The birthstone for May is the Emerald.

Where are Emeralds found?  Colombian emeralds are among the world’s most beautiful, with rich grass-green coloring that’s often kissed with a touch of blue. Quality emeralds are also found in India, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and Zimbabwe. Recent finds in North Carolina may provide us with quality emeralds if the mine continues to produce stones.

Historical symbolism of the Emerald:  The emerald was thought to preserve love. The emerald has long been the symbol of hope. It is considered by many to be the stone of prophecy. For some the emerald acts as a tranquilizer for a troubled mind. The emerald is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. The Spring is considered to be the most effective time for the powers of the emerald.  In several cultures the emerald was the symbol for fertilizing rain. In the Christian faith it is the symbol of faith and hope.

Introducing Loveables stackable rings.  Chose any birthstones and stack them for a beautiful tribute to Mom and everything she does.  Shop today for special orders.

We also have a convenient gift guide full of ideas for Mom, from necklaces, to bracelets, to earrings.  Or, email us at info@southshorediamond.com and we will select some beautiful and perfect gift options within your budget.  When you come in the store, they will be ready for you to see and choose.  Let us help you find the perfect forever way to say “Thanks Mom!”

Three beautiful pieces of garnet jewelry from Gabriel & Co., one of the collections available at South Shore Diamond Exchange

Have a January birthday? Warm up to your birthstone, garnet. Garnets are beloved for their deep red color and are often said to resemble pomegranate seeds. Garnets were named for this resemblance — “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatus,” meaning grain or seed.

More interesting facts about garnets, the January birthstone:

• Garnets range from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Moh’s scale of hardness (diamonds, at 10, have the top rating).
• While red garnets are the most popular, garnets can also be found in yellow, orange, pink, green & purple.
• Garnets are used to symbolize love & safe travel.
• According to the anniversary gift gemstone list endorsed by the American Gem Society, garnets are given on the second wedding anniversary.
• Garnets were first mined in Sri Lanka over 2,500 years ago.

Whether you’re looking for a gift for loved one with a January birthday or are a January baby shopping for yourself, garnets are a beautiful – and meaningful – choice. Come to our Pembroke, MA jewelry store to see our selection of garnet necklaces, earrings and more, or ask us about our custom jewelry services.

So why go to Boston for January birthstone jewelry? We beat the Jewelers Building prices everyday!

Ok last minute shoppers, you have procrastinated long enough. You know the gift she really wants…diamonds! We are featuring diamond stud earrings, specially priced this week starting at just $99 a pair!

You have enough stress in your life…go with the present that’s a no-brainer! One stop and you’ll have a gift she’ll be thanking you for all year.

So why go to Boston? South Shore Diamond Exchange beats the Jewelers Building prices everyday!

Visit our Pembroke, MA jewelry store today to finish up your holiday shopping and take advantage of this limited-time offer on beautiful diamond earrings.

If your question isn’t answered here, please feel free to call us or come by our Pembroke, MA jewelry store. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you choose the perfect gift!

The Four Cs of Diamond Quality

• Carat – The weight of a diamond. One carat is approximately 0.2 grams. Because diamonds differ in color, clarity, cut and shape, the price of a diamond depends on more than just the carat weight.
• Color – The closer a diamond is to being completely colorless, the more valuable it is (with the exception of fancy colored diamonds). Color is rated on a scale from D to Z, D being the most colorless and Z being the most tinted.
• Clarity – As they form, diamonds develop internal and external imperfections (called inclusions). Clarity is rated as internally flawless (IF), very very slightly included (VVS), very slightly included (VS), slightly included (SI) or included (I).
• Cut – Cut affects a diamond’s brilliance (light reflected), fire (dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum) and sparkle (flashes of light when a diamond moves). Cut is rated as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor.

While you may hear people interchange the terms shape and cut, the two aren’t the same. As mentioned above, diamond cut refers to symmetry, polish, proportions, sparkle and other measures of a diamond’s quality. Diamond shape, however, refers to the actual shape of the stone — whether it is round, square, oval or another shape. Below, we’ve listed a few popular diamond shapes.

Facet - Any flat polished surface on a diamond or gemstone. Emerald cut diamonds, for instance, may have anywhere from 50 to 58 facets. The largest, central facet on the top of a diamond is called the table.

Gold purity – Expressed in carats (K). The finest gold used in jewelry is 18k (75% pure) or 14k (58.5% pure). Pure gold (24k) is too soft to be used in jewelry. Gold is alloyed with other metals such as silver, copper or platinum to add strength and to produce different colors such as white gold and rose gold.

Inclusion – Internal characteristics, flaws or imperfections of a diamond or gemstone. Inclusions can be bubbles, crystals, carbon spots, feathers, clouds, pinpoints, cracks or other impurities. Diamond clarity is a measure of the number and visibility of inclusions.

Solitaire – A ring featuring a single diamond.

Offers like this are just one of the many reasons we say “Why go to Boston? We beat the Jewelers Building prices everyday!” Come see us today and make this the beautiful beginning to your “I do”!

]]> http://www.southshorediamond.com/2011/12/the-i-do-collection-specially-priced/feed/ 0 http://www.southshorediamond.com/2011/12/12-months-interest-free-financing-now-available/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=12-months-interest-free-financing-now-available http://www.southshorediamond.com/2011/12/12-months-interest-free-financing-now-available/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:11:39 +0000 ClickOptimize http://www.southshorediamond.com/?p=1352 Put a box of jewelry under the tree this Christmas and you’ll be a star all year long. It’s the one gift that says “I love you,” “You’re beautiful” and “You’re special” at the same time. Don’t let other holiday bills keep you from giving it this year!

South Shore Diamond Exchange has made financing available to our customers because we want to make the gift of jewelry accessible for everyone. Check out our beautiful bridal jewelry collections or the new Sienna Collection featuring brown diamonds. Shop away and don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Buy now, pay later with 12 months of interest-free financing* from South Shore Diamond.

Why go to Boston? We beat the jeweler’s building prices everyday.

*Upon credit approval. See store for details. Financing available through Christmas.

This is a time of year when so many South Shore families are struggling to put food on the table. The Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse is there to help and we’re proud to be supporting them. Now our Facebook fans can support this very worthy cause as well! It’s easy — just “like” South Shore Diamond Exchange on Facebook, and we’ll donate a $1 to help feed hungry families in our community.

We’re donating $1 for every new fan up to 1,000…so share with your family and friends! We hope you’ll join us in making a difference this holiday season.

These stackable rings come in white or yellow gold with colored gems — choose her favorite colors or stack children’s birthstones for a beautiful “mother’s ring” set. Loveables rings look great worn separately or in a stack. The possibilities are endless!

And just in time for the holidays, South Shore Diamond exchange has specially-priced Loveables rings for only $349 each! Come shop this week to allow time for special orders to arrive by Christmas.

Visit South Shore Diamond Exchange in Pembroke, MA to choose from our beautiful selection of Loveables stackable rings — the perfect gift for any special woman on your list.