Posts Tagged ‘pave engagement rings’
The Brides Choice
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Top 5 Misconceptions about Diamond Engagement Rings
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009It seems like there are endless facts out there when you start researching engagement rings. From the 4C’s of diamond buying to the number of months salary you should spend on a ring, the ‘experts’ are always telling you how, and what, to buy. But what about the many wrong ideas buyers encounter as they search for the ideal proposal jewel? It’s time to take a look at the top five misconceptions about diamond engagement rings.
1. Only Size Matters
Let’s face it: If she only cares about the size of the rock, she’s probably not the right girl. But all kidding aside, most women aren’t looking for the largest ring out there; they’re looking for the ring that fits their style and personality. Women are educated about diamond color and clarity, and they too want to own a diamond that will hold its value–not a stone that is big but low in quality. Instead of going overboard in size, take the time to explore what kind of cut she likes and then go for the best quality that your budget allows.
2. Same is Better
While women sometimes envy a handbag or pair of shoes that a friend owns, they usually are not interested in having the exact same engagement ring as a friend or relative. Today, women truly value a special piece of jewelry that speaks to their husband’s ability to seek out the unique. The best tactic is to take the characteristics of another ring she likes, but then put a spin on it. For example, if she loves her cousin’s white gold, three-stone diamond engagement ring with a princess cut diamond, look for something in a similar style but with a twist: like this Three Stone ring made for a round center stone.
3. Matching bands are necessary
For a while, every single bridal designer was marketing a matching wedding band with each engagement ring offered. While it might make the process easier for some brides and grooms, this notion of ‘matching sets’ has become a bit outdated. As engagement rings have become more unusual and less status quo, bands too have taken a turn for the unique. Women today are opting to stack simple bands as anniversary gifts, or to choose statement bands that they instead wear on their right hand.
4. White is Always Right
Yes, it’s still true that white diamonds and white metal are the number one choice for engagement rings. But it’s also true that women are much more open-minded to seeing alternate materials and colors in that little box. Yellow gold and Rose gold are seeing a renaissance in engagement rings right now, and rose is an especially flattering metal on most any skin tone. Colored diamonds are also experiencing a surge in popularity, and are a fantastic choice for an unconventional bride. A deep orange-yellow diamond ring or a natural yellow diamond floral ring may be just the thing to make her say ‘yes’.
5. You need to be an expert
Rest assured, you do not need to be a gemologist to choose the right diamond, nor a fashion expert to choose the right setting. Three simple steps can make the right choice a snap: First, do a bit of homework. Second, choose a reliable resource when shopping for diamond engagement rings. Third, make sure your stone is properly insured.
Shop all these styles and much more at Jewels Boutique, www.JewelsBoutique.com.
Star Style: Inspired by Six Celebrity Engagement Rings
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Hoping 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.
Pretty 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.
Three-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.
Royal 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.
Not-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.
Split 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.
Hip 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 engagement ring styles and much more at Jewels Boutique.
Engagement Rings 101: Three Simple Steps to ‘Yes’
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Let’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 
high 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.
Matching Diamonds with Pave Engagement Rings
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009Providing exceptional user experience (UX) for online diamond and engagement ring shopping is no trivial task. It is different from virtually all other eCommerce merchandising that you will find on the Internet today.
To begin with, each customer is unique in their approach; some begin with the diamond and others start by picking a special mounting followed by the diamond. For the later, some shoppers already have diamond as an heirloom or gift. And, of course the diamond and ring must work well together. An online system that does all this is much more than a traditional eCommerce solution.
The size and shape attributes of diamonds, are essential when selecting compatible engagement ring mountings. Equally important are the engagement ring prongs (metal pieces which hold your diamond in place). The number, type, spacing, and orientation of prongs determines which sizes and shapes of diamonds each pave ring mounting can accommodate.
Prong spacing is especially critical for designer engagement rings and pave engagement ring mountings with their many smaller diamonds near the center stone. High quality designer pieces accommodate specific shapes and sizes of diamonds.
The JewelsBoutique.com system automatically takes the prong attributes into account and presents customer with a list of matching products (mountings or diamonds based on your selection). These “matching products” are presented because they work well with the diamond or mounting that you previously selected. We use a combination of systems and gemologist recommendations to produce our matching products and we stand behind them 100%.
Our goal is to provide you with quality diamonds, pave engagement ring mountings, and an exceptional shopping experience. We do this with our team of special designers, expert gemologists, skilled jewelers, and thoughtfully designed web site. Explore JewelsBoutique.com and give our concierge service a try, we are here to exceed your expectations!
Cleaning Your Engagement Ring
Thursday, August 13th, 2009
It is natural for all types of jewelry to accumulate oils, lotions, dust, and dirt in normal daily life. This is especially problematic for diamonds because like mirrors; even finger prints reduce their glittering sparkle. Routine cleaning of diamond jewelry restores their just like new scintillation and glow.
Cleaning bridal engagement rings with pave diamond settings is not complicated or time consuming, but it is somewhat different from cleaning other types of engagement bands. The intricate arrangements found in pave engagement rings contain tiny crevices and nooks which produce brilliant beauty. These pockets can also collect dust and grime which reduces the luster of your ring; cleaning with fine, gentle brushes, soaking solutions and jewelry cleaners brings back the luminescent sparkle of your jewels with little effort.
JewelsBoutique.com offers both ultrasonic and steam cleaners. We hand selected and tested these items to ensure that they work well; all are ideally suited as personal Jewelry cleaning devices.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners use a combination of liquid and high frequency vibration to loosen all types of dirt, grease, and grime from your jewels. These unique devices offer a safe and very effective way to loosen and remove even substantial amounts of dirt from jewelry.
Steam
Jewelry steamers provide the easiest way to keep your rings looking their best with minimal effort. These unique devices use powerful blasts of stem to loosen and remove dirt and grime from the tiny crevices found in pave and micro-pave diamond jewelry.
Cleaning Advice @ JewelsBoutique.com
While we offer both ultrasonic and steam cleaners; it is also possible and reasonable to manually clean your jewels. Household cleaning can be accomplished in few simple steps:
- Put a drain strainer (like one’s used for contact lenses) over the drain in your sink
- Use Neutrogena facial soap (leaves very little residue) and brush lightly with old toothbrush
- rinse with warm water
- place ring on paper towel
- blow dry with hair dryer; hottest setting (prevents water marks)
Sizing Up Pave Engagement Rings
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009When 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.
