We’ve already taken a look at several of the reasons why buying diamond rings on vacation may not be the best idea.  before we continue, let’s take a brief moment to explore one of the times when purchasing new diamond rings may not be such a high risk proposition after all.

There are certain areas of the world that are highly regarded specifically for their diamonds and diamond rings.  When vacationing to areas with renowned diamond rings production, it can often be a good idea to consider making an investment.  This may include areas with local diamond mines that specialize in mining and perfecting their finds into diamond rings locally.  This may also include areas known as homes to large diamond rings retailers that choose their locations based specifically on the cost savings they are able to offer their customers based solely on geographics.  This may come in the form of lower tax rates for diamond rings, or even duty free purchases that allow the diamond rings buyers to avoid paying some or all of the taxes on their new diamond rings.  Once again, this should only be done through reputable diamond rings retailers with a solid history of fair treatment and quality merchandise.

Back to reasons why vacation buying for diamond rings isn’t always the best idea centers on the warranty or guarantee that is often attached to vacation purchases.  While small diamond rings retailers located in tourists hot spots may appear to offer solid warranties and guarantees on all their diamond rings purchases, make sure you read the fine print.  Some retailers may require the return of the merchandise in person for any returns or repairs.  While this policy may work great for locals, it is not so ideal for vacationing tourists who may or may not ever return to the location the diamond rings were purchased.  More reputable dealers in tourist locales will often provide more central locations at which consumers can bring their diamond rings in for return or repairs, often located in areas that will be more convenient to their homes than their vacation spots.

We’ve just taken a look at the common misconceptions regarding a diamond rings cut, as well as the reasons why some cuts are better than others.  Now let’s look at the individual ratings frequently used to classify a diamond rings cut, as well as their specific characteristics.  The cut ratings for diamond rings fall into one of six categories, the first of which is ideal cut.

Ideal cut diamond rings are those that are precisely cut or faceted to allow the maximum amount of light into the stone, while also reflecting the maximum amount of light back out of it.  Ideal cut diamond rings have a fire to them, a sparkle that makes them the perfect examples of what diamond rings should look like.  The ideal cut rating is only given to round diamonds as these are believed to be the best cut for expressing maximum brilliance in the diamond rings.

The next cut rating is the premium cut classification for diamond rings.  Premium cut diamond rings also feature only round stones within them.  Premium cut diamond rings are only slightly lower in their quality than ideal cut diamond rings.  For the most part, most consumers with an untrained eye can’t even tell the difference between ideal cut diamond rings and premium cut diamond rings since they are so close in nature.  Premium cut diamond rings do, however, afford the consumer a slightly lower price tag when compared to ideal cut diamond rings.

The next category includes diamond rings whose cuts are classified as very good.  These diamond rings feature stones that are still cut very well that allow a large amount of light to pass into them and reflect back out.  The primary reason these diamond rings cannot be classified as ideal cut diamond rings or premium cut diamond rings is because their measurements fall outside of the accepted range for the other diamond rings.  More than just round daimond rings can obtain the very good classification for cuts.

Stay tuned for more classifications and their meanings tomorrow.

When it comes to the Four C’s of diamond rings, the most frequently misunderstood of the four ratings is Cut.  Ironically enough, the cut of the stones in the diamond rings can make a huge impact on the overall beauty of the diamond rings.  In order to better understand the Cut rating for diamond rings, let’s explore some of the common misconceptions as well as look at the detail involved in determining the cut rating for diamond rings.

When most people think of Cut in regards to diamond rings, they think of the shape of the stones in the diamond rings.  While various shapes of stones used in diamond rings are referred to as Pear Cut, Asscher Cut, Round Cut, etc., when it comes to the Four C’s, the term cut means something completely different.  In this case, the cut f the diamond rings refers to the reflective qualities of the stones in the diamond rings.  Since the beauty of diamond rings relies so heavily on the way the diamond rings react to light, the stones reflective qualities, or cut, play a large part in the diamond rings quality.

With diamond rings that have been cut properly, the light should pass down into the top of the stones in the diamond rings though to the bottom of the stones.  It should then reflect or bounce to the other side of the stone in the diamond rings where it will then be reflected back up towards the top surface of the diamond rings again.  This method allows the diamond rings to reflect the most light possible in the best method.  These diamond rings are often called ideal cut diamond rings.

Stones in diamond rings that are cut poorly, on the other hand, will often allow the light to pass directly through the diamond rings without reflecting it back up.  This hinders the brilliance and sparkle that diamond rings are known for and decreases the quality of the diamond rings.  These diamond rings will appear flat and dull when compared to diamond rings with properly cut stones.

Stay tuned for a more in depth look at the actual ratings used to classify a diamond rings cut.

Continuing our exploration of the various ratings used to identify the colour of stones in diamond rings, we move onto the category of faint yellow stones.  This grouping includes diamond rings with stones rated K, L, or M in colour.  As the name implies, stones in this category will possess a slight yellow tint when looked at under specialised equipment.  Diamond rings with stones in this category may also appear slightly yellow to the naked eye, with K rated stones being the clearest and M rated stones being the yellower of the three.  Just because the stones in the diamond rings are rated as faint yellow, however, doesn’t mean they are not highly sought after.  Some consumers, in fact, prefer the look of diamond rings with stones rated in the K through M ranges as they believe these stones give the diamond rings a warmer look to them.  Stones rated in the K through M range are also popular choice for diamond rings set in yellow gold as many people believe the slight yellow tint to the stones in the diamonds rings provides a better compliment to the yellow of the gold setting.  On the other hand, diamond rings set in white metals such as platinum or palladium often benefit more from stones rated above K as the white metal tends to set off the yellow tints more.

Diamond rings with stones rated N through R are considered to be very light yellow in nature.  Diamonds that fall into the upper range of this category, N and O specifically are still popular for yellow gold set diamond rings.  Stones in the lower grades, P, Q, and R specifically, are less desirable unless the consumer is looking for diamond rings with a visible yellow tint to them.

Diamond rings with stones falling in the S through X categories are classified as light yellow stones.  Like the included diamond rings we examined earlier, diamond rings with stones rated in the light yellow category are rarely seen being sold by reputable dealers and are more popular in lower rated diamond rings markets.

Lastly, stones in diamond rings rated Y or Z are classified as yellow stones and are not considered jewellery grade material.  Keep in mind, however, that these stones are not the same as the yellow diamonds used for higher end diamond rings.  Those yellow diamonds are created naturally and are much more sought after.  Stones in diamond rings rated Y or Z are often an unattractive shade of yellow.

As we said earlier, to fully understand the various ratings used for the Four C’s of diamond grading, you also need to take a closer look at the individual ratings used within each category.  We’ve already explored the ratings used to identify a diamond rings clarity, now let’s move onto colour and look at the various grades given to diamond rings to rate this particular characteristic.

Colour, of course, refers to the visual appearance of the stone in the diamond rings and the colour ratings they possess.  Ideally, diamond rings are more desirable the less colour they have, making colourless or clear diamond rings the most desirable.  For purposes of grading the stones in diamond rings, an alphabetical rating is used, starting with D and going through to Z.

Diamond rings with stones rated a D with regards to colour are considered true colourless diamonds.  D rated diamond rings are considered the most perfect when it comes to colour rating and are in turn the most costly of all rated diamond rings.  As you progress further down the rating scale you will see that diamond rings with stones graded as E and F on the colour rating are considered colourless as well.  In essence, all three grades, D, E, and F, are rated as colourless diamond rings, with D rated diamond rings being the most colourless and F rated diamond rings being the least colourless of the three.

The next batch of ratings on the colour scale for diamond rings includes the letters G through J and are rated as near colourless diamond rings.  This indicates the stones in the diamond rings may possess a faint trace of colour but, for the most part, are still considered colourless diamonds.  In fact, diamond rings with stones rated G, H, or I are colourless to the naked eye and any colour traits they do contain can only be seen with the help of additional equipment or the eye of a highly trained diamond grader or jeweller.  This makes these stones for diamond rings highly sought after by people wanting colourless stones for their diamond rings without wanting to pay the price attached to most diamond rings with stones graded in the D through F scales.

We are currently taking a more in depth look at the ratings scales used to identify the clarity of the stones in diamond rings.  So far, we have examined the criteria for flawless diamond rings, internally flawless diamond rings, and diamond rings with very, very slight inclusions.

Now we take a look at diamond rings that fall under the SI ratings, of which there are two, SI1 and SI2.  Si ratings for diamond rings stand for slightly included.  Like diamond rings in the VVSI ratings, stones in diamond rings with SI ratings possess a small amount of either internal or surface flaws.  These flaws in the diamond rings can be seen under 10x magnification and are slightly easier to spot than diamond rings with VVSI ratings.  Diamond rings rated SI1 contain less or smaller flaws than diamond rings rated SI2.  Even though these diamond rings contain a number of flaws that can be seen under magnification, they are often still flawless to the naked eye.  Diamond rings with stones rated SI1 or SI2 are ideal for consumers on a more limited budget.

The final group of ratings used for diamond rings and their clarity fall under I1, I2, or I3.  The I rating indicates the stones in the diamond rings are included and contain a number of flaws.  Unlike the other ratings we’ve looked at so far for diamond rings, stones in diamond rings with I ratings of 1,2, or 3 contain flaws that can be seen with the visible eye.  Diamond rings with stones rated with an I1 will have less visible flaws that diamond rings possessing stones  rated with an I2 or I3.  For the most part, diamond rings with I ratings are not recommended and are not carried by more reputable jewellers.  Diamond rings rated with I ratings are, however, frequently carried by second rate jewellers who often market to consumers who don’t know enough about the diamond rings rating scales to understand what they are buying.

When purchasing diamond rings with flawed stones, the diamond rings certificate will often include a blueprint or plot of the stones in the diamond rings that indicate exactly where the various surface or internal flaws are located.

When shopping for diamond rings, it’s important to fully understand the various scales and ratings given to the stones in the diamond rings to rate their quality.  Known as the Four C’s of diamond rings, these ratings include clarity, cut, colour, and carat weight.  Let’s start by taking an in depth look at the clarity rating used to grade diamonds rings.

A diamond rings clarity rating is used to describe the various imperfections both on the surface of and within the stones in the diamond rings.  Surface imperfections of diamond rings are referred to as blemishes, while internal flaws in the stones of the diamond rings are known as inclusions.  For grading purposes, however, all flaws in the diamond rings are referred to as inclusions.  The clarity of the diamond rings is graded on a letter scale between F through I3.

A F rating for stones in diamond rings indicates a flawless diamond.  Naturally this is the rarest of all grading marks for diamond rings and is extremely hard to come by.  Given this rarity, diamond rings containing flawless stones are also some of the most expensive per carat.

The next grading mark for diamond rings is the IF mark.  This rating indicates the stones in the diamond rings are internally flawless.  This means that the diamonds in the diamond rings have no internal inclusions but may possess slight surface blemishes.  Keep in mind, any surface blemishes would have to be extremely minor for the stones in the diamond rings to receive an IF rating.  Like flawless diamond rings, IF diamond rings are still extremely rare and in high demand.

The next set of rating marks for stones in diamond rings are VVS1 and VVS2.  Diamond rings with stones in these two rating marks indicate very very slight inclusions.  While these flaws on the diamond rings are still invisible to the naked eye, they can be seen at ranges over 10x magnification when the diamond rings are examined under a microscope.  Even at 10x magnification, however, stones in diamond rings graded either VVS1 or VVS2 are still extremely difficult to spot.  VVS1 diamond rings would have slightly less flaws than diamond rings graded VVS2.  Both ratings are considered highly sought after.

Moving onto more angled cuts, let’s take a look at the second most popular choice for diamond rings, the Princess Cut.  Princess Cut diamond rings feature square stones and are the second most commonly seen cut on the diamond rings market.  Princess Cut stones appear heavily in modern diamond rings design, as well as playing a large role in vintage and antique diamond rings design.

Similar in basic design to Princess Cut diamond rings are Emerald Cut diamond rings.  Emerald Cut diamond rings feature stones with a more rectangular shape to them, often with cut corners for added facets.  The name for Emerald Cut diamond rings was driven by the fact that this rectangular cut was once believed to be the most popular choice for the gemstones of the same name.  Like Princess Cut diamond rings, Emerald Cut diamond rings are seen quite frequently in both modern and antique diamond rings designs and enjoy a high level of popularity as an integral part of the bridal jewellery and diamond rings market.

A modified version of Princess Cut diamond rings can be found in Asscher Cut diamond rings.  Asscher Cut diamond rings resemble Princess Cut diamond rings in that they have four sides, with the primary difference being that each side is slightly arched to produce a more rounded effect to the overall square shape of the diamond rings.

For a more whimsical cut, we turn to heart shaped diamond rings.  As their name implies, these diamond rings features diamonds which have been cut into the shape of a heart.  Naturally, given the romantic symbolism behind these diamond rings, the heart shaped stones are quite popular in bridal jewellery markets as well as in diamond rings catered towards younger audiences.

While there are other diamond cuts in existence used for diamond rings, this list represents the most common cuts used for diamond rings on today’s market.  Regardless of which cut of stone you prefer in your diamond rings, as you can see from this list, there are plenty of cut options to choose from when shopping for diamond rings.

When it comes to diamond rings, one of the primary features that help give them their unique appearances are the various cuts of diamonds being used.  In order to completely understand the basics of diamond rings, it is important to familiarise yourself with the various cuts used for diamond rings in order to determine which cut best suits your individual tastes.

The most prominent of all cuts used for diamond rings is the Round Cut.  Diamond rings featuring Round Cut stones present a circular appearance from the top and a conical shape from the side.  Round Cut diamond rings are not only the most classic design of all diamond rings, they also represent the most popular choice for diamond rings being used as bridal jewellery, diamond engagement rings in particular.

Presenting the same basic design as Round Cut diamond rings are Oval Cut diamond rings.  Like Round Cut diamond rings, Oval Cut diamond rings present a rounded appearance when viewed form the top and a conical appearance when looked at from the side.  The primary difference between Round Cut diamond rings and Oval Cut diamond rings is the more elongated shape used for Oval Cut diamonds.  Oval cut diamond rings are seen very frequently in antique jewellery collections and in modern diamond rings inspired by antique designs.

Oval Cut diamond rings can further be modified by bringing one of the elongated ends of the stone to a point, creating a tear drop effect and producing what is known as Pear Cut diamond rings.  Essentially, Pear Cut diamond rings feature stones that are rounded on one end and pointed on the other.  Pear Cut diamond rings, like Round Cut diamond rings, are also popular choices on the bridal jewellery market.  Pear Cut stones are also popular when used as side stones or shoulder stones in multi-stone diamond rings, typically featuring the curved end placed against the centre stones in the diamond rings and the pointed ends facing outwards.

Similar in design to the Pear Cut is the Marquise Cut.  Marquise Cut diamond rings feature elongated stones that are pointed at both ends.  While Marquise Cut diamond rings aren’t necessarily as popular on the diamond rings market as they used to be, many diamond rings retailers say that they are slowly regaining ground on the market and experiencing a new rise in popularity.

We’ve already taken a look at the most popular and classic setting types used for diamond rings, now let’s take a closer look at some of the more modern setting types cropping up on diamond rings around the globe.

One of the biggest pushes for modern diamond rings involves settings that are fairly invisible to the naked eye.  One of the most popular choices for unseen settings on diamond rings is, naturally enough, referred to as the invisible setting.  Invisible set diamond rings are typically designed in a fashion that allows the setting for the stones in the diamond rings to remain on the underside of the diamonds themselves.  This is sometimes done by using stones with notches in them to which the precious metal is secured.  Invisible set diamond rings give the outward illusion of free floating stones in the diamond rings while it is the mechanics of the settings on the underside of the diamonds that hold them securely in place.  Invisible set diamond rings often feature multiple diamonds set flush against one another, often in a square or rectangular design.

In a variation of the invisible setting, diamond rings can also rely on small beads of precise metal worked into the ring design at each point where two or more corners of the diamonds meet.  Bead set diamond rings offer a simpler way to create a near invisible setting, often at a more affordable cost to the buyer.  Since the precious metal used to create the bead setting is typically done with white gold or platinum, the beads tends to blend well into the diamond rings design from a distance.

Another popular choice for minimalist settings in diamond rings is the tension setting.  Tension set diamond rings essentially rely on the force created by cutting a portion of the diamond rings band and spreading the area apart.  The loose stones are then placed into this opening created by the spread and the two end points of the band in the diamond rings are then released.  The pressure these two points exert on the stones in the tension set diamond rings is what, in turn, holds the stones in place.  Tension set diamond rings are extremely popular in modern diamond rings design due to their unique cutting edge design and appearance.

We’ve just explored the various types of classic diamond rings, now let’s take a brief look at the different setting types used for diamond rings.

The most popular setting for diamond rings is the claw or prong setting.  As the name implies, this setting types consists of several prongs that extend upwards from the bands of the diamond rings in a claw fashion to grip and hold the stones in place.  The prong or claw setting is currently the most popular choice for diamond rings as it can be designed to accommodate nearly any size or shape of stone in the various diamond rings.

Bezel set diamond rings feature stones wrapped around their surface edges in precious metal to hold them in place.  While the undersides of the stones in these diamond rings are typically left exposed to allow more light to pass through the diamond rings, the metal wrapped edges are what hold the diamonds firmly in place.  Bezel set diamond rings are often flush mount diamond rings which means the upper surface of the diamonds is often flush with the bands of the diamond rings themselves.

Pave set diamond rings are sometimes referred to as encrusted diamond rings.  These diamond rings feature a multitude of small diamonds set into the precious metal across large surface areas.  Pave set diamond rings use the fact that the entire underside of the diamonds, as well as a minute area on the top of the stones, are being held securely in the precious metal to keep the stones secure.

Channel set diamond rings are similar in design to bezel set diamond rings in that the diamonds are typically mounted flush to the surface of the rings.  Commonly seen in eternity ring designs, these diamond rings feature stones set into a track or channel of precious metal in the diamond rings.  The stones in these diamond rings are held in place by the fact that they are essentially caged or encased in the track of the diamond rings.  Unlike bezel set diamond rings, channel set diamond rings often feature multiple stones set side by side within the channel or track of the diamond rings.

The next major style for diamond rings behind solitaire diamond rings and diamond rings with shoulder stones is the classic three stone diamond rings style.  Once again similar in nature to a previous style, the three stone design for diamond rings takes its cue from the shoulder stone diamond rings.  In three stone diamond rings, however, the two side diamonds that flank the centre stone in the diamond rings are typically more substantial in size, while still being slightly smaller than the featured central stone.  Three stone diamond rings are also commonly referred to as past, present, and future diamond rings as these are the three phases of a couple’s relationship each stone in the diamond rings are designed to symbolise.  Three stone diamond rings are commonly found on the bridal jewellery market and are popular choices for anniversary diamond rings.

Cluster style diamond rings are next up on the list.  These diamond rings feature a multitude of stones, some in very abstract designs and others in more patterned displays.  Cluster style diamond rings may or may not feature a larger central stone.  In cluster diamond rings that do have a centre stone, the other diamond in the diamond rings are typically set in a fashion to surround or halo the central stone, producing a brilliant framing effect.  Cluster style diamond rings can also be designed without a central stone at which point the various stones in the diamond rings work together to create a unified brilliance.  Cluster style diamond rings are also referred to as cocktail rings or dress diamond rings and are quite popular for right hand diamond rings.  These being diamond rings designed to be worn for fashion on the right hand as opposed to diamond rings commonly worn on the left hand as a symbol of some type of relationship status.

The final classic style for diamond rings is the eternity style.  Eternity style diamond rings feature smaller diamonds set either half way or completely around the band of the diamond rings to create an unending stream of diamond brilliance.  Once reserved for anniversary gifts, eternity style diamond rings are becoming more and more popular as an alternative to plainer wedding bands.  Some designs of eternity style diamond rings can also be stacked together and worn for fashion purposes.

If you’re thinking about beginning the process of shopping for diamond rings, there are several things you can take the time to familiarise yourself with in advance to make the diamond rings selection process much more enjoyable and much less stressful overall.  When it comes to diamond rings, the more knowledge you have going into the buying process, the better your chances of being able to choose diamond rings that are not only a good bargain for the price, but also high quality as well.  Over the next several days, we’re going to take a look at diamond rings in greater detail and show you the ins and outs of the diamond rings selection process.

One of the first things to learn about when it comes to diamond rings 101 is the different types of diamond rings available on the market.  By familiarising yourself with these various styles of diamond rings, as well as the terms used to classify them, you can get a head start on what types of diamond rings there are as well as what styles of diamond rings you may be interested in.

The most classic style used for diamond rings is the solitaire diamond rings design.  These diamond rings feature a single diamond in either a plain or decorative precious metal band.  The stones in these diamond rings can be set with a number of different setting types, but the diamond rings themselves always feature one single central stone.  Solitaire diamond rings are the most popular style for diamond engagement rings, but can also be found in collections featuring more fashion orientated diamond rings as well.

The next most popular style of diamond rings are shoulder stone diamond rings.  These diamond rings follow the same basic design as solitaire diamond rings, with the addition of one or more smaller accent stones on each side of the larger centre diamond.  Known as shoulder stones, these accent stones give the diamond rings a bit more added sparkle and help extend the diamond brilliance in the diamond rings across the ring’s band.  Diamond rings with shoulder stones are most commonly seen in bridal jewellery collections.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore the various types of classic diamond rings.

Continuing on our discussion regarding the appeal of gemstone and diamond rings, lets take a look at some of the other reasons adding coloured stones to diamond rings continues to be such a popular trend.

While it may not seem apparent at first, affordability is a key reason why gemstone and diamond rings are still such a hit on the diamond rings market.  While gemstone rings are beautiful to own, nothing beats the prestige and beauty of diamond rings.  Diamond rings, however, can tend to be costly, particularly when the diamond rings are substantial enough in size to make a fashion statement.  By combining gemstones with the diamond rings, it allows the owner the prestige of owning diamond rings, with the ability to use various gemstones as almost ‘filler’ pieces to help give the diamond rings added substance without bulking up the price as much as similarly sized diamonds would.  When you look at the overall cost per carat of gemstone and diamond rings, they tend to be cheaper on average than the same cost per carat of diamond rings without gemstones to help factor the carat cost down.

Along the same affordability lines, gemstone and diamond rings have also increased in market appeal over the past few years due to the growing demand for coloured diamond rings.  While coloured diamond rings are truly stunning and beautiful to behold, they are also expensive and rare given their scarcity in nature.  By adding gemstones to diamond rings, some designers try t give the illusion of coloured diamonds while using the less expensive gemstone counterpart.  Certain shades of rubies can be passed for rarer stones in order to emulate red diamond rings, while blue topaz can often be utilised to give the appearance of the illustrious blue diamond in similar inspired coloured gemstone and diamond rings.

With such a wide range of reasons for their popularity, its no wonder gemstone and diamond rings remain in such high demand on the diamond rings market.

We just looked at the beauty of emerald and diamond rings for ladies born in the month of May.  Now let’s take a closer look at the appeal of gemstone and diamond rings in general, including why combining various coloured gems into dazzling diamond rings has become such a highly fashionable trend in recent years.

Gemstone and diamond rings have always been popular, as can be seen in numerous examples handed down throughout time in various antique diamond rings across the globe.  Gemstone and diamond rings, as well as gemstone and diamond jewellery in general, were always particularly common in many crown jewel collections held by various royal families.  While this may be contributed to the admiration of the way gemstone and diamond rings looked, it can possibly also be at least partially attributed to the fact that some royalty chose to use as many jewels as possible in their diamond rings simple to show they could afford to do so, making gemstone and diamond rings more show pieces than anything else.

In more modern times, gemstone and diamond rings were largely popular when it came to cocktail style diamond rings.  By their nature alone, cocktail style diamond rings were often meant to be very ornate and somewhat overly decorative in nature.  After all, many women once wore cocktail style diamond rings proudly during prohibition times as a symbol of wealth and status which is another reason cocktail style diamond rings had to be true show pieces.  They were, after all, diamond rings designed almost exclusively to catch the eye and dazzle as only larger diamond rings are able to do.  When clear stones weren’t enough to take centre stage with these diamond rings, designers relied on various gemstones to draw even more attention to the gorgeous cocktail style diamond rings.  The combination of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and a number of other coloured gems in the large diamond rings guaranteed them to be the head turning diamond rings they were meant to be.  While these show stopping diamond rings may not be as common as they once were, there are still a wide array of stunning cocktail style gemstone and diamond rings on the market to choose from.

For all you lucky May babies out there looking for new diamond rings, its time to celebrate your birth month with the beauty and luxury of emerald and diamond rings.  One of the most popular birthstone and diamond rings by far, emerald and diamond rings have a long and rich history associated with both royalty and fame in general.  Also very versatile in nature, emerald and diamond rings are perfect for the modern woman who wants diamond rings that can be both professional and luxurious at the same time.

Emerald and diamond rings are well suited for consumers with a wide variety of tastes in jewellery for a number of reasons.  The brilliant green tones of the emeralds, when paired in the diamond rings are particularly well loved for their ability to work with nearly any type of precious or alternative metal.  Emerald and diamond rings naturally lend themselves well to yellow gold settings, as the green tones of the emeralds in the diamond rings play beautifully with the yellow tones of the gold.  The contrast created when the emeralds in the diamond rings are set into white golds, such as platinum, palladium, and white gold, on the other hand, also create a stunning combination that a large number of women find pleasing as well.  Some believe the mirrored finishes of the whiter metals offer a more reflective surface that allows the emeralds to better sparkle and shine in the emerald and diamond rings combinations.

Emerald and diamond rings are also popular due to the fact that the brilliant green tones of the emeralds are complementary to such a wide variety of skin tones.  Emerald and diamond rings play nicely off fairer skin tones, creating a beautiful rich contrast, while also offering lovely complements to skin tones with more olive tones as well as those with darker complexions.  Of course, emerald and diamond rings are particularly favoured by red heads with extra fair skin.  Regardless of your skin tone or hair colour however, emerald and diamond rings are the perfect accessory for any May baby who wants to proudly display their birthstone with a little bit of added luxury from the help of diamonds.

The most expensive diamond rings will not be found at the high end retail shops. Rather, the more costly diamond rings are found at the major auction houses; such as Christie’s, Bonham’s, and others. These diamond rings at auctions have frequently seen pieces that sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds, for diamond rings. When the average cost for diamond rings is typically a few thousand pounds, watchers often wonder what makes these rings so valuable. There are three factors that make up these high prices for these diamond rings. First is the weight of the stone in the diamond rings, the quality of the stone in the diamond rings, and finally the history of the diamond rings being sold.

The actual size of the stone in the diamond rings is one of the most important factors in determining the value of diamond rings. The typical weight of a diamond solitaire is usually around one and two carats, and are available for just about any consumer. Diamond rings that pull the largest bids in auction, are usually in the two digit carat range. Buyers know the rarity of finding such large carat weights in a single stone and the cost for such a stone is higher, per carat. Smaller stones are much more common because they are cut from larger, rougher raw stones.

The quality of the stones, in larger carat diamond rings, has a great impact on the price. It is rare to find the double digit carat diamonds, and it is rarer still to find one with a close to perfect cut. Unlike the more common one and two carat stones, the larger diamonds are usually handled by the most trained of gem cutters. The quality is usually far greater than that of most other stones. Buyers understand the work and artistry that goes into near perfect diamond cutting and are willing to pay for the perfection, especially with the larger carat weight.

Diamond rings that command the highest price have a history or story behind them. Everyone wants to own a piece of history and historical diamond rings provide a piece of history that is filled with stories. Not all stories are pleasant and happy, but diamond rings with any story can often fetch double the regular price. Historical diamond rings with a rich story of the previous owners will sell for far more than the same stone with no history.

As the USA prepares to celebrate Mother’s Day, why not show the mother in your life how much you appreciate her with a gift. Diamond rings are not just for engagements, weddings, or anniversaries. Beautiful diamond rings are celebrate more than just a union between husband and wife. Diamond rings can represent the feelings of respect and adoration that a husband feels for the mother of his children.

Diamond rings come in more styles than ever before and there are a variety of diamond rings on the market for just about any occasion. Show Mom how much she means with eternity style diamond rings or other diamond rings. What a beautiful way of showing her just how precious she is to you. Cards, flowers, and dinners may be nice, but diamonds ringsare a lasting reminder of how precious your mother is.

It is not everyday that someone becomes a mother, celebrate it with eternity style diamond rings. Diamonds rings paired with the birthstones of her children make a brilliant reminder of love you have for your mother. A present from all of you, or from a father to a mother, it is a gift that will last a lifetime. Begin a tradition of adding a stone to the ring for the birth of each child. Diamond rings offer a variety of settings to make each piece as unique as your mother.

Don’t let a group of brand managers and marketers make a decision about how to celebrate Mother’s Day. Cards, dinners, and flowers do not offer what the most simple of diamond rings can. Nothing can tell your wife, just how blessed you are that you share children together than the sparkle of diamond rings. Nothing can remind a mother of just how blessed she is, than a thoughtful gift of diamond rings that will last a lifetime.

Believe it or not, one of the most important things you should never do while wearing your diamond rings is shop for new diamond rings!  There are several reasons, in fact, why you should always leave your diamond rings at home when out browsing and shopping for new diamond rings.

Security is a top priority for any retail jeweller and protecting their inventory of diamond rings is crucial to operating a successful business.  At the same time, customer service is also a top priority.  If customers come in wearing their own diamond rings and proceed to try on an assortment of new diamond rings, it may become difficult for the sales person to keep track of which diamond rings belong to the store and which diamond rings belong to the customer.  It can place a clerk in a very awkward position to try and sort out whose diamond rings are whose in front of the customer while also trying to maintain appropriate customer relations as well without trying to make it look like they are accusing the customer of stealing.

While this scenario may seem unlikely, many skilled jewel thieves use this precise tactic every day to steal diamond rings from retailers everywhere.  Most will walk into a retailer that carries high end diamond rings and keep the saes clerk busy by asking to try on several expensive diamond rings.  Meanwhile, they will fumble with the diamond rings they are already wearing, which are typically fakes and cheap replicas.  When the clerk is distracted, they will pull a bait and switch with the diamond rings, replacing the high dollar diamond rings in the display case with the fakes they were wearing.  If the clerk is not paying close enough attention, all they will see is that the display case has the necessary number of diamond rings in it when they place it back in the counter and won’t necessarily notice the fact that the thief has swapped one or more high dollar diamond rings for fake diamond rings.

In order to avoid suspicion of any kind, you’re always better off leaving your diamond rings at home when shopping for new diamond rings or jewellery of any kind.

Wrapping up our series on things never to do while wearing your diamond rings, we’ll take a look at a few more definite no no’s on the list.

Next up on the things never to do while wearing your diamond rings list is playing sports.  Playing sports can be highly physical in nature which is rarely a good thing to do while wearing diamond rings anyway.  Sports also tend to involve high levels of physical contact which can also pose a danger to diamond rings.  The potential impact that can be caused to the diamond rings can not only loosen the stones in their settings, they can also cause the stones to be broken completely free from the diamond rings, resulting in a tragic loss.  The heightened levels of physical activity that occur when playing sports also produce an abundance of sweat which is naturally mixed with a variety of dirt and oils form the body.  These excretions can build up on diamond rings and dull both the metal and the stones in the diamond rings, increasing the needs for more frequent cleaning of the diamond rings.  When playing sports, diamond rings are better off left at home or in a locker until after the activity has been completed and you have had a chance to shower off.

Another important time you should never wear your diamond rings is when volunteering for a charity or other cause, particularly when going on a random assignment.  Volunteering often involves less than hygienic assignments such as sorting donations, cleaning up yards or homes, painting homes, assisting in poverty stricken areas, or even taking care of or cleaning up after shelter animals in need of a loving home.  Not only is it in poor taste to be flashing high cost diamond rings around while volunteering at such assignments, it is also generally not the ideal environment to be exposing your diamond rings to in the first place.  When volunteering for a good cause, focus more on the cause and the good you can do, and less about accessorising with your diamond rings.  Leave the diamond rings behind safe at home and focus on the effort you can put into helping those who need it most.

We’ve already talked about the dangers of doing dishes, washing hands, and carrying out certain steps of your daily beauty routine while wearing your diamond rings, however, there are still several other common tasks that many women perform on a daily basis that they should think twice about before doing while wearing their treasured diamond rings.

Moving from indoors to outdoors, with the warmer weather upon us, nothing takes the edge off a hot day better than a cool swim.  This is a definite no no however when wearing diamond rings.  Whether in a swimming pool in the back yard or in the ocean, swimming is one activity that should be done without the accompaniment of your diamond rings.  Not only are the chemicals and other water content harmful to the surfaces of your diamond rings, the activity of swimming itself also creates a prime opportunity for diamond rings to become loosened and dislodge from the finger.  If the diamond rings do happen to fall off while swimming, the chances of recovery are almost non-existent.  To be on the safe side, diamond rings should be left at home or placed somewhere safe before taking the plunge.

Another popular pastime for the warmer months of the year is gardening and yard work.  These are two more activities that should never be done while wearing diamond rings for a number of reasons.  Both activities ultimately involve exposure to dirt and yard debris which can become lodged into the settings of diamond rings.  These activities may also involve exposing the diamond rings to various chemicals such as fertilisers which can damage the finish of the diamond rings, both of the metal and the diamonds themselves.  While gardening gloves can be worn to help protect the diamond rings from certain exposure, there is still the risk of impact that may result from various tools and other lawn equipment being used that can damage the diamond rings.  Therefore, it is best to leave the diamond rings indoors someplace safe while working in the yard or garden in order to keep the diamond rings in top shape.

Diamond rings not only represent things of beauty, they can also represent significant investment pieces in our personal collections that we should be taking extra care to protect and maintain.  In order to best do this, there are a number of activities that should never be done while wearing our diamond rings.  We’ve already discussed the dangers of washing hands and doing the dishes while wearing, now lets look at some other common bathroom related activities that should never be undertaken while diamond rings are being worn.

It’s safe to assume that, like hand washing, bathing or showering should always be done without diamond rings.  The same additives that are present in hand soap are also present in body soaps, shampoos, and conditioners.  Nt only can these chemicals strip away and scratch the surface of the diamond rings, they can also create residue build-ups on the surface of the stones in the diamond rings, causing them to quickly lose their lustre and shine.  The same goes for hand lotions and other oil based products such as face creams, suntan lotions, and moisturisers.  When applying items such as these, it is best to remove your diamond rings and then place them back on once the lotions have dried or the cremes have been rinsed off properly.

Women should also take care when applying make up as well.  While it may not seem like a danger, loose powders from foundations, powdered eye shadows, and blushes are all dust like products that can accumulate on the surfaces of the stones in the diamond rings and quickly cause your stones to dull.  Liquid foundations and other liquid based makeup can also become lodged in the settings and detail work of diamond rings and create some nasty residue build-up.  Make-up removers and facial cleaners can also contain various harsh chemicals which can cause damage to your diamond rings.  For the most part, you’re better off keeping your diamond rings out of harms way for the majority of your beauty routine in the morning and evenings.

Once again, stay tuned for more important tips regarding things never to do when wearing your diamond rings!

Diamond rings are an important and often substantial investment and, therefore, taking care of them should be of the utmost importance.  Because of this, there are several things all owners of diamond rings should familiarise themselves with that should never be done while wearing their diamond rings in order to help better protect their investment and keep their diamond rings in tip top shape for years and even generations to come.

Diamond rings should never be worn while doing dishes.  Not only do kitchen drains and diamond rings have a long time hatred of one another, there are also several other reasons why your diamond rings should be removed or protected before attempting to do the dishes.  Most dish soaps contain a number of harsh chemicals and dyes that can not only harm the surface of the metals in your diamond rings, but can dull and scratch the finish of the diamonds themselves.  Not to mention the scouring sponges typically used when doing the dishes can pose potential harm to the surface of your diamond rings as well.  When conquering a sink full of dirty dishes or even just a few plates and cups, always play it safe and remove your diamond rings and place them somewhere safe until the dishes are all done.  If you would prefer to keep your diamond rings on, invest in a pair of heavy duty vinyl gloves to wear to protect your diamond rings.

While you’re already near the sink, always take the time to remove your diamond rings when dealing with hand soaps as well.  The same dyes and chemicals can be found in ordinary hand soap as can be found in dish soaps so you’re better off removing your diamond rings before giving your hands a good cleaning as well.  Frequent hand washers may want to invest in a small jewellery dish to keep by the sink to safely place diamond rings in so the diamond rings will always have a safe home.

Stay tuned for more important things never to do while wearing your diamond rings!

Aside from pastel coloured diamond rings, there are several other hot trend hitting the diamond rings market this year for Spring across the globe.  If you’re looking for the perfect way to express yourself with diamond rings, some of these new diamond rings may offer just the ticket to showing the world just what you’re all about.

One of the hottest trend in diamond rings this season is al about settings.  With diamond rings right now, it’s all a matter of how high can you go with your stones.  While bezel set diamond rings are great for active lifestyles, this season the demand is for diamond rings with especially higher set stones that are more about fashion and less about function.  In order to make these high set diamond rings even more ornate, some designers of these tiara like diamond rings are also including accent stones and ornate detail in the space between the high rise stones and the bands of the diamond rings.

Another current trend that does seem to come and go from season to season on the diamond rings market is the rise in demand for yellow gold.  While yellow gold diamond rings still remain the most popular choice among sales for all diamond rings, they do tend to rise and fall in popularity depending on the various times of year.  This Spring, however, yellow gold diamond rings are in extremely high demand, further fuelled by the popularity of the pastel coloured diamond rings and their complementary natures.

Finally, in true form for the season itself, this Spring is all about florals on the diamond rings market.  From floral shaped cluster diamond rings to ornately inscribed floral banded diamond rings, flowers and vines are in high demand.  Whether found in vintage and antique period or inspired diamond rings or on modern diamond rings, floral inspirations are taking the diamond rings market by storm and can be seen in collections by many of the top diamond rings designers.

Nothing says Spring like the crisp sparkle of dazzling new diamond rings.  In fact, with Spring and Summer being two of the most popular seasons for weddings around the globe, diamond rings are as in demand as ever.  Flowers are in bloom, as is love, which means that diamond rings, the perfect symbols of undying love, are being given to hopeful romantics everywhere.  Of course, if you’re about to venture into the diamond rings market this Spring, it helps to keep on top of the latest trends and hot ticket items.

This Spring, diamond rings are all about colour, but this year, it’s on a more subtle note.  While the coloured diamond rings trend has been going strong for quite some time now, this year is all about the subtle nuances of the more pastel tones that coloured diamond rings have to offers.  Light pink diamond rings are perfect for showing off your feminine side while not coming across as too outrageous or garish as the brighter pink diamond rings may make the mistake of doing at times.  Pale yellow diamond rings offer a beautiful tone comparison to paler skin tones, as do lighter green shades.  More importantly, pale baby blue diamonds rings are the hottest new trend, offering a beautiful and soothing palette that works particularly well with both white gold set diamond rings and platinum diamond rings.

For women that prefer multi stone diamond rings, the pastel trend plays out perfectly.  Unlike some of the bolder coloured diamond rings that have been popular in past years, such as the fiery reds and brilliants blues, the newer pastel toned diamond rings emerging on the current market lend themselves very well to being combined with one another.  This not only allows multiple coloured diamond rings to be worn together in a complementary fashion, it also allows multi stone diamond rings to be created and fashioned using different pastel toned diamonds in each of the diamond rings, offering a wealth of possibilities when it comes to colour combinations and design options.

We’ve already discussed why black and white diamond rings are such a hit on the diamond rings market.  They are classic beauties, graceful and elegant in their appearance and the perfect accessory for any formal event where diamond rings are the jewellery of choice for the evening.  Black and white diamond rings, like the classic black and white films they are so reminiscent of, have a timeless quality to them, making them popular for many generations, both young and old.  Now, however, let’s take a look at coloured diamond rings which, like the modern colour film counterpart, are this generation’s modern marvels, and see exactly why they are taking the diamond rings market by storm with such force.

While black and white films were the wonders of their times, colour films are the modern marvels that are generation can’t imagine life without.  The same holds true for coloured diamond rings.  Even though coloured diamond rings have been on the diamond rings market for some time now, with the yellow Canary Diamond being one of the most infamous diamonds in history, coloured diamond rings have only recently begun to garner the level of popularity and notoriety that have given them such a level of high demand on the diamond rings market place in general.  Some would say this can be attributed in large part to the many celebrities that are choosing coloured diamond rings to express their unique personalities.

While black and white diamond rings convey a strong sense of elegance and grace, coloured diamond rings convey a wide range of emotions ranging from the fiery passion of red diamond rings, the seductive hues of blue diamond rings, to the whimsical palettes of pink diamond rings.  Instead of relying on the settings or designs of the diamond  rings to express their individualities, diamond lovers can now choose from a vast rainbow of brilliant coloured diamond rings to better express their inner selves.  While black and white diamond rings are all about tradition and elegance, coloured diamond rings are all to do with breaking new ground and spicing things up a bit.

The saying about deals that are too good to be true usually being exactly that apply just as much to diamond rings as they do to anything else in this world.  Unfortunately, with online diamond rings sales as popular as ever, the chances of being taken advantage of when purchasing diamond rings online are higher than ever.  By following a few simple rules, however, you can ensure that your diamond rings buying experiences, whether your shopping for your diamond rings online or in person, is a safe and secure one and you get exactly what you pay for.

While many deals on diamond rings are too good to be true because they are dishonest, it is still possible to find honest to goodness bargains on diamond rings out there if you know where to look.  The key is being able to spot a reputable diamond rings dealer that has the buying power behind them to be able to sell quality diamond rings at affordable prices.  This is often done through in house diamond rings design and family ownership along with various connections in the diamond rings supply chains.  If the diamond rings retailers are able to keep their overhead costs low, they are, in turn able to pass their savings onto you, their customers, in the form of low cost diamond rings.  The trick is to look for diamond rings retailers with quality reputations and proven track records of fine workmanship and high standards of customer service.  While other less reputable diamond rings retailers will cut corners in their manufacturing and offer shoddy diamond rings with cut rate quality to get away with their low prices, diamond rings retailers with sterling backgrounds to uphold will stand by their merchandise and their diamond rings will reflect their good name in their quality and affordable pricing.

Therefore, when it comes to determining the difference between buyer beware bargain diamond rings and honest to goodness affordable diamond rings, retailer reputation is a key element to do a little digging on.  If the diamond rings come from a jeweller with a name to proudly uphold, feel free to buy your diamond rings in confidence.  If the diamond rings are from a retailer with a less than stellar track record of customer service, hold off on the purchase.

When it comes to movies, the choice between black and white and colour is a matter of personal preference for many people.  Black and white movies are considered classics by many and have a timelessness to them that make them loved by countless generations.   If you think about diamond rings, the same generalisations can also be applied.

While it is true that black diamond rings should technically fall into the colour diamond rings category, for purposes of this demonstration, we are allowing black and white diamond rings in particular to remain in a category to themselves.  One could also potentially equate traditional colourless diamond rings to the ever popular photograph instead of the moving picture which naturally makes them ever so popular and the ever reigning ruler when it comes to diamond rings in general.

The reason, of course, that black and white diamond rings are in such high demand today is, like black and white films of days gone by, black and white diamond rings carry with them the same grace and elegance that the first moving pictures seemed to possess themselves.  This is not only demonstrated by the clean and crisp colour contrast offered by black and white diamond rings, but also the fact that the colour scheme in general is so well received, particularly for jewellery such as diamond rings.  The accepted colour palette for most formal wear is in fact black and white, making black and white diamond rings the perfect accessory for any formal occasion requiring traditional dress.  Black and white diamond rings are also well loved because of their ability to pair so well with such a wide range of other colour schemes.  Unlike some bolder coloured diamond rings, black and white diamond rings are also more subdued in nature, allowing them to remain very professional in nature and suitable for the workplace, while still being able to make a defined fashion statement when it comes to unique diamond rings that set themselves apart from other pieces on the diamond rings market.

While the perfect age for diamond rings may vary from culture to culture, more and more parents may be faced with the question of whether or not the purchase of diamond rings for their child as an appropriate one at various ages and stages of life.  For the most part, while there may be various cultural milestones that are more important in some areas than others that may merit the gifting of diamond rings, it is ultimately the parents decision on whether or not their children should be given diamond rings as gifts to celebrate specific occasions.

In some families, children are never too young to receive the gift of diamond rings and tiny, delicate infant sized diamond rings are delicately crafted to fit snugly around even the smallest baby’s tiny finger.  Granted, these diamonds rings are typically designed only for show and the diamond rings are only left on for brief periods of time during photo sessions and public gatherings.  The diamond rings are then removed for safety reasons and kept with the other mementoes of the baby’s birth for safe keeping.

Another popular time for many families to bestow the gift of diamond rings on their children is upon their baptisms or confirmations.  As both are religious ceremonies in nature, the diamond rings are typically very subdued in nature and designed more to commemorate the occasion than to be overly decorative or ornate.

When it comes to diamond rings with a little more flair, a child’s coming of age is typically the time when she would first be given diamond rings that make any true fashion statement.  This is typically celebrated anywhere from the age of 13 to 18 depending on the culture and area of the world.  It is also one of the most popular times for gifting diamond rings to young girls and will be the first time that many young girls receive the first diamond rings of their lives.  During this time, many mothers or other family members may also pass down heirloom diamond rings to the girls as gifts to help commemorate their passage into womanhood.

Being able to properly identify the four Cs of diamond rings not only helps you make a more informed buying decision when it comes to selecting your new diamonds rings, it also helps to ensure you know exactly what you’re buying and helps to guarantee you’re getting exactly what you’re paying for in the process.  Aside from carat weight and colour, the four Cs of diamond rings also include clarity and cut.

The clarity of diamond rings essentially refers to how clear the diamond rings are.  In other words, the greater clarity the diamond rings have, the more internally perfect the stones in the diamond rings are.  Flaws that are located in the stones in the diamond rings are also known as inclusions.  Therefore, the more inclusions the stones in the diamond rings have, the lower they will be rated on the clarity scale.  While flawless diamonds are nearly impossible to find, there are several specimens in the world that are rated as flawless or nearly flawless and they do have the associated price tags to prove it.  Diamond rings that have stones with minor inclusions, on the other hand, are much more affordable, making them more practical for many people’s budgets.  Ideally, consumers should look for diamond rings with inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye but that are still present in enough quantity to keep the price of the diamond rings reasonable.

When it comes to the cut of the diamond rings, the more labour intensive the method used to cut the stone of the diamond rings into the finished shape, the more costly the finished diamond rings will be.  The number of finished sides the stones in the diamond rings will have is referred to as the facets of the stones.  The higher faceted the stones are, the more costly they typically are as well.  Therefore, stones with lower numbers of facets are typically more affordable in general.  Diamond rings containing stones labelled as brilliant cuts typically contain a larger number of facets and will in turn be more costly cuts.

One of the most important things to do when shopping for diamond rings is to make sure you know exactly what you’re shopping for.  While it may seem simple enough to get a great deal on diamond rings from a reputable jeweller, its easier than you think to get swept away by diamond rings that are too good to be true and end up making uneducated diamond rings purchases that get you much less than what you bargained for.  In order to get the best diamond rings for money, its always best to brush up on the four Cs of diamond rings before you start your diamond rings shopping spree.

The easiest of the four Cs of diamond rings to spot with the naked eye is carat weight.  The carat weight of diamond rings indicates the overall size or weight of the stone in the diamond rings.  Larger individual stones in diamond rings are more expensive per carat than smaller ones as larger natural diamonds are harder to come by in nature.  This makes larger solitaire diamond rings naturally more expensive than similar carat weight diamond rings consisting of several smaller stones.  Likewise, a great way to help cut costs on diamond rings is to opt for several smaller stones in the diamond rings as opposed to one or more larger stones.  Pave set and cluster style diamond rings are ideal choices for budget friendly diamond rings styles that offer maximum sparkle without breaking the budget.

Colour is the next of the four Cs of diamond rings to keep an eye out for.  Diamond rings are graded on a colour scale that ranks the stones in the diamond rings from colourless to more yellow in nature.  The colourless stones in the diamond rings are more expensive per carat than those with the more yellow tones.  Most people believe that diamond rings that are as close to colourless as possible are the more rare and therefore the more valuable.  Some people, however, prefer the way diamond rings look when they have a slight yellow tone to them, particularly when the diamond rings are set in yellow gold.  In these cases, desiring diamond rings with lower colour ratings can also help save some money as well.

While diamond rings are perfectly acceptable jewellery for the workplace, there are certain rules of etiquette that should be observed and followed when wearing your diamond rings to work in order to keep them both professional and appropriate in appearance.  Doing so not only helps ensure a professional work environment, but it also helps protect the ability to continue to wear your diamond rings to your workplace without constraint in the future.

One of the most important rules to keep in mind when wearing diamond rings to the workplace is to keep things simple.  For the most part, diamond rings should never be worn on more than one finger per hand.  Most rules of thumb err towards the wearing of single diamond rings at a time in order to keep things as professional looking as possible.  The exception to the single diamond rings rule would be bridal jewellery set which contain multiple diamond rings in the form of engagement rings and wedding bands which both contain diamonds or engagement rings and eternity rings worn together.  As more and more women search for an alternative to the traditional two piece bridal jewellery set, eternity style diamond rings continue to grow in popularity as a viable option.  These all in one diamond rings not only offer a greater level of comfort for the wearer, they also offer a more professional appearance for the workplace.

With regards to non-bridal jewellery, diamond rings in the workplace should be kept simple and tasteful.  Larger cocktail style diamond rings should be reserved for evening wear.  Day to day diamond rings typically consist of eternity style diamond rings or smaller cluster style diamond rings.  Many vintage and antique style diamond rings are widely accepted in the workplace as they tend to be very artistic and beautiful while also being on the smaller scale and more demure and sophisticated in nature.

If you’ve ever done a thorough inventory of all the jewellery you own, you know there’s at least one or two diamond rings in your collection that you just may not be as in love with as you once were.  These diamond rings may have sentimental value which is why you’re still holding onto them, or they may simply have significant financial value, making them impractical to get rid of.  There is no reason to let these diamond rings continue to gather dust any longer though.  Diamond rings such as these can easily be upgraded or updated into new pieces that can once again become a much loved part of your daily diamond wardrobe.

The most common diamond rings in most people’s collections are made from diamonds, naturally, and either yellow or white gold.  Updating these types of diamond rings is simply a matter of removing the stone from the diamond rings, melting the precious metal down and recasting it, and resetting the original diamond.  While it may seem like a simple enough process, just changing the setting style of the dimaond rings can make a tremendous impact on the overall appearance of the diamond rings, breathing new life into the diamond rings and making them seem brand new.

If you are interested in upgrading your diamond rings, additional stones can be added to those from the original diamond rings to create multi-stone rings.  Smaller stones can also be replaced altogether while still allowing the precious metals from the original diamond rings to be re-purposed and recycled in the creation of the new diamond rings.  In these instances, some people choose to have the smaller stones form the original diamond rings used instead as accent stones in the newer, upgraded diamond rings.

Regardless of whether you with to upgrade or update your old diamond rings, just remember, most skilled jewellers are able to reuse nearly all of the materials from your older diamond rings in the creation of your newer pieces.  This not only helps reduce the costs of materials for your new dimaond rings, it also helps your new diamond rings retain some of the sentimental value that your older diamond rings possessed.

While the month of March may be coming to a close, it’s not too late to help your special someone celebrate her March birthday with the gift of one of the many stunning aquamarine and diamond rings on the jewellery market today.  Loved for its brilliant light blue green tones, aquamarines remain extremely popular pairing for diamond rings, even when not being used to represent the recognized birthstone for the month of March.

Aquamarine and diamond rings are popular for many reasons, one of which being their versatility when it comes to precious metals.  The lighter tones of the aquamarines in the diamond rings work very well in yellow gold settings.  Many feel this is because the pale blue and green tones of the aquamarines in the diamond rings blend well with the yellow tones of the gold, creating a cool and subtle colour palette. On the other hand, aquamarine and diamond rings work well in white gold or platinum settings just as easily.  Many people prefer the cohesiveness of the lighter aquamarines in the diamond rings against the white metal backdrops.

Another reason aquamarine and diamond rings are such a popular combination choice, particularly around the month of March, is the fact that the aquamarine stones are able to both contrast with the stones in the diamonds rings, offering cool blue and green shades, while in some ways blending in with them at the same time, bringing a more subdued colour combination than offered by other gemstones in similar diamond rings.  This unique visual ability creates diamond rings that offer a definite layered appearance while also remaining much softer in their overall appearance.  This makes aquamarine and diamond rings ideal for both casual occasions as well as being perfectly suitable for more formal events.

Aquamarine and diamond rings also offer a unique colour palette that works with both lighter and darker skin tones.  Aquamarine and diamond rings are also rather unique in the fact that the combination of the stones in aquamarine and diamond rings can come across as both young and whimsical or more elegant and sophisticated.  These are two key factors that make aquamarine and diamond rings the perfect choice for nearly any age range or background.

For years now, Round Cut solitaire diamond rings have remained the most popular choice when it comes to bridal jewellery.  For just as long, however, Princess Cut diamond rings have held fast in a close second for brides to be around the country.  As Princess Cut solitaire diamond rings continue to rise in popularity as time goes by, they are gradually gearing up to overtake the lead when it comes to the top seller on the bridal jewellery market.  This increased popularity can be traced to several key factors that have continued to make Princess Cut diamond rings such a popular choice.

While solitaire diamond rings have long been the top seller, more and more brides are opting for three stone or multi stone diamond rings for their bridal jewellery needs.  because of this, the nature of the Princess Cut diamond rings makes them a much more natural fit for multiple stone settings.  This is primarily die to the flush sides of the stones in the Princess Cut diamond rings that allows the multiple stones a seamless integration with one another in the setting itself.  Princess Cut diamond rings also work very well in eternity ring designs, another highly popular choice for both cocktail rings and bridal jewellery choices.

Princess Cut diamond rings also have a decidedly vintage appearance to them when placed in the proper setting.  As such, the continued demand for vintage and antiqued styled diamond rings on both the bridal jewellery and regular diamond jewellery market have lended well to the ongoing demand for Princess Cut diamond rings in general.

Princess Cut diamond rings are also in such high demand because of the fact that the shape of the stones themselves allow them to work well in a range of sizes, from large to small carat weights.  This makes Princess Cut diamond rings extremely versatile in nature and able to appeal to a much wider audience than some other diamond cuts that tend to only work well with either larger or smaller carat weights.

While St. Patrick’s Day may be considered primarily an Irish holiday by nature, that doesn’t mean people all over the word can’t use it as an excuse to celebrate it with the gift of emerald and diamond rings.  After all, one can never have too many reasons to give or get the gift of diamond rings, particularly those graced with the beauty of rich green emeralds.

Emerald and diamond rings have been popular jewellery choices for several reasons throughout history.  One of the primary reasons emerald and diamond rings have remained so popular through the ages is the fact that the contrast offered between the stones in the emerald and diamond rings presents a unique contrast that many people hold in high regards.  While emeralds themselves can be anywhere from clear to cloudy in nature, both extremes work well when set in diamond rings for individuals with varying personal preferences.  When emerald and diamond rings tend to feature clearer emeralds, the sparkling green of the emeralds offsets beautifully with the white sparkle that exists in the diamond rings.  When combined into a single piece, the two stones play well off one another, seemingly increasing the internal fire and shine that each of the stones in the emerald and diamond rings are able to hold.  On the other hand, for those who prefer emerald and diamond rings featuring a slightly milkier emerald, as some people do, the combination offers a result similar to that of the pairing of opals in diamond rings, another milky stone that still offers a beautiful contrast in sparkling diamond rings.

Regardless of the type of emerald selected for setting in the diamond rings, emerald and diamond rings are also considered highly versatile in the fact that they tend to work well in both white and yellow gold and other precious metal settings.  The rich green of the emeralds in the diamond rings sits nicely against the rich gold tones of yellow gold settings, while emerald and diamond rings set in white gold or precious metal settings also provides a beautiful contrast to the emeralds while blending nicely with the diamonds.

When it comes to diamond rings, nothing says luxury like the silvery lustre of fine precious metal.  Until recently, this beautiful finish could be achieved in one of two ways, white gold diamond rings or platinum diamond rings.  While not necessarily a newcomer on the market, there is a fresh precious metal that has been waiting in the wings to make its grand début and that metal is palladium.

Palladium diamond rings offer the strength and durability of platinum diamond rings at a fraction of the cost.  They also provide the beautiful finish of white gold diamond rings in a hypo-allergenic version ideal for consumers who love the look of white gold but have sensitive skin that may prevent them from wearing diamond rings made from such.  In essence, palladium diamond rings offer the best of both words between platinum diamond rings and white gold diamond rings.  This is further emphasized b the versatility offered by palladium diamond rings with regards to ring design options.

When it comes to palladium eternity rings, no other metal seems more aptly suited for being able to securely hold diamonds in place the entire length of the band.  As this style of ring is also much loved in white metal finishes to further add to the appearance of an endless band of sparkling diamonds, it only makes sense that silver toned palladium diamond rings should be in such high demand.

For diamond rings containing fewer stones, such as three stone diamond rings, palladium is also a wise choice.  Not only are palladium diamond rings durable and long lasting, the milky white lustre they possess can truly do justice to any diamonds being set within them.

Of course, when it comes to solitaire diamond rings, what better way to display your centre piece than wrapped in the beauty of palladium.  After all, it is only fitting that the metal used to fashion the diamond rings be as rich and luxurious as the diamonds themselves.

One of the most highlighted feature in diamond rings has long been the settings used in the diamond rings to display the stones themselves.  With today’s diamond rings, however, consumers are beginning to have a harder and harder time even finding the settings in the diamond rings at all.  With the rise in popularity of both invisible set diamond rings and tension set diamond rings, visible settings for diamond rings may be a thing of the past in coming year.

Tension set diamond rings are in high demand due largely to their cutting edge and modern design.  Essentially, tension set diamond rings are created when the bands of the diamond rings have a small section removed from them.  The bands of the diamond rings are then spread gently apart and a diamond just slightly larger than the removed section is set in between the ends of the bands.  As both ends of the bands in the rings are released, the resulting pressure created by the bands creates just enough pressure to hold the diamonds firmly in place.  The resulting tension set diamond rings give the illusion of the stone being held in place almost magically, almost floating in mid-air.  Tension set diamond rings are ideal for solitaire settings, but can be used to accommodate multiple stones as well.

Invisible set diamond rings use multiple stones set together to give the appearance of a larger overall stone.  They are well loved for their block designs that result from the unique setting style.  Invisible set diamond rings use precious metal on the undersides of each stone in the diamond rings to help grip them in place.  By eliminating the need for any overlapping metal, the edges of the stones in the diamond rings remain clean, allowing them to be set flush up against one another.  Princess Cut stones are the most common cut used in invisible set diamond rings.  Multiple Princess Cut stones can be set into invisible set rings to create larger square designs that have a unique textured end result in their overall appearance.

The majority of consumers that are on the hunt for the perfect diamond ring may not even know what a diamond ring certificate is.  While some believes it contains details about any warranties that are offered with the purchase of the diamond ring, others believe it shows the point of origin of the diamond ring.  While both of these things may be important to know regarding the diamond ring, the diamond ring certificate offers neither.  What it does offer instead, is all the details on the diamond ring grading based on the cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight of the diamond.

One of the most important details on the diamond ring certificate is the total carat weight of the stones in the ring.  Knowing the exact carat weight not only gives you a point of comparison with regards to price per carat, it also allows you to ensure you are not paying for a higher carat weight than what you are actually getting.

With regards to clarity, the diamond ring certificate will outline the precise clarity rating the stone in the diamond ring has been given.  While lower quality diamonds will have very visible inclusions or flaws, the higher rated diamonds can be much harder to categorize with the naked eye.  This is where the clarity rating becomes so important, as it tells you the precise rating that the diamond have been given based on professional inspection.

A diamond ring certificate will also present the precise colour rating of the stone.  Similar to the clarity rating, once you are in the upper ranges of the colour scale for diamond ring rating, it may be difficult to easily grade the colour of the stone.  The certificate will be able to provide the same precise grading for colour as it did for clarity as determined by an certified diamond inspector.

Finally, the diamond ring certificate will detail the cut of the stone in the diamond ring.  More often than not, this is based largely on the number of facets the stone in the diamond ring has, as well as how precisely they have been cut.

Once the styles of the custom diamond rings has been selected, the stones themselves should be chosen to be set into the rings.  These will vary greatly depending on many factors, such as the size or carat weight of the stone(s), the cut or shape of the stone(s), and even the colour of the stone(s).

The carat weight of the stones in the rings can make a significant impact on the overall appearance of the finished diamond rings.  While smaller stones are ideal for cluster rings, they also work well as accent stones when set into the bands of diamond rings themselves.  Larger stones, on the other hand, are well suited to solitaire rings, as well as three stone diamond rings.  For eternity style rings, extra care must be taken to ensure that any diamonds selected are matched as closely as possible to one another to ensure continuity within the diamond rings themselves.

The cut or shape of the stones in the diamond rings can  also greatly impact the diamond rings overall design.  While some diamond rings are very classic in their overall designs, often relying on round and oval stones, other diamond rings have a somewhat more contemporary appeal, particularly those using square stones.  Diamond rings can also have a more whimsical quality to them, featuring heart shaped diamonds.  Emerald Cut diamond rings and Marquise Cut diamond rings are also extremely popular, particularly when it comes to vintage and antique designs.

Traditional rings feature colourless diamonds.  While many famous stones, such as the Canary Diamond, showcase the beauty of coloured diamonds, the influx of coloured diamond rings on the jewellery market can still be considered a fairly new one.  Blue and green diamond rings are loved for their rich tones, while red diamond rings are prized for their fire like appearances.  Pink diamond rings are particularly popular among the celebrity crowds.

Other personal touches, such as inscriptions for the diamond rings can also be selected once the overall ring design is completed.  The end result is a one of a kind creation with many more personal touches than any other off the shelf creation.

While shopping for diamond rings may be fun, it can also be extremely frustrating to some.  All too often, when browsing for diamond rings, consumers find the perfect stone and setting, only in the wrong precious metal.  Likewise, many shoppers find the ideal metal and setting, only the diamond rings contain the wrong shape of diamond.  While continued shopping may eventually turn up the diamond rings of their dreams, many shoppers are often better off using the ability to design their own diamond rings, ensuring every detail of the diamond rings is catered to their exact specifications.

Designing your own diamond rings not only gives you full control over the final appearance of the diamond rings, it also allows you to control every small detail that goes into creating the final product.

When designing your own diamond rings, one of the first choices is often which precious metal to use to fashion the diamond rings from.  While white and yellow gold are still some of the most popular choices for diamond rings, platinum and palladium are also continuing to grow in popularity.  Likewise, more alternative metals, such as titanium and tungsten, can also be used in the creation of custom diamond rings when available.  Once the metal for the diamond rings has been chosen, the style is typically the next choice to be made.

While you may not know the exact style you want for your diamond rings just yet, it should be fairly easy to decide on the basic design.  Solitaire diamond rings, eternity diamond rings, three stone diamond rings, and cluster or right hand diamonds rings are the most common selections from which you will be able to choose.  Once the basic style has been chosen, more detailed design elements for the diamond rings can then be presented and decided upon.

The setting type for the diamond rings will also be chosen at this point.  While the more traditional settings for diamond rings include the classic claw or prong setting, bezel set diamond rings are also extremely popular.  More contemporary diamond rings may also utilize invisible set stone or tension settings for a unique modern edge.  Twist set diamond rings are one of the current hot trends on the diamond rings market as well.

Three stone diamond rings are designed to symbolize the past, present, and future of a couple’s relationship.  This symbolism, however, was not always attached to three stone diamond rings and was, instead, a clever marketing campaign created by one of the top diamond jewellery manufacturers in order to provide yet another reason and occasion for women to receive the gift of diamond rings.  Thankfully for them, the plan worked, forever joining the concept relationship milestones with three stone diamond rings.

The design behind three stone diamond rings is a fairly simple one.  They feature one centre diamond, flanked on either side by two smaller diamonds.  Some three stone diamond rings do choose to go with three stones that are all equal in size, but this tends to be much less common on the three stone diamond rings market.  The first stone in the three stone diamond rings represents the couple’s past.  This part of the three stone diamond rings is meant to symbolize all the times that the couple has already experienced together throughout their relationship.  The second stone in three stone diamond rings is designed to symbolize the couple’s present.  This stone in the diamond rings represents the special moment when the three stone diamond rings are being given, cherished forever in the form of diamond jewellery.  The final stone in the three stone diamond rings represents, of course, the future the couple hopes to share together and all of the new memories they will be making with one another.

Three stone diamond rings have become very popular as anniversary gifts.  This is likely due to the fact that an anniversary is the perfect time for giving the gift of three stone diamond rings also meant to symbolize important relationship milestones.  Three stone diamond rings are also becoming increasingly popular for use as engagement diamond rings or wedding diamond rings.  This allows the second stone in the diamond rings to represent the engagement or wedding, with the two other stones still used to symbolize the past and the future.

While solitaire diamond rings and eternity rings will always be a popular staple on the diamond jewellery market, there is a large portion of that same market reserved for cluster diamond rings.  With their beautiful sparkle and dazzling shine, cluster diamond have been more in demand than ever over the past few years.

One of the main reasons cluster diamond rings have made such a comeback is the fact that their overall design takes so much inspiration from vintage and antique pieces.  With the vintage and antique diamond rings market being as strong as it has, the demand for cluster diamond rings naturally increases and holds strong as well.  Antique diamond rings, in particular, were often designed for maximum sparkle and visual appeal.  Many antique solitaire diamond rings have been found, however, the cluster diamond rings were far more prevalent during these times.  Antique and vintage diamond rings were also known for mixing a variety of gemstones in with the diamonds for an even bolder statement.

In modern times, cluster diamond rings are appreciated for the fact that they do present the most sparkle for the most affordable price in many cases.  The price of diamonds per carat increases according to overall carat weight of the individual stones, therefore, a two carat solitaire stone is much more expensive than twenty accent diamonds each weighing 1/10th of a carat.  Because of this, it is much more affordable to cover the entire upper surface of cluster diamond rings with smaller accent stones than it would be to create a solitaire ring with a large enough centre stone to turn heads.

Another reason cluster diamond rings are so popular is due to their cocktail ring appeal.  Most cluster diamond rings are designed for special occasion wear.  More discreet cluster diamonds rings are often used as engagement rings, however, the less than subtle styles are quite popular for use as cocktail rings.  These elegant and luxurious diamond rings are intended to be eye catchers and to get the wearer noticed.  While they may not be ideal for everyone’s day to day wear, cluster diamond rings are ideal for social occasions, holiday parties, and formal events.

Nothing beats the beauty of sparkling diamond rings than sparkling gemstone and diamond rings.  Gemstone and diamond rings are not only a dazzling display of the shine diamonds can possess, the colours of the gemstones in the diamond rings further enhance the beauty of the diamonds, while also adding just enough colour to the diamond rings to make a statement all their own.  While nearly any gemstone can work well in diamond rings, some are definitely more popular than others.

Sapphires have been a common sight in diamond rings for many generations.  In yellow gold diamond rings, the sapphires offer a sense of regal appeal, long associated as one of the many royal gemstones, along with emeralds and rubies.  In white gold diamond rings, the sapphires offer a beautiful contrast to the white of the metal and the colourless diamonds in the diamond rings themselves.  Sapphires are also very popular when flanked by diamonds in the rings, as opposed to simply being the accent stones.

Rubies, naturally being another royal gem, are also very common choices for gemstone and diamond rings.  They not only blend well into the warmer nature of yellow gold diamond rings, they also offer a beautiful complement to white gold or platinum set diamond rings.  Ruby and diamond rings are, in fact, one of the most popular styles of gemstone and diamond rings around the Christmas holidays and the gemstone and diamond rings of choice for Valentine’s Day.

Emerald and diamond rings round out the top three choices when it comes to royal jewel combinations.  Like ruby and diamond rings, emerald and diamond rings are a hot commodity around the Christmas holidays due to the natural association of the colour green with Christmas itself.  Many consumers prefer the same warm tones that emeralds can possess when set into yellow gold diamond rings.  Other consumers prefer the unique contrast the deep green emeralds have when set into whiter metals such as platinum and white gold.  Either way, the specific way the emerald contrasts off the diamonds in the rings make them on of the top picks on the market today.