It’s little wonder families are being extra cautious this year, with attempts to re-establish their links with ‘savers’ and disassociate themselves with ‘borrowers’ and perpetual indebtedness.

The nation has become complacent about debt and as a result of many years of sustained growth, many see debt and borrowing as being completely acceptable. Over the years this culture has been nurtured by the banks and leading institutes which have flagrantly provided massive lending to all.

Hopefully, at some point in the future when the markets are stable and the Euro crisis has been entered into the history books, individuals and banks will have learnt a valuable lesson, with a global change in the way lending and borrowing is perceived.

In other words, a fundamental change in the culture and ethics of lending and borrowing needs to happen on a global scale.

DeJoria is wishing for a change of fortunes for all those affected by the financial turmoil and is very much looking forward to a highly prosperous 2012.

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Before the Euro crisis sparked concerns worldwide, despite times being tough, people were still spending without too much of a care. Though as soon as it became apparent as to the severity of the crisis in Europe and how it could change economies worldwide for decades to come if left untackled, with the same message being fed to everyone day after day, there is little surprise in the fact that people have stopped spending and are sitting tight, hoping to ride out the storm.

The trouble is, Europe doesn’t just have one problem country to deal with. On top of Greece, there are surmounting fiscal issues concerning Italy, Spain and Portugal, which will only exasperate the way people react by altering their spending patterns.

There seems to be few answers coming out of Europe and even when there are, there never seems to be unified answers by all member states.

It is so complex an issue that it’s going to take many years to return to anything like ‘good times’.

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No one in their right mind wishes to sit in front of a computer browsing the web if there is lovely weather to be enjoyed outside. Of course, high street should not have felt the brief downturn as much as online retail as there will always been the passing trade. There is always a chance that the good weather will have actually increased high street traffic by removing it from online.

Not wanting to dampen everyone’s spirits, but let pray for a period of bad weather.

The format is of course for the proposal of marriage to take place first, thus the initial requiremnt for a diamond engagement ring. The engagement is then usually followed in due course by the wedding itself, where wedding bands are exchanged.

There has however been a shift in buying patterns. A few shoppers are buying into a complete ring ‘package’, thus achieving a small saving when buying the engagement ring and two wedding rings at the same time.

Historically, precious metal and diamond prices have continued to increase, so buying into a ‘package’ early will also save the shopper any metal/diamond price increases and of course the dreaded inflation.

So, the savings to be had from buying a ring package can be three fold: retailer deals for ‘bundles’ ; beating the inevitable increase in metal and diamond prices driven by the respective markets; inflation.

To be in a position to buy a ring package is, more often than not, beyond most peoples financial capabilities. Furthermore and unfortunately, not every engagement results in an exchange of vows, so many will rely on the test of time before buying their wedding bands.

Platinum is the hardest of all precious metals used in jewellery manufacture and therefore wears considerably better than other metals, so a good choice. That said, even platinum will tarnish or scratch so there is no avoiding wear and tear taking place on any ring, unless it is never worn.

The majority of tarnishing will inherently be under the finger where contact with hard surfaces regularly occurs e.g. kitchen and bathroom work surfaces, handling appliances, banisters, holding luggage, car gear stick, computer keyboards…

What one sees are surface marks, which due to the nature of the highly polished surface, readily shows any blemishes which occur due to surface contact. Furthermore, most platinum jewellery is rhodium dipped, so the tarnishing is likely to be occurring to the layer of rhodium, rather than the underlying platinum. Of course, apply sufficient force and one will penetrate through to the platinum and indeed over time the rhodium will wear off.

This is why DeJoria provide a Life Time Care Programme, so our customers are able to have their ring(s) cleaned, polished and checked over at any point in the future – offering reassurance and peace of mind.

So, how many men have ever considered 5th November – Guy Fawkes night – where your private celebrations can be intimately shared whilst watching your local fireworks display on an unbelievable scale – a scale that you alone probably couldn’t compete with.

The timing of making your proposal of engagement and the presentation of your engagement ring could be planned to coincide with the fireworks finale, or indeed whilst you both enjoy the heat from the bonfire, sipping on hot toddy.

A novel and inspired approach to engagement ideas from DeJoria - engagements don’t have to be on a grande scale all the time – thanks to Guy Fawkes there is a refreshing alternative.

Already, DeJoria has noticed an upsurge of engagement ring orders, with men starting to think well ahead of the game, lessening the financial impact the festive season has on the end of year budget.

Another reason why a flurry of orders is being felt is that, those who have intentions of becoming engaged or even surprising a partner with a pair of spectacular diamond earrings or/and a fantastic diamond pendant, are bringing things forward before year end, so to avoid the extra 2.5% VAT uplift which is to be applied on 1st January 2011.

The festive season is not all about engagement, it’s about showing a loved one how much you really care, and there’s no better way to demonstrate this than to do it with diamonds, especially if it’s going to save you 2.5%.

Beautiful stud earrings from DeJoria Diamonds

Nothing tells a person you love them more than diamonds.  This gemstone has been precious, rare, and associated with happiness for centuries.  Therefore, diamonds set into different pieces of jewellery are highly prized.

Take the example of diamond earrings, for example.  The perfect gift…at least for those ladies with pierced ears. 

They are easy and straightforward to buy.  The main influencing factor in the buying decision is the design of the earrings first and foremost.  Then, it is the size and quality of the diamonds.

Most earrings sold in the UK today are the type called diamond stud earrings.  This is where there is a single diamond in each earring.  The diamonds can be any shape, but they are most commonly round cut or princess cut, as these are the shapes which are (a) most prevalent and (b) easiest to match a pair together.

The design of this earring is usually either claw set or rub-over set.  Indeed, the designs often so closely resemble engagement rings that it is usually possible to get a matching set of earrings to your engagement ring, which is route that many people go down.

Diamond earrings are sold according to their TOTAL weight of diamonds.  Take a look in any jewellers shop window and a pair of earrings will have a tag saying “0.50ctw” or something similar.  This means that with a total weight of 0.50ct, each of the diamonds weighs 0.25ct or a quarter of a carat.  In other words, 2 x 0.25ct = 0.50ct.

Often, the simplest designs of earrings are the best – those which maximise the beauty of the diamond with minimal metal surrounding it.

One final point to note is the fasteners on the stems of the earrings.  Most earrings come with traditional “butterfly” clips.  These clips are basically held in place by tension on the metal.  It is also possible to have screw back fasteners, which are a little bit more fiddly but do provided added security, especially useful when buying earrings of higher values from professional retailers such as http://www.dejoria.co.uk, for example.

So, the next time you want to buy a dazzling birthday, anniversary or Christmas gift, consider diamond earrings as a posssiblity…you can’t go wrong.

Why?

Because diamonds are rare, beautiful and highly prized.  No other natural substance can provide either the durability or scintillating appearance of finished, cut, polished diamonds.  This is why they have been treasured for centuries.  Such characteristics mean they are expensive.  And because they are expensive, they are highly prized.  It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Engagements, anniversaries, Christmas and birthdays – nothing says it better than diamonds.

So, the next time you’re thinking about that perfect gift, consider the power of diamonds.  They say it all.