Bling it on for our men!

Who ever said that jewelry was restricted to women!

Take a look around – our celebs are sporting the finest jewellery and setting trends which are making ways in the metrosexual man’s wardrobe. From day spas to diamonds, it’s all about getting in touch with the feminine side, and feeling at ease and confident enough to complement a watch with a bracelet, necklace, or an earring.

Ever since the bling bang, a “why not?” kind of attitude has prevailed. All kinds of men — from the designers Gabbana and Dolce to the tennis player Marat Safin — feel comfortable flaunting jewelry. Sean 'Diddy' Combs' is always at the forefront of setting the hottest new trends, whether it's in the form of diamond stud earrings or diamond encrusted watches, men want to replicate that designer inspired look. Movie stars, musicians and sports figures have helped guys grow more at ease with jewelry. Soccer phenomenon David Beckham sports everything from crosses to earrings. Actor Wilmer Valderrama has been spotted wearing chunky gold rings, while hip-hop artists like Kanye West shine in diamonds.

With the rise of metro sexual chic, and the fact that jewellery designs today are more macho, jewellery is another section that our men are reaching out to. With trying to spiff up their looks by frequenting spas, they are, also heading out on a shopping spree in the jewellery section…and this time, they are shopping for themselves!

Earrings, bracelets, diamond encrusted watches, cross pendants – its all there and there’s many more to come. Everyone is talking about men’s jewellery and today, it’s become a fashion that is more popular than ever before.

The bling trend

While the metro sexual influence may have more men interested in spending more time and money on their appearance and lifestyle, there is also a strong tug from film and sport celebrities.

Distinctive detailing, earthy materials, meaningful or symbolic attributes and above all, something manly is what the men’s bling is all about.

New designs are being produced every day. I would have to say the most popular piece of jewelry is the men’s bracelets. Designs such as titanium and gold bracelet make a statement because it is such a unique design and also has plenty of 18k gold in it. Cross pendants are making a strong comeback – men want to show their spirituality and want to look good doing so. The cross pendant is something that has been around for many years and now designs are much more stylish and unique.

The old and the new are merging! GIA design experts say masculine pieces are being paired with a fresh, feminine twist, and designers are taking advantage of the growing trend of genderless fashions. Soft and lustrous Tahitian pearls – a tradition in women’s pieces – are being incorporated with leather for a sensuous male touch.

And, men don’t have to be professional athletes or rock stars to wear earrings these days.

Handcrafted designer pieces in silver or platinum can create an elegant blend of contemporary masculinity. A diamond stud is perfect for a night out on the town.

Cufflinks are in

With dressier styles back, cufflinks are all the rage! Men look for simple, less-is-more design.

Men are using accessories and jewellery as a finishing touch to complete their look – a beautiful tie with a gold tie pin, a French cuff shirt with gold cuff links, set off with diamonds or colored stones.

Diamonds on your belts!

With the rebirth of loose-fit jeans on the scene it is inevitable for the belts to make a comeback. The belts are bigger and chunkier and the belt buckle, they sure are studded to catch an eye or two.

Watches

It’s raining diamonds on the watches! And, a Gucci or a Tag Heur with the dash of bling is making its way into the boardroom meetings. From the norm of just keeping pace with time, the watches are making a fashion statement and it complements the flirtier men’s look that we are seeing for this season.

Seized jewelry goes up for auction today

In the world of gangster jewelry, nothing says "bling" quite like a diamond-studded crucifix, a golden pit bull, or a jewel-encrusted gorilla.

Seized from drug dealers, some items appraised at more than $35,000 apiece, this collection of ill-gotten trinkets goes up for bid on Thursday -- everyone welcome.

The N.C. Department of Revenue will hawk nearly 200 pieces of confiscated goods by public auction for the first time in nine years, hoping to win back as much as $500,000.

Too timid for a pair of Tweety Bird and Tasmanian Devil charms dangling from a gold chain?
"There is stuff in here that ordinary people would like," said Jill Lucas, spokeswoman for the state Department of Administration, pointing to a ladies' Rolex appraised at $10,800. "I would not be at all offended if somebody bought me that watch."

The merchandise was all taken through the state's unauthorized substance tax, which levies penalties against anyone caught with more than 42.5 grams of marijuana, 7 grams of cocaine or 7 grams of heroin.

In recent years, seized jewelry was sold by sealed bid. But hopes run high that an open sale at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, with advance time set aside on Wednesday to inspect the items, will lure more bidders. Imagine a convict's cache at Christie's.

"It's about appealing to the type of bidder that is purely into jewelry," said Cale Johnson, director of unauthorized substance tax for the Revenue department.

In previous years, he noted, jewelry has sold well below appraisals, meaning a $38,000 diamond-studded Breitling watch might go for a bargain bid.

Fashion innovations exist among drug dealers, such as wearing a second pair of pants to conceal contraband in hidden pockets. But bling jewelry is as popular as ever, said Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue.

Around the world, law-abiding consumers are turning from ostentatious jewelry in reaction to lean times. Billed as anti-bling, a "Diamond Inside" ring can be purchased with the stone tucked behind the band, facing the finger. The Wealth Report, a blog written by Robert Frank for The Wall Street Journal, recently featured this headline: "The Coming Backlash Against Bling."

"The wealthy are becoming increasingly sensitive to 'softer' issues, such as their impact on the world," Frank writes. "They are worried about ostentation at a time of heavy media coverage of inequality."

Taste shouldn't be a concern Thursday.

Even if a $21,600 golden gorilla covered in 233 diamonds doesn't entice you, it's still made of precious stones and metals, said Jerry Ehrenwald, president and CEO of the International Gemological Institute in New York.

Gold was trading near $750 per ounce Monday.

"You can always melt it," he said. "As for bling jewelry from gangsters or whatever, again, if it's diamonds, if it's precious metals, there always will be a value."

It's a good guess that 80 percent of the people at a jewelry auction are tradesmen who can make their day's pay by liquidating -- or melting -- a drug dealer's chain. One gold rope being auctioned on Thursday weighs nearly 1.5 pounds. But there's always somebody with an eye for the flamboyant, an aficionado of the gaudy, hoping to rescue golden schlock from a life of crime.

What are the Diamond Shapes in engagement rings and their benefits?

When it comes to engagement rings, there are a multitude of style and shapes to choose from. Some affect the hand in different ways. Others have the advantage of making the rock appear to be larger than it actually is. Here is a very brief overview of several engagement ring styles, but be sure to do your research on your own to select the style that is right for you and your bride.

Keep in mind that in addition to the shape of the cut, the depth of the cut is also important in determining the quality of the stone. Make sure that you select a ring that has very nice symmetry and balance, rather than one that is too deep or too shallow.

Round

The round cut is the most popular. Basically, the top of the diamond is drilled in a circle so that it can be round. The benefit of the round cut is that six prongs usually hold it, which decreases the probability of it falling out of the setting.

Princess

The princess cut is the square-top cut that was made popular by Tiffany’s. The major benefit of the square cut is that it is trendy, attractive and full of color. However, because it is held in place using only four prongs, it can be easily lost if any of the prongs come loose.

Oval

The Oval ring is one of the less popular options, as most brides prefer the round cut. However, the benefit of the oval ring is that the length helps to elongate the hand while the softness helps to add a degree of character.

Pear

The pear shaped engagement ring is one of the least-popular options. In fact, it is so frequently not chosen, that many jewelry stores do not even carry it in stock. If you would like a pear-shaped ring, chances are high that you will have to either go online or special order your ring.

Marquis

The marquis shape is an oval with tips. It not only helps to make the hand appear longer and slimmer, but it also makes the diamond appear larger than it actually is. Marquis are a very popular cut, but are not liked by all brides.

When determining which cut is right for your bride, it is probably important to take a good look around at available options. There are plenty of options with engagement rings even if you go the ‘I’ll design my own engagement ring’ route.

Antique Engagement Ring Design - From Luxurious to Sleek

When choosing an engagement ring, it is important to think about the type of jewelry the bride-to-be normally wears, since this piece of jewelry will be one that she wears every day with every outfit she owns. If you both have already decided to go with an antique engagement ring design, then it is important to gauge what time period would be best to look in, depending on the bride-to-be's tastes.

Simply Elegant
If the bride-to-be is a woman of more simple tastes, where she enjoys some flair, but does not like things to be too complicated, then choosing a ring from the Victorian era is probably the best choice. Rings of this era tended towards the solitaire, where there is one focal point to the ring, a single stone.

Just because the ring is less intricate doesn't mean it is without personality. Antique engagement ring designs of this era give plenty of choices. The stones used in this era are diamonds, pearls, opals, rubies and even sapphires. You may find a bridal set in this era, but normally the engagement ring is meant to be worn alone as a simple statement of love and commitment.

Luxuriously Intricate
Antique engagement ring design of the Edwardian era tended toward the luxurious, where the wealthy could show off their wealth. The more detailed and intricate the antique engagement ring design, the better. If the bride-to-be likes here jewelry to be an accent, if not a statement, then this is the era for her.

The rings of this era also tend to be a solitaire, but the settings and mountings are much more detailed and the use of platinum is also increasingly common. Since technology advanced during this era, the lacey, interwoven patterns were a beautiful change from the more simplistic designs of the earlier era.

Artistically Beautiful
The antique engagement ring design of the Art Deco era was based on the architectural style of the time, which used geometric shapes and color to create an artistic work. If the bride-to-be has an artistic flair and likes her jewelry to be a centerpiece of her look, then the Art Deco era is a great place to look.

These rings use a centerpiece stone, which may or may not be a diamond, and place accent stones around it in geometric patterns. There are also nods to Egyptian, Asian and Native American art in some of the antique engagement ring designs of this era. At times these rings can be costly. To get the same look but at a lesser cost, vintage engagement rings are a great option. These rings are created in the same styles as the older rings but at a lesser cost.

The Rules Of Engagement Have Changed

The Rules Of Engagement Buying Has Changed at Whiteflash.com

What style diamond ring will suit your loved one? How many months of wages are you supposedly meant to spend on this purchase? Yes, learning the rules of engagement ring buying can take a little help!

Purchasing a diamond engagement ring is one of the biggest decisions a man will ever make. Everyone knows there are ‘four C’s’ when it comes to picking a diamond, but not every man knows where to start the search.

Searching for that perfect rock and learning the finer details of diamond selection can take a bit of time, but now there’s an easier way to pick out the ring of your girlfriend’s dream – without leaving home.

Shop online at your own speed and in your own time with Whiteflash.com - a new jeweler retailer who can help you design and select a quality diamond ring through a comprehensive new website – http://www.whiteflash.com/.

At the Whiteflash.com website you can browse through a catalogue of gorgeous designer rings, so you’re guaranteed to select the perfect engagement ring for that special someone!

The website features an interactive custom design ring builder which takes you step-by-step through decisions such as: ring style (solitaire, multi-stone, 3-stone); ring design (a whole template of different designs); size of diamond, quality of diamond and shape of diamond (such as round, pear or princess).

This innovative service includes CAD design of the ring as you make each decision, so it’s like consulting with a personal jeweler designer right from your computer.

The benefit of purchasing a ring from Whiteflash.com is that the range of loose diamonds and diamond settings that is much more extensive than the average diamond store– so you can find something exquisite and on budget!

Buying online has always been a smart way to shop because virtual retailers don’t have the large overheads. Whiteflash.com is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can shop in your own time without getting caught out by your partner! You can even return a ring in the first 10 days if when you receive it you aren’t entirely satisfied for a full refund. Whiteflash.com - A Brilliant Diamond Buying Experience!

A blood diamond is forever

You want to give your sweetie something sparkly this Valentine's Day. Maybe it's even time to pop the question. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, of course … unless the girl cares about funding wars in Africa and wearing a reminder of bloodshed and poverty on her finger, that is.
Unfortunately, the modern symbol of love is also a token of terrible tragedies. If you're looking to buy with a clear conscience, you'll want to do a little research before you're beguiled by the brilliance.

During the 1990s, money from selling diamonds financed several vicious civil wars in African countries. Military warlords and rebel groups alike mined diamonds to buy weapons in Sierra Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Liberia. Diamonds from Republic of Congo and Côte d'Ivoire were also used to fund wars in neighboring countries.

These gems became known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. Global Witness (PDF) estimates that up to 15% of all diamonds sold around the world in the late 1990s were conflict diamonds.

The United Nations imposed an embargo on non-government-certified diamonds from Angola in 1998 and did the same for Sierra Leone diamonds in 2000.

In 2003, the United Nations, over 70 countries, and the international diamond industry launched the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. This voluntary system is supposed to track rough diamonds from the mine to the retailer and ensure that they are conflict-free and legitimately traded.

In addition, the U.S. created several laws such as the Clean Diamonds Act to ban importation of rough diamonds that are not certified by the Kimberly Process. The U.S. is the world's largest consumer of diamond jewelry -- we bought $33.7 billion worth in 2005! But most of what we import are cut and polished stones, according to Global Witness (PDF).

While the Kimberly Process has made strides, it also has weaknesses that have been exploited. Some conflict diamonds are still getting onto the market, although thankfully in small numbers. Partnership Africa Canada (PDF) reports how Côte d'Ivoire continues to launder blood diamonds through other countries and how lack of monitoring keeps retailers from always knowing what they're selling.

So how are we supposed to know what we're buying for our loved ones? You'll have to ask the jeweler some questions, and be prepared to shop around. The Conflict-Free Diamond Council has useful guidelines to consider when looking for a diamond.

Download Amnesty International's diamond buyer's guide (PDF) for handy questions to ask your diamond retailer.

To learn more about specific stores, check out the charts from Global Witness and Amnesty International. These PDFs give details about businesses' conflict-diamond policies and what monitoring organizations they belong to. You'll find everyone from Wal-Mart to Saks Fifth Avenue included.

You can look up the conflict-free diamond statements of some big-name stores online.

Whiteflash and James Allen Professional Jeweler are among the many online retailers who sell conflict-free diamonds in accordance with the Kimberly Process.

Some folks prefer diamonds mined in Canada. The CanadaMark certification guarantees that the diamonds are from the Great White North, which is, of course, far from ugly wars.

However, Canadian diamonds aren't perfect for the environment either. Mining Watch points out that northern diamond mines damage delicate ecosystems and animal habitats. These operations have also disrupted the lives of indigenous people in Canada.

One of the most eco-friendly options is to recycle jewelry. For example, Green Karat uses recycled gems in its designs. This not only ensures that your diamond is free of taint, but it doesn't hurt the environment with messy mining practices.

Similarly, vintage jewelry from before the 1990s neatly avoids conflict and harm to the planet. If you insist, you can always have the stone removed from an old setting and placed into a ring, necklace, etc., of your own design. Jewelers do this frequently when heirlooms are inherited but styles change. Search antique stores in your town or troll eBay for deals.

Tiffany’s Jewelry - Important Facts

Tiffany’s is one of the most well known brand names and design houses in the jewelry business. The quality of service, customer satisfaction and the fine designs offered by the company are one of the best in their times. The company is primarily famous for its superb quality and artisanship.

However, as this amount of beauty and quality comes at a price, there are many jewelry lovers who are just not able to pay the high price and look for suitable replicas instead. This is the reason there are special designers that now offer beautifully made Replica Tiffany Jewelry and that too, at a much lower price. Take note of these tips about buying rings or other jewelry you may be interested in.

The Style
The Tiffany’s is one of those brands that actually mark the onset of a classic style and design on its own. Some of the designs of this brand name have become so common and popular, that they are bound to be copied by artisans all over. These replicas are created either by using a mass production technique or by an individual jewelry designer who is striving to make a name for his services and capitalize on the original designs. These kinds of procedures have made the replica business a very lucrative one, with scores of skilled designers paying close attention to these designs and producing them effortlessly with same style and appeal.

These designers also have full knowledge of the materials, metals and stones to be used to imitate the look of the real jewelry. It is a very common sight to find paste gems with plastic bezels or pendant pieces. Often, one also finds jewelry that uses a quartz crystal of a diamond or even silver instead of platinum. Such techniques are extremely useful and come handy when preparing replica Tiffany jewelry.

A Warning
It is important for genuine jewelry lovers to notice that there are fake designers who can pass off their imitations as genuine replica Tiffany jewelry. Before you actually buy jewelry, make sure there is the mark Tiffany & Co., engraved on the piece. By rule, all of replica Tiffany’s jewelry carries an identification mark for the benefit of its customers.

There are also other ways that help you spot the fake pieces. For instance, one of the methods is to see whether the dealer has several sizes in one piece or if the fake platinum is excessively bright. It is always helpful to have prior knowledge of the important aspects of the replica Tiffany’s jewelry to help you avoid such situations.

Check out some great Tiffany Engagement Ring Styles!