Jewelry is a very popular item for gift-giving and to express feelings toward another person. Giving the woman you love a diamond is one of the most amazing things you can do for her, regardless of the current design. When we decide to marry the one we love, we express this by giving her an engagement ring. It does not matter how large the diamond is or how much you paid for the ring, but the sentiment behind it and what it symbolizes. Because a ring is continuous, with no beginning or end, it symbolizes eternal, never-ending love.

With the holidays quickly approaching, don't forget that someone special on your shopping list! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook where we list daily specials to help you start your shopping early.

Diamonds are not just for getting engaged!

(dedicated to Marc from PDE who is expecting his first child with wife, Lauren - Congrats!)

Gentlemen: of course you should buy the love of your life a diamond engagement ring. Then you can invest in diamonds as gifts for various anniversaries; a lovely bracelet for the tenth anniversary, a special diamond pendant for the twenty-fifth anniversary, or a pair of earrings to mark any anniversary in between. Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays are prime diamond jewelry occasions, too.

If the two of you make it to your 60th wedding anniversary, that’s the Diamond Anniversary. That occasion deserves a huge celebration for so many reasons! The 25th anniversary is remembered with silver, the 50th with gold, and the 60th with diamonds. Truly, a gift of diamonds on the 60th anniversary symbolizes the indestructible power of love.

There’s a trend among Hollywood husbands to give diamond gifts to their wives upon the birth of their children. These gifts are termed “push gifts” for obvious reasons, and are more than the common bouquet of flowers and bunch of balloons.

Push gifts are actually an ancient tradition coming out of the time of sultans, who gifted their favorite wives extravagantly when they gave birth to sons. The idea has just started to catch on again in these modern times, and celebrities give push gifts with real style and extravagance, worthy of sultans.

Pierce Brosnan gave his wife Keely three lovely bracelets when their son Paris was born, all three gold and diamonds, to symbolize each member of the family.

This trend coming out of Hollywood husbands is catching on with regular people, as well. Many designers now offer a very nice “celebration” ring for new moms, with pink sapphires and white diamonds for celebrating a girl, and blue sapphires and white diamonds for celebrating a boy.

A sweet present from Dad to Mom is a diamond-studded baby bootie pendant. The diamond pendant can be worn on a fine chain around the neck, or used as a charm on a bracelet.

These diamond gifts don’t need to be extravagant or costly; the purpose is to mark those special occasions, and acknowledge how much you really appreciate your wife putting up with you for all those years.

The Most Popular Misconceptions of Diamonds - Part 6 of 6

6. It is virtually impossible to tell a fake diamond from a real diamond.

This is a definite misconception - most people who work with diamonds can easily tell a real from a fake. Giveaways as to fake diamonds might include inferior quality nuances found in the color, cut, carat and clarity of the stone, a low-quality setting, signs of minor damage to the stone (unlikely, if it’s the real thing), and the reflection color (which should be gray instead of rainbow-like). Other ways of detecting fakes include transparency testing, fog testing and facet examination with a loupe. It is probably true that people who don’t know much about diamonds will probably never know the difference between a genuine stone and a simulation. However, even common sense prevails in some cases. Perfectly shaped diamonds if genuine are very expensive, and someone who probably couldn’t afford a perfect diamond under normal circumstances probably wouldn’t be able to surprise a loved one with the real deal.

The Most Popular Misconceptions of Diamonds - Parts 4 and 5 of 6

4. The bigger the diamond the better.

Not necessarily. Large diamonds are initially impressive, and if the size of a diamond is what appeals to you or your loved one then you have made the right purchase. However, big diamonds do not always mean big price. Again, cut, clarity, color and carat must all be considered in deciding the diamond’s market worth.

5. The more facets the better.

The function of facets is to increase the refractive index of the diamond you hold. The number of facets is not the most important factor in determining brilliance. What really matters is how skillfully the creator cuts the facets.

The Most Popular Misconceptions of Diamonds - Part 3 of 6

3. Diamonds are the most expensive form of jewelry.

Not only have there been some famous cases of very expensive non-diamond jewels like emeralds and rubies, but even generally speaking, not all diamonds are insanely expensive. Diamonds are made expensive when they have a brilliant cut, a high carat weight, flawless color and clarity. A loose diamond can actually be purchased for as little as $250.

The Most Popular Misconceptions of Diamonds - Part 2 of 6

2. Diamonds are indestructible and last forever.

Not exactly true. The idea of a diamond lasting “forever” is the result of the same marketing campaign that sold the idea of a diamond ring as a marriage token. A diamond can certainly last for multiple generations–in fact, most diamonds found today are over one billion years old. However, to say that a diamond is forever would imply that it is an indestructible object. Diamonds are naturally hard substances and are able to withstand various forms of scratching. However, hardness is slightly different than toughness and a diamond is not the strongest form of material known to man. Furthermore, a diamond can still be chipped, broken or damaged if it is treated in a haphazard way.

The Most Popular Misconceptions of Diamonds - Part 1 of 6

There are many misconceptions about diamonds floating around. Most of the time, it’s harmless to have fun with the various diamond myths that everyone knows. However, if you’re looking to purchase a diamond, you may want to get your facts straight.

1. Diamonds have always been part of engagement proposals and wedding ceremonies.

Everyone tends to associate love and marriage with diamonds. However, the origins of diamonds as well as of engagement and marriage ceremonies are entirely different. The idea of the engagement ceremony is derived from the ancient Egyptian civilization. These people believed that a special “love vein” ran from the fourth finger directly to an individual’s heart. For wedding rings, it is believed that the original concept of the ring was to symbolize husbandly ownership as well as a debt owed to the family of the bride. This trend peaked in Roman times though there’s evidence of it even in the B.C. era. On the other hand, diamonds were never really associated with matrimony until modern times. The earliest diamonds were discovered in India and used for holy decoration and valued for their ability to refract light. In Medieval times they were also used as a medical aid. It wasn’t until the 20th century when a certain diamond industry giant ran a much publicized marketing campaign that the diamond truly became a marriage symbol.

Not Your Typical 50th Wedding Anniversary

Everyone knows the 50th wedding anniversary is a golden anniversary, unless you’re the Smithsonian. Their love affair and marriage with the famous Hope blue diamond has lasted a full fifty years, and now they’re celebrating this occasion with even more diamonds. In honor of the occasion, they’ve commissioned the illustrious Harry Winston designers, to create three fabulous new settings for the much acclaimed blue diamond. The public is invited to join in by voting for their favorite design, all of which have a hopeful theme.

The Hope diamond is famous, not just for being the largest blue diamond ever found. It also has a long history that made it a great fit for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Ever since its installation at the Smithsonian, this diamond has attracted an estimated 7 million people through their doors. It has played a role in royal history, had a stint with a heiress, and been smuggled and stolen as its owners began to wonder if it was cursed too. It’s this rich history that really adds to the mystery of the Hope diamond, even though the uniqueness of its color is beyond compare. This color is obtained from traces of boron that are embedded in the diamond itself.

The Hope diamond is a rare treat for visitors to the museum. Its classic setting has not changed in fifty years, and many may find the idea of voting for a new setting a bit disturbing, if it weren’t for the fact that it will be temporary - lasting a total of six months at most. Anyone who wants to vote, can do so online at the Smithsonian’s channel website. They can choose from three different and glamorous styles with hopeful names: Renewed Hope, Embracing Hope, and Journey of Hope.

Picking the Right Diamonds for Your Teenager

You want to mark those special moments in your teenage girl’s life with something unforgettable that will last forever. If it’s a milestone birthday, a graduation ceremony, or any other noteworthy event, diamond jewelry is perfect for any occasion that calls for something extra. She’ll be happy to wear this gift long afterward.

Special birthdays call for a diamond and birthstone combination necklace. When choosing a combination birthstone and diamond necklace, look for complimentary shapes and faceting on the stones. Many smaller diamonds will often surround the larger, colored birthstone.

Middle school or high school graduation calls for a diamond necklace, diamond earrings, or a matching set. You can choose from many diamonds for extra sparkle, or just a few in a truly beautiful setting.

A wonderful gift is a necklace with a pendant of the year she graduated made up of diamonds, or perhaps her initials in diamonds. A more timeless gift she’ll wear again and again might be a simple gold or silver metal heart with a colored stone surrounded by diamonds.

Earrings could be simple enough for everyday wear, or they could be more intricate with more stones for special occasions in the future. Diamond studs will never go out of style, and they can be shaped in a variety of ways. An elegant pair of diamond drop earrings elevates any occasion to special.

A truly unique and thoughtful set of gifts for a young girl could be a series of diamond jewelry. Start out on her fifteenth birthday with a simple set of earrings. For the sweet sixteen, choose a matching bracelet to compliment the diamond earrings you gave her last year. On her seventeenth birthday, a diamond necklace that matches the earrings and bracelet make it an ensemble. And finally, for the eighteenth birthday, a watch studded with diamonds will send your girl out into the world in elegant style. She’ll feel more and more special each time she opens that jewelry box.

You want this gift to last a lifetime, so make sure you choose classic looks and timeless touches. The clasp must be sturdy, and if you choose a diamond or combination diamond and other stone pendant, the chain must be heavy enough to withstand the weight.

Round cut or princess cut diamonds are very popular right now because they show off the facets so well. When shopping for diamonds for a teenager, you can compliment her personality by choosing a certain diamond cut. You can find princess cut, round, oval, heart shaped, and many others. Each shape has its own personality, just like your girl. Most teenagers will just simply love showing off these precious stones!

Ruby Red Slippers - Wizard of Oz

Perhaps the most recognized pop culture "rubies" are the shoes worn by Dorothy in the movie "The Wizard of Oz". It is speculated that at least 7 pair were originally made for the filming of the movie. One of the pair is on display at the National Museum of American History in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

These famous ruby shoes, in fact, were not decorated in rubies at all. The shoes used for Dorothy's slippers were dyed red; then burgundy sequined organza overlays were attached to each shoe's upper and heel. The film's early 3-strip Technicolor process required the sequins to be darker than most red sequins found today; bright red sequins would have appeared orange on screen. The Art Deco-inspired bows comprised three large rectangular red glass jewels with dark-red bugle beads, outlined in orange-red glass rhinestones in silver settings. The stones and beads were sewn to a piece of red strap leather, then to the organza-covered shoe.

On May 20, 2000, one of the pairs sold at Christie's East Auction House for $666,000 to a group of partners who own memorabilia shops in Hollywood, CA.

During the fall Fashion Week in New York City 2008, Swarovski company held a charity contest with nineteen designers, including Gwen Stefani, Diane von Furstenberg, Moschino, among others, to redesign the ruby slippers from the classic 1939 film.

July's Birthstone - Ruby

Like a red rose, the Ruby’s rich color speaks of love and passion. Nicknamed the King of Gems, July’s birthstone ruby is among the most highly prized of gems known both for its rarity, as well as beauty.

The gemstone ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum, the second hardest mineral known. The stone of passion and heart’s desire ruby is surely a must have. Thanks to its intense red color, the Ruby has been associated with blood, fire, heart and passion throughout the millenia.

Ruby is also the stone for the 40th and 50th anniversary, and the stone of Capricorn.In healing, rubies are the gem of choice to cure diseases of the blood and the heart.

Sapphires

Star sapphire jewelry has always been favorite amongst both the young and old. Everyone is sporting sapphires these days. Celebrities are one reason why these earrings are so hugely popular. You can find them flaunting around their star sapphire jewelry at major events. In fact these pieces are much more than fashion accessories. They are actually status symbols. Sapphire being a rare gemstone is rather expensive. Even the sometimes steep price does not deter people from craving for this type of jewelry.

Sapphire is one the most expensive gemstones known to mankind. These rare gemstones are coveted by jewelry makers all over the world. The sometimes exorbitant cost of sapphires can be attributed to their rarity. Star sapphire pieces are priced according to the number of fissures, flaws or inclusions actually present in the sapphire stone. There could also be in some cases bubbles which affect the quality of a sapphire. All these factors in turn have an affect on the clarity of a sapphire and this in turn has its impact on the pricing.

There are a lot of other things attached with sapphires apart from style. For one if you wear star sapphire pieces, immediately you will be sporting an image of a successful person. In fact the reasons why these earrings find a large number of takers is because of the large number of celebrities endorsing them. There could be seldom a celebrity event when they do not come to the event wearing them. Such is the popularity of star sapphire earrings among the rich and famous. These earrings are much more than style accessories and have become a sort of status symbol these days.

Tips on buying large diamond studs

When purchasing large diamond studs, 3ctw and over, there are a few things to keep in mind:

- Earrings are naturally less visible than other prominent jewelry, mostly due to one's hair. Solitaire rings, pendants, and other pieces are much more visible.

- Again, because diamond earrings are less visible than more prominent pieces of jewelry, clarity is not as vital. BUT, with that said, the larger the stone size, the more likely you are to see visible inclusions. In other words an I1 clarity .50ct stone is going to look cleaner then an I1 clarity 1.50ct stone. We at PDE, suggest going for the higher quality of clarity (SI2 or better) if you are looking for a large pair of studs. Of course the downside of this is the price tag.

-Color and cut is extremely important regardless of the size. Any tinge of yellow will still be visible in the ears and if the stone isn't a good cut it won't give your ears that sparkle you're looking for.

If you have questions, please call us at 1-866-342-2378.

For most of us when we think of June we think of warm weather, cooling off and playing at the beach or back yard barbeques. For those of us born in June we think of what presents we want from family and friends. The first thing I always think of is pearls, June’s birthstone. The pearl through out history has been prized for it’s unique luster and texture. In ancient mythology the pearl was associated with the moon and was believed to be born from the tears that the moon cried into the ocean. Also for it’s clean and simple look has been associated with purity, wisdom and loyalty. The Chinese believed that pearls could grant eternal youth and still use them in cosmetics to add that extra boost for more youthful looking skin. The most fascinating aspect of a pearl is that it is organic. While it starts from a grain of sand, a clam or oyster adds coat after coat of organic shell material to turn it into the shinny round gem that is now sought after by almost every culture in the world.

The rare blue diamond that we previously blogged about has been sold. It was put up for sale by London-listed Petra Diamonds, which extracted it last year from the historic Cullinan mine in South Africa, the world's most regular supplier of blue diamonds of size and quality. Blue are the rarest of the diamond family after reds.

The final price includes a commission paid by the buyer to the auction house. The stone sets a record price per carat for any gemstone sold at auction of $1,349,752 per carat, (890, 275 pounds) Sotheby's said.

The owner will have bragging rights, as well as the right to name the stone, which is mounted in a platinum ring.

The Most Valuable Coin In The World

In 1933 the United States Mint struck 445,000 Double Eagle $20.00 gold coins. The design was the Augustus Saint Gaudens liberty front with the soaring eagle back, which he had created in 1907. What makes this coin truly interesting is that to solve the bank crisis President Roosevelt signed the Gold Reserve Act in 1934 outlawing the circulation or private possession of US gold coins, with the exception of collector coins. Being the year after the coins were minted it did not fall into this category and would stay off that list until a lawsuit in July of 2001. Until 1944 these Double Eagles were traded amongst collectors and the US Government and Secret Service stepped in to seize these now rare coins. One of these coins was acquired for a private collection held by King Farouk of Egypt in the 1940’s. 40 years later the Double Eagle surfaced in New York and seized from a coin dealer. A lawsuit continued until 2001 and the coin was set up for auction in July 2002. The Double Eagle $20.00 gold coin sold for an amazing $7,590,020 and became the most expensive coin in the world. So just remember that pocket change you have might be worth a little more then you bargained for.

After the world’s most expensive blue diamond, The Wittelsbach, was sold to diamond dealer - Laurence Graff - last year for $24.3 million, Sotheby’s has another impressive blue diamond for the next auction.

Although overall diamond prices are down, the sales for the big and rare stones are still pretty strong. Petra Diamonds, a miner of stones in Africa, is hoping for a high number for their first sale of a cut and polished stone through Sotheby's. They will be selling a 7.03-carat blue diamond from the Cullinan mine in South Africa. The Cullinan mine has yielded most of the best blue diamonds in the world. The stone has a fancy vivid blue color and is rated internally flawless. Petra decided to sell the stone as cut and polished versus selling the rough as they usually do because they are hoping to get maximum exposure for the gem.

The blue beauty will be shown in Hong Kong, Paris, New York and London before winding up in Geneva for the Sotheby’s auction on May 12th, where it is estimated to sell for as much as $8.5 million.

Phillies Championship Bling

The Championship Ring is ring was designed to tell a story and be an outstanding keepsake. The attention to detail is the proud work of seven committee members appointed by the Phillies clubhouse, and manufactured by a Massachusetts-based jewelry company.

Each ring is made of 14 karat white gold and contains 103 diamonds, totaling 3.84 carats. The 103 diamonds represent the 92 regular season wins and 11 postseason wins. On the left side of each ring, you'll find the player's name and number along with the Liberty Bell. The right side of the ring shows the World Series trophy rising out of Citizens Bank signifying the remarkable support of the fans, as well as the initials of the two World Series teams and the number of games won by each team. The top of the ring is crowned with a field of rubies, topped with the Phillies' signature "P" set in diamonds. The title "World Champions" is written along the top of and bottom of the ring's rim.

Spring is in the air...and so is love

The temps are warming up as the spring season approaches. With the rising temps usually comes a rise in the amount of engagements. Spring time is typically the more popular time of year to get engaged. This year seems to be no different. We've seen a definite spike in the amount of engagement rings we've been selling lately. Some of the most popular styles have been the three stone diamond ring and the 'ol favorite...the solitaire ring. The newer style rings with micropave on them continue to be popular as well.

If you are thinking of getting engaged soon PennDiamondExchange has a few words of advice and encouragement.
1. Congrats!
2. Browse our site to look at some of the handmade rings we have already made and our
huge selection of loose diamonds.
3. Give us a call. We'll walk you through the process from picking the right shape, size, and
cut stone to picking the right kind of mounting.

We hope to hear from you and here's to Spring and saying "Yes!"

We Want to Buy Your Unwanted Gold

By now you've heard and seen all the media coverage about how gold is at an all time high. We're sure you've also seen and heard all the commercials for companies that want to buy your gold. We know it sounds great and is an easy way to make some money while getting rid of some stuff you don't want anymore.

Well, it is but there's only one problem....these companies aren't paying you enough!!! That's where PennDiamondExchange comes in.

We're sure you didn't know that besides our diamond website we are one of the biggest gold buying companies around. We promise you will receive top dollar for all your old, broken, and unwanted gold jewlery, watches, diamonds, etc...

How it Works: Contact us at info@penndiamondexchange.com or 1-866-DIA-CERT and request a pre-paid shipping envelope with delivery confirmation. Once you receive your envelope place all your old, broken, and unwanted gold jewlery, watches, diamonds, etc... in the envelope and mail it to us. We'll give you a no obligation quote. If you agree we'll send you a check, if you don't we'll send you your items right back to you. All this at no cost to you.

We know you'll be suprised how much PennDiamondExchange pays and how much your items are worth. So, what are you waiting for? Get paid for getting rid of your unwanted items. Now that sounds like a great Stimulus Plan!!

The Bachelor proposes with a Neil Lane sparkler

On March 2, the Bachelor known as Jason Mesnick, had to choose which of the bachelorettes he would be proposing to - Melissa Rycroft or Molly Melaney. But getting down on one knee, he had to choose an engagement ring. He was given 3 choices of which to choose from, including pear-shaped and oval cut diamonds. The handsome bachelor was torn between an exquisite marquis and oval-cut bedazzler. Jason ultimately went with the marquis because of it's feminine quality and he thought the woman he had in mind would love it. The marquis-cut diamond-and-platinum ring from Neil Lane features a 1.94-carat marquis-cut diamond encrusted with 170 smaller ones for a total of 3.18 carats.

***taken from the National Jeweler Network email

Welcome Back.....

We are proud to announce that we're back on Ebay. Eight years ago we launched into cyberspace and as you can see, it has been extremely successful. We took a hiatus, but are now back under our original Ebay store name - diamondpaige. We will have all the items listed from www.penndiamondexchange.com, as well as pieces that we purchase from estate sales.

1ct Diamond Stud Earrings

Last week we told you about some new 2ct diamond stud earrings we're expecting to arrive. Although they haven't come in yet we have gotten some pairs around 1ct. These are some great pairs of studs that won't set you back much. They are as low as $795 and we all know how important that is in these times. Take a look at some of these pairs:

0.93ct to 0.96ct Round Diamond Stud Earrings

1.11ct to 1.15ct Round Diamond Stud Earrings

2 ct. Round Diamond Stud Earrings

In today's ever-tightening economy, studies show that people are beginning to buy less and spend less. If you've been waiting to purchase one of our 2ct. diamond stud specials, now's your chance. We have secured another parcel and we anticipate it's arrival within the next week or so. We don't know how many pairs will be available, but if you're interested in a pair, contact us at info@penndiamondexchange.com

Specials!

Valentine's Day is over and most of us are feeling the crunch from turbulent economic times. Penn Diamond Exchange is still offering great deals and special prices so that everyone can enjoy the luxuries we all love giving and receiving. We have front page specials which sell out quickly and change constantly to offer a variety of savings. There are also gifts under $500 and a gifts under $1500 section for a larger selection of price ranges and values. For the less decisive gift giver we offer an assortment of gift cards, and as always you can contact one of our helpful knowledgeable staff that can guide you in the most fitting direction.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day is just around the corner so we here at Penn Diamond thought it would be fun to look at some Valentines Day facts and statistic.

180 million Valentines Day cards are exchanged every year making it the second largest card-giving holiday.

Over 50% were purchased within the six days prior to Valentines Day.

2.2 million couples get married annually which brakes down to more than 6,000 a day.

30.5 average age of women at their first marriage.

31.7 average age of men at their first marriage.

24.7 pounds, the average each American consumes of chocolate every year.

In February 2005 28,527 jewelry stores sold $2.4 billion worth of jewelry.

22,022 number of florists in the United States in 2003.

$422 Million worth of wholesale domestically cut flowers were sold the following year.

Now On Twitter

Penn Diamond Exchange is now a part of Twitter, just look up PennDiamond. We here at Penn Diamond have been trying to expand into social networks to try to connect with everyone that would like to educate themselves and to get as much feedback from you as possible. If there is anything we can do to get more in touch with our audience please let us know.

The First Lady's Jewelry Style

Michelle Obama has quickly become a fashion icon. The first lady has already won acclaim for personalizing her outfits with peculiar clusters of brooches. She also has fondness for cardigans and ribbon belts. On Inauguration Day she wore jewelry designed by L.A. based Lori Rodkin for election night, the pre-inaugural concert, the kids inaugural concert, and all 10 inaugural balls where she danced the night away with the President. Her ivory Jason Wu gown was accessorized with drop earrings, an oversized cocktail ring, and a diamond bracelet that picked up the Swarovski crystals. The Rodkin line does not come cheap - the earrings were valued at $17,000. All the beautiful pieces worn to the Inaugural Ball will become part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian.

Now On Facebook

PennDiamondExchange is now a part of the ever expanding facebook universe. Please bare with us for the next couple of weeks while we set up our page. However when it's done you'll be able to view special offers, new and existing products, youtube videos, and give us your feedback. Additional features will also include a forum and other interactive features. Follow the link, watch us grow, and become a fan!

Penndiamondexchange on Facebook

Famous Loose Diamonds

There are 3 popular loose diamonds that you probably have heard or even had the opportunity to see: The Koh-I-Noor is the oldest and remains in the Tower of London along with the Cullinan Diamond, but the most legendary of them is the Hope Diamond. The strikingly blue diamond weighs 45.52 carats and is legendary for it's supposed curse it puts on its owners. The Hope Diamond is the largest blue diamond in the world and was originally found in India and brought to France in the 18th Century. At one time, it was owned by Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. The large stone disappeared during the French Revolution but resurfaced in 1830 in London and was purchased by Henry Philip Hope, an English banker. The diamond is considered to be cursed because the entire Hope family died in poverty, as did Eward McLean who subsequently owned it. In 1949, Harry Winston purchased the the entire McLean jewelry collection and later donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where it is currently on display.