Posts Tagged ‘Diamond Engagement Rings’

 
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Traditional Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

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 is only one gemstones and few 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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The Promise Ring

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

The tradition of the promise ring dates back well into the 16th century, but has become very fashionable again over the last decade or so.  Many cultures have implored the use of a promise ring in pre-engagement situations, where a marriage proposal may be coming in the future, but perhaps now is not the right time.  Mexican engagement periods are traditionally long, and this culture has used promise rings as a way to reveal a couple’s intent to marry, sometimes years before the engagement period actually begins.

 

Historically, young men who could not yet afford to marry or who were not yet ready to marry, but wanted to hold their place, so to speak, would give their girlfriends promise rings.  This meant that promise rings are traditionally modest and often simple bands, that could include a heart and be made from either gold or silver.  The young man would give this ring to the girl that he loved, as a promise that he would someday propose.

 

As the act of giving a promise ring became more popular, the reason behind the gift also evolved.  Many men would give a promise ring to their partner to not only profess that they would someday like to propose, but to also assert their intent to remain faithful and abstain from other relationships.  As the purpose of the ring changed from the procrastination of an expensive wedding to more of a symbolic gesture, the expense of promise rings has increased and now many will contain several diamonds or gemstones.

 

The reason behind the giving of a promise ring can dictate which finger the ring should be worn on.  If a ring is given as a pre-engagement ring, then it is perfectly fine to wear the promise ring on the ring finger of the left hand, where the engagement ring would be, but this can also be confusing, and look like an actual engagement ring, especially if the promise ring is set with diamonds.  For this reason many women that are gifted a pre-engagement promise ring will either wear the ring on the middle finger of their left hand, or the ring finger of their right hand.

 

If the ring is given as a symbol of friendship, a promise to abstain from sex (such as a purity ring), or a promise of monogamy, it can really be worn on any finger, except the thumb.  Most often promise rings are given to women, but it is not unheard of to gift a man a promise ring as well. Either way, when giving someone a promise ring, whether to symbolize pre-engagement, faithfulness, or friendship, you should make your meaning clear.  If you are not ready to plan a wedding, but don’t want to let the one you love go, a promise ring can be a great way to show them how you feel, but make it known from the very beginning what your feelings are.

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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 worldwide.

 

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 standard 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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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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How to Avoid Purchasing a Conflict Diamond

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Diamonds are a beautiful representation of love, commitment and faithfulness, and are especially popular for use in a sparkling engagement ring. However, before you can purchase the perfect diamond for the ring, you need to make sure you are not buying a conflict diamond.

 

Conflict diamonds, rather than being a positive symbol of your love, instead fuel hatred, bloodshed and terrorist acts. When you are shopping for diamonds, it is important to avoid buying these hate-fueled stones, thereby ensuring no one is profiting from them on your part.

 

Conflict Diamonds – The Basics

 

Also referred to as blood diamonds, conflict diamonds are stones sold by rebel groups to fund their horrible activities. Human rights issues, such as child or slave labor, state violence, the exploitation of workers and other abuses are common practices that are funded by the sale of these stones.

 

Conflict diamonds are characterized by their typical unpolished finish, and are frequently traded for weapons and other things. If you buy a conflict diamond, knowingly or otherwise, you are helping to fund these rebel groups and their illegal activities. What’s more, each blood diamond that is purchased lowers the country’s economic stability, which in itself creates a host of additional problems.

 

Where are Conflict Diamonds Found?

 

Typically, conflict diamonds are smuggled throughout the Central and Western portions of Africa – in fact, these places are the top diamond smuggling areas in the entire world.

 

The trouble with identifying conflict diamonds and non-conflict diamonds lies in their appearance. Once a conflict diamond has been cut and polished, they do not look any different than their legitimate counterparts.

 

Finding a Non-Conflict Diamond for your Engagement Ring

 

Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce the chances that you are buying a conflict diamond. Visit a reputable jeweler, and don’t be afraid to ask where the diamond came from (i.e., where it was mined and imported from.) A reputable jeweler will have no problem answering your questions, and you should avoid any diamonds that come from the chief smuggling areas of the world, as well as neighboring countries that may help fuel oppression and bloodshed with the sale of illegitimate stones.

 

Keep an eye out for any warning signs, as well. For example, if you find a particularly high quality stone for an insanely low price, this could be an indication that the stone was obtained very cheaply. In this instance, you may be unknowingly purchasing a conflict diamond while thinking you are getting a great bargain.

 

While your diamond engagement ring will be a symbol of love and commitment, a ring with a conflict diamond only symbolizes hate, oppression and bloodshed. Shop for your diamonds very carefully so your engagement ring will be a symbol of unity, not a symbol of hate.

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How to Choose a Diamond Shape for your Engagement Ring

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Choosing a diamond shape is actually a very important decision that should be based on a number of factors, not just what shape you like best. Engagement rings are an important purchase, and choosing the right diamond shape for your particular ring is a critical process that should not be taken lightly.

 

What Kind of Diamond Shapes Are There?

 

Before you can choose a diamond shape for your engagement ring, you should familiarize yourself with the kinds of shapes that are available. These included:

  • Oval
  • Round
  • Heart
  • Emerald
  • Pear
  • Marquise
  • Princess
  • Radiant
  • Trilliant
  • Asscher

While your personal preferences will obviously come into play as far as what diamond shape you choose, there are other factors to consider.

 

Things to Consider

 

Before choosing a diamond shape, you should carefully consider which shape would be not only something you like, but practical as well.

 

For example, you want to make sure the stone’s dimensions are good. A poorly cut diamond (no matter what shape it is) will reveal imperfections and flaws and not look as brilliant as you want it to.

 

You also need to take into account the size of your band. A wider band can handle elongated diamonds, while a thin or narrow band is complemented by round or square shaped stones. Try on a bunch of different rings with diamond shapes you’re interested in, as well, because you want to make sure the shape of the stone complements your hand.

 

If you are thinking of incorporating accent stones into the design of your engagement ring, consider how those accents will affect the shape of your central stone.

 

Judging the Quality of a Diamond

 

After you’ve decided on a diamond shape for your engagement ring, it’s important to understand how to judge the quality of the stone you’re interested in.

 

Learning about the 4 C’s (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) will help you in determining the quality of the diamond, and enable you to make good choices. The type of stone shape you choose will have its own pros and cons, so learning about the 4 C’s will help you to find the perfect stone for your engagement ring.

 

If you are having a hard time finding a particular diamond shape, you may need to solicit the help of a designer to craft the perfect diamond for you. Most jewelers stock a limited selection of some of the more basic diamond shapes, but a specialty shape may require you to look elsewhere.

 

While personal preference is important when choosing a particular diamond shape, you still need to consider how to design your engagement ring to best flatter that shape. By learning all you can about judging diamond quality and the different shapes available to you, you can find the perfect diamond that fits your budget, your ring and your personal taste!

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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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