They Won't Leave in the Night: Diamonds Are ForNEVER!

[nderwater]

Funny you should mention that - next on my wife's wishlist is a Chatham cultured Emerald ring. She's even more into researching jewelry and gemstones than I am into watches.

[Posh]

I've been contemplating a mans ring, white gold/platinum/palladium with a large emerald for some time now. I have a massive jones for anything green (won't even buy a car if it's not green) and the white metal/green stone combo I simply love.

Having perused BTD's site I am most definitely going with a cultured one. Emeralds are mined in much the same way as diamonds with a lot more ecological damage and similar social impact on the local people. When you add in the clarity of the BTD stone vice a mined one and the perfect greenish blue color as well as the price it's a no brainer!

Now to find a nice setting that catches my eye.

Cultured emeralds are the way to go, S. Just like nature, only better. And more eco-friendly.

And here's another tip you may want to use regarding a jewelry piece: find a jeweler who makes custom pieces frequently. In New York, this is a snap. Just do what we women have done for decades and have it made. And we don't have pieces made because there are no options out there for us that are already done; we have things made because we can and we're picky. Just find a jeweler who will listen to your needs and is in tune with your imagination.

It's just like choosing the person you will have decorate/design your house or do your nose job. Your home being your sanctuary, you wouldn't just let anyone do anything with it, right? Same applies to your body which is your temple. How your temple is adorned matters and you need someone who has done a lot temples. So whether you're getting a tummy tuck or tiara, GET REFERENCES. I'm sure that you want to have a piece that you can, without shame, pass on to little S. who'll like it enough to wear it even when you're not around. And custom work is not as pricey as it would sound. The jewelers who do custom pieces frequently are less expensive than those whose primary business is the ready-made works. The BTD forums are full of people who know industry people who do this kind of work and come highly recommended.

Definitely check it out.