$250,000 in Free Jewelry Riding on New England's Perfect Season

With a little help from Nevada-based Odds On Promotions, Worcester, Mass. jewelry retailer will refund up to $250,000 based on the outcome of Saturday's football game between New England and the Giants.

Reno, NV (PRWEB) December 29, 2007 -- While football fans everywhere will be tuning in Saturday to see if New England can pull off the perfect season, in Worcester, Mass., Arpine Azizian, owner of Shavarsh Jewelry, will be watching to see if she'll be handing out $250,000 in free jewelry. This fall, Azizian ran a season-long sales promotion offering her customers a 100% rebate on their jewelry purchases if New England could finish the regular season undefeated, something that hasn't happened since the Dolphin's perfect season in 1972.

While most retailers would be concerned about the prospect of refunding $250,000, Azizian isn't the slightest bit concerned about the outcome of the game. In fact, she'll be cheering New England on to victory, thanks to an insurance policy underwritten by the Reno, Nevada-based insured-prize promotions company, Odds On Promotions.

According to Mark Gilmartin, President of Odds On Promotions, whose company will be picking up the tab for the free jewelry if the New England defeat the Giants, "Retailers utilize these kinds of promotions in order to attract more shoppers. In fact, conditional rebates are quite popular because they are fun for customers and are effective at helping retailers grab attention."

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/12/prweb594742.htm

Costume jewelry has more value if it's a signed piece

Bling is back -- and couldn't be more appropriate than during the holidays and on New Year's Eve, when a little sparkle adds to the festiveness of the season.

Today's fashionistas have even rediscovered the bling of the past, making yesterday's costume jewelry big business and a hot collectible, says Judith Miller, co-author of "Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guide)" (DK Publishing, $30).

"Costume jewelry is essentially a 20th-century term for jewelry made from non-precious metals, such as imitation gemstones and faux pearls set in silver or inexpensive base metals," she explains in Costume Jewelry. "Costume jewelry was often produced in large quantities, with pieces designed to go with each new season's outfits. Much of it was unsigned and was never intended to last for a long time. However, despite the inexpensive materials used, much costume jewelry is just as beautiful and as highly crafted as its precious counterpart and is now considered highly collectible. All that glitters may not be gold, but it certainly can be addictive."

Many of our mothers and grandmothers had jewelry boxes filled with the types of pieces that now bring top dollar at antique shows. Sharon Kennedy's mother was a fan of costume jewelry, she says, and she is lucky enough to still have many of her pieces.

"My mother was a big fan of jewelry and loved glitter," says Kennedy, of Detroit.

"When she passed away, I acquired numerous amounts of jewelry that she had collected over her years of living and traveling because of gospel singing in National Baptist conventions."

Kennedy brought a number of those pieces to Robert DuMouchelle for evaluation during a recent appraisal session.

DuMouchelle praised the jewelry's "sparkle factor," and its affordability and reinforced costume jewelry's growing popularity in the ever-changing world of antiques and collectibles.

"We definitely sell a lot of costume jewelry these days," he confirms. "While we often sell them in groupings, the individual pieces are collectible and bring varying amounts. The nice thing is that many people can afford to collect costume jewelry, and it's fun to wear."

DuMouchelle says that certain pieces bring a premium. "First, signed pieces are always worth more than non-signed," he says. "Big names such as Miriam Haskell, Chanel and Trifari bring more than later or lesser-known names. Unusual styles and rare pieces also command more."

Sharon brought in five or six pieces, saying she had even more at home. DuMouchelle thought that, although unsigned, her enameled parrot pin could bring $75-$125. The rest varied in value.

Kennedy has considered selling them, but can't seem to part with them.

"I have had some offers, but I haven't really decided what to do," she says. "I'm thinking of making a shadow box out of some of them and keeping one or two to wear. I wore one to an event the other day and got a lot of compliments.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071229/LIFESTYLE01/712290390/1038/LIFESTYLE01

Diamond Rings - 3 Quick Tips to Avoid Paying Too Much

Most of us are true novices when it comes to shopping for diamond rings and other jewelry. There’s a lot that goes into the process of evaluating the relative worth of diamonds, primarily centered around what are called the ‘4 C’s’ (clarity, cut, color, carat-weight). Unless you’ve bought a number of diamonds, chances are you’re more or less clueless. That’s certainly a common occurrence, so don’t feel bad!

Here are three easily remembered tips for the next time diamond ring shopping confronts you. Print this out or jot them down and keep in your wallet or purse. Assuming you remember you did so when the moment arrives, you’ll be armed with the basic knowledge necessary to avoid being taken to the cleaners by a clever jewelry shop salesperson.

Tip #1 – Always Get a Guarantee

This is a must. Never ever, under any circumstances, take the word of a diamond jewelry “expert” in a store on the value of a diamond (loose or in a setting). The shifty ones prey on excited customers who are novices and, thus, prone to making impulse purchases. Even if the seller offers official-looking paperwork as proof of the diamond’s quality, demand an ironclad written guarantee. If they balk, leave and shop elsewhere.

Tip #2 – Don’t Let Size Decide

If there’s one enduring myth about buying diamond rings and other jewelry, it’s that big diamonds are always worth more. In fact, the exact opposite is often true! Remember the ‘4 C’s’ mentioned earlier. Carat-weight is just one of four. A simple example will suffice to illustrate this point. If you have the choice between a large diamond that rates lower on clarity and color than one with the same cut that’s smaller but has a higher rating on clarity and color, choose the smaller option. The overall quality of the smaller diamond almost always makes it worth more as a long-term investment than the lesser quality big one. The bottom line: only let carat-weight decide if the clarity and color of two diamonds are identical (or at least very close).

Tip #3 – Ignore the Ring

This one trips up a lot of impulse buyers who fall in love with the ring setting, to the point of virtually ignoring the diamond it holds. If you remember one simple fact, you might be able to keep a rein on your emotions: diamonds are forever; settings can be changed easily. Don’t let the ring itself distract you from the primary concern, which is the quality and long-term value of the diamond that the ring merely holds in place.

Of course, at the end of the day, you have to really love what you’re buying. If you see a diamond ring you just have to have, you can ignore all of this and go for it. If you have the monetary means, why not, right? But, for the vast majority of us, following the simple tips outlined above will prevent a disaster in the making. Good luck!

© John Schwartz (all rights reserved)

John Schwartz is a freelance writer and website publisher. For more information and tips on diamond rings and other jewelry, visit his site at http://www.diamond-rings-1.com today.

Digging for Diamonds

Jewelry has become a major online category, in a counter-intuitive development within the e-commerce business.

Online jewelry sales are expected to reach $3.2 billion this year, compared with $2.5 billion last year. Overall, 8% of all jewelry sales in 2005 are expected to come from the Internet, up from 6% in 2004 and 3% in 2002. BlueNile forecasts 2005 sales of $205 million to $215 million, up from $169 million in 2004.

Ann Poletti at eBay said, they do $1.6-$1.7 Billion in jewelry and watches, and she gave me these two statistics:

50% ($0.8M) is in diamonds and watches.
50% ($0.8M) is in rings and watches.
These are very compelling numbers, indicating a very compelling opportunity.

An easy way to get into this business for an investor could be by buying Odimo (Nasdaq: ODMO) that owns the portal diamond.com, as well as other internet brands such as Ashford. The company did $52 Million in 2004 sales, but is currently valued at a mere $13 Million. Of course, they are losing beaucoup money. However, some of the P&L problems seem to be artifically created by their majority shareholder, The Steinmetz Group, who remains the sole supplier of diamonds to the company, but at questionable terms. Gross margin numbers seem suspicious.

Bottomline, jewelry online is an opportunity worth pursuing, and TAM is expected to continue to rise as more of the web savvy generations enhance their buying power.

Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant Sramana Mitra writes about Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy, Emerging Technology, Market Moves, and sundry other topics in her Blog "Sramana Mitra on Strategy". Read more of her writings at http://www.sramanamitra.com

Finding the Perfect Engagement Ring for the Bride-to-be

Do you know how the tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand started? The ancient Egyptians started this tradition symbolizing undying love as they believe the love vein Vena Amoris ran directly from this finger to the heart. Later in AD 860 the Pope Nicolas I made this practice of wearing gold engagement ring official.

Here are some engagement ring ideas.

You want to be unique. Consider getting a colored diamond. They are rarer than white diamonds. In fact, only one in 10,000 diamonds is a colored one. The colors range from yellow, pink and blue. Remember Jennifer Lopez's infamous pink diamond engagement ring ? A pink diamond ring is extremely rare and very expensive with prices starting from more than a hundred thousand. Yellow diamond is more common than the other colors and is definitely more attainable for a well to do couple. Generally, colored diamonds cost 25 to 50% more than white diamonds. In either case, choose a quality diamond by looking at the 4Cs.

Couples are also opting for bigger diamonds. The traditional one carat engagement ring has been superseded by 3 to 5 carat diamonds.

There are many new ideas for engagement rings. You can choose new diamond settings too. I understand round diamond is the most popular followed by the princess cut. The bezel setting is now very popular . Instead of the diamond being elevated, it is surrounded by metal. How about a tension set diamond engagement ring? The diamond seems to float and is actually held on its edges. It looks very cool.

Three stone rings are also hot now, the bigger center diamond is accented on both sides by smaller stones of the same shape. Guy Ritchie and Madonna,Phil Bronstein and Sharon Stone are two of the hottest Hollywood couples currently sporting them.

If you really want to be unique, consider antique diamond or heirloom diamond jewelry where the cutting was actually done manually by craftsman. You can then take out the old setting and place the diamond in a new modern setting. Alternatively, you can also consider getting a new diamond to be placed in your old setting thus making it unique.

The choice of metal is also important. Platinum is sought after for its hypoallergenic properties. It is stronger and heavier than gold and will remain tarnish free forever compared to gold. Other innovative use of metal include two toned rings and even rings that combine three metals.

If you want different gemstone, consider alternative gemstones like Sapphires, rubies and emeralds.

If money is an issue, consider getting a gemstone that looks like the real thing such as Cubic zirconia or moissanite. Moissanite rates an impressive 9.25 on the Mohs scale ( a diamond is a perfect 10) which is harder than emeralds and rubies.A one-carat moissanite cost about $500 while a diamond of the same size may set you back by $6,000. You can always upgrade to a diamond ring on your next wedding anniversary.

Buying a diamond? Check out the diamond prices at http://www.alljewelry.info/diamond-prices.php to ensure you are getting a fair deal. Here is where you can get Three stone diamond rings

Birthstone Jewelry Makes a Great Gift

What is birthstone jewelry? Each month of the year has a specific gemstone associated with it that is considered the "birthstone" for that month. Your birthstone is the gemstone that the month you are born is assigned to.

Since the custom of wearing birthstone jewelry began, it has been thought to provide the wearer with luck and other virtues specific to their month of birth. It also was rumored to provide the wearer with protection from evil forces. In modern times,birthstone jewelry makes a perfect gift for any occasion - Holidays, Birthdays, Anniversaries and any other time you need a thoughtful, yet cost effective gift.

Birthstone jewelry is not hard to find at any department store, or online. Due to its popularity, merchants usually have a decent selection of birthstone rings, pedants, earrings and other birthstone jewelry. You can often find coupons and discounts on birthstone jewelry, especially around the Holidays, Valentines Day, and Mothers Day when it is a popular gift item.

Here is a handy list of months and their birthstones:

January - Garnet

February - Amethyst

March - Aquamarine, Bloodstone

April - White Topaz

May - Emerald

June - Pearl, Moonstone

July - Ruby

August - Peridot

September - Sapphire

October - Opal, Tourmaline

November - Yellow Topaz, Citrine

December - Turquoise, Blue Topaz

Birthstone jewelry makes a great gift for young girls. There is inexpensive quality costume birthstone jewelry that is made specifically for 5 - 12 yr old girls. Kids will find it neat that they are wearing "their" birthstone, not to mention that they will enjoy dressing up in their jewelry just like mom.

Speaking of Mom, birthstone jewelry makes an excellent gift for women as well. There are many varieties of gold, silver and platinum birthstone jewelry. Some of them can be pricey, but are often coupled with diamonds and/or other precious stones. Your recipient will be touched at the personal thought that went into their gift. Or, as a twist, you can even find custom jewelry that has several birthstones, one for each child or grandchild.

For a gift giving guide to birthstone jewelry, or to shop for elegant, yet affordable pieces, visit: The Birthstone Jewelry Gifts Guide at http://www.iWebShopping.org

Hot Tips on Choosing the Right Jewelry

Here are jewelry ideas to help you look your best.

Why wear jewelry? In ancient times jewelry were used as good luck charm and protect the wearer from evil spirits. Nowadays, wearing the right jewelry gives you a touch of class and sensuality. Jewelry can transform you into a princess. A pair of long earrings underscores your lovely neck. A shining gem pendant seems to make your eyes sparkle .Best of all, you only need one or two pieces of jewelry to create the effect.

You can use the design and position of jewelry to enhance your appearance or to draw attention away. Have you got some skin peeling off your forearm from sun tanning ? Avoid wearing bangles or bracelets and pick a stunning ring instead. A choker will also serve to focus attention towards your face. If you got ample bosom that men admire , why not wear a pendant that goes down all the way to your cleavage?

You can try different ideas such as wearing layers of necklaces of different lengths. You can wear multiple bracelets too. Or go for chunky jewelry. You can wear an oversized cocktail ring to attract attention.

There's no need to buy expensive branded jewelry from Tiffany unless you are making an investment. Consider affordable jewelry like costume jewelry. Nowadays there are all kinds of materials used in jewelry from wood , plastic to natural stuff like bamboo and sea shells.

The rage these days is antique jewelry. Now here are some tips concerning wearing these jewelry. Wearing them with T-shirts and any other casual outfit won't match. Then another thing to note is don't match antique jewelry with costume jewelry.

What you wear also reflect your personality. Are you casual and hip or do you prefer a more sophisticated style? What you wear also depends on the occasion. Is it for work or is it for sports or dinner party?

Next, you need to consider the color of your jewelry. Now that depends whether you are a warm or cool person. Generally people are in the cool category because they have black hair and brown eyes. The jewelry in the cool group would be platinum, white gold , silver or other white metals. Warm jewelry includes brass, copper or yellow gold. One way to find out whether you are a warm or cool type is by taking a photo of yourself in warm and cool jewelry . The jewelry that glows and looks brighter on you will be the right one.

In the end , all this are just pointers, most importantly you must like what you are wearing. It's all for the fun and there's no need to wreck your brain.

You can find all these in the jewelry wardrobe put together for you at the jewelry portal http://www.alljewelry.info