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Unique Diamond Engagement Rings

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

The diamond solitaire is the most purchased and most traditional choice for an engagement ring.  For generations men have spent the expected two months salary on the most important jewelry purchase of their lives, to ask the most important question they will ever seek and answer to.  Because of the diamond’s reputation for strength and durability, as well as it’s unique brilliance and luster, its no surprise that this precious gemstone has been chosen to represent the everlasting love and commitment between two people world wide.

 

Do you want to propose to your future wife with a unique diamond engagement ring?  A ring that shows her your excellent taste and one that sets her apart from other brides-to-be?  Think outside the diamond solitaire box and try one of these unique examples below.  While the standard diamond diamond engagements rings are classically beautiful, if you propose with one of these stunning diamond rings, you are sure to get the answer you seek!

This antique diamond engagement ring is stunning. When you select a ring modeled after historic styles, you are offering her a very unique gift.  A vintage styled solitaire design diamond engagement ring featuring a platinum band and a genuine 1/3 ct, 4.4 mm full cut, round G-H / SI2-SI3 quality diamond center stone. This ring is also available as part of a set that includes a matching wedding band!

Antique wedding and engagement rings are a hot trend!  Here is another example, a delicate antique styled 1/2 CT TW diamond anniversary ring with milgrain accents surrounding the center diamond. The ring features five genuine round SI / G-I diamonds totaling 1/2 ct tw set in 14K white or yellow gold, and could be perfect as an engagement ring!

 

Two tone diamond engagement rings ensure that all the jewelry in her collection will pair perfectly.  This beautiful two tone filigree diamond engagement ring with 3/4 ct tw of diamonds. The engagement ring features a 14K white gold band with inset, openwork 14K yellow gold filigree accents, a round 1/3 ct SI quality center diamond and fifty two 1.0 – 1.2 mm round SI diamond accent stones. A matching 14K white gold wedding band is available.

Here is another!  Again, she will love having the best of both worlds, gold and white gold.  This is a stunning two tone filigree diamond engagement ring with 1/2 ct tw of diamonds. The engagement ring features a 14K white gold domed band with inset, openwork 14K yellow gold filigree accents, a round 1/3 ct SI quality center diamond and thirty two 1.0 mm round SI diamond accent stones. A matching 14K white gold wedding band is also available.

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Traditional Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

A timeless, traditional piece, yellow gold engagement rings are beautiful and classic. Historically, plain gold bands were the standard of the time, but today’s technology allows jewelers to create exquisite designs to suit both your budget and your personal taste.

 

About Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has been used for ages in engagement rings, wedding bands and other jewelry, and looks especially striking on women who have warm undertones to their skin. Of course, fair skinned women can wear a yellow gold engagement ring as well, it just depends on their personal preferences.

 

When paired with diamonds or other gemstones, yellow gold is a lovely choice. Today, you can purchase yellow gold rings in a variety of designs, from the simple to the more elaborate.

 

Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Designs

For the bride-to-be who prefers simple, timeless styles, a plain yellow gold band may be the perfect choice for an engagement ring. It’s simple, yes, but the true beauty of the metal can shine when there are no gemstones or intricate details present in the design.

 

Of course, you can always personalize even a plain band by adding engraving to the interior of the ring or having special symbols, such as hearts, carved into the band.

 

Many antique engagement rings you find will also be crafted from yellow gold, especially during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Visit various estate sales, antique shops and even online retailers for true antique rings or vintage-inspired pieces to find the perfet yellow gold engagement ring for you.

 

Diamonds are always popular gemstone choices to pair with yellow gold, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get a different gemstone for your central stone. Rubies, sapphires and emeralds are easily the most popular choices, but don’t let these limit you. If you have a particularly favorite gemstone, use that as your central stone. You can always add small diamond accents if you prefer for a distinctive and striking look.

 

Finding Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Yellow gold is arguably one of the most popular precious metals used for engagement rings, so finding a ring that suits you will not be difficult. If you are unsure of the style of ring you want, browsing various online retailers is a good place to start. Afterward, you can visit local jewelers to check out their selection of yellow gold engagement rings and see if anything strikes your fancy.

 

Classic, timeless and very traditional, a yellow gold engagement ring symbolizes love, hope and joy for the future and will be a lovely way to commemorate the start of your lives together.

 

Whether you prefer simple jewelry or more elaborate designs, yellow gold can be crafted to create the engagement ring of your dreams that fits both your budget and your personal tastes.

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Tiffany Settings

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Tiffany settings are a classic choice that use simple prongs that are arguably one of the most popular settings in rings today. Whether you prefer a classic style or something a little more modern, Tiffany settings are used in a wide variety of styles and highlights the gem in a gorgeous way.

 

Tiffany Settings

Tiffany settings are named as such because they became the signature style choice for Tiffany & Co. in the late 1800’s.

 

It is a simple setting, using four or six prongs to hold the stone securely in place above the metal band. Regardless of the number of prongs used, each are placed symmetrically around the stone to give balance and a nice focal point to concentrate on.

 

Despite the simplicity of this type of setting, Tiffany settings actually have quite a few benefits. For example, the open design of the setting allows the maximum amount of light to reflect off a quality diamond, allowing for the ultimate in fire and brilliance.

 

What’s more, multiple prongs provide a secure base for a diamond and do not detract from the overall beauty of the stone.

 

However, if you choose a Tiffany setting there are certain things you should look out for. Because simple settings show flaws more easily, it’s important to carefully check a Tiffany style ring for quality.

 

Check out the prongs and make sure they are evenly placed in proportion to the stone. Uneven prongs can result in a less secure setting and ruin the symmetry of the design. Round and smooth prongs are also an important feature of a Tiffany setting because this will lessen the chance the prongs can snag on anything and become broken or damaged.

 

You should also make sure the stone you choose is of the best quality you can afford. Because a simple prong setting doesn’t use any fancy or elaborate designs, there will not be anything to detract from flaws or imperfections on the stone.

 

Price

Because tiffany settings are very simple and easier to make than more elaborate designs, the setting itself is very inexpensive. When compared to more unusual settings or intricate designs, simple prong settings are one of the most inexpensive you can buy.

 

However, because Tiffany settings often require a stone of exceptionally high quality, the overall cost of a Tiffany style ring can be upwards of $1,000 or more depending on the stone. Of course, the overall price of the ring will depend on a variety of factors, but the quality of the diamond or other gemstone you use will play a large role.

 

Arguably the most popular type of setting, Tiffany settings are a classic and simple design that many couples choose to reflect their stone in the best possible light. These traditional settings offers a beautiful way to highlight the brilliance of a diamond and are one of the most inexpensive settings to use for an engagement ring!

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Are you Ready to Buy an Engagement Ring?

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Purchasing an engagement ring is not only one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make in a lifetime, but also an important one as well. The significance of an engagement ring means you want to make sure you are buying the most perfect ring you can.

 

With that in mind, it’s critical for you to come up with a checklist of sorts to ensure you are not forgetting any important details. Periodically going through your list will ensure you are ready to buy an engagement ring and will allow you to consider every detail of the process.

 

Step One: Budget

While figuring out your finances may not be the most exciting thing in the world, it is an important first step before you can even think about buying an engagement ring. You will soon be starting your new lives together; the last thing you want to do is go into debt over the engagement ring!

 

Carefully figure out how much you can reasonably afford to spend before shopping for a ring.

 

Step Two: Research

As with all major purchases, it is important to educate yourself beforehand. You wouldn’t walk into a car dealership to buy a brand new vehicle without knowing certain facts about the type of car you’re interested in, so it shouldn’t be any different with purchasing a ring.

 

Read up on the 4 C’s of judging diamond quality, as well as the various precious metals, other gemstones, settings and other jewelry terminology you may be unfamiliar with. If you already have some idea in mind of the type of ring you are looking for, that will help the research process along.

 

Step Three: Find a Jeweler

Choosing a jeweler is an important step before you can buy an engagement ring. Whether you choose a chain store, an online retailer or plan on working with a designer to customize the perfect ring you need to make sure you are dealing with a reputable jeweler.

 

If you are unsure or want to verify the jeweler’s legitimacy, ask to see their credentials before you decide to pick one.

 

Step Four: Choose the Ring

Since buying an engagement ring is a very important purchase, you don’t want to walk into a random jewelry store and buy the first ring you see! Instead, you need to choose every aspect of the ring, including:

  • The setting (a common prong setting, or something more unique?)
  • The metal (white gold, platinum, yellow gold, silver, or something else?)
  • The stones (diamonds or other gemstones?)
  • A bridal set (do you want to purchase a bridal set that includes both the engagement ring and wedding bands for either the bride, groom or both, or do you prefer to buy the engagement ring alone?)

 

As you can see, there are many choices you’ll need to consider before you can purchase an engagement ring, but every choice matters!

 

Buying an engagement ring can seem very intimidating at first, but having a list of everything you need to do before you’re ready to make your purchase can help to ensure the ring you buy will be a treasured possession for years to come.

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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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How to Upgrade your Engagement Ring

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Sometimes, the engagement ring you’ve always hoped for doesn’t end up being the perfect piece of jewelry you thought it would be. Other times, you may just decide your tastes have changed. Whatever your reasons, upgrading your engagement ring is a simple way to make sure your engagement ring will be treasured forever.

 

Reasons for Upgrading your Engagement Ring

 

There are many different reasons for upgrading an engagement ring. Perhaps your original ring was an heirloom piece that, while sentimental and a nice gesture, just isn’t your style.

 

Many couples use synthetic diamonds or other gemstones in the initial engagement ring because they can’t afford to buy the real deal at first. Once they become more financially stable, they often choose to upgrade the original engagement ring to include all of the elements the bride-to-be always wanted in a ring.

Other times, a woman decides her style has changed, and the first engagement ring no longer matches her preferences. Whatever the reasons, it’s perfectly acceptable to upgrade an engagement ring when it no longer suits you.

 

Refresh your Memory

 

When shopping for your new engagement ring, it is just as important to research your options and decide what you want and can afford as it was when you bought the original ring.

If your engagement ring will include diamonds, read up on the 4 C’s (cut, clarity, color and carat weight) which can help you in determining the quality of the stones. You may even want to consider new or unique settings, gemstones or metals if you are looking for a more contemporary design.

 

Upgrading to a Completely New Ring

 

While some women keep the existing ring but change a few features to make it more up-to-date with their preferences, others decide they want an entirely different engagement ring than the one they were originally presented with.

 

In this case, you can play around with all sorts of options because you are not limited to designing around the original ring.

 

Consider adding a bit of sentimentality to your new, upgraded engagement ring by engraving the inside of the band with a special word, phrase or date that means something to the two of you. Incorporating your birthstones into the design of your newly upgraded ring can also add a touch of symbolism and is a special way to make your new ring unique.

 

Many women also like the look of three stone rings, and these are especially beautiful to symbolize a relationship, as each stone represents the different stages of that relationship (the past, the present and the future.) If you choose to upgrade your engagement ring to a three-stone design, you are making a lovely choice that is extra sentimental.

 

The reasons for upgrading your engagement ring are varied, and there is nothing wrong with changing the ring if it does not meet your expectations. This is a piece of jewelry that you will ideally own for the rest of your life, so you want to be happy with your choice!

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Finding Contemporary Engagement Rings

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

While some brides-to-be love the look of vintage rings, contemporary engagement rings are modern and just as beautiful. In fact, you can still have a more modern engagement ring without sacrificing the classic beauty of more traditional styles.

 

Contemporary Rings

 

Contemporary engagement rings, also called modern rings, are rings that use today’s modern technology to create a unique spin on more classic or traditional designs. Contemporary rings offer more design choices that simply would not have been possible in older times, such as unusual diamond shapes or metals.

 

Designs

 

Today, couples have a variety of modern design options when choosing a more contemporary engagement ring. Everything from the gemstones used to the metal and settings can be customized for a unique ring that’s truly your own.

 

For example, gemstone choices for contemporary rings tend to back away from the traditional colorless diamonds. In fact, many modern rings use diamond alternatives (i.e., synthetic diamonds) such as cubic zirconia or moissanite. These alternative also help make an engagement ring more affordable, especially for couples who are on a strict budget.

 

Contemporary engagement rings also make use of colored gemstones, and couples can usually find particularly rare gemstones incorporated into more modern designs.

 

Additionally, most modern engagement rings tend to have several stones, whereas a more traditional ring uses only one large central stone with small accent stones to give it visual interest. For example, three-stone rings are highly popular, and are a modern twist on a classic.

 

Of course, the type of metals used in most contemporary rings also differ from traditional styles. While white and yellow gold, platinum and even silver are all popular choices, they are not your only options.

 

In fact, many contemporary rings use multiple metals to create a distinctive multi-tone effect, or use different types of metal as accents in an intricate scrollwork design. Titanium engagement rings are also a distinctly modern choice.

 

Different settings are often incorporated into contemporary rings. While prongs may be popular for classic styles, more unusual settings are the norm for modern engagement rings. Bezel settings are beautiful, as are pave settings that use a smattering of diamonds or other gemstones to make the ring look as if it is created entirely from those stones.

 

Intricate designs are also highly common among modern style engagement rings, and women who prefer more elaborate styles will love the options they have available to them.

 

While classic or traditional rings are undeniably beautiful, many women prefer the intricate designs and unusual settings, metal choices and stones that contemporary rings offer. Even though styles are constantly changing and your modern engagement ring may not be “in style” forever, that will simply make the piece more unique and special as the years go by.

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Why Engagement Rings Can be Very Expensive

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

There are a number of things that can influence the price of an engagement ring. Obviously, designer engagement rings will be a lot more expensive than other types, but what else can affect the cost of an engagement ring?

 

Designer Engagement Rings

 

Whether they are big name designers or relatively small outfits, you can expect a designer engagement ring to set you back a pretty penny. Of course, the large brand name designers will obviously have a much larger price tag.

 

The big design houses like Harry Winston, Tacori, Cartier or Tiffany are some of the large designers that create beautiful and expensive engagement rings for both modern and classic women.

 

Gemstones

 

Of course, the type of diamonds or other gemstones you choose can also significantly affect the price of an engagement ring. Obviously, the bigger the stone the more expensive it will be as long as the quality is there.

 

Fancy colored diamonds will be more expensive than traditional colorless diamonds, as well. If you plan on adding accent stones to a ring, that can also raise the price depending on which type of stones you use, their size and the quality of the stones.

 

Metals

 

When it comes to metal choices, you have your pick from a variety of metals that can help offset the cost of the ring or add to it.

 

Platinum is more rare than other metals; as such, it’s quite expensive and can significantly impact the price of an engagement ring. However, platinum offers the durability that other metals simply cannot emulate, so it may be worth it to choose platinum for something as special as an engagement ring.

 

Yellow, white, and rose gold are other options. For a more distinctive look, you can choose a two-tone metal which will be very unique.

 

Other Things to Consider

 

Believe it or not, even minor changes can significantly raise the cost of an engagement ring much higher than you might have expected.

 

For example, choosing platinum over white gold or silver can raise the cost of a ring several hundred dollars, but they all look quite similar. If you can’t afford platinum, consider using a cheaper alternative.

 

Additionally, colored diamonds are much more rare than the traditional colorless diamonds. If both a colored diamond and colorless diamond are the same carat weight and quality, the colored diamond can cost upwards of hundreds to thousands of dollars more than the colorless stone.

 

Finally, you don’t want to forget to purchase insurance for your engagement ring, especially if the ring is worth quite a bit. With such an expensive purchase, it’s wise to protect your investment as soon as possible.

 

There are many factors that contribute to the overall price of an engagement ring, and engagement rings can be very expensive depending on the stones, metals, and other design elements you choose to incorporate into the ring.

 

However, understanding what affects the price of an engagement ring will help you find the perfect ring that fits within your budget, lifestyle and personal preferences.

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Learn About Princess Cut Engagement Rings

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

Traditional diamond solitaires make beautiful engagement rings, but for the woman who desires a little something different a princess cut engagement ring may fit the bill.

 

What Are Princess Cuts?

 

The princess cut is actually relatively new to the jewelry world, and new to engagement rings in particular. Princess cuts are identified by their square shape, and are actually a combination of a brilliant cut and a step cut.

 

How Much Do They Cost?

 

For a woman who desires an affordable, unique alternative to traditional diamond cuts, a princess cut engagement ring is actually one of the cheapest cuts to make. Because of the nature of the cut, it requires less time to polish and shape the stone, which will therefore lower the price of the finished gem.

 

What’s more, you don’t necessarily need a top quality stone. Because a princess cut combines two separate cuts into one, they are able to conceal more imperfections or flaws that other cuts simply couldn’t do. This means that a lower quality stone can be used, unlike with other cuts such as round diamonds.

 

Of course, the overall price for a princess cut engagement ring will vary on a number of other factors in addition to these, such as the metal used; any accent stones and the intricacy of the design.

 

What Settings Work For Princess Cut Stones?

 

There are actually specific settings that work well for princess cut engagement rings. The sharp edges of the stone are quite fragile, and can break or chip if not adequately protected. For this reason, prong settings are typically used, and the prongs are set at the corners of the stone for extra protection.

 

Channel settings are also popular for princess cut stones. With a channel setting, the stones are actually set into the band itself rather than using prongs to suspend the stone above the band. This type of setting works well for women who lead active lifestyles because there is minimal risk of accidental damage like there would be with a prong setting.

 

Other Design Considerations

 

Princess cut engagement rings are actually quite versatile, and couples can choose to customize the ring with a variety of accent stones, design choices or metal types. A simple princess cut solitaire ring looks beautiful and classic, but still offers a modern twist on a traditional solitaire ring.

 

Three-stone designs are also quite popular, as are pear shaped or round diamonds used as accent stones. The sky is nearly the limit when choosing a princess cut engagement ring that fits both your taste and your budget.

 

Choosing a princess cut engagement ring is a wonderful choice for the bride-to-be who desires a distinctive look that retains the appearance of classic elegance, but adds a modern twist on a traditional engagement ring.

 

Whether you choose a solitaire ring or accent stones, a simple setting or a more elaborate one or any other number of customizations, your princess cut engagement ring will be as precious as the love the two of you share.

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