Posts Tagged ‘engagement ring’

Twilight Saga: Eclispse Stunning Vintage Engagement Ring Revealed!

Monday, June 21st, 2010

In the final scenes of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Edward Cullen slips a stunning diamond engagement ring onto Bella’s finger and asks her to marry him. What a cliff-hanging way to end this movie and keep fans salivating for their next dose! In addition to the excitement dripping from Twilight fans across the globe, surrounding Bella and Edward’s wedding details, there has also been quite a buzz about the design of Bella’s engagement ring…and now they have been revealed! As it turns out, after so much preparation, the Eclipse engagement ring Edward gave Bella at the end of the movie barely made it into the scene.

After five different jewelers made an attempt and the Twilight staff conducted exhaustive research, the perfect engagement ring was finally revealed. Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Saga, had a specific idea of what she wanted Bella’s engagement ring to look like. The movie’s prop master Grant Swain tirelessly researched design styles of vintage engagement rings from the Victorian era and hired four famed engagement ring designers to submit their create vintage engagement ring designs.

After reviewing the four engagement ring submissions, Stephanie Meyer was still unsatisfied, so she created her own engagement ring sketch and offered it to a Portland jewelry designer, the same designer that Twilight had used to create the Cullen family Crest. The final result was the perfect inspired antique engagement ring, which arrived to the set just hours before the final scene was to be performed.

Stephanie Meyer’s idea of the perfect engagement ring for Bella is a Victorian inspired diamond engagement ring. The large face of the engagement ring is fashioned into an oval shape and covered with small round diamonds. The engagement ring’s pave setting is arranged in slanted rows of sparkling diamonds, but no word on the total carat weight. The folks at Twilight had preferred an engagement ring made from cubic zirconium, but these rocks could not be ordered in time, so authentic diamonds were used in their place.

Vintage engagement rings have become very popular over the last several years, especially engagement rings inspired by the detailed and romantic designs of the Victorian and Art Deco eras. Their elegant design details, delicate tracery, engraved patterns, white gold and platinum finishes, and arrangement of sparkling diamonds inspires romance. Bella’s Victorian pave diamond engagement ring is a stunning example of this trend. Avid Twilight fans can find replicas of this engagement ring online, but sorry ladies, while the engagement ring is for sale, Edward Cullen is not included in the purchase.

You can find out more about vintage style engagement rings at engagementrings.org.

Tags: antique engagement ring, bella's engagement ring, Diamond Engagement Rings, eclipse engagement ring, engagement ring, Engagement Rings, twilight engagement ring, vintage engagement ring
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Can you Propose without an Engagement Ring?

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

When you think of a marriage proposal, your mind automatically conjures up images of the perfect engagement ring to go along with the proposal. However, there are no strict rules that say you absolutely must buy an engagement ring before you can propose.

In fact, many couples are starting to choose to propose without an engagement ring. Their choices for doing so vary; for example, not wanting to choose the wrong ring.

The fact remains that a marriage proposal doesn’t have to include an engagement ring, and couples shouldn’t feel pressured to buy one if that is not in their best interests.

Proposing without a Ring

Whether you are unable to afford an engagement ring or have another reason for proposing without one, your are not alone. In fact, there are many reasons for not proposing with a ring.

With the rising cost of living and other day to day expenses, budgeting for an engagement ring may be an insurmountable financial problem at this point.
If you are unsure how the bride-to-be will react to the engagement ring you pick out, you may want to hold off until after you propose to allow her to choose her own ring.
Maybe you want to customize a ring, and have your bride-to-be’s input throughout the process.
Finally, you may not think an engagement ring is that big of a deal, an instead choose to focus on the relationship and proposal itself rather than a piece of jewelry to “seal the deal.”

As you can see, the reasons for proposing without an engagement ring are varied, and there’s no rule that says you must use one. In fact, proposing without a ring allows the couple to focus on the actual commitment they are making, rather than the ring itself.

The Benefits of Proposing without a Ring

If you plan to purchase an engagement ring but would like the bride-to-be’s input beforehand, proposing without an engagement ring is the perfect way to ensure she loves her ring. After all, she’ll be the one wearing it!

Additionally, involving both partners in the decision will allow each of you the chance to get to know the others styles and taste preferences when it comes to jewelry, and make sure the ring that is purchased will be the perfect one for the bride-to-be.

While proposing without an engagement ring may be unorthodox, it’s certainly not a “bad” thing to do, especially if you are unable to budget for a ring at the moment or want to make absolutely sure she will love the ring she will be wearing every day.

Choosing to propose without an engagement ring is not a bad decision to make, and actually allows the couple to focus more on the implications of the question on that relationship than a material “symbol,” instead.

While it may feel weird initially to propose without the ring, it is a very personal decision and allows the couples to choose the ring together afterwards, leading to the perfect foundation for a lifelong relationship that was based on true love, not a sparkly ring!

Tags: engagement ring, marriage proposal, proposing, proposing without an engagement ring
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Buying a Multi-Tone Engagement Ring

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Even though yellow gold is the classic choice for engagement rings, couples today have a wide variety of metals to choose from when picking out the perfect ring. In fact, multi-tone rings are becoming increasingly popular as a unique alternative to using only one metal, and have a distinctive look all their own.

Types of Metal Used for Multi-Tone Rings

Any metal that you find in an engagement ring can typically be used as part of a multi-tone ring. Take the time to become familiar with your different options:

Usually bought in 14k or 18k versions, yellow gold is the classic metal used in engagement rings. The smaller the carat value, the less expensive it is.

White gold, a beautiful alternative to yellow gold, looks beautiful as the backdrop for a diamond or other gemstone. However, because the rhodium coating on white gold can wear away over time, white gold rings require more upkeep.

Platinum, on the other hand, is one of the most durable engagement ring metals and one of the most expensive. Even with daily wear, platinum’s sheen and brilliance will not wear away such as with white gold.

If you are looking for a more affordable metal, silver is usually quite inexpensive. However, this metal requires frequent polishing to keep its shine.

Titanium, often used in men’s engagement rings, offers a distinctive and durable look. This metal is typically used in more modern rings, and can actually be treated to appear in lovely shades of blue and purple.

Though more rare than regular yellow and white gold, colored gold offers a distinctive and beautiful look for the bride-to-be who wants something a little more unique. Colored gold can be in a variety of shades, including a pale pink (referred to as rose gold) or even shades of green.

Multi-Tone Ring Styles

When shopping for a multi-tone engagement ring, you have several designs to choose from. Many Celtic engagement rings use multiple metals, usually in the form of intricate knots or braids.

Alternatively, different metals can be used as accents in the ring, such as words, arches or other symbols. Multi-tone engagement rings often use one metal as detailing on the edges or rim of the ring to complement the overall design, as well.

Multi-tone engagement rings do not always use diamonds or other gemstones as the focal point of the ring (although they can,) but the distinctive look of muliple metals serves as the basis for the ring design itself and as such, some gems may detract from the overall design. As a general rule, the more rare the metals are, the less likely it is to use gemstones in the design.

When considering the cost of a multi-tone engagement ring, they can often be less expensive than a traditional ring depending on the metals used. If you use inexpensive metals, such as silver or yellow gold, it will be cheaper than a multi-tone ring with rarer metals and gemstones.

Multi-tone engagement rings are becoming a popular choice for the bride-to-be who desires a distinctive, beautiful ring that is a unique alternative to a classic design. With the proper care, your multi-tone engagement ring will be a beautiful symbol of a couple’s love and comittment to one another for many years to come.

Tags: celtic engagement rings, engagement ring, multi-tone engagement ring, multi-tone metal ring, two-tone engagement ring, types of engagement ring metals
Posted in Alternatative Metals | Comments Off

The Cost of an Engagement Ring

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Engagement rings can be as affordable or as expensive as you choose, depending on your personal preferences, style requirements and budget. However, the final cost of an engagement ring depends on a variety of factors. In order to understand how each factor contributes to the final price of the ring, you should familiarize yourself with each one to find the perfect ring for your budget.

The Cost of Diamonds

Diamonds are the most traditional stone used in an engagement ring, and their price can vary widely depending a number of things. The quality of a diamond will drastically affect its price. For example, a diamond with few flaws, a high carat weight and a unique cut will be much more expensive than a lower quality stone.

However, because these factors significantly impact the final price, it is hard to compare two diamonds together. A finished diamond engagement ring can cost as little as a few hundred dollar or as much as a few thousand dollars or more depending on the quality of the stone. Even rings with similar settings and styles can vary drastically in price depending on the quality of the diamond.

In order to judge the quality of a diamond, take the time to familiarize yourself with the 4 C’s (cut, color, clarity and carat weight.) Each of these contributes to the value of a diamond, and it is in your best interest to learn how they affect the price of the stone.

If you plan on buying a loose diamond, the 4 C’s still apply, but you want to also consider how much it will cost to place the loose diamond into the finished ring. Loose diamonds can often be a bargain, but you need to determine how much the finished design will be before you go that route.

Other Factors

Other than the price of a diamond, there are other factors that affect the cost of an engagement ring.

The setting can affect the overall price of your ring, with a classic prong setting or channel setting being the cheapest option. More intricate, such as a bezel setting, will cost more.

Similarly, the design you choose will have an impact on the final cost of the engagement ring, as well. Three-stone rings and other intricate designs will obviously cost more than a simple diamond solitaire or other designs that don’t use multiple stones.

Finally, the type of metal you choose for your ring can be inexpensive, such as white or yellow gold, or quite costly if you choose platinum, titanium or two-tone rings.

Before you decide on the perfect ring, you have to take the cost of an engagement ring into consideration. While there are many rules for couples to help them decide how much to spend, it isn’t about rules than it is about how much you can afford to spend!

Carefully budget for the ring and decide which metals, settings and designs you can afford, and learn about the 4 C’s so you can choose the best quality diamond you can afford. An engagement ring will be a lifetime symbol of your relationship, and the final cost of that ring is an important thing to consider.

Tags: cost of an engagement ring, engagement ring, expensive engagement rings, how much to spend on an engagement ring, inexpensive engagement rings
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Engagement Rings: Many Choices

Monday, May 4th, 2009

When you make a big decision in your life that results in the need to make an expensive purchase, that is an exciting moment. Often times when people get excited about buying something, they go out and make the purchase too quickly without being patient and making sure that they are getting the best value on the individual item that is perfect for them. Engagement rings are no exception, and there are added factors that make the selection of an engagement ring not only one of the most important choices that you will ever make in your own behalf, but it is also a decision that affects the people that you cherish the most in this world.

So when you make a decision in life that involves a significant expenditure, and that decision affects you and only you, it is most certainly a very big deal and you have to do your research, be patient, and choose wisely. But if you were to become impetuous on a lazy and boring Saturday afternoon and buy yourself a convertible, and find some months later that perhaps you would have been better off with a four-wheel-drive truck, the decision that you made only affects you. But when you buy an engagement ring, as you can see, the decision impacts others as well, most immediately the woman who will be wearing it for the rest of her life: your fiancÃ©e-to-be.

The engagement ring that you choose will also be looked upon by your parents, and your future in-laws, as an expression of your love and commitment to marriage. And it will be a symbol of your new family and the love that is at its root to your children should you find yourself so blessed at some time in the future.

With this in mind, it is a good idea to try to get an idea of what types of engagement rings seem to catch her eye, and over the months leading up to the proposal one can talk casually about the subject as though you are discussing some sort of distant daydream without “spilling the beans.” You may want to page through a magazine together that has some engagement ring ads and see if she seems to prefer platinum engagement rings to gold engagement rings, or palladium engagement rings to silver engagement rings. You may find that she finds titanium engagement rings, or even tungsten engagement rings to be especially appealing. She is the person who is going to be wearing the ring, so when you are pretty certain that at some point down the line you are going to be making that ultimate proposal, it is time to start picking her brain in a very offhanded and subtle manner.

When the time comes to go shopping for the perfect engagement ring, you will find that there are many choices out there. The best strategy is to have some idea of what types of rings the love of your life seems to ooh and ah over, and use that information accordingly.

Tags: diamond engagement ring, engagement ring, gold engagement ring, platinum engagement ring, silver engagement ring, the perfect engagement ring, titanium engagement ring, tungsten engagement ring
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Titanium Engagement Rings

Monday, May 4th, 2009

I saw a woman wearing a titanium engagement ring the other day, and it was really lovely and seemed to suit her style and sense of self very well. It had a very unique tension setting, and it conveyed a combination of strength and permanence juxtaposed next to softness, vulnerability, and pure, vibrant beauty. The way that the diamond was cradled between the “arms” of the titanium ring made a profound statement, and I was very impressed.

I struck up a conversation with the woman and asked her how she liked her titanium engagement ring, and why she chose a titanium ring rather than a gold engagement ring, or even a silver engagement ring, because her titanium ring was the same color, more or less, than a silver engagement ring. She told me that frankly, the purchase of a titanium engagement ring was not her own choice. She was surprised by her fiancÃ© and she actually didn’t know much at all about titanium before she was presented with her titanium engagement ring. She had learned in school that it was a very hard and sturdy metal that is lightweight and used in the aerospace and automobile industries. She also said she owned a titanium tennis racket. She did mention that she had heard something about titanium being used to make jewelry, but not being a big jewelry person, she just hadn’t looked into it.

The ring that she was wearing was simple in a way, but creatively elegant and as I say it really got my attention, so much so that I was compelled to approach her about it. I asked her about the comfort of the ring when you are wearing it all the time, and she said that her ring was designed with what was called a “semi-comfort fit.” The inner edges of the titanium engagement ring that she had were rounded like the full fledged “comfort fit,” but not as extremely, so the ring fit very comfortably, but it slipped onto her finger firmly. She said that in terms of fit, her titanium engagement ring was the perfect marriage of comfort and the secure feeling that her ring would not fall off of her finger, or be easily removed by the adept hands of a surprise thief.

She also added that even though she was not very familiar with titanium engagement rings before she got hers, she was absolutely stunned when she saw it for the first time. She confided that her fiancÃ© had been struggling with the tough economy when he was shopping for her engagement ring, and he was just blown away when the jeweler introduced him to titanium engagement rings. He was concerned that a gold engagement ring or a platinum engagement ring might set him back even further and drive him deeper into debt just when he was preparing to get married. But he honestly loved the titanium engagement ring that he would up buying and felt in the end that he really wasn’t compromising at all.

There are many engagement ring choices out there, and though the traditional gold, silver, and platinum or palladium engagement rings will never go out of style, this couple’s experience demonstrates the fact that a titanium engagement ring is a viable alternative as well.

Tags: diamond engagement ring, engagement ring, gold engagement ring, platinum engagement ring, silver engagement ring, titanium engagement ring
Posted in Alternatative Metals, Engagement Rings, Ring Musings | Comments Off

Engagement Ring Research

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

When someone has decided that they have found the person that they would like to spend the rest of their life with, they have truly been blessed. Finding the ideal life partner is an elusive task, and when it finally happens, it is something that mere words cannot adequately describe. This is one of the reasons that a diamond engagement ring is such a wonderful thing, because when you ask that special someone to marry you, there is so much to it that only a symbol can truly explain the way that you feel. The precious metals involved, of the earth but so transcendentally beautiful, formed and etched to artistic perfection, coupled with the effervescent purity and permanence of the diamond center say more than language can possibly convey.

It is a pleasure to be involved in a business that is so integral to the tradition of engagement. Buying diamonds can be difficult for a number or reasons, but one of the many nice things about the Internet is the way it makes diamond engagement ring research so simple and convenient.

For instance, if you want to learn about the different characteristics of diamond quality, all you have to do is search for the “4Cs of diamonds” (which are, incidentally, cut, carat, color, and clarity). If you are wondering how you can make sure that your diamond engagement ring is authentic, you can explore certification laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America online and gain an understanding of the diamond certification process.

Precious metals are something that few of us are very familiar with until we embark on the search for the perfect engagement ring. People generally think about gold engagement rings or perhaps platinum engagement rings first, but what types of gold engagement rings are out there? What is the difference between 24k and 14k or 18k gold? How much should I be paying for a platinum ring? Is a silver engagement ring a good choice? Many people are asking about tungsten engagement rings and titanium engagement rings. Years ago, you had to depend on what the jeweler told you, or research them at the library. These days, it is a snap to arm yourself with the information that you need to shop for an engagement ring intelligently.

You need to know the lay of the land when you are buying an engagement ring, and the comparison shopping opportunities that are available online are very useful resources. You can look at engagement rings with similar features side by side, being offered by many different sources, and get a good idea of the correct price to pay. They say that knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you bring to the table when you are shopping for an engagement ring, the better.

Love is grand, and the day that a couple gets engaged is one of the happiest and most memorable days of their lives. With a little bit of research and a discerning eye, you can be certain that you are presenting your beau with the perfect engagement ring that she will cherish for a lifetime.

Tags: diamond engagement ring, engagement ring, gold engagement ring, platinum engagement ring, silver engagement ring, titanium engagement ring, tungsten engagement ring
Posted in Buying Diamonds, Engagement Rings, The 4 C's | Comments Off

Engagement Rings: “You Just Know”

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

I can remember talking with my mother when I was very young and just beginning to notice members of the opposite sex in “that way,” and the conversation turned serious. The enormity of deciding who would be the special girl that that I was going to buy an engagement ring for at some time in the future really struck me. Even as a youngster I knew that buying the love of your life a diamond engagement ring and getting married was a beautiful event that was very meaningful. I also felt the strong sense that it was very important to do everything right, from selecting the perfect platinum or gold engagement ring down to every detail of the wedding.

My mother told me something that sticks in my head until this day. When I asked her how you know if the girl that you think you are going to propose to and present with an engagement ring is truly the right person for you, she said, very simply, “You’ll just know.” I somehow understood what she was getting at, though as a youth I was usually only satisfied by very concrete answers to my questions. There is that certain feeling, an inner sense of certainty that cannot be adequately explained with words, that lets you know when you have found “the one.”

If you have been fortunate enough to experience the feeling that my mother was trying to explain to me, it is then time to go shopping in earnest for the perfect engagement ring for that ideal woman that you want to spend the rest of your life with. There are many choices out there when you are shopping for an engagement ring, and it can be hard to find something that suits your tastes and looks like a ring that your significant other will like as well. Should you buy a gold engagement ring, a platinum engagement ring, a silver engagement rings, or a palladium engagement ring? How about those titanium engagement rings, or tungsten engagement rings, are they a good choice?

Questions abound when you are going to propose and it is time to decide which engagement ring you should buy. Doing research online to understand what is out there and about how much the various choices cost is a good idea. You want to have some engagement ring knowledge so that you can get a value on whatever ring you decide to buy. You can also read some articles on the ins and outs of buying an engagement ring to help you along. Then it is time to do a lot of comparison shopping and look at a lot of rings until you find the diamond engagement ring that you feel is right for you and your girlfriend.

It can be a little bit time consuming to find your engagement ring, or you may find one that you like right away, but one thing is certain: you will find the perfect engagement ring, and when you do, you will “just know” that it is the right one for you.

Tags: diamond engagement ring, engagement ring, gold engagement ring, palladium engagement ring, platinum engagement ring, silver engagement ring, the perfect engagement ring, titanium engagement ring, tungsten engagement ring
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Unique and Stunning Asscher Cut Engagement Rings

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Okay, so you are a man who knows little to nothing about women’s jewelry, and you decide that you have been single long enough and you are ready to ask your honey to marry you. You may start thinking about the perfect place to pop the question. Maybe you should take her on a vacation…perhaps a tropical island or a ski trip in the mountains. Maybe it would be best to go to your favorite restaurant, or a concert in the park. Or maybe you are one of those guys who is feeling the ballgame scoreboard proposal or the freeway billboard thing. However and wherever you choose to do the deed, your next challenge is to learn something about women’s jewelry. You are going to have to select an engagement ring that is hard to say no to, and that is going to take some effort.

Not knowing a lot about women’s jewelry before you get married is not necessarily a very bad thing. It is totally possible that you wouldn’t have a girlfriend at all if you were the type of guy that is deeply into women’s jewelry and accessories. But I digress. Once you know that you are going to be buying an engagement ring, you have to know what’s out there and try to get some sort of inkling about what type of ring will truly wow your fiance-to-be.

A diamond is a precious commodity, but the way that it is cut is one of the things that sets one stone apart from another, and like anything else, there are varying standards of quality when you are talking about cut. One unique and stunning cut is the Asscher cut diamond. The style was patented by the Dutch brothers Asscher back in 1902, and the Asscher cut has been synonymous with elegant lapidary excellence ever since. The Asscher stone has a squarish shape with the corners cut so that the stone actually resembles an octagon. If you are wondering what type of engagement ring you may be able to present to your spouse-to-be that is truly precise and unmistakably eye-catching, you may want to consider an Asscher cut diamond. It is interesting to note that because of the fact that the cut is patented, each and every Asscher stone can be identified and authenticated (under magnification of course) through the family seal that each diamond carries on its girdle.

There is a saying that goes something like “I don’t know art, but I know what I like.” If you are somewhat intimidated by the prospect of buying an engagement ring, fear not. Simply do some web browsing and get a feel for the choices that you have, and think like the person who is considering buying a work of art. Find something that you like and it is very likely that the woman in your life will like it as well. Pay attention to detail, take notice of the intricacy of the cut, and let your common sense and personal taste guide the way.

Tags: Asscher Cut Engagement Rings, Diamond Engagement Rings, diamond rings, engagement ring, Wedding Rings
Posted in Buying Diamonds, Designer Engagement Rings, Engagement Ring Sets, Engagement Rings, Gemstone Facts, Ring Musings, Wedding Rings | Comments Off