Let’s face it, walking into a jewelry store is a lot like walking into a bank. People dressed in suits looking over guarded goods. You have to ask permission to touch the merchandise. And they often hide the price tag. How often have you loved a set of diamond stud earrings, then had them taken out of the case … only to get the sticker shock of a lifetime? We’ve all been there.

Now there is a new way to buy jewelry. It’s called One and Done from SuperJeweler. Here’s how it works.

Each day, we scan our inventory reports and find a list of items for which we only have one left in stock. Then we take an item from that list and mark it way down and put it on our One and Done page. As soon as it sells, it’s gone forever!

What does this mean for you? First, it means that you get another way to save money on some great jewelry; everybody loves that part. It also means that, every day, you have a new chance to get an item that has been a customer favorite. After all, there is only one left, right?

With the holidays coming up soon, everybody is looking for a deal. And every day, One and Done will feature new engagement rings, diamond earrings, fine gemstone jewelry, and more. Many of the items featured will be less than $100. It’s the perfect way to get something special for that special someone … especially if that special someone is you!

Check out SuperJeweler’s One and Done page now, bookmark it, and come back every day!

The rock was 32 carats. The price tag was $7.7 million. The deal was done on Wednesday, October 20, 2009 at Christie’s Auction House in New York.

The ring that the 32ct emerald cut diamond sat perched upon was formerly owned by Leonore Annenberg, billionaire philanthropist. To put 32 carats into perspective, the diamond was the size of a walnut. A WALNUT. In fact, the 32ct diamond was flanked by two other diamonds that were about 1.5 carats each – not too small in their own right.

On her 90th birthday, Annenberg treated herself to the mammoth ring. It didn’t show up in a beautiful blue box; rather, it was delivered by armed guards to her home in Rancho Mirage, CA.

We don’t normally use this space to talk about other people’s jewelry. The fact is, however, we can do this because we don’t have any 32ct diamond rings in stock. And you probably don’t have $7.7 million to drop on one.

We do, however, have 32 1ct diamond rings in stock at SuperJeweler.com. (Well, actually we have more than that, but we had this theme thing going, you know?)

Recent surveys in a number of jewelry trade publications have told us something that we already knew: a majority of couples search for engagement rings together. Well over half of couples visit jewelry stores, both online and offline, together to find the right engagement rings, wedding bands, and/or bridal sets. Is it traditional? No. Is it the best way to ensure that, when the proposal is made, she gets the ring she wants on her finger for the rest of her life? Absolutely.

This is especially important this time of year. Any jeweler you talk to will tell you that Thanksgiving weekend is a VERY popular time for proposals. It’s usually when families are together and the groom-to-be has the opportunity to talk to his future father-in-law. It’s also the time when she can show here ring to her friends and family. If you are reading this post right now, it’s likely because you, or someone very close to you, is getting close to an engagement.

One of the biggest benefits of shopping with an online jeweler, such as SuperJeweler is that our selection goes much deeper than you will find at a mall store. While, on the surface, an engagement ring may seem just like a diamond solitaire and a ring, when you break it down into diamond cut, diamond weight, the type of metal, sizing, etc., having choices matters. And, of course, pricing matters, too. How many other jewelers do you know who would dare to offer clearance engagement rings?

If you have already been looking for engagement rings, you have no doubt also explored bridal sets and wedding rings. Because bridal sets and wedding rings (or wedding bands, if you prefer) get into more design options, it is even more important that the decision be made with input from the bride-to-be. Think of it as a opportunity to learn about more than just the bridal set or wedding ring you are looking for, but a way to know what might make a good jewelry gift in the future. It also sheds light on tastes in general, (i.e., classic versus modern, simple versus complex).

Some men can be a little detached from the wedding planning process, opting to let the bride create the wedding she wants. Still, being involved and sharing in the wedding jewelry process provides insight into why she loves the things she does. And these are lessons that will last as long as those diamond rings.

We’re hopeless romantics at SuperJeweler. We want you to have the perfect engagement ring (or bridal set, or wedding bands). And we hope that you put SuperJeweler on your list of places to shop for engagement rings…together.

Any time you go to a jewelry store, whether an online site like SuperJeweler.com or your local mall store, you’ll see that jewelry comes in different types of gold. While 14k gold is, by far, the most common grade of gold, you can also commonly find 10k, 18k, 22k, and 24k gold.

So, just what are these different types of gold?

The karat count of gold is an indicator of the level of purity of the gold. The most pure gold is 24k gold. If you find an item that is 24k gold, it is 100% gold. The lower the karat of gold, however, the less gold it contains. For instance, 14k gold contains 50% gold. A breakdown of types of gold looks like this:

• 24k gold = 100% gold
• 22k gold = 91.7% gold
• 18k gold = 75% gold
• 14k gold = 50% gold
• 10k gold = 41.6% gold

So, the big question is: If it’s not all gold, what is the rest of it?

Remember when you learned about alloys in your high school chemistry class? That’s exactly what any gold less than 24k gold is: an alloy. (Refresher: An alloy is a compound of 2 or more metals.). In jewelry, alloys are formed with gold and, usually, copper and/or silver. In white gold, nickel is also commonly used.

What does all that mean anyway?

Well, it means a few things. As a rule, the higher the karat grade, the more the piece of jewelry will cost. That doesn’t mean, however, that all 24k gold jewelry will be expensive. In fact, SuperJeweler.com carries this lovely 24k Gold Overlay Natural Heart Shaped Leaf Pendant for just $39.95. At the other end of the scale, 10k gold will mean more affordable jewelry. With the economy what it is these days, more jewelers are increasing their stock of 10k gold jewelry so that customers have more budgetary choices. SuperJeweler.com carries dozens of promise rings in 10k white gold, for example.

As a jewelry seller, we want our customers to be as knowledgeable about what they are getting as possible; that starts with know your types of gold.

Recent news reports indicate that a majority of economists believe the recession is over. For most people, however, the effects of the recession will continue to linger. The recession has taught us a few things, though. It has taught us that turning off lights and watching the thermostat aren’t just good for the environment, but are also money savers. It has taught us that taking your lunch to work is a suitable alternative to going out to lunch everyday. Most importantly, it has taught us about value: how much you get for how much you spend.

One thing that has not changed, however, is that people still get married; they still have anniversaries; they still have birthdays; Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day still come around. In short, regardless of the economy, we still celebrate special occasions. And we do it with gifts.

In times like these, jewelry becomes an even more valuable gift. This happens for a number of reasons:

• Jewelry retains its value during economic downturns. Ever wonder why you see 25 of those “We’ll buy your gold jewelry!” commercials every night? It’s because gold jewelry, diamond jewelry and fine gemstone jewelry retain their value better than … well … real estate, for example.
• Along with retaining its economic value, jewelry also retains its sentimental value. While flowers last a few days and candy gets eaten, jewelry is a gift that lasts a lifetime. It’s not just high-priced jewelry either. Years from now, you will look back at the engagement ring you received. You won’t see it as an inexpensive engagement ring, though. You’ll see it as a memento of that stage of your life, and how far your relationship has come.
• The choices available in jewelry are almost limitless. SuperJeweler.com, for instance, carries nearly 3,000 items in stock. They vary by carat weights, metal grades, and yes, by price. This ensures that you can find the perfect piece of jewelry for any occasion at a price you can afford … even in a recession.

While there is no single answer to fixing the economy, knowing about the value of jewelry in a down economy can help you make better gift-giving decisions…decisions that will last a lifetime.

For a few suggestion, we recommend items from our diamond stud earrings, wedding bands, and right hand diamond rings collections.

In 2008, we were approached by the Illinois Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America and asked if we would be interested in working with them. For those of you who may not be familiar with Lupus, it is an autoimmune disease. This means that one’s own immune systems attacks its cells and tissues believing that they are harmful foreign cells and tissue.

Lupus can effect many different parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, nervous system, joints, and skin. Lupus is often unpredictable and can be very painful, with flare ups that cause skin irritation and tissue damage.

One of the common symptoms of Lupus is what is known as The Lupus Butterfly – a purple rash that develops across the nose and cheeks of those who have Lupus. In working with the Illinois Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, we developed our own Lupus Butterfly; it is a 1/4ct diamond and amethyst butterfly pendant set in 14k white gold.

With every Lupus Butterfly Pendant we sell at SuperJeweler.com, we donate $60 to the Illinois Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. This donation helps educate people about Lupus and provide support for those who endure the effects of Lupus every day.

We ask you to help us make a difference and get an adorable piece of amethyst gemstone jewelry at the same time. And if you love the Lupus Butterfly Pendant as much as we do, then you may also want to explore our other fine gemstone jewelry as well.

Sure, jewelry is technically an accessory, but more and more, people are seeing just how the right piece of jewelry doesn’t just complement the outfit: it steals the show. Maybe you saw them on the red carpet at The Oscars. They were big. They were bold. They were Angelina Jolie’s. They were some amazing emerald earrings! And what about Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, where Blake Lively’s Diamond Butterfly Ring practically deserved its own photo shoot?

These days, big and bold is everywhere. Of course, there are two schools of thought when it comes to jewelry. Some people prefer to have well stocked collections with safe choices for every occasion, like diamond stud earrings. And there are those who opt for a few really knockout pieces. While most of SuperJeweler.com is dedicated to the former, our Fashionista Collection is full of some incredible, attention-getting pieces — some of which have been spotted on Blake Lively and Chilli from TLC.

Right now there are a lot of “jewelers” trying to capitalize on this trend by charging 5-figure prices or going in the complete opposite direction and charging dirt cheap prices and sticking customer with fake stones, poor workmanship, cheap metals, or any combination of these things. And that’s a shame.

At SuperJeweler.com, our Fashionista Collection is comprised mainly of darling and daring animal designs set with plenty of stones in brilliant 14k white gold. Best of all, they are priced well. You get a great price on each piece in our collection. If you have been looking to add that one drop-dead gorgeous piece to your collection, then you have to check out the SuperJeweler.com Fashionista Collection.

With Valentine’s Day in the rear view mirror and Mother’s Day still a couple of months away, this is the time jewelry retailers usually hit a lull. There is no reason for that, however, because March is a GREAT month for jewelry buyers.

Aquamarine Jewelry

March, like every month, has a native birthstone. All of you March babies know very well that Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. At SuperJeweler.com, we have some darling Aquamarine jewelry. Jewelry is always the perfect gift, and when it carries the special significance of being a birthstone, well… it’s just that much better.

Claddagh Jewelry

With St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, there is no better time to take a look at Irish Claddagh jewelry like this adorable Claddagh ring. Right now SuperJeweler.com carries about eight Claddagh rings, but we are currently in the process if adding an entire Claddagh section to the site. So if you like the look of these rings, stay tuned and we’ll update you when the whole section is available.

Emerald Gemstone Jewelry

Also, because of St. Patrick’s Day, everybody flashes their green clothes and accessories. Sure, Emerald Gemstone Jewelry is beautiful any time of the year, but in March it seems especially appropriate. At SuperJeweler.com, we have a great assortment of emerald rings, emerald pendants, emerald earrings and more! Check it out, and wow ‘em this St. Patrick’s Day.

Wedding Bands

We sell a lot of engagement rings during the Christmas and Valentine’s Day seasons. So we know there are some of you out there planning weddings…maybe even romantic spring weddings. So…you’ll be looking for great deals on wedding bands.

If this is the case for you, we have set up a few specialty pages dedicated to womens wedding bands. mens wedding bands, and even matching wedding bands.

March Out With Something Great

These are just some of the reasons why March is a great jewelry month. Still, the best reason is between you and that special someone you care about. Remember, jewelry always makes a great gift and you don’t need a special holiday to give it!

The red carpet at the Oscars is where the world turns for fashion cues. And while diamonds are to be expected, diamond necklaces weren’t as prominent this year as they have been in the past. Diamond earrings, however, made a very strong showing.

While Penelope Cruz opted for a stunning diamond necklace, other starlets were sporting gorgeous diamond earrings. Most notable were Anna Hathaway, Kate Winslet, and Nathalie Portman. All of whom are sure to set off a real trend in diamond earrings. The best part about diamond earrings is that there are a number of different diamond earring styles that can all bring a different look to any outfit you pair them with.

If you are looking at adding some diamond earrings to your collection, here are some pointers:

• Diamond stud earrings are like the blue jeans of jewelry. They go with anything and are almost always a good choice.
• Diamond hoop earrings come in a variety of sizes. Smaller hoops are what most women will opt for. Larger hoops can sometimes seem grandiose. If your outing is very special, however, larger hoops are sure to make a splash.
• Diamond circle earrings are a little bigger than diamond hoop earrings, and will hang off the ear a little bit. This is the look that is really coming into favor right now. Partly, this is because people are looking at diamond earrings as a way to make a statement. And partly it is because diamond circle earrings come in a variety of different styles, so you are sure to find some that match you perfectly.
• Journey diamond earrings are a big seller at SuperJeweler.com. The elegance of the journey curve is naturally beautiful and, frankly, no other diamond earrings go better with a little black dress.

Still, the ultimate guide is to know your style first. The shape of your face will have an effect upon how certain diamond earrings will work for you. If diamond circle earrings make your face look unusually thin, then perhaps journey diamond earrings give you the accentuation you need. Remember, jewelry should compliment your natural beauty, not try to change it.

At SuperJeweler.com, we carry a great selection of diamond earrings at a variety of prices, so you can look great at a price you can also feel great about.

In the Western tradition, engagement rings are worn by a woman on her left-hand ring finger to signify that she has accepted a proposal of marriage. In other parts of the world, however, traditions associated with engagement rings can vary considerably.

For instance, in Ukraine and Poland, the bride to be doesn’t wear her engagement ring in her left hand, but on her right-hand ring finger instead. s Poland and Ukraine, it is customary for the ring to be worn on the right-hand ring finger. In classical times, it wasn’t the ring finger that hosted the engagement ring at all. Rather, engagement rings were worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, as it was believed that finger contained the "vein of love" or vena amoris, as it was known.

In all societies, however, customs change over time. In contemporary U.S. and Canadian societies, in is becoming increasingly more commonplace for a woman to present her partner an engagement or promise ring  at the time of the engagement.

This exchange, though, is not all that uncommon. In several European nations, and other nations, such as Egypt and Brazil, the man and the woman will both wear engagement rings. These engagement rings are most of gold bands in white, yellow, or rose gold. They look very similar to wedding bands without diamonds of Western tradition. In fact, in these countries, engagement rings will also serve as the wedding band in time.

And, in Spain, it is common for a woman to buy a man a wristwatch at the time of engagement.

While we don’t carry wristwatches, you can find a great assortment of engagement rings, promise rings, and wedding bands at SuperJeweler.com.