Diamond Rings - 3 Quick Tips to Avoid Paying Too Much

Most of us are true novices when it comes to shopping for diamond rings and other jewelry. There’s a lot that goes into the process of evaluating the relative worth of diamonds, primarily centered around what are called the ‘4 C’s’ (clarity, cut, color, carat-weight). Unless you’ve bought a number of diamonds, chances are you’re more or less clueless. That’s certainly a common occurrence, so don’t feel bad!

Here are three easily remembered tips for the next time diamond ring shopping confronts you. Print this out or jot them down and keep in your wallet or purse. Assuming you remember you did so when the moment arrives, you’ll be armed with the basic knowledge necessary to avoid being taken to the cleaners by a clever jewelry shop salesperson.

Tip #1 - Always Get a Guarantee

This is a must. Never ever, under any circumstances, take the word of a diamond jewelry “expert” in a store on the value of a diamond (loose or in a setting). The shifty ones prey on excited customers who are novices and, thus, prone to making impulse purchases. Even if the seller offers official-looking paperwork as proof of the diamond’s quality, demand an ironclad written guarantee. If they balk, leave and shop elsewhere.

Tip #2 - Don’t Let Size Decide

If there’s one enduring myth about buying diamond rings and other jewelry, it’s that big diamonds are always worth more. In fact, the exact opposite is often true! Remember the ‘4 C’s’ mentioned earlier. Carat-weight is just one of four. A simple example will suffice to illustrate this point. If you have the choice between a large diamond that rates lower on clarity and color than one with the same cut that’s smaller but has a higher rating on clarity and color, choose the smaller option. The overall quality of the smaller diamond almost always makes it worth more as a long-term investment than the lesser quality big one. The bottom line: only let carat-weight decide if the clarity and color of two diamonds are identical (or at least very close).

Tip #3 - Ignore the Ring

This one trips up a lot of impulse buyers who fall in love with the ring setting, to the point of virtually ignoring the diamond it holds. If you remember one simple fact, you might be able to keep a rein on your emotions: diamonds are forever; settings can be changed easily. Don’t let the ring itself distract you from the primary concern, which is the quality and long-term value of the diamond that the ring merely holds in place.

Of course, at the end of the day, you have to really love what you’re buying. If you see a diamond ring you just have to have, you can ignore all of this and go for it. If you have the monetary means, why not, right? But, for the vast majority of us, following the simple tips outlined above will prevent a disaster in the making. Good luck!

© John Schwartz (all rights reserved)

John Schwartz is a freelance writer and website publisher. For more information and tips on diamond rings and other jewelry, visit his site at http://www.diamond-rings-1.com today.

Wristwatches from Timex

Timex Corporation is a great and established manufacturer of wristwatches and was founded in 1854 as “Watebury Clock”, settled in the Naugatuck Valley (Connecticut, USA). During the nineteenth century the Valley was well-known for its various resident watch manufacturers and accordingly for a long time well-known as the “Switzerland of America”. Nowadays the Timex Group B.V. is owned by the Fred Olsen & Co Group and a big part of Timex Group USA, Incorporated.

Creating the first Mickey Mouse watch in history

In 1880 Waterbury gained its first big success when they developed an economically priced mechanical pocket wristwatch. Wristwatches became popular in North America in the early years of the 20th century and Waterbury also followed this trend. In 1933, they manufactured a special product: Licensed by Walt Disney himself, Waterbury made the first Mickey Mouse wrist watch in history. The comic star’s hands pointed at the time.

Promotional slogan "it keeps on ticking"

It was 1950 when the name of the company changed. The wristwatches wrist watches have been sold since this date under the new name “Timex”. A specific characteristic trait of Timex were their so called “torture tests”. Watches were encountered in extreme situations to prove their promotional slogan “it keeps on ticking”.

In the following three decades, Timex tried to expand their portfolio step by step. In the 1980s, for example, Timex joined the home computer market and produced computers like the famous “Timex Sinclair 100”. After this short experience, the company decided that they can’t compete with their contestants in this market yet and withdrew.

Nonetheless, during the 1970s and 1980s Timex became a huge and well-known brand in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. Furthermore, Timex is also worldwide known for their high quality wrist watches. Additional to its regular wristwatches, the Group manufactures a series of “PDA type watches” called “Timex Datalink” as well. In addition to that, Timex develops GPS active watches and related high tech equipment.

Headquarters in Europe, North America and Asia

These days, Timex has about 5.500 employees on impressive four continents. The Timex Group USA has sold nearly one billion of its watches worldwide. Since its foundation the products of the Timex Group are manufactured mainly in Asia and Switzerland. The technology of its watches is developed in Germany and in the United States. Timex has headquarters in various countries in Europe, North America and Asia. Men watches

Wrist Watches - Short Summary of the History

From pocket watch to a fashion accessory. What was once, in the earliest years of portable watches, considered to be unsuitable for gentlemen and only for women, has grown nowadays into a fashion utensil that everybody has. In the meantime, the wristwatch is no longer only a tool to tell which time it is. It is a designer piece and can indicate much more than the time.

A great deal of mechanics in a small housing

The first verifiable portable timepiece was constructed in 1500. This was not a wrist watch, but more of a pocket watch. Through technical advance, which made it possible for people to house mechanics in an progressively smaller space, the necessary components of the clockworks were able to be brought into a manageable form. In this way, the first pocket watch was born, which at the time was still the size of an egg.

The computerized wrist watch from Japan

A entirely different wristwatch came onto the market in the 1970’s from Japan, which had developed its own watch industry. The new watch from Japan was no more set on a mechanical basis, but on a computerized control. This wristwatch extended its range of capacity quickly. The watch no more just showed the time. The small timepiece on the wrist now also knew the date, the day of the week and even knew whether a leap year was involved.

The wristwatch as jewelry

Today, the wrist watch is much more than a watch. The wristwatch has turn into a fashion accessory. Wrist watches come in all colors and shapes thinkable. One can also get compatible watches from every fashion collection. The current watches are dominated by the correct fashion trends. Despite these various styles, there is something for every taste. The small watches, which need spectacles to tell the time, and the extravagant large watches, which make it hard to walk upright. By all means, one thing is certain: science is still likely to make so much advancement - that the wristwatch will be found on the wrists of people for a long time, to answer the question as to what time it is.

A New and Innovative Jeweler - Hot Diamonds

Today, those who love diamonds have many more options when choosing a diamond, whether it be for themselves or for others. All different kinds of diamonds have come to saturate the market. They come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Diamonds come in a variety of colors but the most sought after hues are vibrant reds, indigo blues, yellows and greens. jewellery that is highly admired and wanted since the ancient times of India is the Diamonds.


Diamonds carry with them an element of emotion and sentiment. Men and women alike enjoy them. Many people believe that diamonds symbolically represent love. And that’s not all they add to you charm and aura by giving you a special feeling. Consumers can choose from different jewellery types in diamond products like rings, earrings, bracelets, bands, pendants, necklaces and more. Advances in technology has resulted in diamonds combined with other gems such as gold, rubys and pearls. This will add to it’s aura and charisma. If love birds and couples need a perfect gift, diamonds are the perfect option. As far as diamonds go, rings are the most common setting for jewellery.


Hot Diamonds brand which came on the scene in 2001 is a standout amongst innovative diamond jewelers in the United Kingdom. At hot diamonds we feature a wide stunning collection of sterling silver and diamond jewellery to fit every taste, desire and want. The jewellery designer was an instant sensation and quickly became the most successful jewellery brand in the UK, a position it has maintained for over 6 years.

Hot Diamond is spread across 1500 stores in UK ranging from major department stores to local street jewellery retailers.


Courtesy of Hot Diamonds Jewellery your guide to Hot Diamonds. Other resources:
Diamond jewellery - The diamond specialist review.

When the Optician Talks about Pupillary Distance - What Are They Referring to?

You may have met the notion that yoυr pupilarү distance (PD) іs tһe space between the centres (pupils) οf each οf yοur eyөs, meaѕured in millimeters. Your pupillary distance mөasurement is applied when wө look at a lenѕ ωith your prescгiption and сustomise іt in order for it to Ьoth fits youг fraмe in addition to yοu. To bө operational, а lөns will be required to Ьe cut so the centгe іs directΙy in front of your рupil. Without yοur PD we hаve no notion wherө that point іs foг yoυ and as the diagram below shoωs, everүbody іs different. Your pupillary distance may be provіded in less than an hour Ьy your optіcian or eye doctor, and so ωe strongly recommend that yοu enquire for it ωhen yοu have your eyes tested. Alternatively, үou maү also cһoose to usө an аverage PD , which is supplied fοr you as а dөfault when placing an order.

Go to this website to find out more details about how to order your glasses online
While your contact lenѕ and eyeglasses prescriptions maү seem the same, they usually һave differences. Yoυ must һave үour eyөs tested аnd а prescriрtion issued for uѕe with spectacles, which іs Ιess thаn 2 yөars old, bөfore ordөring your eyeglasses online with us either now or in the near future

Body jewelry design

Body piercing has become so common that it almost ceases to be a rebellious act. It used to be that only punk rockers and super cool kids had any sort of body piercing. Regular folks only had pierced ears, if that. Now it is very common to see people of all ages with their eyebrows, tongues, lips, cheeks or belly buttons pierced. For this reason, body jewelry design is always evolving and changing.
Body jewelry design greatly differs depending on the area of the body that the jewelry is worn. Belly body jewelry is much bigger and flashier than jewelry designed for eyebrows or lips. It is not uncommon to see a woman with a gemstone at the top of her belly button piercing and another shiny object hanging down inside her belly button. They have gem stones as well as different shapes and designs, even animals. Most of the jewelry worn in and around the face is your standard stud or gemstone. People also wear small rings in their noses, eyebrows or lip piercing. Sometimes you will see colored balls instead of metal studs. Really, almost any design color or material you can imagine can be worn as body jewelry. Plain old earrings are still popular, but body jewelry is catching up.