The Top Drawer

It’s with great pleasure that we officially announce the completion of the first phase of a redesign to our website www.FirenzeJewels.com. More than simply an aesthetic improvement, the new site was built from the ground up with cutting edge features that effectively showcase our ever-growing inventory and provide you with an enhanced diamond jewelry shopping experience. Some highlights you’ll find on the new site are:

• “Real-time” product sorting allowing you to refine each jewelry type by attributes such as style, gemstone and price. A similar feature can also be found through our diamond search to help you sort through over 30,000 G.I.A. and E.G.L. certified loose diamonds.
• A “virtual loupe” that effortlessly allows you to inspect a piece at any angle.
• Gift Finder section that compiles many new features throughout the site in order to help you find the perfect gift for any occasion.
• Special Offers section with sizzling deals on diamond fashion and estate pieces.
• Streamlined shopping cart that makes purchasing a breeze for both domestic and international customers.

Along with the many new changes, you’ll also find our new Winter 2009 collection. Stay tuned for more dazzling things to come!

Continually expanding our presence within the social media community, Firenze Jewels is pleased to announce the launch of our new official Facebook Fan Page! Become a fan to get instant updates on special offers, store events or details on new arrivals. If you are curious about the latest designer jewelry trends or simply want to connect with others that share your passion for diamond jewelry then feel free to share your thoughts here. Your feedback is always welcome and as New York Diamond District leaders it helps us strive to offer you the best service possible.

Click the button to visit our Facebook page.

Valentine’s Day Diamond Heart Shaped Pendants and Jewelry

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we would like to feature our collection of diamond heart shaped pendants and other heart shaped Valentine’s Day jewelry gift ideas that have caught the eye of buyers in our showroom. The current availability of each piece is listed below. Please note that you must first inquire for a price quote on some of the unmarked designer pieces. Others marked unavailable can always be special ordered. Click on the image for further details. Happy shopping!

First and foremost, all of us at Firenze Jewels would like to wish everyone a happy new year and we hope that you and your family had a warm and pleasant holiday season. We’ve been hard at work preparing to release many bold initiatives for 2009, one of which includes a total rehaul of our website both inside and out. The new site is set to launch within the next few weeks. Our goal for this project has been to provide you with a more intuitive shopping experience while aiming to set a new web standard for the mid to high end diamond jewelry market online.

Speaking of luxury purchases, most New Yorkers have probably heard by now about NY Governor David Patterson’s controversial tax hike proposal. Part of his plan calls for an additional 5 percent tax on jewelry priced over $20,000. A recent article in the New York Post mentioned that a woman named Lisa shopping in the NY Diamond District was admiring a $48,000 necklace at Firenze Jewels and was concerned about how the proposed tax increase would affect her purchase.

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind our fellow patrons that Firenze Jewels continues to be one of the top places to find the greatest deals on diamond jewelry in New York City and in the world. In fact, many people may not realize that nearly 70 percent of the pieces in our showroom are priced below $5,000 even if most retail elsewhere for double that amount. Please stay tuned for the many changes to come shortly and know that we always warmly welcome your feedback.

Designer Engagement Rings

From antique/vintage to classic designs, designer engagement rings have a distinct and individual appeal that has captured the hearts of many soon to be married couples in love. Whether it’s the exquisite craftsmanship that goes into a particular piece or the gorgeous design conjured up by some of the world’s leading designers, Firenze Jewels wants to review a few the most attention grabbing diamond designer engagement rings.

With a tough and unprecedented election season nearing an end soon, New York City’s longtime jeweler Firenze Jewels has taken a look back and weighed in on four very different but influential women in politics this year. This article examines what sort of image these women project to the public by looking at the jewelry that each of them has worn and how it compliments their overall style. “You can tell a lot about someone’s personality by looking at the style of jewelry they choose to wear,” says Gabrielle Guzman, Director of the e-Commerce division at Firenze Jewels. While you may or may not agree with their (or their husband’s) philosophical views, one thing is for certain; we’ll be seeing a lot of one or more of these women in the future.

Hillary Clinton Current second term Senator of New York, former First Lady and former 2008 Democratic candidate for President of the United States, Hillary Clinton has worn many different hats and usually likes to wear a pearl or modest diamond necklace to go along with each. Some people tuned into the election coverage may remember that when asked a light hearted question during last year’s UNLV presidential debate about whether she prefers diamonds or pearls, she

jokingly replied “I want both”. Hillary is also known to be a big fan of turquoise jewelry, and when she’s not in the spot light she’ll usually opt for a simple gold necklace. Firenze Jewels believes that the jewelry Mrs. Clinton chooses to wear is very much like her famous trademark pantsuits, it shows that she’s confident, enjoys attention and likes to be in control.

Cindy Mccain Philanthropist, chairwoman of Hensley & Co, and potential First Lady, Cindy McCain has always been a fan of chunky beaded or pearl necklaces and/or earrings. In fact, her philosophy seems to be “the chunkier the better”. Cindy’s traditional demeanor has often been compared to that of Nancy Reagan’s, but her overall fashion style as the wife of a Republican presidential candidate is anything but. On her husband’s campaign trail she’s been seen wearing sharp red leather and copper toned jackets with bold jewelry to match. The clothing and jewelry styles that she wears

are traditional but the fabrics and colors that she chooses are not. Firenze Jewels believes that Mrs. McCain’s choice in jewelry and sense of fashion shows that although she chooses to play the role of a traditional Republican First Lady if her husband were elected, she certainly does not think like one.

Michelle Obama American lawyer, Princeton University & Harvard Law School graduate and potential First Lady, Michelle Obama has been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy for her taste in beaded necklaces and she’s even drawn comparisons to Barbra Bush for her fondness over bold “pearl-like” white necklaces. Michelle has made several appearances on various best dressed lists for her sense of style. Her use of jewelry is very distinct. When wearing a contemporary outfit, she’ll usually compliment it with a more conservative looking jewelry piece and when dressed a little more conservative, she will wear something along

the lines of a long beaded necklace, a sparkling brooch or other form of jewelry that adds flair and drama to her overall style. Firenze Jewels believes that Mrs. Obama’s selection of jewelry and the way she employs it with her outfit, shows that she is very down to earth and comfortable with who she is.

Sarah Palin Current Governor of Alaska, former mayor of Wasilla, and current potential Vice President of the United States on the Republican ticket, Sarah Palin has a flair for small gold nugget earrings and stretch bracelets. Many times, she’s been seen wearing a pair of gold earrings that look to be the shape of Alaska. Her trademark rimless glasses and flashy power suits have become her bold signature

look, so Sarah usually keeps her jewelry to a minimum. If she does wear a necklace or chain of some sort, it’s usually a simple chain made of gold or modest sized beads. Firenze Jewels believes that Mrs. Palin’s choice of jewelry and overall style shows that she takes pride in roots as well as her work and achievements.

Ever found that perfect diamond engagement ring you’ve been looking for, only to find out that it’s quickly been sold to another determined buyer? Looking to warm your wife’s heart on that upcoming special occasion with a stunning piece just released by one of the world’s top jewelry designers? Perhaps you are the fashion forward, tech savvy, diamond jewelry aficionado who strives to stay abreast the latest designer trends? If so, then Firenze Jewels invites you to join us on our new spot on Twitter.com/FirenzeJewels. Be the first to instantly get a sneak peak on the most gorgeous jewelry pieces from top designers around the world days before they are added to our showroom for public display. See them right as they come in and are measured and photographed by our by our e-Commerce staff.

Not familiar with Twitter yet? Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging site that allows its users to send and receive other users’ updates (also known as tweets) through the website, SMS text messaging, RSS feeds, instant messaging or other means. Whether it’s a close group of friends, a non-profit organization or a media outlet like CNN, millions of people use Twitter to instantly deliver, receive and talk about breaking news right as it happens.

Come follow us on Twitter and let us know what you think of the latest pieces or ask us any questions, we look forward to hearing from you!

As millions of people become more comfortable with shopping online each passing year, the stigmas of what shouldn’t be bought on the internet continue to diminish. Whether it’s the latest sleek LCD TV or designer clothes, more people are turning to the internet for high end items. Diamond jewelry is no exception. Here’s 5 reasons why your next jewelry purchase should be made online:

1) Your time is precious. Shopping for jewelry online offers you the possibility to look at hundreds of pieces without going from store to store searching for that perfect diamond engagement ring. No need to worry about traffic, long lines, bad weather and especially the inevitable rush during the upcoming holiday season.

2) Many of the more developed jewelry websites present their products in a professional manner allowing you to make a better and well informed buying decision between 2 pieces or another competitor.

3) If you want a wider selection to choose from, browsing a jeweler’s online gallery lets you see all of their unique designer pieces, even ones that may be out of stock. Don’t let that perfect diamond necklace slip away because someone else got to it first. Ask the jeweler if the specific piece you are looking for can be special ordered.

4) In the comparison shopping age that we live in, many times you will be able to find reviews, ratings and/or testimonials by other real clients about a company online. This information is invaluable before proceeding with your purchase. It’s something that would be harder to gather when window shopping at other brick and mortar jewelers.

5) Last but certainly not least, due to the highly competitive nature of the internet, you’ll very likely find stunning diamond jewelry pieces being sold online below retail price; and who doesn’t love a bargain?