Blogs

Jennifer Coffey recently reached out to me about writing a blog on diamonds.  She asked me some great questions and I started thinking about my past and why diamonds were important to me.  They have played a major role in my business and personal life and I realized that I had never written a blog about my favorite gemstone.

I was raised thinking I would follow in my father’s footsteps and become a doctor.  My handwriting is even bad enough to qualify.  During pre-med, I quickly realized it wasn’t what I truly wanted to do.  After many colorful and eventful discussions with my parents, I switched to business school.  While majoring in International Business, I moved to Hong Kong for three months and wrote a paper on the import/export business.  I fell in love with the jewelry side of the business and started a little import business.  Many of my mother’s friends still wear pieces from those days.  Upon returning to the States, I went to work in Gordon’s Jewelers in New Orleans while finishing my degree.  That is where I was first exposed to the beauty of diamonds.

I enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California, and spent a busy year living in Venice Beach (this was the late 70’s!!!!) and learning the magic of diamonds and color stones.  I knew I had found my passion!  I was hired straight out of school to be diamond and color stone buyer at Best Products in Richmond, Virginia - it was a dream come true!  Over my ten years there, I traveled 3-5 times per year to all the major diamond and colored stone capitals of the world, purchasing over $50M in loose stones per year.  A typical trip was New York City to Antwerp, Belgium to Tel Aviv, Israel to Bombay and Jaipur, India to Bangkok to Hong Kong and home.

After falling in love with Asia and realizing I needed a more broad experience, I moved to Hong Kong for two years and then Bangkok for two years working with designers and factories.  It was in Bangkok where I met QVC, was offered a wonderful job, and have been here ever since!

I have been working closely with the diamond jewelry buyers here at QVC for 15 years and they have asked me to partner on air with Antonella and Jennifer in the upcoming Affinity Jewelry Shows.   Both shows contain an amazing breadth of gorgeous diamond jewelry.  Some of my favorites include the Affinity Diamond Angel Wing Ring and Earrings which have great meaning for me.  My friend, Michael O’Conner, shared with me his heartfelt story of his Father and the significance of the angel wings for him and his family.

The Holiday Affinity Diamond 1cttw Rings are both amazing and I would have a very hard time deciding which to go with.  When thinking about Christmas and my great nieces, the Affinity Diamond Critters are fun and beautiful choices.  My mother collects owls so the Diamond Critter Owl would be perfect for her and I think it is a tough choice on which is cuter, the turtle or the ladybugs!  I think my very favorite item, and a style that you can never go wrong with, is the Affinity Diamond Cushion Shaped Cluster Studs.  Classic and fabulous!  No matter what Affinity Diamond piece you choose, I know you will be thrilled with its beauty!

Take care,

Peyton