Linnea Jewelers Plans Special Mother's Day Surprise

Mother's Day is going to shine a little brighter this year for one lucky mom in the La Grange area.

, is giving away a 1.03 ct. Princess Cut diamond necklace for Mother's Day this year.

"If a carat is a dream, then this is a dream come true," said Linnea owner Denise Oros. "We wanted to do something really special for moms this Mother's Day."

Some lucky customer will get to pull the winner's name from a large glass bowl filled with folded paper to raffle off the necklace, worth about $5,800, this Saturday at Linnea. The raffle, Oros said, will be just in time to surprise one of her customers on their special day. A Princess Cut diamond is especially popular because of it color and clarity, Oros said. Putting it in the window has generated a lot of hopeful interest.

The idea to raffle off a diamond this year came with the recent 5th Annual Ladies Night Out in La Grange this past April. Oros put the necklace out on display for the event and customers who made a purchase in the store that night or since, have an opportunity to get their name in the raffle. Oros said she thought it would be a nice way to honor mothers and thank her customers.

"Your jewelry customers really do become like family," Oros said. "You share all their special events, from weddings and births to helping pass along family treasures."

According to Oros, purchases for Mother's Day make this her second busiest time of year after Christmas. Even more than Valentine's Day, husbands and children like to honor their moms with a little something to add some sparkle to their special day.

"When buying jewelry it's important to know your budget and her personality," Oros recommended. "We can help with the rest."

This year, Oros said necklaces and rings featuring the birthstones of a mother's children have been especially popular. Items featuring a child's initials are always popular as well.

But more than the monetary value, Oros said, what people are really looking for in a purchase is a family legacy. A piece of jewelry is something that is passed on from one generation to the next.

"The sentimental value of a piece of jewelry is the best part," Oros said. "People always come in stories of how long a ring or pendant has been in the family. A diamond lives on as it's passed along."