Carats & Karats
Diamonds, Jewelry, and Lifestyle News From Kat
FUN FACT: Pharaohs placed a diamond in the middle of an Ankh—a cross with a loop on top—which was considered the source of life and a symbol of power, representing the sun, courage, and truth.
SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE
OCTOBER, 2022
 
Hello friends!
 
I come with love and gratitude for you being here. What a long and glorious ride it’s been – this business of fine diamonds and jewelry! It’s so much fun playing with diamonds and jewelry every day! It touches my heart each time I remember all the beautiful and special moments shared with my clients over the years. It’s simply joyful helping make memories with diamonds and jewelry as the focal point in their celebrations. I believe those times are stored in my heart to pull out and relive.
 
For many years as the owner and CEO of Robert Haack Diamond Importers, I built so many relationships and friendships which carry over to the present day with my new business as a Private Gemologist. It’s humbling having those clients come back to me when they discover my new venture and now refer their friends and family to me.
 
This is where I was meant to be…to be able to serve you in a much more personal and intimate way giving my full self and commitment to you. I’ve recently had some fun projects from custom designing diamond wedding bands, to replicating a vintage family heirloom, to hunting for a perfect anniversary band, to finding perfect engagement diamonds for couples. Each client and situation is unique and we discover it together.
 
Some exciting news is I’ve been accepted into the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers whose technical and ethical standards for jewelry appraisers are very high. There is a very strict vetting process for membership in NAJA so this is just another assurance of the nature of professionalism in my jewelry appraisal practice.
 
When was the last time you had your jewelry checked and reevaluated to ensure you are properly covered in case of loss or damage? I can help by reviewing what you currently have in place and either update existing or do new appraisals. I always appreciate your comments so tell me what you think about my newsletter, my website and anything else. I welcome any feedback or questions.  Just reach out to me to connect.
 
So…read on my friends…there’s some unique things I share to keep you informed and entertained!
 

With so much love,

Kat
 
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
 
 
 
 
LIFE KEEPS THROWING STONES AT ME, AND I KEEP FINDING THE DIAMONDS.
—Ana Claudia Antunes
 
I'M GRATEFUL TO DO WHAT I LOVE WITH PEOPLE IN LOVE
 
STACIE TATERA
Of course I reached out to my good friend Kat Morrow when I was ready to update my wedding ring. This ring Is not only stunning, its perfect, and made specifically for me. The jeweler created an exact replica of my lotus tattoo, and I am just thrilled with this amazing ring. Beyond happy!!
 
STORIES OF INTRIGUE
 
I came across this story on diamond mining in the country of Guyana located on the very top of South America. What may be intriguing to you is that this country is rich in deposits of diamonds and gold. These treasures are found using alluvial (surface) mining and that it started out with a handful of local miners with primitive equipment and a deep desire for finding earth’s most valuable resources who began searching for these rich deposits early in the last century.
 
Two of those early miners who travelled from Milwaukee to Guyana were the Haack brothers, Robert and Donald, who began their quest back in the 50’s and 60’s in search of adventure, notoriety, and a lifetime of endless stories. They struck diamonds and gold alright! They even created a business where they would fly other adventurers looking for a “Diamond Safari” and had them visit their mining camps. 
 
I was privileged to hear those stories first-hand many times and visit Guyana on numerous occasions in the 90’s with Robert Haack where he took me back deep into those jungle areas to help relive his adventures. It was wonderful seeing the sparkle in both Robert’s and Donald’s eyes when they told their thrilling tales.
 
They documented their diamond mining adventures creating a short film called “Diamond Safari”. Interestingly, In the film, you will see a young woman named Shakira, who was crowned Miss Guyana and later became an actress and model and went on to marry the actor Michael Caine.
 
Enjoy the article and Diamond Safari short film.
 
Article on Guyana Diamond Mining History:
 
Diamond Safari Short Film:
 
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UPCOMING NEWS + EVENTS
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On the horizon… 
The holidays are right around the corner, and it happens to be the biggest season for jewelry gift-giving. Who in your life would appreciate a beautiful piece of jewelry for the holidays? It’s never too early to choose a gift before the rush starts. I plan to be busy but I’m never too busy for you. 
 
Let me know what you’re thinking, and I can personally shop for it for you or have it custom created. The best thing about giving jewelry is it’s a gift that keeps on giving. “Diamonds are forever!” Reach out to me to book a time on my calendar so we can talk about choosing a gift for your special someone, buying yourself a well-deserved gift, or finding that perfect engagement ring.
Schedule a complimentary call with Kat!
 
KAT’S WISDOM CORNER: TIPS FOR A HEALTHY, WEALTHY & FUN LIFE!
 
10
Tips for Staying Healthy & Fit
Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually
Read it
 
I practice what I preach so these tips I share are part of my own daily personal regimen. I accept no excuses for myself because I love how I look and feel when I do them. I'm happy to say I'm rarely sick. I have high energy and brain focus and my body is fit and lean. You can have this too! But, you need to commit to yourself and make you a priority. You are worth it!
 
It’s not a complicated list but covers a lot. Reach out to me to get more information or clarity on these tips. You don’t need to do everything I do, but you can use it as a guide and modify it to fit your lifestyle. If you have some other best practices you’d love to share with me, I want to know too as I may learn something new from you!
 
1. WAKE UP MY BELLY! I start the morning with a glass of warm water with fresh squeezed lemon juice to get my digestive system on track and ready for the day.
 
2. MOVE IT! My exercise routine is a non-negotiable and it’s daily. I do cardio each day with
running or a brisk walk. I also do strength, yoga and balance training 5 x’s per week. This builds stamina and lean muscle.
 
3. PLANTS ROCK! I eat mostly plants! It’s recommended we all eat 9-13 servings of fresh fruit and veggies each day, mostly organic if available. I am vegan, but if you choose to eat meat, be sure it is antibiotic and hormone free.
 
4. BRIDGE THE GAP! To fortify my immune system, and to fill in the gaps of not getting enough fruits and veggies each day, I take whole food plant powder concentrates as my supplement. Plant powders vs. a multi-vitamin makes sense to me. My personal choice is Juice Plus+ for the quality and science behind it. You can find it at www.wildabout.juiceplus.com I also take a tablespoon of fresh elderberry syrup, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Quercetin, and Zinc each day.
 
5. GO WITHIN! I meditate for at least 10-15 minutes each day. Don’t underestimate the power of this practice. Your mind and heart are turned on to have clarity and receive abundance.
 
6. SELF-LOVE! Daily positive affirmations are so empowering, and I choose one to repeat throughout the day to build up my confidence.
 
7. GOOD VIBES! Setting boundaries is critically important to mental health and I choose to associate with positive, uplifting people who are loving and supportive. I limit my exposure to negative energy.
 
8. YOU SNOOZE…YOU WIN! Try as I may, getting the recommended 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night is challenging but I do get 6-7 and I’m trying to be better at that so I can wake refreshed and ready for the new day. Your body repairs and rejuvenates during sleep so we can’t neglect our bodies at night.
 
9. I LOVE LIFE…AND YOU! I am naturally a grateful person and try to practice gratitude daily by thanking God for my beautiful life. I also make it a point to touch someone’s life each day by reaching out to show my appreciation for them. A simple ‘thank you” goes a long way.
 
10. CURIOSITY DID NOT KILL THIS KAT! I am a curious “Kat” by nature and love learning something new. The way I continually grow is to challenge myself to learn at least one new thing or try one new thing each day. My mind is wide open, and I never shut the door on new ideas or concepts. My motto is just because it’s the way I’ve always done it doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do it. I want to know the best way to do it. Don’t you? We don’t know what we don’t know so I feel like I will die on the vine if I fail to be open. Knowledge nourishes my mind, body, and soul.
 
YOUR PRIVATE GEMOLOGIST
 
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