Colored gemstones are much more delicate than diamonds and need special care and careful cleaning. Regular gentle cleaning is recommended instead of the harsh cleaning required to remove a heavy soil build up. Proper storage is also important in caring for your valuables.

Diamonds are used for drilling. They can withstand high temperatures and then a fast cool down in water. Many gemstones would crack or shatter with such extreme temperature changes. Emerald, opal, amethyst and turquoise are some of the gemstones that should be kept away from heat such as a sunny windowsill. When taking a trip to the beach, delicate gemstones should be left at home. Enjoying the sand and then jumping into the surf may be too extreme temperature changes for these gemstones.

Even perfume and lotions may harm turquoise and malachite. Ammonia, caustics and abrasives should never be used on gemstones. Chlorine in swimming pool water may cause pitting in some colored stones. Gemstones may also be damaged by fingernail polish remover.

Ultra sonic cleaners should not be used on a regular basis. Agitation of the machine will remove dirt and also dislodge loose stones from their settings. Some liquid cleaners used may be harmful to the gemstones.

The safest recommended cleaning is to wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap. Then, dry with a soft cloth. The sink drain should always be closed or covered when rinsing any jewelry. With proper care and regular cleaning gemstones should not need any harsh cleaners. Inspection by a jeweler is recommended at least once a year. The jeweler will check for loose stones, worn prongs or any other problems that may arise.

After cleaning, gemstones and all jewelry should be kept in safe place. Protection from damage and theft should be considered when storing jewelry. That jewelry box on the dresser is probably the first place a burglar might look. A safe or hideaway would be better for valuable jewelry and use the fancy jewelry box for costume jewelry. Heirloom pieces seldom worn should be kept in a safe deposit box.

Jewelry boxes with individual compartments or a felt-lined box or tray is recommended for storing precious gems and other jewelry. Rings and other jewelry items with delicate gemstones are safest when stored separately in jewelry bags or pouches. Stones bumping together may get scratched or otherwise damaged. The time you spend caring for your jewels is well worth the time and effort.

Buying a diamond is one of the most important purchases that you will make in your life, whether it is an engagement ring, wedding ring, loose diamond or jewelry for a loved one it is extremely important to put lots of thought into your purchase. Here are some tips on buying diamonds that will make sure you find the diamond that you want at a fair price.

It is important to educate yourself on diamonds before ever stepping into a retail store. Learning about diamonds is the biggest advantage that you can have in the buying process. Not only will being educated about diamonds help you get a fair price and understand if the diamond is a good value, but knowing about diamonds will help you choose a diamond more to your liking.

Start off learning the basics including the 5 C’s which are carat, cut, color, clarity, and cost. These are truly the main foundation of good diamond knowledge. Since most consumers already know about the 5C’s which are usually covered extensively, here are some tips on learning about the actual buying process in a retail or wholesale diamond environment.

As in any industry, there are good establishments and bad establishments. While at the retail level fraud is rare, you might find people that are willing to take advantage of a situation. A good retailer will try to help you find the diamond that is right for you. A good retailer will also take their time with you and ask you lots of questions.

Be aware of retailers that will immediately try to up-sell you on a diamond. They might not be interested in what you would like and automatically try to persuade you that a specific diamond is the diamond that you should look for. Beware of these types of retailers; they may be trying to get rid of hard to sell diamonds due to quality issues. A good retailer will also help educate you on what is a good diamond and the various traits of a diamond that are beneficial or decrease its value.

When buying a diamond from a retailer it is also important that they disclose everything about the diamond, that they tell you what is guaranteed and what services are included. A shady retailer will usually give you as little information as possible, will not write anything down and will just nod his or her head saying, don’t worry, everything is good.

If you want to find a reputable diamond dealer contact organizations such as the Better Business Bureau to see if a retailer has had complaints in the past, there are also diamond organizations that can point you in the right direction such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and American Gem Trade Association.

Once you find a good retailer and choose a stone, before purchasing it, ask to get it appraised by an independent appraiser. If the retailer says absolutely not, walk away from the sale. One of the strongest advantages that you have is having the stone independently appraised. A good retailer will give you the stone for it to be appraised by anyone you would like. You can have it appraised to see if the clarity, carat and color match what the retailer stated, and also to find out if there are any treatments such as fracture filling or color treatments that would decrease the value of the stone. It is important for you as a consumer to exercise your preference to have the stone independently appraised. Some retailers will demand that you have it appraised by a certain appraiser. This should not be acceptable; you should be able to bring it to any appraiser that you would like.

Not only will an appraiser help you determine the quality of the stone, but will usually give you a dollar value for the stone. Some appraisers will give you both a retail and wholesale value for the stone (Retail prices are usually higher than the wholesale cost). Armed with this information will help you determine if you are getting a good deal on the stone or paying top dollar. This information will help you if you need to negotiate a fair price with the retailer.

Buying a diamond is one of the most important decisions in your life, so make sure you put lots of thought into the purchase and protect yourself using your diamond knowledge, independent appraisal and consumer organizations. Purchase your diamond the right way and you and your loved one will enjoy the diamond for many years to come.

As summer comes to an end, and the great philharmonic and symphonies begin their season, Mystyx proudly introduces their new line of coin jewelry featuring the Vienna Philharmonic pure gold coin. A legal tender coin, minted by Austria in .9999 pure fine gold, the Vienna Philharmonic is named in honor of this world renowned orchestra.

Four sizes are minted: the 1/10 oz, the ¼ oz, the ½ oz and the 1 oz. Fittingly, the design on one side of the coin features a bouquet of instruments, including: the string bass, cellos, violins, a bassoon, a harp and a Viennese horn. The other side of the coin depicts the great organ of the Golden Hall in Vienna, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and home to the New Year’s Day concert that is televised around the world.

The new Mystyx collection features two of the four sizes of the Vienna Philharmonic coin; the 1/10 oz and the 1/4oz. The 1/10 oz is 16mm in diameter or about the size of a dime. The ¼ oz is 22mm in diameter and is about the size of a quarter. The new 12- piece Mystyx Philharmonic collection features pendants, earrings, bracelets, cuff links and rings. Celebrate the season of beautiful music with Philharmonic coin Jewelry!

Although the round diamond shape is the most popular shape of all there are many fascinating and beautiful alternatives.

Use this list to familiarize yourself with the top 10 diamond shapes before deciding to buy a diamond ring. For illustrated examples of all these shapes see the Diamond Ring Tutorial in the resource box.

Asscher

Named after the Asscher brothers of Holland at the turn of the 20th century, this square diamond shape has an almost octagonal appeal.

Cushion

If you want to be a little different, this is the shape for you. Cushion shaped diamonds can be almost square or slightly elongated giving a soft pillow shape.

Emerald

Emerald shapes are normally cut to a rectangular outline but some can be cut more square. Get advice from the supplier regarding length to width ratios.

Heart

Regarded by many as the most romantic of all the shapes, skilled cutting is necessary to maintain the diamond’s brilliance due to the complexity of the shape.

Marquise

If you want to flatter the finger and make it appear longer choose the Marquise. It’s shape is elongated with tapering points at the ends.

Oval

Another shape to flatter and accentuate a slender finger. Being similar to the Round shape, it has brilliance and fire.

Pear

This teardrop shape is regarded by many as very feminine. The cut is very important with a Pear shape so the light is reflected evenly, especially at the point.

Princess

This shape has the distinction of being the most popular next to the Round shape. It boasts clean, dazzling, square lines.

Radiant

The radiant shape is similar to the Princess but can be more rectangular. It combines the classic Emerald cut with Round.

Round

By far this is the most popular shape of all. The 306 degree symmetrical shape contributes to the dazzling brilliance of this shape. It suits almost every kind of mounting.

For more information on all these shapes plus the four c’s – cut, clarity, color, carat, consult the tutorial listed below:

The marquise diamond has 56 facets and is elongated with pointed ends. The marquise cut is also referred to as boat shape or navette. It is said that France's Louis XIV wished for a diamond to be cut to reflect the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour.

Celbrity Choice

If this is your favourite style of stone, you are in good company as Michael Douglas gave a 10 carat antique marquise diamond to Catherine Zeta-Jones with an estimated value of $2 million. However to make sure you buy the best marquise diamond you need to take some factors into consideration. The most popular choice for cut diamonds is the round brilliant cut. It is difficult for the marquise cut to compete with the round cut in terms of brilliance and sparkle and is often badly proportioned. Often this cut can be considered too thin or too fat, whilst the ideal proportion is 2:1.

Watch out for the “bow tie” effect

You may have come across the description “bow tie effect” in relation to the marquise cut and also, to some extent, oval and pear shapes. This is something that the diamond cutters work hard to minimise but is not always possible to avoid completely. Dark areas appear across the middle of the width of the diamonds and resembles a bow tie – hence the “bow tie effect”. This is hardly noticeable with well proportioned diamonds.

Prices

The upside of purchasing a marquis diamond is the price. They are generally 10 – 20% less than the equivalent round brilliant cuts. Some jewelers may try and charge more however this can be because it takes much longer to find a matching pair due to the varying shapes of this cut. You may wonder why, if it is so labour intensive matching marquise cut diamonds combined with the reduced sparkle and bow tie effect, do jewelers sell these diamonds. Beside the fact that they are very popular, the cutter has to retain it’s maximum weight. The cutter looks at the rough stone to determine what shape will give the largest carat.

Marquise diamonds have been a popular choice for many years and as long as you take note of the points above and buy from a quality jewelers your purchase will be one you are glad you made. A marquise diamond ring can also help elongate your finger and make it more slender. They also look stunning as shoulder stones for a larger centre stone, or in a cluster around a major diamond.

Diamond promise ring is a promise to love, cherish and commitment for ever. It is given before an engagement date as a promise to be married at a later future date, without breaking the rule of promise while accepting the diamond promise ring. The promise ring should be appealing and unique as it is a start of your new relationship with a name and a future of your promise given when presenting a diamond promise ring.

It is ideally given when two people from the opposite sex, decide to court each other with an intention to marry, it is seen as a serious commitment between two people before presenting a diamond engagement ring as a second step to win her confidence and heart. The concept of presenting a diamond promise ring allows the couple to test their commitment to each other before making major decision. A diamond promise ring is not only exchanged between lovers, but also for friends who want to seal their strong friendship as a long lasting friendship. One can also wear a promise ring by making a promise to oneself like perhaps to remain pure until the right time or resist any temptations.

There is various styles in diamond promise ring, one can choose from white gold to colored diamond rings to match your wardrobe. Diamond promise rings are not as expensive as diamond engagement rings, as diamonds used in promise rings are smaller compared to the engagement or wedding rings. However, when buying a diamond promise ring, keep in mind the recipient’s taste in jewelry. Diamond promise ring is associated with women, but a man can also wear a diamond promise ring if it is presented with love and expectations which you are willing to fulfill. Diamond promise ring can be exchanged for any reasons; but it is very essential to understand the nature of the promise taken in order to avoid future misunderstanding.

Jewelry as a gift has always been a traditional favorite for women. Women love to wear jewelry and the more they have the better.

When you are buying a gift of jewelry, it may help to take along an already-owned piece to compare length. If this is not possible then select a princess length necklace (17- 19 inches in length). This is an excellent choice if you are not certain which strand length is most appropriate.

Another thing to consider before buying jewelry is whether she prefers to wear silver or gold-toned pieces. Sterling silver jewelry is affordable and very versatile.

Find if she is allergic to metal. Jewelry allergy is a common complaint from many people. The main cause of these allergies is the nickel content present in jewelry. Pure gold and silver metal are too soft and have nickel added to make them hard. For gold, less the karat value more shall be the nickel content.

Avoid dyed gemstones; some of them can leave temporary color streaks on the skin when they become moist with perfume or perspiration. However, it's important to know that not all dyed gemstones have this problem. Use your best judgment when selecting colorful gemstone jewelry. If a color looks unnatural and thick, it is more likely to be a dye that may rub off onto the skin.

The size of the jewelry is also important. Would she use chunkier beads and pendants or smaller and lighter jewelry?

Think about her lifestyle. Would she prefer simple jewelry for daily wear or more elegant, dangling pieces?

Throughout history, diamond engagement rings did enjoy popularity among those who were wealthy and those who were royalty. Engagement ring encompasses in them the sense of love, commitment and fidelity. These are given at a very special moment in the life of two people, promising an eternal love and honor between the two. These rings hold their special place in the life of the people from very long. The invention of wedding rings and engagement rings is attributed to the ancient Egyptians, but the use of those rings had been there for quite long. But the purpose of engagement and the wedding rings did not change so much over the years, conveying deep emotions of eternal love, eternal happiness, eternal commitment, and eternal togetherness.

These rings are one of the most special gifts that you can get. These rings signify eternity between the two that is the giver and the receiver. An engagement ring is a complete circle with no break and no end or beginning, it is only eternal which means it just goes on and on.

An engagement ring is often intentionally expensive as a sign of man’s permanency. It is typically a precious band and mounts a diamond or other gem. The reason for its expensiveness is the use of diamond in it. Most people choose a diamond engagement ring. The argument for a diamond is that it is the most enduring, beautiful and expensive gem.

An engagement is an agreement or promise to marry, and also refers to the time between proposal and marriage. Engagements have no predetermined length, and may range from days to years. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Ring is a romantic way to recognize an engagement, anniversary, or any other special occasion. An engagement ring is a beautiful way of expressing love and proposing for marriage to someone. Customs surrounding engagement vary greatly, and may include a formal or informal announcement to friends, family, and community, or a celebratory party or gathering.

"With this ring, I thee wed." Those words have long been spoken to signify a couple’s ever-lasting commitment to one another. The exchanging of wedding rings marks the beginning of a new life together for the bride and groom. A big day in the life of two people, yes the wedding day for which the preparations start from very long. A couples wedding day won’t be labeled as the big day for nothing. It definitely is something to look forward and to get prepared for well in advance.

According to some customs, the wedding ring forms the last in a series of gifts, which may also include the engagement ring, traditionally given as a betrothal present. Choosing the perfect wedding ring depends on what kind of ring you desire and what choices are available. Whether you prefer yellow gold, platinum, or white gold there is a vast assortment from which to choose. Even more important than how your wedding ring looks, is how it feels.

What can symbolize love and, of course, the wedding ceremony more than a diamond? Forget single diamond solitaires and boring gold bands. One of the hottest trends in wedding jewelry is to have rings custom. Most of the wedding rings are made up of diamond with a base of gold. Most people tend to choose a diamond wedding ring because it is believed that diamonds are women’s best friends and they are the best in impressing them. So because of such beliefs most wedding rings are diamond rings. Diamonds too give a number of options to choose on. Diamonds are available in different shapes, sizes and colors. The favorites are colorless or the pink diamonds. Their ability to shine more than the others give them a special place.

A perfect wedding is a collaboration of many things out of which one of the most important is a beautiful diamond wedding ring. Wedding rings are outward symbols of love and commitment, but they are also very personal possessions. With so many options available, look for something that reflects your personality and use this as an opportunity to express something about yourself

Well the answer is a qualified YES. Quite frankly it depends on how long you have known each other. If you want to give your "new" girlfriend something special then I would suggest a pair of White Freshwater Earrings. These are not too expensive however quite a thoughtful gift. However only buy "real" cultured pearls as sooner or later she will discover that they are fake and of course that will not go over very well.

If you have been seeing one another for a while... say over a month then I would suggest a nice white Freshwater pearl bracelet. longer than say a couple of months may be the time for a lovely white Freshwater or Akoya pearl necklace or tahitian pendant.

Now.... the time will come when a serious relationship exists and you really want something special. Well then look at the large Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklaces or even Hanadama (Mikimoto) Pearls. A less expensive alternative is the latest in Freshwater Pearl technology and is called the Freshwater Orient Pearls as these are 99% blemish free a a fraction of the Akoya Price.

Be very cautious about purchasing black or colored pearls for your girlfriend unless you know specifically that she likes colored pearls and has the complexion to wear these colors. Pearls are the perfect gift for your girlfriend at any stage in the relationship. Go ahead and be confident with your purchase and watch her face!

The idea of birthstones has been around for thousands of years. Various gems were believed to have certain powers and these were particularly strong powers in certain months. Traditionally the birthstones bring luck to the wearer, especially if worn during the birth month.

The modern list of birthstones has no real astrological significance. It was created in 1912 by the Jewelers of America and has been modified a couple of times since. The idea was to create a list of gems that people could actually find, since some traditional birthstones are a little on the rare side.

Since costs are a consideration for most of us, birthstone jewelry is frequently made with either created (man made) stones or, in less expensive jewelry with colored crystals. Of course, fine birthstone jewelry will be made with the same quality gems as any other fine jewelry.

The list of the modern birthstones, by month, is as follows:

The January Birthstone is Garnet. While the birthstone color is a rich red the garnet also comes in a great variety of colors. It's a relatively soft stone, so it should be protected from impacts and scratches. I once saw a gorgeous green garnet ring, priced at $4,000.

February's birthstone is the Amethyst. This fine purple/lilac gem is also relatively soft. Purple is, of course, the royal color and so Amethyst has been a favorite gem for a very long time. It was also a favorite of Catholic Priests. Leonardo Da Vinci believed that it dispelled evil thoughts and quickened the intelligence. It obviously worked very well for him.

The March Birthstone is Aquamarine. Aquamarine color ranges from light blue to blue/green to dark blue and is a favorite of many jewelers. Its light blue color arouses feelings of harmony and friendship and reflects the color of the sky as well as the deep blue sea. No wonder it was also a favorite gem of sailors and was reputed to be one of the treasures found with mermaids.

The birthstone for April is the diamond. Of course, everyone knows that the diamond is the hardest material known. Well cut diamonds of good quality are dazzling. Diamonds actually come in a range of colors: the clear ones we see most often, as well as various shades of yellow, brown, orange, blue, and green. Do you think that fine diamonds are expensive? Try finding a fine blue or pink diamond. The Hope diamond is a huge, perfect, blue-violet diamond.

May has the Emerald for its birthstone. This beautiful stone ranges from a cloudy pale green to a deep clear green in perfect specimens. High quality emeralds will see a price close to that of diamonds. Energy healers like the emerald for its positive effects on relationships.

June's birthstone is the Pearl. This is the only gemstone that is actually grown inside a creature. Certain oysters, if they ingest some kind of particle, will encase that particle with the pearl nacre. Truly fine pearls are carefully cultured and a long string of large, perfect pearls will set you back several thousand dollars. Fresh water pearls, which are quite affordable, can still be beautiful and some have very interesting shapes.

The July birthstone is Ruby. Second only to the diamond in hardness, it can still be chipped or cracked. Ruby was called the “King of Gems” by the ancient Hindus. Some have said that the July birthstone gets its color from an everlasting eternal fire, which cannot be extinguished.

August has Peridot for its birthstone. This gem is a beautiful green to yellow-green in color and is often mistaken for an emerald. In fact, legend has it that Queen Cleopatra preferred Peridot over other gems and that some of her "Emeralds" may have been Peridot. Emeralds don’t have the yellow tint, though, and tend to be a darker green.

The Birthstone for September is the Sapphire. Rubies and Sapphires are both part of the corundum group of mineral, characterized by their hardness. The red corundums are Rubies. The blue ones are the sapphires.

Opal is the birthstone for October. This shimmering gem changes color depending on the light. Black opals, while not black, have a darker base color and can be stunning.

Citrine is November's birthstone and is one of the most affordable gemstones. Essentially, it’s golden quartz and ranges in color from a lemon yellow to a more orange hue. Ancient peoples thought that the citrine would protect them from snake venom and evil thoughts. Yellow Topaz is an alternate birthstone for November.

The Greek word "Adamas" meaning unconquerable and indestructible is the root word of diamond. Diamonds have been sought the world over, fought over, worshipped and used to cast love spells. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to the earth. It was said by some that they were the tears of the Gods. They also believed the fire in the diamond reflected the constant flame of love.

The first river-bed (alluvial) diamonds were probably discovered in India, in around 800 B.C. The volcanic source of these diamonds was never discovered, but the alluvial deposits were rich enough to supply most of the world's diamonds.

For centuries, rough diamonds were kept as talismans, and often not worn at all, though natural octahedral (eight-sided stones) were sometimes set in rings. A Hungarian queen's crown set with uncut diamonds, dating from approximately l074, is perhaps the earliest example of diamond jewelry. The earliest record of diamond-polishing (with diamond powder) is Indian, and probably dates from the fourteenth century. We also know that the royalty of France and England wore diamonds by the late 1300's.

In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, thus, starting the tradition of diamond engagement rings. The reason a woman wears it on the third finger of her left hand dates back to the Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of that finger.

The earliest producing diamond mines were in the Golconda region of India. Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a Frenchman, is credited with the discovery of the first gemstone in the region in 1627. Mining was well-established by the mid-seventeenth century and a single mine employed 60,000 persons to dig and carry the alluvial gravels that contained the diamonds.

In 1867, a 21-carat stone discovered on the banks of the Orange River, South Africa, started a great diamond rush. Between 1870 and 1891, no less than six kimberlite pipes were discovered in Kimberley. The biggest pipe in South Africa was discovered at Cullinan, near Pretoria, in 1902. The world's largest gem diamond, a 3,106 carat stone, was found there in 1905.

In 1939 De Beers introduced the criteria for Diamonds determining the gem quality by a combination of four distinct factors. These are called the 4C's. Cut, Color, Carat and Clarity (see section on the 4C’s)

In the 1950's, Yakutia, a region of the Soviet Union, began to develop newly discovered diamond resources. This Siberian diamond field would make their nation one of the greatest diamond producers of all time.

In the 1960's, diamond fields were discovered in Botswana. The three diamond mines - Orapa, Letlhakane and Jwaneng - make Botswana the world's second-largest producer of diamonds and the largest producer of gem diamonds by both value and number.

Have you ever wondered if you should be concerned with the care of your pearl jewelry? Why do these sea gems need such specialized care and what makes them so different from your other jewelry? Here are the reasons why.

Gem and precious metal jewelry is produced deep inside the Earth, whereas your pearls are made by a living animal. They are created by living creatures called mollusks. They are precious jewels, a gift from nature and the sea and should be treated as such.

Even though this sea gem may appear very durable and hard, they are made out of a delicate material, an organic substance and are therefore an organic gemstone. Being a softer gemstone they have a lower resistance to heat, chemicals and contact and can be more easily scratched, cracked, and damaged.

Having this delicate nature they require a different kind of care, a more specialized type of attention than you may be used to with your other gem and precious metal jewelry. They need to be cared for accordingly to ensure they do not become dry and brittle and to also help maintain their luster through the years.

Key to the care of pearls is to protect the nacre. This perfect gift from nature is the product of a biological process, in which a composite material called nacre ("NAY-ker") is formed layer by layer. It is the result of a natural defense mechanism used by the mollusks when dirt, sand or food particles get into their system. They cover the object with nacre until the object is shaped like a pearl. The nacre accounts for much of this gem's beauty and is what gives it it's iridescent luster.

So, is it complicated and difficult, this proper care of pearls?

No, not at all. It's quick and simple. Just learn these few easy care of pearl jewelry steps:

* find out what substances are harmful to your pearls
* where, when and how to store this jewel when not being worn
* how to clean a pearl necklace, ring, bracelet or earrings
* care of mother of pearl jewelry
* when to consult a professional jeweler for pearl jewelry care, restoration and restringing

Simply put, proper care for pearls and cleaning pearl jewelry is necessary to ensure the longevity of your unique pearl jewelry. Whether it be a pearl necklace, bracelet, ring, or earrings, a little special attention and care of your lustrous gems, will preserve their divine beauty. They will last a lifetime, becoming more beautiful with age.

Most people only experience a marriage proposal once in their lifetime. You would want it to be both memorable and perfect. After you've gotten up the nerve to ask, you might have trouble finding a creative way to pop the question. Diamond on Net will make it easier for you with these romantic and unique marriage proposal ideas that are sure to make a big impression.

1. Arrange to meet her in a beautiful park near some riding stables. Rent a knight's armor from a costume shop or theatrical company and pick it up on the way. Rent a horse at the stables, don the armor, ride up to meet her and offer to be her prince. Present the ring with princely flair on bended knee. You could have someone in the bushes nearby ready to play Holst's "Jupiter" as she starts to see you in the distance.

2. Cook and set an elaborate candlelight table (or cater if you are not talented in the kitchen) for a quiet romantic dinner for two at home. Serve her a glass of champagne with the diamond ring in the bottom or ribboned to the stem.

3. Have an artist paint her portrait, adding a box with an engagement ring in her hand before you present it. When you present the portrait, have the ring ready when she asks about it.

4. Bring home an enthusiastic new puppy with a ribbon for a collar. Have the ring in the bow for her to find as she cheerfully greets the cuddly pup.

5. Have a plane sky-write your proposal. Plan it for the day of a family picnic, boat ride or other outing so she is sure to see it. Have your diamond ring ready when she sees your proposal.

6. Hire a magician to entertain just the two of you. Have the magician make the box with the engagement ring mysteriously appear as the surprise ending of the last trick.

7. Memorize a short French poem and recite the poem to her at a French restaurant as you offer the ring. Be sure to know what each word means so you can demonstrate your savoire faire. Have the ring ready in a presentation box.

8. Decorate a Christmas tree with lights and only one ornament -- a ribbon or bow tied around a velvet ring box. Ask her over for a Christmas celebration for just the two or you.

9. For a very traditional approach, ask her father for her hand in marriage. When the approval is given, make plans for the next family gathering and make your proposal to her in private with diamond in hand. When she says yes, stand up and announce your engagement to everyone.

10. Prime a friend with harmless little secrets about the two of you, and have him pose as a psychic when you dial. Be sure to ask the right personal questions to make it look authentic. Have the psychic predict a diamond in her very near future. Then make your proposal on the spot.

11. At a college or professional sporting event (if you both like sports), arrange to have your message displayed on the scoreboard after halftime..."Karen...Will you marry me?" Have the diamond ready in a presentation box.

12. Arrange to have dinner together at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Have the waiter give her a special fortune cookie with "Will you marry me?" in it. Or you could have it say, "You will receive a diamond in the very near future." And present the diamond in a box.

13. During dinner at your favorite restaurant, arrange with the waiter to have the diamond in a box as one of the choices on the dessert tray. Tell her she is the sweetest thing you know and you can't resist her any longer.

14. Place the diamond in a presentation box at the bottom of a box of Cracker Jacks(R)... and give her the special box at your next baseball game and ask her occasionally if she has found the prize yet (to keep her alert to finding it).

15. For the chocoholic: Chocolate-dip the diamond box, and put it in the center of a box of chocolates when you are alone for the evening. She will always wonder what's in the largest piece of candy. Pick it up for her and open it with panache.

16. Invite her for some games at home. Use Scrabble letters and spell out "Will you marry me?" Have the diamond close by.

17. Create a personal Web page with her name and your proposal with a picture of the diamond in its velvet presentation box, and send her the Web address. Or sit down together to surf for good vacation sites, and visit a site or two before you type in the site address.

18. Set a date to go to the movies, then rent ad space for your proposal at your favorite theater. Make sure you have the diamond with you.

19. Take her for a surprise picnic at the beach or in the woods. At the picnic spot, spell out "Marry Me" with stones, flowers or seashells. Put the diamond in her hand when she says yes.

20. Rent a limousine for the evening and be inside when they pick her up at home or work. Take her to an elegant restaurant for a romantic candlelight dinner for two, then present her the diamond on the way home in the limo.

21. Tell her to take time off work and arrange for everything to be covered for a week (but don't tell her where you will be going). Make all the plans for a week's vacation in a five-star resort in Mexico. Propose one evening at a restaurant with serenading mariachis. You can have the diamond ready in your pocket.

22. Order a dozen red roses and pick them up yourself at the shop. Write the card to say, "Will you marry me?" and put the diamond in a presentation box with the roses. Present the flowers during a candlelight dinner for two at home (cater if you can't cook).

23. Mail her a romantic poem from Shakespeare or Browning. Include a photo of yourself on your knees with a diamond in your hand, and write on the back in marker, "Will you marry me?" Be ready, hiding outside her house when she normally opens her mail, and go inside with the diamond in hand when you hear her scream with joy.

24. For the serious netizens -- E-mail a 3-D animated graphic of a loose diamond, with the message, "Will you marry me?" If you can, time the delivery of the e-mail when you can be there in person to see her reaction and get your answer.