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HOUSTON — Valentine’s Day is Monday so here are some ways to save on three traditionally popular gifts: chocolates, flowers and diamonds. Diamonds come in a variety of qualities, but if you want a good quality one, according to the website Diamondring.com,  a 1-carat stone will cost about $5,000. However if you dip just below the 1-carat mark, you can find a good quality diamond weighing .95-carats for about $3,500. The site advises that once you cross the 1-carat mark, the price of diamonds jumps significantly. Also, keep in mind, suggests the website Diamondhelpers.com, that six smaller diamonds weighing a total of 1-carat will always be much less expensive than one larger diamond weighing 1-carat. Chocolates are a natural aphrodisiac, said Eric Shamban, co-owner of The Chocolate Bar.  So it’s easy to see why they are so closely associated with Valentine’s Day.  His shop has a large variety of chocolate treats for under $10. He said the most expensive single item in his shop is a $75 solid chocolate champagne bottle.  The least expensive are “kissy-face” chocolate bars for $3. Those in the flower business make most of their money on one single day, Feb. 14, said Marcia Wilson of Breen’s Florist in Houston. There are several ways to save on a flower purchase, Wilson said. -Opt for a variety of roses that are naturally short stemmed ($70) rather than long stemmed ($100.) -Buy flowers on Friday, Saturday or Sunday rather than Monday and save 50 percent on delivery charges. -Skip delivery charges by picking up the flowers yourself. -Order from a local florist in your town, said Wilson, rather than call a 1-800 outfit. -Use another flower besides roses, like tulips, which are lovely, but less expensive.

Via: KHOU.com