The day you decide that you are going to ask your significant other to marry you should be an amazing day, full of joy and the want to please (of course you don’t expect your marriage to fail). You also can experience some stress due to the many things that you will need to accomplish before the day you get married. Although it is an exciting time, it is also a time of planning. From the flowers to the chairs in the reception hall, all must be scrutinized to make it the best possible experience within your allotted budget. But the first thing that must be considered is the engagement ring. Where will you buy it? How much can you spend? It all depends on what your wife to be wants and where you eventually buy the ring.

There are many places where amazing deals can be found, by using the internet you can not only find the design that she wants, but you can also save yourself hundreds of dollars. There are sales during the year that will allow these savings, but you must be very particular and buy when you see such discounts as they are not always available. You can even go to a website that has custom design jewelry to create that very special, unique ring that will just amaze her and make her the happiest woman around. Also, you can purchase matching wedding bands for both your bride and yourself in various designs online. Even if you have purchased a custom engagement ring, you can do the same with the bands, or you could purchase a design that compliments what you have created.

There are many websites that carry the latest ring fashions and designs. The sky is the limit if you use the internet to purchase your jewelry, the selection is amazing and the quality of most jewelry is as good if not better than the jewelry you can buy in retail brick and mortar stores.

(Image Courtesy of Sheena Ratliff at “Lens Flare Photography” 2010)

What is the average engagement ring cost - Based on values of a recent survey, the median is in the $1,000 to $2,499 range.  So keep that in mind.  Also, weddings are a big industry and a growing one. The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC),  estimates current wedding spending at 120 billion a year and projects growth of 6.5% by 2009.  Also 75% of first-time brides receive a diamond engagement ring.

Even though an engagement ring is small in size, it can be threatening in cost, especially if you have limited funds in preparing for marriage. It may be difficult to find the right ring for a couple on a tight budget. It’s important to discuss all of your options with your partner before making a decision.

You don’t have to think twice before you prefer a diamond substitute to a original  diamond. Back at the beginning of the last century, the DeBeers company, faced with a glut of quality diamonds and a sagging market, devised a very successful advertising campaign linking diamonds with true love, and the diamond engagement ring as a “necessity” was born.

If you and your partner want a real diamond its time to start to look into some of your current options. The first one is overlooked a lot: resetting the stone existing in one of the two families. Often purchasing an engagement ring from a current owner, or accepting one that has been a family heirloom, will result in the price being lower than a new stone, or in the case of one handed down through the family, the important “something old” that the bride traditionally wears for her wedding.  When a ring is an outright gift and the setting is appealing, that kind of diamond will not break your budget.

If that does not work, you should try speaking to a jeweler with a long-standing reputation for quality work, and see if he or she can locate a reasonably priced stone of high quality for you. Your idea and the jeweler’s may not agree, but a proper jeweler will not cheat you like a fly by night fellow.

There are a number of ways you can find the stone you love and not break your budget and a good jeweler can help locate that stone either through estate sales, putting you in contact with other dealers or finding a stone that may have a small imperfection but otherwise is beautiful. Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes looking back into the past provides new ideas for the future.  Classic jewelry and fashion designs never go out of style, and this is also true with engagement rings, although most styles are really timeless in their beautify and styling. Most engagement rings will actually be a combination of classical designs combined with modern twists and features.

One of the most obvious ways in which engagement rings can differ with regards to classic or modern styles is in the cut of the diamond or diamonds on the ring itself. Some cuts such as the round solitaire, the princess or the emerald cut are more traditional and classic. The cushion cut diamond is a very traditional cut that has resurfaced as a popular solitaire style cut .

New styles of cuts including a triangular cut Read the rest of this entry »

What are the most well known diamonds on the earth?  Let me tell you what I’ve found during my research.

This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. It is called “The Hope Diamond“.  The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope gem are many. This gem was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough.

At 530.20 Carats - the Cullinan I or Star Africa diamond is the largest cut diamond in the world. Pear shaped, with 74 facets, it is set in the Royal Scepter (kept with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London). It was cut from the 3,106-carat Cullian, the largest diamond crystal ever found. The Cullian was discovered in Transvaal, South Africa in l095 on an inspection tour of the Premier Mine. The Cullian was cut by Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam, who examined the enormous crystal for around six months before determining how to divide it. It eventually yeilded nine major, and 96 smaller brilliant cut stones. When the Cullian was first discovered, certain signs suggested that it may have been part of a much larger crystal. But no discovery of the “missing half” has ever been authenticated.

The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored gems. It is the largest green stone in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This stone is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless.

The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink gem was once owned by Louis XIII.

The Tiffany Yellow stone a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.

The Koh-I-Noor (Mountain of Light) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This stone weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan’s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.

The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.

The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue gem weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier stone Mine in Transvaal, South Africa. 

The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African stone field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown gem appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange. 

The Taylor-Burton stone is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat gem. Cartier of New York purchased this gem at an auction in 1969 and christened it “Cartier.” The next day Richard Burton bought the gem for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the “Taylor-Burton”. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the stone up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the stone to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the gem was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.

 Are their any other gems you believe to be more precious than these.  Tell us what you think?  Or just tell your funny engagement stories and we will be more than happy to share them.

Platinum is regarded as a superior metal for fine jewelry and is used in many exquisite diamond engagement rings. It is 35 times more rare than gold and is naturally white. It is the strongest metal used in jewelry and is 90 to 95 percent pure. The high purity level makes this metal hypoallergenic and is an ideal choice for a person who has sensitive skin. Because platinum is almost twice as heavy as 14K gold, it is very durable.

Platinum is used as an almost pure metal, approximately 95% pure, whereas white gold is only 75% pure in 18ct and only 58.5% pure in 14ct.  Being a naturally white metal, platinum does not need the rhodium treatment, because it starts off white and will always stay white.  It is more dense (heavier) than gold & you can feel a noticeable difference in weight between the same article made in platinum and gold.

Platinum’s best property (still need this engagement ring insured) as far as jewelry is concerned is its abrasive resistance. Platinum rings and in particular platinum claws will still be in great condition many years after the equivalent gold article is worn away. This is quite amazing when you consider that platinum is relatively soft and bends more easily than gold.

The reason Platinum is a desirable metal for making jewelry is because it is very malleable and can be formed without cracking or tearing. Once platinum prongs are bent to hold a diamond they will stay in that position and not spring back.

It takes 10 tons of ore to produce a single ounce of platinum. There is only one platinum mine for every 10 gold mines which make this metal one of the rarest. On an average, 88 tons of platinum is used to craft jewelry, compared to 2,700 tons of gold each year.

The purity of platinum is expressed as parts per thousand and the number designation represents how many parts per thousand are contained in the metal. The marks used on platinum jewelry are 900Plat, 950Plat or just Plat. Platinum is usually alloyed with metals in the platinum group which are similar in weight and chemistry to platinum.

Over the last 200 years platinum has resurged itself in popularity. It was held in high esteem during the early Egyptian times. The Spanish conquistadors discovered platinum in the New Word when they were mining for gold. The considered it worthless and discarded it. In the 18th century King Louis XVI elevated platinum’s popularity by calling it the metal of kings.

The Art Deco Period was when platinum became popular in modern jewelry. The strength and malleability of this metal allowed artisans to create filigree and wire patterns that were popular during this period. Its regained status over the years as earned it the reputation of being the most preferred metal used in engagement rings.

Even though it is growing in popularity it still remains one of the world’s rarest metals. The yearly worldwide production of platinum only amounts to about 160 tons compared to approximately 1,500 tons of gold. One reason it is so rare is because the mining and refining process is time consuming. To extract one ounce of platinum over 10 tons of ore has to be mined. The refining process is no short matter as it takes five months minimum. Russia and South Africa are the few regions where platinum can be mined and the primary sources of this metal exist mainly in their mountains.

If you love the look of platinum but can’t afford the cost. There is an alternative metal that is increasing in popularity called Palladium. It is part of the platinum metal group and is an excellent alternative to platinum. Palladium has the lowest melting point in its metal group and is extremely resistant to corrosion. It will not tarnish and is whiter and lighter than platinum. If you are in the market for an ring you might want to look into Palladium for that special ring.

 Why not choose platinum for your next engagement ring? Heck, Ed Swiderski gave Jillian Harris a $60,000 platinum ring set with a 2.05-carat pear-shaped center diamond with six baguette-cut diamonds to accent the center stone and 94 round-cut diamonds.  If it’s good enough for Jillian, it’s good enough for me.

Famous auction website eBay has reported a 200% rise in the number of engagement rings listed in the first quarter of 2009, as reported by an eBay press release.

In fact, local diamond retailers are saying more grooms are buying cubic zirconia rings instead of diamonds.  Their not worried about finding the right amount to spend anymore, it’s just about saving as much money as possible right now.

Nationwide jewelry retailers said an increasing number of would-be husbands are purchasing fake diamonds for their brides’ engagement rings to save money during the economic downturn, the New York Post reported Sunday.

There are more men who will buy a nice setting and put a cubic zirconia in it for now, hoping to replace it later.  Is this trend going to last even out of the economic downturn?  I guess we will have to wait and see.  In the meantime ebay, Amazon, and Bidz.com will rake in the money as best as they can.  I’m sure the high end watch market is having the same problem attempting to seel real Rolex, Cartier, & Tag Heuer watches when people can get nice knockoffs for just a few hundred dollars.

 How do brides feel about this? They don’t appear to be happy with the cost-cutting measures of their potential spouses.  In fact, a local retailer said, “The women are little hostile about it as a matter of fact, they have been waiting a long time for a ring, and want a real diamond!”  Of course, most husbands are just hoping their wives aren’t going to find out. Have you checked your diamond to see if it’s real?

Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold. It’s also very dense (heavy), so a platinum engagemet ring will feel heavier and more luxurious than an 18kt gold ring, but it also more expensive. These bad boys will run about twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring (excluding gemstone costs). Platinum is alos 30x more rare than gold…..like your spouse, hard to find anyone else out there like them.

When I got married I bought white gold, not really thinking about the long term effects.  The saleslady was of no assistance back then.  10 years later my ring is pretty dingy and scratched up.  If I could do it all over again I would have bought a simple platinum band for myself.

How do you take care of platinum?

It is recommended that you take your platinum jewelry off before doing hard work around metallic objects. It is also advisable that you remove your platinum jewelry in the case of operating with certain chemicals, which could produce a negative effect on the platinum. In order to clean the platinum pieces it is enough to just put you platinum ring or chain in the warm solution consisting of water and gentle soap. You should let it soak there for a while and then you need to scrub the piece gently with a soft brush. It is recommended that you keep your platinum ring in a separate storing place, meaning separately from other pieces of jewelry, especially the hard ones. This will keep your treasured platinum pieces from scratching, which is possible in spite of the durability of the metal.

 Overall, I think platinum is the best choice for any engagement ring or wedding ring.  I know if I upgrade it will be platinum.

Want to know what is socially acceptable for the engagement process?  Here is a list of some things to keep in mind before you go popping that question. 

• 25% of women view the proposal as more important than the actual wedding ceremony. Guys, take notes, the proposal is your time to shine since you typically have little or nothing to say about the wedding (except the I do). This means 75% of the women have been Read the rest of this entry »

  engagement finding the perfect ring ring statistics survey

In terms of popularity, Valentine’s Day is the most popular day of the year to get engaged (followed by Christmas Day & New Years).  Princess cut engagemet rings are the most popular style of engagement ring to buy.  These results are from a nationwide survey of retail jewelers. From a man’s persepective Valentine’s day is extremely good long term planning for the following reasons: Read the rest of this entry »

For many people, the image of an engraved ring is a heavily decorated simple gold or silver circle. Modern laser engraving equipment, however, means that rings can be engraved in a plethora of places and styles. Some of the top engraved phrases before modern laser engraving were: Read the rest of this entry »

When you are planning on purchasing a diamond it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified. Learning about diamonds is first learning about the “four Cs” of diamonds which are considered the most important grades and categories:

• Cut
• Clarity
• Color
• Carat weight

These are the criteria jewelers use when grading diamonds, and they’re the ones you’ll need to understand to buy the right diamond for you. Click on each bullet point to learn more.

The clarity of a diamond is influenced by the amount and location of flaws in the diamond when viewed under 10 power (10x) magnification. GIA rates clarity grades in diamonds from Flawless to Imperfect. Most diamonds contain very tiny blemishes known as “inclusions.” An inclusion can interfere with the light passing through the diamond. The fewer the inclusions, the more beautiful the diamond will be. Similar to scrateches on the face of your watch.

Diamonds have the potential of producing more brilliance than any other gem on earth. A diamond that is free of inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare…and therefore very valuable.  The most expensive diamond we found online so far is a 13.53 Carat Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring VS1. Ironically it was on Ebay.

Diamonds come naturally in every color of the rainbow (some more rare than others like blue). However most people are concerned with diamonds in the white range. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) rates the body color in white diamonds from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). 
 The best color for a diamond is no color at all. A totally colorless diamond allows light to pass through it easily, resulting in the light being dispersed as the color of the rainbow. Colors are graded totally colorless to light yellow. The differences from one grade to the other are very subtle and it takes a professionally educated eye and years of experience to color grade a diamond accurately.

See chart below for scale of colors. Click here to go back to our diamond education guide.

Tip:  Diamonds graded G through I show virtually no color that is visible to the untrained eye.

Tip: Fancy color diamonds do not follow this rule. These diamonds, which are very rare and very expensive, can be any color from blue to green to bright yellow. They are actually more valuable for their color. My wife owns a rare an expensive natural blue diamond bought in Alaska at Diamonds International.  These diamonds are beautiful.

Most are more interested in the proportions of the diamond as opposed to its shape when speaking of cut(Round Brilliant, Marquise, Pear, Princess, etc.) Every diamond regardless of its shape gets it brilliancy and scintillation (sometimes referred to as bling) by cutting and polishing the diamond facets to allow the maximum amount of light that enters through its top to be reflected and dispersed back through its top. A correctly cut, “well made”, stone allows light to enter the stone and bounce back out of the top almost like a mirror. As you can see if the angles are correct the light that enters is dispersed properly back through the diamond’s top facets.

When a stone is cut too shallow  or too deep the light that enters through the top is allowed to escape through the diamond’s bottom and does not allow the maximum beauty of the diamond to be realized.  If a diamond is cut to wide the light tries to exit the bottom.  If the diamond is cut to thin the light exits out of the sides. Click here to go back to diamond education.

What is the perfect engagement ring? Gone are the days of the simple diamond solitaire set in a plain gold band. Most women today want an engagement ring that reflects who they are as a person. Men not only have to consider size, shape, and precious metal, they must also consider color, setting, and most importantly their fiance’s style and personality. I can only imagine how daunting a task this may seem to most men, but it’s not an impossible one. I recommend taking some time before you buy to do a little research.

Talk to your girlfriend’s best friend, her mother, or her sister. Pay attention to the jewelry she currently wears. Take note, does she prefer classic yellow gold or white gold. What is her personality like? Is she more quiet and traditional, because a simpler ring (though not plain) would probably suit her. Or are you in love with a girl who is bubbly and outgoing, because she may want something a little more unique.

Probably the simplest and most accurate way of finding the perfect ring is to ask your girlfriend what she wants. Most women have an idea of what they would like their engagement ring to look like, if they don’t already have the exact one they want picked out, and possibly already put on hold! You can’t go wrong if you just ask.

But for those of you fellas out there that are hopeless romantics (God love you), and you want nothing more than to surprise your love with the perfect ring, just remember to take your time, and look for the ring that reminds you of her. You’ll know it when you see it, especially if you’ve done your homework. Remember, most women spend hours searching for the perfect wedding dress that will only be worn for one short day. Shouldn’t you invest just as much time finding the perfect ring that she will wear for the rest of her life.

This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats. As the carat weight of a diamond increases so does its rarity and therefore its price.  Do not rush to judge a diamond based on it’s weight.One carat is divided into 100 “points,” so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. The carat-weight of a diamond is the easiest measurement to determine. Most importantly, two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.

 If your fiance wants a 2 carat engagement ring you can pay as little as $15 for a cubic zirconia on Ebay to $22.500 on diamond.com for a round cut, Clairty SI1-SI2, color G-H. At the end of the day find a setting that pleases your wife.  This actually effects your wife’s like factor of the ring significantly.  The carat weight determines her bragging factor to her friends.

Click here to go back to our diamond buying guide.