Category Archives: watches

A Remarkable Auction Plus Rare Pink Diamond Equals 47 Carats

English: Sancy (Diamant)

Beau Sancy Diamond was cut using the most advanced cutting edge technology of the 15th century.

If you happen to follow the diamond industry at all, you will be quite aware of a very famous auction to take place beginning May 14, 2012. This particular year holds special interests for jewelry or diamond enthusiasts due to a very rare called the Beau Sancy Diamond.

It is not only because it has been around since the 15th century, or the fact that has a history that reads like the travels of a gypsy. This diamond is massive coming in at almost 35 carats and worth as much as an estimated 4 million dollars in anticipation of the impending auction.

Sotheby’s Geneva that has plans to auction this magnificent specimen of pure elegance and stunning beauty. The Beau Sancy has a rich history full of rags to riches references. After its discovery, Henry IV gave this decadent piece to Marie de Médicis, his wife at the time, in 1604. (Her expression would have been a priceless work of photographic history.)

After the King was assassinated, Marie fled to the Netherlands where she elected to pawn Diamond Beau Sancy. From then to present times, this diamond has traveled through hands of pawnbrokers and back to royalty. For the diamond industry, this year has already been a remarkable experience.

Aside from the auctioning of the Beau Sancy Diamond, a pink diamond has been located in Australia. So rare is this find that it is being haled as one that may never be witnessed in our lifetime. With over 12 carats of rough diamond, only the person responsible for cutting this precious stone will know of its brilliance and clarity during the creation of what is most likely to be the find of the century.

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Rick Harrison – Buy Gold Or Field Work?

Pawn Stars

Pawn Stars takes Rick Harrison out into the field more, making the show more interesting by not spending the majority of the time in the shop.

Watching a pawn shop show has just so long to be a series. This holds true for any cable or network series; the lifespan is finite. Making the material interesting enough to draw a large viewing audience is something that producers probably lose sleep over at some point.

Even so, the current task at hand will involve understanding what the viewing public want to see. Are they interested in drama, action, mysteries, comedy, and so on? The answer is what will drive the motivation to create something bold enough and cutting-edge to hit those elusive top numbers.

An example here is the Pawn Stars series on the History Channel, their content cannot be about clients constantly coming in to pawn gold, pawn jewelry, sell a watch, etc. No, they have to really beef up the antics or drama; make it interesting for the viewership. Industry trends have been for many, many years to include some form of conflict with humor and at least one person being clueless about most everything.

It appears that the executives over Pawn Stars is seeing the need to get the show out of the famous pawn shop and into the field more. This means that, to some extent, the items being sold to the shop will be bigger, stranger, and more challenging to make a profit from after committing to a purchase. All of this can really create a whole new appeal for those used to seeing words flying, pranks being played on Chumlee, or hearing the boss (Dad) make off-handed remarks ensuring that everyone remembers who is boss.

I say if they find that appeal factor to draw in larger numbers and a different demographic, absolutely fantastic! Why, you may ask? This is what creativity in reality shows is all about, connecting with those who pay the bills and look for entertaining television. Okay, Pawn Stars, go for it and all the best!

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Gold And Jewelry From King Tut’s Collection Is Stunning

In 1922, King Tut’s tomb was a modern day discovery that shocked the world and brought into clear sight the beautiful and priceless artifacts created over 3,200 years ago. Fascinating would be an understatement in describing the entire process and excavation. Howard Carter was financed heavily to undergo what would be one of the most priceless discoveries in contemporary times of the early 1900’s.

Golden funeral mask of king Tutankhamun

This mask is one of the most treasured artifacts from King Tutankhamen's tomb.

When making the actual discovery of the tomb, and subsequently the sarcophagus, there was also a discovery that the tomb had been robbed. In fact, it is a strong possibility that two robberies occurred during the 18th dynasty; this being the time period of King Tutankhamun. In one sense it was not a terrible result since the more intricate and prestigious relics were yet to be discovered. One reason for this is the immense weight of the objects enclosing the actual mummy of King Tut and the sarcophagus.

With amazement and anticipation, the outcome of the entire dig proved to be one for the record books. Once all of the preparations were done and careful planning completed, the work moved forward to carefully and painstakingly. With such enormous amounts of time being used to ensure a successful and non-damaging approach, the patience of Carter and his team must have been truly tested. Apparently, it was the professionalism of Howard Carter that truly preserved the precious items being pulled out of the tomb.

For the most part, river transportation was used to move the artifacts with the train being used on one occasion due to the weight and significance of the pieces. An armed guard was part of the protective measure utilized for such a magnificent discovery. Sheer and utter elation was felt throughout the 10 year process of removing and having each piece catalogued. A tremendous amount of photographic evidence was created to help preserve the initial experience.

Imagine the feelings and emotions being felt by Howard Carter and his team on that first day of discovery. Little did they know at the time how much gold was used and jewelry items that were created to honor this young man for centuries to come. Today, this collection can be seen in Cairo as a complete piece of history ready for a contemporary time to receive in awe.

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Buy Gold Jewelry To Be Selfless And Not Self-Absorbed

To many people, life has somewhat of a strange way of working out for the most part. It is not to say that circumstances could have not been better, but that all aspects of their existence was manageable. Funny how we get wrapped in a routine of work, children, marriage, and so on to find out later that time has just flown by. Although life has been okay, there are decisions that could be reflected upon that most people would probably change if given a second chance. This is not a bad thought; just remember that dwelling on the past is not necessarily healthy.

Macro of violet field flower with orange pistil

Life's simple designs can sometimes be all that is needed to inspire and motivate someone to improve their life.

Oddly enough, and general speaking, the larger majority of individuals find that there are aspects of their relationships or profession that they aspire to improve. The biggest problem is that the fundamental knowledge to successfully do so is lacking. This does not imply that ignorance plays a role, it simply identifies a need for a demographic or sector of the population that could use some positive and pointed input to get a little help on how to best approach making changes in their lives.

Some folks have determined that being able to afford certain things in life will make all of the difference. Boosting self-confidence by being more superficial and materialistic, and becoming someone they have never been for the sake of getting a new-found attention are not some of the recommended paths to take in a self-improvement process.

There are those also who may use purchasing power as a means for validating certain behaviors. Of course, this is not to say that buying that special someone in life a gold ring or seeking a place where they sell jewelry with the intent of spending some serious cash is a bad idea. These occasions are for being completely selfless and imparting of your substance for the benefit of someone else.

Pursuing a positive and productive path for improving certain aspects of life can be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences. Seek out those who can help you achieve goals that will ultimately establish a new course of action to a life of happiness and an improved self-esteem and confidence driving and sustaining a new energy in life.

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Gold As An Investment – Diamonds To Show Love And Devotion

If you have spent any time at all watching television, you have probably noticed the upsurge of advertisements for gold buying businesses. The economy experiences swings up and down over periods of time that can make precious metals and gems much more appealing to the investor. A question that comes to mind in regard to the best bang for the buck deals with gold and diamonds. What is the best option in a down market environment, diamonds or gold?

English: A picture I took on my senior trip

Diamonds are anyone's best friend, especially when they are on sale.

The answer can depend on recent history prior to a down-turn in the business sectors. During more prosperous times, records indicate that diamonds are more popular overall among jewelry and precious metal items. While being popular, diamonds are also more costly. Oddly enough, when the economy is in negative territory, diamonds will cost less; however, the opportunity to sell diamonds is diminished for obvious reasons. When those who usually would have money to pay for the diamonds in jewelry form or on watches, they are not in a position to do so at a time of low employment numbers.

On the other hand, gold has a very different opportunity. As a rule, gold is a liquid asset and can be sold daily in a market environment being traded. Buy gold in a positive or negative market atmosphere as a plus and asset to the investor. Commonly, those who trade gold on a regular basis find it a great hedge against a weak dollar that is indicative of a down economy. Comparing gold against diamonds, it is far better to make gold the investment for a diversified portfolio. Diamonds are always a wonderful purchase for gift-giving and showing love and devotion to family and friends.

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Pawn Stars or Cajun Pawn Stars – You Decide!

There is more to the whole reality Pawn Star and Cajun Pawn Stars series than meets the eye. The camera can show just so much of what the actual shop has available. Viewers may even wonder if they really sell or pawn gold, jewelry, or any of the other typical items found in pawn shops across the country. A true and incredible fact about the newest location for a hit series in Alexandria, LA  is a shop that is actually called Silver Dollar Pawn and Jewelry Center and houses some 20,000 square feet of museum quality items. The impressive size and uniqueness of the items pawned or bought help it to reach a level few pawn shops across the country can come close to matching. Whether it is a tour bus or a group of school children taking a tour for some “educational” field trip, the place is a real site to see.

Pawn Stars

Pawn Stars or Cajun Pawn Stars...what is your preference?

Although the program is in its infant stages, it has received a lot of attention from the cable crowd. A response that was hoping to be stupendous reached outrageous numbers of viewers. The hope was obviously that another pawn shop reality show would grab a demographic that may not have been reached with the original Pawn Stars group; indeed, this appears to be the case.

Was it a gamble? Everything is a gamble to some extent, but this seemed to be a safe bet for succeeding. The down-to-earth attitudes and somewhat comical crew seems to hit it off well with viewership. How long this will last is anyone’s guess. As in most reality television shows, the kind of characters and their appeal will go a long ways to determining success or miserable outcomes.

At any rate, the experience one can expect if you happen to be in the neighborhood of the Cajun Pawn Stars is one of surprise and amazement. Seeing a small portion of the actual pawn shop on the television screen pales in comparison to what will be up close and personal when visiting the huge shop. Be prepared to feel the rush and excitement of being part of another Pawn Star experience.

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Reality Pawn Shop Characters

After watching Pawn Stars or Cajun Pawn Stars – or both if you are into all of that – do you get the impression that these are the kind of people you are going to meet when you check out your local pawn shop? Hopefully, your fantasy world does not follow you after changing the channel.

It is safe to say that most people would love to have a great time when shopping at a pawn shop. Do they necessarily want to be part of the drama in person? Probably not; at least for the non-drama seeking folk this would be the case. At any rate,  having a positive attitude and seeking out the best deals will certainly improve the likelihood of enjoying the outing.

Pawn Stars

Pawn Stars on the History Channel

From having opportunities to use a pawn shop, people sometimes are so focused on their personal situation that they miss out on the pleasantries the representative is trying to share. I believe that these pawn shop employees are well aware that most customers who drop in are going through some kind of a financial hardship. Their goal appears to be one where each customer is given every positive consideration possible in an attempt to lighten the mood or distract from the challenges anyone may be facing.

I find this to be quite admirable and extremely considerate coming from a customer’s perspective. Seeing businesses taking special care to put the customer first puts the mind at ease. Furthermore, it can reduce anxieties or stress for the most troubled of the clients. In short, be realistic of your expectations when taking advantage of the business a pawn broker offers. They are in business to provide a service in your time of need.

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Thinking Of Pawning Something Can Be A Good Experience

The Pawn Shop II

Pawn Brokers want their customers to be at ease, to enjoy their experience, and to trust that all personal property will be carefully stored and protected.

The process one goes through to decide whether or not to pawn a personal item can be a real tricky experience. Trying to put some sequential perspective on this topic leans towards the reason for having the notion to begin with. What drives someone to consider taking a piece of personal property to turn over to a business? After careful consideration, it comes down to needing money the majority of the time.

Other considerations that may play a part in this kind of mind-set could include making some change on something that has no personal value any longer, getting rid of property that belonged to an ex-spouse or friend, or even avoiding the hassle of holding a yard or garage sale. Whatever the reason may be to pawn something at the time, the ultimate result is receiving cash on the spot. Perhaps, money being a driving force or motivator is not such a bad idea after all.

Finding the gumption to move beyond the anxiety or concerns that could accompany such a decision to pawn personal items may raise emotions in an individual that make the whole transaction difficult. Some thoughts to possibly help with that include, but are not limited to, speaking with a representative from your local pawn shop before taking the property to the business; read about experiences from others in your area to help discover any warning signs or areas to watch for; and research the value of your item from several sources before accepting a price from any representative.

Researching the cost of your item can be done easily by driving to three or four pawn shops to get quotes from each in order to get your best results. All in all, the process does not have to be so challenging that you cannot function in life. This kind of debilitating anxiety will not allow your thoughts to be clear and will most assuredly cloud any judgement when the time comes.  So, relax and enjoy the whole experience, and remember, you are going to get some cash in the process.

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Betsy Bovine – A New Cajun Pawn Star?

How far would you go to pawn something you think is valuable, or at least of some value? What would you pawn if you owned animals instead of gold or valuable jewelry? Now there is a new series called “Cajun Pawn Stars” that just might fill your hankering for some real crazy pawn shop action. The series just began on January 8th and is claimed to be a huge hit. Donkeys, cows, and who knows what else will appear on this show. But, how far is too far when it comes to reality shows?

two cows

Cows are not the first choice when thinking of pawning your valuables, or are they?

Much can be said for less being more, but the concept for this series may not have a thing to do with the usual pawn shop scene. No, this is about making money, and hopefully, make people laugh. There really needs to be a lot of redeeming value for the sake of entertainment. I only hope that no one takes this show seriously, because it is not humanly possible that it was meant to be a serious show. Do not mistake the meaning here, yes people take their work seriously, of course, it is a job to the those putting this show together.

There is probably someone out there who just might think that it is perfectly alright to throw a rope on old Betsy and haul her prime cuts down to the local pawn shop. Please, please reconsider for your own psychological sake. Doing this may permanently scar the minds of those who actually witness this bovine blunder. Anyway, I hope that this show is all it is designed to be; an entertainment piece for those who need a break from the seriousness of the world.

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Cajun Pawn Stars Could Be New Hit

Now, there is a point at which something original does not need a sequal or spin-off. Case in point, the hit reality show, Pawn Stars, is indeed a hit. The amount of attention Corey, Chumlee, and the crew receive has grown substantially since its debut. Being in its fourth season, there appears to be more of the same and less of Corey; he lost 115 pounds. At any rate, the whole notion that another pawn reality TV show is necessary or will be popular is a stretch at best. Move the concept to a part of the country where community spirit about being Cajun is strong and proud, then kick it a few times in the teeth and you get the Cajun Pawn Stars.

I say “…kick it in the teeth…” because the folks have apparently not entirely welcomed this show to their neighborhood, and yet, they are going to get this nation-wide coverage anyway, like it or not. Some comments on the Internet are not even close to being favorable. It makes you wonder what the producers, creators, and so on, were thinking and who they did not bother to speak with to get a feel for the cultural response to their idea. Of course, all of this is opinion that opposes the new series.

On a lighter side, the show is promoting a little twist to shake up the usual pawning aspect of the show. For example, instead of seeing a lot of people sell gold, jewelry, or their fancy watches, you are likely to see a bovine beast traipse across the floor or a donkey grace the television set. Yes, this will be entertaining to some. Let’s agree to give this series a chance and see just how much it makes you laugh and smile. Who knows? It could be a huge hit and become a pleasant surprise.

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Businesses Positioning For Success While Economy Is Suppressed

Leave all of your previous notions about what is profitable and what is not in this new and volatile economy. The rules have changed and are being re-written often to keep up with the global markets that are in disarray. It takes a very astute and business-minded individual to see through all of the fog of bankruptcies, buy-outs, and failing companies. Given the opportunity, one can realize just how much is still possible to gain, even with the money or cash flow being severely disrupted.

Rampart Street, New Orleans Central Business D...

Sluggish times brought about a stunning market surprise among pawn brokers due to a second-hand market.

One of the games, if you want to call it that, is a company choosing to hold onto what assets they have waiting for the government regulations to become more stable in order to make future, long-term plans. One aspect of business that so many do not have a fundamental understanding of is the fact that lawmakers have so much influence and power as to how an economy functions and reacts to policies of an administration in the White House.

Posturing for a position to be prepared when the confidence in businesses returns is part of a strategy some CEO’s and small business owners may take. Careful and deliberate action is waiting in the wings for the time when consumers show a genuine interest in purchasing regularly from businesses, online or otherwise. One industry that has found success in this tough financial environment are the owners of pawn brokers. Their tenacity and determination to find and promote a second-hand market has produced some of the most profitable years of business the industry has ever experienced.

This was done by having the patience to discover and diversify. Not being constrained by employment numbers that represent consumer’s ability to spend, the pawn shops delivered by offering to buy gold, silver, jewelry, and luxury watches. Such a move created a stir and frenzy, to some degree, of a public in need of cash. Pawning items was one aspect of the business that helped to secure a longer term of fairly steady revenue. While clients could not afford to lose their possessions entirely, the pawn option availed them of a solution that was affordable for their budgets and lucrative for the pawn broker industry.

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Pawn Shops Use Creativity To Build Pre-owned Market

Finding the direction we must take in order to discover success in our lives is a daunting, and frankly, sometimes downright tough. Nevertheless, taking control of your life and its current path is indicative of someone who has dreams, aspires to be someone that is reliable and trustworthy, and is willing to sacrifice for a better future. Believing that there is no hope or not a good reason for holding to a faith that life can and will improve with the right attitude and conviction would be ludicrous in the least.

Many have fallen on hard times over the past three years or so; actually in record numbers has this happened. Regardless, many have survived, putting their trust in a system that has proven successful in the past. Down-turns will happen, it is inherent with any democracy and capitalist-based economy. Corrections in markets due to decisions made by those in a position to trade and invest can have very prosperous times. Additionally, these good times can result in over indulgence or behaviors that do not take businesses in a positive direction; hence, bubbles burst and economies suffer for a season.

An icon from the 3d Glossy Blue Orbs icon set.

Down-turns in any economy have positive attributes by which the most creative business minds can capitalize and prosper.

Discovering new and innovative ways for people to survive, find work, create jobs, and so on is part of what naturally happens; in part due to the resilience and tenacity of entrepreneurs across the United States. Sectors of the market place become more apt to succeeding and actually growing during depressive economic times by stepping outside of the box looking for not so obvious ways of serving a diverse customer base. As an example, consider the pawn brokering industry. These businesses have made some creative moves to capitalize on the strains existing in our current economy. They realized that no matter the income or status of a person or group, they all have surplus items that no longer are of vital interest or considered a priority.

In fact, many have discovered, especially in the Boca Raton area, that they can sell gold that is unwanted to bring in cash for use to take care of bills, provide rent, pay mortgages, and so on. It is interesting to observe the trends within the pawn shop industry taking on electronic devices like never before, buying up Apple products, purchasing enormous amounts of gold and jewelry, and finding that eBay is an ally that can be a profitable pursuit. Indeed, the discovery of a pre-owned market has never been so lucrative; all due to the decisions by those with means and power who never anticipated the ultimate gift to thousands and thousands of pawn brokers.

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Pawn Gold For Cash In Boca Raton

Boca Raton, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida is home to very successful Boca Raton Pawn.

Some of the most important parts of considering a pawn loan have to do with your desire to retain ownership of the gold or jewelry you are considering to sell. It has been found that most people who deal with a Boca Raton pawn shop are likely to need cash in hand. With the struggling economy and so many people being out of work, the industry of pawn brokering has literally exploded into a competitor among retail businesses.

Searching the Internet has also become a means by which individuals, or potential customers as the industry likes to call them, have a source for directing them to those pawn shops that tout the best deals around. Selling or pawning an item is the real choice that one needs to consider. Sell gold, sell jewelry, sell IPads, or any other item, and you can receive cash almost immediately. The only problem some may see with doing this is that the sell is final. Seller’s remorse plays no part in trying to recover an item that is sold. For those who make the decision to sell, it is usually a firm one and they do not look back and feel as though they made a poor choice.

There is a safe method for retaining your valuables in the future if a short-term cash fix is all that is needed; pawn your goods. It is not unusual for those with means during a more prosperous and robust economy find their situation being rather desperate and needing a sudden influx of cash. Boca Raton pawn shops are designed to accommodate their needs as well. High-end items are something these pawn brokers specialize in and are prepared to offer some really good prices. So, take heart and know that Boca Raton pawn shops have your back and want to help you in any way possible when the need for cash-in-hand is critical.

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Chumlee Antics or Reality?

The Fabulous Chumlee

Chumlee is everywhere!

How would you like to own anything you could possibly want? This is certainly a dream of many, but rarely is it ever realized; unless, of course, you are Chumlee of the hit television cable show Pawn Stars. He has become something of an icon, and has done so in very quick fashion. What has contributed to his success, at least in part, is his ability to maintain a straight face while doing and saying some really quirky stuff.

Why does he act this way? Is this really who he is or is it some facade to get the ratings? Only Chumlee can answer these questions. Frankly, to many of his followers, this does not matter. He is one well-liked fella that has a lot of money because of his ability to be himself; at least that is the way it appears. It does not appear he made all that money selling gold or jewelry.

If you had one question that could be asked of our friend, what would that one interesting question be? Here is a fascinating thought; imagine all of the ideas that come to mind when contemplating this concept.

How about this question, “Chumlee, how do you really feel about  the other guys on Pawn Stars?” That could be a real fire storm. Not to create a problem for anyone on the show, but you have to wonder if they really are that mean to Chumlee all of the time. Of course, to them it may not come across as being mean; it may be the best way to deal with Chumlee’s personality. Everyone has their own way of coping with others who really rub them the wrong way. It just so happens that the entire nation and people across the world get to see how Rick and the others cope…or don’t cope with Chumlee’s antics.

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How About The Chumlee Phenomenom

IMG_4327

Famous, fun-loving, and most definitely care-free describes the admired Chumlee.

If you listen carefully, you might be able to hear the cheers coming from the fans of Pawn Stars. Yep, there it is. They are chanting, “Chumlee, Chumlee, Chumlee” and it seems to be getting louder. Okay, so you can’t really hear the  cheers over the Internet or on the cable show, but if you pay any attention at all to what is showing up on the web, Chumlee is getting a lot of attention. By all accounts, he has become the most popular character on the television show, Pawn Stars. This is a show about a pawn shop in Las Vegas where a family spends most of their time fussing and cussing about something that…you guessed it, something that Chumlee did or said.

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 01:  Austin 'Chumlee'...

Chumlee is by far the most popular "star" on Pawn Stars.

Give the guy a break! Sure he brings the teasing and harassment upon himself, for the most part; and, yes he definitely contributes to his own delinquency; and, of course, he is always looking out for his best interest. But, does that mean he should be tormented and taunted beyond belief? Now that I think about it, yes, he probably deserves everything he gets. Nonetheless, all of this attention has brought him some pretty serious fame and fortune. When the guy goes out to buy a Maserati, this should send a clear message that money is certainly flowing in, and it is doing so in large quantities apparently.

No matter how you may feel about good old Chumlee, he also deserves some credit here. He has shirts with his caricature on it, other items mass-produced that are all about him and his role on Pawn Stars. His namesake alone is probably worth millions right now. In fact, it would not surprise many of us if he does not turn out to be the most successful of the entire clan; now there is irony for you. With all due respect, and Chumlee is due a little bit, at some point this whole series and concept will grow old. When that time will be is anyone’s guess. For many fans, they surely hope that it is not in the near future. As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” Does that mean that all bad things never end? Oh well, that is way too deep for now.

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