Archive for December, 2009

 
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Yellow Diamonds

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Fancy colored yellow diamonds are becoming a popular alternative for use in engagement rings because of their vibrant hues.

 

What are Fancy Diamonds?

Most white diamonds are colorless, but some have slight tints of brown or yellow that actually decrease the value of the stone. However, fancy colored diamonds have bright, vivid shades are are thus more valuable and sought after than their colorless counterparts.

 

Natural yellow diamonds are created when a trace amount of nitrogen appears during the stone’s formation, and hues can range from a very light yellow to a rich, dark hue. While the intensity of the shade does have a lot to do with the value of the diamond, the distribution of even color means much more.

 

Because natural colored diamonds are hard to find, many colored stones are given heat treatments to enhance the color and make yellow diamonds suitable for engagement rings. However, a jeweler should disclose whenever a diamond has undergone any type of treatment so you are aware of what you are buying.

 

Designs

Yellow diamonds are very versatile and can complement many types of engagement ring designs. When choosing a stone shape for a yellow diamond, you want a shape that allows for the diamond to reflect the most light possible. A poor cut will reduce the amount of brilliance in a yellow diamond and make it seem like a lower quality diamond than it actually is.

 

As far as metals are concerned, yellow diamonds look exquisite when set in a white gold band. However, make sure the metal you choose complements the stone and does not make a lighter yellow diamond appear of a lower quality than it actually is.

 

When selecting a setting for a yellow diamond engagement ring, you want to choose one that complements the stone and allows its beauty to shine through in the best way possible. For this reason, prong or other elevated settings are your best choice, although a more unique setting can also highlight the beauty of a yellow diamond.

 

Alternative Selections

Because of the rarity of yellow diamonds, many couples cannot afford the cost. If you are one of these couples but still enjoy the yellow tone, there are other gemstones you can choose from as alternatives to yellow diamonds. Topaz, citrine, or yellow sapphires are all just as beautiful in their own way and make lovely engagement rings as well for a cheaper price.

 

Yellow diamonds are a rare and unique choice for an engagement ring, and their rich yellow hues are a gorgeous complement to a variety of engagement ring designs.

 

For a beautiful and distinctive engagement ring, yellow diamonds make the perfect choice for the bride-to-be who desires the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond but wants a more unique color to show off her personal style.

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Combining White and Black Diamonds for a Stunning Engagement Ring

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Many women desire a unique engagement ring but still want to retain the sparkle of diamonds. In this case, combining gorgeous black diamonds with traditional white diamonds offers a stunning contrast and a unique alternative to a traditional diamond engagement ring.

 

Why Black Diamonds?

Now that colored diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, black diamonds are slowly making their way into engagement rings as a unique alternative to the traditional white diamonds. Of course, there’s no reason a bride-to-be has to choose! Combining both black and white diamonds offers a stunning contrast and looks beautiful. What’s more, black diamonds are just as durable and resistant to damage as white diamonds are.

 

Designs

With so many designs to choose from, you can create the perfect white and black diamond engagement ring that fits your preferences and your budget.

 

For metal choices, black and white diamonds complement a white-toned metal much better than they do a yellow metal. Silver, platinum, white gold and palladium all share the same white hues and look stunning when paired with black and white diamonds.

 

There are a variety of diamond cuts to choose from as well, although most black diamonds are brilliant cut. Brilliant cut black diamonds pair wonderfully with white diamonds of the same cut, but even baguette or emerald cuts would work to add a distinct appearance to a black and white diamond engagement ring.

 

Channel settings are also a popular choice when incorporating black and white diamonds into an engagement ring design, but often these stones are put into a pave setting for a sparkling, beautiful look.

 

Finding Black and White Diamond Engagement Rings

Believe it or not, most jewelers will carry a selection of black and white diamond engagement rings for you to look over. However, you may want to consider customizing your own unique engagement ring to fit the exact style specifications you prefer.

 

Most jewelers would be happy to work with you to custom design a black and white diamond engagement ring. It’s also a good idea to get a feel for what black diamonds look like, for one, as well as what different engagement ring styles are available.

 

Online retailers may also carry a wider selection of pre-designed black and white diamond engagement rings. If you do not want to take the time to customize your own ring but are unhappy with the jeweler’s selection, check various online retailers for a ring that may be the perfect one for you.

 

It’s also important to learn how to clean diamonds, because black diamonds need the same care and treatment as white diamonds do. A clean ring will allow the diamonds to sparkle brilliantly, so you should make sure you either clean the ring at home frequently or allow a professional jeweler to deep clean your engagement ring once every few months or so.

 

White and black diamonds are beautiful when paired together. If you incorporate these stones into your engagement ring, you will have a breathtaking ring that will be a joy to wear and show off for years to come.

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How to Keep your Diamond Engagement Ring Clean

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

To keep your engagement ring as brilliant and sparkling as the day it was first slipped onto your finger, you need to understand how to keep your diamonds clean.

 

Dirt, oil and other debris accumulated from day to day wear can dull your diamond. In order to restore the stones to their former glory, you need to learn the appropriate ways to clean your diamonds to avoid damaging the stone.

 

Tools You’ll Need

To clean a diamond engagement ring properly, there are a few things you’ll need to have on hand to ensure your ring comes out looking sparkling and brilliant. First, you’ll need a shallow dish that’s deep enough for the ring to be submerged. A soft-bristle toothbrush will also be handy to help clean hard-to-reach spots, such as cracks and crevices around the setting or mounting. Finally, you’ll need a reputable mild jewelery cleaning solution, as well as a lint-free cloth for drying.

 

Cleaning Diamonds

When cleaning your diamond ring at home, you want to make sure you do a good job. Simple diamond solitaires are easy to clean, but more elaborate designs such as a Celtic engagement ring are more difficult because of the various crevices and nooks the design uses. Of course, you first need to determine if you actually can clean your ring at home. While you may know how to clean diamonds, if you are unsure about other gemstones that may be in the ring or the type of metal used, it is best to leave the cleaning to a professional to avoid accidental damage.

 

Before you start cleaning, set aside a clear space for your work. Rinse the diamond ring under running water first to help loosen any stuck debris. If fibers or hair are caught in the prongs, use tweezers to remove them.

 

Once you have prepared your cleaning space and pre-rinsed the ring, dip the jewelery into a mild cleaning solution. If it’s been awhile between cleanings or you have a particularly dirty ring, you can soak the ring in the solution. Refer to label directions as to how long you can safely soak your ring.

 

While firmly gripping the jewelry, remove from solution and use your soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub dirt away. Make sure you get all of the various nooks and crevices, as well.

 

Carefully rinse the jewelry under running water while ensuring every angle fo the ring is touched on, and gently dry the ring with your lint-free cloth for maximum shine and brilliance.

 

Whatever you do, do not use regular bar soap to clean your jewelry. This will actually cause build up on the diamonds, and will dull the stone, making it more difficult to clean later on. Using bleach or abrasive cleaners is also a no-no, as this can destroy or discolor the metal of your engagement ring.

 

While it’s always a good idea to have a ring cleaned professionally at least twice a year, you can keep your diamonds sparkling and gorgeous in between cleanings by learning the proper way to clean your diamond engagement ring at home.

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Tanzanite Engagement Rings

Monday, December 14th, 2009

The beautiful, rich blue-ish purple hue of tanzanite lends an alluring look to engagement rings, and is quickly becoming a very popular alternative gemstone. When paired with small diamonds, the gorgeous color of tanzanite really pops!

 

Tanzanite Engagement Ring Designs

There are a surprising number of ways you can incorporate tanzanite into your engagement ring design. Because of it’s rich dark blue hue, tanzanite pairs well with sparkling diamonds but is just as lovely on its own.

 

Trilliant cuts are the most popular cuts for tanzanite, but also the most expensive as well. Trilliant cut stones are shaped like triangles, and sparkle brilliantly. Round cuts are a close second, and look just as stunning as trilliant cuts.

 

Because the dark hue of tanzanite complements most any precious metal, you can choose from platinum, white or yellow gold or even a two-tone design for an extra distinctive look.

 

Many people choose to use round diamonds as accent stones to a trilliant cut tanzanite, while other women prefer the brilliant elegance of a tanzanite solitaire. Whatever you choose, you can customize a tanzanite engagement ring to incorporate nearly any design elements you choose for a stunning ring you’ll love to show off.

 

Are Tanzanites Treated?

As a matter of fact, yes. It is extremely rare that you will find a blue tanzanite that has not undergone heat treatment to enhance the color of the stone. Tanzanites that are naturally a deep blue are very, very rare and are not going to be found at your local jeweler.

 

You’ll be able to recognize a treated tanzanite from an untreated one because of the difference in color. Tanzanites that have not been treated to enhance their color are typically a gray or brown color.

 

The Cost

If you choose to purchase a tanzanite engagement ring, you should be aware that tanzanite is actually one of the rarest and most expensive gemstones available.

 

The expense comes from the fact that tanzanite is a difficult stone to cut, and most tanzanites do not have the deep blue purple color they are known for in stones that are less than 2 carats. Smaller stones are available, but they will be a lighter color, and will not have such an intense hue to them.

 

The size of the stone definitely affects the overall price, but other factors such as the type of setting used, the metal and the intricacy of the design all play a part in determining the final cost of a tanzanite engagement ring.

 

The rich, intense blue color of tanzanite coupled with its unsurpassed rarity and brilliance combine to create a stunning engagement ring no matter how you design it.

 

For the bride-to-be who desires a unique alternative to traditional diamonds, a tanzanite engagement ring is the perfect choice. While they are naturally more expensive than other gemstones, the extra expense may be well worth it when you see the smile that lights up your beloved’s face when you slip this on her finger.

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The Difference Between Promise Rings and Engagement Rings

Monday, December 14th, 2009

While the purpose of engagement rings are pretty clear, many people are uncertain about the meaning of promise rings and, in truth, whether they mean anything differently than engagement rings.

 

In fact, they do. While engagement rings symbolize the intent to spend the rest of your lives together, promise rings mean something a little different. The traditional purpose of a promise ring is to declare your intent to marry sometime in the future, but does not mean you are engaged. Instead, they symbolize love and a willingness to let the relationship evolve.

 

The True Symbolism of Promise Rings

While a promise ring is a special symbol of love, the ring means nothing if the intent behind the ring isn’t true. An empty promise doesn’t strengthen a relationship, so promise rings should only be given when a couple truly plans to help that relationship reach a higher level sometime in the future.

 

If there are any concerns or trepidation on anyone’s part, those concerns should be talked about before a promise ring is given. Both partners must be willing to work on the future of the relationship and have the same goals in mind for a promise ring to mean anything.

 

Types of Promise Rings

Just as the meaning behind promise rings and engagement rings are different, so to are the styles of each type of ring. Promise rings are traditionally more understated, but can still be just as beautiful.

 

Diamond promise rings are the most popular type of promise ring to give. They differ from diamond engagement rings in that the stones in promise rings are much smaller to avoid any confusion on the intent behind the ring.

 

Furthermore, diamond promise rings are always surrounded by other gemstones or details to further differentiate them from engagement rings. That is why you will not see a diamond solitaire promise ring, because these are almost exclusively considered engagement rings and not promise rings.

 

Gemstones other than diamonds can also be used, and many like to use birthstones to give the promise ring even more meaning. When choosing any type of promise ring, you should be just as familiar with judging gemstone quality and other factors to choose a beautiful ring, just like you would with an engagement or wedding band.

 

Designs to Avoid

While beautiful promise rings abound, there are certain styles you should pass on to avoid the ring being confused with an engagement ring.

 

Promise rings only use small gemstones. Larger stones are reserved for engagement rings, so you do not want the intent behind the ring to be misread. Similarly, elaborate designs should be avoided or the ring can be misinterpreted as something it is not.

 

Regardless of the type of ring you choose, a promise ring is a beautiful symbol between two people. Whether you choose a small diamond ring, a different kind of gemstone, or another design entirely, promise rings are beautiful because of the sentiment behind them and are a great way to symbolize your commitment to the future of the relationship.

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The Beauty of a Peridot Engagement Ring

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Peridot is known for its beautiful light green color, and can look fabulous when incorporated into an engagement ring design. In fact, engagement rings with center gemstones other than diamonds are becoming a very popular alternative to the traditional engagement rings with center diamonds.

 

Peridot Engagement Ring Styles

A genuine peridot stone will have a gorgeous, subtle green hue and looks well incorporated into a variety of engagement ring designs. Vintage and antique style engagement rings often use peridot, because the lovely color works well with these types of ring styles.

 

Solitaire rings do not often use peridot, but the stone looks very nice paired with small diamonds or pearls as accent stones. Emeralds, citrine and other yellow-ish or green stones are also popular as accent stones, because of the similarity in color.

 

Surprisingly, purple stones (such as amethyst) look especially striking when paired with the light green hue of peridot. This makes for a distinctive and highly unique engagement ring, and will undoubtedly turn heads wherever you go.

 

If you’re wondering about the types of metal that work well with peridot, you should be happy to know that nearly all metals complement the gemstone.

 

Most peridot engagement rings are set in a white gold or silver band, but peridot also complements yellow gold as well. Platinum is another option, but because of the expense most couples choose a less expensive precious metal.

 

Finding the Perfect Peridot Stone

If you choose to use peridot as the center stone for your engagement ring, it is very important that you know how to identify a quality stone from a poor quality stone.

 

Carefully examine the color of the peridot gemstones you are interested in. They should be a light green, with more hints of yellow than brown. You also want to make sure the stone you buy is naturally colored, and not treated to enhance the hue.

 

Check for flaws and imperfections as well, since the light color of peridot will make flaws much more visible.

 

Finally, peridot engagement rings require much more care than other gemstones, since peridot is quite soft and more likely to scratch or become damaged. Because of this, you should always store the ring when not in use in a safe location, away from other jewelry that may damage the stone.

 

Additionally, you shouldn’t wear a peridot engagement ring with a wedding band or any other jewelry, as the stone can become easily damaged and scratched.

 

If you are having a hard time locating a peridot ring at your local jewelers, try searching for peridot during its assigned birthstone month. During the rest of the year, a jeweler may have a limited selection of peridot rings, but they are often difficult to come by. Instead, try browsing online retailers for suitable peridot rings that suit your budget and your stylistic preferences.

 

Peridot engagement rings are a striking and unique alternative to traditional diamond rings, and look stunning when combined with a variety of precious metals or other gemstones. While it may be difficult to find a peridot that is suitable for an engagement ring, the effort will be well worth it when you find the perfect gem to incorporate into an engagement ring design!

 

To read more about Peridot, please visit our friends at Du Lyon Fine Jewelers and read their facts about Peridot gemstones here.

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Holiday Engagement Rings: The Ruby

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Are you thinking of proposing over the holidays?  The cheery and giving spirit brought on by the Christmas season make December a great time of year to pop the question and get the answer you hope for.  When shopping for her engagement ring, think outside the box a little, and consider a beautiful platinum or white gold engagement ring setting with a ruby.  The rich red color is loaded with holiday cheer and would be a perfect engagement gift for this time of year.  Proposing with a ruby, as opposed to the standard diamond, also gives your new fiancé a unique engagement ring she is sure to cherish.

 

The name ruby comes from the Latin ruber meaning red.  The ruby is one of the four traditional gemstones, along with the diamond, the sapphire, and the emerald.  In fact, rubies are the sister stones to sapphires; the only difference is in their color.  The most valuable rubies are the most transparent stones with the purest red, but rubies are found in red colors ranging from orange-red, to purple-red, to brown-red, to blue-red, and a clarity ranging from transparent to opaque.

 

The most famous rubies, the Pigeon Bloodred rubies, are mined from the Moguk Valley in Burma.  For centuries rubies have been produced from this area; mining tools have been discovered that date back to the Stone Age.  While there have been discoveries in Burma of larger examples of rubies, much of what comes out of the region has been smaller in size.  Historically, the King of Mandalay declared all the large rubies mined in the Moguk Valley to be his property, and violators would be punished by death.  Due to this proclamation, many large rubies were broken into smaller pieces.

 

The latest ruby to be discovered is called the Winza Ruby, from 2008.  This is mined in Tanzania and produces rubies with excellent transparency that does not require heat treatment.  The supply is yet to be fully understood, but currently the Winza rubies have incredible value and are a great investment.  Many incredibly large size rubies have been discovered here, some up to ten carats!

 

When purchasing a ruby for an engagement ring, or any other piece of jewelry, care must be taken to be sure that you are not selecting a stone that has been treated, because many of the methods used to enhance the look of the rubies are not permanent and can wear off with normal use of the engagement ring.   Since 1902, synthetic rubies have flooded the market, and it is very difficult to tell the difference, unless you are a gemstone professional.  Most of the natural rubies on the market come from Thailand and have a more brown or blue tint.  When selecting your ruby engagement ring, look for the purest red and the clearest color.

 

The Heart of Winza - Winza Ruby

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