For the more environmentally conscious of you out there who
require a new wardrobe, never fear.

They say diamonds are forever. They say that diamonds are a
girl's best friend. Well, whatever it is that they say,
diamonds are an expensive investment, so one has to take
care not to get fooled when purchasing one. You might be
lured into buying a seemingly cheap one, but do not jump
right ahead and buy it. You might end up on a losing end
especially if you do not how to differentiate a fake from a
real diamond.

So how does one differentiate the two? To begin with, one
has to understand first the basics of diamonds before
shopping for them. This will help you to avoid purchasing a
fake diamond and giving yourself the ability to identify
them. This can save you a lot of time and money, so take
some time first to understand what diamonds are really are.

The Carat of the Diamond

Diamonds have four characteristics, which are carat,
clarity, color, and cut. First, the carat is the weight of
the diamond. There are five carats from every gram of
diamond. Bigger diamonds will increase in carats, thus
making them cost more money. In weighing diamonds, one has
to take the exact weight, for every point is important. To
digress, one carat is 100 points, so if someone urges you
to buy a diamond a few lines away from one gram, do not buy
it as one gram. It is important that the carat of a diamond
is measured with precision and accuracy.

The Clarity of the Diamond

Second is the clarity of a diamond. There is a system of
range in measuring the clarity of a diamond, which is by
the way, answers how clear it is. A diamond with perfect
clarity is said to be flawless, although there are also
internally flawless diamonds, which means they still have
minor blemishes, but only on the outside. Diamonds
classified as VVS1 or VVS2 have very, very small
inclusions, with the latter being more visible than the
former. VS1 and VS2 have very small inclusions while SI1,
SI2, and SI3 have small inclusions. I1, I2, and I3 have
inclusions that could be seen without using any instrument.

The Color of the Diamond

Third is the diamond's color. This can be classified using
the letters starting from D to X. the whitest diamonds are
classified as D, and the color changes, the classification
does too. There are diamonds that are different in color,
so one must not be surprised to come across with blue,
green or red diamonds. These are commonly irradiated, and
in any way, secure the guarantee of the diamond's color and
clarity. There is nothing better than being sure about your
diamonds.

The Cut of the Diamond

And fourth is the diamond's cut. This is also referred to
as the shape of a diamond, which could be oval, pear, or
round. A diamond reflects light more brilliantly if it is
proportionately cut. This can be measured using percentage,
and when you are asking for it, 60% should be good enough.

Identify Real Diamonds

Now that you know the qualities of a diamond, you are all
set to determine whether a diamond is a fake or the real
thing. The first test that you can do is to do the
newspaper test. To try this, put your diamond over the
print on any newspaper. See if you can read the newspaper
through the stone you are trying to test. If you cannot
read it, do not worry, because chances are the diamond is a
real one. Otherwise, if you can perfectly read every word,
then the diamond you are looking through is definitely a
fake.

The next thing that you can do is to do the fog test. Real
diamonds clear away quickly when exposed to fog. Other
precious stones clear out longer. If the diamond you have
just fogged is taking a bit longer to shed off its fog,
then it must be a fake.

Using a diamond tester and a jeweler's loop can also help
in detecting fake diamonds by checking the refraction of
the light and any scratches on the diamond, respectively.
Try to subject diamonds to as many tests as possible. If
the results are rather vague, secure the diamond's
certification. The most reliable certifications are issued
by the European Gemological Laboratory or the Gemological
Institute of America. Certified diamonds are more expensive
because the certification process generally costs at least
$100. Yet, this certification helps create peace of mind.

Buying diamonds is both an investment and luxury. Before
indulging in this activity though, know your real diamonds
first and protect yourself from fake ones.

In these hard economic times, everyone is looking for ways
to make money or to stretch their dollars. It may seem
impossible when your budget is so tight, but there are many
simple ways to make money and reduce your monthly expenses.

You can save money on your health insurance and life
insurance by doing a few things differently. If you smoke,
quit. Though it isn't easy, it will reduce your health
insurance rates and your life insurance premium and payout.
In addition to saving on insurance, quitting smoking will
put a lot of money back in your pocket. A moderate smoking
habit costs over $2,000 per year. That's about $20,000 for
every decade spent smoking. Just think what you could do
with an extra $2,000 this year!

Small changes at the grocery store and while shopping for
clothes and necessities can help you save too. Coupons may
seem like a passing idea, but there are still many valuable
coupons found in weekly newspapers, magazines, and on line.
Many stores offer discount coupons if you sign up for their
online newsletters. Simple things like making a list before
you shop, or shopping only during sales can put money back
in your pocket too. Or have weekly BOGO (buy one, get one)
deals emailed to you so you can shop where the discount are.

If you are single, consider getting a roommate to help with
the rent or mortgage. A roommate can also help share the
food bill and other household expenses. If you are a
college student, consider living at home or off campus to
save on room and board.

Buying used items can also help you save money. With
bartering websites like e-bay, Craigslist and Freecycle you
can find good deals on used items or even exchange
something you have for something you need. Used clothing
stores are a good place to shop especially for kids
clothing. You can get together with other families you know
and exchange clothing as your kids grow.

Some money saving ideas may take an investment at first,
but will pay off in the end. If your job does not have an
advancement potential, you can go back to college to
increase your skills or start a new career altogether. Many
colleges offer night courses or online classes that you can
fit into your schedule. In the competitive job market we
live in having additional skills and education can make the
difference. The investment will pay off in the end, if it
helps you to get a higher paying job.

Having a reliable car doesn't mean having an overwhelming
car payment. Buying a used car is much more economical then
trying to take on a car payment for a brand new car. Or
even buy a running car for under $1,000 and a book for that
car for $20, and you would be getting rid of having car
payments all together. Buying a used car can also save you
money on some insurance costs. And speaking of insurance,
make sure you shop around about every six months for new
insurance quotes to make sure you are still getting the
best deal.

By doing some or all of these simple things you can save
money and stretch your dollar. Pretty soon it will seem
like money is floating all around you.

Handbags that are made by famous designers are very
appealing to women these days. Copying styles from famous
celebrities make women feel glamorous and sexy.

The popularity of designer handbags has reached its highest
peak. People are still buying Coach and Gucci bags even
though there is a global recession. Well, the seemingly
overwhelming prices of designer handbags, leather bags and
shoulder bags may not be that dramatically overwhelming at
all. There are a number of truly great qualities of
designer handbags that outshine the high prices of such
bags. These qualities of fashion handbags are what most
ladies see (not the incredible tag price).

Most designer handbags are amazing durable. For the
majority of women, durability is among the most important
things that a shoulder bag or any other handbags must
possess. Women tend to like and look for handbags, leather
handbags or wallet handbags that can last for years. Yes,
women do really spend a lot. This investment can be
reasonable especially considering that a designer handbag
lasts through many seasons of wear.

And what else can be more important than the design? Women
love to look stylish and sexy. Designer handbags have
these very elegant and timeless designs and prints. That
is why women can't get enough of designer shoulder bags,
leather handbags and more designer bags. The famous
designer handbags like Coach, Fendi, and Hermes will go
with many styles of outfits.

Ask any woman. Who doesn't want to possess an elegant
designer handbag? You really won't be surprised with the
answers you'll get. Almost every woman dreams of owning
one. Who wouldn't? Anne Hathaway has a Coach, Victoria
Beckham has a Ralph Lauren, and Mischa Barton has a Chanel.

The most stylish of celebrities own them! And owning a
designer bag of your own will let you have that Hollywood
style everyone's admiring. If you want to be as glamorous
as these celebrities, grab a Gucci, LV, Coach, Dooney &
Bourke or Burberry (these are the most popular designer
bags).

If you a looking for a great investment in a handbag,
choosing a designer bag is the way to go. It is not really
just a bag. It's more than that. Designer handbags are the
key to a perfect outfit and more. There is really more to a
designer handbag than just the lofty cost.

Have you ever wondered how to size your lingerie?

Lingerie sizes seem fairly simple to most people. However,
when someone selects the wrong sized lingerie, it can not
only be uncomfortable, but it can cause clothing to fit
improperly. Learning how to fit both your bra and panties
can resolve any improper shopping choices.

Common Bra Fitting Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes women make when fitting
themselves for a bra is not the cup size, but the band
size. Most women select a size that is too large. The fit
should be tight, but you should still be able to get a few
fingers comfortably under the band in the back of the bra.
When you choose a fit that is too large, your bra is not
offering the proper support for your chest.

The cup size is also important when working to gain the
perfect bra fitting. Your bra size should be large enough
where your breasts are not spilling out of the top or the
sides of the bra. And, if you are wearing an underwire bra,
the wires should not be pinching into your skin under your
arms. If this is the case, you can actually create not only
an uncomfortable sensation, but long term scarring.

Panty Fitting

Properly fitted panties take into consideration both waist
and hip measurement. When possible, take the time to
determine what your actual measurements are, as the fit
will be more accurate if this step is completed. Your waist
is measured by wrapping a tape around the narrowest section
of your mid area, typically in the natural fold or crease
of your skin. Your hip measurement is the largest portion
of your body. Both measurements together create the
guideline for searching for the perfect panty fit.

Some other things to consider are the waistband fit- it
should be snug, but not too tight. There should not be any
excess fabric in the crotch of the panty, and the fabric
should fit snugly against the body. And assuming you are
not wearing a thong, the buttocks of the panties should fit
snugly along the natural contour of your body.

Panty Lines

While many women prefer the comfort of traditional, full
coverage panties or underwear, they are still often
concerned with the appearance of panty lines when wearing
fitted clothing. The best way to remove the appearance of
panty lines is to choose a thong. Or in the event that
these are uncomfortable, wearing a slip under skirts can
help to eliminate those lines, while maintaining the level
of comfort you are looking for.

Shopping for properly fitting lingerie is actually simple
and easy to accomplish. Spend time learning what your
proper sizes are by either requesting a fitting from a
lingerie specialist, or fit yourself at home by taking
measurements of your body. Once you know what your
measurements are, you are sure to find the perfect fit
every time!

If you are having a beach wedding you will need to shop for
a casual beach wedding dress. Wedding gowns worn on the
beach are a little different than wedding gowns worn at a
traditional wedding. These gowns are usually made of
thinner, more breathable material and are more similar to
slip dresses than wedding gowns. The dress, like the
wedding, has a more laid back feel.

Most brides who are getting married in a beach wedding
choose dresses which are either strapless or have slim
straps like spaghetti straps. When you are outside in
nature you need your clothes to be lighter and easier to
manage. However there are some things you may want to
consider when choosing the dress and all the accessories.
Just because it is a slip dress or more simple, this does
not mean it will not be gorgeous. There are plenty of
dresses that accomplish both of these things.

The dress should be easy to love in. Even though most
brides still wear wedding dresses, some opt to just wear a
white or light colored slip dress or sundress. Beach
wedding dresses can be simple, short, tea length, or normal
length. If you want it to look more like a traditional gown
there are many beach or informal styled wedding gowns which
still look like traditional gowns. However, I would not
suggest using a full length train as with the wind and the
sand it probably would not turn out right.

Many brides choose to wear flip flops or sandals. It is far
more fitting to wear traditional beach shoes, all glammed
up of course, than to be walking through the sand in 4 inch
high heels. Of course what you wear is up to you but be
prepared for the weather and the terrain in whatever is
your final choice.

What will you wear on your head? Well you can wear a veil,
but I would suggest against it. Being a beach wedding, you
are fighting against the elements, and that includes wind.
Wedding veils do not fare well in the wind. A lot of
brides choose to wear a tiara. Tiaras are beautiful, and
they are also functional for helping keep your hair in
place. If you think a tiara is a little too much, but
still want to wear something in or on your hair you could
opt for a hair comb instead. They are a little less flashy
than a tiara, but still provide beauty and glamour.

What about the rest of your accessories. When you choose
jewelry for your beach wedding you should keep in mind that
if everything else you chose so far has been simple than
your jewelry should follow suit. You do not want your
jewelry to overpower the rest of the look. It is not
impossible to find jewelry which is both simple and
beautiful. Pearls, diamonds and different types of gems can
all have this effect.

Shopping, like so many other things now, has its own
language. One of the most highly sought after shopping
deals is the BOGO. A BOGO is literally Buy One, Get One and
are sometimes abbreviated to B1G1. You pay for one item and
get the second one free of charge.

It's a pricing strategy used by many stores in their sales
to draw in customers. Such sales are often intended to be
loss leaders for the store, meaning they expect customers
to come for such great sales and while they are in the
store spend money on other items at regular price. This is
what makes BOGOs and other loss leaders so attractive for
marketers. They really do draw in customers.

Tips for BOGO Deals

For customers, BOGO sales can often make items even cheaper
than shopping at Wal-Mart. You get double the quantity for
the same price as one; therefore you will not need to shop
for the same item as often. In addition, it is like you are
paying half price for each item, a discount that shoppers
rarely get. When shopping the BOGO sales, the trick is to
buy only those items on sale and comparison shop for the
remainder of your needs. This will help you get the most
from your shopping dollar.

Another tip for making the most of BOGO sales is to use
coupons. Clip coupons from the Sunday paper and various
magazines and print coupons from online sources for the
products you are planning to buy. Make sure you have a
coupon for each item if the coupon is specifically for a
single item. Buying duplicate Sunday papers is a good way
to ensure you have enough coupons on hand. Applying coupons
to each of the two items in the BOGO sale will often result
in impressive savings. The items may even turn out to be
free or ridiculously cheap with coupons. Remember to check
out the store's policy on stacking coupons or using a
manufacturer' s coupon with a store coupon. Some stores also
accept competitors' coupons and allow stacking of those
with manufacturer' s coupons.

Look for a no fee online tool like www.bogofetcher.com
which takes all the guess work out of finding BOGO deals.
It sends you emails regularly with an updated listing of
all the BOGO deals in your immediate area. All you give is
your email address and the city and state you live in. You
will never again have to miss out on a good deal.

If you are trying to save money, or just use the money that
you have in the wisest way possible, seek out BOGO deals
for a simple way to stretch your dollar. Maximize savings
by knowing the regular prices of the things you regularly
buy and purchase only items you know you will use. Put
coupons to work to lower prices even more and in no time
you will see that you household's spending budget has been
slashed.

Retail managers learn that if they find ways to subtly manipulate customers toward certain products, they can significantly improve profits. While there are a number of strategies designed to direct shoppers to high-markup items, POP displays are a simple and inexpensive method to draw attention to those products.

 

The Value of Impulse Buys

 

Impulse buys involve more than throwing a candy bar into a shopping cart with a week's worth of groceries. Consumer research has shown that two thirds of purchase decisions are made in the store and over half of purchases are made on impulse rather than from a shopping list. Retailers who can control those impulse buys control their finances. Onsite display signage is a key part of influencing shopper decisions.

 

Consider an overstocked item. They traditional way to move the merchandise is to put it on sale. However creative use of POP displays to draw attention to the product can increase sales without reducing the price. The store moves the item without cutting profits. The same strategy could be applied to discontinued items, encouraging shoppers to grab them before they are sold out.

 

Weakness of Mass Media

 

Retailers are recognizing that mass media advertising doesn't have the impact it once had. While it's still an important part of an overall strategy of promotion and branding, it's not especially effective at changing buying habits.

 

The problem is one of immediacy. A consumer sees a great advertisement for your products on TV and decides to buy it. However he's not going to jump in his car and drive over right away. Instead he makes a mental note to buy next time he's in the store. Meanwhile hundreds of competing thoughts eventually drive it out of his head. By the time he visits your store a week later, he's forgotten the ad.

 

POP displays trigger the purchase decision and allow the shopper instant gratification. When he sees the advertisement, all he has to do is reach out and grab the product.

 

Retailer-Manufacturer Partnerships

 

POP displays can be provided either by the manufacturer or the retailer. In some cases they can be designed and financed by both.

 

Manufacturers love POP displays because they encourage shoppers to buy their product rather than a competing one. Retailers love them because they increase sales. While retailers may not care which brand of microwave gets sold, they profit when shoppers influenced by POP displays grab one while on a shopping trip for something else.

 

Manufacturers and retailers are working together to create POP displays that benefit both of them. Displays can be created which complement the other display signage in the store while drawing attention to the manufacturer's products. This mutually beneficial arrangement works better than displays created by one party or the other.

Mother's Day is fast approaching and people all over are racking their brains trying to decide on a great gift for mom. Instead of the normal bouquet of flowers or box of candy, consider one of the many pieces of triple diamond gemstone jewelry to help boost mom's energy and help her get the most out of her days. These uniquely shaped gemstones can be found in rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets and in a variety of colors so you can find the exact piece mom wants.

The holidays are around the corner and you may be scratching your head to come up with a unique gift for your loved ones or coworkers. If you want your gift to stand out among the crowd, consider giving a triple diamond energy crystal. These crystals are large, replica diamonds that can be used to concentrate positive energy or simply as a beautiful desk ornament. With so many different types of crystals, you'll be sure to find one for everyone on your gift list.