Does Size Really Matter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you ask many women to select their dream diamond ring , more often than not they will select the LARGEST & FLASHIEST stone  in the case. Carat weight, the last of the 4 C’s refers to the size of a diamond in a piece of jewelry. During my days as a salesperson, I was often asked by women to see the “largest” stone or ring in the bridal case. Many times these were women who had chosen the “perfect” ring… yet they weren’t even dating, let alone engaged. “What?” Above the relationship with a partner, beyond the scope of a deep love and respect, the “SIZE” & “BLING” mattered the MOST.

It seems that in our society BIGGER  and BRIGHTER  is better. This idea of competition at all cost is not reserved for the jewelry world but permeates the fabric of popular culture everywhere.  Upon visiting your local grocery store or pharmacy, one can’t help but be overwhelmed by the magazines plastered with  images of lavish clothes, accessories, cars etc. A constant reminder that size and quantity are essential to a happy life.

DIAMONDS……. This is a problem.

I’ve written this post to refute the idea that more or bigger is better. In fact a large, cloudy and fractured diamond pales in comparison to a small, beautiful and flawless diamond. At a glance the larger diamond has more value but upon closer inspection it lacks the quality to make it a lifelong treasure. In contrast, a small flawless diamond is coveted, expensive and in many cases out lives the owner of the diamond. In other words, the QUALITY will always mean more than the QUANTITY.

As women we have become very competitive in a number of ways, often reducing our worth to mere amounts. The SIZE of our behinds & chests, the NUMBER of degrees we have, the AMOUNT  of makeup we wear, the COST of our shoes and handbags, all but determine our value in society. When did our values become so warped?  Character traits like kindness, integrity, wisdom, forgiveness, intelligence, patience and a loving heart are just a few of the things that make us valuable as diamonds.

I have been to a few funerals in my life and I have NEVER heard a eulogy that included the deceased person’s account balance or shoe collection. When we leave this earth, it will be OUR QUALITIES that remain. So in this last installment of the 4 C’s, I ask that you take inventory of who you are inside DIAMONDS. Allow the most valuable parts of you to shine from the inside out.

 

The 4 C’s: What Every Woman Should Know About Diamonds

If there’s one thing I know about diamonds, it is that they ARE NOT created equal. All one has to do is look at the vast assortment of diamond jewelry and their variance in price. (Hint. Hint.) In the same manner, women come in a myriad of forms, shapes and sizes . A true lady, would NEVER invest in a diamond that was not properly vetted, so if we are going to embark on a journey of comparing ourselves to diamonds, it seems only logical that we also evaluate our own VALUE in life. Now when I say “value” I am in no way reducing women to objects worthy of a price tag.  However, I AM saying that each of us needs to know exactly what those things are that make us a “diamond” worth coveting, worth possession and worth adulation. As usual, thinking on this subject dredged up memories of my jewelry selling days. Whenever I presented a piece of diamond jewelry to a customer, I always began by highlighting the stones’ attributes using something called “THE 4 C’S “.  The 4 C’s are the basic criteria used by all jewelers to determine the overall value of a stone.

CUT

“When it comes to grading diamond’s, the “Cut” is a grade of the diamond’s reflective qualities — not the diamond’s shape.” http://www.adiamondbuyingguide.com/diamondcut.html

The cut of a diamond determines the amount of light that will reflect from it for the world to see. These cuts fall into one of four categories. Stones are either “ideal”, “fine”, “deep” or “shallow”. I realize the last one sounds harsh, but we ALL know a “shallow” diamond.

“Ideal Diamonds”  These are my well-rounded ladies. The ones who seem to seamlessly maneuver between circles, all whilst maintaining the same level of brightness and beauty. This woman exudes her inner beauty in a t-shirt and jeans at the park, at her 9-5 or even in a ball gown.

“Fine Diamonds” These are self-assured ladies. Women who very much know who they are, what they want and where they are going in life. They are open to new experiences, but carry their own unique air everywhere they go.

“Deep Diamonds” Women who have rich life experience and wisdom that glimmers through their every word and action. Her value is evident but not flashing to be accepted by the masses. She’s crossed THAT bridge and no one or nothing will steal her light.

“Shallow Diamonds” Women who spend so much time pretending to be one of the stones above that  people often question the authenticity of the “real thing” when they encounter it.

To Be Continued…….

 

Which kind of diamond best describes you?