Whiteflash Diamonds posterous

Dear Whiteflash Sales Team,

I just had to write you and let you know how much I love my engagement ring! Dustin proposed last weekend and it was amazing- I hadn't seen the ring at all (or any of the pics) since I last talked with you, so it was a total surprise what it looked like. The diamond is GORGEOUS- really, it is stunning. It sparkles like crazy and has so much fire- it is just putting out color all over the place. I am so happy with the whole ring, and still can't believe we got so much quality for such a great price! You were so helpful throughout the whole process, and I cannot thank you enough. Whiteflash is an amazing company and I will tell everyone that I know to go to you for their engagement purchases. 

The I color is fantastic (I really can't notice any tinge of color- it's more a slight warmth at times in certain lighting- otherwise, it looks icy white in most lighting), and I am really enjoying the flouro. I also do not mind the inclusion at all- I can hardly ever see it, and only when I am staring at the diamond from a distance of 2-3 inches away from my eyes (and even then I have to squint my eyes to see it). The diamond setting is gorgeous too- it really displays the diamond in a great way without being too high that I knock it on various things. I still think I might eventually take you up on the offer to shave the prongs if I want a wedding band to sit flush, but maybe I should try on a few before I decide if it's worth it. The whole ring is just elegant and classic- I couldn't ask for anything more!

Again, thanks SOOOOOO much for all of your help- you were constantly attentive and helpful. I have never had such wonderful customer service. Thanks for all that you did to make this ring and proposal so spectacular!

All the best to you always,

Kate

When you're looking for an engagement ring, there are things that you have to consider. Sure, cost is important, but there are things that matter more than money. Will your fiancé love the ring? Is it the right style, size, and shape? What kind of wedding band will it go with? These questions and thousands more are important.

It's also important, however much you pay for the ring, that you get your money's worth. The only way you can really do that is if you understand some things about diamond engagement rings. The ring itself is not that costly. It is the diamond that raises the price, and if you don't know what you're buying you could end up getting cheated. You really can't just pick out something that looks pretty. It's much better to find something that is right for your budget and right for the hand of the lady that you love.

It may seem unromantic to shop for that ring together, but then you'll be certain that you purchase what she really loves.

Dear Whiteflash Sales Team,

Everything went just as planned this weekend - Allison and I couldn't be happier.  She, and everyone she meets, loves the engagement ring. It's even better than what she had in mind.  She can't get over how graceful the setting is and how beautiful the diamonds are - neither can I. I'd like to thank you and everyone else who helped get this order together.  Every step throughout the purchase was made easy, friendly, and professional.  I'll make sure to spread the word about my wonderful experience with you and Whiteflash.

Many thanks and all the best,

Patrick

Using a combination of 18 carat gold and 10 carat diamonds, the handmade jewelry pieces exemplify Spanish passion.  According to Nathalie Guedj, CEO of Carrera Y Carrea, “This trio of collections—Sol y Sombra, Te Quiero and Ava draw inspiration from Ava Gardner…the quintessence of feminine beauty and of her love affair with Spain.”  Gardner, who lived in Madrid for several years in the 1950s, influenced the collection and its theme of “Love of Life”. 

The Ava Collection includes a necklace of white and yellow gold with diamonds designed in a crescent shape and holding a circular pendant.  The white gold arch is encrusted with pave diamonds, and the yellow gold is decorated with a delicate floral motif.  This piece has a matching set of reversible hoop earrings, one in white gold and the other in yellow gold, and a matching bracelet as well.  A set of white gold rings are also included in this collection, in Carrera Y Carrera’s well-known sun motif, studded with rose and white brilliant-cut diamonds. The sun motif carries to reversible white gold pendants strung on double chains.

The Sol y Sombra collection is intended to capture the mood of the afternoon sun in a bullfighting ring.  The signature sun motif recurs here on rings and pendants in white and yellow gold studded with diamonds.  This more casual collection is designed for everyday wear. 

Te Quiero features Carrera Y Carrera’s ‘giraffe’ motif.  It is meant to express Gardner’s sweetness and love of life.  Included in the collection are rings of white and yellow gold with diamonds and smoked quartz, and necklaces and bracelets of yellow gold and diamonds.  This collection is designed for the young, or young at heart. 

Carrera Y Carrera first introduced these collections in 2007, but is using them as their masterpieces to launch the new boutique in Dubai. 

Made of 22-karat gold, the phone has a jewelry-like finish that makes it as much a fashion accessory as it is a practical phone and internet device.  The Apple logo is made with 53 VVS1 diamonds, adding a further element of luxury. 

On the practical side, the solid gold iPhone 3G has the same features as the original 3G device: 16GB memory, WLAN 802.11b/g, 320x480 touchscreen, Bluetooth, 2 megapixel camera, and microphone.  It allows for 10 hours of talk time and will stay charged in standby mode for 300 hours. 

Even the case for the phone is extreme.  It, too, is made of 22-karat solid gold and has 53 VVS1 diamonds to create the Apple logo.  The phone is also designed to support every network in the world, so it can go anywhere and do almost anything.  It is truly a gadget-lover’s dream.  The dream, however, costs almost $35,000, and that doesn’t include service.

Having donated proceeds from her previous work to breast cancer research, Behnam finally decided to create her own business that would benefit different types of cancer.  She says that, “My vision of this name and this idea was that it’s global.  Cancer is something that affects everybody.”

One of the important aspects of Behnam’s collections is that she plans to design for varying markets.  “We want to create something accessible to everyone,” she says.  “Everyone buys diamond jewelry.  To be doing that and giving to a good cause is what we want to promote.”

A veteran of the jewelry industry for 25 years, she divides her work into two collections. The “Symbolic Collection” features diamond rings, diamond earrings, and diamond pendants ranging in price from $299 to more than $2,000.  The “Red Carpet Collection” displays one-of-a-kind pieces and couture designs.

Although the line was released only in March, Diamonds For A Cure is already becoming popular with the rich and famous.  Celebrities ranging from country singer Reba McIntire to Paula Abdul to the young cast of the new “90210” series are wearing DFAC pieces.  Behnam hopes that the general public will become aware of her work soon.  Having celebrities showing it off has been a good start to achieving a known brand name.

Says Behnam of her work: “This is all very close to my heart.  Right now, my biggest dream would be to see cancer eradicated, and Stand Up To Cancer has that vision.”

No one embodied this more than Madonna, who was dressed in a 1980s throw-back blue Marc Jacobs ruched mini-dress with a puffy skirt, thigh-high black boots, jeweled fingerless gloves, and an inexplicable teal hair piece.  While her attire brought us back to her 19802 “boy toy” days, her jewelry was very much fashion-forward.  Although she is now a practicing Kabbalist, Madonna wore Anna Hu’s “Edelweiss” diamond cross, D color diamonds, at about 6 carats.  She also wore Hu’s “Icy Grapes” earrings, made of natural-colored sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds, at about 28 carats with pear-shaped drop emeralds.  Both pieces are from Anna Hu’s Giverny Garden Collection. 

Also showing off their jewels—borrowed or not—at the annual event were Jessica Biel, in diamond drop earrings; Rihanna, in amazing diamond studs; and Jessica Alba, wearing pear-shaped emerald drops surrounded by diamonds.  Other celebrities in attendance were designer Stella McCartney, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, Kate Bosworth, Victoria Beckham, and Tyra Banks.

This year’s event was hosted Justin Timberlake, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs and Anna Wintour, who worked together to choose the theme for this year’s annual fund-raiser for the charity.  With only 700 tickets available for $6,500 each, all proceeds go to maintaining the museum’s very popular costume collection.  With no permanent them, the museum, instead, chooses a particular designer or era to feature with each exhibition.

I wanted to share my genuine “A Cut Above” (ACA) hearts and arrows diamond baby! He lights up the room with his ‘beyond brilliant’ light performance.

If you think you have a flaw, this baby Diamond shows you don’t have one at all.

Babies are as unique and precious as the most priceless diamond.

I’ll confess: I have an online shopping habit. I’ve spent many an evening pouring over the pages of zappos.com while sipping chardonnay. Too many sips, and 4-5 business days later I end up with some really peculiar and definitely impractical shoes delivered right to my front door. This is why I only drink-and-shop in cyber-stores that offer free shipping and have a very relaxed return policy. My husband has the male version of an internet shopping fetish, which drove him to impulse-purchase a new car on EBay a couple years ago. This is not that unusual in and of itself, but the thing that made it interesting was that the car was located several states away from us. This required him to buy two very expensive airplane tickets for us to pick up his great bargain and drive it all the way home. Practical? Not so much. But he gets points for spontaneity.

Given this spotty family history, you may be wondering if you should really seek guidance from me about shopping online for an item as significant as a diamond. Here are two reasons to heed my advice: 1. I did extensive research on the topic, in order to make the process a little bit easier for you (I hope), and 2. I haven’t had any chardonnay today…yet. So here are a few tips and resources to help make your diamond buying experience rewarding and safe. If you navigate the web wisely, you will be able to purchase your ideal ring at an excellent price.

Be an informed customer
Consider getting a guide book such as The Diamond Ring Buyer’s Guide before you shop. The more you know about the four C’s, the grading scale and certification process, the better equipped you will be to get the best bling for your buck.

Comparison Shop
Search various online retailers in order to get an idea of what a fair price for your gem should be. Helpful comparison tools include the "build your ring" and "compare diamond rings" features that most online stores offer. They should give you free quotes (if they don’t, look elsewhere) without any obligation to buy. Many sites allow you to save your comparison rings so that you can consider several options at once.

Reputation Matters
Shop with an online jeweler who has an established reputation for good business practice (one way to check on this is to make sure that they have a satisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau). I recommend Whiteflash.com, which is the largest online retailer of certified diamonds and is consistently rated highly by customers and media publications. Whiteflash, and other highly regarded online jewelers like it, can often offer you prices that are as close to wholesale as you’ll get anywhere. Make sure that whatever company you choose offers at least a money back guarantee. They also must provide you with a GIA loose diamond grading certificate or equivalent for your diamond.

More Tips
Click here for more tips on buying a diamond, either online or in person.

Happy Hunting!

Debi