Archive for the ‘Engagement Rings’ Category

 
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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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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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Vintage Engagement Rings

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

If you love the look of antique or older jewelry, a vintage engagement ring may be the perfect choice for you. The term “vintage” doesn’t necessarily mean the ring is an antique however, but either way you should take the time to have the ring properly appraised and examined for quality.

 

Vintage Engagement Rings

 

Typically, vintage engagement rings can be dated back to the 1800′s or early 1900′s. Vintage rings are often quite delicate and can incorporate tiny diamonds or other embellishments into the design. However, emeralds and sapphires were also very popular gemstones used in older rings, as well.

 

While the stones in vintage engagement rings were not cut into fancy shapes like the technology available today can offer, a true vintage ring offers a unique and beautiful alternative to a modern design and offer a dash of personality to your style since they are so different from the engagement rings on the market today.

 

Most vintage stones will likely have flaws, chips or cracks and while that will detract from the overall value of the ring, the fact that is in an older piece can compensate for most flaws.

 

The other thing to keep in mind when searching for an authentic vintage engagement ring is that most rings were crafted from yellow gold, as platinum was not widely used until the beginning of the 190o’s. If you are not a yellow gold person, a vintage engagement ring will not be for you!

 

Things to Consider

 

Before you visit an antique store or estate sale in search of your perfect vintage engagement ring, you should be aware of a few things. For example, you should definitely have the ring professionally cleaned because it will undoubtedly be dull, dirty and grimy after years of wear by several people.

 

A good cleaning will restore the ring to its former glory, but you shouldn’t attempt to clean a vintage ring yourself. Chemicals in most store-bought jewelry cleaners can damage older rings.

 

It’s also important to have the ring looked at to see if any repairs are necessary. Because a lot of vintage engagement rings are quite delicate and often incorporate intricate designs, certain parts of the ring may need to be repaired.

 

Finally, you should have your ring appraised and insured to make sure your vintage engagement ring is protected should anything tragic happen, such as loss or theft.

 

A vintage engagement ring is a unique alternative to modern designs. In fact, vintage rings are a great way to wear interesting stone shapes, settings or designs that are not created today. Plus, they can be passed down as heirloom rings to your children or grandchildren, should that be your desire one day.

 

With the proper care, your vintage engagement ring will last for many more years to come, no matter how old it was when you bought it!

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What to Do When Your Engagement Ring Needs Repairs

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Accidents happen, and normal wear and tear can also put stress on your engagement ring. When the ring is damaged severely enough to need repairs, you need to make sure you take it to a reputable jeweler who knows what they are doing and can restore your engagement ring to its former glory. Because engagement rings are such precious and delicate creations, the band, setting and stone may all need repairs at one point.

 

The Band

 

Even the strongest metal is not impervious to scratches or nicks. Daily wear can scratch the metal of the band, but these minor nicks are not usually enough to ruin the beauty of the ring. If they bother you, they can always be polished away. More serious damage, such as if the band warps, requires the attention of a jeweler so they can reshape the band.

 

The Stone

 

While diamonds are the strongest natural material known to man, even they can become damaged under certain circumstances. Other gemstones are even more likely to become damaged, but luckily most stone damage is relatively minor (such as small nicks or tiny chips.)

 

However, if your stone is internally flawed, the stone may become cracked or split apart. Oftentimes, certain flaws can be filled or coated to repair them, but that isn’t always possible. If the stone falls apart, you will need to replace the entire stone.

 

The Setting

 

The setting is the most likely part of the engagement ring to become damaged, especially prong settings. The prongs can break off, loosen or become twisted or warped with regular wear and tear or repeated snags on fabric.

 

In minor cases, the setting can be repositioned to repair it, but for more severe cases the entire setting may need to be replaced to hold the gemstones more securely. If you have a particularly elaborate setting, it is more likely to be damaged than a simple setting.

 

What to Do if your Ring Needs Repairs

 

If your engagement ring should become damaged, it’s important to get it to a jeweler as soon as possible before the damage becomes so severe that nothing can be done about it. Ideally, you want to take the ring to the same jeweler you originally bought it from. That way, they already know what they are working with.

 

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to take it to the same jeweler, so in that event it is important to only visit a reputable jeweler who is reliable and has a good reputation. Whatever you do, do not attempt to repair the ring yourself. You risk further damaging your engagement ring if you attempt to do this.

 

When an engagement ring becomes damaged, it’s natural to worry about causing further harm. That’s why it’s so important to take the ring to a jeweler as soon as you notice the damage. Provided you visit a reputable jeweler, your engagement ring can be restored to the same sparkling brilliance it had when it was first slipped on your finger!

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Tips to Keep your Engagement Ring Clean

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

An engagement ring is a precious investment, meant to last for years to come. With that being said, it’s important to keep your ring as clean and sparkling as the day it is slipped onto your finger. These tips are designed to help you keep your engagement ring clean and are helpful in protecting your beautiful piece of jewelry.

 

Things to Avoid

 

By avoiding certain things that can dull your ring, you will have to clean it less often and will be able to maintain the ring’s sparkle and brilliance more effectively.

 

Avoid doing household chores while wearing your engagement ring, and take the ring off before applying lotion, makeup, hair products or other beauty aids or household cleaning products to prevent a build up of grime, oils and dirt.

 

Of course, your ring will accumulate dirt and debris through regular wear and tear, but avoiding household cleaners, beauty products and other products can help protect your ring and allow you to maintain a brilliant appearance with less cleaning required.

 

Cleaning the Engagement Ring

 

Even if you are very diligent in protecting your ring from harsh chemicals and greasy beauty products or household cleaners, normal wear and tear will cause the ring to become dirty. A monthly cleaning should suffice, but if you lead a more active lifestyle you may want to clean the ring more frequently.

 

Before you attempt to clean the ring yourself, you need to understand every component of your ring and how best to treat it. Even if you are familiar with how to clean diamonds, if there are other gemstones in your ring it is important to know what is safe to use and what could potentially damage the stones.

 

If your ring contains treated diamonds, you may need to clean the ring in a special way to avoid discoloring the stones or damaging the overall ring. Certain types of metals are cleaned differently as well, so it’s important to speak with a professional jeweler who will be able to advise you on the proper cleaning regimen for your engagement ring.

 

Once you know how to clean your ring, you should carefully examine it beforehand to check for cracks, loose stones or other damage. If there is any damage to your ring at all, it is important to have it repaired or you run the risk of further damage to the ring if you clean it before it’s fixed.

 

Even if you clean your engagement ring at home, it is still a good idea to take the ring into a professional jeweler and have it cleaned there at least two times a year. If you are uncomfortable cleaning the ring yourself, this is also a great way to ensure your ring remains as beautiful as the first day you put it on and you won’t worry about damaging it somehow.

 

Taking care of your engagement ring is very important. Your engagement ring is an investment, and with the proper care and cleaning techniques your ring will be as sparkling and brilliant as ever.

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Find Cheap Diamond Engagement Rings

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Finding a cheap diamond engagement ring doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality to find the ring of your dreams. For most couples, spending thousands of dollars on a ring just isn’t practical or realistic, so finding a quality ring without spending tons of money is important. Thankfully, there are several ways to find a cheap diamond engagement ring without settling for an inferior product.

 

What Are My Options?

 

When looking for an inexpensive diamond engagement ring, you have several options available to you.

 

Online Auctions

 

With online auctions, you are not limited to your physical location and can search hundreds of listings worldwide for a low-cost diamond engagement ring. While online jewelry auctions are a convenient way to shop for a ring, it’s important to only deal with reputable sellers. While you can often snag a beautiful engagement ring for much less than you could find elsewhere, completely research the seller and their feedback to make sure they are legitimate.

 

Secondhand Rings

 

Buying a used or secondhand engagement ring does have an undeniably negative stigma attached to it, but used engagement rings can be just as beautiful as the real deal for significantly less than you’d pay elsewhere. What’s more, many antique stores or vintage shops offer used engagement rings in unique patterns or styles you can’t find elsewhere.

 

Colored Diamonds

 

Choosing a colored diamond for your engagement ring rather than the traditional colorless stone can help you save money, as well. You can buy a colored diamond in nearly any hue, from blues to yellows and greens to black diamonds and everything in between.

 

Champagne diamonds are probably the cheapest option of all the colored diamonds, but no matter which color you choose they offer and affordable and unique alternative to traditional engagement rings.

 

Use a Cheaper Metal

 

To help find cheaper diamond engagement rings while still maintaining the quality of the piece, consider using a cheaper metal for the ring. Metals such as platinum are very expensive, but white gold is a suitable alternative and costs much less.

 

Other Things to Consider

 

Finding a cheap diamond engagement ring doesn’t have to be an exercise in futility, especially when you keep a few things in mind. For example, concentrate on buying the highest quality diamond you can afford. Even if you have to skimp on the setting, you can always have the diamond reset when you are more financially secure.

 

You should also ensure you only buy a certified diamond and that it comes with a certificate guaranteeing the stone as such. This will be necessary to insure your diamond and help protect your investment should anything ever happen to it.

 

Finding a cheap diamond engagement ring takes a little extra effort, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy a sub-par piece of jewelry just because you don’t have a large budget to spend.

 

No matter where you buy an engagement ring, it doesn’t matter how much you spend on the ring, but rather what the ring symbolizes – the love between two people who plan to spend the rest of their lives together.

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