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Researchers Find World-Class Blue Spinel on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic

on Apr 08 2019

On Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic, University of British Columbia researchers discovered deposits of cobalt-blue spinel in qualities that rival the finest in the world. Researchers Philippe Belley and Lee Groat attributed the surprising find to the high levels of a "magic" ingredient present in the area — cobalt. Pure spinel is colorless, but... The post Researchers Find World-Class Blue Spinel on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: This Old Chunk of Coal Is Gonna Be a Diamond Someday

on Apr 05 2019

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, country star John Anderson has fun with a well-worn gemstone myth in his Grammy-nominated 1981 hit, “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday).” In this song... The post Music Friday: This Old Chunk of Coal Is Gonna Be a Diamond Someday appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Canadian Man Inherits 61-Pound ‘Giga Pearl’ — One of the Largest in the World

on Apr 04 2019

Resembling a dinosaur’s tooth and weighing an astonishing 61 pounds, the Philippine-sourced “Giga Pearl” is one of the largest in the world and could be worth upwards of $90 million. Currently owned by Ontario native Abraham Reyes, The Giga Pearl had been a family heirloom for 60 years. The natural pearl was hidden within a... The post Canadian Man Inherits 61-Pound ‘Giga Pearl’ — One of the Largest in the World appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Dad Buys 88-Carat Diamond for Daughter and Names It ‘Manami Star’ in Her Honor

on Apr 03 2019

Outbidding two challengers, a Japanese private collector plunked down $13.7 million for a D-flawless 88.22-carat oval diamond at Sotheby's Hong Kong yesterday. He gifted it to his eldest daughter and named it "Manami Star" in her honor. The diamond had been described by the auction house as "perfect according to every critical criterion." The collector,... The post Dad Buys 88-Carat Diamond for Daughter and Names It ‘Manami Star’ in Her Honor appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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South Africa’s 117-Year-Old Cullinan Mine Yields 425-Carat Gem-Quality Diamond

on Apr 02 2019

The historic Cullinan Mine, which famously produced the 3,106-carat Cullinan in 1905, added another enormous diamond to its roster of legendary finds. London-based Petra Diamonds announced late last week that it had unearthed a 425.10-carat, D-color, ultra-pure, Type II diamond at the South African mine. Analysts placed the stone's value somewhere between a high of... The post South Africa’s 117-Year-Old Cullinan Mine Yields 425-Carat Gem-Quality Diamond appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Boyfriend Surprises ‘American Idol’ Contestant With On-Stage Proposal, Tears Flow

on Mar 28 2019

In the lead-up to her performance on Monday night's edition of American Idol, contestant Johanna Jones said she wished her boyfriend, Matt Zavoral, could have been there. He was buried in final exams at Brigham Young University, and couldn't get from Provo, Utah, to Hollywood in time for the taping — or so she thought.... The post Boyfriend Surprises ‘American Idol’ Contestant With On-Stage Proposal, Tears Flow appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Exceptional Pink and White Diamonds Put Letšeng Mine Back in the News

on Mar 27 2019

The Letšeng Mine in the tiny African country of Lesotho is back in the news after luxury jeweler Laurence Graff paid $8.8 million, or $656,933 per carat, for a 13.33-carat pink diamond sourced there. The per-carat price was a record for any Letšeng diamond. “This is the most vivid pink rough diamond I have ever... The post Exceptional Pink and White Diamonds Put Letšeng Mine Back in the News appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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‘Mudan’ Earns Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Diamonds Set on a Watch’

on Mar 26 2019

Gleaming with 15,858 diamonds set in 18-karat gold, Coronet's "Mudan" timepiece just scored a Guinness World Record for the "Most Diamonds Set on a Watch." The title was awarded during Baselworld, the six-day Swiss trade fair that concludes today. The diamonds, weighing a total of 50.01 carats, embellish a design inspired by the beautiful and... The post ‘Mudan’ Earns Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Diamonds Set on a Watch’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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93-Year-Old Gets Her Ring Back After 4 Months Missing: ‘It Was My Life’

on Mar 25 2019

At 93 years young, Marie Gladman has lived a wonderful life — a life symbolized by a custom floral-motif ring made with the diamonds harvested from four rings gifted to her by her beloved late husband, Wally. When Marie lost her ring on a shopping trip in early December, her world was turned upside down.... The post 93-Year-Old Gets Her Ring Back After 4 Months Missing: ‘It Was My Life’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: ‘Last Night I Put My Ring Back On,’ Sings Mary Chapin Carpenter

on Mar 22 2019

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you sweet songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, country star Mary Chapin Carpenter gives love a second chance in her 2010 tune, “I Put My Ring Back On.” In the song, we learn that Carpenter is about to walk out on... The post Music Friday: ‘Last Night I Put My Ring Back On,’ Sings Mary Chapin Carpenter appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Newlywed Lea Michele Shows Off Two Wedding Bands — One Sparkly, One Simple

on Mar 21 2019

Glee alum Lea Michele tied the knot with boyfriend Zandy Reich earlier this month in an intimate ceremony in Napa, Calif. The couple zoomed off on a tropical honeymoon and promptly treated Michele's 5.4 million Instagram followers to a peek at her new wedding bands — one sparkly, one simple. The 32-year-old actress posted a... The post Newlywed Lea Michele Shows Off Two Wedding Bands — One Sparkly, One Simple appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Connecticut State Trooper Solves ‘The Case of the Rest Stop Wedding Rings’

on Mar 20 2019

A kind-hearted Connecticut state trooper went above and beyond the call of duty — pouring through hours of surveillance video — to solve "The Case of the Rest Stop Wedding Rings." The story began in mid-February, when Massachusetts couple Peter and Kimberly Reggiannini pulled into a rest stop along superhighway I-95 in Connecticut. Kimberly had... The post Connecticut State Trooper Solves ‘The Case of the Rest Stop Wedding Rings’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Sergio Garcia Helps Fan With Marriage Proposal at The Players Championship

on Mar 19 2019

Love was in the air at the 46th Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., last Wednesday as pro golfer Sergio Garcia was enlisted to help with an epic marriage proposal at the scenic 17th hole. When Ricardo Fonseca started planning a special golf-themed marriage proposal for his girlfriend Emma Baxley, he knew that his... The post Sergio Garcia Helps Fan With Marriage Proposal at The Players Championship appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Gem-Encrusted Ring Tells the Story of Atlanta United’s Championship Soccer Season

on Mar 18 2019

Atlanta United players received their colorful, gem-encrusted 2018 MLS Cup Championship rings in a private ceremony last week. The rings use white diamonds, yellow diamonds, custom cuts of garnet and onyx, and a single ruby to tell the story of a remarkable franchise that shot to the top of the soccer world in just its... The post Gem-Encrusted Ring Tells the Story of Atlanta United’s Championship Soccer Season appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Lee Greenwood Laments His 24-Karat Mistake in ‘Fool’s Gold’

on Mar 15 2019

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Lee Greenwood sings about making a 24-karat mistake in his 1984 tune, “Fool’s Gold.” His character is agonizing over a broken marriage and losing the love of his life. In hindsight, he admits... The post Music Friday: Lee Greenwood Laments His 24-Karat Mistake in ‘Fool’s Gold’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Thwack! Contestant on ‘The Voice’ Accidentally Headbutts Girlfriend During Onstage Proposal

on Mar 14 2019

Having just secured a spot on Team Legend during Monday night's Blind Auditions on The Voice, R&B crooner Denton Arnell asked judge John Legend if he could bring his girlfriend, Tiffany, onstage to share the special moment. What happened next will live in infamy as one of the most embarrassing (and romantic) unscripted moments in... The post Thwack! Contestant on ‘The Voice’ Accidentally Headbutts Girlfriend During Onstage Proposal appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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$24 Million Australian Opal Centre Starts to Take Shape at Lightning Ridge

on Mar 13 2019

A world-class facility dedicated to Australia's national gemstone is taking shape at the edge of the outback in New South Wales. The new Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge — a two-story underground building designed by internationally renowned architects Glenn Murcutt and Wendy Lewin — will be filled with glittering treasures from the earth and... The post $24 Million Australian Opal Centre Starts to Take Shape at Lightning Ridge appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Auction Reminds Us: Elvis Presley Loved to Give Away Jewelry to Friends and Fans

on Mar 12 2019

Every time Elvis Presley's personal jewelry comes up for auction, we're reminded of the singer's legendary generosity. You see, for all the treasures Presley kept for himself, he gave away nearly as many, according to his personal jeweler. Presley famously wore gem-encrusted rings and pendants, and often gifted the jewelry to friends, colleagues and fans.... The post Auction Reminds Us: Elvis Presley Loved to Give Away Jewelry to Friends and Fans appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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A-Rod Proposes to J. Lo With Eye-Popping Emerald-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

on Mar 11 2019

Back in 2001, Jennifer Lopez famously sang, “My love don’t cost a thing,” but that didn’t stop boyfriend Alex Rodriguez from spending upwards of $5 million for an eye-popping emerald-cut diamond engagement ring. The couple proudly displayed a romantic hand-in-hand photo of the ring on their respective Instagram pages Saturday. The former New York Yankee... The post A-Rod Proposes to J. Lo With Eye-Popping Emerald-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Miami Gleams Like Aquamarine in Lana Del Rey’s ‘Salvatore’

on Mar 08 2019

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you dreamy songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey takes us on a flyover of Miami and describes the scene as aquamarine in her 2015 love song, “Salvatore.” Del Rey’s cinematic singing style is reminiscent of Frank... The post Music Friday: Miami Gleams Like Aquamarine in Lana Del Rey’s ‘Salvatore’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.