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Amber is a very Popular Mineral / Gem of Europe

Most of us in the United States do not know enough about amber. Baltic amber is extremely popular across europe for ages. This is primarily because most high grade amber is mined in Europe that had pine trees through te ages. Today, most of the beautiful gem quality amber is mined in the Kaliningrad mines in Russia. If you travel to europe, you will see people wearing amber so much more than you would see in the western continent. Amber is associated with a lot of lore and myths as well.

Amber History, Myths, Lore and Facts
The evidence of amber being a precious substance that was very much sought after, fought for and cherished goes back to 3,400 B.C. There have been many lore and myths about amber and many of them are most prevalent in Europe today. People believe amber to be very useful and helpful in many aspects and still a very popular substance for jewelry, medicine, cosmetics, oils, decoration, and so on. Here are some such myths, lore and facts.

Amber in Medicine
History has documented medicinal uses of amber. A lot of ancient text includes amazing mentions of the positives of amber treatment. Amber has a unique charm and air of mystery surrounding it. In nineteenth-century literature we find evidence of amber having been used as a remedy for virtually all illnesses. The Etruscans prized it as highly as gold. The Romans called it the "Northern Gold". The Greeks mythologized it as the tears of Apollo's daughters, solidified when they cried for their dead brother Phaeton. The Romans considered a single piece worth more than a slave. Cultures stretching from Central America to the Far East, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, have used it both as a powerful medicine and as a medium for exquisite jewelry and works of fine art. Haczewski wrote that amber was one of the six more efficacious medicinal substances. Amber is probably the only stone which is considered to be of such great use in medicine.

Read more about amber, its history, origin, lore and facts, amber fossil, amber jewelry and more.

The Advantages of Buying on the Internet

With the rise of online commerce (eCommerce) and reliable online jewelry stores, the competition has gone from a couple of stores on the main street in your town to the flashy and expensive mall jewelry stores to - now convenient, competitive online jewelry stores where you can find real values. Many people have concerns about buying something as important as a diamond engagement ring (or any other diamond or expensive jewelry) online. However, more stringent security requirements, privacy policies and competition along with the consumer demand eCommerce is becoming more popular, convenient and reliable. Let us face it.. eCommerce is here to stay and will grow to be an integral part of our lifestyle just as online banking did since it was introduced 20 years ago. We all have concerns about new things until everyone else has tried it and found it to be reliable. What is the wisdom here? It is finding out timely enough to get the best values and being a savvy and educated shopper. The principle of "Buyer Beware" was true yesterday, it is true today and will still be true tomorrow and for years to come.

Same Product, Better Value
You will benefit from exploring how you can find great products at low prices with a reliable customer service online just as many others like you have begun doing. The days of the monopoly of the expensive mall and main street jewelry stores are over. You do not need cover their high overheads of flashy lighting, glitter, expensive advertising in the high prices you pay. Take the example of Amazon.com where your book is shipped directly from a shelf in a warehouse. It is the same book, just at a better price and with more convenience and better customer service and don't forget without the overheads of flashy store with an impressive decor, real estate, advertising, sales staff and headaches of finding a parking spot on top of getting through the traffic!

Read more about the advantages of buying online vs from traditional stores.

The Price of Gold is Skyrocketing. Is it now the 'ultimate bubble'?

Man has always shared a strong affinity with gold; a relationship which has spanned the centuries from the start of civilization to today. The allure of gold has inspired generations of men and women to go to great lengths in a quest to hunt it down, to horde it as wealth and to seek pleasure from it as jewelry. The appeal for gold has increased with time and this appeal has gone beyond the appeal for its aesthetic beauty. Gold is sought for many reasons including being a very lucrative investment. The price of gold has gone up sharply and recently, billionaire investor George Soros has declared, Gold is now "the ultimate bubble" - sparking fears that prices for the precious metal may soon suffer a tumble in Davos 2010.

The Appeal of Gold
Since ancient times, gold has been used to create the finest objects of art, religious articles and fine jewelry. Because gold can be mixed with other metals to create different colors and karats, it is one of the most popular metals for jewelry today in the United States and Europe. Gold, as a precious metal, has been valued and held in high esteem since ancient times and is still one of the most highly prized metals that has, throughout the ages, been used to symbolize wealth and power. 24 karat gold is pure gold. The term "karat" refers to the percentage of gold, versus the percentage of other metals, in an alloy..

Read more about gold in our Education Pages.

Patron Saints of Christianity

Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over all areas of life. Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life. Traditionally people see them as symbols of how to live a better life. These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God.

The Belief in Patron Saints
The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century. Recently, the popes have named patron saints but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well. Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area. For example, Francis of Assisi loved nature and so he is patron of ecologists. Francis de Sales was a writer and so he is patron of journalists and writers. Clare of Assisi was named patron of television because one Christmas when she was too ill to leave her bed she saw and heard Christmas Mass -- even though it was taking place miles away. Angels can also be named as patron saints.

Look up the list of various Saints and what areas of life they are believed to patrons of..

Spotting a Fake Diamond

In this world of advanced technology, it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however. However since diamond is a very unique stone, it has unique properties and most of them are well-known and those can be helpful in identifying a fake diamond. There are some important things you can do to avoid getting a fake diamond. There are substantial differences between a real diamond and fake one. The first defense against a fake diamond is to know reasonably well enough so that you can ask the right questions to the company you are buying diamonds from or ask the salesman you are talking to.

Always Buy a Diamond Ring from a Reliable Source
Certified diamonds reduce your chances of getting a fake a diamond since the diamonds certification is strictly regulated and diamond selling companies have to adhere to strict standards in order to do business. We at Pippin Bass, offer certified diamonds as center stones in your rings which come with authentic certificates from either GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGS (American Gem Society). We provide our own diamond appraisal card for smaller diamonds around the center stone. Unlike other sources offering diamond jewelry, Pippin Bass offers diamond appraisal with each diamond jewelry purchase.

Read more how to spot a fake diamond, diamond properties, the 4 Cs of diamond, diamond certification, diamond grading and buying certified diamonds from a reliable jewelry store or a jewelry website.

Blue Turquoise Myths

Turquoise has been a treasured gemstone around the world for thousands of years. It was used for beads by the Egyptians as early as 5500 BC. The deposits in Sinai were already worked out by 4,000 BC. In many cultures, Turquoise is regarded as a harbinger of good fortune, success and health.

In ancient Persia it was once believed that the wearing of turquoise talismans would protect the wearer from death.  It was also believed – not only among Persians but also among a number of other cultures – that a change in the color of the turquoise was a sign of danger or illness. Aztecs and Egyptians considered it a symbol of prosperity. In India, one was to wear a Turquoise on the little finger and look at the gem after seeing the new moon to gain great wealth. According to American Indians, the stone brought together the spirits of sea and sky to bless warriors and hunters; a Turquoise arrowhead assured accurate aim. A Navajo belief is that a piece of Turquoise cast into a river will cause rainfall. Ancient doctors exploited the stone's medicinal potential by making it into paste to treat ailments of the hip. The Egyptians also mounted Turquoise in Silver to treat eyes suffering from cataracts. From the thirteenth century comes the belief that Turquoise possessed the power to protect the wearer from injury by falling, especially from horseback; later, this was extended to cover falls from buildings or over a precipice.

Read more about Turquoise facts, myths, history, origin, types, Chinese turquoise, American turquoise, sleeping beauty turquoise and more jewelry and gems education.

Conflict Diamonds are Blood Diamonds

Diamond mines in politically unstable parts of central and western African countries are controlled by few revolutionary groups and where innocent human lives are subjected to torture, terrorism, violence and human rights abuse and in many cases the ultimate prices - death. As the journalist Douglas Farah writes, "Diamonds are valuable as currency in this conflict diamond trade for numerous reasons. They are easy to transport, easy to sell and retain their value over time. They do not rot and do not need to be held in special conditions". ''Stop Blood Diamonds'' is an organization pledged to stopping the exploitation of the diamond trade by human rights abusers. Blood diamonds, often called conflict diamonds, are mined in war torn African countries by rebels to fund their conflict. The rebels grossly abuse human rights, often murdering and enslaving the local populations to mine the diamonds.

We sell only conflict free diamonds and our diamond certificate will state that the diamonds have come through the certified Kimberly process. Read more about the history of conflict diamonds.

Religious Jewelry - History and Significance

Sometimes we forget that men as well as women can be extremely devout and will appreciate the gift of religious jewelry. Religious jewelry is the perfect gift for those whose lives are guided by their faith. Divine aesthetics is how one might define religious jewelry, if asked to do so. Jewelry has a symbolic significance in many cultures around the world. It is the symbol of faith, devotion and a love of spirituality.

Religious Symbols and Jewelry
If you have a symbol in mind for the piece of religious jewelry that you wish to buy, be sure that you will be able to procure it. Sellers of religious jewelry have all possible symbols of religious faith available in pendants, rings, necklaces, brooches, earrings and bracelets. From the most popular symbol of the Cross (Crucifix) to the figurine of Ganesha, the very well known Indian God of prosperity, the variety is as baffling as that of fashion jewelry. The wearer of a multi-faith religious jewelry shows his inclination for religious tolerance and world peace. So, you may choose between Christian jewelry, and multi-faith jewelry such as religious symbols of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and various other world religions. Next time you wish to add another piece to your collection of jewelry, buy one that may also bring you contentment, with beauty.

Read more about the most the history of religious jewelry at PippinBass.com.

Why High Mall Prices end in 99 Cents?

Why Do All Prices End in 99 Cents?
Why do prices end in 0.99 It is a mystery. Isn’t it? They do not make sense to us so we decided to offer straight prices instead of playing on someone’s psychology and create illusionary discounts. Here are some explanations from various sources. The following are excerpts from http://www.straightdope.com/

The Story of the Dollars + 99 Cents Price
The most elaborate explanation comes from Scot Morris's Book of Strange Facts & Useless Information (1979): "In 1876, Melville E. Stone decided that what Chicago needed was a penny newspaper to compete with the nickel papers then on the stands. However, there was a problem: with no sales tax, and with most goods priced for convenience at even-dollar figures, there were not many pennies in general circulation. Stone understood the consumer mind, however, and convinced several Chicago merchants to drop their prices--slightly. Impulse buyers, he explained, would more readily purchase a $3.00 item if it cost "only" $2.99. Shopkeepers who tried the plan found that it worked, but soon they faced their own penny shortage. Undaunted, Stone journeyed to Philadelphia, bought several barrels of pennies from the mint, and brought them back to the Windy City. Soon Chicagoans had pennies to spare and exchanged them for Stone's new paper."

Read more about the most the high mall prices and illusionary discount gimmicks at PippinBass.com.

The Most Famous Diamonds in History

Passion. Murder. Insanity. Intrigue. Envy.
A mere hint of the fascinating stories behind the world's most remarkable diamonds. Many have been associated with famous names - the likes of Napoleon … Sultan Babur … Lady Astor … Shah Jehan … Queen Victoria … Catherine the Great … Elizabeth Taylor. Others have inspired awe and legend on account of their size, origins or unique qualities. Since nearly the dawn of time, diamonds have encrusted the armor of great warriors and adorned the crowns and scepters of kings and queens. After all, the diamond was considered the emblem of fearlessness and invincibility. In fact, it was believed that mere possession of a diamond would endow the wearer with superior strength, bravery and courage.

Read more about the most famous and largest diamonds in history at PippinBass.com.

Sell your Jewelry Designs at PippinBass.com

Showcase Your Designs. Selling your own jewelry at PippinBass.com is easy. Our storefront is marketed aggressively on the internet and also through many other distribution channels including extensive product catalogs, Pay-Per-Click advertising, banner marketing, e-mail campaigns, affiliate marketing, jewelry shows, corporate shows, jewelry party plans and more. Consumers see and shop outstanding designs and values from all around the world. Don't you want to participate in a marketplace where you can showcase your great designs to the world audience and be able to sell from Day 1?

Take advantage of a popular online store with an efficient shopping cart. We have an efficient, completely automated and popular storefront that is visited by thousands of visitors every day. We carry a wide selection of Russian amber, Bali silver, genuine gemstone and diamond jewelry designs in an attractive gallery with an easy navigation and checkout. The whole buying process is automated where a customer can order a large quantity in a few minutes and be able to look up the account history and track orders instantaneously.

Read more about How to sell your jewelry at PippinBass.com.

The JCK Jewelry Show in Las Vegas is Getting Bigger

Just came back from the JCK Jewelry Show at Sands Expo in Las Vegas. This show is amazing and is getting bigger every year. It is hard to meet so many vendors in this huge show in just 4 days. Many of them have very generic designs but some stand out with new and unique jewelry themes and cool new styles. The economy is challenging. The gold and platinum prices are sky-rocketing but the consumer demand is dropping as we go deeper into the recession. Thanks to our government for bringing us to our knees with ignorance, incompetence and on top of it - bad policies.

The jewelry business as we know of many years is changing. Consumers are increasingly becoming more aware of the benefits of internet shopping with increasing internet security and the ease and comfort of shopping from his/her own home. No traffic or parking headaches to worry about but retain the same benefits of a conventional store such as reliable products with 100% return guarantee. Consumers are visiting brick and mortar stores to see jewelry, educate themselves about what they may like, what to look for, how the jewelry is priced an come back home and shop the same or similar design for less on the internet. This is the new trend and the new generation is taking to it very quickly.

As for the jewelry wholesale business, it is changing rapidly also. Jewelry wholesalers are finding is harder to offer 90-day memorandums and 90 to 180-day credit terms and the risk of debts going bad in today's Topsy-Turvy economy. Many wholesalers are finding it easier to do business with internet retailers who do not need a memorandum but instead can pay immediately and also sell not just on or around the main street but globally every day.

I am really interested to seeing more futuristic trends and how the jewelry industry is forced to change for the benefit of the consumer.

Read more about the benefits of buying from a traditional jewelry store vs. an internet jeweler. There are benefits and disadvantages on both sides but it looks like the future is on the side of eCommerce.

Do you Know Who was Real De Beers?

Diamonds were first discovered in southern Africa in the mid-1860s on the farm of Nicolaas and Diederick de Beer, near what is now the city of Kimberley. Two diamond mines dug on the farm, the Kimberley and the De Beers, Johannes Nicholas De Beer, owner of the farm Vooruitzicht (see picture) on which the De Beers and Kimberley mines were discovered in 1871. They had bought this farm in 1860 from the government for GBP 50, and sold out in 1871 to a syndicate for GBP 6,300. The brothers De Beer disappear from history at this point, but not before giving their name to one of the world's biggest and best-known companies...

De Beers was founded in South Africa in 1888 and today comprises rough diamond exploration, mining and trading companies. De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. is a business organization that has been controlling the diamond trade world wide for the last century. Many people tried to compete such Harry Winston for New York and the Argyle Diamond Company of Australia but the Oppenheimer family that controls De Beers has prevailed in keeping a tight control over the mining and flow of diamonds for as long as diamonds are sought after and is likely to continue in the years to come (Click here to read more about De Beers competition)The various companies within the De Beers “family of companies" are responsible for around 40% of world diamond production by value. De Beers is active in every category of diamond mining: open-pit, underground, large-scale alluvial, coastal and deep sea. De Beers is not involved in informal small-scale diamond mining, which is rarely economical for large mining companies.

Read more about De Beers Story here...

Personalize Engraving on Wedding Bands, Rings

Engraving can be done in regular and script fonts as well as in uppercase and lowercase. Most of the jewelers will not rings which have been engraved bit we'll take them back. Most of the rings can be engraved except eternity bands which are channel and prong set. Machine engraving is accomplished with different types of power-driven engravers that work off of templates or computer-aided designs. The jewelry is inserted in the machine and when turned on the machine automatically creates the letters.

Our Recommendation
Because engraving will make a permanent change to your wedding rings, we recommend that you get engraving done after receiving the rings from us and after making sure that the rings fit correctly and are exactly as you would like them. This will minimize the possibility and hassles of a return and make your purchase quick and satisfying. Take your time when contemplating the message you want to send. Do you want a simple message of love? A line from a favorite song? A quote from a poem, book, story, or historical figure that captures exactly the message you want to send?

Engraving by Machine vs. by Hand

Please allow few days for the rings to be engraved. There are two ways to get your special message carved forever into your ring: by hand or by machine. Hand engraving is an art that has been done for centuries; the results can be highly personal and aesthetically pleasing. Hand engravers use a tool called a graver. "It's an ancient tool," says Alex Pugachevsky of Alex Engraving in New York City. "It’s a steel knife with a wooden handle." Pugachevsky says that engraving rings is challenging because rings are small and the engraved work, too, is minute: "The biggest problem in doing rings is that it's difficult to see."

The inside of a ring can generally hold up to 30 characters and spaces. On most 7mm rings and wider, we offer a second line of engraving which also holds up to 30-32 (see specific ring details) characters and spaces, for a total of 60 characters and spaces. If you have a particular request or are wondering about engraving a ring you are interested in, please include it in the Notes section during checkout or e-mail us with your desired inscription and the ring you will be purchasing and we can help!

Engraving a Bible Verse

Wedding Ring Engraving Idea : A Bible Verse Engraving a Bible verse on a wedding ring is probably one of the most popular options. You might choose a verse about love such as "Love never ends" from 1 Corinthians 13.13 or "My beloved is mine and I am his/hers" from the Song of Solomon. For other ideas, look up the word "love" in a Bible dictionary of concordance. You'll find a long list of verses that you can choose from.

Popular Engraving Messages
Jewelry has always held a special place in a woman's heart. A particular piece of jewelry is one of the most precious possessions of every woman. And it is a woman's affinity for jewels that makes it one of the world’s most sought after object across the globe. A list of commonly used engraves messages is given below. You can choose from here or provide your own special message during checkout.

Tips on Shopping Jewelry on the Internet

Online Stores vs. Traditional Stores

With the rise of online commerce (eCommerce) and reliable online jewelry stores, the competition has gone from a couple of stores on the main street in your town to the flashy and expensive mall jewelry stores to - now convenient, competitive online jewelry stores where you can find real values. Many people have concerns about buying something as important as a diamond engagement ring (or any other diamond or expensive jewelry) online. However, more stringent security requirements, privacy policies and competition along with the consumer demand eCommerce is becoming more popular, convenient and reliable. Let face it.. eCommerce is here to stay and will grow to be an integral part of our lifestyle just as online banking did since it was introduced 20 years ago. We all have concerns about new things until everyone lese has tried it and found it to be reliable. The wisdom is finding out timely enough to get the best values by being a savvy and educated shopper.

Same Product, Better Value

You will benefit from exploring how you can find great products at low prices with a reliable customer service online just as many others like you have begun doing. The days of the monopoly of the expensive mall and main street jewelry stores are over. You do not need cover their high overheads of flashy lighting, glitter, expensive advertising in the high prices you pay. Take the example of Amazon.com where your book is shipped directly from a shelf in a warehouse. It is the same book, just at a better price and with more convenience and better customer service and don't forget without the overheads of flashy store with an impressive decor, real estate, advertising, sales staff and headaches of finding a parking spot on top of getting through the traffic!

Searching on the Search Engines

You should search major online jewelry sites to get a consensus of diamond prices right from your PC. Be sure to use search terms that are very closed to what you are looking for instead of using broad terms. For example using "Certified Diamond Rings" will yield more precise results that searching by just "Jewelry" or "Diamond Jewelry" Buying certified diamond rings is important since widely accepted grading standards are accepted and it pays to stick to the standards.

Buying Certified Diamond Jewelry

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and AGS (American Gemological Society) are the most respected institutions that issue reliable diamond grading and appraisal certificates. With online diamond jewelry stores to get your free price quotes, which usually beat mall diamond stores. Some sites even let you save your diamond ring comparison list and come back days later to compare more diamond ring prices and quotes, may be add a platinum wedding ring set, or abandon your cart if you find a better ring on another site.

Diamond Buyer’s Checklist

Do you want to surprise her with a ring? You can--and you can do it right--if you've analyzed her likes and dislikes, the shape of her hands and fingers, and her lifestyle. The first step is to become acquainted with both diamond and engagement ring basics no matter when you plan to buy the ring, so that you'll understand the terms you hear and know exactly what you're buying. Paying attention to your fiancée's jewelry likes and dislikes is the first big step towards finding her the perfect engagement ring.

Here are a few tips that will help you choose the perfect diamond ring that you are looking for:

1. It is very important to buy loose diamonds during daylight, on a fine weather day and with exposure towards North. It is under these conditions that the true color of the stone will appear.

2. In the absence of these conditions, it will be preferable to use a lamp which has light similar to daylight. In all good jewelry shops, these lamps are generally found which help in grading diamonds. Neon lighting is not recommended.

3. For diamonds with carat weight exceeding 0.5 carats, a certification is necessary verifying its quality and integrity. Certificates for such diamonds are available through gemological laboratories.

4. Always check the diamond characteristics and grading. If a jeweler shows a 1.00 carat round and non-certified diamond, classified F (color) and VS1 (clarity); such a diamond would approximately cost US$ 10,920 (retailer price). But, if clarity grade is VS2, the price falls to US$ 10,010; which is 8% less (US$ 910), a rather significant price difference!

5. Read the diamond certificate carefully and do not ignore any details written on it. A certified diamond does not mean that the diamond is of highest quality. A certificate just informs about the true grades given to the diamond after testing it in the gemological lab. Always notice the “Comments" such as “Clarity Enhanced" or “Color Enhanced". If you notice such comments, it means the real diamond’s flaw has been enhanced or treated to make it look like a better quality diamond. But it always affects the price. Treated diamonds are cheaper than the untreated ones of same quality and the price difference is substantial.

6. There are not only the 4 principal diamond criteria (carat-weight, color, clarity, cut) which are important for a diamond purchase. Along with these its proportions, fluorescence and finish are also very important. A diamond having very good clarity and color, but having a very strong fluorescence or a poor proportion substantially falls in price.

7. Depending on color, some diamonds are less expensive as compared to the colorless diamond of same carat weight. On the other hand some colored diamonds are more expensive than colorless diamonds (red, pink, blue, green and certain shades of yellow).

Beware of Mall Jewelry and Other Expensive Jewelry Stores

Common sense should suggest that the only way such stores can make high profits is to cover all high costs (of the glitter, lighting, display, advertising and aggressive salespeople paid with high commissions on your sale) in your prices. In today's commerce with the rise of online shopping, these stores are facing stiff competition from online stores that offer certified diamond jewelry of quality at lower prices by keeping their operating costs down and being able to turn over larger volume.

What is My Ring Size?

Find Perfect Ring Size for the Perfect Ring
Before you start shopping for jewelry, make sure you know what size ring you need so that you can achieve a perfect fit every time. Your ring size can be determined by placing a ring that fits you on a professional ring sizer mandrel, using a professional ring sizer, or finding an approximate fit with a ring size chart or finger size strip. Remember to measure your finger at room temperature as well as both the heat and cold can cause your fingers to swell or constrict. We have given useful information below including a free ring sizer and ring size chart that you can print and cut to use and determine your correct ring size.

Get a Free Ring Sizer
Finding your ring size is easy. Click here to open download a free (PDF) Free Ring Sizer file. Print the file and follow instructions as to how to cut the free ring sizer and measure your ring size. In order to print the ring sizer above, be sure that your printer is set to 100%. In other words, make sure that you have not reduced the print size in 'Page Setup'. You can verify that the sizer has printed correctly by measuring it with a ruler; it should measure from left to right: 3 3/8 inches.

How to Find your Ring Size
After cutting the free ring sizer strip and sliding it on, make sure it slides off easily over the knuckle. Don't measure when fingers are cold because finders are smaller in size when cold. It is best to measure the finger at the end of the day when the finger is the largest, when you can ascertain the most comfortable ring size for you.
If your gift is a surprise, one way is to ask recipient's mother or one of her close friends if they know her ring size.

Diamond Ring Settings
A Ring Setting has Two Major Components - The shank is the band of metal that encircles the finger and the head (s), which hold the gemstones in place in ring settings.

The shank may contain hollows, grooves or channels in which other smaller gemstone can be placed. The head holding the bigger gemstones can be prong set, bezel set, channel set, invisible set or prong set. Small diamonds set in the ring setting can be pave set, bead set, flush set, or cluster set. Wedding and engagement rings are available in a wide range of setting styles and there are many precious metals (Gold, Platinum and White Gold being the most popular) to choose from.

The ancient art of pendulum dowsing

The Ancient art of dowsing has been practiced throughout millennia, although the names used to identify it may have changed in different cultures and eras, the techniques have not. Healing stones serve as valuable agents of electromagnetic energy that influences the electrochemical nature of the human organism. The contact of healing stones with the electromagnetic field of the body becomes easy when they are embedded in pure electrolytes like copper, silver and gold or when in direct contact with the skin. Healing stones work with physiochemical energy as well as with pranic energy, whether used as jewelry or taken orally as pastes or oxides.

Have you ever tried to sell a diamond?

We get calls often from visitors to the Online Store asking what their diamond jewelry would be worth today। This is a very commonly asked question। Diamond jewelry is expensive compared to other and similarly beautiful gemstone jewelry। Therefore we wonder if we are going to spend so much would the value hold? Would I be able to at least redeem my purchase value if needed or in other words - Would it be a good investment? Being able to sell your diamond jewelry even to recoup your prices is a myth! It is not a good idea to buy diamonds and hold them as investment in your portfolio especially in your retirement savings accounts. Reselling diamonds will not return their value.

There is an interesting article by Edward Jay Epstein: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198202/diamond