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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.

Snake jewelry has been hot in Hollywood for years now, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. We’ve spotted snake necklaces, snake rings, snake earrings, and snake bracelets on the hottest celebrities, from Madonna to Rihanna. This style is worn by women of all ages, and by movie stars, singers, burlesque models, and celebutantes….the real question may be who isn’t wearing snake jewelry?! Many jewelers started a collection of snake jewelry a few years ago, after we spotted Madonna wearing a charming snake necklace. We knew we were on to something big when we found pictures of Britney Spears wearing an almost identical snake necklace!

Once we knew what we were looking for, we realized that all kinds of celebrities were rocking the snake bling. Kate Walsh and Amanda Bynes have both been spotted wearing versions of the silver snake necklaces that we saw on Madonna and Britney, but other stars are enjoying snake rings, snake bracelets, and snake earrings.

Designer snake bracelets are a hot commodity in Hollywood, showing up on the likes of Paris Hilton and Dita Von Teese. The designs vary from a single snake, looped once around the wrist, to twisted clusters of snakes that form thick cuff bracelets.

Emitations has a variety of snake bracelets, from designer inspired cuff snake bracelets to stretchy, plus size friendly snake bracelets. No matter which style you prefer, we have the faux version for much less than the originals worn by the stars!

We also have love the sexy snake earrings just like those worn by celebs - from long, dangling, diamond studded snake earrings to lever back coiled snake earrings. The most popular snake jewelry trend might not be snake necklaces, snake bracelets, or snake earrings, though. The hottest leading ladies in Hollywood have been sporting some serious bling, in the form of snake rings!

Former wild child Angelina Jolie was ahead of the snake ring trend, wearing a gold snake ring back in 2004. Since then, we’ve seen similar snake rings on other members of the celebrity elite. Supermodel Heidi Klum has a diamond studded snake ring, and Mary-Kate Olsen has a canary and gold snake ring. The ever-popular Jessica Alba even wore multiple gold snake rings to the 2007 Kid’s Choice Awards!

Snake rings are often a bit more subtle than snake necklaces, snake bracelets, and snake earrings. A snake ring can be thin, and the shape lends itself to being wrapped around your little finger. Snake rings are perfect as cocktail rings or right hand rings, so be sure to shop our entire collection of snake rings today!

Don’t forget the new styles in diamond snake accessories, though - twisty metal snake coil necklaces that double as bracelets. The flexible metal snake necklaces are fun, funky, and totally unique. The long, bendable metal snake coil necklaces can be layered, doubled up, or even tripled on your wrist. You can wear a metal snake necklace it as one long strand, or twist it into an abstract shape.

Jewelers has been having lots of fun with the metal snake necklaces, wearing them as thick bracelets, twirled necklaces, and even twisty crowns. Celebrities have been enjoying the metal snake coil necklace trend, also - we’ve seen Hilary Duff wearing one looped around as a necklace, and Rihanna has worn them as intriguing bracelets. Contestants on America’s Next Top Model even wore them for a gladiator inspired photo shoot!

If you’re looking for snake jewelry that will attract attention, and give you tons of looks with just one purchase, our twisted metal snake necklaces are the perfect choice. If you tend to play with your hair or fidget, we suggest trying one of these necklaces on for size. You can occupy your hands by twisting and rotating the jewelry - trust us, its fun!

Many designers have recently expanded our collection of accessories to include clutch purses, handbags, baguette purses, and diamond wristlets. Some of our most popular styles have been - you guessed it - faux snakeskin purses! Chic black, sophisticated tan, and fresh black and white snakeskin purses are favorites of stars like Blake Lively and Hilary Duff. Bright colors have also been spotted, like Whitney Port’s rich green snakeskin bag, or Cameron Diaz’s vibrant orange snake print purse. Shimmery metallic snakeskin purses are in the hands of some of Hollywood’s hottest, like Eva Mendes and Hayden Panettiere.

Since animal cruelty is definitely not in fashion, many celebrities prefer to carry faux snakeskin purses instead of the real thing. That makes it even easier for you to steal their look for less! Many retailers an incredible collection of faux snake print purses, fake snakeskin handbags, and imitation snake skin clutches.

Snake jewelry is best worn in small doses, so try pairing a snake necklace with a matching pair of snake earrings. Or, rock a snake bracelet on each wrist, for a double shot of snake style. For an ultra-chic, high fashion look, wear a metal snake necklace and carry a snake print purse. Not sure what snake jewelry is right for you? Look to your favorite celebrity, and then shop their style at Whiteflash!

It's always so impressive when the guys come up with some brilliant unique find. It shows you're thinking about the details that would make your wedding day creative and thoughtful.

So, boys, let me help you out with a fashion tip:

Check out this jewelry shop, Whiteflash.com

With hundreds of gorgeous pieces of men’s fine jewelry; there's definitely something that would fit your wedding theme. Or better yet, create your theme from jewelry of your choosing...[nudge, nudge!]

Simply stated, Whiteflash is the premier brand in the design and manufacture of cotemporary metal jewelry. In addition to providing the largest selection of men’s fine jewelry, Whiteflash carries the Edward Mirell brand which represents American manufacturing at its very best. Edward Mirell, since 2004, has attained the enviable status as offering the “best jewelry” in contemporary metals. The brand has established a leadership role in design, the enormous commitment to men’s classic styles as well as designer and fashion forward appeal.

Yes, I'm looking out for you guys!

Attending the jewelry icon’s anniversary party were Kate Hudson, Justin Timberlake, Russell Simmons, and Demi Moore.  Moore had also spoken earlier in the day at a press conference, announcing the partnership between Cartier, Bruce Weber and ServiceNation.  Moore had stated that, “A combination of…ServiceNation that is, I believe, really trying to make a change and create a culture of service, and…Cartier, which clearly has, at its 100th year, and incredible, lasting legacy…to create an awareness for something profound as giving back to one another, I feel honored to be here.”

Russell Simmons, who has created his own organization to try to encourage young Americans to serve and care for their planet, was also in attendance, giving his approval to any organization that is trying to improve the world and how people view themselves as part of it.

Other celebrities were there, sporting their best Cartier diamond jewelry.  Kate Hudson, when asked what Cartier means to her, pulled on her diamond necklace and said, “This.”  Eva Mendes and Rachel Weisz were in Cartier diamonds, although they were on loan for the event.  Both actresses said that Cartier is more than just diamond jewelry.

According to Mendes, “It’s not so much for the jewels, it’s because Cartier has a heart…they continue to give and support all different kinds of charities and charitable organizations.”  Weisz added that, “I have a big bunch of Cartier bangles with many, many diamonds and this is my Cartier Love Bracelet for my charity, the Constant Gardener Trust…educating kids in northern Kenya.”

Cartier is also marking its 100th American birthday with an exhibition of 100 one-of-a-kind pieces called thee Cartier Collection.  They will be featured alongside pieces loaned from private collections.  It is on display at Cartier’s Fifth Avenue Mansion through May 21st, when it moves to its Beverly Hills location.

For bachelors like John Heywood, now’s the time to pop the question.

Whether it’s the $50,000 5-carat marquise set in platinum, down 25 percent from two years ago, or the Amazon.com variety with a twinge of yellow that’s going for $89.99, diamond prices are the lowest in five years.

“I’ve got a budget of about 6,000 pounds ($8,870) and want to see how far I can stretch that,” said Heywood, a 32-year-old salesman, as he studied the window displays on Hatton Garden, London’s diamond-shopping center and the setting for “Snatch,” the 2000 gem-heist film by Guy Ritchie. “I’m happy to see some shops offering discounts.”

The $65 billion global diamond market is reeling. The price of polished gems dropped by an average of 31 percent since an August peak as the worst recession since World War II deterred buyers of luxury items like diamond necklaces and diamond earrings, according to diamond data company PolishedPrices. Antwerp, the world’s biggest gem trading hub, has seen exports drop as much as a third. De Beers, the largest diamond producer, slashed output by 91 percent.

“People are not buying earrings, bracelets, things they can do without if they want to tighten their belts,” said Joe Boll, 36, owner of JP Diamonds on Hatton Gardens, which opened about six months ago. “They are still buying rings for weddings, engagement.”

$50,000 Budget

The slump is good news for buyers. Katherine Huang, a Boston-based consultant to jewelry buyers, said she helped a client from California with a $50,000 budget find a ring in December for $38,000 with a bigger diamond than he anticipated.

Rings with 3- to 5-carat diamonds of VF2 clarity and G color -- meaning they have no visible faults and are almost colorless -- have dropped in price by as much as a quarter in two years, she said.

“Go for the larger stones, because the discount is greater,” she advises.

Wholesale diamond prices have dropped about 20 percent to 25 percent from their highs around June last year, according to U.S. Internet jewelry retailer Whiteflash.com, which gets about 70 percent of its sales from diamond engagement rings. The average price of an engagement ring in the U.S. was $3,200 last year, Chief Executive Officer Diane Irvine said.

At the cheapest end of the market, Internet retailer Amazon.com Inc. is selling a platinum ring with a 0.5-carat diamond for $1,675, down from a list price of $3,425. The gem’s clarity is SI1 or SI2, meaning there are slight defects that normally can’t be seen by the naked eye.

Retailers Suffer

Jewelry retailers are suffering as buyers stay away or hang on for a discount. Signet Jewelers Ltd., the world’s largest jewelry-store owner, posted a fourth-quarter loss of $424 million after writing down the value of assets. Tiffany & Co., the world’s second-biggest retailer of luxury jewelry, posted a 76 percent drop in fourth-quarter net income.

About 15 percent of jewelry shops in the U.S. closed last year, Paramus, New Jersey-based watchmaker Movado Group Inc. said in April. Irving, Texas-based Zale Corp., the biggest U.S. jewelry chain, said in February it will close 115 stores.

Internet retailers and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are aiming to undercut the remaining stores. Web sites make it easier to compare prices. Heywood, the shopper in London, said he’s been using Blue Nile to research prices before heading to the shops.

For some, engagement rings are the bright spot.

“People are still getting married, thank God,” said George Katz, 78, who has been in his family’s jewelry business in Hatton Garden for 50 years, mostly selling diamond rings. “Stable is good, considering how much worse things could be in light of what’s going on in the economy.”

As millions of Americans struggle to pay their monthly bills, the word on Main Street is that this is no time for the affluent to be showing off with flashy cars and lavish jewels.

But over in Hollywood, the show does goes on, with the biggest stars of movie and TV dressing up in diamonds and gemstones for the winter awards season, thus providing that window into the glamorous life the public so craves.

Fears that the economy might inspire drab attire and pared-down accouterments at shows such as the 81st Annual Academy Awards, 66th Annual Golden Globes and the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards proved to be unfounded, with color and flash out in full force.

Pulled-back hair, fishtail-style gowns and classic diamond jewelry were among the style hallmarks of the Oscars, with Hollywood's leading ladies forgoing potential fashion risks and instead turning to elegant, sophisticated looks. In terms of jewelry, the most popular combination appeared to be diamond studs or drop earrings paired with a diamond ring and diamond bracelets at the wrist.

Kate Winslet, who snagged the Best Actress award, accepted her Oscar in a Chopard bracelet featuring 117 carats of multi-cut diamonds, which she paired with pear-shaped diamond cluster earrings in platinum and a diamond ring.

At the Globes, statement necklaces made a major appearance. Actress and singer-songwriter Beyonce donned a dazzling Lorraine Schwartz platinum loop necklace featuring a whopping 200 carats of diamonds, and Eva Mendes sported a much-talked-about collar-style turquoise and diamond necklace from Van Cleef and Arpels. Meanwhile, at the SAG Awards, diamonds falling all at once from the ears, neck and wrist proved ubiquitous, with actress Christina Applegate serving as a prime example by wearing looped diamonds-by-the-yard necklaces, stacked diamond bangle bracelets and drop-style diamond hoops, all by Lorraine Schwartz.
 
Michael O'Connor, a style expert and consultant for Platinum Guild International USA, says the stars excelled in playing the roles that they know best: being celebrities.

"A lot of people asked [prior to the shows] if the mood was going to be more somber, and my thought on that is that people don't go to the movies to live in their own reality, and they don't watch any awards shows to be in their own reality," he says. "I believe that if Hollywood did not dress up and really look glam, they were not doing their job, which is helping to alleviate people's reality and the stress of everyday life."

Andrea Hansen, international communications director for Brazilian jeweler H. Stern, had similar thoughts.

"At the end of the day, do we appreciate [celebrities] for the entertainment they bring or do we want them to emulate us?" she asks. "They have to make good movies; that's what they are paid for. They are not paid to fix the economy."

Hansen says that while a few socially and politically minded celebrities laid low amid the economic downturn (Angelica Huston, for example, skipped the September Emmy Awards, which took place the week Lehman Brothers closed), Hollywood remains relatively insulated, and box-office revenues remain strong, paving the way for business as usual.

Michael Coan, the chair of the jewelry design department at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, says Hollywood has not, historically, dialed down the glamour in tough economic times.
 
"If you look at the 1930s, [the times] couldn't be more depressing than they are now," he says, noting that the era was a heyday for Hollywood glamour. "I think the ostentation is going down, but the elegance is in. Overall, they're going classic, as people do in times of trouble."

Classic diamond jewelry, including studs and small drops, had a strong showing at both the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards.
 
Newcomer Freida Pinto, a breakout star from the film Slumdog Millionaire, wore a bolder look to the Globes, but at the SAG Awards, she donned more traditional diamond designs from Martin Katz: drop earrings, a blue and white crossover ring, and a seven-row bracelet, topped off with a second bracelet in her hair.
 
And some of the shows' biggest winners wore simple diamond looks too, including 30 Rock's Tina Fey, in Judith Ripka stacked diamond bracelets and diamond pendant earrings at the SAGs, and Kate Winslet, who chose Chopard oval-shaped diamond drop earrings and a five-row diamond bracelet for the Globes.

Coan says that celebrities appeared to be most playful with their choice of earrings.

"They're bold, large and oval," he said, calling out a prevalent drop-hoop style at the SAG Awards.

Consumers can easily emulate the bold earring designs, such as those worn by Applegate and the yellow gold and ruby Bochic pair chosen by Jane Krakowski for the SAG Awards, Coan says.

"The outline is very replicable and that's very important to know," he says. "Everything they were wearing in jewelry can be modified to any price point."

And in terms of diamond jewelry, customers may be asking jewelers for lower-carat-weight versions of Hollywood pieces they like, but experts say it's a good time for sales associates to emphasize the idea of "fewer, better things," as promoted in De Beers' 2008 holiday campaign.

"Fashions come and go, but during a recessionary period, what you have to do is invest in pieces that you can mix and match with your outfits to create totally different looks," O'Connor says.

From Hollywood to hockey moms

--Classic diamond jewelry will always be a winner. Emphasize the lasting power and versatility of traditional designs.

--Hoop earrings, from small diamond versions to oversized drop styles, were red-carpet favorites, but lightweight versions offer a big look without the big price tag.

--Style expert Michael O'Connor and H. Stern's Andrea Hansen both call out long chain necklaces, which can be worn in numerous ways: long and simple, layered a few times around the neck or twisted around the wrist.

Diamond necklaces come in several basic styles, which have very different looks and feels. The taste of the wearer can be a factor; both men and women can wear diamond necklaces, although diamond necklaces for women tend to be more common.

There are two basic types of diamond necklaces: pendants and true necklaces. A diamond pendant is a small setting, which hangs from a chain. True necklaces can be made in a variety of ways; with the key distinction being that the setting is not free hanging, like a pendant.

Diamonds are available in the form of chokers, collars, and chains, which can be fabricated in a variety of styles. A true necklace tends to be more expensive, because it requires more stones, since the stones are often set all the way around the necklace, rather than just being present in a pendant.

There have been many different styles of diamond necklaces that have been popular over the years. Recently, the most popular style of diamond necklace has been the Journey diamond necklace. Journey necklaces have a meaning similar to the three stone "Past, Present, and Future”. The Journey jewelry line uses a series of diamonds that gradually get larger to show how your love grows over the years.

The 4cs of diamond, which must be present in every diamond necklace, are cut, color, and clarity and carat weight. Therefore, before buying diamond necklace, which truly shines, it is necessary to carefully consider these four characteristics. These diamond necklaces enhance the beauty of the wearer.

Reflecting unique flavor of fashion and style, the diamond pendants are gaining immense popularity in the fashion industry. Diamond necklaces are becoming more and more popular now a days among girls and women. The main reason for this is that they are becoming very trendy and fashionable.

Author suggests to you purchase best n latest diamond jewelry like diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and many more.

Cut, size, shape and clarity are all important characteristics to consider when purchasing a diamond. But have you ever given much to where a diamond comes from? I am referring to the origin from which your diamond is mined. Diamonds are a hot commodity, and while they are the worlds most sought after gemstone for the durability and beauty, they are often mined in some of the most volatile, ugly environments on Earth.

Have you seen the movie "Blood Diamond?" This movie details the origin of many diamonds, blood diamonds (also referred to conflict diamonds), which are for sale in the United States and across the world. A blood diamond is a diamond that is mined in African (or other) war zones, which are then sold to fund wars and conflicts and to make money for warlords and diamond companies alike. Aside from being a source of income for warlords, the working conditions in these diamond mines are likened to that of a concentration camp. Not a pretty site for such a beautiful product.

But there is hope! The diamond industry has put very strict system in place for certifying conflict-free diamonds. Diamonds certified by Whiteflash, guarantee that the diamonds are conflict free diamonds. Leaving you free from the worry that your purchase is contributing to a war halfway across the globe.

The other way to purchase a conflict-free gem is to buy from a retailer who adheres to the Kimberly Process guidelines. This is a process that is designed to certify and track diamonds to ensure they have come from a conflict-free zone. Each diamond mined in a conflict-free zone is lasered with a serial number and these numbers are checked at the borders of all participating countries. Many large diamond retailers are now participating in this process making it easier for consumers to find a diamond with a clean history.

If this is all too overwhelming for you and you’d just like to know where you can buy a good, honest diamond, I did a little hunting around on the mywedding.com site and found that one of our nationwide vendor, Whiteflash, guarantees that all of their diamonds are from a conflict-free zone. Blue Nile is listed in the "Jewelry" section of each local city wedding planning guide if you’d like to check them out. Otherwise, just ask your local jeweler the following questions:

• Where do you buy your diamonds and where are they mined?
• Do you participate in the Kimberly Process?

This should cover all of your bases and ensure that your diamond is beautiful inside and out.

So you’ve decided to buy her a diamond ring— congratulations! It isn’t easy making such a large emotional and financial commitment. Before you go ring shopping, it pays to do some research to make sure you know what to look for and what to expect.

Here’s a quick guide to help keep you on track.

1. Determine your budget. Remember, this isn’t the time to make a hasty decision or impulse buy. Think of this ring as Super Bowl tickets. If you had one chance to pick any seat available, you’d pick the best one you could afford. This may mean staying in one night per weekend, but it'll be worth it.  This ring will be on her finger for the rest of her life. Do yourself a favor and make it count!

2. There are many different varieties of engagement rings. One of the most traditional examples is the diamond solitaire. This ring features a band and a single (or solitaire) diamond. This can be a good way to go if you aren’t sure about her jewelry preferences. This option also offers the most diamond for your dollar, size-wise.

3. The four C's: The four most important things to know about a diamond are its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

4. Another thing to consider when buying an engagement ring is whether you’ll also want to purchase a wedding band to go with it. A wedding band is generally a smaller band that is sometimes sold in a set with the engagement ring. Again, this is something you may want to do a little research on before you buy. Talk with your girl. Some women like to have a wedding band while others prefer the engagement ring by itself. 

5. When buying a ring, you’ll want to get the most for your money. Diamond prices vary from store to store as no two diamonds are exactly alike. It pays to do your research and shop around. Go to several of the larger chain stores and price what you want. We then suggest checking out a few online diamond vendors like Whiteflash.com.  Pay them a visit and compare prices. You never know where you're going to find your diamond in the rough.

6. Before you buy, get info on ring insurance. The store that you buy from may have an in-house program or you can find a national company that specializes in insuring engagement rings.

This is an area where you’ll most likely need some help. There are many resources you can turn to for guidance. First and foremost, it's always a good idea to be aware of what type of ring your girl prefers. Knowing her preferences is half the battle. Other people you can seek help with are her best friend, her mother, or if all else fails, one of your groomsmen who has already gone through this process.

Although brick-and-mortar diamond retailers are hurting these days online vendors are staying afloat. Stores such as Finlay's, Shane Co, Whitehall and Fortunoff have closed their doors as diamond sales have frozen in the stale economy. Whiteflash, however, has managed to keep consumers' interest with over 60,000 loose diamonds and hundreds of diamond settings. Their internet approach educates potential buyers without the pressure of a salesperson. Plus, Whiteflash keeps their inventory costs low, which they pass along to customers, by only purchasing diamonds once the consumer has made their order. That means a 20-40% reduction in price over other retailers. Incredibly, Whiteflash has even competed with Tiffany's engagement ring sales. It just goes to show, sometimes the better deal is more important than that little blue box.