Diamonds, Engagement Rings & Diamond Jewelry Guide

Here’s a twist on the Hollywood engagement rumor mill — Cameron Diaz has been widely reported as being seen wearing a huge diamond engagement ring while out on the town, but one question remains: who presented the ring to the cute blonde?

Unlike many other very public celebrity relationships, it has been quite hard to figure out who the actress is seeing. At one time most observers would have said that this person was Justin Timberlake, but as we mentioned last week, it looks like Jessica Biel is getting Timberlake’s attention.

Others have surmised that the lucky fella is musician/actor Jared Leto, but when she appeared at a number of public events with model Paul Sculfor, the talk shifted to him.

Of course, E! News is reporting that her publicist is insisting that the rock isn’t an engagement ring, rather something she had designed for herself.  Not everyone is happy with that statement and have suggested that Ms. Diaz wear her rings on the proper finger from now on or continue to risk additional speculation.

For now, we’ll take what Cameron’s publicist said as being the truth, but the more often she is seen with the same guy, the likelihood is that these types of rumors will stick.

Actress Uma Thurman has hit the motherlode, accepting a whopping 8-carat diamond engagment ring from her Swiss-financier boyfriend Arpad “Arki” Busson.  Though we can assure you that the stone pictured above isn’t her rock, you can bet that the diamond sparkler on her left ring finger is rather massive.

For Thurman, all this bodes well for future big jewelry gifts because Arki is rolling in the dough. Though Busson’s father was a wealthy stockbroker in his own right, Arki learned to make most of his millions himself through hedge funds, reportedly managing a portfolio worth well over ten billion dollars.

Arki, if you are reading this we have a couple of “small” gift items you’ll want to give to Uma: A pair of White Gold Akoya Pearl & Diamond Earrings with Pave diamonds fresh white water Pearl and a Ladies Platinum 3.00 Carat Total Weight Diamond Ring.

Busson owns a mansion in London’s Chelsea district worth about twenty million dollars and has a villa in the Bahamas. Uma is currently in the lead role for Motherhood and will be filming Eloise in Paris probably about the same time she becomes Mrs. Busson in London.

Congratulations to the happy couple and a long and happy marriage to you both!

If you follow the lives of the stars, then you know that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are a hot item. The couple have been together for over a year, are now living together at Timberlake’s Hollywood Hills mansion, and both are nearing the peak of their careers.

What more can these two lovebirds want?

Well, speculation is running rampant that the 27 year-old actor will soon ask Biel for her hand in marriage, now that she has taken up residence in his home. Biel is the very first of Timberlake’s many flames to cohabit with him, strongly suggesting that the star of The Love Guru is ready to settle down and start a family.

Of course, that is if Justin can slow Jessica down long enough to present her with a diamond sparkler. Biel, who recently wrapped up production on Easy Virtue, a Alfred Hitchcock remake, is now filming Nailed on location in South Carolina while providing voice over for the animated flick, Planet 51.

Timberlake, who is no slouch either, is currently basking in the recent release of The Love Guru while mourning the loss of his L.A. Lakers to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Championship Series. In addition, Justin is busy managing several restaurants, a clothing line and, of course, his singing career.

Diamond Thoughts has one word to help the happy couple ensure that their marriage stands the test of time: simplify.  Of course, Justin, you may need a primer on what type of ring you may want to get. For that, we recommend reading, “Engagement Ring Trends: From Traditional to uber-Modern!” to find the right rock for Jessica.

What’s that sound? Are we hearing millions of young hearts breaking over the pending engagement of America’s most followed couple?

Photo Credit: Gary King

You know that it is summertime when the annual “Taste of Chicago” street fest rolls around. This year’s “taste” will begin on Friday, June 27th and run all of the way to Sunday, July 6th, marking the 28th year for one of the most popular festivals of its kind. Indeed, more than six million people from across Illinois, the US, and internationally are expected to show up this year.

A Star-Studded Affair

In addition to offering popular Chicago restaurants the opportunity to showcase their finest foods, the festival will include several headline performers including Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, and Keke Palmer. Special appearances on select days from some of Chicago’s favorite sports team members will certainly be a crowd pleaser with members of the Bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fire, and Sky planning to attend.

Of course, where one celebrity performs others will certainly be nearby. Mary J. Blige and Michael McDonald both performed with Kahn on her latest album, Funk This, and speculation has it that one or both may join her in Chicago. Josh Kelley will be there but probably without his new wife, Katherine Heigl, of Grey’s Anatomy when he performs on June 29th. Heigl’s 27 Dresses fared well at the box office earlier this year, but her lead role in the romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth, will probably keep the jewel-clad actress away from the Windy City event.

The Windy City’s Attractions

Chicago has produced an abundance of celebrities down through the years including many Hollywood and Broadway stars such as X-File co-star Jillian Anderson; Jennifer Beals, who became famous because of Flash Dance; Joe Lando, who played opposite Jane Seymour in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; and Jennifer Hudson, who starred in the big screen adaptation of Dream Girls and most recently in the Sex and the City movie. By the way, all Taste of Chicago concerts are absolutely free!

You Can Handle This Race!

Finally, if getting in a good race is your idea of having fun, then the 6th Annual Bally Total Fitness® Race to Taste 5K Run/2-Mile Walk will certainly be a terrific way to take in Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park and lakefront, and enjoy event activities. Race participants will receive a commemorative Dri-Release event T-shirt, a one-month membership to Bally Total Fitness® (you’ll need it!) and a coupon for one strip of Taste tickets, redeemable only on the day of race.

If you can’t make it to a Taste of Chicago, you’ll be able to tune in to your favorite cable shows with CNN, Fox News, NBC, and others giving frequent updates. If you are able to go, then bring your autograph book and digital camera with you — celebrity sightings will be at peak levels every day of this year’s event.

Gold sales are plunging in the Middle East. Yes, you read that right — in the same area of the world that is charging everyone about $140 for a barrel of oil, its inhabitants can’t afford to buy gold jewelry right now. Go figure.

In an odd twist that should have many in the west scratching their heads, gold is priced beyond the range of what some shoppers can afford, people who frequent jewelry stores in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and neighboring countries.

Gold is highly prized in the Arab world where it is customary for the bride and the bride’s future mother-in-law to be given sets of gold jewelry which are worn at the wedding. The usual gold set consists of a necklace with matching earrings and a bracelet, with two sets customarily purchased for the bride and one for the groom’s mother.

Now, because gold prices are at record levels due to increased demand and a weak dollar, the sets are lighter in weight. In some cases Arabs are choosing silver, something that has long been disdained as a cheap alternative to gold.

Gold gift giving is a tradition that dates back thousands of years and is a custom most popular in India, the world’s largest market for gold jewelry. Families hand down prized pieces from one generation to the next and gold is traditionally given to the bride as a wedding gift. Instead, many people are giving the bride cash.

For grooms in some countries, the shabka represents part of the dowry the groom must pay in order to marry. Surging inflation and the occasional stock market crash have reduced the buying power of the average Arabian consumer, putting gold out of the reach of many. Some couples have chosen gold pieces that weigh less or are choosing to limit their shabkas to just one piece, such as a gold wedding band.

For brides who won’t be given gold jewelry, renting gold for their big event is another option. Others borrow what they need from family members and friends for their wedding, waiting for the day that gold prices will drop and they’ll be able to afford earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet of their very own.

I have an answer to this problem that will gladden many hearts world-wide: lower the price of a barrel of oil and we’ll see to it that you can afford your gold!

(Source: Associated Press)

Stock photo courtesy of Jose Alfredo Gomez Soberano.

You’ll get into an argument with some people if you discuss whether we’re currently in a recession or not. Though economists are saying that we’re not officially there just yet, for the average consumer life is tougher for them in 2008 then it was in 2007, which pretty much makes that argument moot.

Martin Rapaport, who is an entrepreneur and the founder of the Rapaport Diamond Report insists we’re in a recession and is urging that a futures market in precious stones be developed as a way to counter inflation.

Quoting Mr. Rapaport, “The U.S. is in a recession, sales in mid-quality diamonds are falling and retailers are going bankrupt.” Rapaport noted that people are spending less on diamonds and jewelry in general, shifting their spending to cover rising fuel and mortgage costs.

Outside of the U.S. the economy isn’t so bleak, in fact in some countries local economies are booming.

India, China, Russia, and several Gulf states are seeing tremendous growth with consumers who are flush in new wealth and ready to spend. Since the beginning of this year Rapaport says that there has been a big demand in the purchase of large diamonds and that the value of big stones over four carats has rised by 130% in that time. Rapaport claims that the “wives of billionaires” are driving this increase as they are eager to get their hands on big stones.

Currently, there isn’t a futures market for diamonds as there is for gold. Rapaport says that a futures market would “…provide an opportunity for investors, ensure the transparency of the secretive pricing of diamonds and bring an end to the traditional monopolistic control held by the mining companies who dictate rough prices.”

Underscoring the drive up in diamond prices was the sale of a tiara at Christie’s auction in Hong Kong earlier this month. Featuring a 101.27-carat diamond, the tiara sold for a whopping $6.2 million. Obviously, for some people money is no object, a market Rapaport thinks can be just the hedge investors need against inflation.

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Check out additional news stories and articles on our site. Give Pearls To The Summer Bride, Engagement Customs From Around The World, and Keep Your Pearls Looking Exquisite Year After Year are just some of the articles you can find on the James Allen website.

If you have been following this year’s presidential campaign (who hasn’t?!) you’ve seen one woman in front of the camera almost as much as Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama himself. No, I’m not talking about Hillary Clinton, who has received a lot of air time in her own right, rather Obama’s wife, Michelle.

Michelle Obama has been campaigning vigorously for her husband and, despite the occasional misstep, has proven to be an effectual campaigner, speaker, and even a fashion statement maker. Yes, we’ve been noticing what Mrs. Obama has been wearing, particularly her collection of prized pearls which some insist are fake while we think the above picture could be depicting the real thing.

You can’t miss what Mrs. Obama prefers to wear — big pearls which evoke memories of two other first ladies — namely Jacqueline Kennedy and Barbara Bush. Add in that Donna Reed flip and her collection of power dresses and you might concur with what many fashion experts are saying: Michelle Obama is here to do business. And, she is doing it in her own way.

As the above photo shows, Michelle loves her pearls, and seems partial to gold earrings, her gold watch, and of course her gold wedding band and diamond engagement sparkler.

We don’t know if we’ve provided some of jewelry that Mrs. Obama likes to wear, but we do sell everything but the wristwatch. Michelle Obama — fashion diva?

Photo credit to Bbsrock.

Devotees of high fashion are getting a preview of what will be at the inaugural Coutts London Jewellery Week show when it launches this Wednesday.

Featuring some of the most exquisite designer pieces in the world, including a one million pound (US$1.972 million) diamond handbag created by Japanese designer Ginza Tanaka, the show was developed to allow up and coming as well as established talent to show their wares before the public.

The Tanaka handbag is bejeweled with more than 2000 diamonds and will be available for sale during the show week. The handbag comes with a diamond shoulder strap which can be detached and worn as either a necklace or a bracelet, while the 8-carat pear-shaped diamond centerpiece surrounded by a cluster of 81 smaller diamonds can be taken off and worn as a brooch.

Coutts London Jewellery Week begins on June 11th and runs through the 15th. A citywide event, visitors to London will be able to take in catwalk shows, satellite parties, educational seminars, sales, auctions, workshops, demonstrations, and more. In addition to Ginza Tanaka, other designers featured include Elizabeth Gage, Davril, Swarovski, Carolina Bucci, Studionorth, David M. Robinson, Guy & Max, and David Marshall London.

As for getting a glimpse at the Tanaka handbag, you’ll have to wait until the show starts to find out where you can view it. Show organizers are concerned about theft and are keeping that information under wraps for now.

Photo copyright Ginza Tanaka.

Famed jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. got its start in New York City all the way back in 1837 when Charles Louis Tiffany opened up his emporium selling stationery items and fancy goods with his business partner Teddy Young. By 1853, Tiffany had controlling interest in the firm and began emphasizing jewelry sales above everything else.

Fast forward 155 years and the company has expanded to 103 stores internationally generating more than US$2.2 billion in sales annually. Tiffany himself is long gone and the company is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange as TIF.

Just this past Tuesday, Tiffany’s chairman and chief executive, Michael J. Kowalski, filed the necessary papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) informing them that he exercised his options on 140,000 shares of TIF stock, which he sold for between $47.44 to $48.21 each.

Figuring that the average stock sold for $48, we can see that Mr. Kowalski’s payday netted him a cool $6.72 million. Not a bad day at work, don’t you agree?

We have nothing against executives exercising their options and making the big bucks as managing a company the size of Tiffany takes a tremendous amount of talent, and Tiffany is a legendary name. But, you have to wonder if all that extra money you spend at Tiffany for the same engagement ring you can buy at James Allen is really worth it to you.

Stock options are nice, but we think our customers prefer to save money on all of their jewelry purchases. Just sayin’!

(Source: Yahoo News)

Father’s Day is fast approaching, a celebration that always takes place on the third Sunday in June. Unlike mothers who seem to get all of the attention, us fathers usually get the token gift and a few extra hours to peacefully sleep in the hammock.

That’s okay, I’m not complaining, mothers usually have the greater burden when it comes to child-rearing. And, when it comes to childbirth, they get all of the pain!

I know that my children will get me something useful as their mother is careful to consider those things I actually need. Two years ago I got a handmade tie, not a design I would wear — pasted on butterflies, glitter, and lady bugs galore — but a whimsical gift to keep on display nonetheless. I always appreciate their homemade cards — much better than anything that Hallmark Cards or American Greetings can possibly produce.

I’m not one for wearing jewelry as my wedding band is the only ring I’ve ever worn. I don’t even wear a watch because my cell phone keeps excellent time. Gold cuff links, a money clip, or a silver tie clip wouldn’t be particularly useful gifts for me either — I rarely have an occasion to dress up these days.

I can, however, imagine receiving certain gift items which are not only unusual, but bizarre. Not that I would want the following four gifts, but maybe your Dad would appreciate receiving:

Mr. T. ChiaHead Doll — Remember the A Team? I do! The main character was Mr. T., a really tough, mean but lovable guy who enforced the law his way. Somebody had the presence of mind (or did they lose their mind?) to combine his likeness with one of those quick-growing chia seed kits. Bring Mr. T’s Mohawk hairdo to life…literally!

Lava Lamp Shot Glasses — If your Dad likes to “toss down” a few, then why not let him do it in style? Especially if he came of age during the 1970s when lava lamps were at their peak — yes, lava glasses have LED lights in their base that flash through red, green & blue colors which turn off when the glass has been emptied.

Toilet Tunes — When I was a teen, hanging out at Spencer’s Gifts to find a favorite gag gift was one past time I have never quite forgotten. Thankfully, I outgrew the desire to buy Chinese handcuffs or candles that never blew out, but if you haven’t then toilet tunes could be the gift you want to get your Dad. Toilet tunes are for those times when Dad has an extended stay in the bathroom — music will begin playing the very moment he lifts the you-know-what lid. Let Dad listen to all of his favorite tunes and then some while he is busy doing his business.

Elephant Poo Poo — You wouldn’t think of giving dear ‘ole Dad a couple of pounds of fresh elephant poop, but maybe you’d think of giving him a gift derived from pachyderm waste. The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company makes a variety of items from elephant dung including journals, photo frames, notebooks, and greeting cards. Yes, I am not lying, if you are environmentally conscious and want to make a difference while giving something different, then Poo Poo products make for an unforgettable gift idea.

Of course, if your Dad truly considers you to be the best gift in the world, then nothing you give can equal the time spent with him on this Father’s Day. Enjoy your time with Dad no matter what gift you choose to give him!