In today’s society, there has been much focus on the word “value” – and rightly so. In tough economic times, only the foolish don’t stop to evaluate the best way to spend their dollars. By most definitions, the term “value” means what you get relative to how much you spend. Lately, however, most advertising has equated value with simply being the cheapest. And that’s a big mistake.

Value in a Nutshell
The real factors of value are: 1) the amount you spend; 2) the fulfillment of a want or need; and, most importantly, 3) the degree of personal fulfillment over time.

We can use these factors for determining the value of just about anything. Is a $0.75 cookie a better value than a $1 apple? Well, it’s certainly cheaper. Over time, however, the nutritional properties of the apple and how it benefits your whole body likely make it the better value.

The Value of Jewelry
Jewelry is a unique commodity in that it has an inherent global monetary value. Society values precious metals like gold and platinum, as well as gems like diamonds and sapphires. These factors build in a lasting sense of monetary worth over time. That a ring lasts longer than, say, a sandwich, also brings a sustained value to jewelry.

Perhaps, the one factor that increases the value of jewelry more than any other, however, is the sentimental attachments we bring to it. Do you have your grandmother’s antique wedding ring? Would you ever sell it? Do you have your daughter’s baptism or christening pendant? Would you sell that? Of course not. We don’t sell these things because the value they have has nothing to do with their price. And that’s why using cheap as a synonym for value is more of an advertising trick than an actual representation of value.

True Story
I have a seven-year-old daughter who just loves kitty cats. When she was just five, I brought home this diamond cat pendant for her. She loves it. She takes very good care of it, keeping it in a safe place so that it won’t get lost or damaged. She doesn’t wear it every day, only for special occasions like family gatherings or school pictures – you know, the times when little girls want to look and feel special.

We sell that pendant for just $99 at SuperJeweler. We think that’s a pretty affordable price for this particular pendant. What I had not taken into consideration at the time, however, was just how attached my daughter would become to this pendant. To see such a young girl show such responsibility and affection for it is something that also brings me happiness. And you can’t put a price on that.

This is the Way We Give Jewelry
Jewelry is not like chocolate or a sweater where the price can often be the first factor. After all, you wouldn’t give her a piece of jewelry she didn’t like even if it was free, would you? Instead, the first thing we consider is what she likes. When we find the styles we are looking for, we then try to find those styles within our budget. The ultimate goal when giving jewelry is to wow her as soon as she opens the box, then have her be wowed again, over time, whenever she wears it. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a piece that she wears only on special occasions or a piece, like an engagement ring, that reminds her every minute of every day how much she is loved. The right piece of jewelry truly is priceless.

SuperJeweler: Value Jewelry
At SuperJeweler, we take all of these factors into consideration and work hard to offer you a wide array of choices so that you can find the perfect piece. We also offer jewelry at a wide range of prices because, while price might not be your primary consideration, it will still always be a consideration.

Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly. We know it’s a very popular jewelry day. So whether you are shopping for engagement rings, diamond heart pendants, or any other piece of jewelry for Valentine’s Day, SuperJeweler has the jewelry you are looking for … at a real value.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

With all the hustle and bustle this time of year, wouldn’t it be nice to know you had some no hassle shopping options?

You do!

At SuperJeweler.com, you can shop in the convenience of your own home, avoid the crowds, and get Guaranteed Christmas Delivery of your orders! Whether you are having your item(s) shipped to your home or right to the recipient’s address, you can count on SuperJeweler.com!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we’ll add to that free shipping some amazing deals on stocking stuffers (all $99 and under) and specials on diamond engagement rings.

Dates for guaranteed Christmas delivery are:

Ground Delivery: Thursday, December 18th.
2nd day Delivery:  Monday, December 22nd,
Overnight Delivery: Tuesday, December 23rd

It’s just our way of saying Happy Holidays from SuperJeweler.com