Wedding Rings | Wedding Bands | Bridal Jewelry

Buy a ring for a good cause

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 06:35:00 +0000

We haven't used the blog for awhile, but wanted to spread the word about a meaningful auction we will be participating in.

Mother of three, Allison DenBoer, has Marfan Syndrome and just finished her 3rd open heart surgery. You can find out more about her story at her blog or Facebook page. In an effort to help raise funds for the family's immense medical bills, Allison's friends/family are putting on an online auction from December 9th-11th. We will be donating a Tungsten or Ceramic ring valued up to $119.99. Head over to the Facebook page to find out more details about the auction.

Whiteflash Wedding Link Round Up – Februrary 10, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Another week has arrived in this beautiful December… which means we’re ready to present another installment of Whiteflash-approved links. Check out these popular articles and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

New Fashion and Celebrity News:

Fashion Designer’s Jewelry – Fashion Creators Jewelry Trends

SAG Awards Red Carpet Jewelry Roundup

Jewelry Box – Important Part of the Present?

See the full gallery on Posterous

Whiteflash Recent News and Updates:

Rock the Vote: the Whiteflash “Say Yes” Facebook Engagement Ring Contest

Perfect Valentine’s Gift: Diamond Huggies

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Whiteflash Offers Perfect Pair of D Internally Flawless Diamonds

The “Perfect” Perfect Pair of Gem Diamonds

Some Amazing Diamond Jewelry Education For Our Fabulous Followers:

Online Jewelers Ratings

Most Common Questions when it comes to Jewelry Shopping

World’s Most Expensive Diamonds

World’s Largest Emerald Up For Auction

See the full gallery on Posterous

Interesting Links From Around the Web

The Hottest Places to Honeymoon in 2012 – Huffington Post

A Wedding Checklist For The Scatterbrained Bride – BrokeAssBride.com

10 Clever Ways to Pop the Question via Social Media – Mashable

Help Your Groomsmen with help for The Man Registry - OneWed

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Harry Potter Rings and a Perfect Proposal

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:16:00 +0000

Dear Whiteflash-

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making my fiancé and I’s extremely dorky dreams come true!! I felt so incredibly nervous about revealing our deepest secret… that we are “Grade A” dorks/geeks/nerds/dweebs, etc. We’re fans of many Sci Fi & Fantasy series, but the one we love most together is the Harry Potter Series. We’ve been lucky enough to have allowed on the Beta for the new Harry Potter Website, Pottermore. We ‘virtually’ slipped on the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and discovered that we were on the POLAR opposite houses! (my fiancé in Slytherin and myself in Gryffindor).

As we both decided that we needed to declare our relationship and both wear engagement rings until we said our vows – we were determined to have something that was similar in design but showcased our distinct personalities. I’m very grateful that Team Whiteflash resisted the urge to laugh at our dorky requests (and patiently listened as I explained the finer details of Harry Potter lore) and helped us find and create rings that highlighted our unique relationship and differences. My Fiancé’s “Slytherin” Ring (Green Topaz with G VS White Diamonds) is incredible and draws questions and prolonged staring everywhere we go! I am completely in love with my “Gryffindor” Ring (Mozambique Garnets with SI1 Canary Yellow Diamonds). It is exactly what I wanted and the perfect compliment to the other ring.

I also want to give a HUGE shout out to your photography Team who were so kind (and awesome) to take the extra photos. The effort and time to create these are evident and it is something we will never forget and are proud to share with our family and friends. They deserve an award for their talent!

Thank you Whiteflash for taking time to listen to us and for making sure our engagement rings came out more perfect than we had planned! We are the envy of all of our ‘Wizard & Witch’ friends!

Sincerely,

B.P. & A.Z.

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Our Deal Ticker is Ticking

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

http://www.dealticker.com/a. php/a/83369_17973

Wedding Rings Forever Web Design and Re-Design

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Yet another attempt at new site design, this time from another design company who I believe did a pretty good job. We want people to feel secure and know they're buying their tungsten wedding band from a company that offers more than all the garbage being sold on eBay or Amazon. Here is an idea of where we started and below you can see where we're ending up.

Absolutely Stunning Experience from Whiteflash Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Diamond Team,

The sapphire halo engagement ring is absolutely stunning. I know Whiteflash does great work, but you guys always somehow manage to exceed my expectations. From Kristi: "It was more than I could have imagined! I am absolutely in love with it (and the man who gave it to me)!"

Please pass along our thanks and praise to the team there- especially the production team who hurried things through the process and were able to deliver it earlier than promised. I was able to give the Guinevere Solitaire Engagement Ring to Kristi at her birthday dinner, which was very special for both of us. You have a very, very happy customer on your hands, and I'll continue to highly recommend you to all my friends and family!!

Thanks again!!

Mike

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Whiteflash Delivers Pure Luxury!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:34:00 +0000

three stone sapphire and diamond ring is flawless! Two luscious, velvety sapphires flank my lovely diamond...and I couldn't be happier! The ring design

is amazing and my sapphires are the perfect shade of blue! Can't thank everyone enough! Every single person at WF is phenomenal. C'est Magnifique!

Thank you,
Leslie

Dear Whiteflash Sales Team,

I love Whiteflash! My

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2011 to 2012

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:43:00 +0000

We wanted to thank everyone for a fantastic 2011 and move forward into 2012 with no regrets and no looking back! We're happy to report that we're going on the 5th straight year with no price hikes on any of our tungsten wedding bands.

A New Years Eve Proposal with Whiteflash Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Diamonds Team,

I will like to thank the Whiteflash Team for helping me choose the Legato Sleek Line Pave Diamond Engagement Ring . I also appreciate the fact that it was shipped out just in time for New Years Eve. My finance LOVES it!! Hope to do more business with you in the near future!　　　　

Thank you,

Patrick

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Fantastic Diamonds From Whiteflash as Expected!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:26:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

We have purchased 2 beautiful A CUT ABOVE® diamonds from Whiteflash –one of them for my own engagement ring. I loved my diamond so much we recommended Whiteflash to our friend when he was looking for an engagement ring and Whiteflash delivered again - impeccable customer service and quality. We were on a very very tight time frame but they got it done and were very patient with replying to the hundreds if emails I sent, even though with was not a very expensive ring. I hope to work with you again (and again and again!!).

Thank you for all of your help,

Jessica H.　

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Exceptional Engagement Ring Purchase from Whiteflash Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:44:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

ideal cut diamonds is only surpassed by the quality of their service. I bought a Legato Sleek Line Pave Diamond Engagement Ring from Whiteflash and it was a great experience from start to finish. The team was helpful, informative, didn't apply any pressure and best of all, they actually respond quickly to emails! If only my insurance company would do the same.

I would HIGHLY recommend buying diamond jewelry from Whiteflash (I know I will be again!)

The quality of their

Thank you,

Carl C

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Buying an Engagement Ring in Houston? Go to Whiteflash Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Dear Whiteflash Diamonds Sales Team,reviews online . I was skeptical at first about making such a large purchase online but quickly discovered that they are actually located in Houston where I live.

I made an appointment to go to their offices and look at several loose diamonds and settings that their consultants had selected for me based upon what size/quality of diamond and what type of engagement ring setting

I was looking for. What an excellent experience! Their diamonds were such high quality in comparison to those I had seen at local jewelers, and their staff was much more knowledgeable.

I needed the engagement ring in one weeks time in order to have it before a trip when I was going to propose. I was able to meet with their head of production and he guaranteed it would be done in time. It was completed and ready to go exactly when they said it would. Overall, this was a great experience. The ring was beautiful and I would HIGHLY recommend Whiteflash for in-store or online purchases.

Thank you,

Ben H

I first discovered Whiteflash buying looking at

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Excellent Experience All the Way Around!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

buy fine jewelry from. Everyone at Whiteflash was so kind and extremely helpful. I received constant updates on the status of my engagement ring and pictures on the ship date! Such a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much!

This is definitely the best company to

Thank you,

Katie M.

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Top Notch Purchase with Whiteflash Diamonds!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:28:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Diamond Sales Team,

My experience with Whiteflash was TOP NOTCH! Everything part of the Diamond Buying Experience was Perfect. Thanks for everything you guys do.

Thank you,

Jonathan P

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Wedding Link Round-Up 11/18/2011

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0000

Another week has arrived… which means we’re ready to present another installment of Whiteflash-approved links. Check out these popular articles and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Celebrity Jewelry Roundup - Fall 2011

Whiteflash – Among best diamond brands and retailers

Round Three! Rock the Vote – The Whiteflash Diamond Right Hand Ring Facebook Contest

Whiteflash introduces New Engagement Ring Collection by Vatché

Little Tricks to Know Her Ring Size

Lego Wedding Invitations – wedinator

Pimped-Up Kicks: Sparkly Wedding Shoes That Double As Fab Holiday Heels! – Broke Ass Bride

Stefano Canturi's $780,000 diamond bag – Born Rich

11 Green Wedding Trends for 2011 – Recycled Bride

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Last Day To Enter to Win a FREE Diamond Engagement Ring

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:10:00 +0000

Tick – Tock! Time is running out for your to enter to WIN a stunning

Following on the success of their first Facebook "Rock the Vote" 　engagement ring popularity contest, Whiteflash Inc., online jeweler and specialist in

Fun, fresh and engaging, the Whiteflash "

Let’s take a closer look at the contestants. The "

Equally fabulous, but in a more demure way, the "

Scheduled to end on November 15, 2011, the contest will once again reward one lucky voter with the setting that is ultimately crowned the most popular. So, throw your vote into the ring, and let your voice be heard; the democratic process has never been more brilliant!

A tremendous selection of center diamonds can be found in-stock and available on the whiteflash.com website, including the internationally acclaimed

Diamond Engagement Ring Setting

from Whiteflash.com

ideal cut diamonds

, has decided to host a second round of their own democratic election to crown the top engagement ring setting in their collection.

Give it the YES Vote and Win " is so simple even the technologically challenged can do it. All you need is Facebook and an opinion! 　The second round of voting is between two front runners in the engagement ring field. 　At one podium stands the regal and bold Amphora for Princess diamond engagement ring and at the other is the stately and sublime Isabella diamond engagement ring

Amphora for Princess" stands tall – bold and stunning. Her name derives from a graceful container with two handles and a tapered neck used to carry wine.　　This elegant ring is truly a vessel to carry an eternity of happiness for any modern day princess! 　Available in 18K white gold or platinum, the "Amphora for Princess" setting starts at $1,795. She is adorned with an impressive 52 round ideal diamond melee

(0.79ctw; G/H VS) and features a tapered band creating the illusion of a waterfall of diamonds.

Isabella

" carries herself with a quiet confidence. This angelic setting is adorned with a halo of round ideal diamond melee surrounding the center, as well as diamonds on the sides. (0.26ctw; H/G VS) and comes in 18k white gold or platinum with prices starting at $1,995. She would be a favorite at any tea party!

A CUT ABOVE® Princess

Super Ideal, a perfect choice for the Amphora.

Click Here to Enter For Your Chance To Win!

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Above And Beyond All Expectations!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:50:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

I'm glad that I chose Whiteflash for such a sensitive business that is buying

wedding jewelry. As you probably know, the diamond for my wedding proposal comes from your company. That first was a great experience as the quality of your process and people are above my expectations. My wife loved the quality of the Super Ideal Cut Diamond and the setting. In business we always say, we are only as good as our last project. So, that first experience made me chose you for the wedding rings. And, as the first time, it was the good decision to make. A friend said of my Carved Satin Men’s Wedding Ring is "simple but elegant", this comment made me realize that the quality of the ring is perfect. No need of fancy shapes to impress.

Thanks Whiteflash and thanks to all your team to make this process so easy that is hard to believe that is actually a business transaction.

Cheers,
Jimy

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Whiteflash Engagement Ring = A True Piece of Art

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Hello Whiteflash Sales Team,

Platinum Channel Set Open Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring yesterday morning. It is so delicate and beautiful! Truly a piece of art. :) I love how the Super Ideal Cut Diamond sparkles even in dim lighting.

We picked up the

I look forward to working with Whiteflash again!

Thank you,

Eva M

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The Quality and Sparkle of the Engagement Ring is Out Of This World!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

Petite Diamond Engagement Ring yesterday and I was extremely happy!　 The quality is fantastic and the engagement ring setting sparkles like I had hoped.　 You and your team were a pleasure to deal with from the start. Thank you for all of your patience with me. The shipping process was great, I like how I received updates while the ring was being built.　 The little extras such as the ring box, kit, diamond certificate, report, and pictures was a very nice touch.　　

Good morning, I picked up the

I will recommend all of my friends to look at Whiteflash. In fact, I have already sent your contact information to a good friend who has also been shopping around too..　

Thank you again for everything,

Ethan

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Whiteflash Diamonds = The Best Purchase I Have Ever Made In My Life

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Diamond Sales Team,

Skepticism and internet purchases go hand in hand. After spending countless hours and weekends in brick and mortal jewelry dealers, I decided to do further research on the internet. I knew I wanted an ideal cut diamond for maximum brilliance. Although I was not concerned about the price, I did want to make sure that my purchase was an excellent investment. I read countless threads on forums of experiences people have had with brand name competitors. I then decided that I was better off looking for loose diamonds rather than going with a brand name. While researching how to buy loose diamonds, I came across a Whiteflash customer who had a story similar to mine. They knew what they wanted, but they just couldn't find what they were looking for, that is until they came across Whiteflash. I visited the Whiteflash website. Their designs were unique and quite appealing. The thing they had going for them was their photo presentation and how easy it seemed to navigate their website. What they had going against them was that my most likely option was to order a product from them over the internet, and return it if I didn't like it. It seemed like a high investment in time. But there was something about the website, how clearly my questions were answered over the phone and the professionalism I received when I called that enabled me to take the step and purchase from Whiteflash.com.

When I received my package, I was impressed by the sheer size of the box. I only ordered earrings and there was this package that could hold a giant school binder. I understood why that package was so big when I opened it. Whiteflash just doesn't specialize in diamond cutting. They specialize in perfecting a final and a high quality presentation. I was more than impressed. This was not just the best internet purchase I have ever made. It was the best purchase I have ever made in my life. I was extremely satisfied with the process from beginning to finish. You WILL NOT be disappointed with Whiteflash. I get compliments all the time on my diamond earrings. And I am more than happy to tell my story when people ask me what in the world is Whiteflash.

Thank you,

Charlie F

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A Perfect Diamond Engagement Ring from Whiteflash

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

Designer Engagement Ring turned out perfect.　 I received the ring the first week of October and proposed soon after. She is VERY VERY happy with everything! She said the diamond and ring are better than anything she could have picked out.

The

The center stone is incredible! I am so happy that I purchased the stone from you and Whiteflash.　 Thank you so much for your help!　

Thank you,　

Will

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Diamond Eye Candy!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

It seems to be crazy to buy diamond online as most people would think. To be frank I was also very skeptical about it in the beginning. After some kind of research from the internet forums, I found out Whiteflash. With majority of good feedbacks, I decided to explore more about their products and services through their website. Their ACA diamonds are really eye candies!! With clear ACTUAL magnified photo, pictures of scopes, reports available, they are really helpful for comparison.

I e-mail Whiteflash for more information after I got hooked on their A CUT ABOVE® diamonds, and they replied my within 24 hours. I had also used the live chat to ask as many questions as I want. Whiteflash professionally served me that time and provide me a lot of useful information about diamond, different kind of ring settings , not to forget about the options of savings & discounts available. Upon my request. When I was unsure about the ring size, Whiteflash sent me the ring sizers for me and following up with me.

After placing the order, making payment and so forth, the processing and delivery time is very smooth is per stated without any delay (within 2 weeks), the team is able provide me the status of every stages as well as nice close-up pictures with signature floral background of the final product before shipment.

It was really exciting when opening the FedEx package layer by layer. The sparkles from an ACA diamond on the solitaire ring

is absolutely stunning!! Looking the arrows through the scope is fun too!!

I would highly recommend Whiteflash to everyone! They deliver much better service and quality of goods at a better price than most of my local retailers can offer.

Thank you,

Shiu L

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Road to the Perfect Wedding Ring

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:33:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

I worked with Whiteflash to find the perfect wedding band, and it more than exceeded my expectations. They were very professional, knowledgeable and prompt. The website is easy to navigate, and the prices are much better than jewelry stores. I will definitely buy again!

Thank you,

Kevin C

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Best Service and Diamonds Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

I had never purchased a loose diamond before and only had a minimal knowledge of how to find a good stone. The customer service was amazing! Whiteflash walked me through the different categories of things that make a quality stone and helped me find a stone that was in my price range and still a very high quality diamond

as well as check in a few times to ensure I got my diamond and continues to follow up with me even after the sale was made. They have a huge selection and lots of learning tools and the website as well. I am 100% satisfied and will be coming back for any diamond needs and referring everyone I can.

Thank you,

Steven R

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Best Engagement Ring Buying Experience Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:28:00 +0000

Solitaire Engagement Ring Setting Whiteflash.com and I love it sooooooooo much!!!!

They helped me a lot in choosing the diamond and engagement ring setting. She also sent a ring sizer to me and it's super fast!!! I got the diamond ring within one week after I placed the order.

I think I would recommend Whiteflash.com to all my friends.

Dear Whiteflash Sales Team,

I got my beautiful

Thank you,

Jing W

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Whiteflash Diamonds Cause Ring Envy

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

pave engagement ring. I can't believe we have been married a year already. Time goes by fast! She says she is always getting tons of compliments on how sparkly her diamond ring looks. People definitely notice the difference between the A CUT ABOVE® diamond and just a regular diamond. A friend of ours even one time asked "hmm, why doesn't my ring sparkle as much as yours?" =)

Everything is going great for us and Heidi is definitely enjoying her

Thanks again for reaching out to us!

Regards,

Edward

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Wedding Link Round-Up – October 12th 2011

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Another week of interesting ideas… which means we’re ready to present another installment of Whiteflash-approved links. Check out these popular articles and let us know what you think.　 Enjoy!

Win a Free Engagement Ring with Whiteflash.com

The World’s Biggest Diamond Rings! OMG!

Pittsburg Steelers Ben Roethlisberger’s Wedding Recap

Everything Your Ever Wanted to Know About Birthstones!

Inspiration and Advice from around the Web:

4 Ways an iPhone can help your relationship – Hitched Mag

Top 5 Beatles Wedding Songs – Gig Masters

Romantic Proposals that Rock

– The Plunge

Rules of Tech Etiquette at Weddings

– You & Your Wedding

It’s all about the Accessories

– OneWed.com

Guest Rules of Etiquette: How not to embarrass yourself! – MyWedding.com

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Buying an Engagement Ring = Easy As Pie

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:56:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Team,

Legato Sleek Line Engagement Ring too!

Proposed yesterday! Everything went perfect and she said yes. She loves the

Thanks for all your help. It was a pleasure doing business with Whiteflash.

-Bill

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A CUT ABOVE® Proposal at Grand Central Station

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteFlash) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:50:00 +0000

Dear The Whiteflash Sales Team,

engagement ring design!

Just wanted to let you know that finally, FINALLY, I popped the question this past Friday night at Grand Central Station while in New York City and we are officially engaged. Thank you so much to everyone for all of their help throughout this process, we couldn't be more pleased with the

Again, thanks to each and every one of you for helping to make this moment so special - it couldn't have been any more perfect!　

All the best,　

Brendan and Jen

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Happy 1 Year Saratoga!

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:54:00 +0000

This last Saturday marked the 1 year anniversary of our good friends at Saratoga Jewlery Co. in Lindon, UT, (they're just barely South of the Wal*Mart). They are one of the many fine jewelers that carry our line of tungsten wedding rings. The owner Jeremy is very knowledgeable and is a full service custom designer. It's been fun to do business with them over the past year and we hope to carry our relationship far into the future. They also specialize in watch and glasses repair, wax renderings and design, and buy your old jewelry at a far better rate than the cash for gold type stores. When you go to visit them, just make sure you ask to see the tungsten wedding bands from the Wedding Rings Forever collection, and Jeremy will be able to make you a great deal.

We've Moved! (We're Moving)

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:33:00 +0000

We are no longer in Lehi and will be located in North Orem for the next 2 years while we build a better and more expansive showroom. We will then return to our same Lehi location. Please call or email if you need any assistance. Our email and phone will remain unchanged. You can also still receive our legendary service and experience from the Wedding Rings Forever website.

Will You Marry Me and My Checkbook?

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:48:00 +0000

Dr. Taffy Wagner, nationally recognized Money and Marriage Advocate instructs brides and grooms on methods to discuss finances before saying "I Do"

Check this book out on amazon, lots of helpful hints and advice for money issues.

A thought-provoking guide that teaches brides and grooms how to begin the "Money Talk" before saying I Do. Over 70 questions and answers dealing with how to begin the money talk to how do you handle parents and in-laws when it comes to money and wedding planning.

Moving In Utah

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:37:00 +0000

I'm helping a buddy of mine get some more business for his utah moving company. They do a great job, the price and service can't be beat. Their name is Big Boy Movers, meet the owner and you'll know why.

Provo, Lehi, Lots of Fairs

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:56:00 +0000

We've been slow at posting our involvement at the Bridal Fairs, but we'd like to thank everyone that came out to visit us at the Provo Bridal Fair last Saturday and the Thanksgiving Point Fair in January.

Congratulations to our winners of the free tungsten and ceramic rings. Come see us at the next fair in March at Thanksgiving point and you might just win a free men's wedding band!

Our last winner chose a sweet 12mm wide black tungsten ring!

KSL DAILY DEAL

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:13:00 +0000

This really is a big deal. We're practically giving rings away just to get the word out about our business! Go to ksl.com to check it out and click on deals. You can choose from any of our tungsten wedding bands and ceramic rings.

Happy Holidays From Wedding Rings Forever!

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 06:16:00 +0000

We just want to wish all our customers past, present, and future all the best during the holiday season and into 2011. We are thankful for our business and all the good people that we get to work with.

Weddingringsforever.com

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:16:00 +0000

Deals & Deals

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Just wanted to thank everyone that purchased tungsten wedding bands from the snagone.com deal and just about put us out of business! :-)

We also had a good time at the South Towne Expo Center last Saturday as we always do at the bridal fairs. We talked to some great people and are currently working on their custom designs. Look out for emails to see if you won our drawing and feel free to come visit us at the next bridal fair at Provo High School in October!

48 Hour Deal With www.snagone.com

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:39:00 +0000

If you've been holding out for the best deal we'll ever do on our tungsten rings, jump on this one at Snag One. The power of huge group wholesales and discounts is made available to you if acted upon today or tomorrow. You get the HUGE coupon from snagone.com and you're able to use it on our tungsten rings website, or at our Lehi showroom.

Affordable Wedding Rings - WeddingRingsForever.com

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:26:00 +0000

New Partnership with Dicidio!

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:15:00 +0000

Preferred vendor listed in the Lehi, Utah Jewelry Stores section of Decidio

Noah's Lindon Bridal Fair Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:33:00 +0000

Come and join us for the first ever Bridal Fair at Noah's in Lindon. We will be on the third floor in booth 317 and will have a full selection of our tungsten and ceramic ring on site. Noah's is quickly becoming one of the premier spots for wedding receptions and offers many services. It is right off the Pleasant Grove I-15 exit and we'll be there from 11am to 5pm. Come and win some great prizes and get a great deal on a mens wedding band!

Noah's South Jordan Bridal Fair

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Please come visit us at the first ever Noah's South Jordan Bridal Fair tomorrow from 11AM to 5PM. We will have a private room on the second floor where we will have many of our tungsten rings on display and for sale. There will be huge prize give-a-ways, (including a free mens tungsten ring), contests, and chances to book vendors at discount rates.

322 West 11000 South
South Jordan, UT 84095

To trade or not to trade. That is the question.

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:59:00 +0000

I've always loved trade and think it is part of the heart of a robust economy. Often times people would love to get a nice gift for their loved one but don't have the cash to pay for it. I've traded tungsten rings for guns, tile labor, framing, electrical, and bobcat/excavation work and been thrilled to do so. I'm currently part of two trade organizations built to facilitate trade and make it easy for everyone. One of these organizations, however, one is becoming expensive and corrupt.

We had a cabinet fall off our wall a few weeks ago and consequently had to buy new dishes. I thought I would pick them up on trade and save some cash. I had built up quite a few trade dollars in my account and thought it would be a good chance to burn through some. The dishes cost me $45 trade per set. I went to pick them up and thought I'd get two boxes instead of one. I went to grab another one off the shelf, and they were priced at $14.50 cash price. Less than one-third what I was paying in trade dollars, which are supposed to be equivalent.

The reason I joined this same trade organization was to have my landscaping done this spring. I got some bids from some companies in the organization, but they said they would only do the labor on trade and that I'd have to pay for the materials in cash. Their materials cost came out to about $3000, and it was going to cost another $3000 in trade to have it done. I went and got some bids independent of my trade organization and the lowest came in at $3150....including materials AND labor. It also included bringing in topsoil, which the trade bids did not.

I feel like I'm being pessimistic, which is not my intent. I still love trade! I still don't love dishonest people. Bring me something cool or a unique labor you can perform if you need a tungsten ring and we'll swap!

New Partnership With Sleek

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:23:00 +0000

We're teaming up with some old friends to improve our site and beef up our inventory. Be on the lookout for new tungsten rings, ceramic rings, and titanium rings. We will double the amount of product we currently carry over the next few months bringing you more selection and choices at the same everyday low prices.

We're also doing a lot of new inlay rings and getting creative using tungsten and ceramic together. We also just completed a men's wedding band with a tungsten base, and both black and white ceramics all in the same ring. Talk about unique!

Let us know how we can serve you and get you the best deal available. We also want to give our best wishes to Jamyn and her new husband on their recent wedding along with McKenzie and her new fiance on their recent engagement...both whom grew up with me in the same ward. Thanks for choosing Wedding Rings Forever for your men's rings!

Funny Story...

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:17:00 +0000

I learn something new everyday. Today my lessons have come regarding lcd televisions, mounting them on the wall, and hooking them up properly. I've spent hours in the attic, and then up on the roof, getting our HDTV antenna hooked up properly. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. FINALLY, I watched an instructional video on YouTube showing me how to properly prepare and hookup RG-6 coaxial cable. I re-did all my connections and now it's working like a charm.

Come check out our custom ring design process, where you can now see everything going on from our new LCD flat screen, or just watch The Simpsons :-)

Provo Bridal Fair

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Please join Wedding Rings Forever at the Provo Bridal Fair for some great deals and good times. We will be in attendance from 10AM to 6PM tomorrow, Saturday, April 10th. We'll have all our tungsten wedding bands on display, as well as unique ceramic rings in both black and white. The fair is at Provo High School, located on the corner of University Avenue and Bulldog Blvd in Provo.

New Wedding Rings Forever Office!

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:57:00 +0000

We've been working on a new office for quite some time now. We just finished the paint, and I'm anxious to get some promotions going for a grand opening. Flooring will probably be done early next week, and we should be totally in by the weekend. Any ideas for some give-a-ways? Gift certificates? Rings and earrings? I'm opening it up for requests!

More Info On The Ceramic Bands

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:39:00 +0000

We attended a bridal show at the Grand Hall in the Gateway Center yesterday and the most common question to arise was still concerning the white and black ceramic bands. Most people immediately shy away, thinking they will be weak and break. At first, I was also skeptical with thoughts returning to things I'd made in high school pottery classes. This new high tech ceramic is something TOTALLY different though. I've now been wearing ceramic bands for almost a year now to test the durability, and haven't been able to even scratch them yet.

Here is a list of other materials being made from this new and lightweight ceramic material:

Knives and Cutlery
Exhaust Manifolds
Bullet Proof Vests
Cockpit Protection For Military Aviation
Ball Bearings
Watches
Dental Work
Artificial Hip & Bone Replacement

Of course, if any of these things were even remotely close to a mid century Chinese vase, they just wouldn't serve any purpose. We can clearly see that this is a material superior to many others and also completely hypo-allergenic. Once you try one on, you'll be a believer.

There are also still many people searching for black tungsten rings. The black portion is a plating that will wear and scratch off over time, exposing the gray metal beneath. Ceramic rings, on the other hand, are the same color all the way through, and will stay looking new for years to come. We're happy to order you in a black tungsten ring, but can't offer the same warranties, because of their inferiority to their ceramic ring counterparts.

White Ceramic Rings

noreply@blogger.com (http://www.weddingringsforever.com) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:02:00 +0000

We've had a lot of requests for white ceramic wedding bands lately. They are definitely a bold statement and look gorgeous. I ordered myself in one a few weeks ago and am going to wear it for a while to see what kind of comments I get and also to put it to the test. It will have to stand up to everything involved with building a house. So far, it has made it through framing, electrical, HVAC, drywall, mud/tape, and paint...still going strong and looking like new.

Gold Once More Above $1,100

noreply@blogger.com (Juris Blogger) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:10:00 +0000

The Wall Street Journal

LONDON--Spot gold climbed back above $1,100 a troy ounce on the last trading day of the year Thursday, getting help from a weaker dollar and rising crude oil prices.

Gold will finish the year on a steadier footing after its steep tumble earlier in December, having bounced 5% since bottoming at a seven-week low Dec. 22. Its recovery will bring gold to a gain of 26% for all of 2009.

Spot gold was trading at $1,103.95 an ounce, up 1% on the day. Gold's recent recovery since tumbling over 12% in the first weeks of December has been accompanied by a modest rebound in the euro against the dollar, and a steep rally in crude oil prices.

Its recovery will bring gold to a gain of 26% for all of 2009.

"I think the story of instability in the Middle East has pushed the price of oil higher, which translates to higher gold prices," said Afshin Nabavi, head of trading and physical sales at Swiss bullion trader MKS Finance.

While gold has regained a steadier footing, its direction at the start of 2010 will largely depend on whether or not the dollar will further strengthen.

But for the last trading day of the year, volumes will likely remain thin and volatility low.

"It's the last day of the year, I don't think a lot of people want to get fresh involvement," said Nabavi. At such a high price, now may actually be the time to trade gold for cash, rather than seeking gold as an investment.

In other precious metals, spot silver was 1.5% higher at $17.037 an ounce, spot platinum rose 0.6% to $1,460 an ounce and spot palladium was up 3% at $402 an ounce.

Palladium will end the year with the most upwards momentum. The metal has gained 15% since bottoming at a five-week low Dec. 22, the same day gold hit its bottom.

Diamond Miners Band Together To Lower Prices Of Rough-Cut Stones

noreply@blogger.com (Juris Blogger) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:28:00 +0000

Wall Street Journal

ANTWERP, Belgium— The world's top diamond miners plan to slowly increase output to tamp down prices of the rough gemstones. The cautious move aims to appease customers who have been squeezed by flat retail prices.

The delicate choreography comes even as the top four diamond producers fret that demographic and other changes threaten to permanently sap demand for the gems and create a long-term crisis for the industry.

Prices for rough, uncut rocks have risen more than 40% since February. Meanwhile, retail sales are falling, to $65 billion this year from $74 billion in 2008, RBC said.

"A lot of companies are going to be out" of business because of higher rough prices, said Eyal Atzmon, whose Antwerp-based company El-Ran polishes and trades diamonds.

As the financial crisis crushed the luxury-goods market, De Beers Group, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Alrosa Co. slashed production this year. The four diamond miners control 90% of global production and influence prices through a Byzantine yet legal system of closed sales, secret long-term contracts and a few auctions.

De Beers, for example, slashed output by more than 90% in the first quarter.

And Alrosa sold all its production to the Russian state in the first half, rather then sell rough diamonds to its regular customers who cut and polish the stones for sale to consumers.

Global diamond-mine production is forecast to fall to $8 billion this year from $13.1 billion last year, according to Toronto-based RBC Capital Markets.

With manufacturers and polishers complaining of vanishing profit margins, the big four miners pledged Monday to ease their pain.

"We had to avoid a large-scale and catastrophic collapse of our industry," Sergey Oulin, vice president of Alrosa, said Monday at an industry conference in this port city, the center of the world diamond trade.

While the miners are loath to see prices for uncut diamonds drop too sharply, they are also worried that they might put some of their customers out of business if prices stay high.

"There is a consensus that rough prices have gone too high," said Des Kilalea, an RBC analyst. "But what everybody craves in this business is stability."

The miners plan to increase production gradually to avoid destabilizing the market. Alrosa holds more than $1 billion of diamonds, but won't sell it all at once, Mr. Oulin said.

Production "all depends on what demand will look like in the future," said Tim Dabson, a De Beers executive director.

Any increase poses risks for the miners. Short-term retail demand was hit by the global recession. But even as economic growth resumes, the industry faces other longer-term challenges, particularly in the U.S., which accounts for 40% of retail sales.

"We know people over 55 treasure diamonds…but that's not so clear for the iPod generation," Mr. Dabson said. "We need to tap into that market."Other risks include the tendency of consumers in the growing economies of India and China to favor less-expensive gems than what sell elsewhere.

The industry also is contending with what Mr. Dabson called "ethical consumerism," the linking of diamonds to war, corruption and environmental degradation. The industry participates in the Kimberley Process, an effort to ensure that diamonds traded internationally aren't used to finance rebel groups.

The industry needs protection for "when we're hit by a crisis like the 'Blood Diamond' movie," said BHP Billiton marketing director Chris Ryder, referring to the 2006 Leonardo Di Caprio film about diamond mining in war-torn Sierre Leone.

He also said the industry needs to mount general "demand defense." De Beers, the biggest diamond producer, has said it would reduce its advertising budget, worrying executives throughout the industry. The big miners have discussed a collaborative $200 million ad campaign, but have yet to commit.

Mr. Dabson drew applause, however, by playing a De Beers TV commercial for the U.S. that features a couple ice-skating on a frozen pond.

Retailers are worried as well. Zale Corp., which operates 1,930 retail jewelry locations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, reported a net loss of $189.5 million for the fiscal year ending July 31 and a 16.8% drop in revenue. "Diamond fashion has been extremely hard hit," David Sternblitz, vice president and treasurer of Zale, said, adding that demand for diamonds has decreased commensurate with overall jewelry demand on account of the recession.

But while most diamond retailers face what Zale CEO Neal Goldberg has called "the most difficult year in retailing in memory," other diamond sellers are doing well. Blue Nile Inc., one of the U.S.'s largest online diamond retailers, has remained profitable and gained market share at an accelerated pace in the recession, as customers turned to the Web for discounts, said CEO Diane Irvine.

The recession has also been advantageous for diamond sellers in the very upper echelons, where customers are investing in million-dollar diamonds as safe investment alternatives. "It's a refuge for your money if you have the cash available," Henri Barguirdjian, CEO of Graff USA, said, adding that his company, where the average sale is $150,000, was 20% ahead of last year's retail sales in the U.S. market.

Despite such exceptions, most diamond retailers are suffering, with some of the larger U.S. jewelers – such as Fortunoff and Finlay Enterprises Inc. – filing for bankruptcy this year. Even if economic growth resumes, other longer-term challenges face the diamond industry, executives in Antwerp said.

Gold Price Skirts $1,100

noreply@blogger.com (Juris Blogger) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Wall Street Journal

Gold prices neared $1,100 in after-hours trading after the Federal Reserve's post-meeting statement suggested that U.S. interest rates won't be going up soon which keeps potential longer-term inflation a worry among traders.

The statement came out after the end of pit trading on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, where the settlement price is set.

In pit trading, the nearby but lightly traded November futures firmed $2.40, or 0.2%, to settle at $1,086.70, a record settlement for a front-month contract. December gold rose $2.40 to $1,087.30 an ounce, a record settlement for the most-active month contract.

Then, about an hour after the Fed statement, in electronic trading after hours, gold for December delivery traded as high as $1,098.50 an ounce.

"The fact that everything remains the status quo is a positive environment for gold," said Dave Meger, director of metals trading at Vision Financial Markets.

There had been some worries that the Fed might change its rhetoric enough to be seen as signaling a hint of possibly tightening interest rates down the road.

"Any type of tilt to that effect could have supported the dollar and hence dented the gold price," Mr. Meger said. "Obviously that didn't happen. So any expectations to that effect are no longer a concern and that obviously gives a green light to the gold market to continue forward."

The Fed said conditions "are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal-funds rate for an extended period."

Continued low interest-rates mean further pressure on the dollar, especially since some nations have started raising rates, said Joe Foster, portfolio manager with Van Eck International Investors Gold Fund.

"Anything that is negative for the dollar is good for gold," he said. "Then there are the inflationary implications. The longer they maintain these historically easy monetary policies, the more that stokes potential for inflation somewhere down the road."

Gold had gained before the Fed statement on a second day of buying in the wake of news that the Reserve Bank of India has bought 200 metric tons of the metal from the International Monetary Fund who obviously know how to sell gold.

The news of the Indian purchases from the International Monetary Fund supported the market since it was seen as both reflecting strong central-bank demand and alleviating worries that the IMF's planned sale of 403.3 metric tons would hurt the market.

Central banks collectively had been net sellers of gold for more than a decade, said Fred Jheon, managing director of U.S. product development for ETF Securities.

Outlook Not Shining For Jewelers Anymore

noreply@blogger.com (Juris Blogger) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Wall Street Journal

Foss Jewelry was honored by the Maine Legislature in September for reaching its 90th year in business. But like many jewelry retailers across the country, the family-owned store may have just celebrated its last birthday.

"We've talked to an accountant and we've decided to try to get through Christmas," says Anne Winter, manager of daily operations at the store, located in Livermore Falls, Maine. "At that point, we'll see if we will liquidate and close down."

The store only sold one diamond ring last holiday season, relying on sales of cheaper, sterling-silver pieces and other gift items to bolster profits. Then one of the town's paper mills shut down, laying off hundreds and crimping the town's economy. Some days, Ms. Winter says, she is lucky to make $20 selling watch batteries.

As younger generations become less interested in jewelry and as Americans gravitate to online shopping for convenience and bargains, Main Street jewelers and jewelry retailers are struggling to attract customers. The recession, which has spurred many consumers to think twice before making a luxury purchase, has added an extra burden, pushing many to shutter their doors.

According to a census by the Jewelers Board of Trade, the number of jewelry retail firms has declined more than 5% since September 2007, when the credit crunch started to take a firm hold on the economy. That's a net loss of 1,210 stores, primarily made up of mom-and-pop shops because the census tallies retailers by name, not by each store or kiosk location. This means that Foss Jewelry, as a standalone jewelry store, is counted the same as chains such as Zale Corp. and Kay Jewelers.

In 2007, sales for private jewelers were up more than 4%, according to Sageworks Inc., an economic-research firm in Raleigh, N.C. But in the last year, sales at those establishments are now registering a 4% decline. By comparison, sales dropped 2.3% at clothing stores and 3.3% at florists in the same period. Furniture stores, hard hit by the housing market, are enduring a 6% drop in sales.

"It's discretionary items that people stop buying when they are feeling insecure," says expert Drew White, chief financial officer at Sageworks and a credit analyst who researches market potential. "And there is lack of capital to finance inventory, which is another thing that is hitting private retailers."

Wise Jewelers, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was shut down last February after 183 years in business. "It was difficult to compete with the chain stores and the Internet," says Brian McNamara, who owned the business for three years before closing it down. "For the most part, the service and repairs side of the business kept us going, but in the end, the economy did us in."

Some jewelers are staving off liquidation by implementing new business models. Carol Lipper, president of Designer Jewelry and Handbags, shut down her shop on the main thoroughfare of Millburn, N.J., in June because she couldn't afford rent. She laid off two employees, reduced her inventory and relocated to Livingston, N.J., where she is renting a small space inside Handcrafters, a store specializing in handmade gifts.

"I've seen downturns that affected expensive merchandise," says Ms. Lipper, whose products sell for $20 to $250. "But I've never seen anything like this, where the moderately expensive stuff is getting hit, too."

While it's been tough building a new clientele, Ms. Lipper thinks the model has potential. She is in negotiations to rent counter space at other stores and spas in the area to expand through satellite locations. She will also give the storefront presence another try: Just this week, Ms. Lipper signed a lease to rent a small boutique in Denville, N.J.—for 78% less than she was paying for her store in Millburn—and has hopes of opening by Thanksgiving.

In Ann Arbor, Mich., Craig Warburton also made a big change. His business, Austin and Warburton, hit $1 million in revenues in the mid-1990s and was growing steadily. His wife, Brenda Warburton, designed and created all the jewelry in the display cases, which attracted pedestrians in the downtown area. In 2008, seeing the consumer shift to online purchasing for engagement jewelry, the Warburtons launched AustinAndWarburton.com, a Web portal that allows customers to design and order custom jewelry, from birthstone necklaces to wedding rings and hibiscus jewelry.

The site took off and the couple decided to shut down the storefront last May—shedding several highly-compensated employees in the process—and move to a nearby office. For added convenience, the couple installed a video-conferencing system that allows customers to discuss and see 3-D models without leaving home. This year, Austin and Warburton should post record sales, Mr. Warburton says.

"We changed the size of the business to suit the size of the customer base," Mr. Warburton explains. "And we got a chance to rewrite the rules at a time when a lot of people are going out of business."

Making a Watch That Can't Be Counterfeited

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:33:00 +0000

There used to be easy tip-offs when a watch was fake, like light weight, shoddy artisanship -- and the fact that no working Rolex sells for $50. But these days, many fakes are so costly and carefully built that they require an expert to identify.

Now one Swiss watchmaker, Vacheron Constantin, has created a wristwatch that it says is impossible to counterfeit, as well as Men's Wedding Rings and Woman's Wedding Rings. What timing: The watch will be launched on Oct. 22 in New York, just as the luxury-watch industry is facing a possible global recession.

Do you care that many of the expensive-looking watches around us are probably not the real thing? Is the watch on your wrist real?

The watch, called the "Quai de l'Ile" for the watchmaker's historical Geneva address, uses layers of invisible UV marking, laser perforations of some watch parts, special high-security inks, and other measures used to secure passports and currencies like the euro and Swiss franc.

In the world of haute horlogerie, forged watches are as ubiquitous as fake handbags and black-market DVDs. These fakes are sold not only on sidewalk tables but also in stores, catalogs and Internet listings. The Swiss Customs Service has estimated that as many as 40 million counterfeit watches are put into circulation each year. Switzerland last year exported only about 26 million watches, so there's a fairly reasonable chance that the expensive-looking watch on your neighbor's wrist could be a fake.

Watchmakers have long fought counterfeiters by adding special stickers and limiting supply through authorized dealers. Rolex -- probably the most faked watch of all time -- strictly controls the numbers of its watches that can be sold by a dealer and requires that all repairs be made with authorized parts. Rolex also puts a green hologram sticker on the back of its watches -- though counterfeiters forge that, too.
Sophisticated Counterfeiters

But counterfeiters have been improving their technology faster than watchmakers. "Counterfeits have gotten more sophisticated," says David Hendry, chief underwriter for the Jewelry Insurance Brokerage of North America. "The counterfeiters have learned all the things that people didn't know 20 years ago." They add weight, use sapphire crystal for the glass of the watch and incorporate other elements that can confuse even experts -- and they may charge many hundreds of dollars.

Forging was an industry scourge even when the fine-watch market was growing at double-digit rates annually. Now, with growth sure to slow in the current economy, it's even more important for watchmakers to differentiate their products in consumers' minds.

Many luxury retailers -- particularly department stores such as Neiman Marcus -- have seen sales slow markedly this year. A survey released on Monday by Unity Marketing, a Stevens, Pa.-based consultant to the luxury industry, suggests that affluent consumers "are buying luxuries more selectively and more carefully."

The idea of Vacheron's new watch came out of a chance acquaintanceship between Vacheron Constantin Chief Executive Juan Carlos Torres and Roger Pfund. Mr. Pfund is an acclaimed Swiss painter and designer of the Swiss passport and international currencies since the 1970s. The painter met Mr. Torres socially several years ago.
'The Spirit of a Watch'

"To make secure watches was a new thing," Mr. Pfund said this past weekend, as he expounded on some of the artistic challenges involved. "The spirit of a watch is not the same as a bank note."

How does one use invisible ink on a watch, for instance? His answer: Print it on a slip of a paper-like polymer material that is inserted under the watch's crystal.

The Quai de l'Ile can be customized in up to 400 combinations and will sell for between $29,000 and $60,000, depending on which features are chosen. While the starting price for Vacheron Constantin watches is about $12,000, the company recently took an order from a European entrepreneur for a $6.5 million custom watch, says Julien Tornare, president of Vacheron Constantin U.S.

The company, which produces about 18,000 watches annually, expects to make 800 Quai de l'Iles a year.

To set the Quai de l'Ile apart, Mr. Pfund helped the company gain access to highly controlled money-printing materials like the polymer and inks, says Mr. Tornare. The inventory of polymer kept by Vacheron is monitored by the maker of Swiss passports, he said, noting, "We had no idea about security printing."

The watch's security measures involve engraving and printing with special inks. In the first series of watches produced, the words "Swiss Made" and "Automatique" are laser-engraved without using ink on the watch's dial, while some of the numerals, the date and the words "Vacheron Constantin Genève" are engraved with ink.
Miniature Texts on the Dials

Tiny texts on the dials of some models -- illegible without the aid of a magnifying glass -- reproduce parts of letters sent between 19th-century family members of the watchmaker, Jaques-Barthélémy Vacheron and François Constantin.

The Quai de l'Ile was unveiled to the watch industry last spring at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. That annual convention is sponsored by Cie. Financière Richemont SA, the luxury conglomerate that owns such oft-counterfeited brands as Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.

This appears to have given would-be counterfeiters an opportunity to get cracking on Vacheron's come-and-get-me challenge. Mr. Pfund, who is currently designing the 2010 series of the Quai de l'Ile, says, "They already have fakes of this watch. I saw one yesterday on the Internet. Of course, the movement is wrong -- a lot of things are wrong."

Original Article by Christina Binkley
Wall Street Journal Fashion
Oct. 16, 2008

Platinum Gets Dented in the Auto Industry's Pileup

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:33:00 +0000

Slumping Car Demand Crimps Need for Catalytic Converters, a Big User of Metal, but Possible Drop in Mining Output May Buoy Prices,

At Friday's lows, spot-month futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange were down 38% on the year and 59% from the record set in March as the global economic slowdown pinches industrial use.

Platinum could fall further on weakness in the auto sector, but then stabilize or rise modestly as investment liquidation runs its course and due to potential for output cuts as the price approaches the cost of mining, analysts said. This makes it a great time to buy platinum wedding bands.

The impetus for the early year peak was worries about tight supplies exacerbated when South Africa state-owned utility Eskom Holdings Ltd. announced electrical shortages that curtailed mining output.

"Supply was being outpaced by demand," said Bart Melek, global commodity strategist with BMO Capital Markets. "We had a massive rally way above the marginal cost of production."

Since then, the auto industry has slumped. This hurt platinum demand because its main industrial use is for catalytic converters.

Nearby October platinum Friday fell $22.60, or 2.3%, to settle at $957 a troy ounce. Most-active January lost $20.80, or 2.1%, to $965.80.

James Moore, an analyst with TheBullionDesk.com, said platinum's recent move is cyclical, reflecting changed fundamentals. Moreover, he said, the fundamentals perhaps were "overexaggerated" as prices soared at the start of the year. But he doesn't look for the recent slide to continue much longer because a "delicate balance" remains in the market.

"Eskom has already said they can't increase their energy capacity for at least another five years," Mr. Moore said. "The producers are struggling against rising costs and having to excavate metal from much deeper ore bodies. This has a massive impact on their bottom line."

If profitability suffers, downward price corrections such as the current one could prompt producers to shut down some of their operations, he said.

"In my view, it would be naive to think that the market is going to continue lower," Mr. Moore said. "We may see some further downside initially, but then look for it to possibly stabilize around $1,000 to $1,300 for the latter part of the year and heading toward next year."

BMO's Mr. Melek estimated that the cash costs of production for platinum-mining operations are between $700 and $1,000 an ounce.

"They might still go lower," he said of platinum prices on things like platinum wedding rings. "But they ultimately will have to rebound because we're hitting the marginal cost of production for many producers."

CPM Group analyst Carlos Sanchez also said there could be more selling pressure, but prices may soon stabilize.

Not only has platinum been hurt by concerns about reduced motor-vehicle production, but expectations are for a shift toward smaller vehicles at a time of high fuel prices. Smaller engines require less platinum group metals for auto catalysts, Mr. Sanchez said. Meanwhile, no further supply disruptions have occurred in South Africa lately, he said.

But at the same time, he said, many investors already may have sold some positions.

"You may go to $900," Mr. Sanchez said. "But they're already low compared to what they have been the last couple of years. So you may not have further selling."

In other commodity markets:

SUGAR: Prices dropped to a four-month low on ICE Futures U.S. as speculators exited from bullish positions, but the market pared losses before a vote by the House of Representatives approving the $700 billion financial-rescue package. ICE March world sugar fell 0.47 cent, or 3.6%, to 12.61 cents a pound.

CRUDE OIL: Futures zigzagged before ending slightly lower as traders mulled whether the passage of the rescue bill would stabilize demand. Demand concerns were reinforced after the Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls fell more than expected in September, the steepest decline since March 2003. Light, sweet crude fell nine cents, or 0.1%, to $93.88 a barrel, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

By: Allen Sykora
Wall Street Journal; October 5, 2008

How To Choose a Jeweler

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:22:00 +0000

Visiting a jeweler to shop for wedding jewelry can be an overwhelming experience because most shoppers simply don't know enough about the intricacies of gemstones and precious metals to make their choices easily. That's why finding a reputable and competent jeweler is so important.

Any jeweler should be willing and able to show customers a variety of gemstones and jewelry in different shapes, sizes and qualities, and should stock a broad selection of ring styles to enable you to decide which best fits your pocketbook.

Your jeweler also should be able to help you learn to see with your own eyes why some diamonds of similar size differ greatly in value, or from a practical perspective - how you might reasonably select from a variety of different sizes, all priced similarly to fit your budget.

All of us like to feel that we receive a good value when we make a major purchase. Take time to find what you want and where you want to buy it. Diamonds, for instance, can be confusing. Even if two diamonds are the same size, color and clarity, differences in the way they were cut, their finish and fluorescence can cause one to be worth much more than the other.

Buying Gemstones

Gemstones have been sought after and treasured throughout history. They have been found in ruins dating back several thousand years. They are valued as gifts symbolizing love.

Generally, the price of any gemstone is determined by size, cut, quality - which includes color, clarity and treatments - and type.

Here are some simple questions to ask about quality:

Has it been heat treated?
Is the stone natural or synthetic?
Are there any noticeable scratches, chips or inclusions?
Is the color even throughout the stone?
How strong is the color? Is it vivid?
If you are buying the stones for earrings or cuff links, are the stones well-matched?

Advice To Protect Jewelry

Try to protect any jewelry from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and sunlight.

Here's some advice about how to keep your jewelry in good condition:

Store jewelry separately so it doesn't scratch other jewelry.
When doing household tasks such as gardening and cleaning, be certain to remove rings.
Put your jewelry on after washing or bathing and applying any makeup or hair spray.
Never wear jewelry while swimming in a swimming pool. The chlorine can cause damage to various gemstones and gold.
Avoid storing your jewelry next to a heating vent, window sill or on a car's dashboard. Store jewelry away from sunlight (the sun may fade the gemstones).
Always store bead necklaces (such as lapis, pearls, etc.) flat; silk stretches over time. Do not store pearls in plastic bags.
Gemstones may become loose in their settings (and possibly fall out). Be certain that stones mounted in rings are not loose and don't rattle. The prongs of a ring can and do wear down. If the prongs wear down too much or break, you can lose the stone. Prongs are easily "retripped" by most jewelers to keep the stone secure.
Most jewelers will restring necklaces or reset stones (for a fee)
Sterling silver will polish up by rubbing or buffing it with a soft cotton cloth.
Store silver in plastic bags with an interlocking seal to make it less prone to tarnish.

Remember, also, that the hardness of stones plays into how they can be treated. Hardness is based on a gem-trade standard called the Mohs Scale. The higher the Mohs Scale number, the harder the stone. The highest Mohs Scale rating is 10, for diamonds.

Anything rated less than 7 on the scale can be easily scratched - coral, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl and turquoise, for instance. Gold, silver and platinum are at the soft end ofthe scale.

Key Point to Consider

When you're searching for a jeweler, remember that you may spend thousands of dollars over time at this business. It's imperative to find someone you feel comfortable with and someone who is willing to work with you when you have questions about jewelry, repairs or perhaps special orders.

Find a store where the owner is the jeweler, someone actively involved in the store's operation who knows his clientele and the business.

Your chosen store should be able to design and create fine jewelry.

The staff should be happy to spend time with customers to educate them about jewelry and what's currently available on the market. Work should be done on the premises. After all, you've chosen your jeweler because of his or her expertise.

Look for well-known jewelry and watch lines while you're shopping. Your jeweler should offer free gift wrapping, in-town delivery and, above all, superb customer service combined with an expert staff.

Original Article by
Wall Street Journal

Copper Gives Necklace Polished Look

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:04:00 +0000

Retired after 44 years as an executive for the fashion division of J.L. Hudson Co., Joyce Hurley of Huntington Woods continues to share her sense of high style as a beaded jewelry maker.

"After several years of retirement, I decided to become a jeweler designer and maker," says Hurley, whose stunning creations make a bold and sometimes ethnic statement.

She enhances the beauty of semi-precious stones by adding silver beads as a visual contrast to many of her designs. More recently, she sometimes uses copper in place of silver, giving her work an entirely different look.

"I've been introduced to working with copper. It's been about a month now, and I've really adopted it. It's become about an eighth of my inventory," Hurley remarks. "The more I saw it, the more I could see how well it went with the kind of jewelry I make, and the kind of natural stones I like to work with."

Hurley, who makes "mostly one-of-a-kind" pieces, admits to buying the bulk of her beads from "a wholesaler in Royal Oak and from bead shows."

She adds, "I find them (shows) a good source of things you don't see locally. I don't buy anything from a retail store, unless I run out of something basic, like a clasp."

This is the third year Hurley has sold her jewelry on Saturday mornings at the Grosse Pointe Park Farmers Market, which operates May through September. Her necklaces range from $36-$70.

By: Jocelynn Brown
Detroit News; September 20, 2008

Costs Searing Miners Could Boost Metals

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Escalating production costs and cooling commodity prices are dragging down once-mighty mining and metals companies. But high costs could eventually force another price rally.

Traders are watching for the point where supply tightens thanks to a shakeout among producers that can't profit amid lower prices.

Some of the miners in the most pain are on acid -- lots of it. Sulfuric acid is used extensively in mining to extract nickel, copper, platinum, titanium, silver, diamonds, and uranium. But miners must compete for sulphur with the booming fertilizer industry. After a period when you could hardly give it away, sulfuric acid has gotten exceedingly scarce, rising some 1,000% in the past year. Some nickel mines consume $10,000 of acid just to extract a ton of nickel, now selling for about $20,000, down from $50,000 last year.

Mines and smelters also consume massive amounts of coal and oil to power blast furnaces, fuel trucks and process ore. Oil is up about 57% over the past year, while coking coal has tripled. Steel costs have soared; hard-to-find engineers can name their price; and the escalating cost of explosives -- derived from ammonia, a product of natural gas -- is blowing up margins. And while metal prices has soared recently, many jewelers, like Design Bands, buy up front, and have a large inventory that was bought at yesterday's prices. Companies like Design Bands are able to sell designer wedding rings at affordable prices.

In 2006 and 2007, when metals prices were climbing, inefficient and mothballed mines reopened. Now nickel, zinc and aluminum are fetching less than it costs such marginal suppliers to produce them, says Jim Lennon, senior commodities strategist at Macquarie Securities in London. When zinc, used to coat steel, climbed to $2 a pound in mid-2006, mines spending a dollar to produce it thrived. Zinc now runs about 80 cents.

Once more high-cost producers fall, says Jeremy Weir, chief executive officer of Galena Asset Management, a subsidiary of oil and metals trader Trafigura, "there's a likelihood that some of these markets that have been depressed from their highs could see a price recovery."

Factory Reading Is Key on Tuesday

Like commodities, the U.S. economy has been supported by strong global demand, a prop that has grown shaky.

Further evidence of this may come Tuesday morning, when the Institute for Supply Management releases its U.S. manufacturing index for August. Economists, on average, think it will slip a bit, to 49.5 from 50 in July. Any reading below 50 indicates factory activity is shrinking.

Though hardly robust, such a reading would be much higher than the 41 that usually marks a recession. Though it has slowed considerably in recent years, the index hasn't come close to that level, even during the fourth quarter of 2007, when gross domestic product contracted.

Healthy export demand has kept factories treading water. A weak dollar has helped, by making U.S. exports cheaper and more competitive. The dollar has rebounded this summer, but that shouldn't affect exports for some time.

What could show up soon is the slower growth gripping various economies around the world. The ISM's index of new export orders fell to 54 in July -- still relatively strong, but the lowest reading of the year.

By: Ann Davis
Wall Street Journal; September 2, 2008

Harry Winston Profit Soars

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. said second-quarter net income more than doubled as the company banked on strong growth in emerging markets.

"Our businesses in Asia, Europe and the Middle East have been sufficient to offset the general market softness in the U.S. and Japan; this contributed to our strong retail finish for second quarter," President Thomas J. O'Neill said, adding that the company was on "firm footing" for the second half of the year.

The comments echoed those of fellow jeweler Tiffany & Co., which in late July said strong sales in the Asian-Pacific and European regions offset weakness in the U.S.

The diamond miner and retailer reported net income of $49.9 million, or 81 cents a share, compared with $20.1 million, or 34 cents a share, a year earlier. The latest quarter was helped by a $4.3 million insurance recovery and a drop in the effective income-tax rate to 33% from 47%. The gross margin widened to 60.5% from 52.8%, helped by the insurance recovery.

Sales rose 7.4% to $186.1 million in the quarter ended July 31. Mining sales remained at $105 million as higher prices made up for lower volume.

Wall Street Journal; September 10, 2008

Diamond Mining Is Losing Its Shine

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:48:00 +0000

Buy Diamonds and Diamond Wedding Bands Now Before Prices Rise!

Diamonds may be forever. Diamond mining, maybe not.

With growth in diamond prices trailing far behind that of most commodities, some miners are turning their sights toward gold, iron ore, and phosphate instead of sparkle.

Flinders Diamonds, an Australian miner, recently reassessed its exploration areas and identified a target in western Australia for iron ore, prices of which have been soaring along with demand for steel. It changed its name to Flinders Mines Ltd. to reflect its exr panded focus. Its stocks soared upon the April announcement.

Last June, diamond miner Sierra Leone Diamond decided to change its name to African Minerals Ltd. to reflect its exploration of precious and base metals across the African continent. Bonaparte Diamond Mines of Australia just concluded a diamond joint venture in Namibia to focus instead on exploring a phosphate project there because "the economic return" from diamonds "doesn't warrant moving into the next phase," Michael Woodborne, the firm's managing director, said in a statement. Prices of phosphate, a key component in fertilizer, are up dramatically lately.

For miners, the opportunity, cost of investing time and shareholder money in diamonds is just part of the problem. On the demand side, diamond sales, at least in the U.S., have been struggling. Citing a sluggish U.S. market, which accounts for about 50% of the total, De Beers Group reported a 3.7% fall in revenue to $5.9 billion last year.

Compared to most commodities, diamond prices have been "extremely unexciting" over the past few years, says Charles Wyndham, founder of PolishedPrices.com, which keeps a wholesale diamond price index. This year, it is flat, and up 3.6% from a year earlier. Over the same time, S&P GSCI, a commodities benchmark, is up 37.6% and 73.5%, respectively.

The departure from diamond mining marks a reversal from several years ago. At least 60 new diamond-mining companies sprung up after diamond giant De Beers went private in 2001, estimates David Hargreaves, a mining and gemstone consultant to United Kingdombased broker Hoodless Brennan Ltd. Yet, some newcomers may be finding that diamond mining is a trying and costly endeavor. Even if you find a diamond mine, it may take seven to 10 years before it produces, Mr. Hargreaves says.

Diamond mining is viewed as the "worst kind of gambling," says Theo Botoulas, chief executive of BRC DiamondCore Ltd., a diamond miner in South Africa.

In January, Tahera Diamond Corp., a Canadian miner, ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy-courtprotection. "Not every diamond mine will be successful.lt's a very high-risk business," said Gareth Penny, De Beers's managing director.

Still, several players, like BRC, are keeping at it. They argue that long-term demand for diamonds world-wide is good, and prices of big, better-quality stones have risen rapidly. Instead of shunning the gem business, Canadian miner Aber Diamond Corp. took full ownership of Harry Winston Diamond Corp. and focused on high-end retail sales before it started trading under its new name on the New York Stock Exchange in November. The company reported a 10% increase in overall revenue for the first quarter because of strong sales growth in Asia and Europe, though its mining production fell 31%.

De Beers has said it expects demand from markets like China, India, the Middle East and Russia to grow. It has raised prices of rough diamonds by an average of 8.5% so far this year. De Beers has been aggressively investing in new mining projects, and it will bring four major projects into full production this year.

Rio Tinto PLC, which produced 16% of the world's rough diamonds by volume in 2007, estimates diamond prices to rise in response to "a sizable supply gap" this year and expects demand will outpace supply for the next decade. Meanwhile, Diapason Commodities Management, a U.K.-based company, is planning to launch a "diamond fund" soon, in the form of a listed investment firm whose portfolio will be polished diamonds.

"Mining is a long-term game," said Mr. Wyndham of PolishedPrices.com. "Those who are switching back and forth from one commodity to another usually won't succeed."

By: Carolyn Cui
Wall Street Journal

Money Saving Wedding Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:17:00 +0000

Save Thousands on Designer Wedding Jewelry at DesignBands.com

They say there are two things that will withstand the test of time, and love is one of them.

However, with gas prices flirting with $4 a gallon and lavish weddings chock full of frivolity, lovebirds are looking for the most cost effective ways to tie the knot.

And they aren't skimping on the details.

THE DRESS AND TUXEDO

Summer may be known as the season for weddings, but according to Cathy Heim, seamstress at Nicole's Bridal Boutique in Seneca, brides-to-be are choosing simpler designs and more contemporary looks to satisfy both the warmer weather, as well as lighter wallets.

"You can pay just as much for a formal dress as can you for an informal," Heim said. "But for this area, people are buying a lot more conservative."

Heim, who is working on more than 20 weddings this month alone, said business is as steady as ever, adding that she has received a lot of requests to alter dresses bought from outside dealers. The four-year employee said many women are purchasing the perfect dress elsewhere, but sticking to local seamstresses for the modifications, saving a much needed tank of gas as well as some sanity.

Heim said the only major cutbacks so far include slightly less expensive bridesmaids' dresses - shortened from full-length to tea. She said she doesn't expect any bride's budget to favor a dress that is subpar to what they have always dreamed of.

"Every bride has a dream," Heim said. "And they will sacrifice to get that. Now whether that means a cheaper tuxedo or fewer flowers, I don't know. But the dress (the average is $650 at Nicole's) really isn't the biggest cutback."

And neither is the tuxedo, according to Rob Walter, an employee with F.L. Crooks and Co. on Main Street in Clarion.

The specialty clothing dealer, offering a range of prices on both lower-end designs and top name tuxedos, said the average cost for the groom comes in at around $100 for a complete rental with the most expensive falling somewhere near $160. And while the only shift Walter has seen is to cooler microfiber shirts, many men are still going for a quality fit and fabric to satisfy their wants as well.

"Everything's really just on par as it's always been," Walter said. "I haven't noticed any big difference."

THE RING

Perhaps the most illustrious piece of wedding memorabilia is the smallest and oftentimes most expensive for the big day.

Niki Volmrich, owner of Feldman Jewelers in Franklin, said couples are shopping vigilantly, but 'going for the gold' when it comes to actually buying.

"I haven't seen where they're really cutting back," Volmrich said. "I mean, they're still buying, but they're just perhaps not spending as much."

A veteran in the jewelry industry, having owned her Liberty Street shop for 23 years, Volmrich said those looking to celebrate nuptials are keeping a keen eye out for more traditional pieces that will not only look good, but won't break the bank.

One way brides are saving money is by purchasing titanium or tungsten bands for the groom, rings that not only have the weight and look of more expensive metals, but cost much less. An average price equals out to a little more than $100. Volmrich said many of the aforementioned materials are a lot more durable than conventional models.

However, she noted, grooms are still perusing the shelves for diamonds set in gold and platinum for their brides, in addition to the pricey engagement rings bought prior to the actual day.

"(Rising prices) don't really affect wedding jewelry, other jewelry yes, but not this," Volmrich said.

She also said the store's registry has consistently done quite well, with brides requesting various decorative accessories and everyday dishware.

"The ring is something you will have forever. You're going to be looking at that for years and years...hopefully," Volmrich said with a laugh.

By: Nicholas Hess
from Derrick.com

With This Ring, I Thee Wed…

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:51:00 +0000

More New Couples Seeking Matching Wedding Bands and Ring Set

Valuable jewelry has differing functions and symbolism across cultures. For many, the most important item of jewelry is, of course, the wedding ring.

That being the case, I have some advice concerning wedding rings as the warm summer days -- and along with them many, many weddings -- begin. Women have always been interested in jewelry. In the ancient Greek and Roman societies, jewelry was often worn as a form of protection from the evil eye. While women of those eras would wear many different types of jewelry, men were restricted to rings. These rings were strikingly different from those worn nowadays, and their stones were often also used as signets. This style of ring usage was continued by kings and aristocrats in the Middle Ages. During those times jewelry was sometimes a sign of wealth and at other times worn as protective amulets. Whether worn as a sign of status, for protection, or even just to accessorize, the most important kind of ring has perhaps always been the wedding band. The idea of wearing a ring to signify married status was started by ancient Egyptian princess Nefertiti. And though wedding rings have changed in color, stone, style, size and many other aspects over the years, the finger they are worn on has not. It is always the fourth finger of the left hand that is graced by a wedding band. Of course this is not just coincidental. Everyone knows just how advanced ancient Egyptian medicine was, and in fact medical research now shows us that this finger is the only one with a vein that heads straight for the heart. Choosing a wedding ring, this all-important piece of jewelry, is a meaningful act in that the jewelry is bought with the intention of wearing for the rest of one's life. Wedding rings are also one of the few kinds of jewelry that don't change too drastically along with changes in fashion. More than its actual appearance, the meaning carried by a wedding ring is what is important. The ring becomes almost like a part of the wearer's body, which is why there can be such great arguments between couples when one of them removes the ring. In any case, the wedding season is officially upon us, making it the perfect moment to take some time to talk about new styles and options in the wedding rings now available.

Traditional or modern: always timeless

When choosing a ring, the most important factors to keep in mind are the size and shape of you and your partner's fingers and hands. A thick band will make short fingers look even shorter. If you have bony hands, wedding bands with lots of stones of them are perfect for you. Square cut stones make fingers look a bit thicker, while rounder stones lengthen fingers' appearance. Last season, we saw an increase in wedding bands designed with not only precious metals, but also with precious stones. In particular, many couples decided on wedding rings decorated with diamonds -- classic.

There are many who don't want to pass up on the classic wedding ring, and for couples like this, there are new modern interpretations of the wedding ring available. Though wedding rings made from two different colors of gold were quite popular last season, this season we are seeing single-color gold wedding rings, mostly from red or white gold. Newer models of wedding rings are being designed for women who want to wear the same style of wedding ring as their future husbands. These are wedding rings that symbolize dynamism and a youthful attitude. It is of course also important that they don't go out of fashion. In a season when white gold is being chosen by so many couples for their wedding rings, platinum and steel are also favorites.
I'd also like to note that while we may see men wearing single-stone rings outside of Turkey, I very much doubt that this will find much of a place in Turkish culture. Wedding bands ought to be chosen according to characteristics that allow them to be used in every atmosphere. And if you can't find yourself anything you like from the shops, go to a company that specializes in individually designed wedding rings. You might be someone for whom designing and wearing your own wedding ring is much more meaningful.

A wedding ring that carries your spouse's name and wedding date on the inside of the band will no doubt become one of your most treasured possessions. So take particular care to choose a model that expresses something about your future spouse, not one that just makes a fashion statement. What adds true meaning to your wedding ring is not the stone or metal used in it, but the love felt when wearing it.

Original Article by: Wall Street Journal

Diamond Prices Predicted to Fall Modestly in June 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:30:00 +0000

Great news for consumers looking to buy diamond wedding rings and diamond wedding bands.

You've likely never heard of Martin Rapaport but to the diamond world he's famous. Rapaport is to diamonds what Robert Parker is to wine, a person of tremendous influence. He runs Diamonds.Net and his Rapaport Index defines diamond pricing for the world. On Monday, Rapaport spoke to the packed room at the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas delivering his pronouncements on the diamond market at an annual breakfast event. Right now, the diamond industry is facing similar challenges seen by the rest of the luxury market. Rapaport feels that the current economic climate offers both opportunity and pitfalls for those in the diamond business.

The news is conflicting, larger stones have been getting higher and higher prices and the huge wealth in China, Dubai, India and Russia is creating a hunger for luxury goods and diamonds and diamond jewelry specifically. This is also a time when the plummeting real estate market in the U.S. and Europe means that the Western world, which fueled the global prosperity in the beginning, is now cutting back on spending. Independent stores and small chains are having a tough time and the news is full of stories of stores having bankruptcy sales where goods are being sold off at below cost. This means that diamond prices are coming down worldwide and the best prices on diamond wedding bands are at designbands.com.

As of 2007, the U.S. still made up the bulk of diamond jewelry sales, clocking in at 43%. China brought in 8.5%, Europe did 11% and the Middle East was responsible for 4.6%. Until recently, the U.S. had been on a path of prolonged economic growth and our prosperity fueled the global economy expanding the middle class in India and Africa. Small jewelers in the U.S. are now competing with a global market. As I've heard mentioned at other conferences such as the Luxury Summit, the number of millionaires and billionaires is growing worldwide. This might be one reason why the price of big stones is going up far faster than the prices for smaller stones, especially those under a carat.

For jewelry sellers, as I heard in other sessions at this show, branding is more important than ever, especially to new luxury spending markets. Rapaport cautioned though that branding is a "trojan horse" for the retailers. First the retailers convince their customers which brand to buy and then the seller of the brand raises that price. Many stores are worried about the new DeBeers Forevermark, a branded diamond sold by DeBeers. Now the considerable advertising budget of DeBeers will be aimed at marketing that diamond which will be sold at premium price. Rapaport's answer to those competing against this new stone? Hang a sign in your window advertising that you are selling for diamonds for 10% less than Forevermark.
Overall, Rapaport is bullish about the future of diamonds. His data shows that over time global demand for diamonds will outpace supply by an increasing margin. He made the analogy that just as a forest fire is a way of the forest ecosystem, righting itself for greater growth, the current economic climate will eventually be good for the diamond market as a whole and will benefit the smaller jeweler if they realize that flexibility is power. Just as I heard Nick Failla say about gold at an earlier session, Rapaport too believes that most stores should be buying back jewelry as well as selling jewelry especially since the amount of jewelry being sold back to jewelers will likely hit record rates in the coming years.

One of the big questions about the diamond market is whether prices are being raised by those who are speculating or investing. Before the JCK Show, Rapaport raised his pricing index 25%, a fact which didn't sit well with those hoping to do major business during the show. Rapaport defended his decision saying it was a correction based on a steady supplier price raising. Facing increasing hostility from the audience he stated frankly that he couldn't give a damn about suppliers or buyers, it's his job to watch the prices people are getting for diamonds and reflect what is out there. Rapaport says the non-mining profit in the diamond business comes from finding the right buyer for the right diamond at the right price and that he is advocating for free, fair, open, competitive markets. This information didn't sit well with those in the audience who feared that their buying power had been dropped by one quarter based on Rapaport's guidance.

Rapaport urged the jewelry retailers in the audience to remember that "diamond dream" what is being sold is the idea behind the jewelry, the emotional power behind the diamond remains, the real business for jewelers is to believe in what diamonds mean to people not just the romance angle but also the sense of the diamond as a global industry, it can do good for the people involved. In fact, Rapaport says that jewelry stores have a responsibility to make sure the diamond industry does well, because the industry also supports the diggers in other countries. It can be a tool for good. His own passion for finding ways to make sure the diamond industry is a benefit to diggers in Sierra Leone and other places has led him to be a leader in the fair trade jewelry movement. I'll be reporting in-depth on the fair trade jewelry conference which he moderated later this week.

Overseas Demand Polishes Tiffany

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Asia, Europe Strength Offsets Softness in U.S.; Sales Outlook Cautious

Tiffany & Co's fiscal-first-quarter profit rose 19% as higher demand in Europe and Asia helped make up for soft sales in the U.S.

In addition, the New York jeweler raised its full-year earnings outlook while noting it maintains "a cautious outlook for U.S. sales" and doesn't expect an improvement until later this year.

Tiffany also said it plans to introduce a "new, smaller store format" in the U.S. later this year, in addition to its plans to open about 24 new stores world-wide.

Sales at stores open at least a year rose 21% in Europe and 15% in the AsiaPacific region, driven by demand in areas from London and Italy to Hong Kong and China. Adjusted for currency effects, same-store sales rose 12% in Europe and 4% in the Asia-Pacific region.

Overseas sales helped offset flat sales in the U.S., the company's larg market, where a slowing economy' curtailed spending on jewelry , other discretionary items.

International shoppers taking vantage of the weak dollar also hel) Tiffany'S domestic sales. The com ny's New York flagship store saw a: jump in same-store sales, driven by demand from foreign tourists. Meanwhile, sales at branch stores declined 4% as the company experienced soft sales of items below $500.

Sales in the quarter ended April have been driven by engagement rings in the U.S., silver jewelry outside of U.S. or designer collections such as Elsa Peretti jewelry.

Chief Executive Michael J. Kowalski said strong sales growth despite "only modest growth in the U.S. due to challenging conditions reflects the benefit of globally diversified distribution."

"Tiffany is becoming a truly global brand," said Pali Research analyst Stacey Widlitz, who has a "buy" rating on
the stock. "The strength in international and the size of it is enough to offset however long the U.S. consumer weakness is lasting. International consumers love this brand."

World-wide sales so far in May have met the company's expectations, Tiffany said. While U.S. same-store sales for the year are expected to rise, the company said it expects second quarter U.S. sales to decline, which will pressure profit in that period.

Tiffany raised its full-year outlook it boosted in March an additional five cents and now expects earnings of $2.80 to $2.90 a share, maintaining its forecast for net sales growth of about 10%. The latest mean estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters was for earnings of $2.73 a share on 10% sales growth to $3.23 billion.

By: Andrie Cheng & Donna Kardos
Wall Street Journal; May 31-June 1, 2008

Ahead of Vows, Engaged Couples Seek Bargains On Rings

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:31:00 +0000

Sky-high prices for precious metals are prompting many cash-strapped couples to switch from platinum bridal rings to more affordable white metals like white gold and palladium, according to jewelers in Hatton Garden, the diamond jewelry district of London.

Platinum has soared 50 percent this year to hit a record high of $2,290 an ounce in March, driven by strong industrial demand and power shortages in South Africa, a top producer.

Prices of platinum, used in catalytic converters of cars as well as in jewelry, are now quoted at around $2,150, but they are still up 40 percent this year.

The surge in precious metals prices, and a squeeze on incomes caused by the credit crunch and climbing food and fuel prices, are spurring changes in consumer behavior in the bridal market, according to Hatton Garden jewelers.

"People are looking for alternatives - and a good alternative to platinum at the moment is palladium," said Ercan Onguc, manager at Beverley Hills London.

The price differences between the metals are stark.

For instance, a 5 mm, or 0.2 inch, ladies' platinum wedding band retails for £923, or $1,797, almost four times the cost of a 5 mm palladium ring at £250 and a 5 mm white gold band at £263.

"There is less platinum being sold," said Kevin Reilly, manager of Classic Jewels. "People, particularly for wedding rings, have been switching to 18-carat white gold or palladium," he added.

Women, enchanted by platinum's romantic cachet, tend to still insist on platinum, especially those with the highest incomes, whereas men are more likely to compromise on cost and go for the less glamorous and less expensive palladium, jewelers say.

And though both are hard metals, platinum has the edge over palladium because it is denser. Platinum is also marketed much more vigorously than palladium.

A salesman at County Jewelers said some couples on tight budgets were opting for alternative metals to platinum so they could spend more on a larger diamond.

Well informed about the recent spike in precious metals prices, notably platinum and gold, more customers are now making inquiries about palladium and white gold bridal rings, jewelers say. However, a step down in price does not always mean a huge step down in quality. There are still many places, particularly businesses offering online shopping, that carry high quality cheap wedding rings. And so, heightened volatility in precious metals is leading jewelers to re-price their stock much more often nowadays.

A sign placed prominently in one Hatton Garden jeweler's window said: "Due to the fluctuation of metal prices, all wedding rings shown could be subject to surcharges."

Jewelry manufacturers are loathe to use less platinum in wedding rings or to hollow out designs to compensate for the rise in precious metals prices.

By: David Brough Reuters
International Herald Tribune; May 20, 2008

Platinum demand remains resilient despite price

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:42:00 +0000

High-end, bridal boost metal's retail sales in 2007

New York—Despite platinum's rising price, which averaged $1,304 per ounce last year—36 percent more than in 2006—retail sales and manufacturing volumes of platinum jewelry in 2007 remained fairly resilient, boosted primarily by the high-end and bridal sectors, according to Johnson Matthey's annual platinum report for 2008.

Global demand for new metal in the jewelry industry actually dipped slightly in 2007, the metals consultancy said, falling 55,000 ounces to a total of 1.59 million ounces, yet demand from both the trade and consumers alike stayed strong for the majority of the year.

Platinum jewelry demand in Europe increased by 7.7 percent to a total of 210,000 ounces in 2007, and net demand for new metal from the Chinese jewelry sector increased by 20,000 ounces to a total of 780,000 ounces.

China remains the largest market for platinum jewelry, according to Johnson Matthey, with Chinese manufacturers buying 2.6 percent more of the metal compared with other markets. In the last year especially, platinum demand in China was particularly supported by the production of novelty platinum items and memorabilia manufactured in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In North America, however, where the economic slowdown has been accompanied not only by higher platinum prices but also by pressure on local manufacturing from imported jewelry, purchases of platinum by jewelry manufacturers declined by 5,000 ounces in 2007 to a total of 240,000 ounces.

Looking forward, Johnson Matthey expects platinum prices to remain volatile, though the high prices haven't yet been felt in the jewelry industry this year (for reasonably priced platinum wedding bands, check out Design Bands). The outlook for jewelry demand in 2008 is more dependent on price than previously, Johnson Matthey said in the report, but the high-end and bridal sectors will remain insulated from price changes.

While perhaps the biggest story regarding platinum for 2007 was supply—which fell by 4 percent in 2007—Johnson Matthey said there is still the possibility that supply for 2008 will increase. Among the biggest issues concerning supply in the last year were strikes and wage negotiations at mines in South Africa, plus a Lonmin smelter shutdown in the country, and general issues concerning improved safety and the acquisition of skilled staff.

National Jeweler Network; May 20, 2008

Things Women Need To Know About Wedding Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:39:00 +0000

For The Bride

1. Waist emphasis: After a tumultuous affair with the trapeze dress, America is ready to re-embrace the waist. At the Spring 2008 Fashion Week, designers showed nipped in waists, often accented with wide belts. Look for wedding dresses to follow suit, with a reinvigoration of the obi belt and contrasting color sashes.

2. Trumpet Skirt: As it skims over the body before flaring out near the knee, the trumpet skirt naturally shows off your best curves, especially your waist

3. Jewelry as Part of the Dress: While previous years' fads included heavy jewelry, in the year 2008 wedding trends, jewelries are now commonly worn on the dresses themselves.

4. Lower necklines: Show off the neck and shoulders

5. Back Detail: It's what your wedding guests see during the ceremony, so show it off with intricate details or a low v-back.

6. Vintage inspiration: From dresses to rings, brides are revisiting the past for style inspiration. For wedding gowns, that means delicate fabrics like chiffon and tiers of tulle, along with bygone embellishments such as beaded straps, keyhole halters, and lace sleeves.

7. Silver: The bride who wears a metallic silver wedding dress is sure to stand out and be remembered. If you're more traditional, incorporate the silver wedding trend in other ways like wedding bands and other jewelry accessories.

Bridesmaids

8. Yellow: Yellow was all over the Spring 2008 runways, which is great news for brides. This ideal wedding color is fresh, energetic and summery.
For an evening wedding, pair lemon yellow with chocolate brown. Or, choose a brighter yellow paired with silvery gray. Yellow brings feelings of warmth and happiness. When used alone, yellow makes an impact, when used as an accent; it compliments many other colors very nicely. Pale yellows are great for spring weddings, lemon yellows give a citrus punch to summer weddings and deep mustards are beautiful for fall and winter weddings.

9. Silver / Pewter: Silvers and metallics are taking the place of standard black. Steel gray will replace chocolate brown as the accent color. I absolutely love this soft yet deep hue teamed with butter yellow, bright aqua, rich eggplant, or pale pink. It's so versatile!

10. Bold colors: Jewel tones are back in style! If you love rich purples, bright greens, and shocking pinks, you'll be excited by 2008 wedding trends. But stay far away from the '80s. Today's couples should look to use jewel tones sparingly, mixing brights with cream or gray, or more muted versions of the same color.

11. A variety of dress styles: There's nothing wrong with wanting your bridal party to look coordinated, but because all your girls have unique shapes and styles. Why not pick a color and fabric and have them choose the rest?

Let your girls choose their jewelry. You can and should suggest the type of jewelry you'd like to see them wear (pearls, silver, or gold) but allow them to pick from their own closets when it comes to the particulars. Chances are, your pictures won't pick up the difference in their jewels, and they'll feel more comfortable in baubles they already know and love.

12. Metallic footwear: Rather than asking your girls to buy matching celadon green wedges, these days formal footwear is all about silver and gold - with just about any color and look you've picked for your maids.

Mother of the Bride/Groom

13. Consider the Wedding Party: Though you probably will want your dress to coordinate with the wedding party, it DOES NOT need to match.

14. Consult with the Bride: She is the one who knows best the style and formality of the wedding and can offer great insights.

15. Consult with Each Other: The mother of the bride should choose her dress first and then let the groom's mother know what she has selected.

16. Age-Appropriate Does Not Have To Mean Dowdy: There are many very fashion-forward options for the mother of the bride/groom.

Men's Wear

17. Three Major "Don't"s to Remember: Don't wear socks that are too short. They should come up over the calves so that no skin is exposed when you sit down and cross your legs. (Source: "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss with Lisbeth Levine)

Don't wear a belt with formal clothing. Use Suspenders to hold up trousers. (Source: "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss with Lisbeth Levine)

Don't over accessorize. You don't want to look overly flashy. (Source: "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss with Lisbeth Levine)

Wedding Guests

18. Take Cues from the Invitation: Is it in flowing, engraved black script on a heavy cream paper with formal language? Odds are the wedding will be similarly formal.

Does it cheekily ask you to come see them get hitched? Wedding guests should look for a nice casual outfit. And of course, it may tell you directly on the invitation - black tie, casual attire etc.

19. Do Not Wear White: This rule has relaxed some, and you can get away with wearing a printed dress with a white background and some cream colored clothing.

20. The Black Factor: Black is a great choice for an evening wedding, but you should never wear black to a daytime wedding.

21. Don't Upstage the Bride: Avoid anything too sexy or revealing.

All of the dresses featured in the video portion of this story can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue.

By: Holly Quartaro, Fashion Stylist at Galleria Dallas
Originally published CBS11tv.om; May 7, 2008

What's Hot In Bridal Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Wedding jewelry continues to be one of the priciest piece of today's wedding accessory, and brides are trying to keep costs reasonable as this year's wedding season approaches.

Brides spend an average of $300 to $500 on jewelry for themselves and their bridesmaids. Throw in bridal tiara and hair accessories such as hair combs, clips, and pins - and you can easily hit $1,000 or more.

Bridal jewelry need not cost hundreds of dollars to be spectacular. Like a wedding dress, it can be a source of over-thinking, frustration and bank-breaking when it's likely to be used once and to live on only in pictures. There are countless wonderful bridal-worthy jewelry finds out there for $50 or less in a variety of stores such as GlamForLess.com that cater to different pocketbooks.

There are jewelry sets for $50 and less (original prices or on sale for up to 50 percent off), some of which are more lovely than their much more expensive counterparts. Most jewelry collections have the trendy red carpet look and came in styles ranging from traditional elegance to more glamorous designs.

At GlamForLess.com, for instance, there were several gorgeous jewelry sets on sale for only $19.99, some of which had originally cost hundreds of dollars. All a bride really needs is some good taste, great make-up, a killer hairdo and the right accessories to be a hit on her wedding day.

Even leading bridal magazines have featured lines of affordable bridal jewelry and accessories to show brides that having lots of money isn't the only way to have lots of style. Looking like a star doesn't always mean paying like one. Spend less and have more fun!

Here is some of our favorite bridal jewelry:

Jewelry Sets
Today, jewelry sets for weddings utilize the bigger-is-better theme as well, dripping gemstones and setting off demure necklines. Dramatic cascading pendants show-off two, three, or more linked-stones, and even classic chokers are emboldened with up to six strands of pearls.

Chandelier Earrings
The look in bridal jewelry now is bold, and the hottest trend in the spotlight is the chandelier earring. The dangling pieces of jewelry boast diamonds, pearls, or even glass beads, evoking a glamorous, Art-Deco look. Long, thin, shoulder-skimming lines are also showing up on brides, a sleek counterpart to the bold chandelier.

Cuff Bracelets
Thick silver diamond cuff bracelets are currently flashing on the runways of fashion and the red carpet. Tiny rhinestones or beads add an air of daintiness to chunky designs of semi-precious stones. The look is wide and antique, with wedding walking down the aisle with family heirlooms on their wrists for an old-fashioned, sentimental air.

Don't despair if the bold look in wedding jewelry isn't your taste. The classic stand-bys of delicate pendants, classic diamond studs, and bare wrists are always in style, But for the up-to-the-minute wedding who wants to reflect the latest look, big is definitely beautiful.

By: Uche Unachukwu
Pr-inside.com; April 15, 2008

Useful Information About Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:12:00 +0000

As poetry, this early seventeenth century quatrain lacks merit, but as a capsule summary of diamond fever, it has no equal:

Your wife and children sell, sell what you have,
Spare not your clothes, nay, make yourself a slave,
But money get, then to Currure make haste
There search the mines, a prize you’ll find at last.

The poem was written by a Portuguese business man who around 1610 went to mine diamonds in India, then the world’s main source for this gem. From among India’s many diamond deposits, he chose one at Currure. After spending an amount equal to 45,000 British pounds sterling in his search without finding a single stone, the prospector sold his clothes and belongings to keep the venture going.

Penniless, the Portuguese vowed that if by the end of his workers’ next pay day his luck hadn’t changed, he would poison himself. Luckily, a 437.40-carat rough was found on the very day he planned to take his life. To celebrate his deliverance, the miner wrote the poem quoted above and had it inscribed for posterity on a stone tablet.

What fired this all-or-nothing quest for diamonds?

The answer can be found in the annals of another European diamond hunter who went to India three decades later: French jeweler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who made the first of six journeys to India in 1641. Besides its many diamond mines, India boasted the greatest royal collections of pearls and precious stones every assembled. The merchant hoped to become as important a jeweler to the courts of India as he had the courts of Europe.

In his famous book, “Travels in India,” first published in 1676, Tavernier describes the many fabulous gems he bought, sold or was shown, reserving his highest praise for the diamond. “The diamond is the most precious of all stones, and it is the article of trade to which I am most devoted,” he wrote. Although his name is mostly linked with many famous fancy color diamonds, one of them the French Blue (later called the Hope Diamond), Tavernier preferred the finest white diamonds above all others.

Until he voyaged to Asia, Tavernier may have thought that his preference for colorless diamonds was purely European. But once in India, Persia and Borneo, where white diamonds enjoyed the same supremacy of regard, he quickly learned that his tastes were universal. Today, of course, the diamond is the backbone of jewelry sales throughout the world. Yet the fact that colorless (and near-colorless) diamonds have held their present-day standing for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years may come as a shock to those who attribute their preeminence solely to the machinations of the De Beers cartel.

Before Forever

Undoubtedly, the De Beers cartel, formed in 1888 as a response to the overabundance of South African diamonds, has contributed mightily to the diamond’s hegemony. Nonetheless, for its first 50 years, the cartel occupied itself with supply-side issues, focusing on market control and price stability. It wasn’t until 1939 that future De Beers Chairman Harry Oppenheimer, a staunch believer in the power of advertising, paid a historic visit to N.W. Ayer in New York to discuss a diamond campaign.

After World War II, De Beers began to pay serious attention to the demand side of the diamond market. Since the 1960s, it is safe to say that the jewelry industry has come to depend on the cartel more to stimulate demand than to regulate supply. Today, largely as a result of its multi-million dollar ad budgets, 40 cents of every dollar spent in jewelry stores by U.S. consumers is spent on diamonds, twice what is spent for all other gems combined. Given such dominance, it is hardly surprising that the popularity of diamonds is often seen as the byproduct of market manipulation. Take away the De Beers cartel, it is argued, and the diamond’s status will soon receded to that of just another gem.

A look at history and the diamond’s unique status suggests otherwise. At least 1,000 years before Tavernier’s arrival in India, the country’s sages considered colorless diamonds the pinnacle of gem perfection. Their reverence stemmed in large part from the white diamond’s “‘magical’ property of dividing white light into all the spectral colors,” writes precious stone dealer Benjamin Zucker in his

Connoisseur’s Guide to Gems and Jewelry.

The Indians’ esteem transcended aesthetics, Zucker writes. Indeed, when they developed what was probably the first color grading system for diamonds, they based it on the country’s ancient class structure. Until very recently, Indian society was comprised of four rigid hierarchical groups: Brahmins (rulers), Vaisyas (landowners), Sutras (merchants) and Kshatriyas (warriors). (A fifth group, the untouchables, had no rights.) Diamond color served as a badge of rank because each social group could only own diamonds with the color grade corresponding to it: colorless (D-G on the modern-day Gemological Institute of America color scale) for the Brahmins, lightly yellowish (H-K) for the Vaisya, noticeably yellowish (L-P) for the Sutra and brownish or blackish for the Kshatriya.

Unleashing Fire

What is most amazing about India’s reverence for colorless diamonds is that it precedes by at least a millennia the ability to facet these gems and unleash their brilliance and dispersion. Indian rulers simply wore unworked octahedronal roughs that were deemed of the finest purity and color. And since it was law that the finest roughs be offered to the rulers, the world outside India, says Zucker, saw relatively few top-grade diamonds until after 1000 A.D., despite active mining as far back as 78 B.C.

One can only imagine the reaction to the effulgence of light seen when somewhere around 1400, no one is sure whether in Asia or Europe, the point cut was discovered. By simply polishing the faces of an octahedronal rough, the diamond seemed to explode with brilliance.

A century or so later, cutters took two more giant steps toward realizing the incomparable light-handling capabilities of the diamond with the invention of both the table and rose cuts. But the jewelry world had to wait until around 1700 for the invention of the ultimate brandisher of light: the brilliant-cut diamond. Later known as, among other things, “old European cuts” and “old miners,” variously proportioned brilliants predominated in jewelry by 1750. Today the much refined modern brilliant cut remains the most popular diamond shape and the chief reminder to modern jewelry patrons of the diamond’s main aesthetic virtues: peerless purity and fire.

*The above information was originally published at the Modern Jeweler's website*

Men - Wear Your Jewelry Right !

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:55:00 +0000

Most people think that jewelry is the exclusive territory of women. However, if you look into history, men's jewelry has long been in circulation. Jewelry was used by men as a symbol of wealth, influence, and power. Ornate and extravagant crowns, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets denoted that the wearer was of great power and had a lot of riches. Even their clothes were embellished with precious stones. Their weapons were also made of precious metals. The fascination of men with jewelry can't be denied. Even until now, men are wearing jewelry in order to enhance their looks. But to be successful at it, the key is to wear your jewelry right.

Read Entire Story Here

Consumers Eyeing an Investment in Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Gulf News Archive

Gold, once a measure of wealth of the great empires, has emerged as a financial hedge for all.

By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter
Published: March 24, 2008, 00:43

Gold prices moving above $1,000 per ounce might have been expected to prompt consumers to give pause.

Opinions differ about that for the medium term, but the market certainly reacted, deciding the metal was suddenly overpriced.

"Gold buying on a retail level has dramatically reduced. This is very typical of the markets in the Middle East and on the Indian subcontinent. Interestingly enough, this is not only true for higher prices but also when the price drops," former World Gold Council head Rolf Schneebeli told Gulf News.

All That Glitters May be Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:27:00 +0000

The 19th century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once had this to say about gold: "How did gold get to be the highest value? Because it is uncommon and useless and gleaming and gentle in its brilliance; it always gives itself."

I'm not quite sure what Nietzsche meant about gold giving itself, but the rest seems quite clear: Nietzsche was a fan of the yellow metal.

I'm old enough to remember the last bull market in gold during the 1970s. I worked in a bank then and I recall seeing people come in with their gold bullion to put in their safe deposit boxes. It seemed that everyone wanted gold.

Read More Here

Platinum Bridal Market Helps Fuel Jewelry Demand

noreply@blogger.com (Design Bands) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:23:00 +0000

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Despite tough economic times, sluggish holiday season sales and soaring prices of metals and gemstones, industry leaders project an increase in jewelry sales for 2008. With inflation rates expected to jump as high as 7-8 percent, the International Diamond Exchange forecast for jewelry sales in the U.S. predicts a 3 percent increase in the upcoming year—from $64.0 billion (estimated) in 2007 to $65.9 billion in 2008.

In a recent article by Ken Gassman “State of the Jewelry Industry—2008 Jewelry Demand,” for Idexonline.com, Gassman highlights the bridal industry’s substantial influence on the forecast. Millennials, or the children of Baby Boomers, are influencing both the jewelry and bridal industries in significant ways. In fact, in less than ten years, the number of weddings is projected to increase by approximately 30 percent among Millennials.

“Not only are Millennials more likely to get married—rather than just live together like children of the 1960s—they are also more likely to spend heavily on bridal jewelry because they have more wealth than their predecessors.”

This trend is especially significant for Platinum wedding bands since the type and quality of metal is one of consumers’ primary considerations when purchasing bridal jewelry.

Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold;
Platinum jewelry sold in the U.S. is traditionally 90-95% pure Platinum compared to 18K gold, which is only 75% pure; and 14K which is only 58.5% pure;
Platinum is more durable and will not oxidize or fade; so prongs, patterns and engravings do not wear down like other metals;
Platinum’s density and molecular structure make it the most secure setting for a precious gems
Platinum jewelry has a luxurious weighty feel, weighing over a third more than the same piece in gold.
Platinum jewelry requires a higher level of craftsmanship than other precious metals, meaning that only the finest jewelers offer it.

Read the Entire Article Here

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