Diamonds & Engagement Rings News

Ring designers clued is in to the hottest new engagement rings styles. A simple solitaire may be classic and safe choice, but you’re sure to please with these over the top dazzlers.

Trend # 1: Neutral colored Gems; Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship might not have lasted but the lure of colored engagement rings sure did. Her 6.1 carat pink diamond engagement ring set the stage for a lot of other colorful gemstones like sapphires and rubies to take a leading role.

Trend #2: Diamonds all around; A gorgeous diamond gets lots of character from its surroundings, and these current styles drizzled with diamonds are definitely a hit among brides and designers alike. Not only do the extra diamonds add tons of sparkle but they can enhance the size or at least give the illusion of a larger center stone. What bride to be or groom too wouldn’t love that.

Trend #3: Intricately Raised Settings; The newest ring settings are really raising the bar to elaborate and lofty designs are hot. There’s nothing like a delicately draped bow or precision cut mold to give your center stone the spotlight.

Trent #4 : Twisted Bands; Designers have opted to put a little more swing into their rings. from swirling diamond bands to more streamlined metal twists.

Trend #5: Vintage Glamour; Heirloom styles though rich in history, are definitely not a tired idea. Think intricate settings with metal and diamond detailing.

Trend #6: Eco-friendly Rings; These dazzling designers prove that it’s hip to have more than just a green thumb. Decorate your ring finger with conflict free diamonds and recycled gold settings.

Diamonds and fashion have always gone hand in hand with Hollywood glamour. From the first days the starlets walked the red carpet, their ensembles have gained worldwide attention. The visual unveiling of a celebrity appearing at the Academy Awards the ultimate Hollywood moment, is unique in its far reaching impact.

The clothing and jewelry chosen for this debut are the works of art rivaled only by the stars themselves. To celebrate the 2008 Academy Awards, the Diamond information center is thrilled to present a unique collaboration with select fashion designers that have created an original red carpet piece accessorized with and inspired by incredible diamonds.

Sally Morrison of the Diamond Information Center observed, ” there is a truly symbiotic relationship between diamonds and Hollywood fashion. Nothing complements the glamour of the red carpet like the brilliance of timeless diamond jewelry.”

A diamond is forever will be hosting a week long celebration at the Chateau Marmont, displaying five incredible red carpet looks paired with exquisite diamond jewelry. To honor these innovative and acclaimed designer and their creations, there will be a series of invitation only viewings.

 In addition to the five original looks, there will be millions of dollars of exceptional diamond jewelry worthy of an Academy Awards appearance. Including one of a kind diamond pieces, important vintage pieces and a never before seen diamond collection presented by international jewelers.

A 101-care, almost flawless diamond may get more than $8 million at a Christie’s International sale in Hong Kong, the first time a gem of this quality and weight was ever auctioned off in Asia.

The squash-ball sized diamond, highlight of Christie’s jewelry sale on May 28, has the third highest clarity rating and the third best ranking on the scale of colorless.

Christie’s only identifies the seller as a Europe-base diamond trading company run by three brothers. The auction house said the stone had been discovered at the premier diamond mine in South Africa, the largest and oldest diamond mine in the country.

Hong Kong is Christie’s third-biggest auction market after New York and London. Growth in Asia outside Japan is accelerating,fueled by China’s 10 percent a year expansion as the U.S economy stalls.

“The seller called us up in Asia and specifically said they want the gem sold in this region.” said Vicki Sek, a Hong Kong- based director of jewelry.

The colorless diamond is fourth of more 100 carats offered at auction according to Francois Curiel, the company’s global head of  jewelry. The last three were in Geneva, he said.

Cut from a 460- carat rough diamond, the gem is now on exhibition in London and is also the biggest white diamond at auction in nearly two decades, Christie’s said. In 2005, the auction house sold a 120-carat brown diamond of lower clarity in Hong Kong. A carat is one-fifth of a gram.

In October, Christie’s largest rival sold a flawless, 6.04 carat blue diamond in Hong Kong for HK$61.9 million per carat record for a gem.

“The market for a big diamonds has gone up 20 percent in the last 18 months,” Raymond Sancroft-Baker said.

Sancroft-Baker said companies were no longer holding large diamonds stockpiles and fewer stones were being dug out of the earth.

During the London photo call the diamond slipped from grasp of Christie’s black-dressed staff and feel to the thickly carpeted floor.

“Luckily that didn’t hit a chair” said Sancroft- Baker “Diamonds are the hardest substances in the world, but they can chip.”

The record for any gemstone sold at auction is the $16.5 million with fees paid for the 100.1 Carat “Star of the Season” pear -shaped colorless diamond at Sothbey’s, Geneva in May. 1995.

Did you use to play with Hot wheels as a kid? Well it seems that the tin cars of yesteryear have stepped a side for this bling-tastic, diamond encrusted Hot Wheels Car.

Designed to celebrate the toys 40th anniversary by celebrity jeweller Jason of Beverly Hills, the car is cast in 18- karat white gold and detailed with blue diamonds. The engine boasts white and black diamonds and the Hot Wheels logo also gets major diamond treatment!

No plastic lights on the car, as the tail lights are red rubies and black diamonds and red enamel create the ‘red line’ tires.

Overall this Hot Wheels car is home to 2,700 diamonds and weighing in at almost 23 carats total! Including the custom case which is also covered in diamonds, the car will set on lucky collector back around $140,000

Justin Timberlake has sparked speculations that he may soon be proposing to girlfriend Jessica Biel, after the singer recently was seen shopping for engagement rings.

An onlooker said, “Justin was really taking his time looking around the  engagement rings, he made the staff get a couple out of the cabinets so he could properly look at them. He didn’t buy anything, but rather told the manager he would think about it.”

Timberlake has been dating Biel for over a year now, but both have been reluctant to speak openly about their relationship.

Yesterday was Valentines Day a day to let your someone special know just how much you love them. and if your predicting ability was precise, a day to win the perfect present to let her know just how much you care! United Blood Services teamed up with Riddles Jewelry for a special contest yesterday.

Anyone who gave blood could predict the time a 900 hundred dollar diamond necklace would fall from the middle of an ice sculpture.

It was frozen solid in the morning……with the melting already underway.

The person who made the closest prediction would win the diamond necklace! Rich Larcombe with U-B-S says an event like this comes at a good time for them……

The today show today featured Brilliant Earth on a segment titled, ” Go Green for Valentine’s Day.” Green expert and contributing editor Simran Sethi appeared on the show introducing sustainable and Eco friendly gifts for the conscious valentine.

The Today show featured Brilliant Earth’s ‘Digger’s Pendant,’ and 18k white gold Diamond hoop earrings. The diggers pendant is a provocative piece that features the imprint of the palm of a diamond digger fashioned from black oxidized silver with a tear drop imprint with a small conflict free diamond. The pendant retails for $130 and the 18k white gold diamond hoop earrings set retails for $775 a pair with a wight of .30 carat.

Brilliant Earth helps diamond shoppers this Valentine’s Day by making the diamond buying process simple with tips that guarantee shoppers will end up with a genuine conflict free diamond that reflects their values.

Conflict free diamonds are high quality natural diamonds that come from ethical sources with minimal environment impact. Conflict free diamonds are free from violence and human rights abuses, and are produced with fair labour practices. By choosing conflict free, you are voicing your support for ethical and environmentally responsible practices in the global diamond trade.

You see an ad in the paper of a diamond ring, you are getting married and you figure you can save a couple bucks by buying it secondhand. how do you know you are getting a good deal or even a deal at all?

Diamonds, as well as other things, often rely on the edge “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” However, the four C’s, color, cut, clarity and carat weigh, are instrumental in determining the value of a diamond. The best rule of thumb in selecting a diamond is do your homework.

A diamond may have flaws or inclusions that are not detectable by the naked eye. An appraisal by a jeweler may not be sufficient to find out the true value of a diamond. Appraisals may very from jeweler to jeweler sometimes even by several thousands of dollars.

A microscopic inspection may be necessary to determine if inclusions exist, carbon deposits have been bleached or filled to elude detection or if the stone is a look a like. Consider obtaining an independent Gemological Institute of America or American Gem Society report from a certified appraiser on your prospective purchase.

Aside from determining the true value of the diamond, you may need this report if you plan on obtaining insurance for your diamond through your homeowner’s policy.

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” say Kelly Cvetan, 44. I love diamonds, there’s no doubt about that.”

But what if diamonds got just a little bit more colorful?

Colored diamonds are the new trend, in and out of Hollywood.

Jennifer Lopez and her pink engagement ring from Ben Affleck caught a lot of attention. Kobe Bryant gave his wife a purple diamond when he found out she knew he was cheating on her.

“The most popular colors are yellow, pink, chocolate and champagne diamonds,” said Alan Rudnick.

Nationally, they are getting more and more popular.

Colored diamonds are quickly picking up popularity, mainly because they are so expensive.

People are looking for something new and with the rich and famous falling in love with colored diamonds, why wouldn’t every girl want one?

Well one problem may just be the price.

The most expensive color is green, ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 per carat.

The music industry’s elite stepped out in their finest attire to the 50Th Annual Grammy Awards where Diamonds hit a high note and dazzled on the red carpet. The big diamond trends of the evening were bold Diamond Studs and Diamond Drop Earrings, stunning Diamond Cuffs and Bracelets, and in the spotlight representing the men tonight, Diamond dress pins and Diamond buttons Jay- Z

The evening’s best all Diamond looks included Beyonce’s brilliant Diamond Chandelier Earrings, bold Diamond cuff and Diamond right hand ring. Grammy nominated music artist, Fergie’s Cartier Diamond and Platinum Stud Earrings, white and Yellow Diamond lined bracelet and Diamond and white gold pendent; while Jay-Z sported brilliant Diamond dress pins and Buttons.