Category Archives: Uncategorized

By midsummer, it’s almost a given that your hot-weather wardrobe is starting to look a little . . . dull. It’s understandable. After all, this is basically the no-man’s-land of fashion: too hot for fresh fall looks. Too late in the sale cycle for new summer duds. And too sweltering to think about wearing much at all. But there’s a secret upside to this fashion abyss: This is also the time of year when a really fab accessory starts to look especially enticing—and make the most impact, to boot. For maximum style rejuvenation, skip winter’s neon baubles and last summer’s overplayed bubble necklaces and refresh your look with one of these five jewelry trends. Pick one or two, or try all five: We promise it’s the fastest way to make the same three sundresses feel suddenly new again.

The Hand-Piece
This ring-bracelet hybrid combines everything we love into one awesome piece. These styles run the gamut from sweet and simple to majorly ornate, but we’re especially feeling the statement-making potential of the more intricate types.

Stud Earrings Singles
Who ever ruled that your earrings must be an identical duo? A little asymmetry is always welcome in our world. Switch things up by wearing two different posts—try your initials, or combine geometric metal shapes.

Stackable Band Rings
Not that we don’t still love us a giant cocktail ring—because we most certainly do—but there’s something super chic and totally fresh about the current crop of slender, minimalist rings. Wear them alone or in multiples, either stacked or anchored above the knuckle (our pick!).

Chain Lightweight Bracelets
Such a feminine counter to the chunky cuffs of earlier seasons. Try these lightweight chains solo, layered, or worn with a watch.

Ear Cuffs
So dramatic! While most of the most current jewelry looks are trending delicate, we love the sheer glamour of ear cuffs, which offer an attention-getting design with chunky stones or gleaming metals.

NEW YORK, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Colorful Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands Spice Up Bridal Jewelry

When it comes to wedding trends, color is hot! The color trend continues with engagement rings and wedding bands for women and for men. Bridal jewelry has traditionally been dominated by white diamonds. However, with personalization becoming increasingly important to brides and grooms, colored diamonds and colored gemstones are quickly becoming a way for them to showcase their distinct personalities.

“Some of the hottest styles of bridal jewelry are those with a jolt of color,” says Amanda Gizzi, spokesperson for Jewelry Information Center, the consumer education arm of Jewelers of America. “Hot colors include champagne, brown, pink, yellow, black and gray which are giving a modern yet timeless twist to engagement rings and wedding bands.”

With engagement rings, color can be used either as a center stone or as accent stones. Using bold accents of color engages couples who have a distinct style and want a ring that is unlike that of their other family and friends but still want to have a white diamond center stone. Fashionable engagement ring styles include those with unique patterns of colored diamonds.

Engagement rings with colored diamond or gemstone center stones are also popular. One popular style is the “halo” setting which has a center stone surrounded by a ring of white diamonds. The halo design is highly thought of because it makes the engagement ring look larger than other settings.

In addition to engagement rings, colorful wedding bands are being embraced by both men and women. “Men and women want a wedding band that speaks to their individuality,” adds Gizzi. “Black diamonds are especially hot in men’s rings as they are chic yet masculine.” Pairing colored gemstone or diamond wedding bands with a white diamond engagement ring is a great option for the woman who loves color but wanted a traditional diamond engagement ring.

All eyes are on Britain with the arrival of the newest British royal. The first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in-line for the throne and to wear – perhaps – some of the most prized royal possessions.

In NYC Diamond Blog’s coverage of Hollywood, and the opinions of published dating experts nationwide comes this article in today’s Huff Post by Damona Hoffman. It is interesting, amusing, and worth a quick look.

Halle Berry has tied the knot again. We’re hoping that the third time is a charm for this soon-to-be mom of two. Will her marriage to Olivier Martinez be able to stand the test of time? Since my crystal ball is in the shop, I thought I’d investigate some other predictors of relationship success. Did you know that your wedding ring can actually indicate the kind of relationship you have?

I asked Simon Katz from a large jewelry website, who actually studied psychology and sociology before getting into the jewelry business, to help me analyze Halle’s engagement ring to see what her choice of ring says about their relationship future.

“Halle has had troubled relationships in her past. By choosing an actual Emerald in an Emerald Cut, she’s basically declaring, ‘I’m not going to go down the same path I’ve already been. I’ve learned my lessons, and I’m carving out a new road,'” Katz told me. “A three-stone ring setting is definitely glamorous and allows the wearer to let her unique personality shine through with different combinations of diamonds and gemstones.”

I remember the months leading up to my own engagement vividly. I was so eager to finally get that stone after three years of dating that I didn’t care what it looked like. Now that I’m aware of the various meanings behind the setting, cut, and shape, I am encouraging my successful dating coaching clients to be a little more discerning.

Katz says, “The selection of an engagement ring should be a thoughtful process so it ends up matching the personality of the wearer. The kind of engagement ring one finally chooses can also tell a lot about the present and future relationship.”

So what does your choice of ring really say about you?

The Cut And Shape Of The Stone

Classic round: The future bride and groom are likely to be traditional, perhaps a bit conservative, faithful to each other, and very loyal.

Emerald cut: More often than not, money is no object when it comes to showering each other with affection.

Princess cut: The bride-to-be will most likely be a pampered spouse, with the future groom being a dedicated, thoughtful husband.

Pear shaped: The engaged couple can be quite independent and have high standards, but ultimately supportive of each other.

Marquise cut: The engagement and marriage are punctuated with chic and glamorous events, calling for many opportunities to play dress-up.

Heart shaped: The future bride and groom are not afraid to indulge in public displays of affection now and then. They are also most likely to be giddy at their own wedding!

Oval shaped: Stability and serenity are important to the couple who choose this shape.

The Shape and Design of the Band

Traditional band: With no discernible ending and beginning, a perfectly round engagement ring tells of a future life together which the couple cannot wait to begin right away.

Split shank: This style splits the band in half near the center diamond, indicating that despite having different personalities, the people in the relationship are always one in heart, mind, and spirit.

Solitaire: As classic as they come, the solitaire speaks of a simple life together with basic values holding up the relationship as time goes by.
Three-stone setting: Symbolizing the couple’s past, present, and future, this setting serves as a precious timeline of a relationship.

Stackable rings: Flush-style engagement rings and wedding bands fit harmoniously so they form one smooth, streamlined shape when worn together. This indicates that the engaged couple is thoughtful, are careful planners, and are forward-thinking.

Engraved band: A sentimental and unique couple with plenty of private jokes and shared interests will likely choose an engagement ring engraved with symbols that mean something special to the two of them.

Just like relationships, each ring has it’s own unique identity so when you walk down the aisle, make sure you pick a ring that mirrors the love you feel for one another.

NYC Diamond Blog’s mission is to inform readers of all facets of the Diamond industry, including developments, and expert opinions from around the world. Here is an article from the UK written by Julian Knight and Chiara Cavaglieri. It appeared in ‘The Independent’ newspaper over the weekend.

For centuries diamonds have been a symbol of wealth coveted by brides-to-be and collectors, but could these most precious of stones also prove the ordinary investor’s best friend?

Gold has traditional been the preferred commodity for many investors, but now that it is down from its peak, diamonds are an attractive prospect if you’re looking for an alternative. In the last  five years, one to five-carat diamonds provided annual returns of 12 per cent and this year, global diamond prices are predicted  to increase by around 10 per cent, while the

price of the best gems could jump as much as 50 per cent, according to gem trading company Diamond Manufacturers. However, such claims coming from firms involved in the trade should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Prices have been driven up by demand from the emerging middle classes in India and China, the lack of major mining discoveries and, when it comes to the price of cut diamonds, the market is still tightly controlled by the likes of De Beers who have diamonds in store.

If you have a magpie’s weakness for shiny things, there are three ways to invest in diamonds: you can buy the gems and store them to sell at a later date; you can buy shares in diamond-mining companies; or you can gain exposure via diamond funds.

Holding the physical asset means you can set the diamonds into jewellery and make the most of its aesthetic quality until you’re ready to sell. Buy your gems through a reputable diamond trader rather than a jeweller who will add a retail mark-up of as much as 300 per cent compared to prices on the wholesale market. Vashi Dominguez, chief executive of Diamond Manufacturers, advises spending £5,000 on a quality stone and be prepared hold on to it for at least five years.

“Each diamond should have come with a certificate from a laboratory which confirms its grade – the GIA is the best known and one of the most-respected labs, the Dutch equivalent, HRD, also gets mentioned. Other certificates will be less trusted when reselling,” says Adam Laird, investment manager at independent financial advice firm Hargreaves Lansdown.

The most-important issue for investors is that the diamond trade is an unregulated market blighted by a lack of transparency. There is an index – the Rapaport Diamond Trade Index – but this only serves as a guideline as the vast majority of diamonds don’t actually trade at these prices. The “four C’s” help to determine the value of any given diamond -the cut, color, clarity and carat weight – but every diamond is unique, like a snowflake or a fingerprint,which means they must be valued individually