Diamond is a mineral and is the hardest known substance to man, but one of the simplest being composed of carbon and the first recorded history dates back to some 3000 years ago to India. Throughout history diamonds have been associated with mystical power, great beauty and more recently great value and wealth. The word comes from the Greek meaning 'adamas' meaning unconquerable and they have been worn throughout the ages by men going into battle as a sign of strength, courage and invincibility.

Most diamonds still originate from central and south Africa although there have been other significant finds in Canada, Brazil, Australia and the biggest diamond mine is in Siberia. The diamond market is very much dominated by De Beers to control the supply and price of diamonds across the world by what some would say are monopolistic practices.

Some of the worlds largest and most valuable diamonds are in the Tower of London in the British Crown Jewels.

Di... [more]

Irish traditions are rich and full of both whimsy and sentiment. This is especially true when it comes to weddings and marriage. The Irish symbolize beautifully the real meaning of marriage with their wedding rings. Celtic engagement rings and wedding bands have a style all their own, but still lend themselves to adding your own personal touches. An antique gold ring with the telltale woven pattern is the perfect symbol of the blending of two lives.
 
Designing Your Celtic Engagement Rings

Once you've decided you love the tradition of the Irish wedding ring, you can design your own engagement ring and wedding bands to incorporate those styles.

First you begin with the precious metal that will hold the pattern and any gemstones. Rings can be fashioned out of gold, silver, or platinum. Jewelers will tell you what material best suits the stones you may be setting within the ring. Platinum for example is the perfect material for setting a high quality ... [more]

For the pocket watch lovers out there who are interested in adding to your collection, many places are available to help you out. Partly due to demand, the antique and pocket watch industry has increased over the past few years. Because of this, many have taken interest in buying, selling, and even trading pocket watches.

An antique store is the best resource in locating a pocket watch. As obvious as it may sound, this is the ultimate resource, however, there are a large number of people that overlook this option when searching for a pocket watch. If you can find an antique store that specializes in jewelry, it will make the chances of you finding that perfect pocket watch that much greater.

An alternative to an antique store is a flea market. There are many bargains available at flea markets and if you find a great flea market, you may just find a great pocket watch for a great price. Not only could you end up saving money, but you could find the pocket wa... [more]