It was finally my time to say “I do”, and everything had to be perfect. Growing up in New York, I was always told that the absolute best place to buy a diamond was from “the big guys” in the New York Diamond District. So off I headed to 47th street to begin my quest for my dream diamond.

Walking into the showroom, I immediately felt intimidated by the pushy salesman. It was clear to me that he was solely interested in making money on me and not at all interested in answering my questions. After an hour of listening to his sales pitch, he had only shown me a small selection of diamonds, all of which seemed a little pricey for their quality. I knew that I would never be happy with my loose diamond purchase with the level of care I was receiving from these “big guys” and decided to look for a different avenue to get the diamond quality that I wanted.

After the horrible experience with the salesman at the Diamond District, I decided to then go online and look up some pricing. I tried the first site that came to mind: Ebay. There I found great prices, but no customer service representative to talk to about my concerns and no assurance that the quality of the diamonds were as stated. As I continued searching and visited sites like Amazon and Craigslist, I kept thinking to myself, I am buying a diamond. Is there anywhere I can get a good price without sacrificing the quality, selection, or customer care?

As a last resort for my online quest, I googled a random search for “loose diamond, good price.” The first link I found was a website called Brilliance.com. I was impressed with the elegance and the beauty of the site. I found the box that read “certified loose diamond search” and began my search for the “perfect diamond.”

The left side of the page had everything I was looking for. I selected the shape, carat size, color, clarity, cut, price, and the certification that I wanted. Expecting to be disappointed again, I thought there would only be maybe 10 diamonds that had the qualities that he wanted. Shocked, I got a search result of 77,089 diamonds that fit exactly what I wanted. How could it be that the Diamond District office that I thought I could trust had only 3 options when I received 77,089 results in the comfort of my home? The prices were almost half of what I saw at the Diamond District and I didn’t have to sacrifice on the diamond quality or care. I spoke with a Brilliance representative, who answered all my questions with patience and concern. Within minutes of completing my purchase, I received an email confirming my purchase and a lifetime guarantee for the diamond. A week later, my diamond arrived at my home, carefully packaged and insured for my peach of mind.

With the help of a Brilliance.com representative, I got the care and patience I needed to make this wedding the dream it is supposed to be!

These unusual grey and black stones get their opaque coloring from high concentrations of impurities and inclusions, such as graphite. In their rough form, carbonados resemble small rock pieces of cast iron or porous charcoal.

Tougher than a Diamond

While loose diamonds are legendary for being impossible to crack, carbonado has gained a reputation for being even stronger. While other diamonds are composed of a single crystal that breaks naturally along a line, a carbonado is made up of many crystals that are fused together. Its stronger structure made it popular in heavy industry since its discovery in the late 1800s.

Black diamonds from Brazil were instrumental in early rock-boring efforts, providing key drill tip components for carving out the Panama and Suez canals, as well as tunnels all over Europe. Carbonado is still used in drill bits for tough jobs today, cutting through rocks that even traditional diamonds would have trouble cracking.

Polished to Perfection

Polished and cleaned up from their original carbonado state, black diamonds can enhance jewelry designs by making a dramatic, yet elegant, statement in both women’s and men’s fine diamond jewelry. Whether framed in sterling silver, brilliant white gold, or yellow gold, a black diamond makes any foundation’s surface come to life with a brilliant shine.

A black diamond creates a dramatic centerpiece for an eye-catching pendant, ring, or for earrings, while smaller baguette-style black diamonds serve as elegant backdrops for sophisticated and delicate settings. When set in white gold and paired with lighter stones or pearls, dark accents of black diamonds add an air of sophistication and timeless quality to even the simplest jewelry piece.

Surprisingly Affordable

Their elegant appearance often leads people to believe that black diamonds are expensive. Thanks to industrial use and heavy demand for clearer stones, however, black diamonds haven’t taken center stage in the global marketplace. Less notoriety and demand actually makes this type of jewelry far more affordable than people think.

Equally misleading is the black diamond’s perceived rarity. Though unearthed in few places, uncertified and certified black diamonds are readily available to customers. Loose black wholesale diamonds can be purchased and turned into custom jewelry pieces at an attractive price, making the black diamond a unique and affordable option for high-end jewelry.

The paramount accessory choice for this New Year proves to be Victorian-inspired cocktail rings and engagement rings. Due to the scarcity of diamonds during this time period, Victorian rings were typically set in a cluster, using old cut or rose cut diamonds. Antique diamonds normally possess smaller tables, higher crowns, deeper pavilions and thicker girdles than their modern equivalents. Antique diamonds were also cut to maximize carat weight instead of fire, which is the main reason why the proportions of old diamonds vastly differ from diamonds of the present. Rose cut diamonds were introduced in the late 1500’s and remained very popular throughout the 19th Century. The typical characteristics of a Rose cut diamond includes the shape, which resembles the petals of a rose bud, with a flat bottom and rounded crown, and facets that meet as a point in the center. The modern equivalents for these particular diamonds are Round and Oval Brilliant Cut Diamonds.

Brilliance offers a collection of diamonds, rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces to match your taste and meet your budget. If you are looking for a unique jewelry item, our jewelry designers can make a custom jewelry piece to meet your exact description. This unique service allows you to achieve the designer look of your dreams at a price you can afford.

The first use of the diamond as an engagement ring gem was in the 15th century, when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy. Though the gem was a rarity then, it’s since become the customary stone used in modern engagement rings. Today, the diamond conjures images of rock-solid commitment and timeless romance. But in centuries past, the stone’s symbolism took on an entirely different spin.

Magical Superstitions

Thought to be splinters of fallen stars and the tears of gods, diamonds were worn by the Ancient Romans as amulets in battle to provide strength and courage. As an added measure of invincibility, Roman royalty nestled diamond-bedecked breastplates beneath their armor. They also donned the gem to ward off evil spirits and night demons, boosting the diamond’s potency by wearing it on the left side of the body.

Ancient Hindus believed that diamonds were formed by lightning strikes on rock and that they possessed the power to prevent lightning from reaching the ground. To ward off a lightning strike where you live, try performing the ancient Hindu ritual of touching the gemstone to each corner of your home.

Truth Detector

A symbol of dignity and wealth, diamonds were also believed to hold the magical power of detecting honesty. The gem was said to grow dim in the presence of a lie, and to shimmer brightly when the truth prevailed. (Do you think this would hold up in a modern-day courtroom?)

Medical Marvel

In ancient India, it was believed that diamonds would cure insanity and infections, and were even injected into the bladder to break up bladder stones. Ancient Hindus were very careful to use only the highest quality diamonds in their medicinal practices, as diamonds of inferior quality were thought to cause leprosy, lameness, or jaundice. They believed the bad luck surrounding inferior diamonds was powerful enough to prevent Indra, the king of the gods, from entering heaven.

Lethal Poison

In Europe, diamonds were pulverized into a powder and then sprinkled on food in an attempt to commit murder. During the 15th century, a Turkish sultan’s son was believed to have killed his father by lacing his food with diamond dust in order to assume the position of king. Swallowing rough diamonds was especially lethal, with the sharp edges lacerating the digestive tract and causing severe abdominal pain and a violent, torturous death. (It’s believed that diamond proprietors promoted this myth to discourage stealing diamonds by ingestion.)

Other Diamond Superstitions and Myths

- Cupid’s arrows are tipped with diamonds

- Removing or altering an engagement ring is bad luck

- If a woman permits another woman to try on her engagement ring, the other woman will steal the heart of her betrothed

- Diamonds release their magical powers when given as a gift, and their powers diminish when traded for money

With all of the legends surrounding diamonds – along with their enduring beauty and brilliance – it is no surprise that this remarkable gemstone serves as the perfect symbol for enduring love.

There are many reasons to shop online for jewelry, whether it’s bridal jewelry, jewelry for yourself, or jewelry to give as a gift to a friend or loved one. Shopping online is convenient; it can be done from the comfort of your home with the click of a button. Online jewelry retailers offer lower prices than traditional retail stores, saving consumers money and allowing them to get higher quality products at a great value. Further, the internet jewelry market offers many choices of styles and qualities for consumers searching for diamond engagement rings, diamond rings, diamond earrings, gold earrings, and other jewelry.

The Brilliance Team of diamond and jewelry experts and service representatives works hard to provide the best online shopping experience available. Our goal is to offer high quality products at the lowest prices, so our customers don’t have to wait for a sale or negotiate to make their purchase. Our entire selection of jewelry and loose diamonds are backed by a lowest price guarantee, ensuring that we give the absolute best deal for our products. Our inventory is currently being offered at the lowest prices of the year, so now is a great time to purchase bridal jewelry, fashion jewelry, or even shop early for the holiday season. In addition to our low prices, we are currently offering Brilliance coupon codes for order-level savings.

$25 off any order! Use coupon code BC25BR.

$50 off any order $5,000 or over! Use coupon code BC50BR.

$75 off any order $7,500 or over! Use coupon code BC75BR.

$100 off any order $10,000 or over! Use coupon code BC100BR.

$150 off any order $15,000 or over! Use coupon code BC150BR.

Brilliance offers an array of services to ensure that we become your jewelry retailer of choice. To help you save even more, we offer a 2% discount for orders paid via wire transfer. Every product comes with a 30 day return or exchange policy so that you feel completely satisfied with your purchase. In addition, every order comes with free express shipping and shipping insurance. You also receive a gemological appraisal conducted by our GIA trained gemologists. Our Personal Shoppers and diamond experts will work with you every step of the way to help you find the perfect certified diamond, engagement ring, or diamond jewelry product. Speak to a Brilliance representative at 866-737-0754 or visit us at Brilliance.com to start saving on your jewelry purchase.

According to an old Indian legend, pearls were formed from dew drops that fell from the heavens into the ocean. Nature’s only organic gem, the pearl is actually derived from the husks of mollusks and oysters. Most are found in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Japan, in Northern Australia, and off the coast of California.

While the rarest and most precious pearls are pure white, they also occur naturally in a myriad of other shades. Freshwater pearls can be found in cream, pink, yellow, lilac, silver, and gold, and Tahitian pearls are often black. Many others are dyed to produce more variety. When selecting a pearl color, consider the wearer’s skin tone and style preference.

The quality of a pearl is judged by evaluating several different factors:

Luster: This characteristic refers to the intensity of light that is reflected from the surface of the pearl, just as “fire” is emitted from a diamond. Pearls with a higher luster will have a glossier, mirror-like surface, while lower-luster pearls will take on a more opaque matte appearance.

Size: As a general rule, larger pearls have a higher market value because they are cultivated longer in the mollusk. Most freshwater pearls range from 3mm to 12mm in diameter, while Tahitian pearls can measure in at 18mm or larger.

Shape: While the rarest and most valuable pearls are perfectly round, most natural stones are found in near-round, button, oval, drop, or baroque shapes.

Surface:Unmarked pearls with no blemishes or inclusions are extremely rare and command the highest prices. The more marks on a pearl’s surface, the less its value. When evaluating a natural pearl, carefully examine its surface for quality, keeping in mind that small blemishes attest to its natural formation.

Available at Brilliance, classic pearl jewelry includes pearl studs, pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, and solitaire pearl pendants. These pieces can be worn with casual or formal attire and are much desired gifts. For those seeking a light, versatile piece to add to their fine jewelry collection, the June birthstone is an ideal choice.

The emerald was originally prized by the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, who believed the god Thoth had bestowed the stone to them as a symbol of spring and had dedicated the gemstone to eternal youth. The brilliant green gem was placed on the throats of mummies to protect the souls of the dead. Emeralds were often carved with the image of the Egyptian goddess Isis and the scarab beetle for good luck. Emerald gemstones were later venerated by the Aztecs as a holy stone in 14^th to 16^th century Mexico. They were also worn in India as a talisman of good fortune and wellbeing.

According to biblical lore, an emerald fell from Lucifer’s brow when he was thrown out of heaven and was transformed into the Holy Grail. The Greek god Hermes is said to have recorded the laws of magic on a tablet made of pure emerald.

In mysticism and healing, the emerald symbolizes purity, truth, and immortality. The stone was believed to bring good luck and health, to calm the seas for travelers, and to bring vigor and renewal to the aged, the sick, and to despairing souls. The Medieval doctor Paracelsus recommended ground emeralds to be ingested as treatment for certain diseases and fevers, and to balance the heart and mind. Emeralds were worn to protect mothers and infants during childbirth. The emerald is also considered an emblem of nature’s beauty, embraced as a favorite by the Greek goddess.

According to one ancient legend, emeralds are a powerful token of true love and devotion. If lovers are true to one another, the stone will supposedly remain dark and vibrant. If the stone turns pale and lifeless, someone in the relationship has been unfaithful to the other.

Emeralds are found throughout the world: in Brazil, Zambia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, India, Russia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, with the finest mined in Colombia, where emeralds have been found in over 150 locations. The most valuable emeralds are those with the darkest color.

Emeralds are the green form of the gemstone beryl, a mineral that appears in several colors. The stone can range from light to dark, from a pale, sea green to a deep, vivid hue. Emeralds sometimes show inclusions, which are called “jardin” by gemstone experts who value these signs of natural growth. A dark emerald with jardin is still more valuable than a clear, flawless stone of a paler color, although both serve as striking embellishments when set in a fine jewelry piece. For a gemstone that’s synonymous with hope and renewal, you simply can’t go wrong with the emerald.

The American colonists chose not to celebrate Mothering Sunday. Instead, a mother’s day dedicated to peace was organized in 1872 by an American woman named Julia Ward Howe. In 1907, a teacher in Philadelphia by the name of Anna M. Jarvis began campaigning for a national mother’s day. Her efforts were ultimately successful, and in 1914 the second Sunday in May was declared an official holiday: Mother’s Day.

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the women who brought us into the world. The occasion offers a nationally recognized opportunity to thank Mom for all the work she put into creating, teaching, and raising you by showering her with love, gratitude, and—in most cases—a thoughtful gift.

Flowers are often the most obvious Mother’s Day gift, reflected by the huge spike in business for florists. But unlike flowers, which bloom and then fade, a thoughtfully chosen necklace, a pair of diamond earrings or a stunning gemstone ring commemorates Mom with a token that will last a lifetime and will elicit a treasured memory every time she wears it. According to a national survey by Momentum Research, mothers identified jewelry as one of the gifts they most like to receive on Mother’s Day, a preference that increases for older mothers.

Some of the most popular jewelry pieces for Mother’s Day include gold, silver, and platinum rings. Gemstone rings and pendants add a splash of color to her jewelry collection. For added significance, you can choose a stone that represents her birth month. And nothing beats the exquisite elegance of diamonds—a tasteful diamond tennis bracelet or diamond ring is a classic choice that’s sure to delight Mom. If your wife or mother is especially fashion-savvy, you may want to explore larger and more unusual styles in rings, bracelets, anklets, or necklaces. Bracelets and rings that bear engraved messages are a personal way to say “thank you” on Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is about more than just gifts, but a carefully chosen token can help convey just how much Mom is loved and appreciated. You can’t ever repay a mother for the years of hard work she’s put in raising her children, but the perfect fine jewelry accessory can help you make her day.

The diamond is deeply rooted in gemstone history, with a long reputation as the ultimate token of love and affection. The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke of Austria, Maximiliam I, in 1477, sparking a tradition that is upheld by most couples to this day. Diamonds are also a favorite for anniversary presents; the gemstone is the traditional symbol of the 10th, 60th, and 75th wedding anniversaries.

Diamonds were first found around 800 B.C. in India, where the gems were used to decorate devotional statues and other religious items. The gems were prized in ancient Greece and were said to embody the fire of constant love. The ability of some diamonds to glow in the dark was considered proof of their magical powers.

Ancient cultures believed that diamonds could heal the mentally ill, ward off evil, bring good luck, and inspire such virtues as courage and generosity in the wearer. Until the 15th century, only kings and rulers wore diamonds as a symbol of strength and bravery in battle. Later stories claimed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds, and the gemstone’s link with love and romance was born. Throughout history, diamonds have served a symbol of power, love, and excellence: the French Emperor Napoleon presented his wife with a diamond necklace after the birth of their son.

The quality of a diamond is determined by grading the “four Cs” - clarity, color, cut and carat:

Clarity: The most valuable diamonds are those with perfect clarity, devoid of inclusions and blemishes.

Color: Even the slightest variations in color can account for a significant difference in the quality and value of diamonds.

Cut: Every gemstone’s appearance and brilliance can be improved or impaired based on the virtues of its cut.

Carat: The market value of diamonds is measured in carats based on their weight. One carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams.

In addition to the prized colorless variety, diamonds are also found in a wide spectrum of vibrant colors. Known as “fancy colored diamonds,” these are popular among those who value the strength and durability of a diamond but prefer a more unconventional look.

Diamonds have been mined in India, Brazil, and in South Africa since the end of the 19th century. In the 1950s, a new source of diamonds was found buried in the permafrost of Siberia, and yet another lode has been discovered in Western Canada.

At Brilliance, we offer some of the most premier gem-quality diamonds in the world. Each of our diamonds is carefully appraised and certified by master gemologists to ensure the value and longevity of your investment.