must say I am impressed with the quality.

So if you are looking for a way to save money, the Dura Tungsten Wedding Band is a terrific alternative.

Techniques for Channel Setting

2011-06-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

Guest Article by Stuller, Inc.

Although channel setting is one of the more common styles of setting, many jewelers experience difficulty with the process. There are a number of techniques for channel setting. In this article, we will focus on the double undercut. This technique involves undercutting a seat in both walls of the channel.

One of the more critical ingredients to good channel setting is having matched stones. You should match color clarity, size and proportion. The two critical features are the spread (diameter of the stone) and crown height. If the stones are matched in these two dimensions, channel setting becomes much easier. Having a uniform crown height makes it much easier to set the table facets on the same plane. If the diameters are the same, it minimizes the number of burs needed for cutting the seats.

Getting Started

As with any other style of stone setting, the process begins by preparing the mounting to accept the stones. Start by measuring the width and length of the channel in relation to the stones. If the channel is flat, lay the stones in a straight line with a 0.1mm gap between them, and measure the length. This is the minimum length for the channel. If the channel is curved (domed), allow 0.2mm to 0.4mm between the stones, depending on the size of the stones and the radius of the curve. Larger stones and tighter radii require more space between the stones during the layout.

After the length of the channel is set, check the width. The width of the channel is generally between 0.25mm to 0.5mm smaller than the stones, again depending on the stone size. If the channel is wider than necessary, close the width before cutting the seats. Most channels can be closed with parallel jaw pliers. Some mountings will have partitions between the stones that support the channel. It may be necessary to saw through them to allow the channel to close to the necessary width. Solder the partitions back together and polish them out.

If the channel is too narrow, there are a couple of ways to adjust it. First, look at the width of the channel railing. This is the metal on each side of the channel. If there is sufficient metal to allow you to remove some from the inside and still secure the stone, a graver or bur can be used to widen the channel. You can use an inverted cone bur held sideways for this operation. Allow the shank of the bur to glide over the opposite rail and the flat bottom of the bur runs along the line to be removed. If you choose to use a graver, use a knife-edge graver and cut the ends of the channel first.

If the amount of metal that must be removed is small, a flat needle file is a good choice. On the other hand, If you need to remove more than 0.25mm from each side, a flat graver can be used. The purpose for cutting the ends of the channel with a knife-edge graver is to keep the metal from piling in the corners. This way when the graver gets to the end of the channel, the bur of metal flakes off.

If the rail is too thin and you are not able to remove any metal, then the channel will need to be spread. One way of spreading the channel is with a pair of flat nose pliers. The rail can be grasped and pulled outward, or both jaws of the pliers can be put into the channel and then opened to spread the channel apart. A cold chisel can be driven into the channel to force it open, as well.

Before the seats are cut, be sure to remove any tool marks on the inside walls of the channel, and pre-polish it. It is not necessary to polish the top of the rails since these will be hammered down over the stones.

Cutting The Seats

Next begin laying out the stone placement. Take some bee’s wax, and space them evenly along the channel. Use a scribe to mark the location of each stone on the rails. I prefer marking the location of the space between the stones rather than the center point. After marking the location, remove the stones and place them in your stone tray in the same order they were arranged on the channel. If the stones are not well matched in size, it will be easier to set them if you position the larger stones in the middle and the smaller stones at the ends.

If the channel has individual bearings below each stone, they will need to be precut to provide clearance for the pavilion. For this operation choose a 70 degree bearing bur the same width of the channel. This will completely clear the pavilion.

Use a 70 degree bearing bur to cut the seats for the stones. The bur should be about 0.2mm smaller than the stone. Mark the location for the girdle of the stones along the inner walls of the channel (for smaller stones this is about crown height). This can be dove by using dividers to scribe a line the full length of both walls of the channel. This next step is optional, but it is a great aid if you haven’t done much channel setting. Use a #1 onglette graver to cut a groove in the channel walls along the scribed lines to serve as an index for aligning the 70 degree bearing bur.

Tip the bur so one side of it fits into the groove, and the other side is above the opposite rail. Begin cutting at a low speed, taking care not to let the bur drop below the girdle line. As the bur cuts into the rail, stand the bur upright as it clears the opposite side. With the bur standing straight up, make a shallow undercut (about 0.25mm deep) in the groove in the opposite rail. Now check the fit. You will need to tip the stone in the same manner that you cut the seat to fit it into the channel.

If the stone does not slip into the channel, undercut the first side a little deeper. Do not force the stone into the seat. The undercut is at the correct depth when the girdle of the stone lightly binds against one side of the channel and snaps into the seat (for diamonds). For more fragile stones, the stone should barely brush against the opposite wall before dropping into the seat. After checking the fit of the stone, remove it and continue cutting the seats for the remaining stones, stopping to check the fit of each stone as you go. Cut all of the seats from the stones on the same plane.

Setting The Stones

When all of the seats have been cut, file the top rails so they are beveled from the inside downward about 15 degrees to the outside. Put all of the stones in their seats and check the alignment. If a stone is higher than the rest, lower the seat. Of one of the stones is lower, either get a stone that is slightly larger, or cut all of the other seats a little lower.

Once the stones are in proper alignment, begin tightening them. Place a line of bee’s wax over the tops of the stones to keep them from jumping out of their seats when you hammer the rail down. Use a hammer and punch, or a hammer hand piece, and begin to tighten the side with the deeper cut first. This will shift the stones towards the opposite rail and center them in the channel. Don’t completely tighten one side before beginning to tighten the opposite side. When the stones are centered in the channel, alternate sides as you tighten them.

When hammering on the railing, be sure to have the mounting solidly supported from underneath. A steel ring mandrel provides good support for a ring, and a steel bench block is good for a flat pendant. If you are using a Benchmate™, use the steel support bridge that comes with it. Scrape the bee’s wax off of the stones and check them to be sure they are tight.

When the stones are tight, begin shaping the rails. Use either a flat file or sanding disc to square the top and outer sides of the rails. Use a graver (a flat or onglette will work well) to straighten the inner edge of the rails that run over the stones. Use a knife-edge silicon wheel to remove any remaining tool marks along the inner edge of the railing, and a small hard felt lap on a flex shaft with polishing compound to pre-polish the top and sides of the rails. Final buff and clean the piece. Remember to check the stones for tightness after cleaning.

Father's Day Gift Ideas from Your Daughter

2011-06-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

This is the week before Father's Day, and I'm sure we are all thinking about great gifts to get our special Dad or Father figure on his day. Do you know how Father's Day came about?

Below you will find fun facts from answers.usa.gov (see below for additional reference information)

Father's Day

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington, first proposed the idea of a father's day in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was raising six children on a farm by himself. The first Father's Day celebration occurred on June 19, 1910, because it was the month of Smart's birth.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. President Richard M. Nixon signed the public law that made Father's Day permanent in 1972.

Father's Day has become a day to honor your father, but also a day to honor all men who act as father figures, including uncles, stepfathers, brothers, and grandfathers.

Information from http://answers.usa.gov website:, article name:Father's Day, article answer id# 10513:

Additional Resources:
•Presidential Proclamation - Father's Day 2010
•Census Bureau: Father's Day 2011

Great Gift Ideas:

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know

Hitting The Range™ - Father's Day Gift Basket

8x10 DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL Picture & Poetry Photo Gift Frame ~ Cream/Hunter Green Mat ~ Heartfelt Keepsake Picture Frame for Dad from his Little Girl on Father's Day, Christmas, Birthday or Valentines Day!

"Between Me and You: Dad; A Few Things I've Been Meaning To Ask" - Journal for Fathers

7 Jewelry Care Tips

2011-06-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

Guest Post from: Simon Johnnson

When you first buy a piece of jewelry you are taken by its charm, shimmer and stunning beauty. However, when you take that piece out, after some months, you find it lacks luster. What will you do now? You have kept it in the closet but still it has lost its glaze. What you should have done is taken care of it, right from the beginning. Proper maintenance preserves the shine. Often people complain of this problem without realizing that the fault has been theirs in neglecting proper care of their jewelry.

You can take care of your jewelry the following 7 ways:

1. Instead of cloth or leather, plastic bags can be used to keep your jewelry. This is, however, an exception for opals, pearls and ivory. You can keep costume jewelry and similar other items in plastic bags which can be seen easily and where scratches can be avoided.

2. Remember to put on your jewelry after your attire, and take off jewelry before your clothes. In this way you avoid harming your jewelry as well as the clothes.

3. The jewelry, like silver and other metals, which can get tainted in the air, should be placed in air-tight containers or zip-lock plastic bags.

4. Keep your jewelry in a safe place which can prevent both loss and other harms. A jewelry box is not advised since the jumbled up jewelry get scratches. It is better to utilize individual boxes for keeping the jewelry pieces separated.

5. A sterling silver polishing cloth can be used to clean your jewelry before you wear it. This also adds to the shine and luster.

6. Ultrasonic cleansers, detergent baths meant for pearls and ivories, quick dips and cold water soaks are some ways to clean your jewelry. These methods clean the deposited dirt and restore the gleam of the pieces. You should consult a jewelry expert before using them, though, for expensive pieces.

7. Don't forget to read the labels and instructions on any cleaning solutions for your jewelry. There are certain beads, gems like turquoise, and pearls that cannot be cleaned with such liquids.

Now that you have this list, you can start your jewelry care. Browse the internet for similar tricks and tips to simplify the procedures.

Simon Johnnson is the marketing and customer relations director at Executive Gift Shoppe. They carry a unique line of business accessories and men's gifts. If you're looking for Passport Holders, they have exactly what you need. Looking for a unique, free, well written article for your website just like this, we would be happy to provide it: I Need Content

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Johnnson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5837062

Sterling Silver Jewelry Care and Information

2011-05-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Silver Information and Care...

Sterling, at over 92% silver, is quite pure. Perhaps this metal’s most remarkable attribute is the way it ages. Silver patinas so beautifully that designers often exaggerate that quality, incorporating recesses protected from the natural polishing of everyday wear, and even pre-oxidizing the surface.

Tarnishing of Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver is a copper-silver alloy and is somewhat softer than most gold alloys. Therefore, it is more likely to be abraded to black dust by movement between the jewelry and the skin or clothing.

A few people, especially with moist skin, may find that the sterling silver stains their skin green due to the copper component of the silver alloy. When this occurs you should polish your jewelry frequently and use an absorbent, non-abrasive powder on moist skin areas that are exposed to the jewelry.

Other Problems with Sterling Silver and Solutions

Soaps, detergent, wax, polish, and cosmetic creams may build up under a ring causing a type of dermatitis. To prevent this, you should remove all rings before using soap or detergent, and clean the rings frequently.

Guest Post Provided by Stuller.

Silver Cleaner Selections:

New Trent CD-3800 Digital Ultrasonic for Jewelry, Eyeglass, and Dentures Cleaner

Sonic Wave CD-2800 Ultrasonic Jewelry & Eyeglass Cleaner (White/Gray)(package may vary)

Hagerty 12170 Silversmiths' Silver Wash, 19 Ounces

Fathers Day Gift Ideas - Remember Dad On Father's Day June 19th

2011-05-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Father's Day...

June 19th is Father's Day, have you decided how you will celebrate this year? I myself have become increasingly aware of the time I have left with my father, and frankly sometimes I just don't want to think about it. Life without the man who has encouraged me when others laughed, makes me tear up.

His health is not what it used to be, so I want to make sure Father's Day is about the gifts you just are not able to buy in a store and wrap up. I want my dad to be happy on this day and to know how much I love him; another bottle of Old Spice, a Money Clip, or a Home Depot gift card just won't cut it this year.

Making Father's Day special and showing him how much his support, and unconditional love has meant to me through the years is what is important to me. Helping me get back up, without criticism but with love and guidance has always meant the world to me.

So, have you given any real thought to what your father means to you? How will you show it? How will you honor your father on Father's Day this year?

Jewelry Making "How To Guides" in Video

2011-05-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

Jewelry Making Guides...

If you are interested in jewelry making, you will find "How To" Video's on making beaded jewelry, making earrings, wire wrapping, and much more at Diamonds, Jewelry, and Gifts.

Check it out and let me know if you have found the jewelry making video's helpful with your designs! Also, there are quite a few video's to choose from, so please scroll down to search for the video that is best for you.

Hopefully you will be able to find multiple jewelry making guides to assist you with your craft.

Best of Luck!

"I Can Only Wear Gold Jewelry" - The Truth About Jewelry Allergies

2011-05-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Guest Post by: April Williams

"I can only wear gold jewelry, everything else breaks me out." How many times did I hear that exact phrase from my mother when I was a child? Every time I would give her jewelry that was her response.

Why does everything but gold break my mother out? Is that statement even true? When I started designing jewelry over a year ago I decided to find out. I wanted to design jewelry for my mom that she could wear without fear of a breakout. Now I am going to let you in on what I have discovered.

My mother, like many people, develops contact dermatitis when her skin comes in contact with some types of jewelry. The dermatitis is a result of an allergic reaction to the nickel found in many types of jewelry. Nickel allergies are very common. One out of every seven people is likely to suffer from a nickel allergy. More women tend to suffer from nickel allergies than men. However this may be attributed to the fact that women tend to wear more jewelry than men and are therefore more likely to be exposed to skin contact with nickel.

Now that I knew what was causing my mother's breakout, I had to find out what types of jewelry metals did not contain nickel.

First I looked at gold jewelry. Generally speaking, yellow gold (above 14 karat) will not cause an allergic reaction. However white gold may. White gold alloys contain nickel and other "white" metals to produce its silver coloring. One out of every nine people will react to the nickel in white gold.

Another form of gold jewelry is gold filled or "GF" jewelry. Gold filled jewelry metal is created when a base metal is coated with a layer of gold. Gold filled differs from gold plated by the amount of gold applied. The layer used in gold filled jewelry is typically 50 to 100 time thicker that the layer used to coat gold plated products.

Next I looked at silver jewelry. For those who are nickel sensitive, fine silver and sterling silver are great choices for "white" metals.

Fine silver is by definition 99.9% pure silver. Jewelry is generally not made of fine silver because the metal is extremely soft and does not withstand normal wear and tear well.

Typically silver jewelry is made of sterling silver. Sterling silver is by definition 92.5% pure silver. Typically the remaining 7.5% metal is made up of copper. Copper is infused to harden the silver and make it more durable. Since copper is the normal metal used, sterling silver is a great metal for nickel allergic people. You can typically distinguish sterling silver by a "925" mark found on the jewelry. This is common on manufactured pieces, but may not be present on artisan jewelry.

Some other metals that are considered safe for people with nickel allergies are:

Copper - Copper jewelry is generally considered pure and not mixed with nickel or nickel alloys.

Platinum - Platinum jewelry contains 95% platinum and 5% of a secondary metal typically iridium.

Titanium - Titanium jewelry is both hypoallergenic and durable. It is a highly recommended metal for those who suffer from nickel allergies.

Since I have given you a list of safe metals, I thought I would also give you a list of metal terms to watch out for when you are shopping for jewelry.

Fashion or costume jewelry typically contains base metals that include nickel.

German silver or nickel silver is a metal to stay away from where jewelry is concerned. German silver does not contain any silver. The silver refers to the silver coloration of the metal. The color is derived from a combination of nickel, zinc, lead, and tin found within the alloy.

Surgical or stainless steel - Surgical grade stainless steel is made to be in the human body. However, the steel alloy contains between eight and twelve percent nickel. I have heard varying reports as to how safe this metal is for people with nickel allergies. Since the steel alloy does contain nickel, I would tend to avoid it, but some people swear by it.

If you do buy a piece of jewelry and are concerned that it may contain nickel, commercial test kits are available online. These kits contain chemicals that react in the presence of nickel.

Doing a little research can prevent a nickel allergy attack and still allow you to wear any fashion.

April Williams is the owner of Eluna Jewelry Designs, widely known for an exquisite selection of gemstone pendants, sterling silver earrings, and reproduction sea glass jewelry. Using beading techniques, wire wrapping, and metalworking, as well as lapidary gemstone cutting, her jewelry designs are uniquely breathtaking. Eluna Jewelry can now be found on Etsy, Facebook, Blogger, and Twitter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=April_Williams

Like us on Facebook for Updates and Discounts on Fine Jewelry!

2011-04-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

This week we would like to welcome Eugene Biro Jewelry to our Designer Section of our online store. Stop in and visit the beautiful jewelry that this designer brings to our site. Fabulous Diamond Rings, Earring, Bracelets, and more!

Also, "like us" on Facebook. We will be featuring Eugene Biro designs through next week. To the right you will find the Eugene Biro Teardrop Diamond Pendant with an 18" chain...just one of their beautiful designs.

Mother's Day Clearance Sales - Jewelry at Discounted Prices Everyday!

2011-04-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day Sales!

With Mother's Day around the corner I wanted to let everyone know that we have a terrific "Jewelry Clearance Section" on our website.

We have over 700 pieces to choose from, all at deep discounted price. To order this lovely Mother's Day Necklace on the right click here, it is on sale this week too!

We also carry Mother's Rings in many different styles, that you can create and personalize. Please stop in and create your wish list today!

Happy Mother's Day...

Identity Theft Protection - Protect Your Credit Card This Way!

2011-04-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Technology...it is great, but once again technology brings us pleasure and pain. Yes it is great when you are in a hurry, and you can pay your bill just by waving your credit card in front of the scanner. However the technology that allows you to do that is a radio frequency identification chip (RFID). It is embedded in your credit card.

The issue is...it makes it easy for thieves to steal your information without stealing your purse, or wallet. From what I understand, all they have to do now is get their hands on a special scanner to take the information that is sent by the RFID chip.

You would think the credit card companies would send you a protective wallet when they issue you a card with this technology, but they don't. It is up to us, the consumer to protect ourselves; which is easy with a wallet that is designed to block the RFID signal, here are a few available at Amazon.

Amazon carries various styles with prices for every budget. Protect your cards, protect your identity today!

Free Offer - Sign Up Today for this Ground Floor Opportunity!

2011-03-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

BambooPink - This company is exploding over the internet as we speak thousands of people have already signed up nation-wide -- Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! BambooPink is a new fashionable, yet affordable jewelry line made and designed by a JudeFrances, a famous, high-end designer whose current line is sold in upscale department stores, is all over the red carpet and worn by Oprah and the likes!

Bamboopink has already become one of the fastest-growing women’s internet start-up companies in U.S. history! This company is the first of its kind -- an internet launched company and we will be given our own websites, apps, and technology for virtual trunk shows…so all of this can be done from your own home and without hosting parties!

What sets this company apart from other direct sales companies:

* GROUND FLOOR Opportunity!

* Strongest comp plan in the industry!

* Very successful “designer” multi-million dollar jeweler making/backing this jewelry!

* Instead of growing one sales rep at a time, we can grow hundreds of sales reps at a time with this innovative business model and free sign-up period – but the time to do that is NOW!

It’s simple to sign up, go to our site: www.bamboopink.net/jewelrygifts. Sign-ups are free for a limited time, with no risks or obligations…..just an OPPORTUNITY to take a “sneak peek” at this company, watch it unveil, and decide if it’s something you want to be a part of (you can walk away at any time if you decide you aren’t interested!).

The company is still forming and “unfolding” as we speak….this is your chance to get in on the GROUND FLOOR!!! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! And you can win fabulous jewelry and other prizes just for signing up and having friends who enroll with you!

This is an AMAZING, business opportunity by invitation only --- I hope you will consider joining me!

Designer Diamond Engagement Rings - Are They For You?

2011-03-04T07:57:00.000-08:00

Designer Diamond Engagement Rings! Whether you are looking for an Emerald Cut, A Cushion Cut, A Radiant Cut, or another Diamond Cut...Designer Diamond Engagement Rings are stunning. Here is an example of a beautiful 18K White Gold Princess-Shaped 1.37 Carat Diamond Designer Engagement Ring. Gifts of Diamonds are just about every girls dream.

"This elegant square-shaped designer engagement ring is presented in finely crafted, highly polished 18K White Gold and showcases a dazzling princess cut center stone (H/SI1, 1.00 Carat), beautifully complemented by 52 sparkling round brilliant cut diamond accents (H/VS, total 0.37 Carat), adorning the shank and surrounding the center stone to create this truly memorable jewelry piece. "

This spectacular ring comes with a thirty day - Risk Free return policy and Free Shipping Too. Plus you can save over $4,900 off the Suggested Retail Price. If this Diamond Engagement Ring is too pricey, you can go to the "Design Your Own Diamond Engagement Ring" section and design a ring that fits within your budget too.

It sure is great to have affordable options!

Aquamarine Care - The Traditional Birthstone for March!

2011-03-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

Aquamarine...

The name means “ocean water,” and tales of Aquamarine date back to ancient seafaring days. Sailors of old believed that these glittering, watery gems came from the treasure chests of mermaids. Perhaps it’s no wonder that Aquamarine is said to bring luck to all who sail the seas.

One of the most popular of all Gemstones, Aquamarine ranges in color from intense deep blue to lighter shades of sky and water.

Aquamarine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

The Best Accessories for the Motorola Atrix Andriod 4G Discounted!

2011-02-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

The Motorola Atrix Android 4G has some of the best optional accessories that include a super-thin laptop dock, that the ATRIX 4G is the "engine" for, and an HD media dock that uses ATRIX 4G's HDMI video output capabilities and processing power to enable a revolutionary browsing, application, productivity, and media experience. You can learn more about these great accessories here!

Some Features of the Motorola Atrix Android Smart Phone are:

Web pages open twice as fast
You can create, edit, and interact with all your documents
You can send instant messages and make phone calls all at the same time
Calls continue uninterrupted even if the ATRIX 4G is removed from the dock
With The Motorola ATRIX 4G the graphics and games render faster
ATRIX 4G offers up to 48 GB of memory
An On board GPS
You can check your Upgrade Eligibility at Amazon

There is much more information available on the Motorola Atrix Android, plus you have great accessories to choose from too. As mentioned above the Android Laptop Dock is nice, it has an thin design with an 11.6-inch screen, full keyboard, stereo speakers, 36Wh three-cell battery that delivers up to 8 hours of battery life and weighs just 2.4 pounds.

The Motorola Atrix 4G Android Phone Accessories Kit with an Exercise Armband and USB Motorola Atrix Car Charger is a great buy at only $18.85. Below are a few other accessories for the Atrix Android that you might like too.

Motorola Atrix 4G Android Phone Accessories Kit: Royal Blue Neoprene Exercise Armband + Pink Compatible USB Motorola Atrix Car Charger + Live * Laugh * Love Vangoddy Wrist Band!!!

Sleek Shock-Absorbing Protective Case Cover Skin for AT&T Motorola Atrix 4G Mb860 Android Smartphone ** Includes Micro-USB Charge / Sync Cable**

Motorola 89485N Entertainment Center/Webtop Access Kit for Motorola Atrix 4G (Motorola Retail Packaging)

Although we are an amazon associate, the indepth information and reviews from customers speak for themselves.

Where to Buy Your Nose Stud Jewelry - Even A Magnetic Nose Stud!

2011-02-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

Nose Stud Jewelry comes in quite a range, your selection is endless. One choice you have is Magnetic Nose Studs, which are great if you are undecided. Plus a Magnetic Nose Stud gives you the option to test drive Body Jewelry. I guess I would equate it with a fake Tattoo, give it a try and if you like it enough to go permanent great, but if you decide it isn't for you...no harm...no foul!

Anyway back to Nose Stud Jewelry. One of the more ornate nose jewelry, or body art is Indian Self Adhesive Body Art. You can put it where-ever you would like at a moments notice without piercing your body.

Now for those of you who Love Body Jewelry, and only want permanent piercings, you can opt for Nose Piercings, Tongue Piercings, Multiple Ear and Face Piercings, and quite a few "we can't mention it here" piercings.

What ever your personal style of piercing is...magnetic, self adhesive, or permanent, you will be able to find a good selection of Body Jewelry in our associates store. Stop in today for a great selection for yourself and for gift giving too!

To The Beauty of Great Body Art...

Caring for Your February Birthstone: Amethyst Gemstone Care!

2011-02-25T08:18:00.000-08:00

Amethyst is the Birthstone for February, but do you know how to care for your Birthstone Gem?

Gemstones are beautiful and with a little care on your part your jewelry will be as beautiful as ever!
The Amethyst Gemstone is a perfect Gem for everyday wear, it is rated "good" in this category. However you should avoid direct sunlight, and do not expose the Gemstone to heat. Exposure to heat can cause the color to fade. It is also important to avoid contact with chemicals; such as household cleaners.

To keep your beautiful Amethyst Gemstone Jewelry clean, just gently scrub with a "soft" toothbrush and a solution made of "mild" dish soap and warm water. Make sure to rinse well and completely dry off your jewelry. You can clean Amethyst Jewelry in one of those at home Ultrasonic cleaners if you choose. However the most gentle cleaning method is best.

Happy Birthday!

Wedding Day Blues - Picking The Wedding Band - Diamond, Platinum, or Gold?

2011-02-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

Wedding Day Blues...there are so many things to do to get ready for your big day. One of the most difficult choices is the Wedding Band Selection. You can pick from a set of His and Hers Wedding Bands, Diamond Wedding Bands, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ceramic or even separate styles; such as a Diamond Stackable Wedding Ring for Her, and a Titanium Wedding Band for Him. How do you Choose?

If you have an unlimited budget, you may want to select a Diamond Wedding Band, but if you want to cut costs, or just save money for the Honeymoon, a beautiful yet economical choice is the new Alternative Metals. You have Titanium, Stainless Steel, and the new Ceramic style.

Here are a few options for your Wedding Band:

Diamond Stackable Ring
Platinum Wedding Band
Yellow Gold
White Gold
Rose Gold
Titanium
Stainless Steel
Sterling Silver
Ceramic
Tungsten
Hand Engraved

The list goes on and on, so my suggestion to you would be to first determine your Wedding Band Budget, then only look at bands in the price range you can afford. This way you won't be swayed to spend money you either don't have at the moment, or want to save for something else. Remember you can always upgrade your Wedding Bands on special occasions; like anniversaries!

Get This Red-Hot Course to Tap Into The Lucrative World of Affiliate Marketing!

2011-02-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

Sky Rocket Your Sales!

Affiliate Marketing has been a hot topic for quite along time now, it can be a terrific way to earn income online, or to add to your offline income. Plus you can get started with Affiliate Marketing rather quickly too!

Plus...

You don't need a product of your own!
You don't need a website of your own!
You don't need an idea of your own!

I am happy to announce today that Jimmy D. Brown is offering PLR licensing to his Hot affiliate marketing course. That's right, his Simple Affiliate System course is now available with PLR licensing at this site just click here to check it out!

Some of the items Included in Jimmy D. Brown's PLR package are:

All 9 weekly course lessons in editable .doc format.
5 of his original ezine articles to use in promoting the Simple Affiliate System course. (PLR included!)
Ready to go solo mailing
Plus Over 200 pages of _____ you will have to check it out at this site to get all the details!

Check it out today, you won't be disappointed!

Introducing Our Diamond Engagement & Bridal Amazon Jewelry Shop!

2011-02-22T07:37:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!

Princess Blue Diamond Ring

Today we are introducing our Amazon Wedding Shop. Here you can search for the Engagement Ring of Your Dreams, Bridal Jewelry, His and Hers Wedding Bands, Spectacular Diamond Anniversary Bands, Gemstone Rings, Platinum Diamond Bridal Rings, Blue Diamond Engagement Rings, and Much more all in one easy to use Amazon aStore.

At our aStore you will find Bridal Jewelry for any Budget. Shop and Save with the terrific values that you will find at our Amazon aStore.

P.S. Remember to Treat Yourself Too!

Turquoise is one of The Traditional 6th Wedding Anniversary Gifts!

2011-02-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Indian Chief Ring

Turquoise is one of the 6th Wedding Anniversary Stones when presenting a jewelry gift for the occasion. Beautiful Blue Turquoise like the sky above! Perfect for gift giving for both men and woman.

This fine Men's Indian Chief Headdress Ring is made of Sterling Silver, Turquoise, Coral, Magnesite, and Onyx. The headdress signifies the highest rank in the tribe. A statement you will surely make giving this ring as a gift for your 6th Wedding Anniversary.

For the women you can choose from:

Turquoise rings
Necklaces
Bracelets
Earrings

Also, there is a perfume out called Pure Turquoise by Ralph Lauren to. The choices you have are endless, as long as your selection is heartfelt, it is sure to please.

Digital Watches For Men - The Timex Ironman Heart Rate Monitor Watch in stock now!

2011-02-19T22:19:00.000-08:00

The Timex Ironman Heart Rate Monitor Watch is a terrific gift to give, or a perfect treat for yourself!

As for Digital Watches for Men or Women... this Timex Ironman Heart Rate Monitor Watch is both stylish and technical. Which should make the weekend warrior and the serious athlete happy. Available at Amazon at a discounted price of $81.56, saving you over $48 dollars, plus you get FREE Super Saver Shipping to.

The watch features a chest strap heart rate monitor, large 3-line display for easy viewing of your workout data, and a full range of sport timing features. This watch features a silver face, durable black resin strap, and large buttons for easy access to timing functions. The model T5F001, Timex Ironman Triathlon heart rate monitor watch is unisex, so it can be worn by men or women. So whether you are searching for Heart Rate Digital Watches for Men or Women, this one will fit the bill.

For integrating heart rate monitoring into your training, this watch enables you to track your average heart rate and pre-set target heart rate zones. The Ironman also offers up to four linked interval timers, each with its own target zone, and a recovery timer that measures your heart rate after a timed recovery during or after your workout.

Additional features of the Timex Ironman T5F001 Unisex 100-Lap Target Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch include:

5 interval timer workouts with warm-up and cool-down
100-hour chronograph with lap and split, either in large digits
100-lap memory with average heart rate per laps
100-hour, 3-mode countdown timer
5 alarms with daily/weekday/weekend options
2-year battery life
Available at Amazon

The Indiglo night-light uniformly lights the surface of the watch dial using patented blue electroluminescent lighting technology. The Timex Ironman watch uses less battery power than most other watch illumination systems, enabling your watch battery to last longer. The Night Mode feature allows you to illuminate the Indiglo night-light for 3 seconds with any button press, regardless of the mode or function. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters (165 feet)--suitable for swimming but not for diving. All Timex heart rate monitor sensors have batteries that can be replaced by consumers without requiring them to be returned to the manufacturer; which is another plus with this watch.

Here are a few Customer Reviews:

Having used numerous HRM watches in the past, this is the best I've used thus far. It has everything you need, from automatic zone calculation to custom zones, to intervals, to lap timers, and it's GPS 3D compatible and shows your speed, distance, altitude, and even predicts your finish time.

I've had no problems with it at all. The signal is clear. As long as you keep the watch within 3 feet of the chest monitor, you won't have any problems.

I think the best feature of the Timex HRM watches though is that both the watch and chest monitor batteries are user-replaceable. It doesn't get any better than that.

I've owned this watch for a couple months now and I would recommend it to anyone, not just runners.

For more information on heart rate digital watches for men and women, including accessories you can go to Amazon for great prices and selection. We are an affiliate of Amazon.

Remember Valentine's Day is February 14th - Treat her to Pink Sapphires for a Change!

2011-01-29T11:45:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day...

Diamond & Sapphire Valentine Gift

I know I know, you are thinking wait it was just Christmas and now here it comes Valentines Day. Well you can get the standard Chocolates, or Beautiful Roses, or even a Gold Covered Rose, but for those of you who want to go a step or two further...how about Pink Sapphires?

We are running a 7 Day Valentine Special on a Pink Sapphire and Diamond Heart Pendant, that comes with an 18" solid gold rope chain. The pendant actually has 3 components, so you can wear the gift in many different ways.

The best part is you can save $430 off the Suggested Retail Price this week too! So stop in and check it out if you want to say "I Love You" in more ways than one.

Amethyst - The Traditional Birthstone of February; the story goes like this...

2011-01-29T07:12:00.000-08:00

Amethyst & Diamond Earrings

The Amethyst Gemstone...

The Amethyst Gemstone can range anywhere from a light Lilac color to a deep deep Majestic Purple color. For those who are passionate about purple, Amethyst is the perfect Gemstone for your jewelry.

Amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion, maybe due to its richness of color. The legend of its origin is one of revenge, devotion, and immortal remorse.

The story of Amethyst goes like this...

“The story is told that Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, was insulted one day by a mortal. Enraged, he called forth vicious tigers to exact revenge on the next mortal who would cross his path. This individual was, unfortunately, the maiden Amethyst. On her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, the innocent girl suddenly found herself face to face with the tigers of the vengeful God. To save her from the beasts, Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. So beautiful was the maiden that Dionysus, in sorrow and remorse, wept tears of rich wine over the statue. His tears stained the quartz, thus creating the poetic gem which still bears her name.”

Amethyst Care...

Amethyst is good for everyday wear, but avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause the color to fade, and avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. We are a compensated Amazon affiliate.

The 5th Wedding Anniversary Gift - Do you know what it is?

2011-01-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

Emerald Cut Sapphire & Princess Diamond Ring

One of the Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gift is the Sapphire. A jewelry gift that includes sapphires is sure to please the most discriminating tastes.

Blue Sapphire…the color blue holds an endless fascination. From the high dome of the sky to the oceans that cover two-thirds of the globe’s surface, blue literally surrounds us. Seen from space, Earth is revealed as a shimmering blue planet. It’s little wonder then, that the breathtaking blue of Sapphire has captured man’s imagination from the beginning. Ranging from the deepest midnight to brilliant cornflower blue, sapphires have long been prized for their intense, velvety color.

The ancients believed that Blue Sapphire – holding in its depths the power of sea and sky – had influence over the spirit world as well; among its reputed powers was the ability to make peace between warring parties. The calming influence of blue has also made it an enduring symbol for loyalty and trust – one reason that women around the world choose Sapphire for their engagement rings.

Flattering to all skin tones, Blue Sapphire is truly a color for all seasons. Blue Sapphire Care – Sapphires are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. Information by SI.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Why Does Gold Cause Your Fingers to Discolor? Find out Here.

2011-01-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

14k White Gold Floral Wedding Band
Why Does Gold Discolor Fingers?

You customers may think that faulty manufacturing or underkarating might be the problem when a ring "turns," blackening or discoloring the skin and clothing, or the jewelry itself. However, that is not the case. You can help them understand the causes, and how to prevent them.

The most common reason is metallic abrasion, caused by makeup on skin or clothing. Cosmetics often contain compounds harder than the jewelry itself, which wear or rub off very tiny particles. Very finely divided metal always appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like a jet-black dust. When this dust comes into contact with absorbent surfaces such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black smudge.

To prevent this, your customers should try switching cosmetics. If this is not possible, recommend that they remove rings and other jewelry while applying them, and clean skin areas in contact with jewelry with soap and water. Another cause is actual corrosion of the metals. Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper will do so—forming very dark chemical compounds—under moist or wet conditions.

When your customer perspires, fats and fatty acids released can cause corrosion of 14-karat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in seacoast and semitropical areas, where chlorides combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewelry and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off on the skin.

Suggest that your customer remove jewelry often and use an absorbent powder, free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewelry.

Even the design of jewelry can be an influence. Wide shanks have more surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives. Concave surfaces inside a shank form collection points that trap moisture and contaminants, also causing a type of dermatitis.

Have customers remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents, and clean their rings frequently. As well as solving the problem, they’ll be amazed at how much better their rings look!

In addition to these corrective actions, recommend that customers switch to 18-karat gold or platinum. The lower alloy content of 18-karat gold—25%, versus almost 42%—significantly reduces the problem, and the use of platinum should eliminate it completely.

Above Information provided by SI

What is the Difference between Anti Aging Creams and Serums?

2010-12-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

A Review of Anti-Aging Creams and Serums...

Wei East White Lotus Serum

Since the demand for anti-aging skin care products are at an all time high, manufacturers are constantly changing their methods of delivering dewy, youthful skin to their customers. Anti-aging creams are the standard; a hybrid formula based on tried and true moisturizers.

The newer product on the scene is the serum, an over the counter variation on products that were initially used by Aestheticians and Dermatologists for their patients advanced skin care. Now you can buy either type at prices ranging from department store prices to discount store level prices.

Creams are soothing, rich and designed to provide the extra moisture that aging, sun exposure, and environmental toxins steal from the skin over time. No longer is the cream...the big generic jar of your grandmother's on the dresser, that went on the whole body from face to toes. Today's anti-aging creams are specially designed for the face and neck.

Creams also come in formulas that are suitable for dry, oily or combination skin types. Choosing a cream for your skin is extremely important. Retinal the Vitamin A derivative, is found in creams at all price points. Naturally the more expensive creams have a larger amount of retinal A than the lower price products.

Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Grape Seed Oil are also popular additives in anti-aging cream moisturizers. Cream moisturizers for day wear need to have a high sun protection factor (SPF), while night creams do not need this feature.

Serums are also getting much attention in the anti-aging market for their claims of faster, more visible results than creams can deliver. As with anti-aging creams, the key ingredients in most serums are Retinal (Vitamin A) and also peptides.

It is the delivery of the peptides, that are rapidly absorbed into the skin that gives the notable changes. Peptides act on the collagen levels, which make the skin appear fuller and cause wrinkles to be less visible.

Continuous use of these serums is absolutely necessary to stimulate collagen productions. Erratic use of serums will not sustain the visible results you want. Top quality serums tend to cost more than creams. Some serums have a two step process compared with creams that you simply apply to the face. Another claimed advantage for serums is the inclusion of an ingredient - argireline- which works on the skin much like Botox, but without the toxins.

Argireline is a safe way to relax the muscles, which then smooths out wrinkles. Serums with high concentrations of this element claim up to 25% reduction in fine line and wrinkles after 30 days o continuous use. Argireline is also said to reverse sun damage effects on the skin.

The choice of creams versus serums for anti-aging skincare is largely an issue of cost and ease of use. One way to get the best of both worlds at a price savings is to use a serum for several months to achieve the desired wrinkle reduction, and then switch to an anti-aging cream.

If that works well, you can keep up your visible skin improvements using a combination skin care regimen at a lower average cost. You can add back the serums for a month several times a year to boost your results.

Or, you can also conduct your own comparison study. Use a serum for 30 days and then take a close up picture of your skin to see the results. Then switch to a cream for the next 30 days and take another picture of your skin. Compare these closely to see whether serum or cream is the best anti-aging skincare product for your skin, your daily cosmetic routine, and of course your budget.

Here are a few terrific skin care products from Wei East, you can get them at Amazon.com, where I am also an affiliate.

Wei East China Herbal Youth Recaptured Serum 1.25 oz.

Wei East Chestnut Firming Essence

Wei East Chestnut Instant Lifting Serum - AutoShip

Wei East White Lotus Defining Moment Correcting and Finishing Serum

Wei East Chestnut Natural Face Lift Firming Beauty Treatment Pads

What Should You Give on The 4th Wedding Anniversary?

2010-12-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

The 4th Anniversary Gift...what should you give?

Traditionally there are a few choices, and a gift of Amethyst is among your list. Beautiful purple Amethyst is also the Birthstone for February.

Amethyst...

The Amethyst Gemstone can range from a light Lilac color to a deep Purple color. For those who are passionate about purple, Amethyst is the perfect Gemstone for your jewelry.

Amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion, maybe due to its richness. The legend of its origin is one of revenge, devotion, and immortal remorse.

“The story is told that Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, was insulted one day by a mortal. Enraged, he called forth vicious tigers to exact revenge on the next mortal who would cross his path. This individual was, unfortunately, the maiden Amethyst. On her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, the innocent girl suddenly found herself face to face with the tigers of the vengeful God. To save her from the beasts, Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. So beautiful was the maiden that Dionysus, in sorrow and remorse, wept tears of rich wine over the statue. His tears stained the quartz, thus creating the poetic gem which still bears her name.”

Diamond Education - Review the Glossary of Terms Here

2010-12-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

Diamond Education

Here is a list of Terms for you to know about Diamonds, brought to you by ADiamondGift Education Center.

Baguette shape
A rectangular-shaped diamond with rows of step-like facets. If the baguette’s two long sides taper inward, it is called a Tapered baguette.

Bar setting
Similar to the channel setting, it is a circular band of diamonds that holds each stone in by a long thin bar, shared between two stones.

Barion cut
This has a traditional step-cut crown and a modified brilliant-cut pavilion. A square barion cut diamond has 61 facets, excluding the culet.

Bearding or girdle fringes
The outermost portion of the diamond, called the girdle, can develop small cracks that resemble whiskers during the polishing process. The bearding can sometimes be removed, if not too dramatic, with slight re-polishing, and if the weight allows.

Bezel setting
With a bezel setting, a rim holds the stone and completely surrounds the gem. Bezels can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be molded into any shape to accommodate the stone.

Blemishes
The term blemish is used when the diamond has scratches or marks on the external area of the stone.

Brilliance
Liveliness, or sparkle in a stone when light is reflected from the surface and from the total internal reflection of light.

Brilliant-cut
Brilliant cuts are scientifically found to reflect the most light from within the stone, and often are considered to have the most brilliance of all cuts. A round brilliant-cut diamond has 58 facets. Other brilliant cuts include the heart, oval, marquise and pear shaped.

Certification (or Diamond Grading Reports)
There are many recognized gemological laboratories that can grade your diamond for a fee.

Channel setting
A channel setting is where the stones are set right next to each other with no metal separating them. This setting is used most frequently for wedding and anniversary bands.

Cluster setting
This setting surrounds a larger center stone with several smaller stones. It is designed to create a beautiful larger ring from many smaller stones.

Crown
This is the upper portion or the top of a diamond.

Culet
The bottom point of the diamond. It may be polished in some stones. Please note that sometimes the cutter may choose to make the culet a surface instead of a point.

Cushion cut
A mixed-cut diamond shaped like a square pillow.

Cutting style
Cutting styles are different than diamond shapes. The simplest and most common way to explain cutting style is to categorize it into the following three basic types: Step-cut, Brilliant-cut and Mixed-cut.

Deep cut
Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a finished diamond. When a diamond is cut too deep, it will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value.

Diamond
A diamond is the hardest known natural substance. It is crystallized carbon. Diamonds are mined in their rough form and then cut and polished to reveal their brilliance.

Diamond Grading Reports
There are many recognized gemological laboratories that can grade your diamond for a fee.

Dispersion
When light enters a diamond it reflects off the facets and the angles cut into the stone. This distribution of light is known as dispersion, or the display of the spectral colors.

Emerald shape
A rectangular or square-shaped cut-cornered diamond.

Facets
These are tiny surfaces polished onto a rough diamond that give a finished diamond its shape. The way light interacts with these facets affects a diamond's brilliance and sparkle.

Fancy shapes
Any diamond shape other than round – e.g. marquise, square, emerald, oval, heart and pear.

Feather
A feather is a type of inclusion or flaw within a diamond. It is described often as a small crack, fissure or gletz.

Finish
The word finish is used to describe the exterior of the diamond. If a diamond is well polished, it has a very good finish.

Fire
Often a term used instead of “dispersion,” it is the variety and intensity of rainbow colors seen when light is reflected from a diamond.

Flat-top setting
Like the Gypsy setting, this setting has a band that is one continuous piece that gets thicker at the top. A flat-top setting grows broader at the top so that a faceted stone can be inserted into the ring at the broadest part. The stone is held in place by metal chips attached at the stone’s girdle.

Fluorescence
When exposed to ultraviolet light, a diamond may exhibit a more whitish, yellowish or bluish tint, which may imply that the diamond has a property called fluorescence. The untrained eye can rarely see the effects of fluorescence. Diamond grading reports often state whether a diamond has fluorescent properties. Fluorescence is not considered a grading factor, only a characteristic of that particular diamond.

Girdle
The girdle is the outermost edge of the diamond between the crown and the pavilion.

Growth or grain lines
These can be considered internal flaws, and can often be seen only by rotating the diamond very slowly. They can appear and disappear almost instantaneously. They appear as small lines or planes within the diamond.

Gypsy setting
The Gypsy setting is predominantly used for men’s jewelry. The band is one continuous piece that gets thicker at the top. The top is dome shaped and the stone is inserted in the middle.

Illusion setting
This setting is more intricate than others in that it surrounds the stone to make it appear larger. The metal that surrounds the stone usually has an interesting design.

Inclusions
Often referred to as "nature’s fingerprints," these are internal imperfections within most diamonds. They are what makes a diamond so unique, as a fingerprint does for a person. These birthmarks are measured on a scale of perfection known as clarity. Some common names of inclusions include cloud, crystal, pinpoint, and feather. The position of inclusions can affect the clarity of a diamond and therefore the value.

Marquise shape
A boat-shaped diamond that is long and thin with gently curved sides that come to a point on either end. Marquise is part of the brilliant-cut family.

Mixed-cut
This cut has both step-cut and brilliant-cut facets. Mixed cuts combine the beauty of the emerald cut with the sparkle of the brilliant cut.

Pavilion
Bottom portion of the stone, under the girdle, measuring to the culet.

Pinpoint
A pinpoint is a small dot, which is an inclusion within a diamond. A gathering of pinpoints is called a "cluster" or "cloud." A cloud or cluster can appear as a hazy area in the diamond.

Polish
Indicates the care taken by the cutter in shaping and facetting the rough stone into a finished and polished diamond.

Poor cut
Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a finished diamond. A poorly cut diamond can be either cut too deep or too shallow. A deep or shallow cut diamond will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value.

Princess cut
A square or sometimes rectangular-shaped modified brilliant-cut diamond.

Prong or claw setting
It consists of four or six claws that cradle the diamond. Because this setting allows the maximum amount of light to enter a stone from all angles, it sometimes can make a diamond appear larger and more brilliant than its actual weight. This setting can also hold larger diamonds more securely.

Proportion
The proportions of a diamond are very important, so that the maximum amount of light be reflected off and out of a stone. Proportion is the relationship between the angles of the facets of the crown and pavillion.

Radiant cut
A rectangular or square shaped diamond with step-cut and scissor-cut on the crown and a brilliant-cut on the pavilion.

Scintillation
When light reflects from a diamond, the sparkling flashes that come from the facets of the gem are known as scintillation.

Shallow cut
Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a finished diamond. When a diamond is cut too shallow, it will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value.

Shape
Shape refers to form or appearance of a diamond - i.e. whether the diamond is round, triangular, square, marquise, pear, oval or heart-shaped.

Step-cut
The step cut has rows of facets that resemble the steps of a staircase. The emerald cut and the baguette are examples of the step cut.

Symmetry
A diamond's symmetry is the arrangement of the facets and finished angles, created by the diamond cutter. Excellent symmetry of a well-cut and well-proportioned diamond can have a great effect on the diamond's brilliance and fire. Grading reports will often state the diamond's symmetry in terms Excellent, Very good, Good, Fair, or Poor.

Table facet
This is the largest facet of a diamond. It is located on the top of the diamond. The table facet is sometimes referred to as the “face.”

Table spread
Term used to describe the width of the table facet, often expressed as a percentage of the total width of the stone.

Tension setting
A tension-set diamond is held in place by the pressure of the band’s metal, which is designed to “squeeze” the stone.

Well cut
Well cut proportions ensure the maximum compromise between fire and brilliance. When light enters a properly cut diamond, it is reflected from facet to facet, and then back up through the top, exhibiting maximum brilliance, fire and sparkle.

Chocolate Covered Bacon - A Bacon & Chocolate Lover's Dream Gift

2010-12-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Covered Bacon...

The Ultimate Gift for the person who Love's Bacon and Chocolate. I couldn't let the Holiday Season go by without telling you about this decadent desert. Chocolate Covered Bacon...can you believe it! Who would think these two delectable treats would could be married together in such a fashion. Much different then Chocolate Covered Pretzels, or Chocolate Covered Strawberries, but oh so good!

I make my own and use a medium cut Bacon (between thick and thin), you have to experiment with what you like. For instance you might prefer Dark Chocolate, while I prefer Milk Chocolate. Either way if you love the combination of Salty and Sweet, this just might be one of the best things ever. So give it a try, and bring it to your next Holiday Party, or even as a surprise dessert on Christmas Day...you will be the talk of the party that's for sure.

If you would rather have this scrumptious treat made for you, you can try Vosges Haut Chocolat, Mo's Bacon Bar at Amazon.com. The link is below, and although I am a affiliate of Amazon, the reviews speak for themselves (see below for product reviews).

Vosges Haut Chocolat, Mo's Bacon Bar (3oz Bar)

What customer's are saying:

Shockingly Delicious Bacon & ChocolateThis bar is best experienced with other people--just in case you or they do not like it. As a couple of reviewers indicated, they thought the taste was off. When I heard about it, I thought it sounded disgusting. However, when I tried it, it was delicious, delightful, and stunningly good.

Interesting and rich, but not something you'd eat everyday
I was excited to pop that first little chunk of Mo's Bacon Bar in and see what happened. Well, lots of things happened. The flavors were strong, yet subtle at the same time, which my confused my mind a little. The smoked salt is brilliant if you can snag a piece of a good granule of that in it. The bacon was really good, but it nearly blew it off the richness charts for my taste buds, anyway.

Bottom line: I think everyone should at least try one of these in their lifetime. It's a unique experience for sure or bring one to a friend's gathering (it WILL get attention and some talk). Otherwise, this is something you'd have maybe once or twice a year or for a special occasion. Trust me, if I ate one of these everyday - I'm not sure I'd make it past day three because they are RICH!

Fabulous exotic chocolate bar. The blend of chocolate and bacon is superb. There are just the right amounts of salt, savory and sweet. This is (by far) my favorite (EVER) chocolate bar. It is rich, creamy and decadent. This bar makes the perfect treat to give yourself for accomplishing something special, for finishing a task at home (or work), after you've had a bad day, after you've had a GOOD day... or give one to yourself in order to celebrate any day which ends with the letter "Y"....

too much of a good thing...When I saw this bar I was very excited to try it. Unfortunately, it missed the mark. They added bacon and alder wood smoked salt. For me, one or the other would have been great, but together was just too much for my taste. The $8.99 price tag made it even harder to swallow.

The combination is not for everyone, but you won't know unless you give it a try. Hmmmmmm Chocolate Covered Bacon.

Pearls or Jade is the Gift to Give on the 3rd Anniversary

2010-12-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

Pearls...

Pearls have been an object of desire from the first days of human society. Throughout Asia and the Mediterranean, Pearls were treasured not only for their rare beauty but as symbols of harmony, purity, and wisdom. Down through the centuries, man’s desire for the perfection of Pearls has not waned. The exotic, lustrous skin of Pearls, smooth and silky to hand and eye, embodies all that is feminine.

Pearls are truly a gift of the sea. Born from the Pinctada fucata martensii oyster, Akoya Pearls are what people typically imagine when thinking of a pearl. Made famous by Kokichi Mikimoto, who helped perfect modern-day pearl culturing techniques. Akoya Cultured Pearls grow between 2.0 and 9.0 mm. They are primarily farmed in salt water through central and southern Japan and along the coast of China.

The overtones of the average Akoya Pearl range from pale cream to pinkish white, champagne and silvery grey. These overtone hues, when properly matched to the complexion of their owner are what make Pearl jewelry a unique statement of perfection and grace.

No other jewel makes the transition from day to evening as smoothly as Pearls. In addition to the classic Pearl strands and stud earrings, creative new designs are helping to bring these alluring gems to the forefront of the fashion world. Either by themselves or paired with other colored gems, lustrous Akoya Pearls offer glamorous sophistication and timeless elegance.

Pearl care – Pearls are not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing their Pearls. Avoid exposure to the heat and protect from scratches and hard blows. Avoid contact with chemicals, especially perfumes, perspiration and hair sprays. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth. Information provided by SI.

Review on the Garnet - The Gemstone Gift to Give on the Second Anniversary

2010-12-19T07:59:00.000-08:00

The Garnet Gemstone...

Beautiful Garnet Earrings

There are many types of Garnet; here you will find information on Mozambique and Rhodolite Garnet. Garnet is the Gemstone to give on your 2nd Anniversary. Beautiful Jewelry decorated with fine Garnets are sure to please!

Mozambique Garnet is a glowing deep red gemstone with slight hints of orange and brown, reminds us of an autumn harvest or Indian summer. You will be captivated by the warmth it brings to the creation of any jewelry design. It has been said that the Garnet Gemstone was once believed to have healing properties.

Rhodolite Garnet can bring happiness to any day with its shimmering Raspberry color. “Tales of Garnet date back to the time of Noah, who is said to have steered the Ark by a lantern made of this dazzling gem.”

The brilliance of Garnet is a result of its high refraction of light. This may explain the stone’s reputation for lighting up the night. Garnet jewels were also used in ancient Rome and Egypt, where they were held to ward off evil.

Garnet is rated “good” for everyday wear, so there is no need to worry about wearing your Garnet Jewelry all the time. To care for your Garnet Birthstone, avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature.

Clean gently with a soft toothbrush and a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Information provided by SI, and we are a paid affiliate of Amazon.com.

FREE eBooks to Help You Start Your Internet Business Today!

2010-12-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

Worldwide Brands Free ebooks are rich with helpful information and educational content that is even used by eBay University! Our free ebooks are written by Chris Malta, CEO of Worldwide Brands. Chris writes these books from years of personal experience.

If you haven't heard about Worldwide Brands Inc. you should check them out today. This is where a lot of the top eBay sellers, Yahoo & Amazon store owners get their wholesale & drop ship products from. Worldwide Brands can even help you decide what to sell, where to find it, and how to sell it. Plus remember to watch the Wholesale biz tip video below.

The products they have are educational and they will help walk you through all the steps (how-to's) when you are starting your online store.

They have 2 products. The Whole $ale, and The Product Sourcing Membership. The Product Sourcing Membership helps you decide what a good product to sell online is. It will show you the Demand, Competition, Auction, and Retail pricing so you KNOW what your competition is doing.

They also have a ton of FREE videos, audios, and ebooks for you to download. Just click on the banner at the top of the page to start downloading your free ebooks today.

Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Worldwide Brands.

Free Ring Sizer - follow these steps to check your size!

2010-12-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

Click here to get your Free Ring Sizer, compliments of ADiamondGift.

Do you use WordPress? Check this out today... MarketerCMS

2010-12-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

If you do business online, today your life just got a lot easier...

So you need a Website or another Website, you have so many choices, you ask...Where do I start? How do I start? How much money do I spend? The list goes on and on, you may even become overwhelmed with all the choices that you never get started. You know the old saying: Over analysis leads to paralysis!

Here is a terrific system called MarketerCMS for you to check out today. The MarketerCMS system is an amazing new tool that will allow you to create a Website that not only looks good but is Google friendly with no technical skills needed. Plus if you order this weekend December 18 and December 19, 2010, you will get a special bonus too!

You will be surprised as to how quickly you will be able to get your site up and running. Using MarketerCMS you can create your optin page, video's, sales letters and much more within a short time...just a few clicks and really you are done. This system will save you so much time, you will be able to focus on marketing and get the boost you need to be successful online.

What will you do? Will you hire someone to build your site, or will you try MarketerCMS?

Here are a few features:

Easy to install Wordpress theme
All in one solution
No need to know HTML
No technical skills are required

Why you need it:

You are in control of your business
You do not have to wait for anyone
No more wasting time

Just Click here for more information, and to take TOTAL Control of your Business! PS: Remember the bonus for ordering this weekend.

Note: I am a compensated affiliate for the Armand Morin Network

Clearance Jewelry Just In Time for The Holidays! Shop & Save Today!

2010-12-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

It is cold outside, snow is falling, and there are only 8.5 days to finish your Christmas Shopping, all with a potential weekend Nor'easter on our tails!

At ADiamondGift we have plenty of great Clearance Sale Jewelry Items, from Diamond Rings, to Black and White Diamond Bands, Necklaces, and Men's Jewelry too! Plus we have beautiful Pre-Owned Rolex Watches, Watches for Men and Women, and Designer Jewelry. Basically we have something under every price range. You can also create your own Diamond Engagement Ring, or Diamond Bracelet.

Plus if you are waiting until Valentine's Day to pop the question, we have a fabulous selection of fine quality Diamond Rings. I know Christmas isn't even over yet, but some designer rings take time to complete the finish product so I thought I would mention it here today.

Anyway, no matter what you decide stop in and check out our Diamond Education Center for important information on Diamonds before you buy. Remember to check out our Clearance Section, or stop back after Christmas if you decide to treat yourself.

A Beautiful 44 Carat Total Weight Diamond Bracelet!

Diamond Stud Earrings - Design Your Own Today!

2010-12-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

Diamond Earrings....

Diamonds always make a terrific gift idea through the holiday season. You can create your own Diamond Stud Earrings, choosing from 14k or 18k White Gold or Yellow Gold, and if you prefer a Platinum setting, they are available too. You will find Round or Princess Cut Diamonds to choose from, in various color and clarity grades. Allowing you to create a pair of Diamond Stud Earrings within your price range.

What Determines Diamond Prices You Ask?

When buying a diamond always remember that there are four key factors that determine the value of a Diamond. These factors are collectively known as the four C’s.

Carat
Cut
Color
Clarity

The combination and variables of these factors drive both the value of the diamond and more importantly - they determine the brilliance of the stone. There is a direct correlation between the precision of the diamonds clarity, color, cut and the carat.

Click here if you would like the Glossary of Terms associated with Diamonds. Here you will find valuable information, and answers to many of your questions before you buy your Diamonds.

Kindle Review - All New Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device

2010-12-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Watch this Video on the Kindle 3G - Smaller, Lighter, and Faster!

The Facts:....

Kindle is one of the most wished for gifts on Amazon. It is also the most gifted product on Amazon and now it is even better.

Kindle 3G Features:

All-New, High-Contrast E Ink Screen – 50% better contrast with latest E Ink Pearl technology
Read in Bright Sunlight – No glare
New and Improved Fonts – New crisper, darker fonts
New Sleek Design – 21% smaller body while keeping the same 6" size reading area
15% Lighter – Only 8.7 ounces, weighs less than a paperback
Battery Life of One Month – A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off
Double the Storage – Up to 3,500 books
Books in 60 Seconds – Download books anytime, anywhere
Free 3G Wireless – No monthly payments, no annual contracts
Built-In Wi-Fi – In addition to the 3G wireless, you can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots
20% Faster Page Turns – Seamless reading
Enhanced PDF Reader – With dictionary lookup, notes, and highlights
New WebKit-Based Browser – Free 3G web browsing (experimental)
You can purchase the Kindle 3G - at Amazon here
Note - we are also an affiliate of Amazon.

The Reviews:

"
New Kindle leaves rivals farther back." - New York Times
"
Amazon's newest Kindle is the best ebook-reading device on the market. It's better than the Apple iPad, the Barnes & Noble Nook, the various Sony readers…" - Fast Company
"
Battery life is long enough for space shuttle missions." - Wired
"
What's clear, however, is that if you're looking for a standalone e-reader (i.e., a portable replacement for physical books), this is the go-to, standard-setting device." - Engadget
"
Its solid build quality, along with its improved design, integrated store, and cross-platform transportability… all add up to a winner that shoots to the head of the pack." - PC World
"
Simply put, it's the best dedicated ebook reader you can buy… Amazon has managed to increase the contrast on the Kindle in a way that sets it above the Nook, Sony Readers, or any other dedicated ebook reader we've tested." - PC Magazine
The Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device is a perfect gift to give or receive. For a full list of all the features with descriptions you can go to Amazon where you will find all the information you need to compare this product with other similar products.

Watch this Video on the Kindle 3G

Dr. Oz's 12 Days of Christmas, Pt. 2

2010-12-13T08:47:00.001-08:00

Learn how to survive the holidays without paying for it in the New Year. Get tips to fight stress, weight gain and more. Follow Dr. Oz’s advice and...

Read This Before You Buy Your First Anniversary Jewelry Gift!

2010-12-12T04:53:00.000-08:00

Peridot...

Peridot is the the Gemstone that represents the Traditional Gemstone for your First Anniversary. So if you are celebrating your First Anniversary soon, or during the Holidays a lovely gift with this beautiful Gemstone will be a wonderful idea.

Below you will find information from SI which is all about Peridot!

Peridot is treasured by the Hawaiian peoples who believed the gem to be the tears of the Goddess Pele. Peridot was known in the ancient world as well; the Romans named the gem “Evening Emerald” as its brilliant color did not fad in lamplight, but instead seemed to glow in the evening hours. Partly for this reason, Peridot was believed to help dreams become reality and to drive away the evil spirits of the night.

Much of the Peridot available on the market is mined by Native Americans on Arizona’s San Carlos Reservation. These select Peridot are noted as “Arizona” in jewelry settings.

Peridot’s freshness invigorates and delights the senses. Intense and dazzling, its juicy color finds appeal across the generations. Those attracted to the vivid colors enjoy Peridot’s refreshing tartness.

Peridot care:

Peridot is rated “ fair” for everyday so wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean Peridot, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Rubies "The King of Gems" Facts and Characteristics

2010-12-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

The Ruby

Common Shapes:
Ovals, cushions, pear, emerald cuts & others

Interesting Facts:

The earliest record of Ruby mining is from Sri Lanka 2,500 years ago. Historically, many believed that mystical powers lie within this intensely colored red stone. When inserted beneath the skin, the ancient Burmese believe that the stone generates a mystical force, which protects the wearer from accidents and attack. In the ancient world, many believed Rubies to contain prophetic powers, enabling wearers to predict their future based on the color changes of their stone. The ancient Hindus enchanted by the color of Rubies considered them to be "Ratnaraj" or the "King of Precious Stones". Its name is derived from the Latin word "Rubeus".

Today, Burma is the world's largest supplier of high quality Rubies. Many consider Burmese Rubies from the Mogok Valley to be the world's finest. Vietnam, Kenya, Tanzania and Sri Lanka are some other sources of this truly enchanting gemstone. With large deposits near the Cambodian border, Thailand was formerly the world's largest supplier of Rubies but modern environmental regulations have greatly reduced the incidence of mining.

Characteristics:

Rubies and Sapphires are closely related, having corundum as their base mineral. The difference in color occurs because of the different trace minerals contained within each gemstone. Thai Rubies tend to have a darker color and less intensity than Burmese Rubies, which are known for their high quality and high price range; however, very fine Rubies can be found in Thailand at very affordable prices. African Rubies tend to have heavy inclusions, but beautiful stones with fine clarity can be found, usually in the higher price range.

Rubies come in many different shapes and sizes, providing great variety to gemstone lovers. With hardness just below that of diamonds, Rubies are one of the toughest gemstones, and with no cleavage, breakage rarely occurs.

Microscopic inclusions, sometimes called "silk", are a normal characteristic of Rubies. However, heating tends to dissolve these inclusions. The existence of inclusions provides traces to the Rubies' origin and can be used to separate natural from synthetic stones. The inclusions within these gemstones may also be evidence that a Ruby has not been heat-treated. Inclusions do not affect the value of the stone as long as the brilliance of the gemstone is maintained and they are not visible to the naked eye.

Evaluation:

Intensity and uniformity of the red color are the factors used to determine the price of Rubies. Highly valued Rubies are those with intense medium red and uniformed color. Intense Pink Rubies can be highly appraised as well, if they are clear and beautifully cut. The evaluation of Rubies should be done under different light settings. When viewed under very strong light, Rubies may show very intense color; however, when viewed under normal lighting, the gemstone may appear less intense. Light is therefore a very important factor in determining the true color of Rubies.

To help assess their symmetry, Rubies must be judged from their face up position and their overall beauty should always be taken into consideration.

Above Information from the education provided on ADiamondGift.

Diamond Certificates and The Most Prominent Laboratories

2010-12-09T21:21:00.000-08:00

Diamond Certificates why they are important, and what they provide to you the buyer! Diamond certificates are issued by independent gemological laboratories. There are several grading laboratories, the most prominent being:

The International Gemological Institute (IGI)
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
The American Gem Society (AGS)
The European Gemological Laboratories (EGL)
The World Diamond Council (HRD)
GemEx Systems

The reason it is important to have a Diamond evaluated by an Independent Gemological Laboratory is that Diamonds often contain minute, invisible to the naked eye inclusions or imperfections. These can have a major influence on the price. A Diamond Certificate is a document issued by a Gemological Laboratory and is essentially a statement confirming the characteristics and authenticity of a Diamond and will usually contain the following information:

Reference number
This number allows laboratories to access your Diamond information in the event of any queries you may have.

Shape & Style / Cut
The shape & style characteristics relating to your Diamond. Eg. Round Brilliant.

Measurements
The measurements for your Diamond, which will either be shown as (minimum diameter) – (maximum diameter) x (depth) for round brilliant Diamonds and (length-top to bottom) x (width-left to right) x (depth) for all other shapes. All measurements will be given in millimeters.

Proportions
This information is used to highlight your Diamonds values in terms of girdle, culet, durability, weight ratio and tilt.

Finish
Used to describe the Polish & Symmetry of your Diamond and relates to how smooth the Diamonds facets are. Finish information also takes into account the placement of the Diamonds facets and their uniformity.

Color
The laboratories opinion on the color of your Diamond. This may be displayed as a letter (D to Z, with D being a colorless Diamond) or as a number (0 to 10, with 0 being used to describe a colorless Diamond).

Clarity
This information refers to any blemishes and inclusions that your Diamond may have. This information may be displayed as Flawless / Internally Flawless (FL/IF) to I (Included). As with color, this information may also be displayed as numbers (0-10), with 0 representing a Flawless / Internally Flawless Diamond.

Fluorescence
This part of the report provides you with information on any fluorescence in your Diamond. Fluorescence is a form of illumination that is created when a Diamond is exposed to low or high wave ultraviolet radiation. Fluorescence is graded from none through faint, slight, medium or moderate and continues up to strong and extreme.

Weight
This section gives your Diamonds weight information, to the nearest thousandth of a carat (one carat = 0.2 grams). Carats are further divided into points. Points are used to describe Diamonds of sizes less than one carat in weight. A hundredth of a carat is also called a point. Therefore a 0.10 carat stone can be called either 10 points, or 1/10 of a carat.

Plot
This part of a Diamond Grading Report will show an enlarged picture of your Diamond and will illustrate the location/s of any blemishes or inclusions in your Diamond.

Scale
Use this part of your report to compare your Diamonds characteristics against the Color, Cut & Clarity scales.

Worthy of note is that Gemological Laboratories do not sell Diamonds and therefore are able to remain totally impartial when assessing a Diamonds grade.

Information provided by ADiamondGift under the Education Center.

Traditional Anniversary Gemstone Selection Guide

2010-12-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of the Traditional Anniversary Gemstones - This information will guide you for when you are looking to purchase a jewelry gift for your special day!

Anniversary Year and Gemstone

1st - Peridot

2nd - Red Garnet

3rd - Jade or Pearl

4th - Blue Zircon, Topaz, or Amethyst

5th - Pink Tourmaline or Sapphire

6th - Turquoise or Amethyst

7th - Yellow Sapphire

8th - Tanzanite or Tourmaline

9th - Amethyst, Lapis, or Tiger's Eye

10th - Blue Sapphire

11th - Citrine or Turquoise

12th - Opal or Jade

13th - Moonstone or Citrine

14th - Agate or Opal

15th - Rhodolite Garnet or Ruby

16th - Red Spinel, Peridot, or Aquamarine

17th - Carnelian

18th - Aquamarine or Opal

19th - Garnet, Topaz, or Aquamarine

20th - Yellow Diamond or Emerald

25th - Tsavorite Garnet

30th - Pearl

35th - Emerald or Coral

40th - Ruby

45th - Cat's Eye, Alexandrite, or Sapphire

50th - Imperial Topaz

55th - Alexandrite or Emerald

60th - Star Ruby

65th - Blue Spinel

70th - Smoky Quartz

75th - Diamond

Stay tuned for more detailed information on each Gemstone. Information provided by SI.

Birthstones - Tanzanite One of The Traditional Birthstones for December!

2010-12-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

Tanzanite...

Tanzanite…The first thing you notice is the color: Deep, vivid blue, with a purplish tinge that dances about the stone as it moves in the light. With its dazzling intensity and complex play of color, Tanzanite boasts a uniquely sensuous appeal.

Tanzanite’s rarity and exotic origin are also part of its fascination. For this modern gemstone was unknown until 1967, when Massai herdsmen in eastern Africa noticed blue crystals sparkling in the sun. Tanzanite’s dramatic discovery, coupled with it scintillating beauty, caused a worldwide sensation. To date the world’s only source for the gem remains the hills of northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro.

Tanzanite’s dual color – brilliant blue with hints of purple – makes it both warm and cool. Bold yet meltingly beautiful, it is a favorite of both men and women.

Set in the white gold of designs, Tanzanite offers a cool, haute couture look reminiscent of the 1920s. Gleaming in yellow gold, it perfectly expresses the theme of balance with nature.

Tanzanite care: Tanzanite is not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing Tanzanite. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean Tanzanite, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Information provided by SI

The Gift - What Would You Give Your Boss If He or She Retired?

2010-12-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

The Retirement Gift...

So your Boss is going to retire, and that could be the best or worse news you have had all year...after some thought what in the world would you present to your Boss as a Retirement Gift? Would it be a personal gift like Cufflinks, a Necklace, or a business appropriate gift like a Kindle or a Desk Set?

If you are fortunate enough to experience a retirement event of a top dog of your company, be quite honored to witness such a rare occasion. At the same time be quite anxious because of the relatively high pressure bestowed upon you and your colleagues when it comes to deciding "What the Gift will be".

The most common reason why you would be presenting your Boss a retirement gift is to thank him or her for the opportunity of working with him or her. In addition to this, thanking him or her for the different work policies which you have benefited from (or not), the ups and downs of working with him or her and generally the entire working experience is something to consider in your gift giving decision.

Normally, what can be done as part of the retirement gift for your Boss is to have your company organize something big and grand like a party to commemorate your Boss' achievements throughout his or her career. This is a good way to start the retirement proceedings, as it would boost the morale of the outgoing Boss and also instill a festive mood for others. Not because of the retirement itself, but because there is a party which everyone will hopefully get to enjoy in one fashion or another.

So now you have the chance to Get Some Brownie Points...

Hopefully the reason why you are going to get your Boss something for their retirement is not necessarily to suck up and hope to rub elbows with him or her, but to serve as a step up on the corporate ladder.

Also, consider the idea of their influence and ability to put in a good word for you to those top dogs still operating within your company. Call it politics, call it kissing butt, I call it a little reminder in the memory of those in the higher corporate hierarchy to remember you and possibly your name.

The Gift Need Not Be Extravagant...sure!

Boss retirement gifts need not be extravagant just to impress your boss, or your co-workers. As mentioned earlier, it may be a simple but well organized farewell party, complete with all the formalities and commemorative elements to further honor his or her participation in the company's existence. After all, your primary objective in giving a retirement gift is to show some appreciation anyway.

But let's be honest if you do give a gift, ask yourself...what do you want the gift to say to your Boss? Once you have the answer you will be able to select the appropriate gift to give! Below are a few ideas that you can find on Amazon which I am an affiliate.

Good Luck deciding on your Gift Giving!

Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology

Movado Crystal Sphere Clock

Deluxe Executive-Style Buisness Attache Case - Black

The Beautiful Royal Bali Collection by Samuel B - A Handcrafted Work of Art

2010-12-04T21:44:00.000-08:00

The Royal Bali Collection from Samuel B is a collection of fine Handcrafted Jewelry sure to please! Each Handcrafted Design is a work of art made from Genuine Gemstones and Precious Metals.

Select from Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces, and Rings. Unique gift ideas at fabulous prices. This Samuel B Silver & Turquoise Cabouchon Ring is a fine example of the artwork involved in each design.

With your purchase you receive FREE Fed-Ex Ground shipping to.

Happy Holidays!

Introducing Armadani Designer Jewelry!

2010-08-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Armadani designer jewelry carries a beautiful line of fine quality Eternity Bands set with Diamonds and your choice of Blue, Pink, and Yellow Sapphires; and yes with Rubies too.

Information To Crisis Proof Your Business!

2010-08-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Crisis proof your business

The nightly news often relates the latest natural disaster with its legacy of destruction - loss of property and loss of life. Businesses are disrupted, water supplies destroyed and people without electricity.

If you live in Hurricane country and are a small business owner, you probably have a plan for natural disasters. You know how you’ll operate your business after a natural disaster hits your place of business - how you’ll deal with lack of electricity, flooded data centers and other foreseeable events.

But few of us plan for the ultimate crisis - what to do when "we", the business owner, have a personal crisis and cannot attend to our business. This might happen with a death in the family, an illness, an injury. All of those things we don’t like to think will happen "to us."

Smart business owners will plan for this crisis - when you are not able to be there yourself. Here are five areas you need to plan for before the crisis.

Customer relations. You need someone who can call your clients, reschedule meetings, respond to emails and phone calls. This person needs to be trained in your business affairs and have access to all of that information before the crisis occurs. So you need to have an assistant, a customer service department, or someone like your CPA or attorney who can step in and take over your client relations.

Procedures. You need a procedures manual that an experienced administrator could step in and use to operate your business for a period of time. If you are your own webmaster, for example, you need the access information for each of your sites. You need the procedures for shipping products, refunding purchases, and other common tasks in a detailed printed or digital form. Keep it in a place where others can find it - either in your office or online in a secure site.

Backlog of issues. If you publish an ezine, you need to have several issues completed ahead of time. That way the ezine can continue to be distributed, even when you’re not able to write. Without it, client relationships can be lost or damaged. It only takes a few weeks of not hearing from you before subscribers forget who you are.

Residual income. When you’re in a crisis, the last thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to pay your bills. When you have established Online Oil Wells (sales sites that sell digital products and deliver them automatically) that continue to crank out income even when unattended, you can be assured you’ll have a steady income.

Accounts payable. You can’t afford to ruin your credit rating while you’re in crisis. So you’ll need someone to physically pick up the bills from the mail box. Plus you’ll need someone who has access to your checking account, online and offline, who can pay those bills for you, on time.

A word of caution about choosing people for these roles. Your first temptation may be to ask a close friend or family member to be your "back-up." The danger of that is that if you are in crisis because of a death in the family or your own illness, they will be involved in the same crisis or at least in helping you through it. So try to set up systems outside of your close relations.

Finally, be sure your loved ones know who to turn to should a crisis occur. There is no point in your having made all of the preparations if they are unaware of who to contact to put the plan into motion.

While we never plan to be sick or injured or have someone close to us fall into that category, things happen that are not in our control. That’s the definition of a crisis. But when we understand that such things can and do occur, we can take steps to ensure we have a business left after the crisis has passed. Don’t put off your crisis planning another day.

Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who helps Online Business owners become more profitable. Although we are an affiliate of Dr. Jeanette Cates, her reputation as a speaker and trainer has earned her the title of "The Technology Tamer." Jeanette shares her business systems at Organize Your Online Business

February - The Traditional Birthstone is Amethyst

2010-02-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

Amethyst...

The Amethyst Gemstone can range from a light Lilac color to a deep Purple color. For those who are passionate about purple, Amethyst is the perfect Gemstone for your jewelry. Amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion, maybe due to its richness.

The legend of its origin is one of revenge, devotion, and immortal remorse.

“The story is told that Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, was insulted one day by a mortal. Enraged, he called forth vicious tigers to exact revenge on the next mortal who would cross his path. This individual was, unfortunately, the maiden Amethyst. On her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, the innocent girl suddenly found herself face to face with the tigers of the vengeful God. To save her from the beasts, Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. So beautiful was the maiden that Dionysus, in sorrow and remorse, wept tears of rich wine over the statue. His tears stained the quartz, thus creating the poetic gem which still bears her name.”

Amethyst is good for everyday wear, but avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause the color to fade, and avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

SJB Associates
Material Reference / SI

One of The Traditional Birthstones for November is Citrine

2009-11-18T19:28:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Citrine…

The mellow gold of Citrine draws us in and brightens our moods. A golden quartz whose name comes from the French word for “lemon,” Citrine brings the energizing refreshment of an icy summer drink.

Sunny and full of light, this sparkling gem was once thought to protect the wearer against various evils – from snake venom to wicked thoughts. Today, its radiant color is associated with cheerfulness, youth and vitality.

Citrine ranges from slightly golden yellow to a medium gold showing hints of orange. Darker shades offer drama and intensity, while the light color of Citrine is more serene and breathtaking. Citrine remains a prime gem for those seeking inner peace.

To care for your Citrine Gemstone, avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean Citrine gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

SJB Associates
Reference SI

Why is my finger Green or Black?

2009-11-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

It's not what you think!

Many customers might think that faulty manufacturing or underkarating might be the reason for when your ring turns your finger green or black. However, most times it is not the case.

Below you will find common reasons, and how to prevent the problem:

The most common cause is metallic abrasion, caused by makeup. To prevent skin discoloration, your customers should try switching cosmetics. If they prefer not to, it is recommended that they remove all rings that might come into contact with the cosmetics while applying them. Also, afterward clean the skin that comes into contact with the jewelry with soap and water.

Another cause is actual corrosion of the metals. Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper will corrode under moist or wet conditions.

When a customer perspires, fats and fatty acids released can cause corrosion, especially when exposed to the seacoast and semitropical areas where chlorides can combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors the skin.

Smog fumes can gradually attack jewelry, and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off on the skin.

Even the jewelry design can cause the problem. Wide shanks have more surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives, and can trap moisture and contaminants.

It is best to have customers remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents, and clean their rings frequently. Also, it can be helpful to use absorbent powder, free of abrasives on skin that comes into contact with jewelry.

In addition to these corrective measures, a lower alloy metal such as 18k Gold or Platinum can significantly reduce the problem.

Reference SI / SJB Associates

PURPLE - Top 5 Things about the color purple

2009-11-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

Purple....

1. It is Magical, holy, and regal, a beautiful shade for your jewelry designs

2. It is said that people who have a passion for the color purple, are usually creative and spiritual

3. Purple is a combination of Red and Blue, those who select purple as their favorite color are balanced, yet exciting.

4. If you put purple and white gemstones together in jewelry that you design, you offer your customers a vibrant combination.

5. Purple gemstones range from the whimsical to the regal, a few purple gemstone selections are: Amethyst, Chalcedony, Iolite, Purple Spinel, and of course Tanzanite.

So, with that in mind you can create beautiful, colorful jewelry using Purple!

Free Shopping Spree...

2007-10-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the holidays!

Stop in and register for your chance to win a Free $5,000 Shopping Spree! You have until November 30, 2007 to enter, the winner will be contacted by phone.

Happy Holidays!

Please Note: Available within the US only.

24k Pure Gold

2007-09-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

A Golden Gift Idea...

This Designer Ring is made of 24K Pure Gold, and Handcrafted with a Swirling Filigree Pattern.

Exquisitely presented and expertly handcrafted in 24K Pure Gold, this elegant swirling filigree pattern design creates a truly memorable and imposing ring. A stunning and timeless addition to any jewelry collection.

Beautiful!

Velvety Sapphires - The Birthstone for September

2007-09-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Sapphires...from the velvety Blue to the lovely Pink, how can you go wrong with a Sapphire?

While blue is the color most often associated with this gem, Sapphires actually come in a wide range of colors, known as "Fancy Sapphires". You have Pink, Orange, Yellow, Violet, and White to name a few...of the fancy colors, Padparadsha attains the highest prices. Padparadsha is a native Sri Lankan phrase, meaning the "lotus blossom" and refers to a specific pink/red-orange color.

Similar to rubies, Sapphires come in many different shapes and sizes, providing great variety to gemstone lovers. With hardness just below that of diamonds, Sapphires are one of the toughest gemstones.

Intense medium dark blue is the most sought after color for Blue Sapphires. Found predominantly in Sri Lanka, Padparadsha is the most sought after Fancy Sapphire. A variety of Yellow and Gold Sapphires are readily available. Green Sapphires are found in Australia and Thailand. Violet Sapphires tend to exhibit color change especially when viewed under daylight.

Intensity, uniformity and purity of color are the most important characteristics when evaluating a Blue Sapphire. Dark Blue Sapphires will appear black under low light settings, while fine Blue Sapphires will maintain their color in any light.

The unique Sapphire and Diamond Journey Pendant above, shows the beauty of combining the different color Sapphires.

Stunning!

Unmistakable Luxury!

2007-08-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

Luxury...

You deserve the best!

For those of you who recognise true magnificence, and want to show a subtle sign of success, or maybe not so subtle...what better way then to adorn yourself or someone special with fine jewelry.

From fine Diamond Watches and Designer Diamond Rings, to dazzling Diamond and Gemstone Bracelets and Pendants.

Treat yourself like a King or Queen with heirloom quality gifts. Truly a reflection of your impeccable taste.

Celebrate Life, with unforgettable gifts!

FREE Ring Sizer!

2007-08-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

If you are shopping for a new ring, whether it is a Diamond Solitaire Ring, A beautiful Designer Gemstone Ring, a Diamond Promise Ring, a lovely Diamond Engagement Ring, or a Wedding Band...if you do not have your ring size, or if you have to guess, you might wind up with a return on your hands.

To help you avoid this, we have a ring sizer available on our website ADiamondGift.com.

Feel free to print it out anytime. Also, if you want to add my link to your site, no problem...just reference the source of the free sizer as ADiamondGift.com, and do not alter the document.

Be sure to follow the directions on the sizer, and you will find it works quite well.

Best Regards,
Kathie

FREE Ring Sizer

Ruby...The Traditional Birthstone for July!

2007-07-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

The Traditional Birthstone for the month of July is the "Ruby"

A Few Interesting Facts about Rubies....

The earliest record of Ruby mining is from Sri Lanka 2,500 years ago. Historically, many believed that mystical powers lie within this intensely colored red stone. When inserted beneath the skin, the ancient Burmese believe that the stone generates a mystical force, which protects the wearer from accidents and attack.

In the ancient world, many believed Rubies to contain prophetic powers, enabling wearers to predict their future based on the color changes of their stone. The ancient Hindus enchanted by the color of Rubies considered them to be "Ratnaraj" or the "King of Precious Stones". Its name is derived from the Latin word "Rubeus".

Characteristics of a Ruby....

Rubies and Sapphires are closely related, having corundum as their base mineral. The difference in color occurs because of the different trace minerals contained within each gemstone.

Thai Rubies tend to have a darker color and less intensity than Burmese Rubies, which are known for their high quality and high price range; however, very fine Rubies can be found in Thailand at very affordable prices. African Rubies tend to have heavy inclusions, but beautiful stones with fine clarity can be found, usually in the higher price range.

Evaluating Rubies...

The evaluation of Rubies should be done under different light settings. When viewed under very strong light, Rubies may show very intense color; however, when viewed under normal lighting, the gemstone may appear less intense. Light is therefore a very important factor in determining the true color of Rubies.

I hope this information is helpful if you are considering purchasing a Ruby Ring, Bracelet, Pendant, or any piece of Ruby Jewelry.

A Lovely Ruby Bracelet

Diamond Education...the "Carat"

2007-06-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

Education is everything...today we will start our Diamond Education segment with the "Carat".

A Carat is the unit of measurement for a diamond's weight - it is equal to 200 milligrams, and there are 142 Carats to an ounce. Carats are referenced by dividing them into points - there are 100 points in a Carat.

A half Carat diamond may be referred to as a 50-point stone (about 100 milligrams). Because large diamonds are rarer, they generally have a greater value per Carat than smaller sized stones.

This word for the measurement of a diamond's weight Carat - is derived from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales in ancient times.

Today, it is important to evaluate all of the factors (all the C’s) and not just size. A large sized diamond with poor clarity, color and cut does not have the value of many smaller stones. C’s like clarity, cut and color determine the visual brilliance of the jewelry

View our Diamond Size Comparison Chart.

Green...the Color of Nature!

2007-06-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

A Sparkling Green Tsavorite & Diamond Ring...set in 14K White Gold!

This elegant gemstone ring design effortlessly combines a single, prong set, round brilliant cut fresh green tsavorite (0.30 Carat), with thirty-four sparkling, round brilliant cut diamond accents (total weight 0.17 Carat).

The diamonds are intricately arranged to surround & complement the center tsavorite, and to add even further brilliance to the highly polished, finely crafted 14K White Gold setting.

Stop in our store to see this beautiful ring and many more!

Rare and Magnificent Designer Diamond Bracelets

2007-06-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

Designer Jewelry!

How great would it be to wear a Magnificent Designer Diamond Bracelet. Imagine how it would feel to wear a Diamond Bracelet that costs almost as much as your home!

I think I would be a little nervous myself, but somehow I think I would get use to it!

Above is a picture of such a bracelet, it is a Spectacular 18K White Gold Brilliant Cut, Diamond Designer Bracelet.

This stunning unique bracelet is finely crafted in highly polished 18K White Gold and showcases the fire and brilliance of five hundred and twenty-one sparkling pave set, round brilliant cut diamond accents (total weight 41.00 Carat), to create a truly dazzling and infinitely memorable jewelry piece.

How would you feel wearing this fabulous piece

Classic and Romantic..."The Fire-Red Ruby"

2007-06-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Ruby Gemstone...one of the most revered gemstones.

If you are searching for the color of life itself, there is no need to look any further then red! Of course the Gemstone we think of when we think of red is the Ruby!

The Ruby looks beautiful in a White Gold Setting...surrounded by sparkling Genuine Diamonds. This 18K White Gold Red Ruby & Diamond Designer Ring is magnificent.

The beautiful color of a single, prong set, oval cut,
Deep Red Ruby (1.82 Carat), is elegantly combined with one hundred and seventy sparkling, pavé set, round brilliant cut diamond accents (total weight 1.17 Carat), and a finely crafted, highly polished 18K White Gold setting to create this truly memorable designer Ruby ring.

To care for your Ruby, avoid exposure to heat and protect your Ruby from chemicals. Clean your Ruby Jewelry by gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Classic and Romantic...Designer Ruby Jewelry perfect for every occasion!

What is a Wish List?

2007-06-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

What is a Wish List anyway?

A wish list is a method by which customers can store product details in their own file within a website. Products that they like, and "Wish" they will get someday.

It is created so that you or someone else can easily view the list again later, or so that the products can be compared with each other.

What is so unique about the ADiamondGift.com wish list is that the file can be easily accessed using its name. This means that friends, families and/or partners, who have the list’s individual name, can check the list at their own convenience and use it to purchase the perfect gift for their loved one.

Buying jewelry for other people is an extremely difficult task because of its deep sentimental and personal connotations; a "Wish List" removes the heartache and apprehension while still maintaining the element of surprise when the gift arrives.

Stop by and Create your Wish List today!

Men’s Stainless Steel Bracelets…Stylish & Bold!

2007-06-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

Rugged Stainless Steel Bracelets…A perfect gift to give (or) a terrific treat for yourself!

With Father’s Day around the corner, it is time to start thinking about what you are going to give that special Dad.

You may decide on a Father’s Day Gift based on your Dad’s interests, taste, hobbies, likes, or maybe you are thinking about getting Dad something he wouldn’t buy for himself.

We have a selection of Stainless Steel Bracelets starting at $48.00, and if you prefer Gold Bracelets we carry them as well. You can find the Stainless Steel Bracelets under the Jewelry Category.

The 14k Gold Men’s Bracelets would also make a fabulous gift.

Stop by and visit…you will find many gift ideas for Father’s Day, or any day that you just want to say “I Love You”

Pearls...A Beautiful Creation of Nature and June's Birthstone!

2007-05-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

Pearl...this month's birthstone!

Learn about Pearls before you buy…

The Pearl Buying Guide will take you through questions you may have, and introduce you to various terms so that you can make your purchase with confidence and with the knowledge that you are getting the best product available for your budget.

There are so many different types of Pearls to select from, you will find a few listed below. At our website you can learn about all the Pearls available for you to choose.

Akoya(Grown in Japan and China)

Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan. They are the most lustrous of all pearls found anywhere in the world.

White South Sea
(Grown in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Phillipines)

White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific countries. They generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices because of their relative rarity and large size.

Tahitian
(Grown in French Polynesia)

Tahitian cultured pearls are grown in a variety of large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. Their beautiful, unique colors (which can range from light grey to black, and green to purple) and large size can command very high prices.

If you love Pearl Jewelry, or if you would like more detailed information on Pearls, stop in our online store at www.ADiamondGift.com.

You will find a beautiful selection of Designer Pearl Jewelry, including Necklaces, Bracelets, Classic Pearl Strands, South Sea Pearl Jewelry, Diamond and Pearl Earrings, and much more.

Contact us anytime with questions.

Gifts for Dad…I need the opinion of a Cigar smoker!

2007-05-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Your Opinion Matters!

Since Father’s Day is around the corner, I have a question for anyone who enjoys a good cigar.

What is your personal preference when it comes to cigar holders that you carry with you...what type of Cigar Holder do you like better?

Cigar Holder Choices:

1.) A Lizard Grain – Cedar Lined Pocket Humidor that holds 7 cigars

2.) A Silver Plated & Brass Single Cigar Holder

3.) A Silver Plated & Brass Double Cigar Holder

I really appreciate your opinion, I want to add gifts for Men that they will not just like, but actually use.

Thank you in advance for your opinion!

Popular Diamond Engagement Ring Settings

2007-05-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

How do you choose?

There are so many beautiful Diamond Engagement rings available…how do you choose?

From the Luxurious Antique Style Diamond ring, to the Heart Felt Three Stone Ring, to the classic Diamond Solitaire…how do you make up your mind?

We all know that many of us would love to pick out the Diamond Ring of our choice regardless of price, but realistically it isn’t always an option. Sometimes, it is an option, but you prefer to use the money on something else.

So what do you do?

There are many options available to you…a few are Cubic Zirconia, Moissanite, Genuine Diamonds, or Gemstone and Diamond Rings. First decide on your budget…what do you really want to spend. Then start searching for engagement rings in your range, and taste.

If you only want a Genuine Diamond Engagement Ring, then use one of the “Create Your Own Modules” and enter your price range, this will give you a list of Diamonds that fit your budget. Once you find the diamond then you have to add the setting. We do have this module available on our website, as do other jewelry sites.

Just remember to read the Diamond Educational Guides, and with a little homework, you will be able to find a beautiful engagement ring worthy of your special day!

Happy Shopping!

Learn About Diamonds!

2007-05-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Diamond History...

Across time and cultures diamonds are a consistent expression of luxury. Diamonds symbolize wealth, durability, and status. Conversely, they have the rich history of being associated with invulnerability, lightning, magic, healing, protection, and poisoning. In unraveling the history and associations of diamonds, we need to look through time and at their very origins to gain a historical perspective of their tremendous value.

"Diamond" comes from the Greek adamao, transliterated as "adamao," "I tame" or "I subdue." The adjective "adamas" was used to describe the hardest substance known, and eventually became synonymous with diamond. It is difficult to determine at what point in history the hardest known substance became diamond.

Diamonds began to appear in European regalia and jewelry in the 13th century. By the 16th century the diamonds become larger and more prominent, as a result of the development of diamond faceting – a technique that enhances the diamonds brilliance.

By the 17th Century, Diamonds dominated the small jewels and large ones became adornments by the 18th century.

Find more Diamond history at our website.

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