Archive for May, 2009

 
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Diamond Shapes

Monday, May 18th, 2009

The perfect engagement ring must be decided upon after a number of factors have been considered, including the shape of the diamond. There are a variety of shapes to choose from, and this decision shouldn’t be taken lightly since the stone is the most important visual aspect of the ring. Before making your decision, familiarize yourself with the different diamond shapes and choose one based on your bride-to-be’s preference as well as the shape most suited to her hand and lifestyle.

 

Diamond Shapes

For those who aren’t familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, diamond cuts and diamond shapes may seem interchangeable – they aren’t. A diamond’s cut refers to the number of facets in a diamond and how those facets are proportioned. Shape, on the other hand, is simply the overall outline of the finished diamond. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the various diamond shapes available and choose the one that best suits you and your bride-to-be’s budget, her personality and overall preference.

 

  • Round

 

Round diamonds are arguably the most popular choice and are traditionally found in classic solitaire rings. The round diamond’s versatility make this an exceptionally popular choice, because it works well with a number of settings and accent stones.

 

  • Emerald

 

Emerald diamonds feature a rectangular cut with trimmed corners. Because emerald shaped diamonds are elongated, couples often choose to place accent stones around the diamond to provide the overall appearance of balance.

 

  • Pear

 

Also known as a teardrop diamond, pear shaped diamonds are very popular in jewelry, and more couples are turning to this shape as the focal point for an engagement ring. Pear shaped diamonds are usually left to stand alone, as the unique shape would be unbalanced with many accent stones.

 

  • Heart

 

Romantic and a bit whimsical, heart shaped diamonds are exceedingly hard to find, as the cut can be difficult to make. If you choose a heart shaped diamond, carefully examine the stone to ensure there are no obvious flaws or imperfections present.

 

  • Princess

 

Princess diamonds are square shaped and look exceptionally well set in a three-stone ring design because of their unique shape, which works well with accent stones. Examine the color of a princess shaped diamond carefully, as lower-quality diamonds can show color differences towards the corners of the stone.

 

  • Marquise

 

Characterized by a slim oval shape with ends that taper into a point, the marquise diamond is a classic choice for a bride that loves the traditional look. While the stone can be used in engagement rings, marquise shaped diamonds are more often used in bridal ring sets.

 

  • Oval

 

Oval diamonds are typically used in more elaborate settings, accented with other stones to complement the diamond. Ovals also work well as simple solitaires.

 

While these are the most common diamond shapes, specialty shapes such as trilliant, asscher or cushion diamonds are more rare and should be carefully selected because of their uniqueness.

 

It may seem intimidating when faced with so many diamond shapes to choose from, but with a little research and some careful planning, you can find the right diamond shape for a beautiful engagement ring the bride-to-be will love.

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Colored Gemstones

Monday, May 18th, 2009

If your bride-to-be wants a colored gemstone as the center stone of her ring rather than a diamond, she has made a choice many couples are considering to cut down on the expenses of an engagement and wedding.

 

Colored gemstones are a beautiful alternative to traditional diamonds, and can often cost much less. Walk into your nearest jewelry store, however, and you’ll be bombarded with natural stones, lab-created gems and imitation jewelry that can make it hard to tell what you’re buying. Before you shell out the cash for a gemstone engagement ring, you should learn a few things about colored gemstones to be as knowledgeable as possible.

 

Treated Gemstones

While all jewelers are required to let consumers know when they are purchasing a treated stone, there are still those who care only about the sale and will attempt to misrepresent a gemstone as natural when it isn’t. Gemstones can undergo a variety of treatments, most commonly to fix external or internal flaws. Stones can also be heat treated to enhance color. While treated stones are not necessarily bad and are a perfectly acceptable choice for some couples, some treatments are not permanent and will require repair when the treatment doesn’t hold up.

 

Natural Colored Gemstones

Natural gemstones come directly from the earth with no alterations to affect the outward or inward appearance of the stone. Natural gemstones will vary widely in price depending on the particular stone’s rarity and quality, so don’t assume you should shell out thousands of dollars just because a jeweler says the gemstone is “natural.” Natural simply means the gemstones haven’t undergone any type of treatment to fix imperfections, enhance the color, or otherwise improve the stones appearance.

 

Lab Created Colored Gemstones

Lab created gemstones, also referred to as synthetic gemstones, have been “grown” in a lab to mimic a natural stone in nearly every way. In fact, synthetic colored gemstones are virtually impossible to distinguish from their natural counterparts the vast majority of the time. Synthetic gemstones are an affordable alternative for couples who wants the look of a brilliant colored gem but simply can’t afford the real thing. Before you purchase a colored gemstone, however, ask to see a certificate from the lab – that way, you won’t get tricked into paying a lot of money for a synthetic colored stone that has been advertised as something different!

 

Imitation Colored Gemstones

Imitation colored stones have come a long way, and many now look like the real thing except to the trained eye. However, imitation gemstones are normally created from plastic or glass, and do not normally share any characteristics with a natural gemstone. Before you purchase a stone you think is real, it’s important to get as much information about the stone as you can and, if possible, have it appraised if you aren’t sure how to tell a real stone from a fake.

 

While colored gemstones are often an affordable way for couples to purchase a gorgeous engagement ring, it’s important to know what you are buying before you shell your hard earned cash for a gemstone that may not be the real deal.

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How to Choose a Jeweler

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Before you even think of buying an engagement ring, you need to figure out which jeweler will work best for you. Choosing a jeweler is at least as important as choosing the ring itself, because different  jewelers will have several things that a couple needs to consider before settling on the perfect one.

 

Know what you Want

If you know what type of engagement ring you’re looking for, it will make choosing a jeweler much easier. For example, if your bride-to-be loves classic styles and traditional jewelry, a small independent jeweler may be the perfect choice. On the other hand, more elaborate stones or settings may require you to visit a national chain, because they will be able to offer a larger selection of rings that an independent jeweler simply can’t do. Large scale jewelers will also be able to offer more customization options.

 

Your best bet is to visit several jewelers, both national chains and smaller independent outfits, and narrow your choices based on the type of ring you plan to buy.

 

Pros and Cons of National and Independent Jewelers

There are pros and cons whether you choose to buy from a chain store at the mall or an independent jeweler. Chain stores have a wider selection, especially if you want an elaborate ring, but independent jewelers can often inform you about different aspects of your gem a national chain may not have available to them.

 

If warranties are a concern for you, you may decide to go with a national chain. An independent jeweler may close up shop, leaving a warranty and any guarantees of future repairs null and void. This is unlikely to happen if you purchase a ring from a well-established national chain.

 

From the customer service angle, an independent jeweler may make you feel more at home. Because independent jewelers are often more knowleadable about their products than national chain stores, they are likely to work with you until you find the exact ring you want. While this isn’t true in all cases (there are plenty of national chains that are happy to help you with ring customization,) a large store may feel too intimidating for some couples, making a small jeweler the perfect choice.

 

Services, Warranties, and Reputation


An engagement ring is a lifetime investment, so it’s important to carefully research a store’s warranty policy and what services they offer. Are cleanings and routine repairs/maintenance part of the services they offer? Do you need a larger warranty than what they can provide? Are alterations or upgrades to the ring possible later on? You should also research the store you are considering before making a purchase. Check the business out through the Better Business Bureau and ask for references from past clients to see how they felt about the service they were given. An engagement ring is an important purchase, and you want to make sure you only deal with a reputable jeweler. If you carefully research your options and check out the jeweler that interests you to ensure their credibility, you will guarantee a satisfying purchase that will still be memorable years from now.

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What are Clarity Enhanced Diamonds?

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Flaws and imperfections can drastically reduce the value of a diamond, especially if there is major damage to the stone. However, minor flaws can actually be reversed completely in clarity enhanced diamonds. For this reason, more couples are choosing to purchase clarity enhanced stones as an affordable way to purchase an impressive engagement ring.

 

One of The 4 C’s – Clarity

If you are at all familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, you are aware that clarity plays an important role in determining the value of a diamond. Clarity refers to how clear a diamond is and the number of flaws present. There are very few gemstones that are completely flawless. Even the most visually stunning diamonds can have tiny flaws or cracks that aren’t really noticeable.  However, very visible imperfections can have a definite impact on the value of a stone. In order to fix these noticeable imperfections, diamonds can be treated to cover up some of the damage. While clarity treated diamonds can look brilliant and much clearer, the fact they have been artificially enhanced often makes them less valuable when compared to naturally clear stones.

 

While clarity treatments were largely looked down upon at first, there is no denying that many couples are turning to clarity enhanced diamonds for an affordable engagement ring that still looks amazing.

 

Clarity Treatments

There are two common treatments used to artificially enhance the clarity of diamonds.

 

Fracture Filling

Fracture filling is typically used to close small cracks that appear on a diamond. The cracks are filled in using a thin, glass-like film or silica resin. This treatment results in a practically invisible repair of the flaws, and can usually not be detected with the naked eye. If you purchase a diamond that has been fracture filled, you should be aware that this type of clarity treatment is not usually permanent. Because of this, most reputable jewelers will offer a guarantee that they will repair your diamond when and if the treatment doesn’t hold up.

 

Laser Drilling

Laser drilling is a common treatment used to remove minor flaws within a diamond, called inclusions. These inclusions can appear inside the gem as cloudy spots or dark-colored flaws. With this treatment, a laser is inserted into the diamond to create a small tunnel, whereby the flaw can oftentimes be removed or dissolved by the laser. Sometimes, a chemical substance can actually be inserted through the tunnel to bleach away the dark spot. Because laser drilling does not affect the durability of a diamond, it is usually favored over fracture filling. What’s more, this clarity treatment is more permanent.

 

Jewelers are required to disclose which diamonds have been clarity treated, but there are still unscrupulous dealers who do not have a customer’s best interests at heart. That’s why it’s important to only deal with reputable jewelers before purchasing a treated diamond, or any high quality jewelry for that matter.

 

While clarity enhanced diamonds were long looked down upon, they have become an extremely affordable option for couples that can not afford naturally flawless diamonds. Clarity treated stones are usually substantially cheaper than other diamonds that have not been artificially enhanced, and still sparkle as brilliantly as other stones.

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Buying an Engagement Ring Online

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

If you choose to purchase an engagement ring online, it’s a good idea to know exactly what you want. There are many online retailers that specialize in engagement ring sales, but as with any online purchase, do your research before you buy.

 

Online Auctions

Jewelry auctions are a popular way to buy an engagement ring and can offer substantial savings compared to a physical retailer. However, carefully research the seller and the auction site before placing a bid. While you can save quite a bit of money purchasing a ring this way, the savings will be pointless if you end up with a fake ring – or no ring at all! For this reason, it’s a good idea to stick with a reputable auction site and seller before you bid. Examine every photograph of the ring to make sure it’s exactly what you want, and carefully read the description, terms and agreements. Failing to read the fine print can end in disaster if it ends up being a scam or a different ring than you thought you were purchasing.

 

Online Jewelers

Many popular jewelry stores offer online sales as well, and can many times offer a different style of the same ring found in a store or an expanded selection. With most mass jewelers, their website often allows you to design your own ring – from the stone, to the setting and everything in between. While you can certainly customize an engagement ring at a physical jeweler, the online design tools their website offers is quick, convenient and practically hassle-free. Even though most reputable jewelry stores offer the same benefits and guarantees as their physical store, it’s always a good idea to research the jeweler you prefer.

 

Online-Only Jewelers

There are many online-only jewelers or jewelry retailers, whereby all of their sales are done exclusively via the Internet. These small businesses are often able to offer exclusive sales or discounts that other stores that operate a website and a physical store cannot. Online-only jewelers can also operate a wholesale engagement ring business. If you purchase an engagement ring via an online wholesaler, you can likely save a substantial amount of money. However, wholesalers often only have a very limited selection of style to choose from, and don’t offer many customization options to choose from.

 

Before you Buy

While online engagement ring sales offer a great amount of convenience, you will need to rely on photographs and stated specifications of the ring you want to purchase. As a result, it’s very important that you research the merchant before handing over your personal information. Check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure they are a legitimate business and check how many complaints have been filed against the company. If their website looks poorly made, with many misspellings or grammatical issues, that’s a very good sign that you’re not dealing with a business that prides itself on quality and customer service.

 

Familiarize yourself with the 4 C’s, so when your documentation arrives with the ring to verify that it’s authentic, you are able to understand what you have purchased. Carefully check return policies in the event you are unhappy with the ring. With careful research and by only dealing with reputable online merchants, you can find the perfect engagement ring without hassle.

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Beautiful Birthstone Engagement Rings

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

Birthstone engagement rings are a unique way to personalize your ring without spending a fortune. Diamonds are by far the most popular stone for engagement rings, but many couples are choosing birthstones for a deeper sentimental meaning.

 

Birthstones by Month

Each month has a specific gemstone associated with it – some months have two to represent both timeless stones and modern gems. Because some months offer different birthstone options, it’s never a bad idea to ask your bride-to-be which stone she most closely associates with for her birth month. It would be a tragedy to spend time picking out the perfect birthstone engagement ring and end up with the wrong gemstone!

 

If you are unsure which stone represents each month, here’s a handy chart for you to use:

  • January – Garnet
  • February – Amethyst
  • March – Aquamarine
  • April – Diamonds (or sapphires)
  • May – Emeralds
  • June – Pearls
  • July – Rubies
  • August – Peridot
  • September – Sapphires
  • October – Opals (Or tourmaline)
  • November – Yellow topaz (Or citrine)
  • December – Blue topaz (or turquoise, or tanzanite)

As you can see from the chart above, several months have a few possible gemstones to choose from. These stones represent both modern-day gems associated with the month and traditional stones that have been closely linked to each month for quite some time.

 

Classic Birthstone Rings

For a simple, classic ring, simply choose the bride’s birthstone to replace a traditional diamond as the center stone. If your bride has her heart set on a diamond, you can add her birthstone as accents. If you choose to buy a large birthstone for the center stone, carefully examine the stone before purchase. Check for any noticeable flaws or irregularities that can not only detract from the beauty of the ring, but may cause problems later on.

 

Because most birthstones are semi-precious gemstones, you can typically purchase a birthstone engagement ring for much less than a traditional diamond ring.

 

Jewelers will have a limited selection of birthstones to choose from, especially if you are shopping for a birthstone outside of the current month (a July birthstone in September, for example.) For best results, visit the jeweler at the end of the month the birthstone you need is associated with. Chances are, you may need to custom order your ring if the jeweler doesn’t have the stone you need.

 

Multiple Birthstone Rings

While the classic birthstone ring offers a beautiful sentiment for your bride-to-be, consider customizing a ring with both the bride and groom’s birthstones for a truly special piece. There are a number of options a couple can choose when customizing an engagement ring with both birthstones. Either way, the special significance of a dual birthstone ring is both unique and indicative of a couple’s bond to one another.

 

For a truly special ring, couples can also use the birthstone or stones associated with a particular date in their lives, such as the first kiss or date of the proposal.

 

Birthstone rings bring extra special meaning to an already joyous occasion, and can be just as beautiful as a traditional diamond engagement ring. When used to symbolize the special bond between a couple, your ring will hold extra significance for many years to come!

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How to Repair your Engagement Ring

Friday, May 15th, 2009

Whether through normal wear and tear or something more serious, your engagement ring will eventually need repairs. Protect your precious investment by ensuring timely and regular repairs, and your ring will continue to shine as brilliantly as the day it was first worn.

 

The Stone

Diamonds are the strongest substance known to man, but they can still become scratched or damaged. Other gemstones are at an even greater risk of damage, especially if they are not cared for properly. While the majority of surface damage (such as scratches and minor flaws) are not serious and can be polished away relatively easily, there are some types of damage that will require a professional jeweler to fix.

 

If your stone has deep flaws or inclusions, these can cause the stone to crack or even fall apart. While higher quality stones can resist damage more easily than flawed stones, it’s a good idea to regularly check your ring for damage. Minor to moderate damage can normally be repaired with a filling treatment. In instances where the stone is damaged beyond repair, you will have to replace the entire stone. Though relatively rare, this type of damage does happen and the stone will need to be replaced by a reputable jeweler.

 

The Setting

Even durable settings are prone to damage. In fact, ring settings are more likely to be damaged than any other part of the ring. Prong settings are prone to break and become lose and may need to be tightened or completely replaced. While simple settings are less likely to become damaged, if your engagement ring has a very intricate setting you should take extra precaution when wearing it. For example, if your ring has a lot of accent stones, these can easily fall out or break when used in a poor setting.

 

Daily wear can also cause minor nicks and scratches to the band of the ring, but these are usually not serious. If they detract from the overall beauty and your enjoyment of the ring, you can have them buffed out. Deep cuts or gouges to the band may need more intense repairs. If a band becomes warped, you will need to have a professional jeweler reshape the band. You can reduce the likelihood of this happening by replacing the metal in your ring with a stronger metal, such as platinum. White and yellow gold is softer, and thus can warp more easily.

 

Don’t Forget…

While it should go without saying, you should never attempt to repair your engagement ring on your own. Even minor problems can become irreparable if you try to fix them without the aid of a professional. When you take your ring in for repairs, make sure you are completely satisfied with the work before leaving the store. Your engagement ring is a precious memento of your love for one another; as such, you should be just as happy with the ring after repairs as you were the moment it was presented to you.

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Personalize your Engagement Ring with Engraving

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Engraving an engagement ring is a beautiful way to commemorate a special time in a couple’s life. Engraving is also an affordable way to personalize a ring without compromising the quality or beauty.

 

Sentimental Ideas for Engraving

There are many possible ideas to engrave on an engagement ring. If a sentiment has meaning to a couple in some way, it can be an excellent choice for an engraving. Popular engraving ideas include the bride and groom-to-be’s first and last initials or nicknames for one another, or a significant date in the couple’s life, such as the date of the first kiss or first time they said “I love you.” Single words that symbolize love and commitment work as well, such as “Always,” “Forever,” etc. Provided an engraving is meaningful to the couple, it can work well as a cherished sentiment carved into an engagement ring.

 

Things to Consider

While engraving your engagement ring offers an affordable way to personalize your ring, there are certain things to consider. Some rings do not lend themselves well to engraving; the best types of rings to engrave are wide bands that offer a clear, legible view of the text you choose. Platinum, gold and silver rings are relatively easy to engrave, but harder metals will be difficult if not impossible. If you choose to have a stronger metal engraved, the text will be very faint if not completely illegible. When you are ready to engrave, keep it short and simple. A single word or short phrase are the best options for engraving to avoid the text looking cramped along the band of the ring. Before you have the ring engraved, double check your dates, text, etc. for correctness and proper spelling. Once the engraving has been made, it will be almost impossible to change or remove it.

 

Only have your engagement ring engraved by a professional jeweler. It should go without saying, but an amateur who attempts to engrave a ring can cause irreparable damage.

 

To clean a ring that has been engraved, use a soft bristle toothbrush to remove dirt and debris from inside the engraving.

 

What you Should Know

An engraved ring serves as a timeless, personal memento of love and commitment, but it’s also permanent. This means that an engraved ring can usually not be returned. Engravings can also prevent the ring from being resized or repaired if something should go wrong. Luckily, simple engravings are an affordable way to personalize a special time in a couple’s life. The inability to potentially repair or resize the ring is offset by the memories and inexpensive cost of an engraving.

 

Personalizing your engagement ring with an engraving is a beautiful, sentimental way to express your love for one another without compromising the beauty of the ring. While some couples choose popular engraving ideas such as special dates, words or phrases, other couples choose more unique engravings. Whatever you choose, engraving is a wonderful way to enhance the symbolism and special meaning of your engagement ring.

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Champagne Diamonds

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Champagne diamonds are a beautiful alternative to traditional white diamonds and look just as stunning. Characterized by a rich brownish hue, champagne diamonds look beautiful either as the center stone in an engagement ring or as an accent stone.

 

What is a Champagne Diamond?

 

 

In order for a diamond to qualify as a champagne diamond, the diamond must be a gorgeous yellowish-brown hue. Just as with other fancy diamonds however, even champagne diamonds can vary in color.

 

Champagne Diamond Engagement Rings

 

 

If you plan on purchasing a champagne diamond engagement ring, you’ll have a variety of hues to choose from. From light yellow brown tones to deep cognac, each color is beautiful in its own right.

 

There are typically three types of champagne diamonds that you’ll likely find at jewelry stores. Since champagne diamonds are relatively rare however, it would probably be best to visit a specialty jewelry store rather than a mass retailer.

 

The three types of champagne diamonds are:

 

  • Fancy: Fancy champagne diamonds have a beautiful, intense color throughout the stone and are typically much more expensive than traditional white diamonds.
  • Off Colored: Don’t let the term “off-colored” scare you. Champagne diamonds that are classified this way are usually too brown or yellow to be called “fancy,” but are still just as beautiful. These diamonds are much lower in price than fancy champagne diamonds.
  • Enhanced: Enhanced champagne diamonds are really champagne diamonds in the true sense of the word. Instead, these diamonds have undergone treatment to look like champagne diamonds. Oftentimes, enhanced champagne diamonds are created entirely in a lab.

 

Pink champagne diamonds also exist, but are exceptionally rare. As such, they are much more expensive than regular champagne diamonds.

 

Choosing the Perfect Champagne Diamond Ring

 

 

Because champagne diamonds are so unique, the cut and setting you choose for the ring needs to complement them. The wrong setting can make your champagne diamond look lackluster and washed out.

 

A solitaire setting works well with a champagne diamond. It’s simple and classic. Furthermore, it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to find several champagne diamonds that look exactly the same, so more than one in an engagement ring will make the stones look flawed.

 

If you are set on accenting your champagne diamond with other stones, consider tiny white diamonds surrounding the center champagne diamond for a gorgeous, sparkling look.

 

Whether you choose white or yellow gold or another type of metal for the setting, choose a type that complements your diamond. Intense champagne hues would look well in a white gold or platinum band, while lighter champagne diamonds will look stunning in yellow gold.

 

Steer clear of decorative cuts and stick with simple shapes such as rounds or squares. Fancy cuts can make a champagne diamond look imperfect.

 

Champagne diamonds are a gorgeous alternative to traditional white diamonds and look stunning as the center stone in an engagement ring. While more expensive than regular diamonds, the cost may be well worth the beautiful memories a champagne diamond will bring every time it sparkles.

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