So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Three Keys to Buying Cheap Engagement Rings

By Tom W. Mason

If you're intimidated by the process of engagement ring shopping, you're not alone. Most of us are worried about this large, important purchase. However, there are some ways you can save a lot of money and make the whole process much simpler.

First, here's something you probably already know: big diamonds are the most popular. This is one of the things that puts so much stress on ring shopping - we're afraid we'll have to spend more than we can afford. After all, larger diamonds come with a larger price tag.

Fortunately, there's some good news. You can find a larger diamond for a much smaller cost than you'd think. Just shop smart and learn about how diamonds are priced.

Here's an example to show you what we mean.

There are four main characteristics used to grade diamonds. These are carat, cut, color and clarity. We'll take a look at color to see how to get the best deal.

Color grading is done on a scale ranging from D to Z - D is the best of the grades and Z is the worst. Color grades for each diamond are performed by inspecting the diamond under high magnification on a white background in a lab.

However, while there may be a big difference between a D diamond and an H diamond to the microscope, there's not a big difference in those four grades as far as you're concerned.

There's no difference at all between the two to the naked eye. Unless you look at both diamonds side by side on a white background, under magnification, you'll never see any difference at all. Even trained eyes can have a hard time telling the difference between I and D diamonds, though there's a little visible decrease in color quality if you know what to look for.

So what's the point? You should never pay for a D grade diamond when the human eye can't distinguish it from an H!

The price difference is a big one, too. It could be thousands of dollars. Of course, as can be expected, jewelry stores try to sell the highest graded diamonds for the most profit - you would, too. Unfortunately, most people don't take the time to educate themselves, and pay a lot more than they need to.

That's just one example of ways to save money on an engagement ring. Picking a diamond that has a lower color grading but doesn't look different to the naked eye will allow you to buy a much bigger diamond for the same amount of money. Learn about diamonds and how to buy, and you'll get a good deal.

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