Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store offering engagement rings and expert engagement proposal ideas for your special day. You may view the wide selection of Danforth Diamond’s wedding and diamond engagement rings online.

A great deal of thought goes into the preparations required to make your proposal unique, memorable and error-free. In most cases, months are spent selecting the engagement ring, coordinating the exact place and time of the proposal, and rehearsing the words that come closest to expressing what the heart feels on the day the question is finally asked. And just like the glass slipper in Cinderella, the ring must fit to confirm that you are indeed the handsome prince she has been waiting for.

Finding the ring size of your bride-to-be without making your intention to propose obvious can require imagination, ingenuity and a stroke of luck. Having a ring she currently wears on her ring finger can ease the burden, but most women keep their ring finger sacred and free of jewelry that would provide an exact ring size. To help, we provide the following list which contains a few sneaky ways to figure out what the size of her ring finger is.

Trust In Friends To Help

Most of those close to you and your bride-to-be are more than happy to help you on your quest to find her ring size. Think about her best friends, coworkers, and even her mom to get the ring size information. This can easily be done if they allow her to try on their rings, go window shopping for jewelry, or have them simply ask.

Covertly Capture the Ring’s Size

If you are fortunate enough to have a bride-to-be that enjoys jewelry, then make it a point to “borrow” a ring-finger ring once it is removed. In some cases, the wearer won’t notice that the ring is missing if it’s only gone for a few hours while you’re having the jeweler obtain its size. However, if the ring-finger jewelry is only removed for brief periods (such as while showering), a model or imprint will have to do. To capture the ring’s size, simply trace the inner circle of the ring on a piece of paper or make an imprint of the ring in a soft material such as soap, clay or bread and return the ring to its former location. In this way, a measurement can be made without the physical ring being present.

Use Paper or a String to Guess the Ring

If your bride-to-be is a heavy sleeper, then it may be possible to wrap a thin strip of paper around her finger and mark where the paper overlaps itself. This method will provide a fairly accurate ring size. A twist could also be to tie a string to her finger to make sure she does forget something you deem important. Insist on having the string tied to the ring-finger, and when it is removed pocket the string. This is crafty and works best on a very unsuspecting bride-to-be.

Bring It Up in Group Conversation

If all else fails, then simply comment (or have your friend comment) on a ring that belongs to someone else. This may get the ring size conversation going in your direction. Fabricate as necessary by talking about the similarities of the ring in question with your (mother’s / grandmother’s/ sister’s) ring; ask what size it is and if you can see it; allow your bride-to-be to try it on; comment on the stones; anything to get the ring conversation going. You don’t have to get the exact size now; you can subtly revisit and finish the discussion at a later time when the two of you are alone.

Both you and your bride-to-be deserve perfection from start to finish, and hopefully, these tips will help you to make sure the engagement ring is sized perfectly. By taking the time to secure the right ring size you open up more options on your ring selection and ensure that she is showing off her engagement ring immediately following the proposal. The time spent finding out the right ring size is sure to pay off big dividends on your proposal day.
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By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on diamonds, fine jewelry, and engagement rings. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Getting engaged comes with rights. For example, as a soon-to-be bride, you have the right to plan your wedding according to your own vision. As long as a particular feature fits into the budget, it’s fair game. The danger is that you might immerse yourself so deeply in the details that you start obsessing about everything. Ultimately, the obsession leads to stress and frustration which can siphon the fun out of the planning process.

Today, we’ll help you maintain your sanity by providing some useful advice to follow during your engagement. You’ll find the following tips have a common theme: loosening your grip on the reins.

Give Your Bridesmaids Flexibility

You might be tempted to plan every last detail of your bridesmaids’ outfits, especially if doing so will make you look better at the altar. But, that can cause potential problems. First, even though your bridesmaids expect to wear the dress that you select for them, they’ll want flexibility with their shoes, makeup, and hair. It may be your right as a bride-to-be to demand their compliance, but they won’t like it. Second, the more details you nitpick, the more likely you’ll lose your perspective.

Let Others Handle The Rehearsal Dinner

Traditionally, the responsibility of organizing the rehearsal dinner has fallen on others’ shoulders. In most cases, you won’t be involved (other than showing up and enjoying the attention, of course). What’s more, everyone who attends understands that you played no part in putting it together. That means the style, decor, food, and other features won’t be associated with your tastes.

The parents of the groom will often take the reins in arranging the rehearsal dinner. If they ask for your advice, provide it. Otherwise, sit back and let them handle the details. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Plan Your Wedding Dress Around Your Normal Weight

Most of us can afford to shed one or two extra pounds. But, launching a “do or die” weight loss regimen for the sole purpose of squeezing into your wedding gown is a mistake. It takes a lot out of you. Crash diets can be physically and emotionally exhausting. While you may look good standing at the altar, there’s also a chance you’ll be hungry, cranky, and unable to enjoy yourself. Not savoring your big day would be a shame.

Giving Up Control And Relaxing

You want everything to be perfect, of course. And often, it seems like the only way to get things done is to do it yourself. But, there lies the road to pre-wedding insanity. Do yourself (and everyone else) a favor. Loosen your grip on the wedding planning reins and let yourself enjoy your engagement. You’ll feel more relaxed and happier around the people you love. And in the end, that might prove more enjoyable than a “perfect” wedding day.

Canadian diamonds are now available at Danforth Diamond, one of the Internet’s leading diamond engagement ring sources. Their database of loose diamonds now features Canadian diamonds that can be placed in one of their Harmony diamond engagement ring settings or purchased for a pre-existing ring setting.

With concerns about funding violence in Africa through “blood diamonds,” Canada has become a source of socially-responsible diamonds in recent years becoming the world’s third-largest producer of diamonds. These conflict-free diamonds are mined in remote areas of the northern territories of Canada.
Canadian diamond engagement rings can be made to your specifications through Danforth Diamond by selecting the cut, carat, color and clarity of your Canadian diamond and then paring it with a Harmony ring setting. First, search for a diamond using the Search for Diamonds function. One of the Report fields in the search is “Canadian”. After reviewing the details of a diamond, add it to a ring and select from Danforth Diamonds’ expansive collection of Harmony solitaire settings, three-stone settings, and settings that feature other gemstones. Pairing a Canadian diamond with a Harmony engagement ring setting results in the most eco-friendly engagement ring available.

“Our current and potential customers email us with questions and special requests,” said Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond. “We’ve received a number of customer requests for Canadian diamonds for their wedding jewelry. We had a few diamond suppliers from Canada but this prompted us to explore new vendors.”

Whether Canadian in origin or not, Danforth Diamond only receives its diamonds from sources that adhere to the Kimberley Process, whereby a diamond’s origins are tracked in order to ensure it has not contributed to the violence that plagues much of the diamond industry in Africa. Using conflict-free diamonds is part of Danforth Diamond’s commitment to the earth and its inhabitant.

Ethical and eco-friendly engagement rings are exclusively available at Danforth Diamond by paring Canadian diamonds with Harmony recycled precious metals. An alternative to mining new metal, Harmony takes precious metal from old jewelry, jewelry scrap, and metal from industrial uses and recycles them to make new jewelry pieces. Providing a recycled metal jewelry option increases Danforth Diamond’s ability to give their customers environmentally responsible jewelry at an affordable price.

Jill Renee added, “Earth Day is coming on April 22 and each year more individuals and businesses become actively involved in taking care of the planet and its inhabitants. As a company, Danforth Diamond continues to look for innovative ways to provide earth-friendly and green diamond engagement rings and other jewelry.”

About Danforth Diamond
Danforth Diamond is a leading online engagement ring jeweler specializing in platinum and palladium diamond engagement rings. Their jewelry collection features options that fit every style and budget – from simple anniversary gifts to stunning bridal jewelry. Visit Danforth Diamond online to learn more at: DanforthDiamond.com.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Once you’ve gotten over the initial excitement of getting engaged, you’ll need to tell your friends and family. In the past, a lot of couples announced their engagement by buying an ad in their local newspaper. It was an efficient way to spread the news quickly. However, if you’re willing to take the road less traveled, you can add a bit of creativity to your announcement. Below, we’ll give you 4 innovative ways to announce your new status as soon-to-be-married.

#1 – Plan A Surprise Party

If you and your partner can keep a secret, organize a get-together at which you surprise your guests with the news of your engagement. If you host parties frequently, this can be an ideal way to get the word out. Your closest friends will be accustomed to your hosting get-togethers and won’t have any idea about the announcement. Whether you reserve a private room at a posh local restaurant or host it at home, a little champagne with your exciting news can pave the way for a fun evening.

#2 – Start An Engagement Blog

A blog can be a great way to keep your family and friends informed about your engagement. It’s also an ideal tool for detailing your plans for your upcoming wedding. Not only can you use it to announce your new status, your blog can also provide a chronological account of the entire planning process. You can post pictures that show you and your fiance traveling together, or your bridesmaids helping out with the wedding details. Plus, everyone in your network can meet each other through leaving comments and responding to each other on your blog.

#3 – Create An Online Photo Album

Armed with a digital camera, you can capture memorable moments throughout your engagement and post them online. Websites such as Flickr and Shutterfly will let you upload your pictures and use them to create an attractive slideshow. Include photos of your fiance’s proposal, places you’re visiting together before the wedding, and other activities. Your pictures – or slideshow – will let your friends and family experience your excitement in a personal way.

#4 – Use A Social Networking Site

Social networking sites like Facebook have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years. By announcing your engagement on these sites, your news can travel quickly to friends with whom you seldom speak but still treasure.

Telling your friends and family that you’ve recently become engaged lets them celebrate the experience with you. With a little creativity, you can make that experience more personal and enjoyable. If placing an ad in your local paper seems unimaginative, use the 4 innovative ideas above to spread the exciting news.

By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right diamond, engagement or wedding ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

The months leading up to your wedding day quickly turn into weeks. The weeks turn into days and before you know it, your wedding is right around the corner. That’s when the planning shifts into high gear and the stress begins to take its toll. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to reduce your stress and the frustration of those around you (including your fiance!). Below, we’ll share 3 mistakes that you should take care to avoid.

#1 – Not Enlisting Your Friends

Planning a wedding is an enormous task. Without the help of your friends, managing the hundreds of small details can become overwhelming. A lot of brides take it upon themselves to micromanage the entire process; they feel that’s the only way they can preserve their vision for a “perfect” wedding. Inevitably, as the clock counts down to the big day, stress levels skyrocket.

Ask your friends for help. Not only will doing so allow you to relax, but chances are, they’d love to give you a hand.

#2 – Obsessing Over Being Copied

You’re excited about your dress and show pictures of it to one of your engaged friends. Before you know it, she’s planning to wear the same dress at her wedding – weeks before your own! Whether it’s your gown, favors, flowers, or another feature of your big day, being copied can raise anyone’s temper.

Before picking up the phone and giving your friend a piece of your mind, think about ways in which you can add a personal touch to your own plans. For example, she may have copied your idea for your gown, but are there ways to spruce yours up? Also, you can limit the damage by keeping your lips sealed until your wedding day.

#3 – Trying To Drop Pounds Quickly

Maybe you’re a few pounds over your ideal weight. So, in a fit of optimism and determination, you decide to buy a wedding dress that will fit your body perfectly… as long as you drop 15 pounds. Even though you may be able to shed enough weight to fit into your gown, is it worth the effort? First, rapid weight loss make you feel tired and irritable. Second, it’s not entirely healthy to drop the pounds so quickly.

Purchase a dress that looks great on your current body. Ideally, your trips to the gym should focus on staying toned and trim. If you drop a few pounds in the process, your gown can be easily altered.

The planning that takes place before your big day will be physically and emotionally demanding. Take care not to create more stress for yourself than necessary. Ask your friends for help, don’t worry about being copied, and forget about crash dieting. Not only will you feel more relaxed, but so will everyone around you.

What are Conflict Diamonds?

In many African countries, including Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), illegally mined diamonds have been, and continue to be linked to terrible human rights abuses. Well financed insurgent groups have carried out horrible atrocities against civilians, and similar acts of violence by unscrupulous governments who are equally brutal.

In addition, concerns have mounted over links between conflict diamonds and money laundering by groups like Al-Qaeda.

To combat this international problem, was the formation of the Kimberley Process, a joint governmental diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an innovative, voluntary system that imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments or rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is composed of 43 Participants, including the European Community. The Kimberley Process Participants account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds.

In April 2003, President Bush passed a bill adopting the Kimberley Process that requires all U.S. diamond retailers to buy diamonds from manufacturers who have the proper documentation and assuring that their merchandise was obtained through legitimate channels. The U.S. Customs service is responsible for enforcing the Kimberley Process as diamonds enter American ports.

Danforth Diamond supports the Kimberley Process. Each diamond cutter we work with must obtain their diamonds exclusively from legitimate sources, and fully comply with the Kimberley Process requirements. We will continue to support and promote any process that works to uphold legitimacy in the diamond trade.

Learn more about conflict diamonds at www.diamondfacts.org, and find out how you can help stop “blood diamonds” by visiting www.stopblooddiamonds.org.

Danforth Wedding Jewelry is Refined, Not Mined! When you buy an engagement ring or wedding ring from Danforth Diamond, you are supporting the global effort to preserve our planet’s future.

From recycling newspapers to choosing the right light bulbs, being green and buying green are responsible choices that will help save the planet and its resources. You can be green with your jewelry choices, too!

Danforth Diamond’s Commitment to the Earth

In a business where all of our products come from the Earth, the jewelry industry relies heavily upon mining companies to generate source materials for their products. The sad fact is — mining is a very “dirty” business and the production of one beautiful gold ring will generate five tons of environmental waste, contaminating water and lands which endangers the health and lives of humans and animals.

Danforth Diamond will NOT play a role in the Earth’s destruction just to create beautiful jewelry. Instead of sourcing our metal from mines (like some of our competitors), we choose instead to HELP PRESERVE THE PLANET by creating our product line from the HARMONY brand of recycled metals.

HARMONY Recycled Precious Metals™ share the exquisite beauty of mined metals, but HARMONY Metals™ are 100% recycled (through the environmentally-friendly process of refining precious metal scrap).*

The 100% recycled guarantee comes backed up by the Certificate of Authenticity, which we proudly display on our website, as an Authorized Dealer of HARMONY Metals™.

Additionally, all of the diamonds offered on our website are ethically sourced and conflict-free. We support the Kimberly Process and will not buy or sell “blood diamonds“.

Do Your Part to Save the Earth and Buy Eco-Friendly Jewelry from Danforth Diamond!

Be sure to look for the HARMONY logo throughout our website when choosing your diamond engagement ring. Please note that all items made with HARMONY Recycled Precious Metals™ will come shipped to you with the official HARMONY Mini-Certification Card.

• Buying Jewelry
• Jewelry Care
• Engagment and Proposals
• Palladium Jewelry
• Buying Diamonds
• and many other topics important to you when making the right choice for buying jewelry online.

You Don’t Need a Valentine to Enjoy the Most Romantic Day of the Year

When you think of Valentine’s Day, typically your thoughts venture toward valentine gifts and all things heart-shaped – candies, chocolate, balloons, greeting cards, jewelry, etc. – and couples deeply in love gazing into each other’s eyes.

Because Valentine’s Day is for lovers, right?

Actually – no. Ladies, there is joy to be had on this infamous day of pink and red, no matter your “couples’ status.” Here are some fun ideas for the annual day of love that cover the spectrum of companionship: single, dating, committed relationship, or recent break-up.

If You’re Single . . .

Don’t allow yourself to be one of the cynical singles who scowl at any hint of Valentine’s Day decorations or gifts. Instead: embrace the day!

That’s right. We’re in the new millennium, a time when being single is fabulous. Sex & the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made being single more appealing than ever before. You don’t have to wait for a significant other to get you a gift – buy it yourself! Few things make a girls’ heart flutter more than Valentine’s Day jewelry. From a modest bracelet to a diamond ring one of the joys of being single is you can give yourself the gift you’d be giving your significant other.

And there are ways to enjoy the day other than buying yourself a gift. Remember when Carrie threw herself a party after years of buying gifts for her friends’ wedding and baby showers? Transfer that idea to Valentine’s Day, and have a blast:

• Host a party for just you and the girls
• Take yourself out on a date, by yourself, to a museum, the movies, dinner or any combination of the three
• Buy Valentine’s Day cards and pass them out to people who are dear to you
• Help make someone else’s Valentine’s Day better by volunteering at a non-profit or charity for the day, such as a battered women’s shelter, a soup kitchen or the Goodwill.

If You’re Dating . . .
You’ve been dating a guy, but you’re not yet exclusive, and you don’t know if he plans on spending the evening with you, another girl, or the guys. First ask yourself: Do I really want to spend Valentine’s Day with him?

It is, after all the most romantic day of the year.

If the answer is yes, this can be an opportunity to take the relationship a step further by:

• Cooking him a nice dinner at your place
• Offering to bring dinner to him at his place
• Setting up a double date with friends (so you can get their feedback on your new beau later)
• Asking him to set up a double date with some of his friends (you can learn a lot about a guy by spending time with his friends)

If you’re flying solo on the big day, you can live the day as a single gal (see the Single subheading above for ideas).

If You’re in a Committed Relationship . . .

Whether you’ve just moved in together, he just popped the question with a diamond engagement ring, you’re newlyweds or you’ve been together for a number of years, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to specifically set aside time for your relationship.
So take advantage of it!

You can start the day with an exchange of gifts. For ideas, keep in mind that Valentine’s Day jewelry, chocolates, and flowers are traditional gifts for a reason – there are few who would protest these types of gifts. But rather than going to the place where you spent Valentine’s Day last year, or where you spend the day every year, be spontaneous and mix things up a bit.

Knowing your significant other’s interests, tailor a surprise event to both of your liking such as:

• A couple’s massage
• Something fun and silly like playing Laser Tag or going to the video arcade to compete in video games
• Something crazy that you’ve never done before but the two of you have always wanted to do, like bungee jumping or hang gliding
• Take a hot air balloon ride
• Pop the question – there’s no better surprise for Valentine’s Day than receiving an engagement ring

Planning a Valentine’s Day different from what you’ve experienced before will give you something to feel good about, give your beloved something to brag about, rekindle the spark or keep the spark going.

If You’ve Just Been Through a Break-Up . . .

When you’ve just dumped someone or you’ve just been dumped, as a newly-single, the explosion of pink and red that define Valentine’s Day can leave you depressed, craving romance and longing for your ex.

You just need a little extra TLC. Here’s a few ideas to really take good care of you on this special day:

• A day at the spa – get the most luxurious package that you can afford, and absolutely enjoy spoiling yourself
• Retail therapy – doing a little damage to the credit card never hurt anybody, and Valentine’s Day jewelry may be the perfect pick-me-up
• Unconditional love – Spending the day with someone you love and who unconditionally loves you – a manicure with your grandma, grabbing lunch with your dad, or catching a matinee with your mom – may be just what you need

There’s something for everyone on Valentine’s Day. Just look at the annual celebration of love as an excuse to celebrate life, and you are sure to find something fun and enjoyable to do. Enjoying the most romantic day of the year can be achieved – with or without a valentine.

I have been looking at engagement rings lately with my boyfriend recently and have heard a little about palladium. I found your website very informative, but it is very hard to find information on palladium. Are there any downsides to a palladium engagement ring? It seems that it is almost identical to platinum, except for the price and the fact that palladium is lighter in weight, which are both appealing characteristics to me. I feel like this is too good to be true and I am finding it difficult to get more information. I found a ring that is made by a very reputable ring designer which can be made in palladium and I would like to know if I would be happy with a palladium engagement ring for the rest of my life. Are there cons to all the pros of palladium? I really appreciate any additional information you can give me.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,
The only con to palladium jewelry is that it is a harder metal to manufacture with. However, this should not affect your purchase in any way. It matters most to the jeweler who is more accustomed to working with gold and platinum than the consumer. If you have seen a palladium ring and you like it you should not hesitate to make the purchase. Hope this helps and all the best wishes, Jill Renee.

Answer: We have a factory that assembles and polishes our product. Our jewelers can size and fix any problems you may have with your ring. Our return policy allows you to return any product to us that has not been engraved for 30 days after purchase however we do resize and reset rings for our customers all the time. You may not want to return the ring ring to us for a simple cleaning because you would have insurance and shipping costs.

Many people get their rings cleaned at stores where they live even if it is not the original place of purchase.

Tags: Danforth Diamond

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Answer: The problem you are having does not sound consistent with normal box chains. I would suggest returning the chain. A well constructed box chain will not twist and kink the way you describe from only one day of wear.

The key to maximizing your savings is knowing where to look to find the best bargain. And comparison shopping, by visiting various websites, is the only way to go. Instead of fighting the hustle and bustle that comes with comparison shopping at various brick-and-mortar locations, you can find better pricing options and cover more stores with the click of your mouse.

In the past, shipping and handling fees may have deterred you from shopping online, but retailers have started minimizing or waving those fees for customers who spend a certain collar amount. And while major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Macy’s have online websites, you may be able to stretch your dollar further by shopping with other established, smaller E-tailers.

Here are some examples of price comparisons between different websites and traditional brick-and-mortar retailers.

Tool Time
If you’re shopping for the handyman or woman in the family, finding the right gift can be rather tricky. Because they are sure to already have their own favorite tools, and even many of the latest gadgets that can simplify their work, you may be thinking that a gift certificate to Home Depot, Lowe’s or a local hardware store is the best way to go.

But before you decide to do that, consider buying a gift that the tool guru may find useful, but would not consider buying for themselves. The Black and Decker Storm Station is the perfect emergency prep tool for when the power goes out. Currently, Home Depot listed a price of $99.97. But Amazon.com lists a price of $74.88. Here, you will save more than $25 by ordering online instead of going to a traditional retailer.

On Bended Knee
If you’re thinking of popping the question, consider this: if she says yes, the cost of a wedding can range from $10,000 to $50,000 and beyond. Why not get your marriage off to the right start by saving money on your diamond engagement ring?

By ordering online, you can literally save hundreds of dollars. A half-carat princess cut three-stone diamond purchased at a brick-and-mortar retailer in a mid-sized metro area can cost around $2,250. But if you order a similar ring from Blue Nile, an online jewelry retailer, you can save a little money – their cost is closer to $2,200.

But your diamond engagement ring purchase, the ultimate in romantic gift ideas for her, is a perfect example of how finding the bargain E-tailer can add up to big savings. At danforthdiamond.com, an online jewelry retailer specializing in diamond jewelry, a similar ring costs around $1,600 – a savings of $600! That’s enough money for a down payment on a honeymoon to Costa Rica.

Trendy Fendi

Handbags are big business, and there are few women who will show displeasure with the gift of a high-end designer handbag. Shopping online, you can find Coach, Gucci, Dooney & Burke, Prada and Fendi handbags. And while there are knock-off imitations you can purchase for significantly less money, if you do your homework by taking the time to do research on the web, you can save money and still get the real thing.

If you went the usual route and visited Neiman Marcus to purchase a designer handbag for your fashionista, the Fendi Canvas Du’Jour handbag would cost you $1,400. However, if you visited Overstock.com, a popular online discount retail site, you would find the same bag for $1029.99 – a savings of more than $350.

If you wanted to save even more money, you could sign her up for an account at www.bagborroworsteal.com and give a gift certificate to the site instead of a handbag. This company is the Netflix of handbags, and recipients borrow or “rent” designer handbags for one week to one month at a time, paying a fee ranging, on average, between $30 and $300. This way, instead of owning one designer handbag that will eventually no longer be in style, she can periodically upgrade her designer look by changing designer purses as often as needed.

Diamonds for the Heart

So you’re not going to pop the question. But keep in mind that jewelry of any kind is sure to make her smile. There are hundreds of romantic gift ideas that include jewelry, but a diamond heart pendant is a classic gift that she will always treasure.

Once again, the E-tailers come out ahead on price when looking for a quality diamond heart necklace. At Zales, a well-known brick-and-mortar jewelry chain, you will pay about $700 for the necklace. At Blue Nile, you will pay significantly less at $600. But if you are looking to save even more money, you can do it at DanforthDiamond.com, where you’ll find a comparable diamond heart pendant for $560. This ever-popular jewelry piece, a product available at most jewelry retailers, demonstrates that taking the time to find the best bargains online is certainly worth the time.

As you can see, saving money by shopping online keeps a lot of your dollars in your pocket. But, you must comparison shop to find the quality discount E-tailers that will give you the best value for you money. Happy shopping!

Tags: online shopping | Black & Decker | Home Depot | Amazon.com | Blue Nile | Fendi | Neiman Marcus | www.bagborroworsteal.com | Zales

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Richmond, VA – January 2, 2006 – DanforthDiamond.com, an online diamond jewelry retailer committed to offering conflict-free diamonds, recently joined StopBloodDiamonds.org. For information about Danforth Diamond or to see their conflict-free diamond jewelry, visit: http://www.danforthdiamond.com.

Company president Jill Renee said the company decided to join the organization because though they are already in compliance with the Kimberley Process, they wanted to go one step further to assure customers of their commitment to conflict-free diamonds.

“We are in the diamond business, and we acknowledge there have been problems in the diamond trade.” Renee said. “We joined StopBloodDiamonds.org because we want to help our customers feel confident that the diamonds they purchase from us are legitimate and conflict-free.”

Years of war have plagued Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, countries at the center of the conflict diamonds controversy (conflict diamonds are also called blood diamonds because of the violence associated with them).

The Kimberley Process was enacted in 2003 as a joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the international flow of conflict diamonds. Retailers in compliance with the initiative meet a certain set of criteria, know where their diamonds come from and have documentation that guarantees their diamond inventory is conflict-free.

By joining StopBloodDiamonds.org, DanforthDiamond.com joins a growing community of jewelers who are seriously committed to conflict-free diamonds. To become a member, DanforthDiamond.com was required to:

• Show their support for the Kimberley Process
• Express their desire for a steady supply of clean diamonds
• Provide their customers with accurate information regarding their diamonds by letting them know about the practices of diamond mining and trading
• Perpetually emphasize the need for an effective and continuous campaign against blood diamonds and for measures to be strictly employed

“The last thing you want is to look at a gift that is going to last you a lifetime and wonder if someone died so that you could have that diamond,” Renee says. “And at DanforthDiamond.com, you can buy any diamond in our inventory and enjoy it for a lifetime with a clear conscience.”

Company Contact:
Jill Renee
http://www.danforthdiamond.com
Phone: 877-404-7464

Christin Mills
http://www.danforthdiamond.com
Phone: 877-404-7464

Press Release Contact:
Holly Rodriguez
http://www.bigoakinc.com

Tags: conflict diamonds | conflict-free diamonds

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He’s on bended knee before you and the stars in the night sky are sparkling, and he’s giving you his beautiful interpretation of “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” and everything is phenomenal and romantic . . .

And then he opens the pretty little box with the most exquisite diamond engagement ring you’ve ever seen, and you can’t think of one reason why you wouldn’t say yes to his wedding proposal.

Here’s a thought: whether you’ve already said yes, or you think your relationship is moving toward a wedding proposal, before you glide down that aisle toward nuptial bliss, ask yourself these questions from iVillage’s “Is He the One?” article written by Susan Swimmer. It can’t hurt to take an objective look at your relationship before you decide to make such a huge life change, right? This insightful article can help reaffirm that you’ve found what you’ve been looking for, or help you come to the conclusion that it may be time to move on.

Is He the One?
Ten Questions to Ask Yourself

Want to know whether your current Mr. Right could be your mate for life? In this excerpt from Is He the One? 101 Questions That Will Lead You to the Truth, Whatever That Is, author Susan Swimmer says the honest answers to a few key questions could help you find out. Here are 10 to get you started:

1. Does he think he’s a lucky guy? You’d like to think that he is a man who understands that life is made up of part luck and part hard work, and that both elements will affect him at some point. A man who thinks himself lucky in any way is someone who radiates gratitude, which in turn creates an aura of joyousness. And that’s all good. But what really matters is that, at the very least, he is a man who feels wildly fortunate to have you in his life, because a guy who feels that way will make sure you know you’re adored. And how lucky is that?
2. Are his little faults things you can handle? Everyone is bugged by something. Does he drink directly from the carton? Hang sweaty clothes on the bathroom door? Stockpile old newspapers? Say no more. Ladies, there will always be habits that could drive you batty enough to head for the door, if you let them. But accepting someone, little faults and all, is part of love. You’ve got to think big picture here: Don’t let his habit of rattling ice in a glass cloud your vision of a man who’s caring, respectful, honest and loving. And that’s to say nothing of the fact that you crack your knuckles and leave half-empty coffee cups all over the house.

Read more of “Is He the One?” at iVillage.com.

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Let’s face it – we’ve been admiring the beauty and brilliance of diamonds since we were little girls. But do you know your diamond personality? Given that you’re going to be wearing this ring for the rest of your life, you want to be careful about what type of ring your request from your beau.

In Randi Molofsky’s book, A Girls’ Guide to Buying Diamonds, he offers advice for women on finding the right diamond ring. With the trend of women buying the right-hand diamond ring for themselves, the purchase of the diamond ring is no longer restricted to couples on the road to marriage. His book is a great resource whether you’re buying the ring for yourself, or you’re helping your significant other choose a ring for you.

Check out this article on iVillage.com, “Find the Perfect Diamonds for Your Personality”, that matches personality types with different types of diamonds. As diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you want to make sure that your best friend is one you’ll want to keep around for a lifetime, right? This is a fun article.

Find the Perfect Diamonds for Your Personality

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and just as you gravitate towards friends that complement your personality and style, so you would your diamonds. Here, from the book A Girl’s Guide to Buying Diamonds, discover how to choose and wear diamonds and jewels that enhance your own unique style and personality

The five sample personalities outlined here are merely guidelines. Don’t be afraid to take advice from multiple columns when it comes to choosing different components for your diamond jewellery. Don’t forget: jewellery you choose for yourself should reflect a little something of your personality. Signature pieces have long defined the world’s most stylish women from Elizabeth Taylor (the Taylor-Burton diamond) and Jackie O (Jean Schlumberger bracelets) to Coco Chanel (long, layered strands of pearls).

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While you may be confident that you’re ready for a lifetime commitment with the love of your life, how do you know he’s ready? It’s no secret that women are often ready to stand in front of the altar long before their partners are.

In Askmen.com’s article “Signs You’re Ready to Pop The Question,” author Andy Ajzenkopf offers a guide for men that may give you a peak inside of his head to know what he’s thinking.

Top Ten: Signs You’re Ready to Pop The Question

By: Andy Ajzenkopf

Contrary to popular belief, most guys want to get married… eventually. It may take us longer to recognize the symptoms of marriageitis , but it’s there nonetheless. Sharing our lives with one woman, having steady sex for life and the possibility of kids crosses our minds.

Of course, this could all result from your woman’s constant hinting at marriage. Hey, it’s like Chris Rock says, “Women get married; men surrender.”

While you’re chewing on that, have a look at the top 10 things that should alert you to the fact that you might want to “make an honest woman” out of your current belle.

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While the official move from girlfriend to fiancee is an unforgettable experience, you may be tempted to hyperventilate when you take a look at the list of everything that needs to be done – the parents meeting if they haven’t met yet; the engagement party; choosing attendants for the wedding; choosing and ordering a dress; finding a venue; the cake – the list goes on and on.

But no need to panic – we have an article that offers an overview to help you begin.

So, take a deep breath, pour yourself a great glass of wine, give this a quick read and enjoy the ride toward wedding bliss.

AFTER THE PROPOSAL

Now you’re engaged…What’s next?

First things first, enjoy your engagement. Once the initial shock of being engaged wears off and you’ve stopped staring at that sparkly diamond on your finger, many decisions will need to be made. What time of year should the big day happen? Where will it be? Who will be in your wedding party? Here are the first things you need to do.

Start planning, by envisioning your event. What size wedding do you want? Do you want a large wedding or a small wedding? Is there a particular location you have in mind? Do you want a destination wedding? Get yourself a check list and start reviewing the items with your fiancé and family.

Decide on a budget. If your parents are helping with the cost, be sure to include them in your discussion about budget. Once a dollar amount is agreed upon, start getting price quotes for items you need.

Read more about planning after the proposal.

Tags: Getting Engaged | Planning a Wedding

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If you’re just stumped and can’t quite decide on what to give her, but you are looking for romantic Christmas gift ideas that will sweep her off of her feet, keep in mind that the best Christmas gift ideas require some time and effort on your part.

Here are some ideas that go beyond the impersonal gift certificate or typical scarf to get you thinking about some alternatives that may put a sparkle in her eye this Christmas.

A Christmas Engagement

There are few romantic Christmas gift ideas that can top getting engaged over the holidays. You are giving her the gift of your love and commitment, and her finger is decorated with a beautiful testament to your feelings for her.

Of course you can go over-the-top with planning the wedding engagement – renting a limo, an expensive dinner for two, and maybe even a horse and buggy ride. But if you’d rather put that money toward getting her a ring, or saving it for the wedding, you can create a memorable experience for her with little expense.

• Cook Dinner Yourself – Even if you aren’t the world’s greatest cook, she will enjoy the fact that you took the time to create a meal for her.

• A Romantic Walk – Taking a walk after dinner, under the stars, to enjoy the Christmas lights can be absolutely enchanting, especially if you get down on one knee and slip a gorgeous diamond engagement ring on her finger.

• The Family Gathering Turned Engagement Party – If either your family or hers is planning to get together a little before the holidays, contact the hosts ahead of time and let them know you will be proposing. You may be able to make the gathering twice as festive – an annual event bringing the family together, and an opportunity to celebrate your engagement at the same time.

But if getting engaged is not in your plans for the holidays, you can always express your love with jewelry. A pair of diamond earrings with a matching necklace or pendant is a classic choice, or, you can choose to start a tradition by giving her a gold charm bracelet that can be added onto holiday after holiday.

Traveling
Whether you’re going for the exotic island location, an outdoor adventure, or you want to completely romance her, the surprise of a vacation getaway (that she doesn’t have to plan) is a romantic Christmas gift idea that will have her glowing with happiness. Giving her the opportunity to relax and truly put her obligations on hold, whether for a week or a weekend, is a gift all by itself – and if she can do this in her favorite kind of setting, you will definitely touch her heart.

Here’s a few sites to visit to begin planning the trip:

• For the islands – if she wants to sit back and relax, these two sites are a one-stop shop for all-inclusive packages:

www.sandals.com

www.cruises.com

• For adventure – a vacation filled with fun, outdoor activities is easy to plan with these sites:

www.iexplore.com

www.spectrav.com

• For romance – you’ll find that Paris is not the only option for on-location romance with these options:

www.allgetaways.com/activity.asp?areaid=100436

www.vacationidea.com/romance.html

Spoil Her
Pamper her by combining a trip at the spa, a shopping spree and time with her friends for a luxurious day or weekend.

Every woman enjoys feeling like a princess, and there’s nothing quite like the VIP treatment you get at a spa. Go beyond the standard manicure and pedicure and tie both of these pamper sessions in with a facial, massage and/or body wrap. Most spas offer packages for these services, so ask some women you know to name their favorite luxurious spas.

The only thing better than a holistic spa treatment by herself is having a girlfriend or two go with her. Talk with one of her friends’ boyfriends and suggest he use the same Christmas gift idea for his girlfriend so both women can share the experience together.

Combine this with lunch or dinner reservations at an exclusive or hot, new restaurant in the area, and a shopping spree, courtesy of your credit card, and she will come home at the end of the day, relaxed, renewed and grateful to you.

The best way to find a good local spa in your city, or even in your state, is to get a referral from someone who has been there. But if you really want to take things to the next level, you can send her to a retreat at one of the world’s best spas.

Or, instead of spending the time with one of her friends, you can offer to join her for some time completely dedicated to her needs and interests. Probably the best Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend, fiancée or wife is to give her the gift of your time – turning off the Blackberry, forgetting the to-do lists, canceling the meetings, and completely focusing your attention on her and letting her know how much she’s appreciated. And, taking the time to participate in her day could bring the two of you closer together.

Mix together some thought, creativity and planning, and any romantic Christmas gift idea that you have will go over well. Let her know how you feel by taking the time to be original this holiday season.

Tags: Romantic Christmas Gift Ideas | Christmas Gift Ideas for Girlfriend | Christmas Gifts

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Now, there are inevitable inequalities between the sexes: Men can’t have babies (yet) and women can’t easily write their name in the snow by emptying their bladder.

The marriage proposal, however, is no longer solely assigned to the would-be groom. Today, women can propose just as easily as men can, and doing so does not carry the social stigma that it once did.

So if you’re thinking about it, here’s some general advice for proposing to the man you want to grow old with.

How to Propose to a Man

Thank heavens women are no longer hampered by the old fashioned ideas of the past. Today’s woman can propose to a man without being labeled “shameless” or “desperate”! How she goes about that proposal is critical to the outcome, so we have provided some valuable tips on how to propose to a man to ensure that your man responds with an enthusiastic yes when you propose.

Read more about How to Propose to a Man.

Tags: Propose | Engagement | Women’s Lib

Even though this makes it impossible to follow the traditional pattern of proposals, it opens up new methods of making the moment special. It only takes a little imagination to create the perfect, traditional proposal.

Creating the perfect proposal does not need to involve the diamond engagement ring – yet. Plan five stages, each one romantic, and designed to foreshadow the impending proposal.

There is an old Persian custom where the couple takes the first sip of a drink from their spouce’s glass. This custom was started to thwart would be murderers, but the custom has changed over the years to become a romantic and even intimate exchange between lovers. This old custom can be used to build up to a proposal.

Dinner in a fine restaurant is also one way to suggest that something special is about to happen, without giving away the intent. Choice of restaurant is important. It must not be so fancy that the woman feels uncomfortable – but it shouldn’t be a restaurant that you visit often. A restaurant with a lovely lake view, china place settings, and delicate meals, is all that is necessary. One tip, remember to make sure the restaurant serves her favorite meal and wine.

A proposal can start in the early afternoon, climaxing late at night. For example, taking a trip to wine country for an afternoon taste tour, and then ending it with a gourmet dinner in their dining room is a fine prelude to a proposal. Then, use the Persian custom to suggest that you are ‘up to something.’ This will create anticipation.

Still, for some people, the perfect proposal must include a diamond engagement ring. If you have been dreaming of this type of proposal, then try some alternatives that blend old and new together seamlessly. One is to tie a pair of diamond earrings, or a pendent, to the stem of your glass. After putting them on your beloved, you can suggest finding a diamond engagement ring to match.

Before buying a diamond engagement ring, take the time to learn more about styles and ‘realistic’ prices. Every diamond is as unique as the person who wears it. That is why it is important to look at what is available at a diamond retailer like DanforthDiamond.com They offer more rings than most people are aware of. Their selection of diamonds allows you to select a diamond to match your soul mate’s style and taste.

Innovations in developing a castable palladium alloy produced 950 palladium, which is ideal for jewelry. It is expected that, within the coming months, consumers will begin to hear more about palladium and its benefits; and palladium could very well be the next revolution in jewelry. Much of this relies on the fact that palladium is in the platinum group of metals and shares many of the same attributes as platinum – high purity, good luster, and white appearance.

Danforth Diamond is a leading palladium jewelry seller online. Please visit us to see our large collection of palladium jewelry.

No matter what method you choose to propose, make sure that the memory will last forever. However, do not forget that the ring will last forever too. Designing an engagement ring ‘just for her’ is a precious reminder of your love that she will wear forever. Buying a ring at a local mall is not romantic. Choosing a heart shaped diamond and a band style from an online jeweler is romantic. She will never know that it only took a few minutes to choose the ring. Online stores sell higher quality diamond engagement rings for the same price as the bargain rings sold at a local jewelry store.

If you do not use the extra money to buy a better ring, consider buying a matching pendant or earrings. There is nothing more stylish than wearing matching jewelry. All through history, men used jewelry to express their love. It is a ‘love language’ that women can understand. The quality of jewelry a woman wears earns her the respect and admiration of her family and friends. Purchasing a diamond ring from a brick and mortar store costs as much as 40% more than buying on the Internet. If you are looking for a diamond engagement ring or diamond earrings, be sure to check out internet stores like DanforthDiamond.com before making your purchase ­

Online stores carry diamond engagement and wedding rings from some of the world’s top jewelry artists at 30 – 40% less than the generic designs carried by local brick and mortar jewelry stores. The designs at online stores express the different personalities and artistic designs of the artists.

The look of wonder and excitement that brightens a woman’s face as an artistically designed ring slips on her finger remains in the memory for decades to come. A diamond engagement ring is a pledge of love. An artistically designed ring, one that set’s the ring apart from all the Bride’s friends and family member’s, is a gift that will remind her how much she is loved for years to come.

If you are looking to buy a diamond engagement ring or other diamond earrings, be sure to check out DanforthDiamond.com before making your jewelry purchase ¬ you will save money on a quality ring. You will also find some romantic ways of delivering the ring.

The way a diamond ring is presented is as vital to the magic of the moment as the ring itself. The new designs, where the band is not closed, lend themselves perfectly to weaving the stem of an orchid or calla lily through. These flowers are the ‘in’ flowers used by Wedding designers and planners.

Take a little time to think about how important the ring will be in the future, and then go to www.danforthdiamond.com and read the romantic tips, and advice for avoiding proposal blunders. You’ll never regret it.

Platinum is both rarer and purer than gold — one of the reasons why its price has been increasing over the years, just as the demand for it has been increasing (in February 2003, its price exceeded $700 per ounce for the first time in over 20 years). It’s 35 times more rare than gold, and is found in very few places in the world — mainly South Africa and Russia — and only 88 tons of platinum are made into jewelry each year. It literally takes eight weeks and 10 tons of ore to produce one single ounce of platinum!

Platinum Facts

• * Platinum has an extremely high melting temperature. In its purest form it melts at 3214 degrees F, almost twice the temperature needed to melt 14 karat gold.
• All the platinum ever mined would produce a cube 17 feet on each side, less than 5000 cubic feet.
• It takes up to 10 tons of ore to produce one ounce of platinum, more than twice as much ore that is typically needed for an ounce of gold.
• Platinum is not susceptible to problems like stress corrosion or stress cracking as can be the case with white gold. (This problem mainly applies to prong settings etc. Don’t worry, your white gold wedding band will not suffer this problem).

Platinum is about 95% pure (as compared to 18-karat gold, which is about 75% pure). All metals have alloys, or blends of other metals, but platinum has very few alloys, so it doesn’t fade or change color, and retains its shine for years. Many think that white gold is comparable to platinum since they both appear to be the same color. But what many of us don’t know is that white gold is simply yellow gold with white alloys added to it, so it’s not uncommon, after many years of wear, for a white gold ring to return to its natural yellow color. Platinum, however, will retain its pure white luster for your entire lifetime and then some, ensuring you can pass down your most precious possession to your daughter and she to hers.

PLATINUM is the hardest of the precious metals, it never tarnishes. Its intense luster remains intact over the years, and it is completely hypoallergenic.

If and when you decide to say “I do” to platinum’s rarity, durability, purity and limitless eternal qualities, forever will truly mean forever.
Follow these easy tips to help keep your ring looking as great as the day you got engaged:

• Store your ring separately from other pieces of jewelry so it doesn’t get scratched. If it does get scratched, have it polished by a jeweler.
• Keep your ring in a safe place and remember to have it sufficiently insured. If you’re not sure about its value, take it to your local jeweler for valuation.
• Clean your ring periodically with a pre-packaged jewelry cleaner or soak it in mild soap and warm water, then gently rub it with a soft cloth. You should also have it professionally cleaned about every six months.
• Platinum is extremely dense, and remarkably heavy. Much more so than silver or gold. This property of platinum enhances and ennobles the quality of the jewelry from which it is created.
• Find a qualified jeweler for adjustments, resizing, polishing, and cleaning, and make sure they have a platinum trained bench worker.
• Over time, platinum develops a natural patina that many people prefer over the “just polished” look. When this happens, you can take your ring to a qualified jeweler to have it re-polished to a high-gloss look if you prefer.
• Take your ring off when cleaning, gardening, doing any kind of heavy work, or when working with bleach and harsh chemicals. Although the chemicals won’t damage the platinum, they may discolor diamonds and other gems.

I will admit that I looked at the stone in my engagement ring, to compare the quality my husband bought me ten years ago. Of course it was beautiful – what can you expect from a Welshman. But, if he knew of this site then I would have had something stunning. Not only is the price 30 – 40% less than in ‘brick and mortar’ stores, but they let you choose your diamond by size, quality, brightness, carat, and price. You just keeps selecting what you want until you are at the page that has your diamond on it. I must admit that it made me wonder if a couple other pieces of my diamond jewelry were not quite up to the grade the sales clerk promised.

There is also a great selection of other diamond jewelry on their site.

It could be because I am a woman and love diamond. It could be the guarantee, low price, and free shipping. It could be that I found a couple potential gifts for myself, but I had to rate Danforth a ten on my scale.

The first consideration when choosing an engagement ring style is your loved one’s lifestyle.

Is she very active? Will her engagement ring need to stand up to an adventurous lifestyle of mountain climbing?

If your beloved is very active, you should probably stay away from stone shapes that are easily chipped or broken. Pear and Marquise shaped diamonds contain points that can easily chip. High settings are also more inclined to suffer damage from hitting hard surfaces and catching on everyday objects and clothing.

However, if your fiancé has her heart set on a shape or style of ring that is among the more fragile and she has an active lifestyle, make sure you order a “V-end” prong setting which will protect the points of the diamond.

Determine How It Will Look On Her Hand
Are her hands small, and are her fingers short? Or does she have a long and slender hand? These are questions you will need to consider when choosing your engagement ring style.

Pick The Diamond Shape that’s Right for Her

A broad banded ring will not flatter a small hand with short fingers, however, it will balance the proportion of a long slender fingered hand. A small ring will make a larger hand appear bigger and most women do not like that! Hand size and proportion are very important when deciding on the engagement ring. Take a good look at your loved one’s hand and decide what size of engagement ring will look best. You can still choose from all of the styles, but you must keep proportion in mind.

Finally, remember that you will purchase a wedding band to be given on the day of your marriage. It is important that the engagement ring and wedding band complement one another. We offer a wide variety of wedding rings with matching engagement rings to make this process effortless.

Remember, the most important factor is your own personal preference and taste.

Read the entire article on choosing a diamond within your budget.

Need Expert Guidance on Choosing an Affordable Engagement Ring?

Questions about Buying Diamonds?

We are here to help you via phone, Mondays-Fridays, 9AM-9PM EST. Please call 1.877.404.RING toll-free. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 001.804.794.1118.

Or, email us ANYTIME at experts@danforthdiamond.com. It is our goal to respond to your email within one business day.

MIDLOTHIAN, VA (PRWEB) – April 28, 2006 – Danforth Diamond announces price reductions on their entire collection of sterling silver jewelry in time for Mother’s Day. Now through May 14, 2006 all sterling silver bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and key rings are an additional 25% off the already-low Danforth Diamond price. Please visit to view some of their featured Mother’s Day Jewelry.

Shopping online offers consumers the ability to compare products and prices with a click of their mouse. Danforth Diamond’s jewelry is already 40% off the retail prices found in jewelry stores and further reducing the sterling silver collection represents a significant savings for Mother’s Day gift buyers.

Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond, explains, “Having a Mother’s Day sale is a way to help people find the right gift for mom. We want to reward our loyal customers and introduce new customers to Danforth Diamond.” The sale has been in progress since mid-April and has received positive feedback from returning customers as well as first-time buyers. “Our quality jewelry at competitive prices attracts Mother’s Day gift buyers and our helpful customer service is what makes them repeat customers,” Ms. Renee says.

The Danforth family developed the Danforth Diamond website to offer high quality diamond engagement rings and jewelry online. Their Mother’s Day jewelry sale is a part of their commitment to giving customers a break from the high cost of traditional retail.

About Danforth Diamond
Danforth Diamond is an online retailer of fine jewelry with over 50 years in the jewelry business. Their website offers gold and silver earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings at prices better than consumers have come to expect without sacrificing quality. Danforth Diamond can be found online at http://www.danforthdiamond.com/.

Company Contact:
Jill Renee

http://www.danforthdiamond.com/

Phone: 877-404-7464

Press Release Contact:
Alyssa Duvall
http://www.bigoakinc.com/

# # #

experts@danforthdiamond.com wrote:
Yes it has been billed and the ring turned out beautiful! I
think you will be pleased. Thank you again for your business. Sincerely,
Jill

Jill…
You HAVE to know you have a repeat customer with the way you’ve taken such great care of me! Presuming she says yes……There will be wedding rings to purchase as well, and I WILL be coming you folks for that. Thanks for such great customer service!
- Customer

experts@danforthdiamond.com wrote:
Hi,
How did it go?/ I hope she was over the moon with happiness. I have
the GIA certificate for the diamond and I am popping it in the mail today,
so be on the look out for it. Best Wishes, Jill

Actually, I’m headed down this Saturday to get the answers to your questions…But judging from what I’m taking down there with me, in this box, It will MORE than make up for anything I might happen to goofup along the way! The engagement ring\ is fantastic!
Thank-you!

Hi,

I am bringing my girlfriend to New York for St Patricks weekend next
month and I am hoping to propose.

I am just wondering do you have any suggestions on the top romantic
places to propose at? Or anything that could give me ideas?

She is expecting something but I truly want to surprise her. Your help
would be most grateful.
Regards
Name Removed

experts@danforthdiamond.com wrote:
Hi,

Your question has me thinking of all sorts of possibilities! I am
unsure of how familiar with the city that you and your girlfriend are or
what your budget is but I will give you a few suggestions.

For a romantic dinner The Rainbow Room at the top of Rockefeller Center
has awesome veiws and dancing. It is expensive. You should call and ask about price; if there is a band the
night you want to go, and request a window table.

Another choice is Tavern On the Green…this place is really something all
glass and mirrors with veiws of central park. I do not have the phone
number but you can get it from inforrmation or your hotel. Be sure to call
for a table by the window. This is also expensive.
If you go the romantic dinner route plan ahead with the waiter and use one
of our ideas from the website on how to present the ring.

Other ideas..if its still cold ice skating at Rockefeller center..you can
have hot chocolate in the restaurant and watch the skaters if you do not
actually want to skate.

A carriage ride through Central Park…make sure to talk with your hotel
and try and pick out a driver ahead of time to let him know your plans.
This could be really romantic.

Let me know if any of these ideas appeal to you. I can help you flush the
plan out more if I know what direction you want to go. Be sure to remember
the St. Patty’s parade will be on March 17th on 5th avenue. All the best
of luck and please let me know how things work out, Jill Renee at Danforth
Diamond.com

PS..do you need help with a engagement ring?? We have a great selection of high
quality rings at great prices.

Hi Jill,
Thank you very much for all your useful ideas! They were all great and
nothing I could have thought of myself.

I have gone with your first idea The Rainbow Room and will be booking
same for the 17th March. I will let you know what her answer is!

Again thanks a million for all the tips.
Regards
Name Removed

Natural colored diamonds are very rare and fetch very high prices. Colored diamonds that are formed in the earth by nature come from three sources. The first method is when a foreign element is introduced to the carbon material that a diamond is made from. For example nitrogen can cause a diamond to have yellow or orange hues while boron can make it blue. The second method by which diamonds get color is when pressure compresses the carbon and creates a red, pink or purple hue. Lastly, natural radiation deep in the earth generates diamonds with colors of green or blue. Green, red and purple diamonds are considered very rare and command huge prices. Indeed there are only six naturally formed red diamonds currently in the market. One can only imagine the prices these stones will fetch. Natural colored diamonds are so rare that there exist at least 10,000 colorless stones for each stone with color.

Colored diamonds can also be made in labs. There are a variety of methods used to color diamonds. Some of these stones are purely synthetic, meaning they were totally created in a lab. They are formed from carbon just like the real thing. However, these stones can be formed in a matter of weeks where as it takes thousands of years for natural diamonds to be formed. These type of synthetic diamonds are so similar to the real thing that only high tech equipment that can detect subtle differences in the crystal formations within the stone can detect that their fake.
Another man made method to produce colored diamonds requires a natural diamond that possesses an unattractive color. These stones are irradiated. Irradiation is a process in which a diamond is exposed to a source of radiation which will change the position of atoms within the stone, which will cause its color to change.

Treated or synthetic diamonds may look very appealing to the consumer because of the price and uniformity of color; however, these diamonds have no value to the serious buyer and have little resale value. Therefore, if you are purchasing a colored diamond for investment it is vital to obtain certification from the diamond seller. The certificate should come from a reputable laboratory and contain the origin of the stone and the natural origin of the stones color.

Grading colored diamonds presents another set of unique issues for the buyer. Colorless diamonds are graded on the 4 C’s: Cut, Carat, Clarity and Color. Colored diamonds are also valued based upon the 4 C’s but another factor weighs most heavily on the value of a colored diamond. This factor is based upon the hue and rarity of the color. Indeed a rare color of diamond will garner a much higher price than a colorless stone of many more carats. Colored diamonds have three characteristics by which they are graded. These are hue, tone and saturation. Hue refers to the dominant color of the stone, tone refers to the light within the stone and saturation refers to the intensity of the hue. Be sure to look for these factors in the diamond certificate.

Having knowledge about the differences between natural and synthetic colored diamonds will help you to choose the diamond that’s right for you. One thing is certain in today’s marketplace jewelry designer’s are using colored diamonds to create beautiful and unique designs that consumers will want to own.

By Jill Renee

Diamonds are known for their sparkle and brilliance making them popular in jewelry as their shine is unmatched by any other gemstone. Symbolizing eternal love, diamonds are popular in engagement rings and wedding jewelry. Because of their hardness, diamonds are also used to cut and wear away other substances and are used for industrial purposes in drills, saws and engraving tools.

The jewelry and industrial uses for diamonds created a demand for the stones and also prompted the creation of imitations which mimic the qualities of a diamond with some differences. Cubic zirconia and moissanite are two of these that are popular in jewelry.
Both are diamond simulants meaning non-diamond materials are used to create them and simulate the properties of a real diamond. Both are less expensive than a diamond and have their advantages and drawbacks.

Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamonds

Cubic zirconia (or CZ) has been used in jewelry since the 1970’s. Cubic zirconias are more reflective than glass or crystal so they sparkle like diamonds. A CZ is not as hard as a diamond but weighs more, a fact that does not lessen cubic zirconias appeal since traditional carat sizes are small enough that their weight isn’t perceived as greater. The majority of diamonds have inclusions, or flaws (these are measured by the Clarity component of the four C’s of diamond buying.) CZs are optically flawless and they are colorless, another characteristics that is found in few diamonds as most diamonds have some yellow shading to them.

Moissanite vs. Diamonds

Moissanite is the jewelry name for silicon carbide and was introduced as a gemstone in the late 1990’s. Moissanites are more refractive than diamonds meaning they shine more brilliantly making this one of the easiest ways to tell it is not a diamond.
A moissanite is not as hard as a diamond but is harder than a cubic zirconia and it weighs less than a CZ. Moissanites do have inclusions like diamonds and may have green shading to them.

Both cubic zirconia and moissanite have a close visual resemblance to diamonds – they offer the luster and fire of diamonds while being mostly colorless and can be cut in the same shapes as diamonds. In jewelry making cubic zirconia and moissanite are not as popular so they are harder to find in specific cuts and are not regularly found in jewelry stores or traditional online jewelry sellers.

Jewelry stores do provide a personal buying experience on a one-on-one basis, however, do you really need to pay 30-40% more for this service?

Conversely, is the risk of being unhappy with your diamond purchase greater, without seeing it first?

Danforth Diamond responds to both of these questions noting that the average length of time spent on our website is 2 hours, longer than you would generally spend on a jewelry store visit. Also, most busy jewelers would be unable to devote that much individual time to only you.

We draw upon our over 50 years in the diamond and jewelry business to provide a complete and thorough education to assist you with your diamond and diamond jewelry purchases.

And remember that our site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for you to explore when it is convenient for you.

Our lower overhead on the Internet will enable you to buy a 30-40% better valued diamond. Your extra purchasing power will allow you to upgrade your clarity, color, cut, or carat weight, lowering your chances of being unsatisfied. Our inventory of stones and styles are far mhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifore extensive than most stores, and our diamonds are certified by world-known independent laboratories.

And furthermore, we offer a no risk 30-day unconditional money back guarantee.

We understand the concern that the Internet has anonymous and short-lived businesses, but so do traditional brick and mortar establishments. However we are long established jewelers that can now offer you exceptional product at great prices through the Internet.

Our goal, at Danforth Diamond, is to become your local “internet” jeweler. We want to provide great product and service with your first purchase, hoping you will feel comfortable to visit with us again for all your future anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations.

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A gemstone is the ultimate luxury product. It has no material use. Men and women desire to have diamonds not for what they [diamonds] can do but for what they desire.1

To hear these words from a person who attributes his entire wealth and power to the trade of diamonds illustrates the peculiar nature of the diamond market: Jewelry diamonds are unjustifiably expensive, given they are not actually scarce and would fetch a price of $2 to $30 if put to industrial use. Still, by appealing to the customers’ sentiment, diamonds are one of the most precious luxury items and enjoy almost global acceptance. This fact is often attributed to the history of one company. DeBeers, founded by Cecil Rhodes in 1870. Debeers has been a highly successful and effective controller of the diamond market, having developed a unique purchasing and marketing cartel that has influenced prices in the market virtually undisturbed for almost a century. Lately, however, there are signs that more and more players seem ready to challenge DeBeers’ dominance, and ever since, DeBeers has struggled to keep the cartel intact.

Diamonds and the Cartel

For centuries, the only two countries producing diamonds were India and Brazil. Up to the middle of the 19th century, the world supply of diamonds was so scarce that even monarchs and noblemen found it hard to get hold of them. The idea of making diamonds available to the general public seemed unthinkable. When diamonds were first found in South Africa in 1867, however, supply increased rapidly, although the notion of diamonds as a precious and rare commodity remain to the present day.

Similar to the gold miners in California, diamond miners in South Africa tended to rush to the latest findings.2 As a matter of principle, diamond miners preferred to work by themselves. However, the scarcity of resourceful land and the need for a minimum of common infrastructure forced them to live together in limited areas. In order to fight off latecomers and to settle disputes, Diggers Committees were formed and gave out claims in a region. Each digger would be allocated one claim, or, at most, two.

Since digging diamonds on a larger scale was virtually impossible for individuals, small claimholders soon merged into larger ones. Moreover, equipment for digging, hauling the dirt up and pumping water out of the mines was purchased or rented by groups of miners, thereby forced to cooperate even more intensively.3 Cecil Rhodes was one of the first businessmen to rent out pumping equipment and soon realized that he had tapped a vast market potential. He reinvested the initial proceeds from equipment rental in acquiring claims. By 1880, he held a large enough share of diamond claims to justify a separate company purely concerned with managing the mines: thus DeBeers Mining Company was created. By 1887, the company was the sole owner of South African diamond mines.

Concurrently, Cecil Rhodes took control of the distribution channels through “The Diamond Syndicate,” an alliance of merchants in Kimberley who abided to Rhodes’ terms of business, recognizing that their own interests and DeBeers were compatible in that both aimed for high prices and a notion of scarcity.

You can read the rest of the story of DeBeers Diamond Cartel

• Remove your jewelry when cooking, deep cleaning or gardening. Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your jewelry.
• Remove jewelry before showering. Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film you reduce the occasions your jewelry will need to be cleaned.
• For protection of your jewelry and for safety reasons jewelry should be removed when working around machinery with movable parts.
• Have your fine jewelry inspected annually by a professional. Inspection will insure that deep crevices are cleaned and settings are solid and secure preventing loss of valuable stones.
• Clean your jewelry as needed using jewelry cleaner made especially for this purpose or with a non abrasive soap or mixture of ammonia and water mixture. Use caution when cleaning jewelry to avoid damage to your precious metal. A soft chamois cloth is an effective way to keep your pieces shining and your jeweler can give you specific advice as to which commercial cleaners are available and suitable for your needs.
• A soft, discarded toothbrush is ideal for cleaning jewelry as the bristles will get into tiny spaces where dirt likes to hide and the brush accustomed to cleaning delicate surfaces is designed to clean without scratching.
• Sterling silver will oxidize and tarnish unless covered with a protective layer of rhodium to help prevent tarnishing. Over time this covering may breakdown. Commercial polish will restore the original color and luster. However, you may also clean sterling silver by mixing mild soap, water and a drop of ammonia and wipe with a clean soft cloth. Never use vinegar on sterling silver.
• To clean stainless steel simply moisten a cloth with undiluted white or cider vinegar and wipe clean.
• Take special care of silver jewelry making sure it does not come into contact with swimming pools, hot tubs or the ocean. Silver will react with chlorine causing discoloration and then there is also the issue of loss at a public pool or in your own filter system.
• Pearls should be kept away from chemicals including hairspray, perfume and detergents. Use fragrance and hair products prior to donning pearls. Pearls when cleaned should be done so with a mild soapy water solution and rinsed well, never put in an ultrasonic cleaner. Before storing you pearls, wipe them with a soft, damp cloth to ensure that they remain free from any harmful buildup. Pearls are easily scratched and should be stored in a soft cloth pouch or in a separate lined jewelry box to avoid being bumped by other jewelry. If you wear your pearl strand several times a week, consider having your jeweler restring it once a year to prevent strand breakage. Pearls aren’t just for formal occasions they look just as fashionable when you’re having a “dress down” day.

For anyone looking to purchase fine jewelry, online shopping can be a great way to find the right piece at the right price. There can be many advantages to buying fine jewelry online – with savings being one of the major factors. Reputable online jewelers usually have much lower overhead costs, and can pass those savings on to the consumer. Another advantage of buying fine jewelry online is convenience – you need travel no further than your computer to choose your jewelry and make your purchase. This being said, there are things you need to consider in order to make your fine jewelry purchase a positive experience.

Choose a Jeweler You Trust
The first thing you need to do is find an online jewelry store that you can trust. You will have to do a little bit of detective work in order to eliminate the less desirable companies and end up with a list of jewelers that you feel confident doing business with.

Find out if the website is secure. The jeweler’s website should have 128bit SSL security. This is an absolute must when you are purchasing online, since you will most likely be using a credit card or supplying your bank account information. Somewhere along the line you will be supplying information about yourself, and the 128bit SSL security will ensure that no unauthorized party can get access to your information.

Also, any diamond you buy, whether it is online or from a store, should come with a diamond certificate. The Gemological Institute of America independently certifies diamonds providing information on a diamond’s characteristics such as color, clarity and size. This is your best way of knowing the quality of the diamond you are buying.

The Online Jewelry Store Should Provide Excellent Customer Service
This cannot be stressed strongly enough. Before you make a fine jewelry purchase from a website consider contacting the jeweler’s customer service department by email and by phone. When talking to a customer service representative, ask questions and pay close attention to the responses you receive. If the rep seems irritated with your questions or is spending the entire phone call trying to rush you into buying a product, consider that a “red flag”.

If you contact them by email, check to see how quickly they reply. It should take them no longer than 48 hours during the business week – within 24 hours is the ideal. Look for professionalism and a helpful attitude in their emails.

The Website Should Be Informative
The jeweler’s website itself should have information on how to buy a quality diamond, the different types of precious metals, etc. They should have a wide variety of choices, and be able to help you find what is right for you. By providing you with information the company is helping you make an educated purchase.

Look for Quality Craftsmanship
What the Internet can offer you is the chance to shop several stores without having to drive all over town; this allows you to choose a company whose fine jewelry shows attention to detail and craftsmanship.

The Return Policy Can Be Important
What if you receive the jewelry and are dissatisfied? Review the company’s return policy before you buy so you know what rights you have if you want to return your fine jewelry purchase.

See If They Offer Extra Perks
Things like free shipping add up to big savings. If the online jeweler is located outside of the state you are buying from you pay no sales tax. Free shipping combined with no sales tax can make a big difference in your bottom line. Some companies offer a discount on your next purchase. This can also save you big money. If a company is offering these or other incentives, they will likely have this information throughout the site and in their shopping cart.

Your Jewelry Purchase Should Provide Good Value for the Money
When buying fine jewelry, you are getting a piece that will last a lifetime and become a family heirloom. Look for fine jewelry that offers the best value which is not only determined by how much the jewelry costs but by the quality of the piece and the materials used.

Online jewelry shopping offers convenience, selection and value. Consider the factors above when making your next fine jewelry purchase so you find the online jeweler that is right for you.

About the Author
Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store specializing in fine jewelry and diamonds – on the Web at http://www.danforthdiamond.com/

What is a jewelry buyer to do when faced with this information? First of all relax, most people do not have severe reactions to nickel. And jewelers are starting to use alloys that contain less nickel to develop white gold jewelry.

Some nickel-free white gold alloys were originally developed in the 1920s using palladium as the primary bleaching agent. Palladium is part of the platinum group of metals. It is a steel-white metal, does not tarnish in air, and is the least dense and lowest melting of the platinum group metals. Palladium has very good corrosion and tarnish resistance, and it mixes well with gold, offering almost complete homogenization throughout the range of gold-palladium compositions. All these factors make it a good choice for white gold jewelry manufacturing. It also yields alloys with excellent mechanical properties superior in many respects to the nickel-whites which can be difficult to work with and contain pockets of gold and nickel because the two metals don’t like to be mixed. Jewelry made from a palladium/gold alloy will not result in allergic reactions.

You might be asking: “If palladium is so much better than nickel to make white gold, why don’t all jewelers use it?” The answer is cost. Palladium jewelry is a bit more expensive to use. The cost of an ounce of palladium is around $300 currently and consumers don’t like paying higher prices for what appears to be the same jewelry product. However, once people know the facts about nickel white gold and the allergic risks it presents many are willing to pay a little more.

Another white metal on the horizon is 950 Palladium. Some jewelry manufacturers are making product from new palladium alloys that can be cast into jewelry. This is a wonderful metal because it is a bright white color, very similar to platinum, but has a much lower price. It is still relatively new so jewelers are still learning how to work best with this metal. Keep your eyes open though, because you will soon be seeing more of this product, especially with the cost of platinum currently above $1,000 an ounce.

About the Author
Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store offering platinum, white gold and yellow gold jewelry. With 50 years in the jewelry business, the Danforth family developed their site as a resource to help you find the best value in high-quality jewelry.

Notable characteristics
Palladium is a soft steel-white metal that resembles platinum, doesn’t tarnish in air, and is the least dense and has the lowest melting point of the platinum group metals. It is soft and ductile when annealed and greatly increases its strength and hardness when it is cold-worked. Palladium is chemically attacked by sulfuric and nitric acid but dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid. This metal also does not react with oxygen at normal temperatures.

This metal has the uncommon ability to absorb up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen at room temperatures. It is thought that this possibly forms palladium hydride – PdH2 – but it is not yet clear if this is a true chemical compound.

New information next week on Palladium and how it can help white gold jewelry wearers.

The term “color” in diamond buying is really the opposite of what you may think. When making your selection, you’re not actually looking for the presence of a particular color. Instead, your ideal diamond will have as little color as possible. Most diamonds appear icy white, but many have tiny hints of color, usually yellow.

The closer to white or “colorless” the stone appears, the more valuable it is. Colorless diamonds are extremely rare, and therefore very valuable. The reason – the absence of color allows more light to pass through the stone. As more light enters, more light also exits the diamond, thereby emitting a higher level of sparkle or “fire”. However, there are no hard and fast rules for what color makes a diamond beautiful. Color characteristics in diamonds are a result of composition and will not change over time.

Diamonds were formed under intense heat and pressure. Colorless diamonds are composed of pure carbon. Traces of other elements incorporated into their atomic structure account for the variances in color. A single change in color grade can significantly affect a diamond’s value.

The color of the setting is also very important. A white diamond looks best in a white setting. This is why our engagement rings are offered in white gold or two tone, a yellow ring with a white gold setting.

Read the rest of the article to learn about the color of a diamond…

It seems that sometimes men “just don’t get it”. The relationship is fantastic. You are getting along, having fun and enjoying each other’s company, why rock the boat? Deeper commitment, lasting love and the thought of a lifetime together is something most men just don’t think about and when they do, it scares them to death!

In the book “Why Men Marry Some Women and Not Others,” by John Molloy, the author states that the only way to get a man to propose is to bring the subject up with him. Timing is crucial in that the optimal time for talking about marriage is 12 to 24 months into a relationship. You must not beat around the bush or drop subtle hints because that usually doesn’t work. A straight forward approach is what is recommended.

Don’t be put off if your man doesn’t respond positively to your suggestion at first. He may need time to think about the prospect for awhile, after all, this is probably the FIRST time he has actually thought about it!

Here are some tips:

1. Make him aware of your interest in a lifetime commitment. Drop subtle hints from time to time, such as, ‘We’d make a great team’ or ‘I can’t imagine my future without you,’ rather than incessantly bombarding him with demands about marriage.

2. Point out your shared interests, values and common goals. Open his eyes so he’ll realize that you’re the one for him.

3. Remember that actions speak louder than words. Show him what a great lifetime partner you could be through thoughtful actions, sincerity, kindness and other appealing traits.

4. Remind him of several happily married couples who are mutual friends of yours, pointing out how much you have in common with them and how successful their marriages are.

If after a certain amount of time it becomes apparent that he is NEVER going to commit, it is probably time to move on. Although, this is not the outcome most women want, some men need to experience life without that special someone in order to realize marriage is the answer.

More advice can be found proposal advice and romantic tips.

If you are buying jewelry for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, ask yourself: Would you buy a plasma TV without doing research?

Now, ask yourself: Have you ever put that much thought into buying jewelry?

You probably know as much about buying jewelry as you do about rocket science.

Take these tips from Pensacola jewelry designer and metalsmith Rocky Hard, owner of Rock Hard Designs, to ensure your sweetie will squeal with delight on Valentine’s Day.

Look at what she’s wearing. “Is she wearing yellow gold? White gold?” Hard said. “Does she like colored stones?”

Another place to look is her jewelry box. But beware, there might be pieces in there that she hasn’t worn in years or doesn’t particularly like. Try to take note of the items she wears frequently.

When snooping, look for her ring size and try to determine the necklace length she prefers. Need a ring sizer, you can order a free ring sizer at DanforthDiamon.com

Also, look for items that could use a complementary piece. If she has a pearl necklace, but no earrings to match, maybe that’s your perfect gift.

Ask around. If you’re still confused, it never hurts to ask for help from her mother, sister, best friend or even her jeweler if she’s a regular at the store. They should be able to clue you in on her likes and dislikes.

Do your homework. Know, without a doubt, what her birthstone is if you’re planning to buy a birthstone piece. Educate yourself about jewelry quality and craftsmanship so you can purchase something that will last.

Choose a reputable jeweler. If you aren’t experienced with buying jewelry, you’ll want to make sure that you buy from someone who isn’t going to rip you off. Be sure to shop around for price and service. Go with someone who is willing to spend time helping you decide.

“Don’t fall for the sales,” Hard said. “The reality is, the price of diamonds and gold is fixed because of demand. … You can’t just go out and get it for nothing.”

KrisThoma@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

Care & Cleaning of Diamond Rings
We are often asked how to care for and clean diamond rings. We have to consider the diamonds, the ring mount, and any other stones apart from diamonds. Other Stones
On this page, we will limit ourselves to the care of the diamonds and mount, for information about any other gemstones, please refer to our A to Z of Gemstones page.

General Diamond Jewelry Care
Diamonds are extremely hard and durable, but there are things which can damage them, so it is important to know what to avoid. Diamonds can be broken by a sharp impact on a hard surface, so dropping a ring onto a concrete floor could cause the diamond to cleave, especially if it struck at precisely the wrong place. This is not very likely to happen, and diamonds are so durable, that you may get away with dropping it onto concrete 1,000 times without damage. We would not recommend the experiment! Rings do come in for a large amount of wear and tear when they are on fingers, and an accidental blow on metal or other hard surface could have a similar or greater effect than being dropped.

This sort of collision damage is more likely to wear or break the ring mount, so it is worth inspecting the ring carefully after any hard knock to ensure that any claws are still intact and the stone is tight.

One of the worst things for causing wear and damage to diamonds is allowing them to rub and knock against other diamonds. This will cause abrasion and chipping, particularly around the girdle of the stone. If you wear several rings next to each other, it is better if there is a metal to metal contact between them. Although this will cause wear, it can be repaired fairly easily. We do see a number of older ladies, who have acquired a number of rings over a long period of time, wearing two, three or more rings on one finger. We even had one customer who had seven diamond rings on one finger. They were all quite large, and the thought of the damage to the diamonds made us cringe. This particular little old lady knew that her enjoyment of her rings was more important than the cost of any damage to them.

A number of years ago, we sold a large cubic zirconia ring to a lady, who brought it back less than six months later with all three stones almost worn away and looking very dull. We replace it, but advised her not to wear against her other diamond rings.

Reasonable care should be taken not to catch diamond settings with filaments of thread, particularly strong synthetic threads which may bend claws, and loosen the stones they are meant to be securing.

It is worth having your ring checked by a jeweller occasionally for wear or damage to the settings, particularly with claw set rings. Of course, you can do this yourself, but most jewellers have suitable magnifying glasses which make close inspection much easier. If you notice a stone which is loose, this should definitely be checked by a jeweller as soon as possible.

Cleaning Diamond Jewelry
When jewelery is worn next to the skin, it will become covered and clogged in oily debris mainly composed of dead skin. Dust and grit become lodged in this. Wearing rings while washing up can also allow a greasy film to coat the backs of stones (diamonds just love grease!), and the inside of settings.

The main purpose of cleaning diamond rings is to remove all this greasy debris, and allow light to enter and leave the diamonds, restoring their sparkle. Nothing you would ever use to clean your ring is likely to damage the diamonds without damaging the mount, so we will describe how to clean the metal part of rings. The mount will normally be made of gold, preferably 18 carat gold, of platinum, or of a mixture of the two. Other gold alloys are not as suitable, for an explanation of this, please refer to our Durability of Gold Alloys page.

The Ring Mount
Most gold or platinum jewelery can be cleaned in warm soapy water, detergent is equally good. It can be gently brushed if necessary using an old tooth brush especially to remove debris behind the stones. It is better to avoid cleaning agents containing abrasives, including toothpaste. Some people swear by gin. All alcohol will dissolve grease, but this is a waste of good gin.

Gold Alloys
High carat alloys such as 18 carat and above, will not usually become tarnished, and will not be harmed by household chemicals.
Lower carat gold can be harmed by contact with chlorine based bleach and cleaning chemicals.

Chlorine can cause stress corrosion cracking in lower gold alloys of 14 carat and below, although it will be worse if the jewelery contains porosity through less than perfect manufacturing treatments. Because of this it is best to avoid cleaning your jewelery with bleach or other cleaners containing chlorine, and also to avoid wearing it when in contact with bleach.

Proprietary jewelery Cleaner
Most jewelers now sell tubs of “jewelery Cleaner”. Although it will clean your jewelery, it will not necessarily work any better than the warm soapy water we recommend above.

Ultrasonic Cleaners
jewelery manufacturers and workshops use ultrasonic cleaning tanks. In these, the actual cleaning is performed by the cleaning solution, usually a mixture of ammonia and detergent, the ultrasonics merely provide the agitation to speed up the process. Small domestic ultrasonic cleaners are now available, and many jewelery stores sell them as gift items. We are not convinced that they work better than soap, water and a brush.

Tarnish
Low carat gold alloys will tarnish or discolour through exposure to air. This tarnish is not removed by ordinary cleaning. To remove it will usually require the application of gentle abrasive to rub away the layer of tarnished gold. In jewelery workshops, acid may to used to dissolve the tarnish layer, but this is not practical at home.

The best way to avoid tarnish is to buy 18 carat gold jewelery, which hardly ever becomes tarnished.

Silver
It is unusual for diamonds to be set in silver as it is too soft to be used for diamond rings.

Repolishing
If jewelery with polished surfaces becomes matt and dull over long periods of wear, it can usually be repolished, but we believe that this is not really necessary. Items like diamond rings are bound to become scratched, but we believe that, particularly with high carat golds and platinum, the intrinsic colour of the metal retains its beauty even when scratched and worn.

Gemstone Settings
It is advisable to avoid cleaning stone-set jewelery in a hand-basin. If stones become loose in cleaning, they can easily become lost down the drain.

Right after cleaning is a very common time to discover that stones are missing. Occasionally careless cleaning can be the cause, but usually wear and tear over a period of time are the real cause, and the cleaning merely appears to be the cause. Damage and trauma to jewelery can occur in everyday use, and sometimes the stones are only held in their settings by a build up of grease. When this is removed by cleaning, the stones drop out.
Reprinted from http://www.24carat.co.uk/

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to propose to your loved one, and everyone knows that the perfect proposal is accompanied by the perfect diamond engagement ring.

One of the best-known high-end diamond jewlers is Danforth Diamond, and you can be sure that you will find something to suit your taste and budget from their range. Their engagement ring selection is ordered by price, metal, stone setting and brand for easy browsing they are offerind Valentine’s Day Jewelry Specials including diamond, to make it an extra special life-long gift for Valentines day.

Of course, finding the right engagement ring is something you will want to put significant time and effort into. Danforth Diamond will help with your decision by providing expert advice on what to look for when selecting a diamond ring. From choosing the shape of the diamond to getting the correct ring size, taking the time to do your research beforehand will give you extra peace of mind as you work up the courage to ask the big question.

Danforth Diamond is also giving advice on ways to propose whether is it Valentine’s Day or Thursday. Whatever the occassion or non-occasion, Danforth can help.

• Cook her a romantic dinner for two. Tie the diamond engagement ring, using ribbon, to the stem of a glass of champagne or sparkling cider.

• Take her out for dinner at your favorite restaurant and arrange with the waiter to display the ring in a box as one of the choices on the dessert tray, or write “Will you marry me?” in chocolate sauce on the rim of her dessert plate. Remember to make your reservations early in the month because restaurants are very busy on this night and you will need the staff to help with your special arrangements.

• Rent a limousine. Propose to her in the limo on the way to or from your special evening. Be sure to bring champagne or sparkling cider to celebrate.

• Rent your favorite romantic movie. Make it special with homemade popcorn and her favorite movie treat. Tell her you want your own happy ending by proposing as the credits roll at the end.

• Give her three roses: Tell her one represents the past, one represents the present and the last one (with the ring tied to it) represents the future. It is estimated that 110 million roses will be sold for Valentine’s Day so be sure to order your roses early for the prettiest petals.

• Turn out all the lights in your apartment or home. Make a trail with candlelight leading her to your engagement ring.

• Send her on a treasure hunt. Provide clues all over town to your favorite spots or just around the house. The last hint should lead her to you, with the diamond engagement ring in hand.

• Create a special book filled with pictures of the two of you. On the last page include a photo of a bride and groom and paste pictures of your faces on the bride and groom with “Will You Marry Me?” written at the bottom.

• Buy 13 days worth of small gifts and wrap them individually. Number each package 1 though 13 and insert a note with each gift. The notes could be 13 reasons why you love her. Tell your sweetheart to start opening the packages on February 1 and on Valentines Day give her gift number 14 in person. Write “Will You Marry Me?” on the last note.

In order to make your Valentine’s Day proposal perfect present your sweetheart with a beautiful diamond engagement ring. And remember, no matter how you say it, your marriage proposal is going to be a special and memorable moment in your relationship.

What about people who have been married for a while?

For married couples Valentine’s Day isn’t less important…just different and, in many ways, better. It is a time to celebrate love and reminisce about all the Valentine’s Days that you have spent together. Gifts given on Valentine’s Day to a spouse can have much more significance, because you should know your spouse well enough to give something that has special meaning. A diamond anniversary band or three stone ring given to a wife tells her that you are glad that you married her and that you value your life together. A gold watch given to a husband tells him that you appreciate him and want him to have the very best.

Married couples don’t have to give elaborate gifts on Valentine’s Day; a meaningful gift that says you care or a sweet gesture of love are just as special. When you are married, the thought that is put into the gift is the important factor. A jewelry gift that says “I know you, and I know what makes you happy” goes a long way toward making someone feel that they are special and valued. If your wife likes heart shapes then giving her a diamond heart pendant or bracelet with heart-shaped charms can mean much more to her than simply handing her a gold chain. It shows that you know what she likes, you listen to her, that you put thought into the gift. Jewelry that celebrates each other’s individuality as well as the life that you have made together can be priceless, no matter what the actual cost.

Giving your spouse something they have been considering buying for a while is a good way to show your love. To come up with an original Valentine’s Day gift think about what is important to your spouse; what makes him or her happy. Does your husband love to golf? Give him a gift certificate for a round of golf at his favorite course. Does your wife love classical music? Tickets for a night out to see the symphony let’s you plan a second night to spend together. A gift of jewelry is a lasting reminder of this Valentine’s Day and your relationship – and jewelry is always appreciated. And don’t forget about giving flowers – they may seem traditional but flowers brighten a winter day and are romantic. One of the reasons that successful marriages stay that way is because the spouses try never to take each other for granted, and the right gift on Valentine’s Day can go a long way in proving your commitment to that ideal.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Thanks to The History Channel.

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Giving a diamond for Valentine’s day any other occasion where your gift must be one that will transcend the ordinary is always a gift to remember. A gift of diamond jewelry will make this Valentine’s Day to remember for years to come.

For our purposes in this day and age, diamonds have come to represent a symbol of enduring love and affection. Whether for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or any other event where an exquisite gift is called for, a gift of diamond jewelry will always be sure to please.

Solitaire - Refers to a ring with one diamond or other gemstone. It will often be extended to mean a piece of jewelry with one important diamond or gemstone in the center and accent stones on each side. Solitaires are made by two distinct manufacturing processes.

Rings with Side Stones - Most of the popular diamond cuts are used as side stones on bridal rings. Included in this group are baguettes, tapered baguette, round, trillion and oval. These are used to enhance the center stone and not detract from it.

Cathedral Mounting – Ring setting that arches when seen from the side. Cathedral rings have projections on each side of the stone and these design elements are what gives this ring it’s name. They are inspired by the arches that supported the walls of early cathedrals. Just as these arches were a distinctive and important design element in architecture, the graceful projections on our cathedral rings add support and protection to the setting. They also give the ring its classic and unique look.

Bypass – A ring design in which the two sides of the band do not meet in a straight line, but “bypass” one another.

Three Stone – Three stone rings are popular for both engagement rings and anniversaries. A general rule is that the side diamonds must be at least 25% as large as the center.

To view all the styles of engagement rings as well as a variety of diamond and cuts, please visit .

1. Ask her friends or relatives. If your girlfriend has any inkling that you may be proposing in the near future, she may have told them her ring size.

2. Does she wear other rings? Does she occasionally remove them for showering, etc? Does she keep them in a jewelry box?

Option 1 – When she’s not around, temporarily “borrow” a ring that she wears on her ring finger and trace the inner part of the ring on a piece of paper. Be sure to return the ring immediately and then match your tracing to one of the ring sizes on the printable ring size chart. Or, match it to the FREE ring sizer.

Option 2 – Carry around a small bar of soap in your pocket. A hotel soap is the perfect size. When she’s not around, press the ring into the soap to make an imprint. Be sure to wipe the soap residue off the ring and return it to its proper place. When you’re alone, use the FREE ring sizer to match the imprinted circle. Just lay the ring sizer over the imprint and find the ring size that best fits the imprint.

Option 3 – Take her ring and place it on one of your fingers. Draw a line around your finger where the ring falls. Use the FREE ring sizer to measure the marked area on your finger.

Option 4 – Take the ring and slide it down a tapered candle. Mark the candle where it falls, then use the FREE ring sizer to measure the marked candle.

3. If you don’t plan on proposing for quite some time, present her with a lovely, but inexpensive fashion ring on her birthday or some romantic holiday. Giving her this ring can be “practice” for the real thing. And although you may not buy the right size initially, you will more than likely find out her correct finger size afterwards.

4. Find an accomplice! Get her mom or one of her friends, whoever would be appropriate (and trustworthy of your secret) to go shopping with her and get her to try on rings at any jewelry store. Everyone can get their fingers sized! They can excuse this as speculative fun, and your girlfriend may not suspect a thing.

5. Go shopping with her. Is there anyone else you could potentially say you’re picking out a ring for (a mother, grandmother, etc.)? That way, you could go ring shopping with her and get her to model different rings so you can see what they look like. You could discuss ring sizes, and then take this opportunity to get her finger sized at the store “just for kicks”. You will also be able to get a good sense of the styles of rings she prefers.

6. If she is a heavy sleeper, use the FREE ring sizer on her finger while she is sleeping.

7. Buy a fake ring…some $10 thing from a department store as a “surprise”. Then tell her you want to go shopping together for the real thing at DanforthDiamond.com. This way, she can pick the ring of her dreams, and in the correct size.

8. As a last resort, you could simply go with a size 6, which is the average finger size for the average-size woman in the U.S.

But just WHAT is the average size woman you ask? According to statistics, the average American woman is 5’4″ tall and weighs 140 pounds. Using this statistic, you may be able to make a good guess on your girlfriend’s finger size. Does she have a small, average or large frame? How much does she weigh? (Don’t ask her weight if you don’t know it…this could be dangerous if asked at the wrong time!). But do take notice of her frame, her weight and her hands. Also notice if she has large knuckles as well. Her fingers may be slender, but if her knuckles are large, she may need a larger ring to fit over the knuckle.

More than likely, if she is small-framed with slender fingers and weighs under 120 pounds, her finger size could range from a 4 to a 5. If she is larger-framed with thicker fingers and weighs over 150, a good guess may be in the 7-9 range. You will have to use your own judgment, but using these guidelines could be helpful to you in making an educated guess.

The average ring size for a man, by the way, is a 10, so if you are an average-size man (average medium frame being 5’10″ with a weight of 180 pounds) with average-size hands, you may be able to use your own hand for comparison. If her hands are a lot smaller than yours, she may very well wear a size 4-5 on her ring finger.

We’d like to point out however, that EVERY woman is different, and there are no guarantees that figuring out her body type will correctly determine your girlfriend’s ring size. So, we don’t strongly advise going with this option. Ladies ring sizes can be as small as 4 and go up to a 10, so there’s lots of room for error using this method.

To play it safe, you can order the ring at its in-stock size, usually a 6 or a 7, and present it to your girlfriend. She can then determine the correct size she needs, and the ring may only need to be re-sized once, if at all.

Learn the Different Ring Sizes for All Her Fingers

If you regularly buy jewelry for another person such as your girlfriend, wife, daughter, etc. we’ve created a nifty Hand Chart that will help you keep track of her different ring sizes. This way, you will never have to ask her in the future, what ring size she wears!

Download a PDF of our Hand Chart for All Ring Sizes. If you are not able to download and printout this chart, you can easily create one yourself.

Have her trace the outline of both of her hands on a piece of paper. On each finger outline, have her write-in her correct finger size. You can use the FREE ring sizer from Danforth Diamond to size each finger. Because fingers are not always the same size on each hand, be sure to do BOTH hands.

Label them Left and Right and put her name at the top, along with the date. (Finger sizes can change over time due to age, weight gain or loss, and climate. So you may want to re-examine or update this hand chart every five years. File it away in special place, and you’ll be ready for every special occasion!

Create a hand chart for all the important women in your life!

Marriage Proposal Ideas for the Holidays
By Jill Renee
If you’ve been thinking about proposing to your sweetheart, the holidays can be a great time of year to do so. There is an electricity in the air in December as everyone prepares for the holidays; making plans to get together with friends and family, attending parties and giving to others.

One of the benefits of proposing marriage at this time of year is that family activities are inevitable. Proposing a day before a family gathering means you can share the exciting news with them in person the next day. Or you can take her parents aside to ask their permission in person and propose to her later.

Here are some ideas for how to integrate your marriage proposal into a holiday moment.

Christmas Proposal Ideas:

• Decorate the tree with lights and only one ornament – a ribbon or bow tied around a ring box.
• Write out your proposal in Christmas lights on your house.
• Write “Will you marry me?” with a Sharpie on the inside bottom of a box, fill it with balled-up tissue paper and then wrap is as a gift. She will dig through the tissue paper looking for the gift only to reveal your message.
• Make an advent calendar where each door she opens reveals a sentimental memory or reason you love her.
• On Christmas Eve, arrive at her house and when she answers the door, present the diamond engagement ring.

Chanukah Proposal Ideas:

• Give her 8 nights of romantic gifts with an engagement ring as the last night’s gift.
• If she’s a chocolate lover, give her a box of Kosher Godiva Truffles.
• If you feel like getting creative, you could dip real roses in chocolate and present her with your designed bouquet.
• Write out your proposal with rose petals in the snow.
• Purchase a “talking” or voice recording picture frame from RadioShack. Insert a picture of you and your sweetie and record your proposal for her to play back.

New Year’s Eve Proposal Ideas:

• If you’re at a party, work your proposal into the crowd’s big countdown to the New Year.
• At the stroke of midnight, tell her how much you love her and simply whisper, “Will you marry me?” Then you can celebrate the rest of the night by sharing the news with all of your friends.
• If parties and crowds aren’t your thing, you can plan the ultimate at-home proposal for midnight. Perhaps start the evening with a home-cooked meal by candlelight. Plan to watch a romantic movie, or even the New Year’s Eve countdown on television. When the ball drops in Times Square, hug her and propose.
• Even better…leave the television off, and ask her to slow dance to a favorite song. At the stroke of midnight or when the moment is right, look in her eyes, and ask.

Select the proposal method that will have you the most relaxed before you ask. And don’t worry – no matter what way you choose to propose, it will be a special moment.

And if you don’t have an engagement ring yet, visit our site for a great selection of diamond engagment rings.

Cut does not mean shape. It refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond. The cut of a diamond is especially important because it has the most effect on the fire, or brilliance. A poor cut will make the diamond look dull even with excellent color and clarity. We only carry the higher cut qualities so that you don’t have to worry about picking a poorly cut diamond.

Cut – Why it’s Important

Nature dictates the characteristics of color, clarity and carat, while humans directly influence the cut. Cut refers to the angles and proportions (not diamond shape) a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond. The cutter must polish tiny surfaces known as facets onto the rough diamond. This process also creates the diamond parts known as the crown, culet, table, girdle and pavilion. A well cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another, dispersing and reflecting it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of fire or brilliance in the diamond.

Ideal Cut Diamond – Nearly all light that enters the stone is reflected out of the top, designed to maximize brilliance.

Shallow Cut Diamond – Light will be lost out of the bottom or sides causing the diamond to lose its fire or brilliance.

Deep Cut Diamond – Light will travel out of the bottom or sides making the stone look dark and dull.

Of the “4 C’s,” the cut of a diamond is the most important factor in its overall appearance. In addition, because it’s the only one of the 4 C’s that relies on the precision of human hands, it also is the one to which the value of your diamond will be most closely tied.

Once you’ve identified your budget, start by choosing the proper cut – and don’t look back. By choosing the most brilliant cut possible, you will have the most flexibility in tailoring the grades of the other 4 C’s to fit your budget without compromising the beauty of the stone.

Also, note that cut and shape are not the same thing. Shape refers to the outward appearance of the diamond; round, emerald, heart, marquise, princess, oval or pear. A round diamond is the most brilliant of diamond shapes. Its symmetrical outline allows it to reflect nearly all of the light that enters the diamond.

visit DanforthDiamond.com to learn more about buying your diamond.

Which Gold Alloy Has the Best Tarnish Resistance Properties?
As a general rule, the higher the karat, the more gold present therefore the greater the resistance to tarnishing. 18 karat gold will have superior resistance to 14 karat gold, which in turn will have superior resistance to 10 karat gold.

So what tarnishes in jewelry? Base metals tarnish because they are chemically attacked from the atmosphere and any liquid that may come into contact with your jewelry. The main culprit here is copper. This reacts readily with sulfur from the atmosphere to form sulfides. These are dark in color and your jewelry starts to look dull with time. Solders contain other base metals that are chemically attacked, which is why solder joints can quickly tarnish and become visible after a period of wear.

What About Silver?
Unfortunately, although it is classed as a precious metal, silver suffers from significant tarnish problems. The main culprit again is sulfur, which will form purple, brown and black sulfides on your sterling silver jewelry. And this isn’t confined to sterling silver jewelry. The silver in your karat gold jewelry will also be attacked and start to discolor over time.

Why Does My Clothing Sometimes Turn Black?
Discolored clothing and skin usually occurs for one of several reasons. Firstly, your jewelry will tarnish as described above. This chemically attacked layer will rub off on clothing or skin in varying amounts, causing “dirty” stains. Also, as your jewelry wears, it becomes abraded and creates fine particles of tarnished material. Any fine dispersion of a metal powder will always look dull or dark, so if it is tarnished as well, this exacerbates the problem. Jewelry is very susceptible to body fluids – sweat and grease from the skin. These fluids can contain chemicals that will attack your jewelry, and they will also readily adhere. If particles form from abrasion during everyday use – and don’t forget many cosmetics are abrasive and will make these matters worse – the particles will stick to the fluids on jewelry and only detach or rub off after they have built up. This means you will definitely see a dark stain! Regular cleaning of jewelry helps prevent this problem. Learn more about jewelry care.

What is the Answer?
There are several answers to this problem. First, purchase jewelry at the highest karat you can afford. As we have outlined above, this will have improved tarnish resistance over lower karats. Also, make sure you clean your jewelry regularly, removing any deposits that may be detrimental to it.

The ultimate answer to tarnish-resistant jewelry is to purchase platinum jewelry. Platinum alloys are typically 95% pure, platinum is as resistant to chemical attack as gold, and will not discolor with age under the majority of circumstances.

Please visit DanforthDiamond.com to learn more about your jewelry.

Excerpted from DanforthDiamond.com
Purchasing your diamond engagement ring from Danforth Diamond insures that you have gotten a high quality product at a very competitive price. We are able to offer you settings that are crafted by tradesmen who have decades of jewelry manufacturing experience. Our settings are built to last a lifetime. We only use precious metals and good or better diamonds. We will not sell anything that does not meet our high standards. We back this up with our no hassle return policy so just by buying your ring from us you can rest assured that you will be getting an exceptional value. Here are some other factors to consider when making your selection:

In selecting your diamond, compare the price with diamonds of the same shape, size, color, cut, and clarity. This is critical when comparison shopping. Remember all other factors being equal; a poorly cut diamond may cost 50% less than a diamond with a good or ideal cut. This is because a poorly cut diamond will lack fire and sparkle.

Make sure your diamond is securely set. If your diamond is not properly set the chance of loss greatly increases. All of our diamonds are set by experienced jewelers and are inspected before leaving our shop. We use 18K white gold or platinum settings. These choices stand up to wear and tear and prevent prong failure.

Is your setting comfortable and smooth when you are wearing it? Well made settings will be polished resulting in a smooth finish and comfortable fit. All of our settings are polished to a high luster and have a comfort fit for the wearer.

In selecting your engagement ring setting be sure to compare the cost of settings made from the same precious metal. Platinum settings will cost more than gold and 18K gold will cost more than 14K gold. Pay close attention to the gold or platinum content. A setting with a higher weight (precious metal content) will cost more than a setting with a lighter weight.

Have your ring appraised and insured. Most of our rings come with a certificate and appraisal. We strongly recommend insuring your ring and taking a photo of it to be stored in a secure location. This will help in case of accidental loss or theft.

Please visit Danforth Diamond for all your diamond and jewelry store needs.