Metal Trends:

The modern bride of today is more adventurous, and craves to express her own individual sense of style. It is no longer a given for her to want a simple round diamond set in platinum or white gold, in order to achieve the traditional ‘I’m engaged’ look. We have noticed a definite shift in the use of different colored gold and metals. Whereas some brides still appreciate the glamour of platinum, many brides are now venturing into the use of pink gold as their setting. Pink Gold is a mix of copper and gold alloys. It is a very delicate choice and compliments most skin tones, due to the copper color which picks up the pink undertones of the skin. This also enhances the sparkle of the diamond, making them seemingly pop off the skin. In addition, pink gold is a nice neutral between white and yellow gold, and can therefore be easily mixed with her jewelry.

Center Stone Trends:

In addition to an expansion of metal options, we’ve noticed the range of stone choices have broadened from the simple round brilliant cut diamond center stone, to a much more adventurous and edgy styles. In recent years, the black diamond has gained a large fan base and has become very popular for the stylish, independent and less traditional bride. In addition to the black diamond, raw uncut diamonds in various colors like: Grey Diamonds, Sand Diamonds and Brick colored Diamonds, have been seen on brides who care less about the “bling” factor, and are more inclined to want an artisan, one-of-a-kind feeling to her ring.

In addition to varying stone colors, the actual shape of the center stone is also up for discussion now. Back in the day, the ring buyer had the “old safety” of a round brilliant cut diamond; the no fail, classic choice. Now it’s not quite that cut and dry. Today’s brides, again searching for their own unique style, are choosing diamonds of all cuts and sizes. Ask yourself, is your bride traditional or adventurous? Does she typically dress conservatively or a little edgy? Is she trendy or does she make her own rules? These are all questions about her personal style and how she operates. Answering these questions will offer you a strong direction indicating whether you should stick to customs and tradition like a cushion, round, or princess cut. Or, if she is less of a follower and more of a leader, maybe she would be interested in a rose cut black diamond set in a white gold claw setting, or a ruby in a pink gold pave diamond shank.

Diamond Band as the Engagement Ring Trend:

Another trend is the choice to go with a more simple; less-of-a-statement ring. Nowadays, women are more involved in the workforce than ever before. They are often busy and traveling across the globe. They work out before and after work, whenever there is time. They are chasing after kids, before they run to the gym and then the board meeting. They need a ring that signifies marriage, but one that doesn’t scream it from the rooftops. There is a trend of a more subtle representation of the engagement ring, and it’s called the diamond eternity band. And within that band there are a myriad of options of colored diamonds, semi-precious stones and various metals; pink gold to titanium. Lately, many brides are choosing a delicate, pave diamond band as their engagement ring. Then at the wedding ceremony, they opt for another band to compliment the engagement ring. Often times this wedding band is either wider or has complimentary stones. And for their anniversary they often choose a third band, to create the new “stacking band” appearance. It is a new trend just beginning to take off but it’s a great option for a more conservative bride who still wants to “show off” a bit.

Tungsten carbide engagement rings provide you with a very strong and durable material compared to gold and silver. When looking for a ring, many people look for something that is appealing to the eye. Carbide is a shiny metal that is very appealing in looks.

Another wonderful feature of carbide is that it is very durable and will look brand new for much longer than other metals that are require more care. This could be a great option for anyone that has a job that requires them to get their hands dirty. Other metals may not hold up, but tungsten carbide is one that is perfect for these conditions.

There are many people that cannot wear silver or gold due to a jewelry allergy. Tungsten carbide is one jewelry metal that hypoallergenic and you will not have to worry about allergy symptoms presenting when wearing this metal. It is very smooth and wearers often enjoy this and enjoy the feel of this metal against their skin.

Rings made out of carbide can be bought in sets. This will give you the engagement rings and also both of the wedding rings. This can keep everything uniform and you will have rings that go together for a symbolic look.

Tungsten carbide engagement rings are becoming a very popular choice for many couples. Durability and comfort are just two pluses as the carbide ring is also very fashionable. Engagement rings are something you want to last a lifetime and beyond and this you can count on with this awesome metal.

When people speak of engagement rings they conjure up an image of love and romance between two people. The most common size and weight of diamond rings these days are 1 carat diamond engagement rings. It serves as a promise and symbol that she is the one you’re going to marry and spend the rest of your life with.

Arguably the most important part of the ring is the stone. If you compare it to a stage play the stone would be the main event. The stone does not only bring beauty to your ring but it gives brilliance and sparkle, which makes the ring more attractive or eye catching. But the sparkle and brilliance of the stone will depend on how the stone is cut that’s why in choosing a ring it is important to choose the cut of your ring.

In choosing an engagement ring you must look at the 4 C’s of the stone, which are:

The Cut: This is important for the sparkle and brilliance you see on your engagement ring will depend on the cut of your stone. If the cut of your diamond is good then its beauty will show however if your diamond is poorly cut then it could affect the brilliance of the stone.
The Clarity: The clarity of the stone is one that you need to look at if you buy an engagement ring. It may not be that noticeable but diamonds have inclusions it means they have tiny little scratches on them, diamond with more inclusions have low price compared to clear diamonds.
The Color: In this case colorless diamonds are expensive for it means the more colorful its prism will become and those diamonds with color diminish the value of diamonds.
The Carat: This is common knowledge to the people, carat is the size of the diamond the larger the diamond the expensive it gets. Like a 1 carat diamond is much cheaper compared to a 2 carat diamond of the same quality.

So before you go window shopping for a diamond ring you should first set a budget and see what carat of diamond ring your budget can afford. A 1 carat diamond engagement ring is not bad for some ladies prefer to have a diamond ring regardless of the size of the stone.

You just need to pick a cut that would make your one carat diamond ring look bigger. Also a 1 carat diamond engagement ring with good quality is better than a big diamond ring with bad quality.

When it comes to getting engaged, you usually feel like there’s nobody who could possibly feel the way you do, and that your love for each other is unparalleled. It’s no surprise that some people want to symbolize this feeling by choosing a unique engagement ring. There are thousands of beautiful inventory rings from wonderful companies, but many feel that it just wouldn’t suit them to have a ring that someone else could possibly be wearing.

Some people have gone so far as to say they feel like they felt their relationship wasn’t unique because someone else had their ring. On the flip side, most people are completely comfortable purchasing an inventory ring from a jeweler, and feel it has no bearing on their relationship. Whatever your choice may be, you’ve landed on this article because you may be interested in purchasing a unique engagement ring and want some more information. There are limitless options to go with, but here are a few designs that are unique and very popular right now.

Mokume

The Mokume ring is definitely unique. Its pattern literally screams “I’m different!” Mokume rings are made by mixing precious metals together to create a unique swirl finish that encircles the entire ring. They have an almost marble-like appearance. This ring design stems from ancient Japan, and was common among the upper class. The ring can be extremely ornate, or simply; however, because the ring has such a dramatic appearance, it might be best to choose a simple stone setting that will enhance the ring’s elegance.

Interlocking

Interlocking rings have a beautiful symbolic nature. The ring represents two souls coming together to form a unique and symbiotic relationship. Interlocking designs can be made up of different precious metals that are connected, or even two rings connected together… almost like a puzzle! The design patterns are endless, right down to the settings. This is a great ring to play with if you really want to get creative, because it has such great flexibility.

You have two options when choosing an interlocking ring. You can choose to have two interlocking rings for one person (i.e. the engagement ring and the wedding ring locking together). The other option is to choose two interlocking rings that fit together, but each person wears their own. For example, the wife has ring A, and the husband has ring B, but the rings can be locked together. This symbolizes that the pair fit together perfectly… as if they were made for each other.

Symbols

Many people feel a strong sense of identity that pulls them towards the use of symbols in their engagement rings. There are many popular designs that incorporate symbols into rings. For example, creating a ring with the infinity symbol is extremely popular. The loops within the infinity symbol can be used to hold stones. Other popular symbols are family crests, the claddagh symbol, or other symbols that are meaningful to the couple.

Tribal

Anything “tribal” right now is trendy. You see celebrities with tribal tattoos all the time. It’s become a very popular way to express themes and lifestyle choices that you identify with. Popular tribal designs are “Faith”, “Hope”, religious sayings and poems, and more. There are many ancient tribal designs to choose from including Hawaiian, Chinese, Aztec, Mayan, etc.

The traditional engagement ring in many countries is diamond. This is actually a fairly recent development, dating back to huge diamond finds in South Africa around 1870. There was such a large supply of diamonds that a major advertising campaign was mounted by the De Beers consortium to associate diamonds with love and marriage. The campaign took decades to succeed, but it eventually changed the culture of marriage.

However there are some signs that the diamond ring tradition has begun to weaken, and that many couples contemplating marriage are considering alternatives. The reasons for change are many, including difficult economic times, the bad publicity surrounding blood diamonds, and the perceived lack of individuality of diamonds. Some consumers have come to understand that diamonds are not rare and that the prices are kept artificially high by the cartel that controls the supply and distribution of diamonds.

Colored gemstones present an attractive alternative to diamonds for engagement rings because of the large range of colors and the many different styles, sizes and price points. Celebrities have also help make colored stone engagement rings a fashion trend. The most famous case was the blue sapphire and diamond ring that Prince Charles gave to Lady Diana Spencer upon their engagement in 1981. The same ring was used by Prince William for his engagement to Kate Middleton in 2011. Prince Andrew, the younger brother of Prince Charles, also gave his fiancee Sarah Ferguson an engagement ring with a colored gemstone in 1986 — a pigeon’s blood ruby.

Thus far the jewelry industry has not been very enthusiastic about marketing colored gems for engagement rings. Retail jewelers are knowledgeable about diamonds, but less familiar with colored gems. Undoubtedly the diamond industry would prefer to maintain the status quo. Many couples who want a colored gemstone engagement ring end up buying a colored stone from a specialized gems dealer and then having it set by a jeweler in a design of their choice.

Not every type of colored gemstone is suitable for an engagement ring which is worn every day. The top choices, based on hardness and durability, are ruby and sapphire. Other suitable choices include spinel, tsavorite and spessartite garnet, aquamarine, alexandrite and chyrsoberyl. Some popular stones such as tanzanite are not really hard enough to be worn every day.

Fine colored gemstones can be found in a wide range of cuts and sizes. But high quality sapphires and especially rubies can be quite expensive in larger sizes. Though rubies are always red (or pink-red), sapphires can be found in many different colors, including blue, green, yellow and pink.

The most symbolic thing in a wedding and engagement is a ring. They can be counted very valuable for people who are already married. This can also be a symbol of a lifetime love to each other. That is why you need to have some consideration about the styles and designs that you want to have. This is more important to couples who are planning to enter the married life.

Commonly, rings are composed of high metal bands. The colors are yellow, white diamond or any other single precious stone. However, the most famous precious stone used in making rings is the diamond solitaire. It became known in 1960’s but still an undefeated material in making rings up to present.

Why did it become so popular unlike other gem stones? This is because it carries many symbolic things, such as loyalty, trust and the union of the two individuals into one soul because of love. This kind of stone is also composed of the hardest natural substance. So it means that the durability is really good.

As we all know, gold will really last long rather than silver. It is because gold is oxidized easily and that will cause black tarnish. In the case of platinum, even if it does not tarnish, the problem is that it is more expensive than the gold. So, probably that is the most basic reason that these materials are not that preferred in making rings.

At present, solitaire diamonds are very well known because these can also be made into many classical styles. It can be a bezel style rather than the prong designs. This is what most people would really want to have. Today, there are also some alternative colors that the market is offering, such as yellow, pink, red, blue and even black. Whenever you buy engagement rings, you need to be very wise because there are some smugglers that are offering the same thing but not the real one.

If you’re wondering what the perfect engagement ring is that you can present to your loved one during your proposal, then you might want to consider whether or not chocolate diamond engagement rings are an option or not. You might find that these are some of the most unique rings that are available for sale and that your sweetheart will absolutely love you when you present her with one of them. There are plenty of reasons why your future bride to be will enjoy receiving one of these great rings.

First off, how many people do you know that have a ring that is loaded with chocolate diamonds? The guess is that you probably do not know too many people that have this color diamond in their ring. This type of colored diamond is actually not as readily available as you think because there is a smaller supply due to limited mining efforts.

The other consideration is that so many people buy colorless diamonds for their loved ones on this special day so why not do something different. Chances are that special someone is really going to love and admire the thought you put into picking out the perfect ring for her, not to mention the fact that there aren’t as many people that have this type of ring.

Original And Unique

One thing you can count on when you purchase chocolate diamond wedding bands is that you get something that is truly original. You have to ask yourself when shopping for the perfect ring whether or not you are comfortable with buying something that isn’t as special or isn’t as unique. If you’re not sure you want to go down the road of buying the first thing that you see, and you don’t want to settle for the typical diamond that so many settle for, then you’ll definitely be better off going with a chocolate diamond.

When you purchase chocolate diamonds, you can be sure that you are getting the real deal and not some knockoff gemstone that simply does not hold the same value as a real diamond. One thing that you might want to remember when shopping for your diamond is that you should always verify that the diamond you are purchasing is real. This can be done by locating diamonds that are certified. A diamond certification means that the diamond has been properly identified as being a diamond and not some other form of stone or another type of mass. If you stick to the fundamentals and make sure that your diamond is insured, then you’ll have no worries about getting a fake diamond.

You will notice that the prices of chocolate diamonds are typically much lower than traditional diamonds. This is due to the fact that real diamonds have less impurities than others, meaning the less clutter or impurities in the diamond, then lower the value it is going to be.

If you’re thinking about popping the big question within the next couple months, and chocolate diamond engagement rings are the perfect solution for the rings that you will exchange.

Traditionally, men have purchased diamond engagement rings as a symbol of lifetime love and devotion, but many men admit they need a little help when it’s time to choose one. If you’ve decided it’s time to ask your loved one to marry you, here are some of the latest trends. With so many to choose from, you’ll be sure to find something that you’ll both love looking at every day for the rest of your lives.

Choosing Alternative Metals Such As Palladium Or White Or Yellow Gold

One of the most popular metals for jewelry is platinum. It is one of the most durable metals and is extremely resistant to tarnish. However, platinum’s rarity does make it more expensive so it can be a little hard on the wallet.

Other popular metals are palladium and 18K white and yellow gold. Palladium looks like platinum, but is typically much less expensive and lighter. This makes palladium ideal for more delicate pieces of jewelry or for women with small hands and fingers. Both yellow and white gold are also gaining popularity in the jewelry world. White gold can require a little bit of upkeep, as it tends to show wear easier than other metals. Having a white gold piece of jewelry redipped is relatively easy. If your white gold jewelry is starting to show signs of yellowing, simply take it to any jewelry store and ask them to redip it. The jeweler will redip it, shine it up, and your ring will look brand new. Some stores are able to do this while you wait, but others can take up to two weeks so make sure to ask if you’re planning on having this done right before your wedding or other important event.

Popular Styles Of Diamond Engagement Rings

Diamond rings come in styles to fit everyone’s taste. Some of the most popular ones are antique or vintage, halo, classic comfort fit solitaires, and three diamond rings.

An antique or vintage ring is one that was previously worn by someone else. They can be found at antique or estate sales, purchased from an antique dealer or given you to by an older loved one. If you’re uncomfortable with the thought of a previously worn ring, but want something with a vintage feel, you can find a custom jewelry designer to design you a new piece with an antique look.

A halo ring is one with a larger center diamond that is surrounded by smaller diamonds. These diamond engagement rings typically have a round center stone, but the center stone can also be heart, marquise, princess, cushion, pear, asscher, or oval. The outside stones can be bevel or prong set.

One of the most popular styles of diamond ring is the classic comfort fit solitaire. These diamond engagement rings can be set on a wide or thin band and have a single stone set directly in the middle of the band. The stones can be any shape, though the round brilliant and princess cut are the most common. Other cuts can include heart shaped, oval, asscher, pear, cushion, marquise, trilliant, or radiant.

Three diamond rings have become popular in the past few years as the three stones represent a relationship’s past, present, and future. The styles of these pieces vary greatly. They can have large center stones with smaller outside stones or have three stones all the same size. The stones can all be the same cut, but other popular styles are ones with a round or princess cut center stone and triangle or baguette shaped outer stones.

Spending More On Center Stones

Some shoppers choose a ready to fill setting and spend more on a center stone. Doing this ensures you’ll be able to purchase a certified diamond that you choose. A certified diamond has already been graded by experts at one of the diamond grading laboratories so you’ll know exactly what you’re purchasing. Most Americans are familiar with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), but other labs include the American Gem Society, Hoge Raad voor Diamant, the European Gemological Laboratory and the International Gemological Institute. One lab isn’t more qualified than another – all must follow the same strict grading standards.

Buying a certified diamond also makes it easier to insure your jewelry, something that’s important in case it is ever lost or stolen. If the diamond is already certified, you can just take in the paperwork and the jeweler likely won’t need to appraise it.

Custom Diamond Engagement Rings

Another popular style of diamond engagement rings are custom ones. These are completely custom designed and the buyer chooses a custom setting and then a center stone to go in it. A custom designed, one of a kind ring is a great way to symbolize your one of a kind love.

Diamond rings are a symbol of your love, so you’ll want to do a little research before spending money on one. Whether you’re looking for a vintage, antique, halo, solitaire, or three stone in platinum, palladium, white gold, or yellow gold, you’ll be sure to find one your bride will love.

Think of a valuable diamond and what comes into your mind would be a flawless and colorless stone. But the truth is that fancy colored diamonds can actually be more expensive and valuable than any elite traditional gem. There are various factors that determine the worthiness of a colored diamond like inherent perfection, specific color hue and intensity and also the rarity of the gem.

Basically a pure diamond is the crystalline form of carbon and it would be free from additional minerals or elements that may distort the stone and its structure. However some other elements are incorporated into the chemical makeup of most natural diamonds while they are formed. These additional elements add color to the stones. The stone’s tint would vary depending on what additional element had become part of the crystal structure. Radiation absorption is another way by which the diamonds gain color. This occurs when the stone’s crystals are warped or twisted they would absorb light in different ways. Thus the stone would appear in different colors even without additional chemicals added in it.

The quality and value of a fancy colored diamond would be determined by considering different criteria. Usually all the diamonds irrespective of its color would be graded on its carat weight, clarity and cut precision and the fourth factor is color. In fancy color diamonds, the tint is naturally the most significant factor while evaluating the quality. There are three elements of the stone that becomes significant to its overall value namely the specific hue of color, its consistency, and the intensity. To be precise, it can be said that the stone would have more value if the color is deeper. This is more effective in light shades like yellow and pink. An elegant fancy colored diamond would shine brightly in a bold consistent color which would be unaffected by gradients or other variations. However, flaws are more noticeable in colored diamonds because they cannot be mistaken for light refraction like in colorless tones.

The stone’s quality and clarity determines the price of the fancy diamonds. A small stone with rich color would be more valuable than a larger stone with average quality. Hence the colored stones are more expensive than comparable colorless diamonds. So many couple would not go for the colored ones and hence seek affordable alternatives.

If you want to make the most of fancy colored diamonds in engagement rings, make sure to choose a simple ring design that would not detract from the beauty of the stone. The setting should highlight the stone rather than surpass it. Moreover the accent stones must also complement the colored central diamond than compete with it. While choosing the ring’s metal, make sure that you avoid contrasting ones. Usually white and platinum are preferred since they are strong enough to protect a valuable stone. And also their neutral color would not affect the diamond in the ring.

Since the fancy colored rings are rare and distinguished, they are highly sought after for engagement rings as well as for other stunning jewelry. Couples can wisely choose the diamond that would come in their budget after understanding the reasons behind the color of the diamond and also how that particular color is affecting the value.

There is no need to buy an expensive engagement ring if you can get a good one at a more affordable cost. There are actually quite a few places where you can buy engagement rings for cheap.

Go Online Shopping

There are several websites that sell affordable engagement rings. You can find these sites using any search engine. A visit to one of these sites will show you how varied the available styles are. Take due note of the prices. Now go to other sites. Look for similarly styled rings and compare the costs.

Check Local Jewelry Stores

Take a look at what they have to offer. Compare the rings with what you have seen online. If you see a ring you like but it is too costly, ask if you can make changes to it.

If you do not like the side accent stones, ask if it can be removed. This may lower the cost. You can also go to pawn shops and other jewelry retailers.

In terms of payment options, you should pay in cash. Any other payment plan should have no interest payments. That will add to the cost.

Tips

The clarity of diamond rings greatly affects the price. Lowering the clarity rating by a couple of steps can reduce the cost significantly. Even better is that this will hardly be visible to casual onlookers. Smaller carats also reduce the price without affecting the appearance too much.

Romantic Tips for Engagement Proposals

Get a heart shaped box of chocolates. Remove one chocolate and put the ring in it. Give it to her. After she opens the box, go down on one knee and ask her if she will marry you.

For a Valentine’s Day proposal, prepare several Valentine’s Day cards. Write sweet messages on each one. For the last card, write down “Will you marry me?”.

Here are other ideas. Present her a heart trinket box with the engagement ring in it. Etch your marriage proposal on it. You can also arrange to have a romantic dinner at a restaurant. Have the waiter bring the ring along with the main course or dessert.

Best and Most Creative Marriage Proposals

Take your special someone on a hot air balloon ride. As you watch the scenery below, propose to her. To make it more romantic, do it at sunset, and bring a bottle of wine too.

For something more adventurous, take her out skydiving. When you get down, ask her to give you a hand in getting out of the parachute. When she does, present her the ring.

You can also propose while on a chopper ride over the Grand Canyon. Spend the day rafting. Afterward, say you can only weather the stormy waters of life with her. Show her the ring and pop the question.

As you can see, there are numerous ways you can propose to your special someone. By being equally creative when it comes to buying an engagement ring, you can savor this moment without worrying about how much you spent.