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54-Pound Gold Rush-Era Ingot to Hit the Auction Block in Early January

by Howard Cohen on Dec 29 2021

A 54-pound Gold Rush-era ingot that was swallowed by the sea in 1857 and recovered 200 miles off the coast of South Carolina in 1988 will be offered for sale at Heritage Auctions in early January. Assayed in California by Justh & Hunter, the massive gold brick met its watery demise when a hurricane sank... The post 54-Pound Gold Rush-Era Ingot to Hit the Auction Block in Early January appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Small Boxes Make a Big Impact as Jewelry Sales Soar 32% This Holiday Season

by Howard Cohen on Dec 28 2021

Jewelry sales soared 32% during the 2021 holiday season, according to a newly released Mastercard report. "Smaller boxes had a big impact," the report emphasized. "Whether consumers were shopping for themselves or for loved ones, the jewelry sector experienced some of the strongest YOY (year-over-year) and YO2Y (year-over-two-year) growth." During the traditional holiday period that... The post Small Boxes Make a Big Impact as Jewelry Sales Soar 32% This Holiday Season appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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1,750-Year-Old ‘Good Shepherd’ Ring Discovered Off the Coast of Caesarea, Israel

by Howard Cohen on Dec 27 2021

Two ships that sank in the exact location more than 1,000 years apart in the ancient port city of Caesarea are yielding a bounty of jewelry, gems, coins and artifacts for the Marine Archaeology Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). Among the rarest and most fascinating items pulled from the ocean floor is a... The post 1,750-Year-Old ‘Good Shepherd’ Ring Discovered Off the Coast of Caesarea, Israel appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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‘Thank You, By the Way’ Ad Campaign Gets a Boost From Indian Export Association

by Howard Cohen on Dec 23 2021

Back in August of this year, the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) unveiled its global ad campaign titled, “Thank You, By the Way,” with the mission of communicating the massive socioeconomic benefits generated by the natural diamond industry. The campaign addressed the concerns of jewelry consumers who, now more than ever, want to know where their... The post ‘Thank You, By the Way’ Ad Campaign Gets a Boost From Indian Export Association appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Miami Dolphins Fan Misses His Own Jumbotron Marriage Proposal at Hard Rock Stadium

by Howard Cohen on Dec 22 2021

Did you hear about the guy who missed his own jumbotron marriage proposal during halftime of the Dolphins-Jets game at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday? Dolphins fan Luis Llorens had arranged with the Hard Rock's special events team to propose in dramatic fashion to his girlfriend — and Jets fan — Christine Dobrin. But... The post Miami Dolphins Fan Misses His Own Jumbotron Marriage Proposal at Hard Rock Stadium appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Engagement Season’s New Look: Most Popular Proposal Date Slides to Number 3

by Howard Cohen on Dec 21 2021

Welcome to what is normally the pinnacle of "Engagement Season," the time of the year between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day when 40 percent of all marriage proposals take place. For years, Christmas Day was the most popular day to get engaged, followed by a wintry mix of favorites that included Christmas Eve, Valentine’s Day, New... The post Engagement Season’s New Look: Most Popular Proposal Date Slides to Number 3 appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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NBA Star Trae Young Pops the Question With Oval-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

by Howard Cohen on Dec 20 2021

Atlanta Hawks' star point guard Trae Young popped the question to his college girlfriend Shelby Miller on Thursday with a stunning oval-cut diamond in a halo setting. Young shared with his four million Instagram followers a bunch of candid pics of the actual proposal. He captioned his post, "What a night," and added two ring... The post NBA Star Trae Young Pops the Question With Oval-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Here’s How the Scrapped Song ‘Tinkle Bell’ Became a Holiday Classic

by Howard Cohen on Dec 17 2021

Welcome to another Christmas Edition of Music Friday when bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, we present Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell singing the original 1951 version of “Silver Bells,” a holiday favorite that was nearly scrapped, according to songwriter Ray Evans. A 91-year-old Evans... The post Music Friday: Here’s How the Scrapped Song ‘Tinkle Bell’ Became a Holiday Classic appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Holiday Sales Surge: 148 Million Americans Plan to Shop on ‘Super Saturday’

by Howard Cohen on Dec 16 2021

More than 148 million consumers plan to shop in-store and online on "Super Saturday," the last Saturday before Christmas this year, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Bolstered by what's expected to be a successful Super Saturday, December 18, the 2021 holiday season appears to... The post Holiday Sales Surge: 148 Million Americans Plan to Shop on ‘Super Saturday’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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‘The Chipembele Crash’ Avatars to Generate Funds for Rhino Conservation

by Howard Cohen on Dec 15 2021

Six emerald-themed avatars called "The Chipembele Crash” are being auctioned in a very unique way to raise financial support for the black rhinoceros conservation efforts in Zambia, home of Gemfields’ famous Kagem mine. The six rhino avatars are being sold as NFTs — non-fungible tokens — on OpenSea, the largest NFT marketplace. NFTs are pieces... The post ‘The Chipembele Crash’ Avatars to Generate Funds for Rhino Conservation appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Pantone’s Dynamic Periwinkle Blue ‘Very Peri’ Is the Color of the Year for 2022

by Howard Cohen on Dec 14 2021

"Very Peri," a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with an intense violet-red undertone, is Pantone's Color of the Year for 2022. Blending the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red, this happiest and warmest of all the blue hues introduces an empowering mix of newness, according to The Pantone Color Institute.... The post Pantone’s Dynamic Periwinkle Blue ‘Very Peri’ Is the Color of the Year for 2022 appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Unveils Jewelry and Gem Exhibit

by Howard Cohen on Dec 13 2021

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County just unveiled a new exhibit called “Brilliance: The Art and Science of Rare Jewels.” Appearing in the museum's Gem Vault for a limited engagement are more than 100 spectacular objects — necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and unmounted gems — drawn primarily from the works of master jewelry... The post Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Unveils Jewelry and Gem Exhibit appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Christina Aguilera Gets a Diamond Ring in ‘Merry Christmas, Baby’

by Howard Cohen on Dec 10 2021

Welcome to a special holiday edition of Music Friday, when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Christina Aguilera belts out her rendition of the 1947 classic, “Merry Christmas, Baby,” a song about how a very special piece of jewelry has made this the best... The post Music Friday: Christina Aguilera Gets a Diamond Ring in ‘Merry Christmas, Baby’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Vancouver-Based Artist Cliff Kearns Explores the ‘Immortal Diamond’

by Howard Cohen on Dec 09 2021

Vancouver-based artist Cliff Kearns is passionate about diamonds. In his latest series of paintings called "Immortal Diamond," the artist is inspired to interpret, bend and push the gem’s characteristics. Shifting geometric shapes and brilliantly changing facets seem to explode off the canvas in his colorful, spirited explorations of nature's most precious stone. These mixed-media artworks... The post Vancouver-Based Artist Cliff Kearns Explores the ‘Immortal Diamond’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Underrated and Often-Misunderstood Zircon Is December’s Alternate Birthstone

by Howard Cohen on Dec 08 2021

Underrated and often misunderstood, zircon is the colorful alternative birthstone for December. Available in a wide range of brilliant hues — from red, orange, yellow, green to blue and brown — zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth. Back in 2014, a tiny zircon crystal that scientists believed was 4.4 billion years old was helping... The post Underrated and Often-Misunderstood Zircon Is December’s Alternate Birthstone appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Three Coins With Face Value of $1.15 Nets $13.35MM Payday for Las Vegas Collector

by Howard Cohen on Dec 07 2021

A group of coins known as the "Big Three" of numismatics — an early 20th century nickel, a 19th century dime and a vintage silver dollar — recently netted a spectacular $13.35 million payday for Las Vegas collector Bruce Morelan. The grouping included the finest example of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels, a high-grade... The post Three Coins With Face Value of $1.15 Nets $13.35MM Payday for Las Vegas Collector appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Engagement Ring Survey: Millennials Outspend Younger Gen Z Counterparts by 63%

by Howard Cohen on Dec 06 2021

Millennials (ages 25-34) outspend Gen Zers (ages 18-24) by 63% when it comes to buying an engagement ring. The average price paid for a ring by Millennials is $6,700, compared to $4,100 spent by their younger counterparts, according to a newly released survey by The Knot. Across all age groups, the average spend is $6,000... The post Engagement Ring Survey: Millennials Outspend Younger Gen Z Counterparts by 63% appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Camila Cabello Dreams of Platinum and Gold in Her 2021 Hit, ‘Don’t Go Yet’

by Howard Cohen on Dec 03 2021

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you joyous songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Cuban-American singing sensation Camila Cabello kicks up her heels in the 2021 international dance hit, "Don't Go Yet." Viewed on Youtube more than 47 million times, the video of this instant classic tells... The post Music Friday: Camila Cabello Dreams of Platinum and Gold in Her 2021 Hit, ‘Don’t Go Yet’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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41,500-Year-Old Tusk Pendant May Be Eurasia’s Oldest Human-Decorated Jewelry

by Howard Cohen on Dec 02 2021

A 41,500-year-old oval-shaped pendant crafted from a mammoth tusk represents the oldest human-decorated jewelry ever found in Eurasia, according to an international team of researchers. Discovered in the Stajnia Cave in southern Poland, the jewelry has a sophisticated design that includes 50 puncture marks in a looping curve, along with two drilled holes. The holes... The post 41,500-Year-Old Tusk Pendant May Be Eurasia’s Oldest Human-Decorated Jewelry appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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December’s Newest Birthstone Was Heralded as the ‘Gem of the 20th Century’

by Howard Cohen on Dec 01 2021

Back in 2002, tanzanite joined turquoise and zircon as an official birthstone for the month of December. The occasion was momentous because, up until that point, the list hadn't been amended since 1912. The gem you see here is an extraordinary example of tanzanite from the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection at the National Museum of... The post December’s Newest Birthstone Was Heralded as the ‘Gem of the 20th Century’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.