Once we’ve powered through our turkey comas and miraculously survived the Black Friday masses (again!), it’s time to turn our attention to all the great local businesses here to serve our holiday shopping needs – and the benefits of the Small Business Saturday trend are multi-fold.  No matter what you’re shopping for, supporting small, local businesses is not only a feel-good decision, but also a powerful supporting gesture to local business owners and the very communities in which we live.  But there’s an added benefit to shopping small that you might not be aware of, especially when it comes to diamond jewelry and engagement rings (tis the season, after all!) [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Luvente Diamond Pendants[/caption] Sustainable Economy – Know your Jeweler Sure, we can surf the mighty internet all day, all night, in search of the best deals on diamond jewelry – but isn’t there always that little voice that questions the wisdom of buying such a valuable item from a nameless, faceless online entity?  The big-box “catalogues” are overwhelming, and the automated voice on the other end of the customer service line isn’t exactly comforting in most cases.  Research diamonds on the World Wide Web – fine.  But buy those diamonds sight unseen, without the benefit of speaking directly with the jeweler behind the website – hmmmm… Small jewelry stores also have websites, it’s true, but the difference between shopping diamond jewelry through a small business online store vs. the big box stores is that you’ll still enjoy personalized assistance throughout your purchase process, whether purchasing through the online jewelry store or visiting your local jewelry store in person. Sustainable Practices – Know your Jewelry All diamonds are not created equal, and, unfortunately, neither are all diamond harvesting processes.  Most jewelers abide by sustainable practices in diamond acquisition, taking all the necessary measures to ensure that the diamonds they offer are conflict-free as well as independently graded for quality and value.  But without this certification, you can’t be entirely sure of a diamond’s source, quality or worth.  By dealing directly with your local jewelry store – and hence, your local jeweler – you ensure the peace of mind with your diamond purchase that comes with proper certifications and guarantees. Sustainable Happiness When you purchase your diamond jewelry locally, you’ll always have a convenient location to return to for jewelry cleaning and maintenance, and any needed future repairs.  It’s like having a personal friend in the jewelry business. Shop local on Small Business Saturday.  Good for you, good for your local jeweler, good for your community… it’s a win-win-win!