DIAMOND FACTS

70% of all brides receive a diamond engagement ring; over 75% of all first-time brides receive one. 50% of all couples choose a diamond engagement ring together.

90% of all grooms receive a wedding band, one in five receive a diamond wedding band.

77% of grooms agree that the two months' salary guideline is helpful in deciding what to spend on a diamond engagement ring, a significant symbol of love.

Diamonds were first discovered in India over 2,000 years ago.

Diamonds are composed of carbon that crystallized millions of years ago deep below the earth's surface.

Before a diamond is placed on a woman's hand, it will probably touch at least five continents and involve the skills of many craftsmen, making it a truly international gem.

Most diamonds have 58 facets, to bring out their maximum sparkle, fire and brilliance.

PRICE

A diamond ''quality'' report is provided by an impartial third party established for the wholesale diamond trade and now available to the public. Each report is registered with the issuing lab. Your stone price is established using a wholesale trade report that reflects approximate cash New York asking prices on a diamond similar in quality to the one you have selected.

You now have the opportunity to buy at very low prices with the assurance of an independent lab report on the characteristics of your stone. The independent diamond certificate assures that your stone is the quality grade stated What you should know.

Regular care and cleaning of your fine jewelry will enchase your satisfaction. Nurture this gift of nature and the jeweler's art, and fine jewelry will reward you with years of pleasurable wear.

Diamond jewelry is very popular. Some pieces, such as diamond engagement and wedding rings, are often worn 24 hours a day. Even though you may wear your diamond jewelry around the clock, you should give thought to its care. Diamonds are durable, but they still require proper, maintenance. Diamonds can get smudged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils, put a film on diamonds and cut down their brilliance. Clean diamonds "glow" because the maximum amount of light can enter the stone and return in a fiery brilliance. It takes just a little care to keep them that way.