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Planning to give someone a diamond for Valentine's Day? (flaivoloka via stock.xchng)

While budgeting remains a priority in the new year, consumers continue to celebrate holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with gifts of jewelry. And with around 10 percent of engagements occurring on or around Valentine’s Day, the most romantic holiday of the year sees a fair share of diamonds and colored gemstones.

Valentine’s Day has worldwide appeal, and the practice of gift giving is celebrated in Australia, Britain, China, Ghana, India, South Africa and more. In Mexico, heart-shaped and red-themed gifts appear immediately after the Christmas holiday. Japanese women bestow small gifts such as chocolate on Valentine’s Day; the men return the favor a month later on White Day by handing out jewelry and other gifts to loved ones.

GIA (Gemological Institute of America), recognized as a worldwide leader in diamonds, gemstones and pearls and the creator of the famous 4Cs (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight), as well as the International Diamond Grading System™, has six tips to help consumers find their ideal piece of diamond jewelry.

The GIA are world-renowned experts in diamonds (IDI)

Do the research: Familiarity with the 4Cs of diamond quality is a crucial element in speaking the language of diamonds. A recommended starting point for learning about the 4Cs is GIA’s iPad application (app), which helps educate consumers on diamonds, and is downloadable for free on iTunes. The app is also available in Simplified Chinese.

Choose a qualified jeweler: Consumers should select a jeweler as carefully as they would a doctor, lawyer or any other trained professional. Find someone who is credentialed, such as a GIA Graduate Gemologist. Take note of their affiliations with jewelry industry groups and professional associations.

Ask for an independent diamond grading report: A diamond grading report details the gemological quality of the diamond. It tells whether the stone is natural or synthetic, if it has been treated - and how, and its quality rankings in each of the 4Cs. Verification of information contained in any GIA diamond grading report can be attained by going to Report Check, GIA’s secure online database, or by accessing it directly through the GIA 4Cs app.

Keep the purchase secure: Have the diamond appraised and insured. A diamond grading report is the independent assessment of quality; while an appraisal gives a monetary value. A personal message or the report number can be laser-inscribed on the diamond’s outer edge, called the girdle, to help identify it if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Purchase the stone loose and have the ring set later: If someone is unsure what their future fiancé prefers in a ring, one option is to purchase a loose diamond and decide on the mounting together later. Make sure to have the loose stone graded.

Consider the alternatives: Colored gemstones and pearls make unique and memorable alternatives for celebrating special occasions. With the union of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood, colored gemstones are increasingly popular in the engagement ring world. Consumers should look for independent reports for colored gemstones and pearls, also available through GIA.

A gift of jewelry is an outward expression of what people mean to one another. Consumers can ensure they receive the most value for their purchase by learning more about diamonds at www.gia.edu.

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How can you turn your diamond jewelry into gold in your pocket? (Baloncici/Dreamstime.com)

With all the new "Cash for Gold" signs and commercials buzzing around the country, millions are flocking to turn their old jewelry into cash. Gold & silver exchanges, coin shops, jewelry stores, and pawn shops are bustling with customers. Even check-cashing centers, payday loan businesses, and barber shops are getting in on the action.

The president of National Jewelry Buyers shares his insight on this booming trade.

"In the past, our industry catered mostly to those needing some extra cash. People were often embarrassed of looking desperate if they sold their jewelry," explains Romie Salem. "All of that has changed."

He elaborates, "With gold at record high prices, people recognize it's a great opportunity to cash out the unnecessary jewelry they have accumulated over the years. We are now seeing a wider range of customers, including the upper-income crowd that would rarely be seen selling their personal treasures."

Despite the spike in gold and very tempting advertisements, many are still hesitant and skeptical. "Complaints are rampant about businesses that gouge customers and pay a small fraction of what pieces are actually worth," says Salem. "Indeed, all gold buyers are NOT the same. Customers frequently tell us about other places that offered them much less than what we paid. The difference is sometimes shocking," he acknowledged.

So how should one go about selling her/his jewelry? "Use the same common sense you would when making a major purchase," urges Salem.

Sell diamonds to a diamond buyer, the NJB recommends (IDI, illustrative) 

Some specific advice offered by the National Jewelry Buyers staff includes:

1) Shop around. Always get Always get more than one quote. "You'll be amazed how far apart offers can be. We love our policy of “no games & no negotiating - just our best straightforward offer. Customers really appreciate it," says one employee.

2) Compare total amount. Do not bother asking how much per gram/pennyweight or what percentage of gold they pay. Just see how much they will pay you in total for your jewelry. By comparing just "the bottom line," you'll avoid falling prey to the misleading tactics some dealers use to make their offer sound great.

3) Sell diamonds to a diamond buyer. Despite their signs displaying "buying diamonds," most cash-for-gold businesses will actually pay little to nothing for diamonds. They are only interested in melting the gold in which the polished diamonds are set.

4) Places to sell gold? Salem says you should sell gold to a “strong, specialized, reputable place.”  Places to avoid: Pawn shops; check-cashing, payday loans, or other businesses that make gold a side line; mail-in centers and vendors who set up temporary quarters

For more information, including current market prices and other details on getting the most for your jewelry, visit www.nationaljb.com. 

(Source: Business Wire)

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Forevermark diamond designer collections debuted on the red carpet of the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards, with Golden Globe Winner Michelle Williams dazzling in Fred Leighton for Forevermark diamond jewelry.

Whether a nominee or simply part of the Golden Globe Awards excitement, stars looked to Forevermark diamonds, the world's most carefully selected diamonds from the DeBeers group of companies, to complete their red carpet looks.

My Week With Marilyn Best Actress Golden Globe Winner Michelle Williams chose a Fred Leighton for Forevermark Diamond Garland Headband, Fred Leighton for Forevermark Diamond Stud Earrings and a Fred Leighton for Forevermark Diamond Snake Ring.

Photo: Golden Globe Winner Michelle Williams wears Fred Leighton for Forevermark diamond jewelry to the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards. (PRNewsFoto/Forevermark)

Revenge actress Ashley Madekwe attended the InStyle and Warner Brothers Golden Globe After Party and sparkled in an A. Link for Forevermark Diamond Lattice Bracelet, Trau for Forevermark Diamond Marquis Ring, Forevermark Single Stone Bangles, and Forevermark Three-Stone Diamond Bangles.

Earlier in the week, a strong gathering of Hollywood talent came out to support the debut of Forevermark Designer Collections in an InStyle Magazine and Forevermark co-hosted cocktail event.  The event showcased a presentation of designer capsule collections featuring Forevermark diamonds at Beverly Hills Hotel.

Golden Globe Winner Michelle Williams sparkled in Forevermark diamond jewelry, along with Miss Golden Globe 2012 Rainey Qualley, Rebecca Romijn, Julianne Hough, Jessica Szohr, Leven Rambin, Aasha Davis, Julia Jones, Jessica Joffe and Azita Ghanizada who all donned pieces from the Forevermark designer collections at the event. (Source: PRNewswire)

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