There are many kinds of diamonds to choose for your loved one, especially for an engagement ring. You can actually choose different designs, shapes, sizes and colors.

Colorless diamonds are popular choices for engagement rings. A man can choose to give his bride-to-be a pink or yellow diamond engagement ring; which is preferred by a lot of women. So giving a black diamond engagement ring is not really a popular choice.

Unlike traditional colors of diamond engagement rings, a black diamond engagement ring is “unique if not an eccentric kind of ring to choose for a loved one.

There a probably a few women who would have a taste or penchant for this very odd color of engagement ring because often the color of black is associated with evil, darkness or even witchcraft. So it would be surprising if not scary to be given a ring especially a black diamond engagement ring.

But unknown to people, black diamonds are popular stone choices for male jewelries especially for Europeans. Usually black diamonds are included in wedding rings and bracelets. They are often combined with more lustrous or more colorful diamonds and other precious stones to enhance the brilliance of the colored gems or highlight the black diamond itself.

Men who offer to give a black diamond engagement ring also choose rings that are set in platinum or titanium to enhance the color of the black diamond or combine it with stones the color of their choice and have the design custom made to make it extra special.

The appearance of black diamonds may be in hues of green, gray or midnight black. The color can range from being dense or translucent in hue.

When buying a black diamond engagement ring, you need to go to an accredited jeweler because some people trick sellers by adding color to fancy stones and make it appear a true black diamond.

Be sure to ask for papers proving that you are getting the real deal on your black diamond rings

Authored by: Alice Sy

The Fancy Deep Pink and White Diamond Necklace by Leviev is an incredible piece of custom jewelry.

The diamond necklace includes a staggering 97.9 carats in pear-shaped and round, brilliant cuts.

It was quite the undertaking and took over a year to locate and fit together the rare stones in platinum.  The end result is stunnng.  Price tag: close to $2 million !

Late last year, I mentioned that that Tiffany & Co, will be opening smaller concept stores. Now it turns out the first one will open up in the new Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale, California. The space will be approximately 2,600-square feet, which is quite small compared to the existing stores which average 7,100 square feet.

The smaller stores are meant to appeal to women and more entry-level shoppers. No engagement rings or “statement jewelry” here and there will be an emphasis of sterling silver pieces, the types of things that women might buy for themselves as a treat. If the smaller store concept succeeds it will allow Tiffany to more than triple the amount of stores they have currently.

In analyzing how this will turn out I can see how it could go either way. On the one hand, Tiffany will be able to extend to many more people who thought they couldn’t afford Tiffany pieces and will provide more brand visibility. On the other hand, the decline in the luxury market right now is mostly hitting the lower tier of the high-end, precisely where Tiffany is aiming these stores.

There is also the possibility that these stores might further dilute the power of the Tiffany brand. In fact, CNN reports that LVMH which was mulling over a bid for the company, fears that the jeweler may be too “mid-market” for their portfolio.

High net-worth consumers rated Harry Winston as the most prestigious jewelry brand, a recent survey conducted by the Luxury Institute found. Respondents in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey cited Harry Winston as having “a great reputation,” being “the ultimate for diamond design,” and being known for “quality and exclusivity.”

Buccellati and Van Cleef and Arpels tied for second place, while Graff placed third. Buccellati was also rated most unique and exclusive.

“The luxury jewelry industry is still very inwardly-focused,” commented Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. “This important segment of luxury can benefit from understanding how multi-millionaire consumers perceive jewelry brands on critical metrics that define what luxury truly is, and is not…True luxury leaders are unflinching in their desire to learn why consumers will, or will not, recommend their brands and then take positive action.”

The survey was conducted online, using a national sample of 513 Americans with an average income of $789,000 and an average net worth of $15.1 million.

The following list comprises the 20 jewelry brands that were rated (in alphabetical order):

Asprey
Blue Nile
Boucheron
Buccellati
Bulgari
Carrera y Carrers
Cartier
Chanel
Chopard
David Yurman
De Beers
Dior
FRED
Graff
Gucci
Harry Winston
Mikimoto
Piaget
Tiffany
Van Cleef and Arpels

The Luxury Institute conducted a recent poll and the result showed Tiffany & Co was the most popular top made-to-order company.  Over 90% of the wealthy people polled said they would recommend Tiffany products to others.

Lexus and Rolex also were popular choices.  Home furnishing was the top category, followed by jewelry, homes, men’s dress shirts, and men’s suits. Full article