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Maradona’s Diamond Earrings Auctioned to Help Pay Off Massive Tax Debt

January 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
diego maradona diamond earrings

Diego Maradona Diamond Earrings

A pair of diamond earrings belonging to Argentinean soccer sensation, Diego Maradona, was sold for $36,400 at an auction on Thursday, January 14th. The spectacular diamond earrings, whose pre-sale estimated worth amounted to approximately $8,000, were seized by the Italian government in an effort to recover the soccer star’s massive $54 million tax debt.

During his days as a player for Napoli (from 1984-1991), the Argentinean soccer legend (Europeans would call him a football legend of course) accrued a monstrous tax which Italian taxmen are slowly trying to redeem. Although he helped Napoli win its only two Series A titles, Diego Maradona neglected to pay the appropriate taxes on his earnings and in 2005 the Italian courts ruled on his million dollar balance. He obviously did find the time to go diamond jewelry shopping though…

Despite the fact that the winning bid on Maradona’s diamond earrings was nearly five times higher than the pre-sale estimate, let’s be honest: it barely makes a dent in the phenomenal debt Maradona has managed to accrue. But, apparently, Italian authorities can’t simply have the sports legend arrested since the criminal case for his tax evasion has lapsed according to Italy’s statute of limitations. Hence, Italian tax authorities have been forced to come up with more inventive ways of recovering the soccer star’s debt, like sporadic seizures of random items (like expensive diamond jewelry) that may or may not earn them money.

In this case, the Italian financial police confiscated the diamond earrings in September, 2009 when Maradona was in northern Italy undergoing treatment for weight gain and stress. But this is not the first time his assets have been seized by the authorities. In 2006, during another visit to Naples for a charity match, the Italian police seized a couple of pieces of Diego Maradona’s jewelry – two stunning Rolex watches. The authorities were lucky enough to make about $16,000 off of these jewelry items, which seems similarly insignificant when compared with his colossal debt.

According to reports, about 30 people participated in the auction which took place in the northeastern town of Bolzano, Italy. The diamond earrings were procured by an anonymous woman whose only comment was that she is satisfied with her jewelry purchase. Who knows? Maybe you’ll see Diego Maradona’s diamond earrings on eBay sometime soon.

Maradona is no stranger to trouble. While he is widely regarded as having been a soccer legend in his day, leading Argentina to its 1986 World Cup Victory, he is infamous for severe weight gain, drug addiction, and extended periods of poor health. Currently the coach of Argentina’s national soccer team, Diego Maradona’s recent trip to the weight loss clinic in Napoli came right after a number of consecutive defeats for Argentina. This string of losses left the team in danger of not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. However, after his return from Napoli, Maradona led the team to two victories, qualifying them for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Despite his many faults, one thing can be said about the legendary Diego Maradona – he always comes through in the end (at least on the soccer field). It looks like Italian tax authorities are going to keep on pursuing the recovery of the soccer star’s massive debt by continuing to seize his jewelry and possibly employing additional unorthodox methods of debt collection.

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Golden Boy: Saudi Tycoon Orders Gold Sex Toy for $50,000

August 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
ruby

Ruby

You can’t put a price tag on the “family jewels”, but a Saudi businessman came close this month when he ordered a solid gold penis enlarger, studded with 40 diamonds plus several rubies!

Priced at $47,000, the bejeweled gold sex toy shatters records as the priciest adult novelty item ever produced. Since the import of sex toys is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, the gold and diamond penis enlarger was certified as a medical device by the US government. The order is scheduled for special delivery to Saudi Arabia this October, in an armored vehicle.

The wealthy businessman, whose identity is unknown, although he’s known to live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, ordered the “male health accessory” from the X4 Labs, a Canadian company that manufactures medical devices.

Apparently the company didn’t take the order seriously at first, but when he sent in a down payment with his order, X4 understood that he meant business. At first he asked for a gold device, then later added the request to encrust the gold with diamonds and rubies.

The businessman’s rationale for ordering a gold version of the device was that he’s got a skin allergic towards stainless steel. Normally, the men’s health accessories market for about $400.

Not proficient in gold and diamonds, the medical laboratory had to recruit the assistance of a Montreal jeweler in designing and assembling the device. The company called the order a “historical benchmark” in the industry of adult novelties, and expects that it may launch a new trend.

X4 now offers the option of custom designs to all of its clientele, because apparently there’s a market niche of people whose purse strings are loose when it comes to lavish health “accessories”.

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with indulging every now and again.

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The Relationship Between Finger and Wedding Ring

June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
mens wedding ring

Men's Wedding ring

On the day me and my fiancée bought our wedding bands I was already slightly concerned. I didn’t dare open my mouth, but I had a strong feeling that the new bond between my finger and an external metal object wouldn’t go over so smoothly.

Speaking of ‘smooth’, the thing that scared me most is that the ring couldn’t be removed from my finger, literally. Although some psychologists may not believe me, I didn’t worry about what the ring symbolizes, on the contrary. I was happy to get married and happy to have this sacred bond with the woman I love most.

My father wore his wedding ring for only two years from the day he married my mother. He can’t really remember why he took it off in the first place, probably something that has to do with toxic solutions (he’s a chemist), but to this day his finger remains naked. On the other hand, my grandfather wore his ring constantly. After a while it got stuck on his finger. Some may find this romantic, but for me it’s mostly stress inducing. Why does a piece of metal need to exist among my innocent fingers and my pure skin?

For women, particularly my wife, such a thought seems totally weird. My wife has metal pieces in many isolated locations. She wears metal items on her hands, neck, ears, legs, nose, and the list goes on and on. She is used to it, for her the feeling of metal is as familiar as the feeling of cloth touching her skin. For me this whole jewelry thing is totally new. During many daily activities I can ignore my ring’s presence but at least when I shower or sleep shouldn’t I be permitted to take it off?!

On my wedding day this ring not only had become an essential part of my life, but also an object that my wife minds whether it is constantly wrapping my finger or not. At first I couldn’t stop playing with the ring, taking it off and putting it on again. I wanted to get along with the ring, as I wish to spend many years wearing it and not continue the unromantic tradition that my father had created. I asked my wife: “Is wearing a ring similar to wearing a hat or eyeglasses, in the sense that after a while you forget it’s on you”? She answers that it is indeed this way, which made me very optimistic. I remember the first time I actually forgot ithe ring was on me. I can also recall the first time I fell asleep while wearing it. I still woke up panicked in the middle of the night, checking whether I can still take it off my finger, but it was still a big step forward!

After about a month since my wedding ceremony, I started to feel that there’s an evolving friendship between me and the ring. I usually remove it before I go to sleep every night, as I’m still concerned it might become a metallic part of my skin, but during the day it stays still, even when I am washing my hands!

I told my wife: “Pay attention that I don’t take off my wedding band even when I shower or swim in the ocean. If it gets damaged or falls off you should know that it’s only because I wear it continuously as I want to have you close by, and carry this symbol of our love with me.” Somehow, I have a feeling that these words wouldn’t really assist me in case I would in fact lose the ring, thus I have to guard it carefully.

Later on I am certain that as I never lose my wallet or keys, I can create daily habits of ring handling, so that I would never leave it behind.. My ring and I are still getting familiar with each other. I’m certain that in the future we could have a much more profound relationship.

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Am I the only guy on Earth who actually likes diamonds?!

June 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Every week I hear about another friend who has to face the unwanted, stressful challenge of picking a diamond ring, the once in a life time displeasure every man has to deal with in order to keep his woman satisfied (along with getting married, but that’s a different story). As I have never tried to conceal my fondness for diamonds, I offered to help my 31 year old good friend Ernie in selecting a ring for his future wife, during which I attempted o pay close attention to any outward expressions of frustration, a feeling which I believe to be shared by most guys who undertake this task.

“Why should I know stupid things about symmetry and prongs?!” Ernie complained as we entered the first jewelry store on our journey. The painful look on his face gained him sympathy even from the local vendors, which would not be mirrored by his girlfriend if he were to propose to her empty handed.

Diamonds were all around us, and although I already did my share of solitaire engagement ring setting years ago, I was mesmerized by the sparkling brilliance that filled the room. “My eyes hurt”, said Ernie. “Let’s find another store, we’ll find nothing good here”.

DiamondsConfusingMen

Diamonds Confusing Men

Buying diamonds is such a complicated task for most men. It really feels like a lose, lose situation. Thoughts about future reward aren’t very consoling, when one is about to spend an arm and a leg, while getting ripped off by a clever jeweler. “Believe me, if you weren’t here I would be even more depressed” said Ernie, making me feel useful, despite the fact I hadn’t been successful in cheering him up. “With you around at least I know there is a chance I won’t choose the wrong diamond and the wrong metal, a chance that could never exist if I had gone solo”, he added.

Where men are concerned, diamonds are a mystery, but not in a positive sense. They understand why women admire the stones, but they absolutely cannot comprehend why this stone is so expensive, and why they must spend several months wages on its purchase. Sometimes a man’s only conclusion is that women like diamonds only because they are expensive and overrated, hence, girls like to see their guy spending a fortune on them. “Why do I need to buy such an expensive gift”?! Asked another grumpy young man, who was shopping in the third store we visited. “My girlfriend knows I am truly committed to her, I have never been unfaithful, never even avoided the marriage issue, so why do I still need to spend $8,000 to prove to her that she is the only one for me”?!

I used to claim that if only men would try to grasp the concepts and features regarding diamonds they would learn to appreciate them. During this journey I understood that concepts like Culet Size and Girdle Thickness goes in one ear and out the other when it comes to most men. Having said that, Ernie can now recite the 4C’s by heart (it’s only four C words, but you would be surprised how difficult it was for him to understand them at first). The broad distinction between an ugly dark diamond and a shiny beautiful one is also something most men grasp after viewing stones at a close range.

Once men truly accept the fact that spending a fortune on a diamond ring is inevitable, they would be open to understanding diamonds, obtaining a better attitude towards them. The rare beauty of a diamond can be appreciated when all the additional meanings are neglected. There are some men that actually seem yo enjoy the symbolism of diamonds. Hopefully, these men experience funforgettable weddings, great marriagse and fairytale partnerships.

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How to buy her the engagement ring she wants without getting ripped off

June 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

As men, we aren’t ashamed to admit that the word ‘diamond’ makes us think about poker cards and baseball, and only then think of the burden of pleasing our loved one. Most men have two main aims when it comes to buying a diamond ring or jewelry item; the first is finding a relatively good deal, preferably not resulting in bankruptcy, and the second is not messing up when it comes to selecting an item, in other words, having it accepted smoothly by the girlfriend or wife.

As someone who was himself quite intimidated by diamonds not so long ago, I can say that after getting a few obstacles out of my way, and abandoning typical ‘manly’ stereotypes, diamonds can become quite intriguing and the process of diamond purchasing can become a task that a man can learn to master. I wish to share some of my acquired knowledge and tell you men readers how to succeed in both the romantic and consumer areas, at least when it comes to diamonds.

First of all, don’t try to bend the rules of the game. Don’t consider the option of buying diamond or gold substitutes and don’t go for something cheap with the excuse that it is a more ‘personal’ gift. This diamond must shine all the way to your wedding day, thus one shouldn’t avoid his diamond purchasing destiny.

If concepts that have to do with the special diamond attributes and shape features don’t really excite you, maybe the certification aspect of diamond purchasing is something you can grasp more firmly. Diamond grading reports and appraisals are important elements in executing a clever purchase. If you show interest in diamond certification then the diamond vendor would take you more seriously and would be less likely to try and fool you into spending a lot of money on a poor quality stone. If you learn (or even write a note which can be read later, while you are selecting a diamond) the common grading system of a diamond’s cut, color, clarity and acquire a basic understanding of the carat weight concept, then by reading the diamond quality report you will have a clue regarding the quality of a diamond.

After understanding basic simple diamond purchasing rules, you should find out what your loved one’s standards are ; what style of jewelry she normally wears? Does she like more classic or more modern items? Is she a dazzled by gold or is platinum her favorite precious metal? Would she go only with the popular round diamonds or is she into ‘alternative’ shapes?

engagement-advice

Engagement Advice

If your girlfriend would prefer providing you with hints then having the risk that are involved in a 100% surprise engagement ring, then you should go with the flow, follow her lead and let her supply you with the proper knowledge that would eventually prevent future disappointment for both sides. If you don’t want to ruin the surprise you can still consult with family and female friends of your loved one, maybe they have further knowledge regarding her personal taste or maybe she even left them with some diamond ‘instructions’, just in case you would come to ask them for advice. If they don’t posses such precious knowledge they could still agree to ask her about her preference, without arousing any suspicion.

After putting all these efforts in and just before the big expense is underway, you should remember that although diamonds are inevitably pricy, and that the stand ards for quality diamonds are more or less similar worldwide, there is still a place for your personal opinion and consideration. After following the lead of experts, family, friends and even the loved one herself, it is still up to you to buy the item and you shouldn’t completely underestimate your ability to do so, especially after you have already obtained some diamond knowledge and visited some jewelry stores. No gift can come with a 100% guarantee that the receiver would adore it, and a diamond ring is no exception, thus your choice should also somehow rely on your opinion. This way, if your loved one would be truly overwhelmed by the ring, you would know you didn’t only buy her a ring like a robot, but also relied on your senses in order to obtain the perfect, once in a lifetime gift.

Filed Under: Diamonds & Men, Engagement Rings Tagged With: ,

The Perfect Marriage Proposal – Only with an Everlasting Diamond

May 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Proposing to a girl and buying a suitable ring are unique and unforgettable experiences. Besides the big decision, regarding the everlasting bond between you and your loved one, a proposing man wishes that his future wife will cherish the moment and would be deeply moved by the engagement ring. Buying a diamond ring is a tradition that is relevant today no less than it was decades ago. A diamond represents beauty, prosperity, brilliance and eternal love, therefore it’s the most suitable gemstone to serve as a present from a men to his loved one, a tribute given to the woman during the marriage proposal.

There are supposed rules about the appearance of the ring. It’s most common to set one single diamond into the engagement ring, symbolizing the everlasting love between the man and the woman. This ring is called a “solitaire ring” and is considered a classic. Based on the acknowledgment of your girlfriend’s preferences, you could also design a more creative and unique ring, considering her subtle tastes. One should never forget, a woman usually expects a ring that symbolizes the profound connection between the two parties.

The proposal routine should also be planned thoroughly. One can use his imagination to create a dreamlike scenario which will always be remembered. As you probably don’t have all the time in the world to plan such a detailed event, there are special companies which offer to take this project as their responsibility, without neglecting a single detail, and could also help you in the selection of a nice ring.

You probably understand that a wedding proposal is also an amazing adventure, therefore it shouldn’t be treated recklessly. You are looking for a special surprise for your loved one, in which the unveiling of the perfect diamond wedding ring is the climax.

wearing a ring

Wearing A Ring

Does your loved one seem to you like a bright diamond, which is as durable as your love? Did you know that no two identical diamonds could ever be found in nature?! A professional gemologist can detect the subtle differences between diamonds, while people consider diamonds as symbol of everlasting love, and are therefore used as engagement gifts. The worldwide popularity of diamonds is as constant and stable as a diamond itself.

Here are some suggestions for a nice surprise for your future wife: How about inviting her on an intimate sunset dinner? You could wait for her with balloons, fireworks and snacks, she would probably get excited and you would walk together on a path of beauty, lighted by the stars above. Later on you could show her a movie, in which you and her are the stars (you could insert some childhood photos for extra emotion inducement). At the moment of the actual wedding proposal she would probably already be in tears, witnessing her dream coming true.

A short message could then appear on the screen. Each guy can choose the proper words, but the terms “my love”, “would you marry me?” and “would you wear the ring I bought for” should be present in the text.

There’s no need to wait, begin the projection of your special moment sometime soon. The first step would be choosing an engagement ring…

Filed Under: Diamonds & Men, Engagement Rings, Love & Diamonds Tagged With: ,

Custom Jewelry: Jewelry Designed Especially for The One You Love

May 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
custom jewelry

Custom Jewelry

When somebody says he/she possesses a unique diamond, most chances are the ‘uncommon’ attributes of the diamond aren’t regarded to its alternative cut or surprising color, but rather that it is an expensive stone that not everyone can afford. A woman usually likes wearing a precious stone ring, bigger than what most women around her have, even though its design is the same classical, traditional layout that most women have been dreaming about for the past millions of years. Come on girls, don’t you want something original on your finger?!

A ring could be personalized by engraving some words on it. Sure, “Eternal Love” and “Yours Only” can make a ring even more romantic, but every couple can choose words that have personal meanings, like a sweet nickname or a secret wish.

Most people are afraid of personalizing a piece of jewelry for their loved one. Ordering custom designed diamond jewelry isn’t much more expensive than a pre-prepared item, it’s mainly about putting some thought into this tribute. Who says expensive gifts can’t have a personal touch? Do you really want worldwide GIA standards to determine which is the most suitable stone representing your love?

As I see it, the guy has to consider his girlfriend’s characteristics, her style and many other attributes and later discuss them with a ring designer. A quiet girl, for example, may prefer wearing a shiny diamond ring to compliment her personality, or she might want to maintain a more modest appearance, it all depends on the person’s nature and their personal sense of style.

Colored diamonds, a diamond solitaire and numerous white diamonds are all options when it comes to ring settings. One can purchase a loose diamond, usually cheaper than a preset stone, and design a ring setting with the help of a jewelry designer. Gemstones are also an option when it comes to choosing a setting. Amethysts, rubies or sapphires as well as a birthstone can have a deep meaning for a woman.

You should also remember that what might look good on the love of your life right now won’t necessarily suit her in 20 years, so a colorful or loud stone might not be the right choice. Does she like working with her hands or does she always keep them clean? A ring setting which is easy to clean will suit a woman who often gets her hands dirty. Whether your special lady is a city girl or a nature lover is also a question that should be considered; the former would probably enjoy a more contemporary design, which can be achieved for example with a square mounting, maybe an oval setting would also suit her style. The latter might appreciate an addition of a leaf or vine metal shape on the surface of the ring.

For a couple that has past the wedding phase and crossed over into anniversary celebrations, a special diamond ring could be a perfect gift. Inside the woman’s jewelry box the husband might discover special pieces, which aren’t very usable and are just waiting for someone to reset them in a contemporary item. Heirloom and antique jewelry often contain valuable diamonds, which can be used for creating a new, more personal and relevant jewel. Even broken and damaged pieces aren’t a hopeless case. These days, expert designers can make miracles by fixing them and suggesting a perfect setting, suitable for these stones.

When it comes to metal, they are quite durable but as stable and unchangeable as diamonds. A gold wedding band wears down throughout the year. If your vows have been said many years ago then I assume the gold wedding ring isn’t so attractive anymore. If the ring still possesses sentimental value, then it can be taken to a custom jewelry designer and incorporated into a new ring or a set of new rings, which both husband and wife can wear, making them feel as though they have just gotten married a couple of days ago. You would be surprised at how the sentimental value of gold is still noticeable after so many years and some metal modifications.

If you are completely clueless regarding the appropriate ring setting for your loved one, then you can always hire an artisan who can make or remake a unique piece of diamond jewelry. An art museum or a local art gallery can provide you with the names of professionals who can assist you.

There are a million ways to have diamond jewelry designed to match its future owner. Don’t settle for some generic, uninspired design displayed in the jewelry store at the mall in the town where you live.

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