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Unlike Europeans, US Couples Seek Parents’ Blessing Prior to Marriage Proposal: Survey

on May 06 2019
Unlike their European counterparts, the vast majority of US couples still ask for their parents' blessing prior to the marriage proposal, according to a 14-country wedding survey conducted by The Knot, WeddingWire and Bodas.net. The first-ever Global Wedding Report — which is based on the experiences of 20,000 couples — sought to discover the cultural... The post Unlike Europeans, US Couples Seek Parents’ Blessing Prior to Marriage Proposal: Survey appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: ‘You’re a Diamond to Me,’ Sings Eric Bibb in the Inspirational ‘Shine On’

on May 03 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, international blues troubadour Eric Bibb inspires us to keep our eyes on the mountaintop in the uplifting 2006 song, “Shine On.” The two-time Grammy nominee knows that we can do better, reach higher and... The post Music Friday: ‘You’re a Diamond to Me,’ Sings Eric Bibb in the Inspirational ‘Shine On’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Gum Tree Leaves Can Signal Gold in the Soil Below, Reports South Australian Miner

on May 02 2019
Leaves from the majestic gum tree are helping miners pinpoint high-yield gold deposits in South Australia. Marmota Energy is singing the praises of its innovative biogeochemical tree sampling program that analyzes the leaves for trace amounts of pure gold and "pathfinder" elements. The miner explained that the roots of gum trees have the ability to... The post Gum Tree Leaves Can Signal Gold in the Soil Below, Reports South Australian Miner appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Birthstone Feature: ‘Maximilian Emerald’ Boasts a Rich History That Spans 150+ Years

on May 01 2019
Steeped in a rich history that spans more than 150 years, the 21.04-carat “Maximilian Emerald” is one of the world’s most famous — and dazzling — examples of May’s official birthstone. Named for its first owner, the ill-fated Emperor of Mexico, the deep grass-green Colombian emerald was purchased by American socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post in... The post Birthstone Feature: ‘Maximilian Emerald’ Boasts a Rich History That Spans 150+ Years appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Jewelry Expected to Be the Fastest-Growing Mother’s Day Gift Category in 2019

on Apr 30 2019
Mother's Day spending for jewelry items is expected to reach $5.2 billion in 2019, making it the fastest-growing and highest-volume gift-giving category, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The jewelry spending number is up from $4.6 billion in 2018, an increase of 13%. Overall Mother's Day spending in 2019... The post Jewelry Expected to Be the Fastest-Growing Mother’s Day Gift Category in 2019 appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Lucara Recovers 1,758-Carat Diamond at Karowe Mine; It’s the Second-Largest Ever

on Apr 29 2019
Lucara Diamond Corp. has unearthed a tennis-ball-size 1,758-carat diamond at its famous Karowe Mine in Botswana. The diamond rates as the second-largest ever found, easily overtaking the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which was also recovered at Karowe. But, unlike the gem-quality Lesedi La Rona, which was purchased by diamantaire Laurence Graff for $53 million and... The post Lucara Recovers 1,758-Carat Diamond at Karowe Mine; It’s the Second-Largest Ever appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ Is a Precious Gem, Sings Michael Bolton

on Apr 26 2019
There are few things in life more sentimental than the father/daughter dance at a wedding, and one of the top tunes for that time-honored tradition is the subject of today’s Music Friday treat. Welcome to our weekly review of songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In Michael Bolton’s sweet 2003... The post Music Friday: ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ Is a Precious Gem, Sings Michael Bolton appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Super Bowl LI Ring of Mystery Patriot Player Is Up for Grabs at Heritage Auctions

on Apr 25 2019
As we breathlessly await the mid-June reveal of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl LIII ring — a ring that promises to be the biggest and blingiest championship ring ever designed — we just learned that a super-rare Patriots Super Bowl LI ring is up for grabs at Heritage Auctions. What makes this auction so... The post Super Bowl LI Ring of Mystery Patriot Player Is Up for Grabs at Heritage Auctions appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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At Topaz Mountain in Utah, Amateur Prospectors Get to Keep What They Find

on Apr 24 2019
Gem lovers looking for a rustic adventure a little off the beaten path may consider a trip to Topaz Mountain in Utah, where amateur prospectors get to keep whatever they find. Located about 120 miles southwest of Provo, the Topaz Dome Quarry in Utah's Thomas Range has long been a popular destination for hardcore rockhounds. But,... The post At Topaz Mountain in Utah, Amateur Prospectors Get to Keep What They Find appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Meghan Markle Was Thisclose to Getting Princess Diana’s Sapphire Engagement Ring

on Apr 23 2019
Back in October 2010, Prince William famously proposed to Kate Middleton with the distinctive sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring once worn by his late mother, Princess Diana. At the time, the prince said that popping the question with that ring was “my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement." Only... The post Meghan Markle Was Thisclose to Getting Princess Diana’s Sapphire Engagement Ring appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Botswana’s 20.46-Carat ‘Okavango Blue’ Diamond Is Called a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Find’

on Apr 22 2019
The largest blue diamond ever discovered in Botswana — a brilliant 20.46-carat oval gem with Fancy Deep Blue color and VVS2 clarity — was unveiled last week by the state-run Okavango Diamond Company. “It is incredibly unusual for a stone of this color and nature to have come from Botswana. [It’s] a once-in-a-lifetime find,” said... The post Botswana’s 20.46-Carat ‘Okavango Blue’ Diamond Is Called a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Find’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday Flashback: Silver Locket ‘Bears the Name of the Man That Brandy Loved’

on Apr 19 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Elliot Lurie and the Looking Glass perform their 1972 chart-topper, “Brandy,” a song about a barmaid in a harbor town who wears a very sentimental piece of neckwear as a constant reminder of... The post Music Friday Flashback: Silver Locket ‘Bears the Name of the Man That Brandy Loved’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Style Icon Kendall Jenner Tells Elle.com, ‘The Man Should Pick the Engagement Ring’

on Apr 18 2019
Style icon, cover girl, runway model and reality star Kendall Jenner dished to Elle.com on Tuesday that when it comes to picking an engagement ring, she'd rather be surprised by her boyfriend than make the selection herself. She did add, however, that she'd likely drop him a bunch of hints along the way so he... The post Style Icon Kendall Jenner Tells Elle.com, ‘The Man Should Pick the Engagement Ring’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Legendary ‘Jonker V’ Diamond Returns to Christie’s Auction Block After Just Two Years

on Apr 17 2019
When the legendary "Jonker V" diamond appeared at Christie's Hong Kong in May of 2017 with a pre-sale estimate of $2.2 million to $3.6 million, some gem experts expected the stunning 25.27-carat emerald-cut gem to yield much more — and they were right. Surpassing the high estimate by nearly 50%, the Jonker V was purchased... The post Legendary ‘Jonker V’ Diamond Returns to Christie’s Auction Block After Just Two Years appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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GPS Artist ‘Yassan’ Is Back in the Spotlight as Google Revisits His Epic Proposal

on Apr 16 2019
Yasushi “Yassan” Takahashi, the GPS artist who famously zigzagged 4,500 miles across Japan in 2010 to spell out a marriage proposal for his girlfriend, is back in the news — thanks to Google. When the Tokyo resident completed his six-month journey from the island of Hokkaido to the shores of Kagoshima, he uploaded his route... The post GPS Artist ‘Yassan’ Is Back in the Spotlight as Google Revisits His Epic Proposal appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Principal Diamond Cut From 1,109-Carat Lesedi La Rona Tips the Scales at 302.37 Carats

on Apr 15 2019
Back in November, luxury jeweler Laurence Graff revealed that the massive 1,109-carat rough diamond named Lesedi La Rona had yielded 67 "satellite" diamonds ranging in size from just under 1 carat to more than 100 carats and teased that "a principal diamond of unprecedented size" was still in the works. Last week, Graff finally unveiled... The post Principal Diamond Cut From 1,109-Carat Lesedi La Rona Tips the Scales at 302.37 Carats appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Neil Young Is a Miner for a ‘Heart of Gold’ in the 1971 Classic

on Apr 12 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you classic songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, the incomparable Neil Young searches for a soulmate in his 1971 chart-topping classic, “Heart of Gold.” Penned by Young, this song is about a man who has been unlucky in love. The protagonist... The post Music Friday: Neil Young Is a Miner for a ‘Heart of Gold’ in the 1971 Classic appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Boston Red Sox World Series Ring Is a Fitting Tribute to 2018’s ‘Team for the Ages’

on Apr 11 2019
The Boston Red Sox received their bling-tastic 2018 World Series championship rings prior to the team's home opener on Tuesday afternoon at Fenway Park. Glistening with 185 gemstones weighing a total of 15 carats, the ring is a fitting tribute to what has been called a "team for the ages." The dominant Red Sox of... The post Boston Red Sox World Series Ring Is a Fitting Tribute to 2018’s ‘Team for the Ages’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Let’s Celebrate April’s Birthstone With a Close-Up Look at the Oppenheimer Diamond

on Apr 10 2019
In honor of April's official birthstone, let's take a close-up look at one of the largest uncut yellow diamonds in the world. At 253.7 carats, the Oppenheimer Diamond is a nearly perfectly formed octahedron, a shape that's essentially an eight-sided double pyramid connected at the base. Named in honor of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, former chairman... The post Let’s Celebrate April’s Birthstone With a Close-Up Look at the Oppenheimer Diamond appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Document Paving the Way for the Cutting of World’s Largest Diamond Is Up for Sale

on Apr 09 2019
The original legal document that set the wheels in motion for the cutting of the 3,106-carat Cullinan — the world's largest rough diamond — will be offered to the highest bidder at Bonhams London on April 30. The auction house is estimating that the historic document will sell in the modest price range of $2,606... The post Document Paving the Way for the Cutting of World’s Largest Diamond Is Up for Sale appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.