In addition to the ‘Asscher Diamond Collection’, the company has unveiled their new collection named ‘Stars of Africa’ the collection feature floating diamonds that float freely  inside natural sapphire domes, like “snowflakes” inside a snow globe. All are set in 18k yellow, white, or rose gold and range in price from $4,950 to $7,900. The collection now boasts pendants and earrings, absolutely breathtaking!  All  will be available at Maddaloni Jewelers 12/22 and 12/23.

The 2011 trend in diamond retailing is focused on the frugal atmosphere the economy has generated. Of course size is a factor to most, but quality is still absolute. Education of a diamond purchase is clearly on the rise. Knowledge of the four c’s is the starting point, detail from the origin of the stone to the culet opening are determinate factors in the purchase. Not only are consumers learning about diamonds, metals are being discussed as well. White platinum, which is the more in style but expensive choice in metal for engagement rings, can now be replaced by alternative metals, which are a fraction of its cost. White gold can replace white platinum and are about 40 percent lower in terms of cost at this time. Palladium, which is a metal that is similar to platinum can also be used and is priced about 70% lower than platinum. How the diamond is set on the ring is also changing in 2011. More and more people are shying away from the pronged setting and are choosing more engagement rings that have

diamonds that are set in a semi-bezel way into the ring band. The semi-bezel setting will give added hold to the diamond to prevent its loss brought about by an active lifestyle. Another recession-friendly trend is the use of the full bezel setting to hold the diamond in place. Bezel settings have been in existence since the mid 1900s but the technique has greatly improved so that it holds the diamond more securely than the traditional pronged setting.

Bezel setting also allows for more wear and tear on the diamond, since it has metal around the full girdle.

The word on Wall Street…Gold should be used as ‘Wealth Protection’ especially when it hit 1300 on September 22,2010; we are now on the official “New Gold High”. Of course it is a safe investment, tangible and globally secure.

There are two thoughts has to why gold has been on the rise and catching the attention of hedge funds and investors alike. negative interest rates and gold not being valued as fiat currency. The faster currency is produced (fiat money) the deeper deflation will move in.

Analysts are suggesting a state of deflation will cause double dipping in the recession in months to come. Gold will be needed to provide protection from the apparent growth in deflation. Deflation will flatten everything in sight including base metals, commodities, housing, and job creation. The component of preserving wealth will be gold. Unlike junk fiat currencies, gold cannot be devalued. As a source of wealth protection purchasing gold bars is a strategic move on the investors side.

Be aware of your gold seller, luxury long island jewelers have their finger on the pulse of the gold market. Investment houses deal with an array of communities; specialization is key.

Gold bullion is available from Maddaloni in two convenient forms; the 10-ounce gold bullion bar of at least .995 fine purity is the standard industry unit. It is traditionally used for trading and storage, and can also be taken for personal delivery. Each gold bar is hallmarked by a leading refiner to certify weight and purity. Also available is the 32.15 troy ounce gold “kilo bar”…a one-kilogram bar of fine gold bullion of at least .999 purity. Manufacturers of these bars certify the weight and purity of the bullion content by imprinting their stamp or hallmark on each bar.

John Lennon Limited Edition 70

Montblanc has released the John Lennon Collection Writing Instruments. The collection consists of three editions, The Special Edition, Commemoration Edition 1940 and the Limited Edition 70. A portion of the sales from the Lennon collaboration will be distributed to selected cultural projects which support music education and the “John Lennon Education Tour Bus”, a US non-profit organization providing young people with the means to learn how to compose, play, performs, record and produce songs and music videos. Fine

New York Jewelers will be showcasing the collection late fall.

‘The Special Edition’, encompasses the models of a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, and roller ball. Montblanc has not released the number of pieces in this edition. The design is reminiscent of early 60”s music, through a guitar neck, with tuning pegs detailed on the pens body. The gentle grooves chiseled into the black precious resin of the barrel inducing a vinyl texture. There are finely etched strings on the neck, while the platinum-plated plaque is engraved with Lennon’s famous self-portrait.

‘John Lennon Commemoration Edition 1940’, is limited to only 1940 pieces; the year of Lennon’s birth, is available as either a fountain pen or a roller ball and features a 925 sterling guilloche underlay with translucent white lacquer. The pen’s cone is engraved with the release date of “Imagine”: 02.10.1971. The rhodium-plated 18k gold nib bears the peace symbol.

‘John Lennon Limited Edition 70’, is limited to only 70 pieces; the upcoming age John Lennon would have been on October 9, 2010. The word “Imagine”, artistically rendered in a skeleton of 750 white gold, encircles the John Lennon Limited Edition 70. The blue tone of the transparent precious resin on the cap and barrel pays homage Lennon’s trademark accessory, his blue round glasses, a color nuance also seen in the set of blue sapphires on the “guitar neck” clip, alongside three diamonds that represent the chords of the song “Imagine”. The cone is a tribute to his instrument of choice for the song: the keys of a piano.

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