| When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a | | | | enough to have it sized would be the mission, |
| diamond ring on Mary of Burgundy in 1477, giving | | | | should you choose to accept it! That said, there is |
| a diamond as a symbol of love and commitment | | | | always the option or buying a loose diamond and |
| was birthed. Prior to this only royalty wore | | | | letting her shop for the setting. You're still a hero |
| diamonds, believing they symbolized strength and | | | | and she gets exactly what she wants! |
| courage. The root of the word diamond comes | | | | THE SHAPE & SETTING |
| from the Greek word "adamas", which means | | | | Diamonds come in many shapes and settings. |
| unconquerable". Other folklore surrounding | | | | Would she like a round diamond, a marquise cut |
| diamonds links them to Cupid, whose arrows | | | | or oval, a princess cut or emerald, pear or heart; |
| were said to be tipped with diamonds. | | | | there are many choices available to you to find |
| A diamond is an exceedingly rare item. Over 250 | | | | just the diamond jewelry she wants. When |
| tons of ore must be processed to come up with | | | | your're out shopping,linger by the jewelry |
| just one 1-carat diamond of any quality. There are | | | | counters long enough to let her look but not long |
| five nations in the world which account for over | | | | enough to arouse suspicion. You may be |
| 90% of the world's rough diamond supply, and | | | | rewarded with hints of preference that will help |
| those are Australia, Botswana, Namibia, Russia and | | | | you. Take into consideration the size and shape of |
| South Africa. Several other countries produce | | | | her hands. This will have a bearing on how the ring |
| smaller but significant stones, like the Canadian | | | | looks on her. For instance large rings sometimes |
| Excellent Cut diamonds from the Arctic circle. | | | | overwhelm small hands. Try to think |
| Now that we agree that they are rare and quite | | | | proportionately. |
| valuable, why still do we want to give them as | | | | THE OCCASION |
| gifts? Because they're beautiful! And elegant, | | | | What is the occasion? Is it a Christmas or Holiday |
| dazzling and all the other adjectives she'll likely | | | | gift? A birthday bauble? Anniversary? |
| apply when she opens the gift you've come up | | | | Engagement? Whatever the occasion, know that |
| with. Diamond jewelry is like nothing else, and if | | | | she'll look upon this gift as something special, a gift |
| you're looking to make this a Christmas or Holiday | | | | of love and endearment. Choose wisely! |
| to remember, the gift of diamonds will make this | | | | SHOPPING FOR DIAMOND JEWELRY |
| an unforgettable Holiday season! | | | | Choosing where you buy a diamond has never |
| So how do you go about purchasing that diamond | | | | been easier. Besides the plethora of diamond |
| bauble she's always wanted? Here are some | | | | retailers in your very neighborhood, the internet |
| guidelines to follow that will give you the best | | | | has made diamond shopping incredibly convenient. |
| chance at success! | | | | Most of the major jewelers have an online |
| WHAT DOES SHE WEAR NOW? | | | | presence, and often this will get you more stone |
| Notice her style now. To have the best chance at | | | | for the money, as they have little or no overhead |
| finding a diamond style that compliments her | | | | online. Most offer guarantees and return privileges, |
| natural chosen style you need to come armed | | | | and buying online is in my view very much safer |
| with the knowledge of several things. Some of | | | | than handing my credit card to an eighteen year |
| those include does she like classic, contemporary, | | | | old with a spending problem. Also, as you know if |
| or vintage styling? What metals does she wear. Is | | | | you're reading this, information is readily available |
| it exclusively gold, platinum, silver? Does she like | | | | online, and suspect at times offline. A website is |
| bold or muted pieces, and the relative size of the | | | | not on commission or limited so mcuh by |
| jewelry in her possession now. | | | | inventory as a commissioned salesperson might |
| WHAT SIZE DOES SHE WEAR? | | | | be. |
| You may have to be sort of James Bondish to | | | | Do some discreet research, gather your data, go |
| get this information in order to preserve the | | | | online and find the rock of her dreams! Make this |
| surprise, but getting ahold of a ring just long | | | | a Diamond Christmas! |