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Valentine Day Gift Ideas
With all the media hype about giving phones and other
electronic devices for Valentine's Day, you might get the idea that the romance is
gone from this romantic and fun holiday.  Save the phone for a birthday and go
traditional this Valentine's Day. Dondero's has that special, enduring gift
that will help you say how you feel.
Consider giving her a genuine rose dipped in 24K gold at dinner, or the newest
heart design from ELLE Jewelry. Surprise him with a tungsten bracelet from the Chisel collection. With all the
distractions in today's world, keep the
romance in Valentine's day!  |
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Expanded Hours for Valentine's Day -
Thursday, February 11th 9:30 - 7:00
Friday, February 12th 9:30 - 7:00
Saturday, February 13th 9:30 - 5:00
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Featured Gemstone - Amethyst
The royal purple amethyst has one of the most interesting histories
of any  gemstone. Ever since mankind first discovered amethyst around
3000 BC, this accessible gemstone has been believed to possess a wide
variety of amuletic qualities and properties.
The ancient
Egyptians believed amethyst could keep a person from being poisoned, and in
medieval times, amethyst was often put under one's pillow to cure
insomnia  and bring pleasant dreams.
Amethyst also was said to enhance courage and creativity, to promote
intuition, psychic development and even self-esteem, to deflect anger,
and protect the wearer against evil.
Through the ages this
lovely purple member of the quartz family has been used for everything
from love charms to symbols of royalty. Yet, for all its noble
traditions, amethyst is a surprisingly attainable gem. Amethyst is tough and durable,
wears well, and gives modern men and women the look of royalty without paying a king's ransom.
(Courtesy Jewelry Information Center)
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 Jewelry News - Dallas Bakery Decorates Wedding Cake with 1,200 Carats in Diamonds
A wedding cake covered in sapphires and
diamonds went on display this weekend at a Dallas Bridal show, according to NBC's Dallas/Fort Worth affiliate. The
magnificent nine-tier wedding cake, valued at $1.3 million, could
arguably be the focal point of any wedding celebration. It weighs about
160 pounds and serves about 320 people at a less-than-economical price of $3,125 per slice.
A
Dallas bakery, Delicious Cakes, and the Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange
got together to create the wedding cake, which is decorated in silver
"luster" dust icing and 1,200 carats of diamonds.
"We
wanted to do something different this year," said Butch Stivers, owner
of Delicious Cakes. "With the economy being bad - and we do the Dallas
Bridal Show so many years - we wanted to do something that the new
brides-to-be could see and dream about and get their minds off
everything else that's going on."
The cake was transported this weekend by armored car to Dallas' Market Hall, where it was on display at the bridal show.
- Idex Online, 1/25/10
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Jewelry Care Tip - Are Your Prongs OK?
 After ring size adjustments, ring prong repairs are the most common service
task we perform at Dondero's. There is a great variety of setting and prong
designs that all work to enhance the overall design of your ring. They all have
some things in common though, no matter how they are designed. They all have
seats (or inner cuts) to hold the perimeter of the stone and they all have tips
(the top of the prong). Also, over time,
they will all wear down and need to be maintained. Judging the need for that service is pretty easy to do. At home, you can do a few simple tests to judge
the "state of your prongs." Run your
finger over the top of the stone and prongs. If you feel any sharp spots, it's
time to bring the ring in for inspection. You can also run the top of the ring
over a knit garment to see if it snags. If it does, bring it in.
At D ondero's, we offer a 6
month "reminder" program. Stop in any time and have your prongs professionally
inspected by one of our certified jewelers. After inspection we will polish,
ultrasonic and steam clean your ring. We do all of this at no charge to you. At your request, we will put your name on our reminder list. Every six months you will receive a postcard reminding you to stop in again for our free inspection service.
Another thing to remember is that good quality new jewelry
will have shallow seats and thick, rounded
tips. If you purchase a new ring, run your fingers over the top of the prongs.
Do they feel sharp? If so, there is a potential problem heading your way. It's
up to the store you trust to make these important purchases to make sure you
receive the best quality for the money you spend.
Look for tips on other
setting styles, such as channel and pave, in up-coming newsletters.
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 Staff Profile - Elizabeth "Betty" Dondero
Administrative Assistant/Customer Relations
Betty is Ken and Mary's mother, and was Bud Dondero's wife until his passing
in 1993. She has been part of the foundation of Dondero's Jewelry since 1959.
While being a full time wife to Bud and mother to five children, Betty managed
day-to-day operations until Ken purchased the business in 1979. She continued to work tirelessly during the expansion that took place.
Betty now
works part time in the administration end of the business and in customer
relations. Even as she approaches a "milestone" birthday, Betty stays active working Bingo at St. Rose of Lima
Church, volunteering at SJ Healthcare
Medical Center, and end-of-life counseling for
Hospice. She also enjoys the time she spends with her
five children and seven grandchildren.
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