Guide to Buying Discount Engagement Rings

What to look out for when buying discount engagement rings

Guide to Buying Discount Engagement Rings

Buying an engagement ring is always a little bit of a process, but it becomes an entire project when you are attempting to buy the ring on a strict budget. For those of you who can’t afford to spend three month’s salary on a ring, here are some things you can do the save your wallet, and still watch her eyes light up as she agrees to make you the luckiest man in the world.

One of the most popular ways to save money on the perfect ring is to buy a ring online at a site that lets you bid for your ring. That way you can set the amount you want to pay, and it eliminates the need for financing and the possibility of over spending. www.Overstock.com is a very good place to find inexpensive rings as well, although there is no bidding there.

You should also have a general idea of the ring you are looking for before you go, so you do not get caught up in the cyclone of shiny things and sales pitches. Know what cut you are seeking, approximately how many carats you want, and KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO SPEND! Stick as closely as possible to that number, as it will also help keep you from making a purchase you will not be able to afford in the long run.

When it comes down to it, this ring probably means everything. You have undoubtedly thought long and hard about how and when you were going to do it, and now, you understand how to get that perfect rock at a price that won’t ruin your credit score. Get ready, look over some rings online and in catalogs before you go and look in the stores, set your budget, and go after the rock of her dreams.

Choosing the Best Diamond Cut & Shape for your Engagement Ring

Understanding the different cuts and shapes of diamond and gemstone jewelry

Choosing the shape of your diamond jewelry is one of the key elements in determining the overall appearance of your ring or other diamond jewelry. There are many shapes and variations from which to choose, but first off do not
confuse “shape” with “cut”. A diamond’s shape is just that: the outward appearance of the stone, whether it is round,
oval etc.; while the cut refers to how the diamond itself is fashioned, how many facets and so on. Below I’ll examine the
various diamond shapes and tell a little about each of them, in order to help you make that all-important choice.

Round Brilliant Diamonds – By far the most popular, accounting for more than 75% of diamonds purchased today,
they are also the most expensive. Most coveted as an engagement ring, they also find their way into earrings and
pendants. Round Brilliant Diamonds are noted for their fire and brilliance.

Oval Diamonds – A perfectly symmetrical design yields a large surface area that gives the impression of a much larger diamond, oval diamonds are favored by women with smaller hands or shorter fingers, it’s shape giving an elongated look to the hand.

Princess Cut Diamonds – Though in appearance the smallest of diamonds, a Princess Cut Diamond is basically an inverted pyramid which puts most of the carat weight near the bottom. Princess cut diamonds are most often sought as solitaires, and are a relatively recent shape.

Marquise Diamonds – Another diamond shape that looks larger than it actually is, the Marquise diamond is elongated with points on each end, though sometimes altered to a “French tip” where the end point is excised. A great choice for a solitaire.

Emerald Cut – Rectangular with corner cuts, this diamond is also called a step cut, because of the shape that resembles
stair steps. Large, open facets on this diamond make it imperative to choose a stone of greater clarity and higher
color, as inclusions and weak color are more noticeable in this cut.

Pear Shape Diamond – Exactly as it says, this diamond is pear-shaped, or sometimes reminding one of a teardrop. Most
often found on pendants and earrings.

Heart Shaped Diamonds – A brilliant cut, the heart shaped diamond is a romantic choice that varies from jeweler to
jeweler as it’s shape can be greatly influenced by the skill of whimsy of the gem cutter, as well as variable facet configurations. Seek out a perfectly symmetrical stone.

Trillion Cut Diamonds – A newcomer, born in the late seventies, this diamond is a triangle stone with equal
sides. These can make stunning earrings.

Baguette Cut Diamonds – Another step cut diamond shape that is most frequently employed as side stones. Because it has few facets, quality and color come into play more here as imperfections become more visible in these uncomplicated, though elegant diamonds.

Radiant Diamonds – A square or rectangularly shaped diamond, the Radiant resembles the emerald shape but has 70 facets, making it much more brilliant and dazzling than the Emerald shape.

Asscher Cut Diamonds – A rectangular shaped diamond with high crown step facets, this shape was patented in 1902 and is know for it’s fire and ability to return light.

Cushion Cut Diamonds – Sometimes referred to as “pillow cut”, this shape was popular in the 1800’s. Cut with candle
light in mind, (nothing else available at the time!) the cushion cut is a rectangular/squarish shape, with more than
a touch of old world elegance about it.

Kite, Trapezoid & Half-Moon diamonds – Lesser know shapes used mainly for side stones.

Choosing the right diamond shape can be more easily accomplished with a little information and the help of a
professional jeweler. Here’s hoping you find that perfect diamond!

Top 3 Cuts & Shapes for Diamonds and Gemstones Engagement Rings

Top Three Cut Shapes for Diamonds and Gemstones

Are you looking to buy the perfect ring? When searching for a ring, whether it is for a special gift or a marriage proposal, there are a few things you must pay attention to in order to ensure that your ring is flawless. One of the most important elements when purchasing a ring is what cut to choose. The cut of a stone affects the way the ring feels, the way it shines, and of course, how effective it will be at taking her breath away. So, how does one select the right cut? If you’re not interested in going the direct route and asking your mate to pick their rock, look to these tips for a little direction in your search.

Any style of diamond cutting other than the round brilliant is called a fancy cut or fancy shape. The top three cuts for diamonds and gemstones are the Asscher cut, Princess cut and Cushion cut.

Resembling an octagon, the Asscher cuts hit its peak in popularity in the early 1920’s and disappeared only to make its comeback in 2001 when significant amounts of research showcased additional facets and new specifications for a more enticing luster. Asscher is a very modern and chic cut that will look beautiful on longer fingers.

The Princess cut is equally breath taking, but hugely different. Because of the square shape, a ring with a princess cut stone will have maximum sparkle. Beautiful to look at, the princess cut is a little fragile because its sharp corners make it more likely to chip. If it’s going to be this beauty, you just have to make sure that the setting is prepared to protect all four corners of the stone.

The cushion cut resembles the Old Mine cut with larger facets that similar to those from the late 19th and early 20th century cuts married with today’s oval cut. Cushions can vary a little in their shape. Some may be a longer rectangular, have squarer corners with varying sized tables.

Every ring is different, but somewhere out there, is the one to make her speechless.

What are Conflict Free Diamonds and Where Can You Find Them?

Shopping for diamond jewelry used to be very easy. You picked a diamond based on your price range, as well as the cut and the clarity of the diamond. But today’s conscious consumer has another clarification to deal with.

The next time you find yourself looking for a piece of diamond jewelry, make sure you are purchasing a conflict-free diamond, also known as a non-conflict diamond or a worry-free diamond.

Conflict diamonds, also called blood diamonds, are diamonds that are traded illegally to provide funds for conflict and military action in areas such as western and central Africa. These blood diamonds have been a source of corruption, violence and crimes against humanity. Diamonds that have been mined through some form of child labor, violence or human rights abuses have also been termed conflict diamonds.

Your purchase of non-conflict diamonds can help put an end to this problem. By making sure your jewelry, or the jewelry that you buy for loved ones, is legal and worry-free you are helping to support the burgeoning safe diamond markets all over the continent of Africa.

In order to buy non-conflict diamonds, you’re going to have to do some legwork. First, research your potential retailer and see if they make it a point to emphasize that their diamonds are conflict free. Jewelers who sell worry-free diamonds often make it a part of their advertising, since this is becoming an important issue for consumers.

If they don’t advertise it, you can visit one of several consumer sites online to research your retailer. You can use these sources to evaluate retailers and make sure that they are doing business legally. Make sure to check out their sources of supply if you can.

When all else fails, ask your retailer point blank where the diamonds came from and if they are non-conflict. Reputable retailers will be comfortable asking these questions. They will also be familiar with new laws and regulations that have been passed recently on the sale of blood diamonds. If they give you a blank stare when you mention the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council’s Chain of Warranties, that’s a bad sign.

Reputable retailers will also be comfortable giving you a written guarantee that the diamonds were purchased legally. Under the Kimberley Process, this is part of your rights as a consumer. Make sure you demand this if they provide no other guarantee of the authenticity of the diamonds.

You can also ask to see the receipts that the retailer has from the purchase of the diamonds. The new laws have conflict free guarantees that reputable retailers and suppliers will use on all of their documentation.

Although this may seem like a lot of fuss over some jewelry, your purchase can help change practices around the world. Once you find a retailer who guarantees that your purchase is conflict free you can take comfort in enjoying your worry free diamond jewelry.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares promotions and discounts from jewelry stores with policies regarding conflict-free diamonds and worry free diamonds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson

Understanding Conflict Free-Diamonds

What are conflict free diamonds?

Conflict-free diamonds are diamonds of certified origin which are guaranteed not to be obtained through the use of violence, human rights abuse, child labor, or environmental destruction. These diamonds are individually tracked through their full chain of custody to ensure that ethical practices are used in mining, cutting and polishing.

Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, have funded many civil wars in Africa have and have been the cause for the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. People who wish to be conscious of these sorts of practices can feel good about owning a conflict-free diamond, and not have to sacrifice cut, carats or clarity when choosing the perfect ring. Today, nearly all conflict-free diamonds come from Canada, and can be verified through an independent auditing system. The companies that sell conflict free diamonds have gone to great lengths to minimize the impact of mining of the earth and the societies that live with the mines in their communities. To find a good conflict free retailer, the internet is most certainly one of your best tools. Some sites will even allow you to design your conflict free ring all the way down to the color of the stone. When you are searching for an engagement ring, it is nice to have one less worry amidst all of the confusion. Beautiful, ethical conflict free diamonds are the way to cover all of your bases.

For all of you tree hugging, super green types, some retailers even offer rings that have bands made with 100 percent recycled gold. The precious metal is buffed and polished before you ever see it, so you don’t have to worry about it looking like it was recycled. No matter what your concern, whether it is ethical or environmental, conflict-free rings could be the solution to your problem.

The Meaning Behind the Claddagh

The basis of the Claddagh Irish jewelry is the clasping hands which were taken from the fede or faith rings that were very popular during the Roman Era. The origins are not really known but Claddagh Irish jewelry is still quite popular today.

Origin of the design

There are a couple of stories surrounding the origin of Claddagh Irish jewelry design, but both agree that the Joyce family of Galway is a key component. In one story, the original ring falls from the clutches of an eagle into the hands of Margaret Joyce. She was a widow of considerable wealth who got married again and to the mayor of Galway. She used her money and influence to accomplish good works in the town and the ring was said to be a gift for her generosity.

 

Celtic Jewelry

The more likely story, as it doesn’t have any magical elements, is that Robert Joyce designed a Claddagh ring for his betrothed upon his return from slavery. On fishing expedition, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Algeria. There he learned the craft of metalwork and brought this talent back to Galway. How romantic to think that she waited for over a decade for him to return and as a token of his love and devotion, Joyce designs a ring just for her? Of course, after that Claddagh Irish jewelry really took off.

Celtic Jewelry

Symbolism

The basis of this design is the clasping hands which were taken from the fede or faith rings that were very popular during the Roman Era. Joyce added a heart to the center and then a crown above the heart. By themselves, the clasping hands symbolize love and friendship. Along with the heart and crown, the jewelry also represents fidelity, loyalty and faith.

How to wear it

Single people would wear the ring on their right hand with the crown facing inward. If they are dating and thinking of making a commitment, the ring is still worn on the right hand but with the crown facing outward. If they are completely spoken for either with a promise or a proposal and then marriage, gold or silver Claddagh jewelry ring is worn on the left hand with the crown facing outwards.

 

Celtic Jewelry

Occasions to give Claddagh jewelry

The romantic history of this design makes it a fitting token to give a girlfriend or boyfriend to commemorate some milestone of the relationship. It also makes a unique engagement or wedding band as it signifies love and fidelity for the giver and the receiver.

This symbolic design is often passed down as a family heirloom. A mother may give it to her daughter on her wedding day or to her son when he is ready to propose. Antique Claddagh Irish jewelry make for touching and sentimental gifts for these special occasions.

Celtic Jewelry

Of course, these pieces can be worn by anyone-men, women, single and attached individuals. They can be enjoyed simply for their beauty, their symbolism or both. While sterling silver is the most common metal used for these pieces, gold is also used. Black antiquing is sometimes used to give a new piece an aged rustic look.

Irish Claddagh jewelry can be found as rings, pendants, earrings, brooches and pins. However it is worn, this ancient design is as romantic as it is beautiful.

Fancy Sapphire: Purple Sapphire engagement ring

Purple sapphire engagement rings are unique in that they appear to change color depending on the lighting, and may look like two different rings under various lighting conditions. Purple sapphires look blue in the daylight and have more of a violet hue under incandescent lights. The more dramatic the color change, the more valuable the sapphire is considered to be.

If you like sapphires, you’re not alone. Sapphires continue to be the best selling gem in the U.S. When people think about sapphires, they usually think of blue sapphires. However, natural sapphire comes in a variety of colors. Sapphires that are not blue are referred to collectively as fancy sapphires. Purple sapphires as well as other colored sapphires can be found in Madagascar, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Australia to name a few regions. Heating sapphires may add to their value by enhancing color and clarity. It is estimated that over 90-95% of the sapphires in the market today are heat-treated.

Purple sapphires are a good choice for engagement rings because sapphires as a whole, are extremely durable gems. In fact, sapphires are the hardest gemstone except for diamonds. Thus, your ring can withstand all the elements and rigors of daily wearing, without you having to think twice.

In addition, purple sapphires are a good deal, often costing less than blue sapphires. As with diamonds, sapphires increase disproportionately in cost as their carat weight increases. i.e. A three carat sapphire might cost a lot more than three separate sapphires adding up to three carats in weight. This is due in part to the fact that large carat sapphires are relatively rare. The kind of sapphire cut also impacts cost, with round sapphires costing slightly more than marquis or pear cuts.

Blue sapphire engagement rings have been known to be preferred by royalty because the blue sapphire stone is even more rare than a diamond and is almost as hard. This is a nice factoid to share with your number one queen as you slip a blue sapphire engagement ring on her ring finger.

Blue sapphires come in a range of shades from a light to deep blue. The blue color is due to the level of titanium in the stone: the more titanium, the richer the color. However, too much color can actually create a dull black effect, reducing the price of the stone.

Most blue sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Madagascar. Burmese sapphires tend to cost more than those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar due to their brilliant color. Kashmir blue sapphires are the most rare and expensive of all as the supply found in a remote region of India was exhausted around a 100 years ago, thus escalating price and demand. Prices for blue sapphires depend on whether or not they’ve been treated (with untreated costing much more) as well as color, cut, tone (lightness or darkness of stone), saturation (degree to which hue is hidden by other shades), and clarity. One carat blue sapphires can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Rainbow sapphire engagement rings seem to be increasing in popularity these days. There are a number of websites devoted soley to selling rainbow sapphire jewelry. Quite a few websites also offer rainbow sapphire wedding lines. Check out these websites offering a variety of rainbow sapphire engagement rings

www.rainbowsapphire.com

This website is pretty awesome if you love rainbow sapphire jewelry! It has two separate collections for rainbow sapphires with intense hues and those with medium color saturation. Unfortunately, they don’t sell directly to customers. However, you can send them an email to find out where an authorized retailer is located nearby to you

www.titanium-jewelry.com

This website offers several really cool looking syles for rainbow sapphire rings. The rings are solid titanium with rainbow sapphire chips. Very stylish and unique without looking gawdy.

www.amazon.com

Go to this power-house and type in “rainbow sapphire rings” and a bevy of colorful results will appear.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

What is Mokume Gane?? A Unique Idea for an Engagement Ring

What is Mokume Gane? Why you should consider a Mokume Gane engagement ring

If you are interested in having an engagement ring or wedding band that is truly unique consider mokume gane. So what the heck is Mokume gane? Mokume translates from Japanese as wood eye, which refers to burl wood grain, and gane means metal. During the samurai era, mokume gane was utilized to construct the handle for the samurai’s sword and often symbolized wealth and status. Mokume was invented by Denbei Shoami, a 17th century master metalsmith. Currently, mokume refers to designs made in this Japanese lamination technique and is typically used to create jewelery.

Mokume gane is created by complex processes involving forging, twisting, rolling and bonding metal alloys together so that they are intimately and intricately entwined. Many layers (most often somewhere between 10-30 layers) of selected metals such as platinum, golds, palladium, silver and/or iron, are clamped together between steel blocks and are then heated in a kiln, which allow the layers to fuse but not melt. The resulting fused stack of metal is called a billet which is rolled to reduce its thickness.

The unique patterns of the Mokume gane are created by hand carving down through the layers in the laminated stack and then rolling and flattenning it out. The process of carving and rolling is performed repeatedly to create the finished pattern. The patterns formed in this manner are almost like a topographic map, showing the depth of the carving into the original laminate
Mokume gane rings are available in a variety of patterns, metals, widths, and embellishments. The mokume gane technique creates a distinctive pattern whereby several general styles can be created depending on how the initial sheets of metal are fused. For example, a “river” design has wavy stripes, while an “island” design has unique loops and swirls. Patterns can also be created to run horizontally or vertically along the ring. The types of metals used will contribute to the color of the rings. Typically two or three types of metals are used in the creation of Mokume Gane, with yellow and white gold being commonly used. Yellow gold creates a yellowish hue whereas white gold creates a grayish hue. The width of the ring is dependent on personal taste, although wider rings better accentuate mokume patterns. Concerning gemstones, you can choose to have a gemstone inserted in the band for an elaborate engagement ring or let the sheer beauty of the mokume gane stand on its own, sans precious stones.

You most likely won’t find Mokume Gane engagement rings at your local mall. Try googling “mokume gane and engagement rings” and you will come up with a number of small businesses specializing in this art-form. As with all online purchases, be sure the business has a solid reputation: ask for references, contact the Better Business Bureau, etc.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Our Favorite Diamond Simulant: Diamond Nexus Labs

Our Favorite Diamond Simulant: Diamond Nexus Labs

Diamond nexus labs offer you all the look, luxury and glamor of a diamond but without the fancy price tag. Let me put it in layman’s terms….they sell you perfectly simulated diamonds… The naked eye can’t tell the difference between these gems and the ones that cost 10 times as much. Diamond simulants actually cut glass and have massive fire and brilliance as well as perfect clarity and color. In other words, you wont get any yellowish, mishaped stones. Nexus labs claims that in almost all measurable tests, their diamond simulants match or are superior to natural diamonds. Most gemologists require scientific testing equipment to tell the difference between diamonds and diamond simulants.

Diamond Nexus Labs jewels are ensconced in 14k white and yellow gold….which means your jewelery isn’t going to turn green and leave black marks on your engagement ring finger or worse, make your finger itchy and leave a bright red rash. If you don’t see what you like in their vast selection of choices, not too worry…they will custom make the piece that you desire. You can also buy loose stones if you like in every possible shape and size. They have both one and thee ring diamond engagement rings as well as simple and more ornate settings. The engagement rings range in price from $100-$2,000. They also sell bracelets, pendants, earrings, watches, and men’s jewelery

Diamond nexus lab sells jewelery that looks very tasteful and classy. You know how sometimes when you spot a faux handbag or faux jewelry, you can tell right off the bat because it looks incredibly gaudy? This concern won’t even enter you mind when you see what Diamond nexus is offering. The jewelry looks like you will have spent thousands when you’ve actually have only spent hundreds. You can then take you massive savings and put it into something that you really need as a couple, like a down payment for a house. This year, I have actually decided to stop paying insurance on my engagement ring ($150 a year). I figure if anything happens to the ring (and knock on wood that nothing will), I’ll replace it with a diamond simulant and no one will be the wiser. In the long run, it will help me save a bundle on the expense of engagement ring insurance. They sell an ascher cut sem-bezel ring that looks very similar to mine with the exception of the price-tag ($545) for theirs (over $5,000) for mine.

I have never purchased anything from Diamond Nexus Lab but they give off the appearance of a company that’s got its act together. The detailed website offers and information and education center where you can learn all about how their diamonds are created. They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and offer a secure website for making purchases. They offer an awesome guarantee…..you have thirty days to test out your purchase and decide if you want to keep it for good. There is a lifetime guarantee that if anything should happen to your diamond (fading, discoloration, chipping) they will replace it free of charge. If you lose your diamond because it falls out of the setting, they will replace it for a minimal remounting fee.

We all know that packaging and presentation is important. Diamond Nexus Labs hits the mark with their beautiful cherry wood and royal blue gift boxes and big wrapping bows. The boxes merely say 14k on them and don’t have the lab’s imprint…making them beautiful to display. Their marketing catalog is just as impressive, with thick pages and tasteful photographs.

If your the kind of person whose conscious keeps you up at night….diamond nexus labs may be right for you. You don’t have to worry that your gem came to fruition via child/slave labor or human bloodshed. With simulant diamonds, you don’t have to worry that any harm came to anyone involved in the making of your jewelry. No conflict here.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

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