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A sip of cognac, a warm blanket, and a cozy fire. These are a few of my favorite things. It’s getting a bit chilly outside as fall hits the air – but here’s an idea for getting warm: Cognac diamonds!
Champagne and Cognac. Where do these diamonds come from? Down Under! Best known for their champagne and pink diamonds, Australia provides most of these unique colors. Imagine the deep golden brown color of cognac swirling in your glass – sparkling from the reflections off the fire – captured in a diamond. Yep – I’m warmer now… Dii
You probably wouldn’t be too interested in brown diamonds – sounds rather blah. But, champagne diamonds seem to provide a bit more pop!! When you think of celebrations, you naturally think of the bubbly. So, putting champagne with diamonds sounds really fun to me.
Champagne Diamond Ring
Champagne isn’t really brown – and neither are some of these diamonds! However, the golden look of champagne can certainly be found in a diamond – and at a reasonable price. Another reason to pop the cork! …Dii
With all the various laboratory reports on diamonds, the word, “cert” is commonly used to describe the document. However, the word, cert – short for certificate – would indicate that the laboratory is certifying the information. Not so! When you read the “fine print”, you find there is no guarantee. The information is merely an educated opinion.
Therefore, the experience and the reputation of the laboratory are very important! In the industry, the American Gem Society Laboratories and the GIA reports are the most respected. The price associated with a diamond that has the AGSL report will probably be more than diamonds graded at other laboratories (when weights and grades for color and clarity are similar). This isn’t because of higher grading costs – it’s directly related to the grading accuracy and the information provided on cut.
The AGS Laboratories is best known for grading the cut of a diamond. The AGS Ideal® cut diamond is one of the most beautiful diamonds because of its cut quality. When you want the best sparkle, you need the best light return and performance. And the quality of the laboratory grading means accuracy for you. Still want a guarantee? Tomorrow I’ll tell you how to get one! …Dii
Next weekend, for those of you who are on DST, you’ll need to remember to turn back the hands of time. I can always remember the direction with that ditty, “Spring forward, Fall back”.
If you could turn back time in buying diamonds, you’d find a much different world. No internet (of course), and very few diamond “certs”. The jeweler needed to know the 4Cs of the diamond – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight – in order to make good purchases and offer good value to his or her customers.
Does the jeweler of today need to know anything about diamonds and diamond grading? Doesn’t the “cert” take care of all the details and allow the jeweler to pick and choose and sell much easier with greater accuracy?
I say, “NO”! Just because the diamond has been graded by an independent laboratory, it doesn’t mean the diamond grader was accurate; and just because the diamond grader is accurate, it doesn’t mean the “cert” matches the diamond; and just because the “cert” matches the diamond, it doesn’t mean the diamond’s beautiful OR a good value. It’s more important than ever for the jeweler to know diamonds – and it’s more important than ever for you to know a knowledgeable and ethical jeweler. …Dii
I recently attended a 3-day jewelers’ meeting which promotes one brand of diamond. In one session, the presenter asked, “What makes your store different?” At first, all retailers answered with things like, “our service is great” or “we have the best product”. The presenter pointed out that all jewelers think their service is great and even Internet sellers can offer a great product – for less money with a no-questions-asked return policy.
Want to know what makes a jewelry store great? The jeweler! As a customer, don’t you want to work with someone – in person? Isn’t it comforting to know your jeweler has your best interest in mind – and that the owner will be in the store when you arrive? Would it be valuable to know the store has been in business for two or three generations? Isn’t it valuable to shop with a professional?
The next time you’re looking for a special gift – either for yourself or someone you love, you’ll have better luck with an American Gem Society credentialed jeweler. Their expertise is backed by proving their knowledge with an annual recertification exam – which, by the way, is due now! Good luck to all!! …Dii
A 507 carat white diamond held by Petra Diamonds' delighted CEO Johan Dippenaar
On September 24, Mother Earth delivered one of the world’s largest diamonds via the Cullinan Mine in South Africa. This mine has a reputation for exceptional works of art and this may truly turn out to be one of them.
Back in 1905, a 3,106-carat diamond was uncovered when the mine was owned by Tom Cullinan. He chose to give it to Edward VII (instead of his wife), which resulted in the Crown Jewels but probably not family harmony. The rough was divided and conquered into a total of 105 polished diamonds, the largest being 530.20 carats.
So what did Mrs Cullinan end up with? Eventually, she received a beautiful necklace of blue diamonds – but that’s another story… Dii
Diamond Rough
Today’s diamonds aren’t all cut and polished. We’ve been seeing more designs incorporating the “diamond-in-the-rough” idea. There’s not as much sparkle, but does it have any pizzazz?
When a person is described as a “diamond-in-the-rough”, we usually are referring to someone who has great potential. Does a rough diamond have the potential to be beautiful only if it’s polished? Or, can it just “rough it”?
Most rough diamonds just aren’t that pretty. There are all kinds of interesting shapes, but where’s the life? Where’s the brightness? Where are the colors of the rainbow? I need some action!
Of course, there are those that prefer the subtle; the understated – and the unique. For those of you like that, you might want to explore the rough world. But you still need to be careful when it comes to quality. Perhaps the cutter didn’t cut it because it was so awful to begin with! Perhaps the cutter didn’t cut it because it’s so full of cracks that it might disintegrate on the polishing wheel!
There are some totally awesome rough diamonds. Find a jeweler and ask to see a “glassie”. This is a particularly fine shape of rough – an octahedron – and it’s clear as a window pane. This is roughin’ it! Have a great weekend… Dii
How does a guy plan the perfect presentation? Some guys have a hard time thinking of a unique way of asking for her hand in marriage. Some guys have a hard time thinking of a story to go with the proposal. Here’s where your jeweler should help.
The internet has lots of ideas – but there’s no one there to help you carry it out! What if your jeweler got you a limo and free dessert at a great restaurant? Would that influence where you bought your diamond? What if the jeweler arranged to bake the ring in her favorite cake? And arranged to have that cake at her birthday bash party – with all her friends? Would that influence where you bought your diamond?
You need some help here – I think the jeweler should be your silent partner. After all, you are pursuing the largest merger and acquisition of your life! Dii
When a woman gets engaged, what’s the most important element? The ring, right? But what about the story? What happens when she receives the proposal and the ring? That’s a story she’ll repeat to every girlfriend, co-worker, and relative. The groom-to-be should be the hero of the story; not the heel.
Heel: Honey, look at this ring on the Internet. Do ya like it? Would it do as an engagement ring? In this scenario, she can always talk about what a good deal they got.
Hero: Honey, let’s get married. As a token of my devotion, here’s the most beautiful diamond ring I chose just for you. (This proposal takes place in a very romantic restaurant as dessert is served. Classic, but effective). In this scenario, her story will make him a hero over and over!
This doesn’t just happen. They went “shopping” together and he paid attention to what she liked. He knew little about diamonds, so he went online, read a ton of articles and then searched for a jeweler with credentials to put it all in perspective. He looked at several diamonds and chose the one that stretched his budget. She’s worth it! He knows she’ll love it. All he has to do is plan the evening… End of story…Dii
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Buy a diamond – make a friend.
Diamonds are Forever – James Bond is not.
Diamonds for investment – risky.
Diamonds for love – priceless.
Have a scintillating weekend… Dii
