The diamond engagement ring is perhaps the most widely used symbol in the world for love and commitment. The engagement ring suggests an upcoming marriage and the diamond evokes thoughts of true love and even complete adoration.
Mary of Burgundy is the first woman we know of to have received a diamond engagement ring. This took place in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria asked for her hand. This practice did not immediately become common however. Giving presents with precious gems on gold or silver remained largely an activity among the aristocracy. It was only in the twentieth century that the idea began to spread among common people. This might be largely due to a very successful marketing campaign for diamonds by DeBeers. Their advertising campaign coined the term "A Diamond is Forever." Other expressions have followed such as "a diamond is a girl's best friend." The DeBeers marketing campaign was so successful that in western society it is now an extremely common practice to offer a diamond ring with a proposal of marriage.
In the last ten years, more and more information has surfaced about the harsh realities of the diamond trade. Conflict diamonds and blood diamonds are terms used to describe diamonds which may have been mined by poorly paid miners and even slaves in some cases and to describe diamonds from regions in which the diamond trade is used to fund weapons for war. This knowledge removes the romance associated with diamonds.
However what this information has also done is bring to light the fact that some diamonds are mined in ethical ways. These are now called ethical diamonds. A wonderful example is the diamond trade in the Canadian Northwest Territories. The diamond miners and other workers are mainly Inuit. They have been professionally trained and earn fair salaries with excellent company benefits. The diamond trade has drastically changed the Inuit way of life as the salaries earned have had a ricochet effect which has impacted the entire region for the better.
People all over the world are now asking about provenance which means where the diamond has been mined. Requests for Canadian diamonds have reached an all time high. Buying an engagement ring with a Canadian diamond is one way to bring romance back to the symbol of romance which had been losing its appeal due to the very real stories about the diamond trade. As well as mining, the Inuit people have been trained in diamond cutting by the people of Georgia who are claimed to be the best in the world.
There is no doubt that receiving a diamond engagement ring that has a diamond which has been ethically mined is more romantic than receiving a conflict diamond. Knowing that there is an association of people suffering and dying with the diamond you are wearing is probably as unromantic as you can get. On the other hand, knowing that the purchase of your diamond has helped an entire group of people who had many injustices done to them in the past is romantic. Knowing that as a result of this diamond trade they are now part of a lively and growing prosperous community is actually ultra romantic.
A diamond engagement ring which can be accepted lovingly and totally free of guilt remains a beautiful way to show commitment.
About the Author
Johnny Moon is a contributer to The Wedding Engagement Ring
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Circle Cubic Zirconia Pendant
As you might expect, the circle cubic zirconia pendant is still around as one of the most important jewelry items. With many retailers expanding their selections to include matching earrings, rings and bracelets, the innovative variations of the circle theme continue to dazzle the fashion world...Why is that?
There is no better way to give a gift that expresses your love or gratitude to another person than to present them with a dazzling circle cubic zirconia pendant.
Instead of paying hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for a diamond pendant, many shoppers are turning toward cubic zirconia and sterling silver with rhodium plating (which all together, replaces the look of diamond in platinum metal setting).
With this said, the circle cubic zirconia pendant has been a very popular design for shoppers because it possesses a deeper meaning than meets the eye.
You see, a complete circle often symbolizes love or eternity; there is no beginning and no end. The same is said about real love; it is complete, has no definite beginning and no end.
A circle cubic zirconia pendant can have many meanings to different people. Perhaps a circle inspires a feeling that life has come full circle, or that everything is connected in some way or another.
Whatever your reason for wearing it, the many sizes of the circle cubic zirconia pendant remain popular and versatile. This means you can wear it with most outfits (whatever the style or color), and for most occasions--out with friends, at parties, or even at the office.
Even though it is a very fashionable trend, this simple design works for everyone--teens, young adults and women of all ages. Much like the design itself, there seems to be no visible end to the popularity of the circle cubic zirconia pendant.
This is one of the most dazzling and timeless looks you will want to own for a lifetime. Its graceful design will do nothing less than to scintillate loveliness while hanging from your neck, showing off its dramatic and dazzling diamond brilliance.
Although current trends seem to center around the elegance and femininity of the circle cubic zirconia pendant, the symbolic meaning of the circle combined with its simple, sleek appeal will no doubt make this jewelry item a timeless treasure you can wear your whole lifetime.
About the Author
Penny Best Jewelry provides you with fine cubic zirconia jewelry and timeless designs, at an affordable price. The online store at http://www.pennybest.com offers you top quality cz jewelry including beautiful rings, earrings, stunning necklaces, dazzling bracelets, bridal sets, free shipping, free jewelry box and a 30-day money back guarantee.
There is no better way to give a gift that expresses your love or gratitude to another person than to present them with a dazzling circle cubic zirconia pendant.
Instead of paying hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for a diamond pendant, many shoppers are turning toward cubic zirconia and sterling silver with rhodium plating (which all together, replaces the look of diamond in platinum metal setting).
With this said, the circle cubic zirconia pendant has been a very popular design for shoppers because it possesses a deeper meaning than meets the eye.
You see, a complete circle often symbolizes love or eternity; there is no beginning and no end. The same is said about real love; it is complete, has no definite beginning and no end.
A circle cubic zirconia pendant can have many meanings to different people. Perhaps a circle inspires a feeling that life has come full circle, or that everything is connected in some way or another.
Whatever your reason for wearing it, the many sizes of the circle cubic zirconia pendant remain popular and versatile. This means you can wear it with most outfits (whatever the style or color), and for most occasions--out with friends, at parties, or even at the office.
Even though it is a very fashionable trend, this simple design works for everyone--teens, young adults and women of all ages. Much like the design itself, there seems to be no visible end to the popularity of the circle cubic zirconia pendant.
This is one of the most dazzling and timeless looks you will want to own for a lifetime. Its graceful design will do nothing less than to scintillate loveliness while hanging from your neck, showing off its dramatic and dazzling diamond brilliance.
Although current trends seem to center around the elegance and femininity of the circle cubic zirconia pendant, the symbolic meaning of the circle combined with its simple, sleek appeal will no doubt make this jewelry item a timeless treasure you can wear your whole lifetime.
About the Author
Penny Best Jewelry provides you with fine cubic zirconia jewelry and timeless designs, at an affordable price. The online store at http://www.pennybest.com offers you top quality cz jewelry including beautiful rings, earrings, stunning necklaces, dazzling bracelets, bridal sets, free shipping, free jewelry box and a 30-day money back guarantee.
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