How to Buy a Diamond
How to Buy a Diamond
by Brent Beaman, G.G.(GIA)Â Managing Partner
The New Kruckemeyer & Cohn Jewelry Company, LLC
Everyone knows why people buy diamonds: romance, apology, timeless gifts, etc. But ask a random passerby “how to buy a diamond,†and you will likely get a stuttered incoherent statements like “Something to do with the 4 C’s…,†“I know a guy…,†“I have no idea…â€Â Why is this? Mainly people tend to fear what they do not know, or often worry about being taken advantage of by a cagey salesperson. This article outlines how to avoid this fear, and put yourself in the driver’s seat of diamond shopping.
When you think about our new diamond, what is most important to you? Size? Quality? Shape? Unless your budget is limitless, compromises must often be made. After all, who would not want a four carat flawless diamond? So, breaking it down to the basics, what should you look for when choosing a diamond?
The most important factor in both a diamond’s beauty and value is the CUT. This does not refer to the diamond’s shape. CUT is the proportions of the diamond (the human element). When a diamond is cut and polished to the highest standards, it will have more sparkle, look bigger, and be more valuable than a similar diamond that has not been as well-cut. This fact is indisputable in the diamond industry worldwide. Many brands claim their diamonds are more perfectly cut than others and there are varying degrees of truth behind them. So how is a diamond shopper supposed to sift through the massive amounts of advertising these brands throw at them? Brands often sell nice, quality products but usually at a price far above what similar (or sometimes better) products sell for. Because of this, it really does pay to do your homework and shop around. After all, if you do not shop with CUT in mind, you will not be getting a diamond that lives up to its full potential. The last thing you want is for your new diamond to merely look like a piece of glass. I recommend GIA graded diamonds with Excellent or Very Good cut grades.
COLOR is the second of the “4 C’s†since most diamond shoppers want to avoid an off color or yellowish diamond. I recommend looking for a diamond at the top of the near colorless range (G – H-I). This color range makes for a nice, white diamond that, when cut correctly, will sparkle like crazy!
CLARITY, the third of the “4 C’s,†describes the natural characteristics inside a diamond. The fewer inclusions, the more rare the diamond. To get the best bang for the buck, choose a SI1 or SI2 graded diamond as these diamonds usually have no eye-visible inclusions. Not only are they far less expensive than higher grades, but they look the same to the naked eye. Again, a diamond cut correctly hides inclusions better!
CARAT WEIGHT, the fourth of the “4 C’s,†is what your diamond weighs on a scale. (It actually has nothing to do with the diamond’s size.) Not all one carat diamonds look the same size! Well-cut diamonds look much larger than poorly cut ones since all the weight is in the correct places, not hiding underneath.
In conclusion, buying a diamond should not be a scary experience! It all comes down to picking a budget, deciding what is most important to you about your new diamond, and finding the right place to shop. Let me suggest Kruckemeyer and Cohn. Our store specializes in GIA Triple Excellent diamonds, the industry’s standard of excellence, the most important aspect of the diamond – the CUT. Good luck, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Two Hunters Shot in Hunting Accident (Posey County)
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting accident that sent two men to area hospitals after being shot.
Timmy Burnett (26) of Mt. Vernon suffered injuries to his back and significant injuries to his upper arm. Â Cory Gregory (39) of Evansville suffered minor injuries to his hand and arm. Both were treated at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville and Burnett was later transferred to University of Louisville Hospital.
Both men were shot by an accidental discharge from the firearm Michael Daugherty III (15) of Evansville was carrying.
The investigation found that Daugherty III tripped and fell causing his finger to hit the trigger and the firearm to discharge.
Both men were treated at the scene and transported by ambulance.
The accident happened along River Road in Posey County on Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Property while the men were squirrel hunting.
Posey County Dispatch was notified of the incident at 7:41 am on Sunday.
Responding agencies included Posey County Sheriff’s Department, Posey County EMS, Point Township Fire Department, Black Township Fire and Rescue and Indiana Conservation Officers.
No foul play is expected, but the accident is still under investigation and updates will be provided if there are future significant findings or charges filed.
COA: Clinics that gave tainted steroid must face suit
Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com
After a widespread fungal meningitis outbreak killed nearly a dozen Hoosiers, the Indiana Court of Appeals decided Monday that the providers who injected the injured parties with a contaminated steroid that was purchased from a third party can be found to be negligent under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act.
In 2012, an outbreak of fungal meningitis, fungal infections and other related complications caused at least 64 deaths in 20 states, including 11 deaths in Indiana. The outbreak was caused by a preservative-free steroid that was contaminated with a fungus, purchased from the New England Compounding Center and distributed in Indiana by a St. Joseph County clinic and the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center of Northern Indiana and its affiliates in Elkhart County to treat back pain and other spinal conditions.
Several individuals who were injured or families of those who died after being injected with the contaminated steroid brought negligence complaints against the clinic and orthopedic center, arguing that the health care providers should have evaluated the steroid and NECC before selecting them. However, some of the complaints were brought without following the procedures of the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act, so the defendants moved for either dismissal or summary judgment.
The Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund, under the direction of Stephen W. Robertson, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance, intervened and argued that he plaintiffs’ claims were of general negligence and not subject to the MMA. However, after the plaintiffs reversed their initial position, the St. Joseph and Elkhart superior courts agreed that the claims were governed by the MMA.
Robertson, acting as the PCF, appealed both county court decisions, and the two were consolidated into a single de novo appeal in Stephen W. Robertson, Commissioner, Indiana Department of Insurance, as Admin. Of the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund v. Anonymous Clinic, et al, 71A03-1512-CT-2199.
The PCF’s argument was based on the fact that the “general procurement of products that will eventually be used in the course of treatment does not qualify as ‘health care’ under the MMA.â€
But Judge Cale Bradford wrote for the Court of Appeals, “We have little trouble concluding that the selection of preservative-free (steroids) … in favor of (steroids) with preservatives from other suppliers were actions that involved the exercise of professional medical skill and judgment, i.e., they qualify as the practice of medicine.â€
The court further wrote that there are three parts to the practice of medicine, and the allegations in this case fall under the second part – selection of the proper remedy for a disease.
The PCF also argued that there was no causal connection between the treatment of any individual patient and the exercise of medical judgment by the defendants because the northern Indiana clinics decided to purchase the steroids from NECC years before the plaintiffs were treated.
“This position would seem to be based on the proposition that only decisions made by providers with specific patients in mind can be subject to the MMA,†the court wrote. “The language of the MMA is not so restrictive.â€
Finally, the PCF argued that the alleged increase potential liability it would face due to this case would result in increased surcharges from healthcare providers to fund the PCF, thus jeopardizing their ability to obtain affordable medical malpractice insurance. But even if such a situation would come to pass, the appellate court wrote that it is not its position to try to save the PCF.
Air Quality Forecast
Air quality forecasts for Evansville and Vanderburgh County are provided as a public service. They are best estimates of predicted pollution levels that can be used as a guide so people can modify their activities and reduce their exposure to air quality conditions that may affect their health. The forecasts are routinely made available at least a day in advance, and are posted by 10:30 AM Evansville time on Monday (for Tuesday through Thursday) and Thursday (for Friday through Monday). When atmospheric conditions are uncertain or favor pollution levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, forecasts are made on a daily basis.
Ozone forecasts are available from mid-April through September 30th. Fine particulate (PM2.5) forecasts are available year round.
| Monday October 31 |
Tuesday November 1 |
Wednesday November 2 |
Thursday November 3 |
Friday November 4 |
|
| Fine Particulate (0-23Â CST avg) Air Quality Index |
moderate | good | good | moderate | NA* |
| Ozone Air Quality Index |
NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* |
| Ozone (peak 8-hr avg) (expected) |
NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* |
* Not Available and/or Conditions Uncertain.
Air Quality Action Days
Ozone Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when maximum ozone readings averaged over a period of eight hours are forecasted to reach 71 parts per billion (ppb), or unhealthy for sensitive groups on the USEPA Air Quality Index scale.
Particulate Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when PM2.5 readings averaged over the period of midnight to midnight are forecasted to reach 35 micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3).
Current conditions of OZONE and FINE PARTICULATE MATTER are available in near real-time on the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s website.
National and regional maps of current conditions are available through USEPA AIRNow.
Air Quality Forecast
Adopt A Pet
Lily is a 2-year-old female black Lab/Shepherd mix! She was adopted from VHS twice, and then recently returned due to landlord issues. Her previous families say she loves toys and is completely housetrained! Lily’s already fixed, vaccinated, microchipped, and ready to go home TODAY for only $100! Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or at www.vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
Attend the SCORE Evansville Fall Meet and Greet
Come join SCORE Evansville mentors and mentees for a community meet and greet. SCORE will provide hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic drinks.
Ever thought about the following?
– How do I open or get started my own small business?
– How can I give back to the community and become a mentor to dedicated small business entrepreneurs?
SCORE mentors will be on hand to answer any of those questions in a casual enviroment.
Please join us!
Backstage Bar and Grill
524 Main St
Japan-Based Auto Supplier Growing Production in Madison County
Company investing $111 million and adding 114 new jobs to support Subaru production in Lafayette
Elwood – ELSA Corporation announced plans today to increase its automotive parts production in Indiana to support growth at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) in Lafayette. With its growth, the company plans to create a total of 114 new jobs to support increased production.
“The impact of Subaru’s historic investment in Lafayette is being felt across the state,†said Governor Mike Pence. “As Subaru launched production of the new Impreza last week, auto suppliers across the state like ELSA are expanding and creating quality new jobs for Hoosiers. In Indiana, we have built a business climate that attracts new investment and supports job creation, helping our automotive industry grow into the second-largest in the nation. More than 500 automotive suppliers like ELSA operate here, building cars and trucks used across the globe and helping Hoosier businesses add more than 161,000 new jobs in Indiana since 2013.â€
The company, which is a subsidiary of Japan-based Sakamoto Industries, is investing $111 million into a multi-phase expansion, which once complete, will expand the company’s operations to cover 686,000 square feet across multiple buildings on the company’s Elwood campus. In October 2015, the company completed construction of a 131,000-square-foot addition, and it will break ground this month on a second 63,000-square-foot addition. As part of its growth, the company is adding two production lines to produce fuel tanks, exhaust systems, air cleaners and air ducts for SIA, which assembles the Subaru Legacy, Outback and Impreza. ELSA plans to install new equipment over the next three years, allowing the company to double its production capacity to 1,800 automotive parts daily once complete.
Just last week, SIA launched production of the new Subaru Impreza, which was previously produced in Japan. SIA, which is Subaru’s only U.S. manufacturing facility, has invested $1.3 billion into its Indiana operations over the past four years and has added 1,400 new jobs since last November to significantly increase its production volume capacity and build the new Impreza.
“As Indiana’s automotive industry grows, so does ELSA,†said Kyle Bubp, accounting manager at ELSA Corporation. “Japanese automakers across the state are each ramping up production, and that’s put us in a position where we need a larger workforce to meet demand. We’re excited to be growing in Elwood, Indiana, where the perfect location and a great business climate make this the obvious choice.â€
Since launching its expansion, ELSA has already hired more than 80 associates within the last two months, outpacing its initial hiring goals. The company now employs more than 350 associates, who are part of Sakamoto Industries’ global team of more than 800 people. ELSA is currently hiring engineers, support staff and assembly technicians. Interested applicants may apply through the company’s website.
Founded in 1987, ELSA is a key part of Indiana’s automotive supply chain, supplying components for two of the state’s three Japanese auto original equipment manufacturers – Subaru and Toyota. In Japan, ELSA’s parent company earned $311 million in sales last year.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered ELSA Corporation up to $500,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s plans to create up to 83 new jobs by 2018. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Elwood will consider additional tax incentives at a meeting of the Elwood City Council this evening.
“I am very excited to see ELSA embark on another multi-million dollar expansion barely a year after their larger expansion,†said Elwood Mayor Todd Jones. “The addition of another 63,000-square-foot building and the new full time jobs that will result from this project are proof that Elwood is moving in a positive direction.â€
ELSA is the latest in a long line of Japanese companies that are choosing Indiana for their growth plans, following recent announcements from Japanese companies including M&C Tech Indiana in Washington, Consolidated Grain and Barge in Mount Vernon, Moriden America in Carmel, Aisin USA in Seymour, Ryobi Die Casting and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal in Shelbyville, Toyota Boshoku in Princeton and NB Coatings in Hobart. More than 45 Japan-based companies have committed to locating or expanding in Indiana in the last three and a half years, with plans to create more than 6,400 new jobs and invest more than $2.2 billion into the state. Among all U.S. states, Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita.
Hot Jobs in Evansville
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||