For more than two hundred years, Engagement Rings have been offered to a woman as a symbol of a man’s commitment to marry her.  The moment that she dreams about her entire life is sealed with a diamond Engagement Ring, and one of the most exciting times of her life commences…planning the wedding.  Historically, not only has the woman been the only one to receive an Engagement Ring, but she was also the only one to wear a wedding band.  It was not until World War Two that men also began to display their marital status and commitment to their wives by donning a shiny gold band on their left hand.  While at war soldiers began to wear the rings to honor their wives back home and prove their commitment to the relationship from so far away.  Since that time, it is more common for a man to wear a wedding ring, but what about the tradition of only women wearing Engagement Rings? This is also changing, more men are starting to wear Engagement Rings right along side their fiancées.

Why is tradition evolving and more men showing interest in wearing Engagement Rings?  In the past, men were shy to be the first ones wearing Engagement Rings and risk getting teased by their buddies, but two things have urged the trend; women want the world to know that their fiancé is betrothed, and men are more and more accepting of fashion in general.  Just like the evolved tradition of men and women wearing wedding rings, it stands to reason that Engagement Ring tradition would evolve as well.

Lets face it, typically, what women want, women get.  Ladies have noticed that they are treated a little differently once they place that Engagement Ring on their finger, and suddenly the world knows that they are no longer on the market.  Many women want their fiancés to share in this experience, and well…they want all the other women out there to know their man is taken.  Also, when a guy wears an Engagement Ring along side his girlfriend, he takes his commitment to another level and really shows her how much she, and this marriage mean to him.  When a man dons an Engagement Ring, he is not “whipped,” as some of his friends may insinuate, but he is actually very astute and sensitive to her feelings.

Men are also getting into the Engagement Ring wearing business because men’s fashion has come such a long way in the last two decades. Thanks to famed fashion aficionados like ball players, actors, and musicians (David Beckham and P Diddy come to mind) men’s fashion has exploded.  The boys that enjoy wearing stylish clothes or jewelry no longer automatically get the labeled: “metro-sexual.”  Men with the latest clothing trends are no longer looked down upon by their buddies, but accepted and often admired.  Male Engagement Rings are a part of this emerging men’s fashion world.  In fact, many high-end jewelers are now selling collections of men’s Engagement Rings, or what some call, “man-gagement,” rings.

Browse a fine selection of engagement rings for both men and women at EngagementRings.org.

The key to finding the perfect ring for your bride-to-be at an online auction site is to educate yourself on the best methods of finding a ring and learning how to avoid scams and sellers that are less than reputable.

Step One: Research

Before you can begin browsing auction listings, it’s important to get an idea of the type of ring your bride-to-be prefers. The best way to do this is to visit local jewelers and compare various gemstones, accent stones, settings and metals to find the engagement ring design you prefer.

Keep her ring size handy as well, as this will also help you narrow your search and prevent you from having to wade through countless search results that aren’t for you.

Step 2: Finding a Ring

Once you know the type of engagement ring you’re looking for, you can begin searching on the auction site. Select the jewelry category, and type in your keywords based on what you are looking for.

Keep it simple, though; for example, “emerald cut diamond ring” or “white gold engagement ring,” will work, but if you are super specific you will end up missing out on a lot of beautiful choices or not find anything at all!

You can also vary your chosen keywords slightly to catch auctions that may have misspelled words or different phrasing. This is a great way to find engagement rings you would have missed otherwise!

Step 3: Check the Seller’s Reputation

Online auctions can be tricky, especially when there are people out there who only care about making a quick buck. To avoid potential problems or scams, check the seller’s reputation very carefully.

Read their existing feedback and seller rating, and if you can, try contacting previous buyers to get their impressions of their purchases.

The auction page should list the seller’s policies, including shipping costs, detailed information about the engagement ring, as well as a return policy and payment methods. They should also be willing to answer any questions you might have.

Bottom line: If your instincts tell you something seems off, it probably is.

Step 4: Investigate the Ring

Because you have to depend on photographs and descriptions to determine if the engagement ring you’re viewing at an online auction is the perfect choice for you, it can be tricky to determine if the ring is what it says it is.

Carefully read the item description and make sure all relevant information is included. If it’s not, ask! Also check prices on similar rings to make sure you are actually getting a deal and not overbidding.

You’ll also want to make sure there are several photographs of the ring included. Do not bid on an engagement ring listing without pictures! Pictures should be taken from every angle of the ring, and there should be a few close up shots to show detailing.

If you are worried about the authenticity of the ring, ask to see a certificate of sale or the original documents. If these aren’t available, ask if the seller will have it appraised and send the results to you. If you still can’t get anywhere, you just need to trust the seller’s feedback and reputation and hope you are getting the ring that is advertised.

While finding an engagement ring at an online auction might seem like a recipe for disaster, with the proper planning and research you can score a great deal on a unique ring that your bride-to-be will treasure for years to come.

To find my advice on how to find the perfect engagement rings, visit EngagementRings.org.

When couples become engaged and a man offers an engagement ring to a woman, it is likely the most romantic time in this woman’s life.  The engagement and the wedding ceremony are events that she has been anticipating her entire life, and she wants every detail to play out as it did in her fantasies.  From the way he asks and presents the engagement ring to the music playing as she walks down the aisle, every single aspect of the marriage process is significant to her…especially the style of engagement ring.

Engagement rings that reflect designs of the Victorian and Art Deco era offer unique design elements that modern engagement rings may lack.  There are unique features that will allow you to recognize vintage engagement rings and that make these engagement rings special.

-       Vintage Engagement Rings were Crafted from White Gold or Platinum:

• Most vintage engagement rings will be crafted from a white metal because during these periods platinum and white gold was very popular.

-       Vintage Engagement Rings Featured Detailed Engraving or Tracery:

• Most vintage engagement rings will also feature elaborate and delicate carved and engraved patterns and tracery.  This is because the increased use of platinum in these rings created during these periods allowed designers to experiment with advanced designs.  Also, design trends at the time were also very elaborate and detailed.

-       Vintage Engagement Rings Showcase Vintage Diamond Shapes:

• You will not likely find modern diamond shapes in vintage inspired engagement rings; most will showcase much older diamond shapes.  Cushion cut and Emerald cut diamonds were all the rage during the Victorian and Art Deco eras, so many replicas of these engagement rings will also features the Cushion cut or Emerald cut diamond as a center stone.

-       Vintage Engagement Rings Feature Clusters of Small Diamonds:

• Many times these engagement rings would be designed with many small diamonds, often called a pave setting.  The inclusion of these many small diamonds surrounding a center stone give the engagement rings added sparkle and femininity.

The unique beauty of vintage inspired engagement rings is just one reason that modern brides are seeking these historic styles. They also reflect historic times and thus inspire romantic thoughts among those who see or wear them.  A detailed three stone diamond engagement ring with intricate floral openwork may remind a women of a historic love story, or a stunning vintage inspired art deco platinum engagement ring may bring about visions of a soldier returning from war to marry his fiancé.  Whatever the style or story, vintage inspired engagement rings have a way of sparking our romantic imaginations.

Visit EngagementRings.org to see a large selection of engagement rings.

When a man plans to propose to his girlfriend, he wants the moment to be truly special. By presenting her with a vintage or antique engagement ring he is showing her that he truly has a romantic side. Many engagement rings that were created in the past have a more feminine and thus romantic feel because these rings possess intricate and delicate design details. Inspired by designs from the Edwardian or Art Deco era, these vintage rings are often crafted from platinum or white gold, and usually showcase engraved openwork or milgrain designs in the setting.

In addition to the beautiful engraved openwork and milgrain patterns, many antique engagement rings sparkle more than a modern engagement ring because rather than have just one large center diamond, these rings have many small diamonds. This allows you to wear a ring that has a heavy carat weight but at a lesser cost. Also, the many small diamonds in a vintage or antique engagement ring work together to create a ring with an amazing sparkle.

Micro pave engagement rings are very common vintage or antique engagement ring styles. Pave is taken from the French word pavement, or to cover. These rings that have may small diamonds that cover the setting. With all of these brilliant stones working together, you can imagine the kind radiant sparkle that a vintage micro pave engagement ring offers!

Brides also like to wear vintage or antique engagement rings because they are nostalgic and remind them of the romantic past. They reflect bygone eras are sometimes more magical, and becoming engaged and planning a wedding is one of the most magical times in a woman’s life. She may want one of these rings because it better suits her mood during these moments. Some prefer an actual engagement ring that was handed down through generations, or many modern brides purchase a vintage inspired engagement ring that they are the first to own, and that they can pass down to their children.

To view a fine selection of vintage and antique engagement ring, visit EngagementRings.org.

What are Cushion Cuts?

Cushion cuts are aptly named and are characterized by rounded corners and a square or rectangular shape with a “puffy” appearance, kind of like an overstuffed chair cushion.

This type of diamond cut is quite popular, especially as an alternative to more traditional cuts such as princess, emerald or oval shapes. In fact, cushion cuts take inspiration from all three of those shapes for a unique and distinctive stone perfect for any bride-to-be’s engagement ring.

They are especially popular cuts for vintage rings, as cushion cuts became very widespread during the late 1800′s and early 1900′s. In fact, even though contemporary cushion cuts are available, it will be difficult to find this type of cut outside of a vintage or antique ring.

The Quality

It is very important to judge the quality of a cushion cut diamond very carefully. Because cushion cuts have fewer facets, they will not sparkle as brilliantly as other diamond cuts. Additionally, fewer facets means that any flaws or imperfections present in the stone will be much more visible.

Because of this, it is critical that you examine a cushion cut diamond very carefully for any obvious flaws that will detract from the overall beauty of the stone. Even flaws that would be considered minor have a tendency to be more noticeable with a cushion cut.

Styles

Cushion cuts are still relatively rare in contemporary rings. Even so, they work well as solitaire engagement rings because the cut is so unique that the ring will not need any other accents or embellishments that would detract from the beauty of the diamond.

However, you certainly can incorporate accent stones into your engagement ring design even with a cushion cut. Many brides-to-be accent a cushion cut central diamond with smaller oval diamonds on each side for a sparkling, brilliant appearance.

Finding a Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

As mentioned previously, it is quite difficult to find cushion cut diamonds outside of vintage or antique rings from the 1900′s. Your best bet is to purchase a loose cushion cut stone and have it set into an appropriate mounting according to your bride-to-be’s preferences and your budget.

If you are happy with an antique or vintage ring, you can also search out various pawn shops, antique stores, estate sales or online retailers for a true vintage cushion cut diamond engagement ring as well.

Trends come and go, and cushion cut diamonds are finally starting to come back in modern engagement ring designs today. Cushion cuts are sophisticated, elegant and a lovely alternative to traditional diamond cuts and for the bride-to-be who desires vintage appeal without sacrificing beauty, a cushion cut engagement ring may be the perfect choice.

View our selection of modern and antique enagagement rings in EngagementRings.org.

This is a question that many brides and grooms pose, especially in turbulent economic times.  Since engagements are sealed with a ring and a promise, perhaps without this ring they are not valid.  Marriages are also sealed with a ring and a promise, but there is then the accompanying paperwork and legal binding contracts that follow the ceremony.  Engagements do not have legally binding contracts, and courts have ruled in the past that the offer and acceptance of a diamond engagement ring does in fact legally create an agreement.  So, when there is no physical token of your proposal and acceptance to marry…are you in fact engaged?

Some feel that you are not, and that in order to truly be engaged you must wear some sort of ring.  If this is true, then are there stipulations to what the ring must look like?  Does the engagement ring have to be made of metal?  Must the engagement ring have diamonds?  Or, can the engagement ring cost .25 cents from the local vending machine, as opposed to $2500 from the local jeweler?  If an engagement ring is mandatory to secure a true engagement, then what are the required parameters of the engagement ring?  Would a bright yellow plastic decoder ring do just as well as a platinum engagement ring or diamond solitaire?  Must the ring be worn everyday, or can it just be worn occasionally?

Others feel that engagement rings are not necessary to seal the agreement to marry. A simple ask and answer is all that is needed for a couple to be engaged, and since even if a ring is exchanged either member of the couple can opt out of the wedding at any time (even after all the flowers, bridesmaids, and guest have been collected) then an engagement is not a legally binding agreement in the first place…stunning diamond ring, or not!

Either way, it appears that engagements are truly an arrangement between two people, and if an engagement ring is not important to you, then you do not need to wear one.  No one will prevent you from walking down the aisle because you have not been flashing a brilliant cushion cut diamond engagement ring prior to the big day, but if you do wish to have an engagement ring, try shopping for yours at EngagementRings.org!

Are you considering joining the likes of Fisher, McLean, and Brand, and proposing to your girlfriend as well?  Or, are you dropping hints to your man to treat you like Carrie Underwood or Katy Perry, drop to one knee, and present you with a diamond ring?  If so, you may want to consider what some of the diamond engagement ring trends for 2010 will be.

Eternity Rings:

Eternity rings, or anniversary rings, are unlike a diamond solitaire engagement ring and have diamonds that run the circumference of the band.  These are typically given to a wife by her husband on an anniversary, but are also becoming popular as engagement rings and wedding bands.

Alternative Metals:

Gold is a hot commodity in a down economy, it has also caused quite a stir among the “Green” crowd as detrimental to the environment, and is one of the softer engagement ring metals available.  These facts have increased the popularity of alternative metals such as titanium and stainless steel.  Both of these metals are less expensive then gold, they are much stronger than gold, and many rings made from stainless steel have been comprised of recycled materials.  Today, many jewelers offer extensive selections of titanium engagement rings and stainless steel engagement rings.

Non-Traditional Designs:

People are thinking outside the box and straying from traditional diamond engagement ring solitaires.  Think colored gemstones such as rubies and sapphires, geometric shapes such as triangles, diamonds, and rectangles, and other non-traditional designs like those that incorporate several types of metal, inset the stone as opposed to a raised setting, and include more stones that just the diamond solitaire.  There are many modern engagement ring settings on the market…or design your own!

Custom Engagement Rings:

Can’t find the ring you want already designed by a jeweler?  Today’s ring buying market wants to see their funds spread as far as they can, and if they choose to part with their hard earned cash in this type of economy, they want to get the ring of their dreams.  This is leading many couples to opt for custom engagement rings with the help of online retailers as well as brick and mortar jewelers.

Antique Engagement Rings:

While many couples are breaking from engagement ring tradition, others are seeking a symbol of the past and selecting among the many recreated engagement rings from the Edwardian and Art Deco period.  These rings are very detailed and feminine, often made from white gold or platinum.

There has been a lot of debate over who owns the engagement ring when a couple who is planning a wedding decides to call it off, both among the public, and the courts, but several precedents have been set, and before you propose, you may want to be aware of what could happen.

Barry Meyer and Robyn Mitnick became engaged in August of 2001 when Barry proposed to Robyn with a $19,500 engagement ring.  A few months later, Barry presented Robyn with a prenuptial agreement, which she refused to sign.  The disagreement over the pre-nup ended their engagement, and the couple broke off their wedding.  Barry asked Robin for the engagement ring back, but she refused, prompting him to sue her in a Michigan court.

There are a few legal terms that apply to engagement rings that you should understand.  These terms support the precedent setting court case Meyer v. Mitnick, where Robyn, even after appeal, was ordered to return her engagement ring after the couple broke off their upcoming marriage:

Conditional Gift:

This is a gift that is given essentially under contract.  Meaning, when given, the receiver and the giver have entered into an agreement that validates the receiver holding the gift.  Engagement rings are considered by most courts to be conditional gifts.

Unconditional Gift:

This is the traditional thought behind gifts, that they are given unconditionally, and once gifted, cannot be revoked.  This term applies to most gifts other than engagement rings.

Fault:

Many have believed that whomever is at fault for ending the engagement revokes the rights to the engagement ring.  In other words, if the man breaks the engagement, the woman keeps the ring, but if the woman breaks the engagement, she returns the ring.

No-Fault:

This is the general rule set in place by the courts.  It doesn’t matter who breaks the engagement, the ring must be returned.

The courts declared that an engagement ring is a conditional gift, dependant upon the couple actually getting married.  If the marriage takes place, then the ring belongs to the woman, she did not break the condition of the gift.  If the couple does not marry, the condition has been broken, and the gift must be returned.  The court also believes that this does not depend on who is at fault for ending the engagement.

The Meyer v. Mitnick ruling reads as follows:

“Affirmed. A determination of who owns the engagement ring following termination of the engagement does not require a determination of which party was at fault. Marriage is an implied condition of the transfer of title to the ring, so the gift does not become absolute until the marriage occurs. The ring must be returned to its donor.”

You can read more blogs about and shop for engagement rings at EngagementRings.org.

Back in the hands of jewelers after the war, platinum has again become the precious metal of choice for the elite.  The paparazzi constantly snap shots of celebrities and royalty donning platinum engagement rings, but in recent times these rings have also become increasingly popular among the general population.  This is not because platinum has decreased in price, but because of the Internet’s ability to educate today’s consumer, people are learning about the superior qualities of platinum engagement rings, and have been willing to pay the higher price they demand.

Why are these rings so sought after?  Why are brides and grooms that may be tied to a strict budget willing to stretch their dollars in the direction of platinum over gold?  First of all, platinum is many times more rare than gold, which is the central reason for the higher cost, but also adds to the lore of the engagement ring.  Women know that when they feel the heavy weight of a platinum engagement ring upon their finger they are wearing something extra special.  The prestige that accompanies a platinum ring is worth something to most, but is certainly not the central reason.

When you purchase a platinum engagement ring you are also getting more beauty and durability.  Platinum is stronger than gold, and will maintain its original shape and beauty for generations, while gold will become more worn and brittle over many years.  When platinum is scratched, it is merely displaced, while gold is actually worn away.  Another benefit, and possibly the most key point of all, is thanks to platinum’s superior strength, you can guarantee that your stones will be held tightly and safely, and there is much less danger of them coming loose. Prongs made from platinum will stand the test of time; this is why most large carat diamond engagement rings are crafted from platinum.

In addition to strength, platinum’s pure white color adds to the bright sparkle of diamonds.  Combining a platinum setting with a beautiful clear diamond creates a stunning and classic combination not matched in any other form.  Rarity, strength, and beauty make platinum and diamond engagement rings the most stunning choice for any bride.

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.