Posts Tagged ‘micro pave’

Star Style: Inspired by Six Celebrity Engagement Rings

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

Beautiful blond girl looking like a superstar posing and lots ofHoping to rock a rock in the near future? While celebrities’ rings may be a bit out of our price range, that doesn’t mean we can’t borrow a bit of their style. Though we don’t suggest copying anyone’s look diamond for diamond, we do think that there’s a ton of inspiration to be had from A-list engagement rings. Make these looks your own-budget be darned!-by adapting a bit of star style in your own life.

heidi-montagPretty in Purple: Heidi Montag. Let’s get down to business with a ring that is really off the beaten path. While you may not love Heidi’s paparazzi-desperate ways, her amethyst and diamond ring is a choice that stands out from the pack. Don’t be afraid to choose a semi-precious stone for your engagement ring (this Lavender Kunzite in 18-karat yellow gold comes to mind), but if you’re foregoing a diamond, make sure that it makes a real statement.

mariah1Three-Stone Stunner: Mariah Carey. While it was rumored that Mariah’s 17-carat square emerald-cut pink diamond flanked by two half-moon diamonds was recycled from Nick Cannon’s former fiancee (it’s not true), the ring is gorgeous either way. A lot of people love the sentiment of a three-stone ring (it references the past, present and future of your relationship), and it’s a meaningful way to incorporate more than one diamond shape into the design.

katieRoyal Oval: Katie Holmes. Not everyone will get a proposal under the Eiffel Tower, but an oval-shaped setting is a flattering shape on virtually any bride’s hand. Katie’s 5-carat diamond surrounded by micro pavé is a little more interesting than a standard round, and the elongated stone will even seemingly lengthen the shortest of fingers.

heidi-klumNot-so-Mellow Yellow: Heidi Klum. Colored diamonds are all the rage these days, and for good reason. These naturally-hued stones are rare, interesting, and allow you to focus on a spectacular stone rather than worrying too much about a setting. Heidi’s 12-carat cushion-cut canary yellow diamond is breathtaking, and by going Couture (who wouldn’t want this spectacular ring?) you can get a similar look with the same wow-factor.

beyonceSplit Decision: Beyoncé. Let’s be honest: Beyoncé’s insane 18-carat emerald cut diamond ring is out of most everyone’s league. But one detail is easily replicated: The split-shank mounting that holds the massive stone. A split shank is a good choice for several reasons: It holds a diamond in place well with little worry of movement, it’s a perfect place for a bit of pavé diamonds without being over-the-top, and, well, it just looks pretty on the finger.

ashleeHip to be Square: Ashlee Simpson. Considering her husband’s rock music pedigree, Ashlee’s ring is surprisingly sedate. But, the design is one of the most popular today: A diamond surrounded by pavé diamonds. The setting chose by her husband, musician Pete Wentz, is a very defined square shape-perfect for a modern bride who craves a little edge. Even better: The extra row of diamonds makes any center stone look even bigger!

Shop all these styles and much more at Jewels Boutique, www.JewelsBoutique.com.

Engagement Rings 101: Three Simple Steps to ‘Yes’

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Closeup of a young man and his girlfriend stretching their handsLet’s start this lesson with a simple statement of fact: If you’ve found the right woman, the ring you choose won’t matter nearly as much as the fact that you’re proposing. But since you’re making the investment, why not do your homework and flash the ring that will make her heart stop?

While the time and cost it takes to create an engagement ring may seem overwhelming, let’s put it in perspective. The right rock will make her…

*  The envy of all of her friends.

*  Think of you every time she catches a glimpse of her left hand.

*  Feel like you really know her.

This last step is the key to choosing the perfect ring for your bride-to-be. Even though guys are traditionally hesitant to purchase ‘fashion’ items for their wives or girlfriends, there’s a surefire three-step approach to making sure that the ring you buy will fit her like a glove, literally and figuratively.

1.  Know your Metals

Not sure whether she likes a warm yellow or pink gold or prefers traditional white? Sneak a peek in her jewelry box and see what she normally wears. If she’s like many women, she’ll have a mix of different colors which means that she’s open to either metal. Unless you are sure she has strong preference (go ahead, ask her best friend!), most women opt for a white metal because it is the perfect match for white diamonds. The tip: Colored metals can sometimes reflect into a white diamond, dulling the hue of the stone you just paid a bundle for!

2.  Select your Shape

Although some think that bigger is always better, sometimes the right ring is all about the shape of the diamond you choose. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for diamond shapes:

*  Round. The most classic and popular shape for diamonds, the comparatively Happy young man piggybacking his pretty young girlfriendhigh number of facets (cuts in the stone) means that you’ll get a lot of sparkle for your dollar.

*  Princess. A modern square shape that works perfectly for a slightly less traditional bride.

*  Emerald or Asscher. These rectangular shapes are step-cut, which means that you can look down into it and see the facets like a staircase. This is best for high-quality diamonds (you can see every flaw!) and larger stones. Bonus: It’s the best way to show off a really gorgeous gem.

*  Oval and Cushion. These shapes are picking up momentum again and are both romantic and practical. Why practical? Ovals often have a big ’spread’, meaning that most of the weight is along the top and not underneath. This can make your diamond look even larger than it is. Cushions have a bit of a vintage feel, which looks great with Art Deco or retro-inspired settings.

*  Fancy shapes (Pear, Marquise, Heart). Rule of thumb with these shapes: Be sure the bride-to-be is on board. These are not for every woman, but if she likes the look she’ll be sure to have a ring that stands out from the crowd. Want to learn more? Consulting a diamond buying guide will help you make the big decisions.

3.  Score your Setting

Now that you’ve nailed down the basics, the fun really begins. In all fairness, you don’t have to go about this process by yourself. Close friends and family of the bride may already be clued into what she wants (or what she definitely doesn’t want), so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Here are a few details to consider when you’re shopping for engagement ring settings:

*  Modern settings. These are often less bulky and more sculptural in feeling than other rings. Perfect for a fashionista who wants something a bit offbeat. These are often solitaire style, meaning that there are no large side stones. A perfect example is this Floral setting.

*  Three stone setting. A great way to express the sentiment of your ‘past, present and future’ together as a couple, this setting also contains a lot of carat weight, which may be a budget consideration. Check out this mounting with baguette side stones.

*  Period touches. In fashion, everything old is new again, so don’t be afraid to go vintage-inspired with your ring choice. Details like hand-engraving, filigree and yellow or pink gold (like this ‘Medieval Mounting‘) are just right for a woman who appreciates a retro look.

Shop all these styles and much more at Jewels Boutique, www.JewelsBoutique.com.

Sizing Up Pave Engagement Rings

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

When discussing engagement rings, we all think about the diamond; how big, what cut and which clarity. Of course, this discussion usually focuses on the center stone, it’s important to consider the mounting or setting, too.

Fine Diamonds and Engagement Ring Promotions

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Free shipping on diamonds and pave engagement rings. Discounts available when pay via Amazon or wire transfer!

Micro Pave Engagement Ring Mountings

Monday, June 15th, 2009

The small stones in micro pave fine jewelry provide great stylistic flexibility leading to delicate and intricate designs of micro pave engagement rings that is not possible with larger stones.

Micro pave engagement rings are delicate designer fashions with spectacular sparkle and flair that appeal to discriminating couples interested in unique designs. These special rings produce more glitter and allure than their pave engagement rings cousins because they use the smallest possible diamonds to achieve a uniform sparkle on the ring’s surface. The individual stones are so small, they blend together smoothly and present a truly extravagant image. The number of tiny diamonds in a micro pave design can range from 30 to more than 70 and are often measured in total carat weight (rarely more than 0.75 carat total weight, not counting the center stone).

Here are some thing so to keep in mind when comparing micro pave engagement rings:

  • Glitter - Seek out designs where the sparkle of the pave diamonds provide a good balance with your center stone. Think about the quality of your center stone so that it is the star while the pave diamonds provide a beautiful stage.
  • Balance - If a single line of stones is used for the band, it may seem disproportionately narrow compared to the center stone, particularly if the center stone is also surrounded by diamond accents.
  • Color - The color of the micro pave diamonds should be consistent along the entire surface of the ring; diamonds with poor color are more likely to stand out.
  • Smooth Surface - Because the diamonds used in micro pave are so small, the ring’s surface is smoother than with larger pave settings. The surface of the ring should be uniform, with no single stone jutting out further than the others.
  • Less Visible Metal - Smaller stones can fit together more closely, micro pave ring mountings should have less metal showing through the diamond encrustation.