Archive for January, 2010

All About Pear Shaped Engagement Rings

January 25th, 2010

Contrary to what many of us imagine, pear shaped engagement rings are not a very new creation. Indeed, in jewellery circles, the style that produces these pear shaped engagement rings is considered a ‘classic configuration.’ Nonetheless, it is only in recent days that pear shaped engagement rings have become very popular. Their popularity is mainly attributed to their unique look – and to what are virtually ‘celebrity endorsements:’ where several opinion leaders have opted for the pear shape in their engagement rings. In what has been termed as a ‘celebrity obsessed culture’ as ours, anything that these opinion leaders endorse by way of wearing instantly becomes fashion. Yet this is not to depreciate the true beauty of pear shaped engagement rings, because truth be told, even without celebrity endorsements, they would still eventually have come to be liked as people came to learn about them.

At their core, pear shaped engagement rings can be seen as being the progeny of two other popular shapes: the marquise and the oval shapes (which combine to make the overall ‘pear shape).

Naturally brilliant stones work best in making the pear shaped engagement rings. Diamond is the default stone, out of which pear shaped engagement rings are made.

There are many settings in which pear shaped engagement rings can be made: mainly depending on the preferences of the people shopping for them.

Most opt for the solitaire setting, as it is arguably the setting that best brings out the simple elegance of the pear shaped engagement rings.

Still, pear shaped engagement rings are also available as bridal sets, accented settings or cluster settings.

Due to the pear shape (which is pointed on one end, and round at the other), the person buying a pear shaped engagement ring has the option of either wearing it with the sharp end of the pear point toward the hand or away from the hand. Going with either is a matter of personal preference, though wearing it point away from the hand has the effect of visually elongating the finger; a good thing for some wearers.

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Designer Diamonds Explored

January 19th, 2010

Diamond jewellery, and loose diamonds on sale can be seen as falling into two categories: designer diamonds and the so-called ‘ordinary’ diamonds. To be sure, this distinction between designer diamonds and ‘ordinary’ diamonds does not come out very clearly in loose diamonds, but rather in the diamond jewellery. This is where we end up with ‘designer’ diamond rings, bracelets, earrings and so on – as opposed to ‘commonplace/ordinary’ diamond rings, bracelets, earrings and so on.

A number of features qualify an item to be either considered as belonging to the ‘designer diamonds’ category or the ‘ordinary’ diamonds category.

One is the ‘brand’ name behind the diamond item we are looking at. Just as a clothing item may qualify to be considered a ‘designer’ item by virtue of coming from such and such a fashion house, there are certain diamond vendor/maker brands that have made a ‘name’ for themselves, so that anything coming from them is considered a ‘designer’ item by default.

Yet the brand alone – while substantial – may not in most cases be enough to make a given item to be considered a ‘designer’ diamond.

Careful choice of diamonds, is therefore another important factor that goes into the making of items that end up being considered ‘designer diamonds.’ Designer diamonds are made from choice diamonds – the very best quality diamonds, because as it turns out, diamond comes in a variety of quality ratings. Of the 4 Cs of diamond, 3 come into consideration here: clarity, colour and carat weight in the sorting of ‘choice diamonds’ from ordinary/lacklustre diamonds.

The craftsmanship employed in making the items in question is yet another factor that goes into their qualification to be termed as designed diamonds. The fourth of the Cs associated with diamond, the ‘cut,’ is considered here. Designer diamonds are carefully crafted, typically by the hand, so that their makers can boast of their hand (rather than machine) crafting as another of their strong selling points.

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Engagement Rings: Solitaire Settings Explained

January 15th, 2010

The term ‘solitaire settings’ as used with regard to engagement rings, refers to the setting of the jewels on the rings: where only a single (solo) gem is used. It is categorized as a traditional ‘classic’ setting, and is one of the most popular such classic settings.

Solitaire settings come out best with some metals than others. Diamond is one of the metals with which the solitaire setting works best. Gold, too works well in bringing out the solitaire setting. In either case, it is the metal in question (gold or diamond in these cases) which is to be seen on the ring: hence the name ‘solitaire.’

People who want to ‘remain proper’ and stick with tradition are the people who are likely to find solitaire settings most appealing. Like the wedding gown (which is to be eventually worn, should the engagement be successful), and which is traditionally meant to be white and pure, the solitaire engagement ring is also ‘pure’ and thus ‘proper.’

Besides purity, solitaire settings also ooze of elegance. This is indisputable, and according to some quite authoritative commentators on these matters, the introduction of other gems in rings (engagement or otherwise), has the effect of diluting elegance. Of course, this dilution of elegance not always a bad to all people: because in many people’s vocabulary, there is such a thing as ‘too much elegance.’ Yet for those who really want all elegance they can get, solitaire settings work best.

In many people’s view, solitaire settings also result in beauty: the sort of simple (rather than loud) beauty, which is what many men are looking for in the women they present engagement rings to, who are typically women they are looking to eventually marry. This is what is otherwise referred to as ‘real beauty without much ado.’

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Factors Behind the Popularity of the Bezel Engagement Ring

January 13th, 2010

We should perhaps, start our exploration of the factors behind the popularity of the bezel engagement ring by understanding what the bezel engagement ring is, in the first place. As it turns out, the ‘bezel’ is one of the designs in which engagement rings are presented. At its core, the bezel is a raised collar, surrounding a jewel in a ring. Unlike other types of jewellery rings, where for all purposes and intents, the ‘jewel’ is exposed, in the bezel engagement ring, the jewel is protected by the bezel. This way, it doesn’t risk being detached from the ring, or corroded (in the case of metals that are prone to corrosion) in the course of its use.

From this explanation, it would obviously follow that this enhanced protection of the jewel is one of the factors behind the popularity of the bezel engagement ring. This is particularly attractive to people who are engaged in ‘active occupations’ where use of a plain engagement ring would call for having to frequently remove it (to avoid its damage)– which is definitely not what an engagement ring is meant for.

The unique look of the bezel engagement ring is another factor behind its popularity. The bezel engagement ring is the type of ring that you wear –and soon have everyone asking you about it. For those who love things that ‘stand out’ then, the bezel engagement ring comes across as one of those truly outstanding engagement rings.

The fact that the bezel engagement ring is not a plain one, but one that can be configured to various unique settings makes it all the more alluring.

So in the final analysis, we have in the bezel engagement ring the near-perfect ring: where practicality (thanks to the superior protection in the bezel) meets beauty and elegance.

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Features that Set Cushion Cut Rings Aside

January 11th, 2010

Cushion cut rings are very popular among couples looking for either engagement rings or wedding rings. This is especially so for couples that are interested in the so-called vintage rings – seeing that the cushion cut is considered one such ‘vintage cut.’

There are a number of features that set the cushion cut rings aside from the pack.

First is their elegant simplicity. A properly done cushion cut ring ends up oozing plenty of the so-called ‘unpretentious beauty’ – something that, incidentally, men are usually very keen on as a quality in their lifetime (rather than one evening) partners.

The square and rectangular shapes that make up the cushion cut are alluring to many people – and are in fact part of the package that accounts for the simple elegance of cushion cut rings. Numerous repetitions of these squares and rectangles all over the oval shape of the ‘rock’ on the ring has the effect of making the whole thing look like an overly-filled up seat cushion: hence the name of the cut.

The long history of the cushion cut is another factor that makes cushion cut rings popular, among couples with a liking for things classic and antique. As it turns out, this is a cut whose history goes as far back as the industrial ages: with its popularity having boomed for the whole of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century: when the cushion cut was considered a contemporary cut.

Yet another factor setting aside cushion cut rings is their flexibility, in terms of styling. Granted, the cushion cut (like other vintage cuts), works best as a solitaire. Yet it can still come out reasonably well accented, so that the person opting for it doesn’t end up being constrained in terms of style.

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Four Things You Need to Know Before You Go to Buy Loose Diamonds

January 4th, 2010

There are two forms in which you can buy diamonds. You can either buy diamonds that are integrated into various jewellery items (earrings, bracelets, rings and so on), or buy them as the so-called ‘loose diamonds.’ Loose diamonds are those ‘stand-alone’ pieces of diamonds. These, you can purchase for a number of purposes. You can purchase them for use as ‘keepsakes.’ You can purchase them for storage as real treasure (which you can unearth on a rainy day) seeing that money, in the form of cash, is too unstable for that purpose. You can also purchase them for use in replacing the ‘diamond bits’ in jewellery, where they happen to have fallen out and gotten lost, or damaged.

Now as you go out to buy such loose diamonds, there are some four things you really need to know.

First, you need to know, and master, the 4 C that matter in diamonds: cut, carat, colour and clarity – and how they manifest practically in diamonds.  This way, you won’t end up being sold a one carat loose diamond for the price of a two carat diamond by some unscrupulous dealer.

Secondly, you need to know what goes into the making of real diamonds (as opposed to fake diamonds). It is worth noting that fake diamonds – usually cleverly cut pieces of glass abound in the market, and beware of them.

Third, you need to know which the credible diamond certifying authorities are, and how genuine certification from them really looks like.

Fourth, you need to know what the reputation of the people you are considering buy loose diamonds from is really like. Most people who end up being duped into buying ‘crap’ in the name of loose diamonds turn out to be people who would have avoided that fate, had they just taken the trouble to really know the vendors. Scammers tend to be known – but you do have to research on their reputation, to know them.

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