The Underwoods Journal
Dad’s Gift Guide
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, May 11. Whether it’s your grandmother, mother, or wife, all women with a motherly role should be celebrated. What better way to show them love by buying them a timeless piece of jewelry. Here at Underwoods, we have a collection of items that would be perfect for her.
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History of a Diamond
For those lucky enough to be born in April, your birthstone is one of the most prized gemstones of all.
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Benefits of Buying Natural Diamonds
Learn about the positive impact of buying a natural diamond has on you, mining communities, and the Earth as well, plus the ugly truth about synthetics.
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Diamond Cert's and What You Need to Know
WHat is a diamond cert?A diamond certificate is a report from an independent laboratory that inspects elements of diamonds such as cut, color, clarity and carat weight. The diamond buyer or seller never issues the report to consumers. How to Buy a DiamondSee the diamond in person before you buyDon't fall victim of having the impression that a certification from an independent laboratory is all you need to know about a diamond before you purchase it. The reports will never be able to convey the actual beauty or desirability of the diamond which falls in line with the way the diamond is cut and how much light return is being dispersed. It's like reading the stats on a car and buying it without seeing it. Underwood Gem LabBe careful with online diamondsOne of the biggest concerns with buying a diamond based on the certification reports alone arises from Internet sellers. The concern comes from some internet sellers using fake or altered diamond certifications and false photos. Even if the certification is from a legitimate website, you should never purchase a diamond without seeing it in person. A diamond is an important purchase and should be carefully selected with the help of a diamond expert. The UnderwoodsWhat you deserveUnderwoods has a 64 year history in Fayetteville, Arkansas and known for diamond beauty and quality. With the first Certified Gem Lab in the state of Arkansas, our diamonds are graded by our expert Certified Gemologist Appraisers with only the top 2% of diamonds excepted into our store. Each diamond is checked and rechecked to only sell you the absolute best with a full certified appraisal. You will leave Underwoods knowing exactly what you are purchasing with a shopping experience like no other. Underwood HistoryGallery Blogs for daysUnderwoods Fine Jewelers 611 W. Dickson Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-521-2000 Monday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday Closed www.underwoods.com Ready to see Underwoods diamonds in person? Explore diamond engagement rings.
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Diamond Dazzles as April Birthstone
April is a special month, marked by the most prized gem of all: the diamond. This Underwoods custom necklace is made in 14k white gold and 18k yellow gold. It features a 1.42 carat round ideally cut diamond plus .39 carats total weight of ideally cut accent diamonds. These hoop earrings are made in 14k yellow gold and feature 1.30 carats total weight of fully cut diamonds.of 1.80 carats. They are surrounded by fully cut round halo diamonds with a total weight of .46 carats. This spectacular Underwoods custom designed ring is made in platinum and 18k rose gold. It features a rectangular radiant shaped diamond that weighs 2.62 carats. This is accented by two pear shaped natural fancy pink diamonds surrounded by halos of pink and white diamonds. Diamonds have an amazing ability to shine. The reflection and refraction of light within each faceted diamond creates the sparkle and brilliance you can see from across a room. The diamond is legendary for its hardness, it is 58 times harder than anything else found in nature! This is why it can only be cut with another diamond. If cut and polished with skill, diamonds have the ability to shine very brightly with fire and brilliance. Diamonds can come in a variety of colors, from yellow, pink, and red to blue and green, and generally those with the richest color are highest in value. Some historians estimate that diamonds began to be traded as early as 4 BC. Diamonds first became popular in India, when the Moghuls and Imperial Colony were able to mine them easily from deposits along major rivers. Some ancient cultures believed diamonds were the physical incarnation of lightning, and this association may be the root of the belief in the healing powers of the gemstone. Diamonds were thought to cure brain disease and draw toxins out of the blood. In many cultures the gem has been a symbol for eternal love, leading to its use in engagement rings. Did you know? One of the most famous diamonds is the 140.50 Carat Regent, said to be the most beautiful diamond in the world for its exceptional cut and shine. Thomas Pitt, the Governor of Madras, acquired the uncut gem in India in 1698 and sent it to England to be cut. The Regent purchased the diamond from Pitt for the French Crown, and it was first set in the band of Louis XV’s silver gilt crown at his coronation in 1722. It was then worn on Louis XVI’s crown in 1775; set in the hilt of the First Consul’s sword in 1801; set on the Emperor’s sword in 1812; set in the crown for the coronation of Charles X in 1825; then was used to ornament the diadem of Empress Eugenie. It is now on display at the Louvre in Paris. The largest cut diamond in the world is the Great Star of Africa at 530.20 Carats. It was cut from the largest diamond crystal ever found, the 3,106-carat Cullian discovered in Transvaal, South Africa, in 1095. Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam examined the crystal for six months before deciding how to cut it, and ultimately divided the crystal into nine major and 96 smaller stones. Legend suggests that the Cullian was part of a larger crystal, but the “missing half” has never been found. The Great Star of Africa is set in the Royal Scepter, which is kept with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. With its prominent history and beauty that speaks for itself, the diamond is a truly special birthstone. To explore our diamond selection and find a setting perfect for that special someone born in April, visit our shop on Dickson Street in Fayetteville or call 479-521-2000 to set up a consultation for a custom design today. Ready to see Underwoods diamonds in person? Explore diamond engagement rings.
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Bill Underwood's Beauty Grade Machine
In 2007, Bill Underwood's Beauty Grade Machine®, received its U.S. patent (7,193,694B2) for the laser technology. The machine is the only technology of its kind to exist in the world and is incredibly accurate. The machine measures the light return from a diamond and is used for grading the diamonds. It is based on a scale from 1 to 100; 1 being worst and 100 being best. The machine is changing the way customers and jewelers can view and grade their diamonds. INSTORE Magazine stated, "The entire process took about five minutes, and the results are compelling." View the article here. Results from the Beauty Grade Machine® Want to learn more about Underwoods history? Visit our website! Ready to see Underwoods diamonds in person? Explore diamond engagement rings.
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Christmas Shopping: Gifts for Her
Every year, when Christmas shopping begins, boyfriends and husbands everywhere begin their unguided search for the perfect gift. So, for all you lost men, here are perfect gift ideas that she will LOVE. A necklace with her birthstone or a diamond. This is something she could wear everyday, and show off to all of her gals. Stud earrings are another great option. These can be bought in any color, but be thoughtful and choose one that will complement most colors in her closet. (Just talk to the Underwood staff, each and every one will have great suggestions on colors.) Diamonds are a girl’s best friend for a reason. With diamonds you can’t go wrong. From pendants, to earrings, to bracelets and rings, your lady will love her set of Christmas diamonds. To all the men in search of the perfect Christmas gift, we will make Christmas easy for you here at Underwoods. In addition to these gift ideas, we can create wish lists. Send your lady over to Underwoods and let her pick out her top choices. Then, you can secretly follow up and choose from her personal wish list. Now you are guaranteed to be the best gift-giver of the season. Looking for a gift that feels personal? Shop fine jewelry gifts.
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Bride & Groom Gift Exchange
While not required, a gift exchange between the bride and the groom is a common tradition. The bride and groom exchange gifts the night before the wedding, the day of, or when they are heading off to their honeymoon. The gifts can be big or small, wedding related or something totally different. Here are a few ideas for those who are about to say, "I do!" Something for the wedding: Jewelry to match her dress A watch to match his tux Cuff links Handwritten letters Scrapbook A heart sewn onto the back of his tie A heart sewn into the lining of her wedding dress Something for the honeymoon A new pair of sunglasses A new swimsuit Snorkeling gear A camera for taking pictures of new memories Pre-book a spa treatment Underwoods has jewelry in all styles for women and men so you can find the perfect gift for your significant other on your wedding day. We'll help you pick the perfect piece so you can start making great memories right away. Looking for a ring with meaning? Explore men’s bands.
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Diamond Cut
The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its price because it affects all the other aspects (the 4 C's) of the diamond. Cut is also the most difficult aspect to grade. Diamonds are small and the clear edges are hard to see and measure so even some certified gemologists have trouble grading cuts accurately without extensive training and the aid of instruments. It's takes a lot of time, patience, technique, and talent to get it right. If a diamond is cut poorly it affects it’s brilliancy and the diamond is then considered less beautiful and, as a result, is less valuable. Unfortunately, many jewelers today are not adequately trained to grade diamonds correctly and they don’t realize that only a small percentage of the diamonds sold all over the world are properly cut. This is unfair to those who buy the diamonds because they trust the gemologist's grade of the diamond. It's too hard for an untrained eye to see the difference. However, Underwoods jewelers are properly trained to grade diamond cuts. You'll never have to worry about a misgraded diamond or a poorly cut diamond with us. Because of our dedication to quality products, we only accept 5% of the diamonds we are offered each year. We take the time to make sure that we only sell the best diamonds to our customers because we take pride in having happy customers with the most beautiful diamonds in the area. That’s also why our diamonds are so brilliant and dazzling. Underwoods diamonds are the cream of the crop! Make sure to stop by the store in Downtown Fayetteville and peruse our collections of diamond rings, earrings, necklaces and more. No matter what size diamond you are looking for, we can assure you that it will be the highest quality. You'll be proud to show it off to your friends and family. Ready to see Underwoods diamonds in person? Explore diamond engagement rings.
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