Diamond Store Goes Global After the Christchurch Quake

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 21, 2011 -- The 22nd February is a day that Dan Joines CEO of Polished Diamonds will never forget. When a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the central business district in Christchurch New Zealand, he was forced to evacuate his fifth storey headquarters with just his wallet and cellphone in hand. Eight weeks on, Dan's building is still uninhabitable, his plans to open a new flag-ship jewelry store in the city centre and employ more staff have gone on hold.

For the first few weeks after the quake Dan, 37 worked out of his living room to get his eight-year old business back on track. It was not easy with limited water, fuel and power, a young family to look after as well as Dan's father whose own house was ruined. Nonetheless within a month, Polished Diamonds relocated to new offices 12km from the devastated city centre and business couldn't be better. A new website www.polisheddiamonds.us has been launched and sales are expected to triple.

Polished Diamonds custom-makes diamond rings, wedding rings, pendants, earrings and diamond bracelets. Clients preview their jewelry via a computer aided design file (CAD). This enables actual measurements to be used so clients can view how their diamond jewelry will look before it is made. Designs can be made to any budget and all pieces are handset, hand polished and finished to perfection. Polished Diamonds sells GIA certified diamonds to ensure trust and quality. The Polished Diamonds website offers clients a choice from over 75,000 GIA certified diamonds for their jewelry worth over US$120 million.

Dan's vision to market his diamond business globally has finally been achieved. Dan has overcome setbacks inflicted on his business by powers beyond anyone's control or imagination. From his temporary workspaces, Dan put the finishing touches to his website (www.polisheddiamonds.us) and launched into thirteen international territories servicing over 3 billion people. Not only has Polished Diamonds survived a devastating earthquake, but Dan turned adversity into a success story.

Dan remains philosophical about his earthquake experience. Whilst it may be years before Christchurch fully recovers, his online business is up and running at full strength. “I am one of the lucky ones. Having my business online means I can still design and sell beautiful diamond jewelry to clients anywhere in the world.”

Dan's determination to get business back on track is an inspiration for all businesses affected by the earthquakes. In New Zealand hopes remain that the Central Business District in Christchurch's city centre will be rebuilt within a few years.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
* Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. It suffered severe damage after a 7.1 richter magnitude earthquake on September 2010 and a more devastating aftershock of 6.3 richter magnitude on 22nd February 2011.

* A National State of Emergency remains in place..
* Pictures of the earthquake damaged CBD are widely available.
* Dan Joines is the CEO of Polished Diamonds and had an business premises on the 5th floor of 137 Hereford Street in Christchurch's CBD. This building is now uninhabitable and lies within the central business red zone cordon.
* Dan has run his diamonds business for 8 years.
* Dan is a Certified Diamond Grader and holds a Diploma in Business Management and a Certificate in Management Accountancy.

* Dan is available for interviews at his new office by appointment: Port Hills Road, Christchurch and can be contacted at any time via email on dan@polisheddiamonds.net or on +64 33792334
* Dan Joines , Polished Diamonds, Tel: 00 64 3 3792334, dan@polisheddiamonds.net, www.polisheddiamonds.us

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