Top 5 things to Buy During the Recession

If you are in the market to buy a diamond, now may be the best time to make that investment. Economists and diamond wholesalers are saying diamonds are among the best things to buy while the economy is in a recession. Televisions, laptops, women's clothing, furniture and toys also made the list.

Prices on large polished diamonds are lower today, dropping at least 5% to 8% on average in the last 18 months, while smaller stones ranging ½ (half) carat to 2 carats have dropped about 3% to 5%.

Diamond wholesalers have stated the diamond industry has never seen such a significant decrease in prices since the wholesale Price List (Rapaport) was released in 1970s. So if you are ready to pop the question, don’t let the economy discourage you because these prices will not last long.

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The Romantic History of Diamonds

Diamonds have long been recognized as a symbol of love, proposal and marriage. But why has the diamond received such attention and dominance over other stones and what does a diamond historically symbolize and represent?

The physical properties of diamonds are highly impressive as it is one of the hardest and strongest materials known to man. It will resist extremely high and low temperatures and in its purest form is totally clear. This means it sparkles, attracts and refracts the light delicately and also represents eternity, strength and power. The diamond is a truly beautiful, rare and pure stone.

Diamonds have fascinated mankind for centuries. The Romans believed they were parts of fallen stars and the Greeks believed they were the tears of the gods. Humans have tended to associate diamonds with having supernatural properties; in India it was unlucky to touch a broken or damaged diamond and diamonds should not be cut to avoid losing their supernatural powers. Some people believed that diamonds would protect you during battle and give strength to those that wore them.

The tradition of wedding proposals and diamond engagement rings was believed to have developed from the 14th century, following Archduke Maximilian of Austria’s proposal to Mary of Burgundy, where he gave her a diamond engagement ring.

Since then the diamond industry has grown and grown, particularly during the rise of Hollywood glamour where diamonds were associated with money and status. Sayings such as "diamonds are a girl’s best friend" and "diamonds are forever" have increased their popularity as a symbol of love, commitment and devotion.

Diamonds remain to be a touching and loving gift for your partner or loved one. Diamonds make particularly appropriate sixtieth anniversary gifts, as a couple commemorates sixty years of marriage together, a life together and their diamond wedding anniversary. The symbolism and history of diamonds as a romantic symbol of love and eternity would never seem more fitting to partners who have shared almost their whole loves together.

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EGL USA versus EGL International or EGL Israel

EGL USA is not affiliated with other EGL labs (Example: EGL, EGL International, EGL Israel, EGL Belgium, EGL Turkey, etc...) outside of North America.

There are other labs outside of North America which are using same name such as EGL Israel or EGL International (or even some websites call them only EGL) are not part of EGL USA.

Unfortunately EGL USA is in a legal dispute with EGL International or EGL Israel which has been flooding the market with diamonds that have not been graded as stringently. When purchasing an EGL graded stone, be sure to insist upon EGL-USA only unless you and your jeweler are able to scrutinize the stone in question very well and be assured it is as advertised. Any EGL that does not have an EGLUSA logo can sometimes have a 2 or even 3 grades lower in the color and clarity grades. EGL USA is far stricter compared to other EGL locations. Please visit www.EGLUSA.com for more information or call EGL USA at (877) 893-8593.

Each consultation of appraisal issued by the EGL USA lab states "A member of the EGL USA Group" and certificate numbers are preceded by either "CA" (Canada) or "US" (United States), to provide consumers the assurance that their certificate has been issued by a member of the EGL USA Group.

Samples of EGL USA and EGL International certificates can be found here.

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Understanding palladium and being able to overcome customer objections to this alternative metal

This is the time to find an alternative that makes sense for most customers, the points we can make about palladium are that it is an environmentally friendly, or "green," metal, it is 95 percent pure, making it safe for customers who might have allergic reactions to white gold, and it is naturally white and bright.

*It isn’t treated to achieve its color like other metals.
*It is the "poor man’s platinum," to which we are pointing out its value and lower price relative to other metals, and that it is just a trend.

Most jewelers are not ready for the objections, concerning palladium yet but there studies about this new trend will open new doors to introduce totally deferent jewelry lines.

What is Palladium?

The history of palladium begins with the history of platinum and the platinum group metals of which palladium is a member. Traces of platinum have been found among artifacts from ancient Egypt, dated to the seventh century B.C. and from Thebes, where craftsmen most likely mistaking it for silver, hammered and formed it in much the same manner.

Centuries before the arrival of the Spanish in the Americas, the Esmeraldas of the coastal region of Northern Ecuador fashioned small pieces of jewelry, rings and pendants of platinum or platinum and gold combined, which displayed significant and sophisticated metallurgical skill. Following a comprehensive study involving independent consultants and the Palladium Alliance International, under the auspices of the International Platinum Group Metals Association, a decision has been taken to plan and implement a market development programmed for palladium jewelry. The initiative will initially focus on China and the United States of America. Norilsk Nickel, the largest producer of palladium, will lead, supported by the major palladium producers in South Africa (Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum, and Lonmin) and the United States of America (Stillwater Mining Company).

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Choosing Conflict Free Diamonds

Conflict free diamonds are guaranteed to originate from ethical and environmentally Responsible sources. Conflict free diamonds are free from violence and human rights abuses, and are produced with minimal environmental impact. By choosing conflict free, you are voicing your support for ethical and environmentally responsible practices in the global diamond trade.

DiamondonNet, along with our entire staff, suppliers, Manufactures and all our rough buyers around the world has a zero-tolerance policy toward conflict diamonds. Through measures such as the Kimberley Process, which tracks diamonds from mine to market, we in partnership with the United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations, polices diamond exports to prevent the trade of illegal diamonds.

At DiamondonNet, we only purchase rough diamonds through the largest and most respected rough manufactures who has been inspected and verified by there governments and World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) In addition to above process DiamondonNet is constantly checks our buyers certificates and there backgrounds and proudly adhere to and enforce the standards established by the Kimberley Process. All Diamonds from DiamondonNet are warrantied to be conflict free. If one of our suppliers was ever found to be in violation of that process, we would immediately sever that relationship. We will continue to support and promote any process that works to uphold legitimacy in the diamond trade.

Diamonds are mined throughout the world, including major mines in Australia, Africa, Russia and Canada. Diamonds are a major source of good in many African nations, employing and providing healthcare to thousands. For more information on this issue, please visit DiamondFacts.org.

DiamondonNet supports the Kimberley process, which is an International process to track and certify diamonds. In April 2003, congress and President Bush passed a law adopting the Kimberley Process that requires all US diamond retailers to buy diamonds from manufacturers who have documentation warranting that the merchandise was obtained through legitimate channels. Today, the US Customs Service actively enforces the Kimberley Process requirements as diamonds enter American ports. For further information, please read the White House statementon the passage of this law.

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