Carleen

An important topic for Moms is handling jewelry, which was acquired during the marriage, after getting divorced. It’s not quite positive talking the troubles a breakup is causing but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 827,261 divorces were filed in 2016 – a very good reason for communication solutions and help. The financial situation that results by going separated ways is often underestimated from all involved parties and sooner than later the engagement ring is getting a Mom’s attention as a potential source of fresh funds. According to reDollar, nine out of ten engagement rings which are entering the selling market for pre-owned jewelry come from a divorce and only one out of ten is sold based on a “voluntarily” decision to sell. Moms learn pretty fast that an engagement ring can fund their new life with thousands of dollars. Potential money that is urgently needed for a rent deposit, car payment, or new furniture is sitting in an engagement ring and easy to cash out without creating new debt.

Most women plan to sell their marriage jewelry after a divorce!

Some women, however, decide not to sell their engagement ring but to take the diamond out. They scrap the gold but ask a goldsmith to set the stone in a new setting. Bad memories are gone but the diamond is saved for further generations. This decision makes sense if the money is not urgently needed and the diamond shows a significant quality and size. A diamond is much more than a sparkling stone – it’s an investment and asset.

Grading a diamond engagement ring for determining the value

Although most Moms are in a hurry to cash in, taking the time for grading is just smart. Diamond colors range from D (extremely valuable) to K, L, or even M (low value) and distinguishing between F color and I color is almost impossible for an untrained eye. While an F color diamond is rated #3 from the nicest diamond colors, an I-color graded stone ranks “only” on #6 among the best colors. Although both stones can have the same carat weight and clarity, the value difference can be breathtaking – especially for bigger-sized stones of one carat or more.

Grading a stone is not necessarily very expensive. The Gemological Institute of America (short GIA) offers diamond grading reports for as low as 50 dollars. Compared with appraisers, a GIA grading report is very much preferred as GIA is the world’s number one diamond grading laboratory. No other institute has a better reputation. After grading the stone, databases such as Rapnet (a David Rapaport company) makes it easy to compare diamond prices. A rough idea what the competition is asking for similar stones is easy to obtain. Prices can be compared with the help of a diamond grading report as the price situation on Rapnet reflects the real market situation. Diamond appraisals done by any jeweler or gemologist are usually far beyond the real market situation – they call it insurance appraisal and the determined value is also named “insurance replacement value” but unfortunately this figures have absolutely nothing to do with the real market value. Watch out and don’t step in an appraiser-trap, charging you hundreds of dollars for fancy looking reports with fantasy prices.

Options for marketing an engagement ring

When it comes to sell an engagement ring most people usually consider a jeweler. But there are many more options for selling a diamond ring or jewelry. Auction houses, consignment stores and professional diamond buyers like reDollar also offer lucrative options for selling to great conditions. There is a simple rule to follow – a recommendation from a friend or family member can be priceless. Ask around and you’ll be surprised how many people sold jewelry. In addition to divorces, heritages are also a major source of new jewelry to hit the market, and it could be a friend around you who has had a great selling experience.

The post Tips For Moms handling Divorce Jewelry like Engagement Rings appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

The post 34 Gifts to Spoil the Skincare-Obsessed Person in Your Life appeared first on Camille Styles.

Keep Your Drinks Chilled with Chillsner

If you are looking for a cool gift for Dad or whether you are buying a gift for dad, grandpa or your favorite Uncle this Father’s Day then you are going to love the latest product from Corkcicle.. Corkcicle has a great option that is sure to make any man in your life feel cool.this Father’s Day  I recently had the opportunity to work with Corkicle and review one of their amazing products. I was sent Chillsner to review in my home free of charge.

If your man is a beer drinker, this is the perfect gift. Chillsner is the first and only in-bottle beer chiller that keeps cold beer cold from the first sip to the last whether drinking from the bottle or as you pour into a glass. Chillsner is extremely easy to use. My husband loves using them in his Redd’s Apple Ale bottles. To use you simply freeze your Chillsner, insert into your favorite drink bottle and drink right through the Chillsner. Chillsner is also great for wine cooler! The Chillsner is made from stainless steel and thermal gel to keep your drinks cool.

Chillsner is makes the perfect addition to tailgate parties, BBQs and parties. Basically anywhere beer is enjoyed. Chillsner is an affordable gift at only $29.95 for two.

If you would like more information or if you would like to purchase Chillsner, please visit the Corkcicle Website. Be sure to stay up to date on all of the latest news and products from Corkcicle by following their social media pages on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. While you are there, be sure to follow Mom Blog Society on Facebook.

Disclaimer: Mom Blog Society received product free of charge to write our review. All opinions stated in our review are our own truthfully opinion and were not influenced by the sponsor or from getting the review product free of charge. We were in no way compensated for our review or opinion.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The post Keep Your Drinks Chilled with Chillsner appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

Strawberry Arugula Salad with Feta and homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is about to become your new favorite healthy go-to side salad! It’s sweet, tangy, peppery, and a perfect savory strawberry recipe. Add sliced grilled chicken or shrimp, or another protein like salmon or tofu, to make it a meal, and make it ahead of time for a potluck or party by mixing the dressing up separately.

If you’ve never enjoyed a green salad with fresh fruit before, you’re missing out. Sweet, juicy fruit pairs so well with the leafy greens and savory, salty ingredients that traditionally go in green salads.

In this case, sweet juicy strawberries are so delicious, not to mention gorgeous, against the backdrop of bright green peppery arugula. Sliced green onions add a savory punch, and a slightly sweet balsamic vinaigrette adds tang. Salty crumbly feta cheese and crunchy sliced almonds round everything out to salad perfection!

Best of all, this healthy strawberry arugula salad recipe only takes 10 minutes to whip up, and it’s easy to prep everything to make it in advance.

And if you’re looking for another fun way to enjoy strawberries with a savory twist, try this strawberry bruschetta.

…GET THE RECIPE for Strawberry Arugula Salad with Feta and Balsamic Vinaigrette!

Lab created diamonds have been around for a while. They are being embraced more and more now by a new generation of diamond buyers. In fact, it’s now believed that natural diamonds are feeling the threat of these lab creations! What’s not to like? The use of technology to create a piece of expensive jewelry is a match not many can argue with.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that lab-created diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds. That’s not always the case and man-made diamonds are as expensive as regular diamonds. They are also similar in the composition of the stone. So, does it make sense to spend money on lab created diamonds?

Yes

• In a time where everything needs to be personalized, the lab created diamond can get as personal as you want. Since the basic composition is carbon, you can decide what material you’d like your personalized diamond. An old photograph, a leaf from your favorite tree in the old house- there is a lot to choose. This makes for a highly personalized, personal gift that adds value to the meaning it gives the giver and receiver.
• How much money would you pay for something ethical and good for the environment? This is the question to think about and this is the power of a lab created diamond. Conflict-free and far away from blood diamonds, the lab created diamond is the right choice for the conscious citizen.
• Extending the idea of personalization, a lab created diamond can be made to fit your choice of cut, carat, color, and clarity. Infuse your diamond with whatever color works for you, create a better more clear diamond in a tightly controlled process and technique, choose the carat that works for you and your budget and also gets a stone that’s cut like you want it.

No

• A diamond is precious because it’s not a common occurrence in nature. In fact, the bigger the carat, the rarer the occurrence. That’s what makes the diamond so valuable. Spending it on something created artificially can be a bit of a let-down. Why would you spend a lot of money on something created when you can spend about the same, and perhaps less, on one that’s been discovered in the wild?
• Spending money on a natural diamond is like owning a piece of the earth. You wear it on you and it is like carrying the myth and magic and the many centuries of work that went into creating the diamond. This is something that can never be replicated in a lab.
• If there’s no difference- in composition- between a natural diamond and a lab-created diamond, why not buy an ‘actual’ diamond?

Ultimately what needs to be kept in mind is the sentiment behind the stone. It matters to the giver and the receiver because of the emotion attached to it. Whether it’s lab created or a natural diamond, as long as it comes from a place of love, its provenance and arguments about it are just quibbling.

The post Are Lab Created Diamonds Really Worth the Money? appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

Say hello to Toasted Ravioli, perfectly golden brown, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside… and when dipped in warm marinara sauce? Forget about it! This recipe for Toasted Ravioli can be baked OR pan-fried (rather than deep fried). I like serving them as an appetizer or as a light meal alongside a salad. Use any kind of ravioli you want for this delicious Italian inspired appetizer!

I just love ravioli, and love that you can find just about any kind of prepared fresh or frozen ravioli at grocery stores. When you use already prepared ravioli, this easy toasted ravioli recipe takes only 20 minutes to throw together and will be your new favorite way to enjoy ravioli! I like eating these as a meal with a side salad but they’re also perfect as an appetizer.

And best of all? You can bread these and freeze them for later (and cook directly from frozen!) for an easy appetizer for unexpected guests or when you all of a sudden need something crispy and crunchy and cheesy.

…GET THE RECIPE for Toasted Ravioli (Fried or Baked)!