The Best Engagement Rings

How To Build Your Own Engagement Ring

Admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:43:56 +0000

Borrow From Any Look Of Your Dreams- Build YOUR Own Custom Ring

Because your engagement ring is a piece of jewelry you'll treasure for a lifetime, you'll want it to be as special as the love and commitment it represents. And if you have the engagement ring of your dreams clearly envisioned in your mind, you can bring it to life by building it yourself. You don't have to be an experienced jeweler to build an engagement ring--there are plenty of online resources to help you get the job done, or you can simply enlist the help of a local jeweler. Whichever way you decide to go about it, here are the steps you'll need to take to build an engagement ring that's as unique as you are.

Choose a Metal

The first step in building an engagement ring is to choose the metal you want your ring to be made of. If you like a traditional gold color, you may want to stick with yellow-gold. If you generally wear more silver jewelry, white gold and platinum would be better options. Many people are very sensitive to particular types of metal and if you're one of them, palladium might be the metal of choice for you as it's a nickel-free metal.

Decide on a Setting

Setting options for an engagement ring truly are endless--and if you can imagine it, there's probably a setting that will fit your design. Traditional settings such as the prong setting or bar setting are very popular--they're great for larger-sized stones and they're very strong and secure. A bezel setting is also a good choice when it comes to settings. Not only is it secure--it also helps hide minor imperfections in the stone due to the fact that it encases the stone either partially or entirely via a circular metal band. Flush and tension settings use the metal band itself for support, no prongs required, while channel and invisible settings are best used if your ring will host several smaller stones. If you want your ring to have a focal stone along with several accent stones, a variation or customized setting will probably work best for you. Settings vary in price, and the more stones you incorporate, the more you should expect to spend.

Select Your Stones

Traditionally diamonds are the stone of choice for engagement rings, but any precious gemstone can be used in your custom-built ring. Whether you choose a diamond or another treasured stone, select the size and shape that will work best with your setting choice. Princess, Emerald, and Radiant are popular square-cut diamonds--they work well with prong settings and are known to really sparkle and shine. Other popular shapes for engagement ring stones are the oval, heart, pear, and marquise. A combination of shapes can be used in a custom-built ring, especially if accent stones are part of your design.

Personalize with Unique Details

When you build your own engagement ring, you have the opportunity to incorporate unique detailing that can't be found on the rings in a jeweler's window display case. A design etched around the band, a heartfelt message engraved on the inside of the ring, or symbol used to make-up part of the metal band are just a few personal details that you can build into your one-of-a-kind engagement ring.

Building your own engagement ring is a wonderful way to express the love you share with that special someone. The building process will allow you to be as creative as you want to be so that you end up with a fairy-tale engagement ring unlike any other.

Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes about insurance quotes for InsuranceQuotes.org.

Borrow From Any Look Of Your Dreams- Build YOUR Own Custom Ring

What You Need To Know About Diamond Certification

Admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:21:48 +0000

A diamond certification begins with grading and evaluating a diamond to determine its value. Color, clarity, cut, and carat weight are the attributes of diamonds and are the 4Cs. Once diamonds are graded, a detailed report lists each one of the diamond’s attributes. Make sure the gemologist is certified by the Gemology Institute of America or GIA because it is your assurance that he or she maintains the highest code of ethics when grading and carrying out the diamond certification process.

Grading System

Established in 1931, GIA developed the International Grading System for accurately grading gemstones. It is an integral part of the diamond certification process. The GIA is trusted as the respected authority that educates and certifies gemologists. It takes a series of scientific tests and evaluations to perform the grading process on a diamond. Gemologists use sophisticated equipment to grade color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.

Color

Before grading a diamond, the first step is to determine if it is natural or synthetic. A color scale establishes a diamond's color and grades it from ‘D’ to ‘Z’. The ‘D’ grade is colorless while a ‘Z’ grade is light yellow to brown in color. The categories on the scale are colorless, nearly colorless, faint, very light, and light. Nearly colorless gemstones are widely used in jewelry. For accuracy in grading color, gemologists use a set of master gemstones that precisely match the color scale to compare and determine the grade of a gemstone.

Clarity

When the gemologist looks at a stone, he or she is looking for internal and surface inclusions, which are natural forming characteristics or byproducts of the gem’s formation. Each inclusion gives diamonds their unique ‘fingerprints’. This scale has 11 clarity grades from ‘flawless’ to ‘I3’. A flawless gemstone has no inclusions while the grade ‘I3’ has inclusions visible to the naked eye. An example of an inclusion is ‘VS’, which stands for a Very Small inclusion. Gemologists use a jeweler’s 10X magnification loupe and a microscope to see inclusions and spot diamonds that received treatment to enhance their appearance. Inclusions noted on the grading report are part of the diamond certification process.

Cut

This step of the grading process determines the beauty and appearance of the diamond. The five ratings on the scale are excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. The round brilliant cut is the standard when determining and grading the cut of a diamond. However, the rating scale applies to any cut of diamond. In addition to cut, gemologists look at a diamond's light performance. The sparkle and brilliance of diamonds depend on their cut and polish, how light strikes the surface, and how much light returns to the eye from the diamond. All of these factors affect the appearance of a diamond.

Next, the diamond is rotated 360 degrees in order to create a 3-D model. Although there are no exact measurements that determine a well cut diamond, GIA uses a complex set of calculations to determine a diamond’s proportion. In addition to proportion, symmetry is another aspect of grading the cut of a diamond.

Carat Weight

One carat equals 200 milligrams or 1/5 of a gram in weight and larger stones are valued higher. For instance, a 1 carat diamond is worth more than four 1/4 carat diamonds put together. An electronic scale weighs to the fifth decimal place, and diamonds sold are at weights to the second decimal place-2.25 carats.

A grading report contains detailed information about the diamond and completes the diamond certification process. For access to the report, it is also online. As added insurance, a diamond can be laser inscribed with report number, message, or logo.

Why Certification

The purpose for diamond certification ensures that customers receive an accurate representation of diamond attributes and an assigned value according to the International Grading System criteria.

When purchasing a diamond, complete the diamond certification process and ask for the GIA certificate. As an added measure of assurance, confirm that the information on the GIA certificate by looking through a jeweler’s 10X magnification loupe. While diamonds are a symbol of lasting beauty, it is equally important to get what you pay for.

Author bio:

Ken Thomas is diamond jeweler and avid blogger who writes for numerous blogs including New Updates Weekly.

Antique Styled Wedding Bands

Admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:28:34 +0000

Diamond Antique Style 18k White Gold Eternity Wedding Band Ring

This magnificent antique style 18k white gold eternity wedding band ring,features 18 round brilliant cut white diamonds of F color, VS2 clarity and excellent cut and brilliance, weighing .19 carat total. This diamond wedding band has caviar beading, creating an antique style effect.

Pink Diamond Engagement Rings

Admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:20:30 +0000

Fancy Pink Diamond Engagement Ring

Amazon.com Widgets

David & Company is featuring an extremely rare Fancy Pink Diamond ring. The Fancy Pink diamond weighs 2.50 carats having a clarity of I2. The pink diamond is set in cluster ring, the center stone is surrounded by 1 row of 12 full cut natural pink diamonds having a total weight of 1.17 carats, set with .09 carats of full cut pink diamonds in the under-gallery, as well as .15 carats of colorless full cut diamonds cascading down the shoulder of the Platinum ring shank. This extraordinary pink diamond is from the exclusive Argyle Diamond mine in Perth, Australia. An Argyle pink attains its rich color from pressure forcing the stone toward the surface of the Earth, which enables it to absorb some sediments of colors at 100 thousand miles beneath the world above. Over 90% of the world's pink diamonds originate from the Argyle mine, though only 55-60 of these precious stones make it to the retail market every year, at an average weight of 1 carat. An Argyle pink is truly a one in a million stone, as per every million rough stones that are mined every year, only 1 of those million will be cut, polished, and set.

Platinum Plus Eternity Sapphire Wedding Bands

Admin — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:16:54 +0000

PINK SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND ANTIQUE-STYLE HAND MADE RING From Platinum Plus Designs

Platinum Plus Designs specialize in fine quality manufacturer direct and pre-owned jewelry at closeout prices. They feature fine jewelry with genuine diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies, as well as a quality selection of semi-precious stones, all set in solid gold, silver or platinum. Their antique reproduction rings with sapphire and diamonds are especially impressive featuring a colored stones than the common white diamonds that have flooded the market. Mixing in precious stones makes their jewelry eye catching and interesting. Sapphires again have caught public attention for engagement rings after Prince William proposed with his mother Diana's diamond and sapphire engagement ring. Sapphires are the choice of the royal family than the diamond. Platinum Plus's eternity wedding bands are all together unique and different.

Bezel Set Diamond Engagement Rings

Admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:55:36 +0000

Bezel Set Diamond Ring Solomon Brothers Fine Jewelry On Sale For $709

Tiffany fluted settings are often advertised as the ideal choice of engagement rings, but practically can be difficult to wear for the average woman. We often don't understand that the bigger the diamond, the higher the setting sits on the finger. For a woman who gardens, and uses her hands quite a bit, a bulky ring often is put away in fear of damaging the ring, or getting it dirty. Bezel set diamonds are becoming more popular as many men tend to lean towards simplistic or architecturally designed rings showcasing the diamond in a unique pattern, than the heavier large diamonds.

A bezel setting is a modern setting which has a metal rim that encircles the sides of the diamond extends slightly above it which secures the diamond in place. The rim, or collar stretches around the diamonds entire circumference or around only a portion of it when we deal with half bezel settings.

A bezel has a stunning overall look with the feature of holding the diamond in place securely that your woman can do any type of work in the yard, in the garage without fear the diamond will be knocked out of its setting. For the woman with more of an active lifestyle, jogging and sports, bezel settings might be the way to go. Bezel settings are also lower, making it easier to wear a ring and work or play at the same time. Bezel settings also can be fantastic at disguise chips or imperfections around the diamond.

The rope bezel diamond engagement ring is particularly striking. It features an ornate rope design but remains rather minimal which is rather exciting. The rope diamond ring in gold is among my favorites, and ideally I would pear it up with a cushion canary diamond. They feature this series in white gold perfect for white diamonds, yellow gold and rose. The rose colored gold, would be ideal with a pink diamond for something very extravagant, and unique. They also have a number of other stunning Bezel Diamond Engagement rings that are quite extravagant. They are surprisingly affordable!

A Guide To Purchasing The Best Engagement Rings

Admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:34:00 +0000

If you have never purchased an engagement ring before, you will very quickly find out that there is a whole lot more to it than picking out something that is shiny and pretty. It is actually fairly complicated, and there are a lot of questions you need to ask and a lot of things you need to consider before making your purchase. The most important factor, of course, is what is going to make the bride-to-be happy. Many women have some very precise ideas regarding what their engagement rings should be like, so before buying a ring it is absolutely essential to ask your fiancee about her preferences. You see, the truth is that the best engagement rings are the ones that make your ladies the happiest. But many couples enter the process of purchasing an engagement ring without any preconceived notions. In fact, many recently-engaged couples have little to no knowledge of what to look for in an engagement ring at all. That is where this guide comes in.

The following are five questions to ask when you are getting ready to purchase an engagement ring....

Diamond Engagement Ring

#1) What Is Your Budget?

Many couples can be tempted to go overboard financially when purchasing an engagement ring. That is why it is best to decide upfront what your budget is for purchasing a ring and to stick to that budget no matter what.

#2) Do You Want Something Old Or Something New?

There are a lot of choices besides just the classic diamond solitaire engagement ring. Many antique engagement rings are absolutely spectacular and can serve as a link to the past. At the other end of the spectrum, there are many cutting edge modern engagement rings that are unlike anything that has ever been produced before. So the truth is that there are lots of choices out there and lots of opportunities to pick something that will suit your particular style.

#3) What Kind Of Stone Do You Want?

An engagement ring does not have to have a diamond on it. In fact, a growing number of couples are opting for other exotic stones rather than diamonds for their engagement rings. For example, blue sapphire engagement rings are becoming very popular. So don't be afraid to incorporate other gemstones into your engagement ring, and don't be afraid if you want to leave diamonds out of your ring altogether.

#4) Do You Know Your 4 C's - Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color?

When looking at an engagement ring, you are going to want to ask about all four of these categories. The cut of the diamond is more of a style choice, but the last three categories can have a huge impact on the value of the diamond you are choosing. The truth is that two diamonds can look remarkably similar and yet have vastly different values.

If you are not familiar with the various grades used to judge the quality of a diamond, then we recommend that you get the following excellent guide by Nancy N. Schiffer: Before You Buy an Engagement Ring: With a 4-Step Guide for Making the Right Choice (Schiffer Book).

For much more on the 4 C's, please see another article that we did on this topic: "How To Buy A Diamond".

#5) What Metal Do You Want The Band To Be Made Out Of?

Most of the focus when purchasing an engagement ring is on the gemstones. But the band is another very important consideration. The three most common choices are gold, platinum and white gold, although many couples go another direction in order to save some money.

The truth is that picking out an engagement ring can be an exhilarating experience, but you can also get burned if you do not know what you are doing. It is important to get educated and to do your homework.

For young couples that are working on a tight budget, sometimes you can still get a great ring and save money at the same time by shopping places like Ebay, Craigslist and Amazon. When you do shop online, be sure to research the seller you are considering purchasing from to make sure that they are reputable.

Having purchased an engagement ring online myself, I can honestly say that it does work and you can get a lot more ring for your money than by shopping at the jewelry retailer down at the mall.

But wherever you buy your engagement ring, always be careful and always do your research. If you protect yourself and if you are willing to put in the hard work to find just the right ring, you will have a better chance of ending up with something that you both will love for decades to come.

Sapphire Engagement Rings

Admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:19:07 +0000

ONE of the MOST Beautiful Rings I have ever seen!! 3.25ctw Diamond & 14k Gold & Yellow Sapphire Ring Seller skexports_diamondjewels

When most people hear the word Sapphire they think Blue, but Sapphires come in almost every color except red. Red Sapphires are Rubies.
Sapphires can also come in pure white, which almost look like a diamond without the brilliance of the spectrum that a diamond has. Pink sapphires become very popular after Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez. Padparadscha Sapphires are a fancy colored orange-pink or pinkish-orange. These sapphires are quite rare are costly and are often reproduced in labs because they are hard to find in bigger sizes.

When buying a blue sapphire the best advice is to look at the color of the stone. The most sought after and valuable sapphires are deep blue which often do not change color when the light is changes. Sapphires that are too dark or too light are of less value than a royal blue stone. Many seller will tell you the darker the blue the better, but that is not true. The royal blue sapphire is the most valuable sapphire. Sapphires are found in India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil and Africa, but the best Sapphires come from Ceylon. Buying a blue sapphire is a very unique and regal choice for an engagement ring, as Prince Charles proposed to Lady Diana with a sapphire when he had all the choices of diamonds in the world.

1.25ct Champagne Diamond Yellow Sapphire 14K Gold Ring Seller nrs-diamonds $230USD

Antique Engagement Rings

Admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:28:17 +0000

Estate .87ct F, SI1 Radiant Cut 18k W.G. Ring Ebay Seller Petersuchjewelers1137

There are so many designs to pick from and some of the modern looks are often varied reproductions of the past. Most of the current engagement rings are copies of antique rings, so why not go looking at the original designs. Don't be afraid of mixing in some color, being rubies, or emeralds, there are many looks than the traditional solitaire. When you do buy a ring on line, be sure to consider the color and the grade of diamond. Look in the V's and at lowest SI1. The reason I say this is because in a jewelry store you can look through a loop, and often times a SI2's flaws can be on the edge of the table where it is hidden, thus a pretty good diamond, because you can hide the imperfections with the setting. On line you cannot inspect it in person, so go for a higher grade and the imperfectionswill not be visible by the eye, and you can still get that great bargain online. Another great tip.... For all those purchases across border lines, IE, shipping from the United states into Canada, remember the border customs tax......... Ouch! We paid an extra 1000 dollars just for customs. We were silly, and should have sent it to our US address. Customs is not returnable even if you send back the ring. Just another tip!

Estate 1940 Retro Fine Diamond & Ruby Ring Ebay Seller Petersuchjewelers1137

Estate 1920’s Rare Blue Zircon Platinum Ring Ebay Seller PetersuchJewelers1137

Ritini Engagement Rings

Admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:56:42 +0000

Ritini Engagement Rings

Opening their doors in 99, Ritani has struck popularity, winning their customers over with their craftsmanship and high quality considerations. Ritani uses the finest grade platinum and 18k gold in their jewelry. Ritani designs and hand crafts their jewelry in the United States than abroad. They combine combines the most current, high-tech technology in their design and manufacturing processes, but also combine the traditional -old world setting, hand finishing and fine craftsmanship.

Asscher Diamond Ring

Admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:24:45 +0000

Asscher Diamond Ring

Developed by Joseph Asscher, the Asscher cut was inspired by the table cuts of the Renaissance. It became the forerunner of the standard emerald cut, except the Asscher cut has more light and fire than an emerald cut. In 1902, Asscher Diamond Co. patented a rectilinear diamond cut. The Asscher diamond features a small table, with a high crown, and broad facets. The Royal Asscher Diamond the official branded name for the Asscher cut diamond. It was also the company that distributed in the United States. The short supply leaves a premium price for this special cut. It is recommended when buying a Asscher diamond that the color be at least a H color and a VS2 clarity.

Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:28:14 +0000

1.66CT DIAMOND BLUE SAPPHIRE GOLD WEDDING RING Seller Khanna Jewels Ebay

Charles, Prince of Wales gave a sapphire, than a diamond. It is only in America that the diamond is so over popularized. Their engagement was announced in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on February 24th, 1981, and Diana showed off her white gold engagement ring, which was dominated by an oval sapphire embraced by fourteen diamonds.

In Diana’s own words,.............“He said, ‘Will you marry me?’ and I laughed. I remember thinking, ‘This is a joke,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, okay,’ and laughed. He was deadly serious. He said, ‘You do realize that one day you will be queen.’ And a voice said to me inside, ‘You won’t be queen, but you’ll have a tough role.’ So I said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘I love you so much, I love you so much.’ He said, ‘Whatever love means.’”

Fay Cullen’s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:18:01 +0000

Fay Cullen Antique Diamond Engagement Rings

With over 25 years in the business, Fay Cullen is a prestigious Antique Jewelry Company with exceptional taste with a customers that have especially regal demands. Fay Cullen is one of the biggest antique and estate jewelry companies out there. They comb the market searching for only the best vintage antique styles that are hard to find. For more information on Fay Cullen, find their website at www.faycullen.com If you are after presenting your bride with a one of a kind ring with a ornate rich look, try the antique styles of the past.

Doron Isaak Engagement Rings

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:53:03 +0000

Doron Isaak Engagement Ring

With his start at age 24 he was already working for a luxury retailer on the prestigious Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. He happened to meet a brilliant young woman who happened to work for Forbes Publishing. His story continues has he had the boldness to leave his position and venture out on his own with a manufacturing arm in Antwerp. He designed stunning necklaces, rings and bracelets from his inventory of high-end jewels. In 1991 He launched Doron Isaak "Couture Gems" collection. Today he is known for more than the extravagant gems, but his stunning diamond jewelry.

Ps: He married the young successful Forbes Publishing gal he originally ran into from the beginning. In fact, they work the business as a team.

See his beautiful designs on Flicker!!

Doron Isaak Engagement Ring

Michael B Engagement Rings

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:06:42 +0000

Michael B Diamond Engagement Rings

Michael B, is a celebrity jewelry designer of glamorous jewelry styles in platinum and diamonds. Since the early 1990's Michael B has focussed on Platinum and is best known for his uniquely designed bridal jewelry, wedding bands, engagement rings and anniversary rings adorned in meticulous lace and pave diamond settings. He also differs from most pave rings, as his signature design "Micro Pave" designs. Micro Pave is a loose definition for the precise setting of very small diamonds approx(.003 )using a microscope to set these diamonds.

David Yurman Engagement Rings

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:31:46 +0000

David Yurman Inc. is a privately held high-end American designer jewelry company founded by David Yurman. It is headquartered in New York City. He is known for his cable jewelry. There are David Yurman boutiques worldwide, primarily in the United States. The David Yurman flagship store on Madison Avenue. Their first international store was opened in Hong Kong's International Finance Center, with the brand's Asia headquarters nearby.

Elizabeth Gage Rings

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:14:34 +0000

Elizabeth Gage Rings

Elizabeth Gage has created some of the world’s most inspiring and distinctive jewels. Handmade in England to the highest specification her pieces are timeless and unique. With a bit more of an edge to her look, you will have people constantly grabbing your womans hand........and then of course looking at you~ We love this designer!

Elizabeth Locke

Admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:54:34 +0000

ELIZABETH LOCKE Ad

Elizabeth Locke tirelessly travels the world in pursuit of the uncommon elements that make up her designs: coins from classical Greece and Rome or from forgotten empires; richly colored Venetian glass intaglios made from 17th-century molds; antique carnelian and sardonyx seals; luminous South Sea pearls; cabochon stones of vibrant hues; minutely intricate 19th-century micromosaics from Italy; and 18th-century gambling counters carved in mother-of-pearl. Each piece is individually designed by Elizabeth Locke and completely handmade in 19k gold. Why we love her jewlery is because she pulls together elements of historical styles that a person could only find in an antique. She brings together these looks and makes them available to the modern woman.