Asscher Cut Diamond

For guys, diamonds are quite a strange subject. Most guys, unless they are in jewelry business, are clueless about diamonds. They probably think that diamonds only come in square or round shapes and as long as they shine well and pass the diamonds detector, it is perfect for an engagement ring!
Not knowing that most girls, dream about the perfect ring!
I am trying to introduce this particular cut of diamond, which I am sure if you pick this for the engagement ring, she will be impressed! At least she will know, that you did your research and spend some time to find the perfect diamond for her, the perfect one of your life :)
So, let's learn about Asscher Cut Diamond!

The Asscher Cut was originally designed in 1902 by Joseph Asscher. It is a stepped square cut, like an emerald cut, with cropped corners. This Asscher Cut is considered to be one of the most beautiful diamond cuts ever created.
You can expect to pay a 10-20% premium for Royal Asscher cut diamonds, but they really need to be seen in person to be appreciated.
The Royal Asscher name guarantees quality, authenticity, excellence and craftsmanship, thus a Royal Asscher diamond is an heirloom diamond to treasure… as diamonds should be.

Men's Wedding Bands

Traditionally, men’s wedding bands take the form of plain round wide bands, unlike women’s, which are embellished with diamonds and other gems. However, men's round wedding bands are so yesterday, square wedding bands have a distinct macho look about them. These bands are squared on the outside and rounded on the inside for a comfortable and snug fit around the finger.

Nowadays, these square wedding bands can also be designed with diamonds, or particularly Lighthouse shaped diamonds- to potrays masculinity, and kept for an heirloom.

Gold as investment

Gold, of all the precious metal, is the most popular as an investment. Gold throughout history has been used as money, and therefore, instead of gold having a fixed price, other goods and services had been priced in relation to a proportional & compatible quantity of gold per economic region.

Today, like all investments and commodities, the price of gold is ultimately driven by supply and demand. The price of gold is mostly affected by these factors:
Bank failures, Low or negative real interest rates, and War, invasion, looting, crisis.

Investing Gold can be done traditionally through gold bars and gold coins, or nowadays through Exchange-Traded funds and Derivatives. In most Swiss Bank, gold can be instantly bought or sold in accounts just like any foreign currency. BullionVault is operating under the same principle.

As of November 16th, 2009, Gold has reached an all time high of US $1,133 an ounce.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_as_an_investment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_investing_in_gold

The Right Hand Ring

Who says a woman needs a man to buy her a diamond ring?

In fall 2003, the Diamond Trading Company, a subsidiary of diamond king De Beers, launched an ad campaign for the right-hand ring trend with such tag lines as "Your left hand lives for love. Your right hand lives for the moment," and "Your left hand declares your commitment. Your right hand is a declaration of independence."

De Beers launched its “Right-Hand-Ring” campaign targeting women with enough money to indulge themselves in fine jewelry without waiting for a man to do it. On one hand, they insist that women be authoritative in getting what they want, recognize the independent parts of themselves, and celebrate their femininity. On the other hand, there is the implication that in order to celebrate your womanhood in this way, you must already fit a certain standard of woman: “your left hand rocks the cradle”, “your left hand celebrates the day you were married”, “your left hand says ‘we’”, “your left hand says you’re taken”, “your left hand believes in shining armor”. In some of the advertisements, the model’s wedding band is displayed as her left hand is folded demurely in her lap or resting on a table. De Beers is clearly defining “women of the world” to mean romantic, married, heterosexual mothers with enough disposable income to indulge oneself in diamonds. Furthermore, De Beers’ Ameri-centric slogan “women of the world, raise your right hand” directly contradicts itself: many Jews, Muslims, and Orthodox Christians wear wedding bands on the right hand, as do citizens of India, Spain, Venezuela, Germany, Russia, and most of Eastern Europe. After digesting all of this, remember that Da Beers means this ad campaign to be one that empowers women.

39-Carat "Evening Star" D, VVS1 [Christie's]

According to recent news release from Christie's, this one of a kind 39-carat Pear Shaped Diamond Pendant will be on "Magnificent Jewels from a Distinguished Private Collector"auction on December 10, 2009 at Rockefeller Plaza, NYC. Originating from India's ancient Golconda mines, where the diamonds are known as 'diamonds of the first water,' meaning diamonds having a water-clear transparency, with soft, luminescent quality, this "Evening Star" is GIA certified (report #10542785 dated 17 October 2009) for D color, VVS1 clarity with an indicating working diagram that the clarity may be potentially internally flawless.

The value of this diamond is estimated between 3.6 million to 5.5 million. Along in this single owner collection of 10 jewels, the accompanying necklace that the owner often wears this pendant with, is on sale. That necklace, consists of 68 graduated pear-shaped diamonds and has an estimated value of $400,000 to $600,000, is being offered separately. Both pendant and necklace is gorgeously mounted in platinum.

If a collecter desires to complete the set, the auction also includes a matching pair of diamond ear pendants, with two pear-shaped, D-color diamonds of 10.21 and 10.51 carats estimated to fetch $1.7 million to $2.5 million, respectively. The earrings which are also type IIa stones are estimated to bring in $1.7 million to $2.5 million.

Let Your Diamond Tells Your Story

Every diamond is unique. Each diamonds has its own characteristics. Professionals refer it as the famous 4C of diamonds: the Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. These characteristics define the diamond and set its price. Even though there are two diamonds GIA certified as 1.00ct Round shaped, D color, VVS1 clarity- diamonds; They are still different from each other.

If you want to learn more about a diamond in choosing your wedding ring, be sure to consult a G.G. A graduate gemologist, or G.G., is someone who is thoroughly trained by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in all diamond, gemstone, and pearl types.

Moreover, when you choose your diamond, think of the future. A Diamond is best when it is handed down from one generation to the next. So, do not be cheap in buying the diamond. Start your family's heirloom collection. A diamond is Forever.