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Giant Kelp to Play a Key Role in Diamond Miner’s Carbon-Neutral Initiative

by Howard Cohen on Apr 26 2022

Climbing to a height of 175 feet or more, giant kelp will be playing a key role in De Beers' ambitious efforts to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030. The world's largest diamond miner by value announced that it is investing $2 million in Kelp Blue, an innovative start-up that is pioneering a... The post Giant Kelp to Play a Key Role in Diamond Miner’s Carbon-Neutral Initiative appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Queen Elizabeth II Barbie Doll Wears Replica of the Famous ‘Fringe Tiara’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 25 2022

Mattel's newest Barbie doll is literally fit for a queen. Sculpted in the likeness of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the new Barbie Signature Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Doll celebrates her 70 years of service and reflects her love of fine jewelry. The toy company released the collectible on the Queen's 96th birthday, April 21. Jewelry... The post Queen Elizabeth II Barbie Doll Wears Replica of the Famous ‘Fringe Tiara’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: The Light Inside of All of Us Is Like a Diamond, Sings Avril Lavigne

by Howard Cohen on Apr 22 2022

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you uplifting songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, newly engaged Canadian recording artist Avril Lavigne performs “Fly,” a power ballad inspired by the athletes of the Special Olympics. In this song about having the inner strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges,... The post Music Friday: The Light Inside of All of Us Is Like a Diamond, Sings Avril Lavigne appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Valued at Just $415, College Football’s Championship Ring Still Packs a Punch

by Howard Cohen on Apr 21 2022

Unlike Super Bowl rings that can be worth upwards of $35,000 apiece, college football's National Championship rings cannot exceed $415 in value, according to NCAA rules. This reality creates enormous challenges for companies, such as Jostens, which was recently tasked with creating commemorative jewelry for the University of Georgia Bulldogs' National Championship football team. Instead... The post Valued at Just $415, College Football’s Championship Ring Still Packs a Punch appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Orange and Blue Sapphires, White Diamonds Tell Story of Astros’ AL Championship

by Howard Cohen on Apr 20 2022

The Houston Astros’ colorful 2021 American League Championship rings tell the story of the team's impressive run to the World Series, where they narrowly lost to the Atlanta Braves in six games. The 10-karat white and yellow gold rings feature 104 round diamonds, 15 custom-cut diamonds, four princess-cut diamonds, 42 blue sapphires and eight orange... The post Orange and Blue Sapphires, White Diamonds Tell Story of Astros’ AL Championship appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Here’s Why Mod Sun Picked a Heart-Shaped Diamond for Avril Lavigne

by Howard Cohen on Apr 19 2022

Singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne turned to Instagram recently to announce her engagement to fellow pop-punk rocker Mod Sun and to offer a peek at her new 5-carat, heart-shaped diamond ring. She treated her 10.8 million Instagram followers to a series of romantic proposal pics, some with a clear view of the Eiffel Tower in the background.... The post Here’s Why Mod Sun Picked a Heart-Shaped Diamond for Avril Lavigne appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Jon Batiste, Suleika Jaouad Tie the Knot Using Bread Ties for Wedding Rings

by Howard Cohen on Apr 18 2022

Jon Batiste, the musician who won big at the 2022 Grammys, revealed to CBS Sunday Morning that he and his bestselling author partner, Suleika Jaouad, secretly tied the knot in February — using bread ties as wedding rings — in a hastily arranged ceremony one day before her scheduled bone marrow transplant. According to Jaouad,... The post Jon Batiste, Suleika Jaouad Tie the Knot Using Bread Ties for Wedding Rings appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: ‘Jenny From the Block’ Sings, ‘Don’t Be Fooled By the Rocks That I Got’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 15 2022

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, our spotlight shines on Jennifer Lopez, who set the Internet abuzz this past week when she revealed the super-rare 8.5-carat green diamond engagement ring she received from Ben Affleck — nearly 20 years... The post Music Friday: ‘Jenny From the Block’ Sings, ‘Don’t Be Fooled By the Rocks That I Got’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Historic 205-Carat ‘Red Cross Diamond’ Hits Christie’s Auction Block for Third Time

by Howard Cohen on Apr 14 2022

A long-standing symbol of the world’s largest humanitarian network, "The Red Cross Diamond" will be hitting the Christie's auction block for the third time in 104 years. And just like its original appearance in 1918, the sale of the 205.07-carat canary yellow diamond on May 11 in Geneva will benefit the efforts of the International... The post Historic 205-Carat ‘Red Cross Diamond’ Hits Christie’s Auction Block for Third Time appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Mastercard Survey: Retail Jewelry Sector Rides a Wave of Great Sales Results

by Howard Cohen on Apr 13 2022

Retail jewelry sales in March of 2022 grew 11.9% compared to March 2021, according to statistics released by Mastercard SpendingPulse™. The numbers are even more impressive when comparing last month's jewelry sales to pre-pandemic levels. March 2022 jewelry sales were a whopping 78.8% higher than the tallies recorded in March of 2019. The jewelry sector... The post Mastercard Survey: Retail Jewelry Sector Rides a Wave of Great Sales Results appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Teary-Eyed Jennifer Lopez Whispers to Her 8.5-Carat Green Diamond, ‘You’re Perfect’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 12 2022

In a 13-second video shared with the fans of her On the JLo newsletter, a teary-eyed Jennifer Lopez gazes down at her brand new 8.5-carat natural green diamond engagement ring from Ben Affleck and whispers, “You’re perfect.” Affleck, 49, picked a green diamond because the color holds such a special place in Lopez’s heart. “I... The post Teary-Eyed Jennifer Lopez Whispers to Her 8.5-Carat Green Diamond, ‘You’re Perfect’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series Ring Flips Open to Reveal Illuminated Truist Park

by Howard Cohen on Apr 11 2022

Featuring 775 gemstones with a total weight of 13.3 carats, the Atlanta Braves' 2021 World Series ring includes a hidden, never-before-seen innovation — the top flips open to reveal a micro-LED illuminated replica of Truist Park. Overall, the 14-karat gold ring tells the story of a championship journey through the use of 708 round diamonds,... The post Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series Ring Flips Open to Reveal Illuminated Truist Park appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Billy Joel Leaves a Life of Pearls and Caviar in ‘I’ve Loved These Days’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 08 2022

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fabulous songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In 1976, music legend Billy Joel said goodbye to Hollywood and returned to a New York state of mind. His wistful farewell to an L.A. lifestyle of fine jewelry, silk robes and caviar is... The post Music Friday: Billy Joel Leaves a Life of Pearls and Caviar in ‘I’ve Loved These Days’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Two Diamond-Embellished Koi Adorn The Perth Mint’s Latest 3D ‘Jewelled’ Coin

by Howard Cohen on Apr 07 2022

Two shimmering koi — one embellished with 78 Argyle Pink Diamonds hand-set in 18-karat rose gold and the other fashioned from 80 white diamonds hand-set in 18-karat white gold — seem to slither upon the surface of The Perth Mint’s latest 3D “Jewelled” coin. Each fish has two Argyle golden diamonds for eyes. Priced at... The post Two Diamond-Embellished Koi Adorn The Perth Mint’s Latest 3D ‘Jewelled’ Coin appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Copper-Flecked Inclusions Give Oregon Sunstones Their Unique ‘Schiller’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 06 2022

Oregon Sunstones are truly unique because they contain tiny flecks of copper that give the stones a reddish-to-golden metallic sheen called "schiller." Sunstones exist in other parts of the world but, oddly, only the ones from Oregon contain copper. In a nine-minute “Oregon Field Guide” video produced by the Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), geologist Emily... The post Copper-Flecked Inclusions Give Oregon Sunstones Their Unique ‘Schiller’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Birthstone Feature: Scarf Pin ‘Garnet’ Turns Out to Be Priceless Red Diamond

by Howard Cohen on Apr 05 2022

Did you hear the story about the Boston jeweler who purchased an old scarf pin at an estate sale only to find out later that the "garnet" at the center of the pin was actually a priceless 5.03-carat red diamond? Today, The DeYoung Red Diamond enjoys its permanent residence at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC,... The post Birthstone Feature: Scarf Pin ‘Garnet’ Turns Out to Be Priceless Red Diamond appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles Wears a Stand-In Engagement Ring at the Gym

by Howard Cohen on Apr 04 2022

Newly engaged Simone Biles revealed in an Instagram Story that she wears a stand-in engagement ring during her rigorous workouts at the gym. The simple white silicone ring is punctuated by a petite full-cut diamond set in a bezel of 14-karat white gold. “Okay HOW CUTE,” the 25-year-old captioned a closeup shot of her new... The post Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles Wears a Stand-In Engagement Ring at the Gym appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Etta James Wants Diamonds, Not Flowers, in 1961’s ‘Tough Mary’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 01 2022

Welcome to Music Friday when we often bring you vintage songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, the spotlight shines on the legendary Etta James and her 1961 satirical romp, “Tough Mary.” In the song, James steps into the role of Mary, a sassy and pretty girl who attracts... The post Music Friday: Etta James Wants Diamonds, Not Flowers, in 1961’s ‘Tough Mary’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Treasures From Famous Coscuez Emerald Mine to Be Auctioned in the UAE

by Howard Cohen on Mar 31 2022

More than 50 gems dealers from Colombia, India, New York, Israel and Bangkok will be participating in the second-ever rough Colombian emerald auction sponsored by Fura Gems, the primary owner of the famous Coscuez emerald mine in Colombia. Crystals from the mine are noted for their large sizes, intense color and immaculate clarity. Among the... The post Treasures From Famous Coscuez Emerald Mine to Be Auctioned in the UAE appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Amazon’s Virtual Assistant Alexa Says Painite Is the Rarest Gem Mineral Ever

by Howard Cohen on Mar 30 2022

Ask Amazon's Alexa to name the rarest gem mineral ever and the know-it-all virtual assistant is likely to answer, "Painite." Unearthed in Myanmar by British mineralogist and gem dealer Arthur C.D. Pain in the 1950s, the rare borate mineral was originally misidentified as a ruby and then reclassified as a new gem species — named... The post Amazon’s Virtual Assistant Alexa Says Painite Is the Rarest Gem Mineral Ever appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.